To a state program that offers free air conditioners to low-income New Yorkers whose health issues pose a medical emergency during hot weather.
The program is funded through $3 million from the federally funded Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP.
Households that have a working air conditioner or have received one from the state in the last 10 years are not eligible.
The cooling program is administered through county agencies that coordinate the Home Energy Assistance Program. Income eligibility information is available at www.mybenefits.ny.gov.
Even though cooler temperatures are in the forecast, there is still a long summer ahead of us. We encourage those who are eligible to take advantage of the program.
To Oneonta High baseball's Ben Moxley and Joe Hughes for being named the Class B player and coach of the year by the New York State Sports Writers Association.
Six other members of the Class B state championship team _ Sean Getman, Zach Pidgeon, David Wright, Chris Pindar, Conor Youngs and Mark Giallanzo _ also earned all-state honors.
"It could have gone to any one of those guys," Moxley said of his Player of the Year award, which followed an 8-0 season that included a walk-free four-hitter in a 2-0 state-championship victory over Briarcliff on June 9 at Conlon Field in Binghamton.
The NYSSWA also recognized two Unatego players in Class C _ Quinn Barnhart and Dan Shelton _ and three local Class D boys _ Cherry Valley-Springfield's Brett Adams and Andrew Bosc and Richfield Springs' Zach Boss _ on its all-state teams.
We congratulate Moxley and Hughes, and all of the honored players, on their accomplishments.
To a Texas business that is looking to expand into our region.
Aloterra Energy of Texas is seeking farmers to grow miscanthus giganteus, a grass that can be converted into heating pellets or manufactured into products such as food containers and flooring materials.
Matthew Griswold, senior vice president and chief business officer, said the company aims to work with farmers in Delaware, Schoharie and Greene counties to plant about 4,000 acres of the grass next year. The project also will create manufacturing jobs, officials said.
This sounds like a win-win-win for all involved. Farmers will get extra income, manufacturing jobs will be added and the biomass products are an environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum-based products.
To Otsego County Tourism for embracing technology with its "What's on Deck" program.
The program places a Quick Response, or QR, code on signs to promote area attractions. Visitors use their mobile devices to scan the code, and a menu of themed options is brought up. People can map the locations and see the distance in miles from where they are located.
We're glad to see technology used to benefit local business and visitors to our area.
