WCDO Radio News

Law enforcement officials in Delaware county, and all surrounding counties, have seen a turn in the abuse of substances like alcohol, to prescription pain killer and heroin in the last 1 to 2 years.  Dave Ramsey of the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council of Delaware County explains:

(Dave Ramsey 2-27-13)

Ramsey said emergency rooms are also seeing an increase in the combining of these substances leading to overdoses; his office can be contacted for help or interventions at 746-8300, or at adaconline.org.

Delhi village officials will host a public information meeting tonight regarding a potential natural gas distribution franchise within the village. The meeting will be held at 7:00 PM at the Delhi Fire Hall.  Leatherstocking Gas Company LLC will give a presentation, as they seek franchises from the village and town to distribute natural gas from the proposed Constitution Pipeline.

State Troopers in Norwich arrested 17-year-old Joseph Jackson of Oxford, for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Marihuana. The arrest resulted from a traffic stop on State Route 220, in Preston; Jackson was issued an Appearance Ticket returnable to the Town of Preston Court on March 5th.

Sidney fire fighters were credited with quickly knocking down a fire in a garage behind the Sidney elementary school yesterday afternoon.  Elementary students were removed to the high school for a brief period and returned to their classes following the minor fire, caused by an electrical short in a tractor.  No injuries were reported.

The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance announced that New Yorkers can now check their eligibility and apply for certain benefits in 8 languages at myBenefits.ny.gov.  Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order in 2011 requiring that "vital documents" be translated into the "six most common non-English languages spoken by individuals in the State.   So far over 330,000 SNAP applications have been submitted via myBenefits.ny.gov.

Delaware County Deputies investigated a one-car fatal motor vehicle accident on County Hwy 2 in the Town of Andes Saturday.  58 year old Karen Lane of Warwick was traveling North on County Hwy 2 when her vehicle left the roadway and overturned several times, ejecting Lane from the vehicle.  Lane was not wearing a seatbelt; she was pronounced Lane dead at the scene.

The State police have been sending representatives around the state to explain the New York Safe Act gun laws that were passed a few weeks ago.  Assemblyman Cliff Crouch said that the bill was rushed through and changes are needed:

(Cliff Crouch 2-4-13

The new state gun law is being used as a model for the one that is being crafted by the Obama administration in Washington.

Over the last 4 to 5 years, there has been a dramatic turn by teens from alcohol abuse, to additional abuses of heroin and prescription pain pills.  Dave Ramsey of the Alcohol & drug abuse council of Delaware County said that a real danger exists when teens begin combining these drugs:

(Dave Ramsey 2-4-13

Ramsey said that his office performs interventions, more information about that is available by calling the council at 746-8300, additional information about drug & alcohol abuse is available on their website at adaconline.org.

Organizers of the Delaware county fair announced the lineup today for entertainment at this year’s fair in Walton.   The Delaware County Fair Board announced that country music act Montgomery Gentry would return, on Saturday, August 18th.  Also on the bill will be country music acts Aaron Kelly and Lindsey Erin.

State DEC Commissioner Joe Martens addressed a joint session of the legislature in Albany this morning, regarding the future of Hydraulic fracturing in the Marcellus Shale in this region of the southern tier of the state.  Martens was expecting questions about the finding of the DEC regarding health issues, water & air concerns with regards to natural gas drilling.  The state moratorium on drilling has been in place for 4 ½ years, in that time the DEC has addressed thousands of comments from those both for & against the continuation of hydraulic fracturing.

There will be no Crappie Derby in Whitney Point again this year.   Organizers have cancelled the event because the ice is not thick enough for the 2nd straight year.  Broome County Department of Parks and Recreation officials measured the ice this morning and found out that there was only 8 inches of Ice, not enough for the event to be held safely.

Commerce Chenango and NBT Bank will host the 2013 Annual Economic Forecast Breakfast featuring keynote speaker Binghamton University president Harvey Stenger; the breakfast will take place on February 13th at The Silo Restaurant in Greene on February 13th.   Stenger will share an overview of the University and his efforts to enhance economic development in the Southern Tier. Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. Chamber members may attend for $25.00 and non-members for $35.00; more information is available at 334-1400.

Police and hospitals are noticing an increase in the abuse of prescription painkillers at an alarming increase.  Dave Ramsey of the Alcohol & drug abuse council of Delaware county comments:

(Dave Ramsey 1-4-13)

New York state passed legislation last year to begin the “I-Stop” program, where prescriptions are sent electronically to pharmacies where databases can track the prescribing and dispensing of controlled prescription drugs to patients, in order to stop suspected abuse or diversion and provide doctors and pharmacists with real-time information on a patients’ prescription drug history, & who might be “doctor shopping”.

There will be a Sidney school district Capital Project Presentation open to the public on Tuesday, January 8th in the HS Auditorium at 6:00pm. Superintendent Bill Christensen told WCDO News about the project:

(Bill Christensen 1-4-13)

At Tuesday’s open house, Christensen and the architects will be present to talk about the project and answer questions from the public.

The Tri-Town Theater is looking to unearth local talent, with their “First Saturday” open Mike nights starting tomorrow in Sidney.  Spokesperson Andrea Whiteside explains:

(Andrea Whiteside 1-4-13)

The First Saturday Coffee House nights will be held at the new location for the Tri Town Theater at the former Masonic Temple on Union Street in Sidney, more information is available at 563-8690.

Republican Assemblyman Pete Lopez will be sworn in as the representative for the new 102nd Assembly District. The ceremony will be held at the Schoharie County Courthouse in the Village of Schoharie at 6:00 p.m. tonight.

The Chenango county sheriff’s department arrested 19-year-old Justin Pezzino of Greene for Unlawful Possession of Marihuana.   Pezzino was charged following a traffic stop in the Town of Greene, he was given an appearance ticket for the Town of Greene Court at a later date.

The Delaware County Sheriffs Office arrested Michael Janitz of Oneonta, on a New York State Parole Warrant.  Janitz was remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility to await further proceedings from New York State Division of Parole.

The Chenango county sheriffs department arrested 26-year-old Diana Essig of Coventry on an active Arrest Warrant out of the Town of Bainbridge Court for 2nd degree forgery & Petty Larceny.  Deputies arrested Essig after she was released from the Chenango County Correctional Facility on unrelated charges; she was arraigned at the Town of Bainbridge Court & was remanded back to the Chenango County Jail on $1,000 cash bail.  She is to reappear in the Town of Bainbridge Court at a later date.

The Sidney town board has called a special meeting for Thursday January 10th at 7:00 PM in the Sidney civic center board room.  The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the draft moratorium on gas drilling, it will be distributed to board members, if it is acceptable to the majority of the board, it will be sent to Delaware county for a general municipal law review.

Emergency crews have been busy responding to accidents throughout the tri-county region this morning.  Roads remain slippery in many locations, law enforcement agencies remind all motorists to drive with extreme caution.

Police, emergency room physicians, parents and officials with the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council of Delaware County  have seen a dramatic shift from teens of alcohol abuse to the abuse of heroin, prescription pain medications, “Bath Salts” and synthetic Marijuana.  Dave Ramsey of the alcohol & drug abuse council said that parents need to be very observant regarding their teen:

(Dave Ramsey)

Those with questions regarding the current popular abused substances can call the council at 746-8300; additional information can be found at adaconline.org.

State Police in Oneonta arrested 42-year-old Allison Lorette of Worcester for 2nd degree Harassment.  The arrest resulted from a complaint originating on Cook Street in Worcester, Lorette was arraigned in the Town of Maryland Court, remanded to the Otsego County Jail in lieu of $500 cash bail and is scheduled to appear before the Town of Worcester Court on January 8th.

Delaware County Deputies arrested 20-year-old Abigail Clark of Delhi for 2nd degree Criminal Contempt and 2nd degree Criminal Trespass.  The arrest stems from an alleged domestic incident that occurred in the Town of Middletown on December 20th where Clark allegedly violated an order of protection issued from the Town of Roxbury Court.  Clark was arraigned in the Town of Stamford Court and remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility in lieu of $1,000 cash bail.

16 nonprofit organizations received grants totaling $225,100 from the Community Foundation for South Central New York through the Foundation’s annual special grants process. The grants will be used for a variety of capital projects, operations and programs at the organizations, to replace funding lost from FEMA for food pantries in Chenango, Delaware and Otsego Counties and for The Southern Tier Coalition for the Homeless “No-Freeze” program in Broome, Chenango and Otsego Counties.   Some of the Organizations receiving grants include the local Boy & Girl Scout councils, the Discovery Center of the Southern Tier, Mom’s House, & the United Way of Broome, Chenango, Delaware and Otsego Counties.

Emergency rooms and law enforcement are noticing increased Problems with prescription painkillers and heroin in Delaware County & surrounding areas in recent months.  Dave Ramsey of the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council of Delaware County said that doctors, law enforcement & parents all have roles in trying to reverse this trend among teens:

(Dave Ramsey)

More information drug abuse, underage drinking and interventions are available by calling the council at 746-8300 or checking out their website at adaconline.org.

State police at Troop C in Sidney are continuing the investigation, after the discovery of a dog left at the side of state route 28 in the town of Franklin last weekend. The male mastiff was left at the site with food & water, he was taken to the Delaware valley Humane Society in Sidney, police are following up based on evidence left at the scene.

The Norwich Common Council will hold a special meeting tonight at 6:00 at the city offices, for the purpose of conducting 2 public meetings.  The common council will hold a hearing on the a proposal to override the states 2% property tax cap, the 2nd public hearing will be on the proposed 2013 city budget, which seeks a 9.8% tax increase.

State Police at Oneonta arrested 30-year-old Randy Moore of Portlandville for 2nd degree Criminal Contempt, following an investigation into a complaint on State Route 28 in Portlandville.  Moore was issued an Appearance Ticket returnable in the Town of Milford Court on December 18th; he was turned over to the City of Oneonta Police Department, for action on a City of Oneonta Court warrant of arrest.

Congressman Maurice Hinchey made one last trip around the Broome county portion of his congressional district yesterday to say goodbye to long time supporters.   Hinchey decided to retire at the conclusion of this year’s session, after 20 years in Congress, which followed a lengthy stint in the state legislature.  Hinchey’s district was split up into surrounding districts during the re-districting process this year, his constituents will be served by 2nd term republican congressmen Chris Gibson in the Hudson valley, and Richard Hanna in the southern tier.

The Boys & Girls Club of Sidney announced that the Sidney Youth Basketball Program is returning on Saturdays Morning starting on February 2nd, 2013 at the Sidney Middle and Elementary Gym. The program is open to all Sidney students in kindergarten to 6th grade.  The fee for registering is $10 and registration forms can be picked up at the Boys & Girls Club on the 2nd floor of the Sidney Civic or at www.bgcsidney.com (http://www.bgcsidney.com/). Registration forms need to be returned the Club by January 4th, information call (607) 561-2311 or email tritownbgclub@yahoo.com (mailto:tritownbgclub@yahoo.com).

The Federal Court of Appeals has upheld the convictions of 3 people who killed a Mohawk valley officer in 2006.  The court decided today that to upheld the convictions of Toussaint Davis, Marion Pegese and Robert Ward for the 2006 death of New Hartford Police Officer Joseph Corr. The trio had argued that their case should be re-tried due to legal errors, the court decided otherwise.

The New York Wine and Grape Foundation reported that 2012 was a record setting year for that industry.  The foundation stated that 17 new licenses were issued in 2012, bringing the number of wineries to 328 with nine more still pending.  In international wine competitions, New York wines received 88 "Best" designations, 565 gold medals, and 80 "double gold" medals which require unanimous decisions by the judges.  Governor Cuomo recently held a wine & spirits summit in Albany to seek input on ways that the industry can expand 2012 levels.