Friday Night Fever: RFA at Whitesboro - Girls Hoops

Red Cross Implements New Program To Increase Volunteerism

When everyone is running away.. they're the ones running toward the fires, floods, and shootings. Red Cross is implementing a new program to increase volunteerism in Central New York. They've created an on-call program for their Disaster Response Team; those are the volunteers that respond to day-to-day accidents. Members will be on-call for one full week at a time and then off for 3 weeks. Coordinators say this will provide more structure to the Red Cross and more responsibility for volunteers.

"Having a small group of 6-10 people is fine and we could cover the 2 counties that way. But we'd like to have a big bench so if something happens like the Herkimer shooting, we're not relying on 6-10 people. Now we have 20-30 responders and they can help us with those," says Rich Hajeris, Red Cross Emergency Service Manager.

Coordinators say this new program will require more staffing though and that's why they're urging people to volunteer today.

For more information, visit: www.redcross.org/ny/utica and/or www.redcross.org/ny/syracuse

Herkimer County Kicks Off 'Small Business Week'

Today marks the start of 'Small Business Week' across the entire state. In Herkimer County, the Chamber of Commerce is encouraging residents to shop locally by hosting different events all week long. In honor of Main Street Monday, Eyewitness News visits an Ilion restaurant who says this week has a big impact on owners, as well as community members.

"We're giving people a different variety and with our product , we've very personal, we like to take care of our customers. Something special, fresh cooked, and just taking care of our customers like we do our family members," says Kelley Holmes-Morton, owner of Froggy's Take-Out in Ilion.

Complete week-long schedule of events:

May 20th: Main Street Monday- encouraging residents to shop locally
May 21st: Tidy-Up Tuesday- Deb Cabral the DeClutter Coach hosts efficiency consulting at HCCC 8:30am
May 22nd: Wine & Dine Wednesday- encouraging residents to support local restaurants
May 23rd: Thank you Thursday- Find out how HCCC can help your business at an Evening Reception 5:30-7:30pm
May 24th: Fun Friday- Stop in the Chamber Office for additional information from week's events and grab some coffee and a doughnut 7:30-9:30am

For more information, visit: http://www.herkimercountychamber.com/

NB3 Foundation Challenge line-up revealed

12 of the world's elite PGA golfers are to compete in this year's NB3 Foundation Challenge.

Oneida Nation Representative Ray Halbritter and four-time PGA Tour winner Notah Begay III announced the details for the 6^th annual event today.

The tournament will be led by Tiger Woods and other stars like Rickie Fowler and KJ Choi.

The Athletes playing this year will represent three teams, Team USA, Team Asia and Team International.

"Spectators who are fortunate to get tickets and come are going to be treated to some of the best golf they will see in this area for a long time. These guys are competitors. They want to come out and don't want to lose to the other team. So, these guys are going to come out and do their best and put on a good show," said Begay.

The event raise awareness and funding for the health and wellness of Native American Youth on Indian Reservations across the country.

The NB3 Foundation Challenge is scheduled for Wednesday, August 28^th.

Turning Stone looking to fill over 100 positions for Exit 33

Turning Stone Resort & Casino is getting ready to open its multi-million dollar entertainment facility, Exit 33.

Officials say everything is going as planned, but they are looking to hire more people. The Oneida Nation is looking to fill over 100 part-time full-time positions ranging from club managers to cooks.

"You just have to be fun and outgoing. We don't really look for a lot of experience. We just want people that have a fun attitude and are willing to learn," said Jerry Marrello, Sr. Entertainment Operations Manager.

If you are interested, a job fair will be going on until 8 p.m. Monday night in the Oneida Room at Turning Stone.

Ride for Missing Children bringing hope to families

Jackpot Or Bust? New York And Oneida Nation Agreement Brings Mixed Reactions

The ink has barely dried on the agreement between New York and the Oneida Indian Nation, but people are showing strong reaction already. The agreement says it will give Oneida Nation exclusive gaming rights in exchange for revenue sharing with county and state governments. Is it jackpot or bust? Community members and lawmakers have mixed opinion.

Judy Bachmann is the chairman of the Citizens Equal Rights Alliance, and she has big concerns about the agreement.

"It says they lost! The court says the counties are entitled to their money!" says Judy Bachman, chairman of the Citizens Equal Rights Alliance.

Bachmann is referring to the Oneida Nation Supreme Court case in 2011, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against the tribe with regard to land claim issues dating back to 1974. She says she doesn't know why the governor is getting involved now.

"The issue is not whether or not the Oneidas are going to get land. The issue is whether there is federal oversight in the area," says Bachmann.

Bachmann says her biggest concerns in the agreement are the land claim issues because she says there aren't any.

"I think the reason they're using a land claim situation is because of a federal law, Indian gaming regulatory act, that allows a Governor to negotiate a compact to settle a land claim," says Bachmann.

"The land claim was settled. Its the phrasing of it. There are land issues, there are land and trust issues, there are foreclosure issues on the property," says Anthony Picente, (R) Oneida County Executive.

The County Executive says it's an agreement on revenue and land, and that no party is getting exactly what it wants.

"Can't have it both ways. Can't get money, can't get a settlement, can't move on and still sue the Oneidas and still challenge those issues? That's what a settlement is, like any other negotiation," says County Executive Picente.

But Bachmann questions the timing of the agreement. In February, the Supreme Court postponed a decision to hear a case regarding the Nation until it heard the Solicitor General's view on the issue, and that view could be made public soon.

"I don't think it should be pulled before the Solicitors' opinion comes in. I don't think it should be pulled at all. If we go to court and we have our fair time to argue this this and we lose, we lose. And if we go to court and we have our fair time to argue this this and we win, we win," says Bachmann.

"I cant keep living in the past and if we lose, we lose and the train has left the station on this deal and then we get nothing. And would they rather have nothing? 100% of zero is still zero." says County Executive Picente.

Portions of the settlement will require New York State Legislative approval, approvals by Madison County and Oneida County, Department of Interior, the New York State Attorney General, as well as judicial approval. The agreement is not effective until these approvals are secured.

Whitesboro Bicentennial Parade Is On The Way!

The village of Whitesboro is about to celebrate its 200th Birthday. That's why some community members are holding a Bicentennial Parade and ceremony kicking off the celebrations on Sunday, June 9th.

"The reason we're asking the community is because it is their village, they'll be celebrating their 200th birthday as well. We wanted to really celebrate it with a huge parade and week-long celebration," says Dave Glenn, Whitesboro trustee and Bicentennial Committee member.

The Bicentennial Committee is seeking groups or organizations interested in marching in the Bicentennial Parade on Sunday, June 9th. The parade starts at 1:30 PM and proceeds along Main Street from Watkins Street to the Village Green.

Interested groups can contact the committee by sending an email to whtboro@roadrunner.com or by calling the Village Office at 315-736-1613.

The parade is sponsored by the Village of Whitesboro Bicentennial Committee and the Whitesboro Historical Society.

The grand marshal is Margaret Stephenson, longtime resident and former Village of Whitesboro Trustee.

Following the parade, there will be a ceremony and the dedication and unveiling of a new monument in the Village Green.

Rust to Green Holds Final Public Meeting

The effort to redesign downtown Utica continued tonight.

Oneida County to Remain at 8.75% Sales Tax

Oneida County will remain one of the highest taxed countiesin New York State.