WCDO Radio News

Opportunities for Chenango announced that the Literacy Volunteers Program in Chenango County will close on Thursday. Program Director Ellen Hurtubise explains:

(Ellen Hurtubise 6-29-16)

There is a chance that a Literacy program could be extended to Chenango County from the Literacy Volunteers Program of Otsego & Delaware county, according to Program Director Dawn Rogers-Kroll:

(Dawn Rogers Kroll 6-29-16)

Those who would like to volunteer or assist in getting a literacy program to re-open in Chenango COunty can call Rogers-Kroll at 287-0036.

Last year, Governor Cuomo announced the launch of the first annual Catskill Challenge to promote tourism in the region during the Ride the Catskills motorcycle ride. With the Catskill Challenge set to take place Thursday, cabinet officials will hop on their motorcycles and kick-off the festivities a day early with the second Ride the Catskills Today. At 10:00 AM, Ride the Catskills starts at the Windham Mountain Ski Resort, and concludes with a reception in Roscoe.

Tourism remains the 2nd biggest industry in Upstate New York, and signs are looking positive for a good year fro Delaware County, According to Delaware County Chamber President Ray Pucci:

(Pucci 6-6-16)

Pucci said that the state tax revenue statistics tend to be a couple of years behind, but many area tourism related businesses are reporting increased activity & inquiries for this summer.

The Greater Chenango Cares IRT event will again be occurring in Norwich this summer. The 10 day initiative that will offer no cost medical, dental, optometry and veterinary care for children and adults in our region. The event is being led this year by the Chenango United Way and its volunteers and is occurring because of a partnership between many local health and human service organizations, local government agencies and the Department of Defense. The event will run from Friday, July 15 through Sunday, July 24 and will be held once again at the Norwich High School. more information is available at 334-8815

The Chenango County Sheriff's Office arrested Gregory Collins of Smithville, for 2 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Criminally Possessing a Hypodermic Instrument, Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia, following the report of a domestic dispute. Collins was in possession of several bags of Heroin, Oxycodone Pills, and drug paraphernalia. Collins was released on an appearance ticket and is to appear in the Town of Smithville Court at a later date to answer to his charges.

Commerce Chenango will be holding their next "Business After Hours" event today, hosted by M&T Bank, at 118 State Highway 320 in Norwich. The event will run from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.

Delaware county tourism is experiencing resurgence, as it becomes a vacation getaway for New York City Residents like it was for much of the 1900's, Delaware county chamber of commerce president Ray Pucci explains:

(Ray Pucci 5-3-16)

Pucci said that the most recent tax revenue numbers suggest that the tourism will continue to pick up & the Catskill region will be highlighted in June with Governor's Cuomo's Catskill challenge initiative.

Governor Cuomo hosted the third New York State Tourism Summit in Albany Wednesday, where local and international tourism leaders met with State officials to explore new industry opportunities. At the summit, a commitment of $50 million was unveiled to promote statewide tourism, create jobs, and attract more visitors to every region of New York. This investment, which is one of the largest ever by the State, builds upon the historic investments in the tourism industry, which generated a $100.1 billion economic impact in 2014.

Chobani will host its first Business After Hours at the Norwich facility at Woods Corners from 5:00 to 7:00 PM today, in partnership with Commerce Chenango. Guests may use the main entrance to the Woods Corners facility at 147 State Hwy 320, Norwich.