WCDO Radio News

State Attorney General Letitia James provided taxpayers with
tips to help avoid fraudulent tax schemes, and how to report any suspected
scams intended to steal personal and financial information.  Currently, Scammers are impersonating
representatives from the U.S. Treasury Department, the IRS, the Taxpayer
Advocate Service in an attempt to collect phony tax debts; & some Scammers
claim consumers owe past tax debts and insist that consumers pay using a
prepaid credit card or gift card;   New
Yorkers should report potential scams to the Office of the Attorney General by
submitting a complaint online or calling the consumer hotline at
1-800-771-7755.

State Police continue to investigate the November 1983
murder of 19-year-old Bessie Williams of Johnson City, who was reported missing
to the Johnson City Police Department when she did not return home after
picking up her paycheck at the Quality Inn Lodge in Endwell.   On April 11, 1985, State Police responded to
a report of human skeletal remains near King Street in the Town of Barker.    A forensic examination determined the
remains were those of Bessie Williams, and the manner of death was
homicide.  State Police have been attempting
to identify a suspect whose vehicle was towed by citizens in the fall of 1983,
from a field bordering the wooded area where her remains were discovered, he
was described as an intoxicated white male, 25 - 30 years old, 5' 7" to
5'10" with medium build, wearing work boots, jeans and a blue wind
breaker, the vehicle was a late 1970s white hatchback.  Many leads have been followed up, the case is
still open.  Anyone with information is
asked can call State Police at 561-7400.

State Police arrested 45 year old Steven Whitehead of
Unadilla for DWI, after a trooper observed Whitehead’s vehicle with an
equipment violation while on Interstate 88 in the town of Sidney.  A traffic stop was initiated on River Road,
Whitehead was arrested & was released on appearance tickets for town of
Sidney court on April 25th, and he was turned over to the village of Sidney
Police Department where he was wanted on a warrant.

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 12-7-18

State police are asking for the public's help in locating 39 year old James Sitts of Oneonta, who is wanted in connection with a grand larceny investigation. Sitts is described as a white male, 5 feet 10 inches tall, 165 pounds with brown hair, blue eyes and a beard, he has several distinctive tattoos on his neck and right arm, his last known address was in the Lantern Hill Trailer Park in Oneonta. Anyone with information is asked to call state police at (607) 561-7400.

Federal law Enforcement officials arrested 41 year old Justin Hobbie of Springfield, on child pornography charges. Hobbie was working as a physical education teacher & was formerly a girls’ soccer coach in the Cooperstown School District. District officials alerted parents of the arrest this morning, they did not believe that any incident involving a Cooperstown Student occurred, the investigation is continuing.

60 year old Lynn Beilby of South New Berlin has been charged with animal abuse, for allegedly torturing an animal and failing to provide sustenance to an animal. Beilby is scheduled to appear in the Town of Morris Court on January 14th to answer to the charges.

The Delaware County Historical Association will host its inaugural Christmas Fair on Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The event is free & open to the public, more information is available at 746-3849 or e-mail dcha@delhi.net

The Village of Franklin will hold their annual Christmas celebration tomorrow. Events will include a Library Book Sale, Grandma’s Pantry will be open from 11:00 to 3:00 at the Methodist Church, and the annual Holiday Market will run from 12:00 to 4:00 at the Fire House, pictures with Santa Claus will begin at 6:00 PM, also at the Fire House.

The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce announces a variety of events to be held Saturday. The highlight will be a parade starting at 5:00 PM, there will also be a library open house from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, and carolers, and after the parade be sure to go to the Episcopal Church (with red doors) for your photos with Santa.

State Police arrested 37 year old Michael Collins of Butternuts, for Unlawful Imprisonment, Criminal Obstruction of Breathing and Criminal Mischief, after Troopers were dispatched to a residence on Wilbur Hill Road in the town of Butternuts for a domestic dispute. After an investigation, troopers determined that Collins and a victim were involved in an argument that turned physical, where Collins is accused of choking, taking a phone away when the victim attempted to call for help and not allowing the victim to leave. Collins was arraigned in the town of Butternuts Court where he was released on his own recognizance. The judge issued an order of protection to the victim.

The American Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage and they are hosting 3 blood drives today. In Oneonta, a blood drive is being held at SUNY Oneonta from 12:00 Noon until 5:00 PM, one is being held in Cooperstown from 1:00 to 6:00 PM at the Clark's Sports Center, & another is being held in Morris from 1:00 to 6:00 PM at the Zion Episcopal Church on Main Street. Blood donors of all blood types, especially type O, and platelet donors are urged to make an appointment to donate at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS

The Unadilla Rotary Club & the Unadilla Chamber of Commerce will be presenting the Annual Santa Saturday in Unadilla, with Events being held at the Bauer Community Center at 246 Main Street, from 1:30 to 4:00 pm. Santa will arrive by Fire Truck at 3:00 pm. The parade will form at 2:30 on Sperry Street, off Clifton Street and proceed down Main Street to the Community Center. The Unadilla Rotary Club will have their annual basket raffle fundraiser with ticket winners announced. The Unadilla Public Library will be showing Classic Christmas Movies.

Delaware & Ulster Rail Road is participating in the 2018 Delaware County Toys for Tots campaign and passengers can ride the Silver Sleigh on Sunday, in exchange for a new, unwrapped toy that will be delivered to a Delaware County child in time for Christmas! For departure times and more information visit durr.org.

State Police are currently investigating a complaint on Wednesday ion the town of Franklin where 2 males posed as utility company workers while another person burglarized the home. 2 men wearing walkie talkies approached an elderly couple in front of their residence and distracted them, while the 3rd person entered their home and taken a large amount of cash, jewelry and coins. The suspects were in a white SUV with out of state plates. 1 man is described as Hispanic, clean shaven, approximately 50 years-old, approximately 5’3, 175 pounds, wearing a dark blue sweatshirt with matching sweatpants and a beanie hat. The 2nd man is described as 5’ 3”, a little older with facial hair and blue eyes, wearing blue jeans, a gray sweatshirt and a baseball cap, anyone with information should contact State Police at 432-3211 or 561-7400.

Acting Attorney General Barbara Underwood will return to her previous position as the state Solicitor General shortly. Underwood was appointed as acting Attorney General in May following the resignation of Eric Schniederman, following multiple sexual abuse allegations. Underwood will return to her old job following the swearing in of new Attorney general Letitia James in January.

The State Department of Transportation reminds motorists to obey the "Move Over Law". DOT Officials remind motorists that they should slow down & move over for vehicles with flashing red, white or amber lights, such as DOT vehicles, tow trucks, ambulances, fire trucks, & police vehicles.

State Police arrested 45 year old James Mumbulo of Edmeston for 27 counts of Overdriving, Torturing and Injuring Animals, after State Police were dispatched to check the welfare of several animals at a rented dairy farm on County Route 20 in Edmeston. Troopers located 27 deceased cow carcasses and several inches of manure, there was no food or water in the barn. After consulting with a veterinarian and the District Attorney’s office, Mumbulo was arrested. He was released on appearance tickets returnable to the town of Edmeston Court on November 19th.

State Police in Oneonta was notified that a skimming device was found inside the ATM at Community Bank, NA at 4987 State Route 23 in Oneonta. The device was found by a technician who was called to repair the ATM. the skimming device was placed inside the ATM Friday night by unknown older white male wearing glasses, shorts, a ball cap, and a hooded sweatshirt. The same suspect was involved in a similar skimming device incident in Scranton, PA in February. the ATM’s security features may have immediately disabled the ATM, but it is still unknown whether any cards may have been compromised. Anyone with information can contact State Police in Oneonta at 432-4844.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 34 year old James Bellows of Fleischmanns, as a fugitive from justice from McLeod County, Minnesota. Bellows was arraigned at the Town of Delhi Court where he was remanded to the custody of the Delaware County Jail without bail pending extradition from Minnesota.

Troy Police announced the arrest of 2 men Saturday in connection with the slayings of 4 people in a basement apartment recently. 38 year old James White and 24 year old Justin Mann of Scheneactady were each charged with 1st-degree murder and 4 each counts of 2nd-degree murder, for the killings of Shanta Myers, her 11 year old son Jeremiah, her 5 year old daughter Shanise Myers & & 22-year-old Brandi Mells. Troy Police said that Myers 15 year ols son was out of town on a retreat at the time of the murders, White & Mann are being held without bail in the Rensselaer County Jail.

Broome County District Attorney Stephen Cornwell announced that Joshua Taylor was sentenced in Broome County Court Tuesday, for the murder of James High in Binghamton in 2015. Taylor will spend 25 years to life behind in jail for the murder of High outside the Antler Lodge in July 2015.

Norwich Police & Chenango County Sheriff's deputies arrested 3 people on various charges after the execution of a "no-knock" search warrant at 29 Silver Street Tuesday. Arrested were 50-year-old Alan Banks of Norwich for Criminal sale of a controlled substance & Criminal nuisance, 31-year-old Steven White of Norwich for Criminal sale of a controlled substance & 29-year-old Amanda Strozier of Norwich for Criminal nuisance. Banks and White are accused of selling cocaine; while Banks and Strozier are accused of allowing people to sells drugs at their Norwich apartment. Banks and White were sent to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $10,000 bail each, while Strozier was sent on $5,000 bail. All 3 will appear in Norwich City Court Thursday.

James Brower and Tobias Rundstrom-Wooding were indicted by a Chenango County Grand Jury last week; they were arraigned in Chenango County Court on the indictment charges today. Rundstrom-Wooding was indicted last week on 8 counts including 1st & 2nd degree murder, plus 1st degree rape, tampering with physical evidence, possession of a sexual performance by a child and making false statements, his bail was set at $500,000 cash or $1 million bond. Brower had a 4-count indictment which included a 2nd-degree murder, hindering prosecution, tampering with physical evidence and making false statements, his bail was set at $400,000 cash or $800,000 bond. Both men are accused of the rape and murder of 11 year old Jacelyn O'Connor in the town of Norwich in July.

The Chenango Arts Council will have Smyrna Native Matt Nakoa performing at the Martin W. Kappel Theater this Saturday, to start the Chenango Arts Council's 2017-18 season. Executive Director Alecia O'Neill explains:

(Alecia O'Neill 9-18-17)

Nakoa played as part of last year's season, and has even played the White House in his young career, Tickets are available at 336-ARTS or at ChenangoArts.org.

A Chenango County Grand Jury will convene shortly to hear the cases against James Brower and Tobias Rundstrom-Wooding. Both men are accused of raping & murdering 11 year old Jacelyn O'Connor in their Norwich Trailer July 30th. Brower faced court action in Norwich yesterday, where it was determined that there was enough evidence against the men to send the case to a Grand Jury. Both men are being held without bail in the Chenango County Jail pending Grand Jury Action.

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office is currently looking for 18-year-old Noah Venth-Costick, who is wanted on an outstanding warrant for Grand Larceny. Venth-Costick is described as a white male, 5’ 9” tall, weighing about 150 pounds, he has Hazel Eyes, Brown Hair, anyone with information is asked to contact the Broome County Sheriff’s office at 778-1196 or 778-2923 or 778-2933.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 20-year-old James Hannigan of Hobart Saturday, on 1count of driving while ability impaired by drugs following a traffic stop in the Town of Meredith. Hannigan is additionally charged with failure to keep right, unlawful possession of marijuana, he was released on tickets returnable to Meredith Town Court at a later date.

State Police are attempting to locate an unknown white male for questioning relative to a burglary on October 19th at a home on Bassett Road in the Town of Triangle. The suspect was wearing a baseball cap & was observed on surveillance video, which can be viewed on the State Police Facebook Page. Anyone with information is asked to call the New York State Police at 775-1241.

The State DEC is once again warning residents to avoid contact with the Giant Hogweed, which is a Federally listed noxious weed, It’s sap can cause severe skin and eye irritation, painful blistering, permanent scarring and even blindness. If you come in contact with giant hogweed, immediately wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water and keep the area away from sunlight for 48 hours, and make sure to contact your family physician. Giant hogweed can grow to 14 feet or more, Its white flower heads can grow up to 2 1/2 feet in diameter & take the shape of an umbrella. If you find Giant Hogweed call the DEC Hotline at 1-845-256-3111, & Provide photos, detailed directions to the plant infestation and estimate the number of plants.

State Police arrested 45-year-old James Begin of North Adams, Massachusetts for DWI and other traffic violations. Troopers responded to a Delaware County 911 report of a van driving the wrong way on State Route 17 in the Town of Hancock. Begin was issued tickets returnable to the Town of Hancock on July 18th.

The Otsego County Sheriff's department is continuing the investigation into Monday's Bank robbery at the Edmeston NBT bank branch. The suspect is described as a white male, in his mid-to-late twenties, 5 foot 7 to 5 foot ten, with a thin build, he was last seen wearing light-colored pants, a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt, dark-colored shoes, a dark-colored knit hat and dark-rimmed glasses. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office at 547-4273.

Red Cross Blood Drives will be held today in the region. In Bainbridge, the blood drive will be held from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM, at the Greenlawn Elementary School, from 4:00 to 8:00 at the Harold BOCES campus in Masonville & in Oneonta from 1:00 to 6:00 PM at the St James Episcopal Church, 305 Main Street. Appointments are requested by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Delaware County Sheriff Deputies responded to the scene of a 1-car motor vehicle accident on State Highway 30, in the Town of Hancock. 65-year-old James Stracka of Peckville, Pennsylvania, lost control of his vehicle, traveled off the roadway and struck a rock wall, allegedly while intoxicated. Stracka was arrested for DWI & moving from lane unsafely, he is scheduled to appear in the Town of Hancock Court at a later date.

State Police & Otsego County emergency crews responded to a multi-vehicle collision Sunday afternoon near Schenevus on Interstate 88, which was believed to be caused by white-out conditions. The wreck took place at about 1:45 p.m. on the westbound stretch of the highway between Exits 18 and 19 in the town of Maryland. Police said that there were no fatalities but 8 people were injured & were taken to Bassett Hospital for non-life threatening injures. Police said that the crash included a Trailways Bus, 3 tractor-trailers and 8 passenger vehicles. The section of I-88 was closed until late last night for accident reconstruction investigators & clean up.

a Town of Otselic resident was arrested by Chenango County Sheriff’s Office for Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance and Promoting Prison Contraband.   30 year old Steven White was found to be in possession of controlled substance while being booked into the Chenango County Jail, he is scheduled to appear in the Town of Norwich of Court at a later date.

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Department & State Police announced that 7 people were sent to jail on felony drug charges following the discovery, dismantling and clean-up of an active meth-lab at 116 East Street in the Village of Walton Tuesday night. Police executed a search warrant, 7 adults and 3 children were removed, and the children were provided medical evaluation for potential contamination of toxic chemicals and were placed into emergency foster care. Police seized an active meth lab, prescription medications, cocaine, marijuana and public assistance benefit cards. Sheriff’s Investigators arrested James Nash, of Walton; Amanda Bicknell, of Walton; James Klinegardner of Tennessee, Brooklyn Alford of Walton; Tammy Lewis, of Walton; Johnny & Emily Uhl of Swan Lake, on a variety of drug charges plus Endangering the Welfare of a Child. All 7defendants were returned to the Delaware County Jail on $150,000 cash bail or $300,000 property bond.

State Police are looking for 81-year-old Alfred Turshman of 232 Frye Road in the Town of German. Turshman was reported missing from his home since August 14th at approximately 1:00 PM in the hamlet of Cincinnatus. Turshman is an 81-year-old white male who has dementia. He is 5’08” and weighs about 180 pounds. He is bald and may be wearing a light blue and tan button down long sleeve shirt, blue jeans and brown loafers. Anyone with information should call the State Police at 561-7400.

On Saturday afternoon at approximately 5:30pm, Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 24 year old James Fontana of Ardsley for 3 counts of reckless endangerment, felony driving while intoxicated, felony aggravated driving with a blood alcohol content of.18% or greater, felony aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, speed not reasonable and imprudent, and failure to stop for a stop sign. This arrest was a result of a UTV accident on Left Pines Brook in the Town of Walton. It is alleged that the defendant operated and subsequently crashed a UTV while in an intoxicated condition with three children inside the vehicle. Fontana was later arraigned and remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $2500 bail.

Delaware County Sheriff's Investigators arrested and charged a Hancock area Sex Offender with a felony violation the New York State Sex Offender Registration Act. 50 year old James Blackham was charged with failing to submit an updated photograph to the Sex Offender Registry within 20 days of his registration anniversary. Blackham is a Level 1 Sex Offender, Blackham was issued an Appearance Ticket to appear in the Town of Delhi Court on April 7 to answer the charge.

Police in Broome County are asking for the public's help in identifying the man recovered from the Susquehanna River in the Town of Union Sunday night. The Autopsy report said that the man pulled from the river was white, about 18-25 years old and weighing 150 pounds, with tattoos on both hands. The left hand tatoo spelled out the word "Fear" and on the right hand were the numbers 9,2,3, and 12 written on each knuckle. Anyone with information is asked to call Broome County Sheriff's detectives at 778-2053.

State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced the arrest of James Ferro the former director of the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision’s Special Investigations Unit, over accusations of sexually based harassment of a subordinate employee. Ferro faces 1 count each of Forcible Touching, Official Misconduct, Coercion & Harassment. Ferro is accused of inappropriately touching a subordinate and Community Supervision, at the Department of CorrectionalS in Albany over the course of several years.

Former New York Governor George Pataki is considering a run for the White House; he campaigned in New Hampshire recently, where one of the earlier primary votes are held. Pataki left office in 2007 after serving three terms as governor of New York.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Office investigated a fatal 1-car motor vehicle accident on State Highway 10 in the Town of Hamden. 48 Year old Kelvin McKnight of Walton and a passenger, 23 year old James Spain of Walton were traveling north on State Highway 10 in the Town of Hamden near the intersection of County Highway 26 when the vehicle veered to the left and drove off the highway where the vehicle then struck a tree. McKnight was transported to O’Connor Hospital in Delhi where he later died from the injuries sustained in the accident. Spain was transported to Delaware Valley Hospital in Walton for evaluation and treatment. The accident remains under investigation.

State Police are investigating a bank robbery at the Peoples Security Bank in Conklin, police are looking for a white male subject, thin build, approximately 5 foot 10 inches tall, He was last seen wearing a brown or reddish knit hat with a single stripe at the bottom along with a tan and red plaid scarf wrapped around his face, wearing black framed glasses. The suspect was last seen in a Maroon Ford Taurus with a gold New York State license plate, the last 2 digits possibly being 66.

Oneonta police arrested 58-year-old James Hone of Oneonta following an incident earlier this month involving an envelope mailed to Oneonta City Court.  Hone was charged with Aggravated harassment in connection with the February 3rd incident when court employees opened a letter containing a white powder. After an investigation, the substance posed no threat to court personnel.   Hone was arraigned in Oneonta Town Court on Tuesday, he was sent to the Otsego County jail on $50,000 cash or $100,000 bond bail.