WCDO Radio News

The Oneonta Police Department received the final autopsy findings regarding the investigation into the December 2nd, 2017 death of 18-year-old Daniel Michaels of Dix Hills. The report determined the manner of death was accidental, due to mixed drug toxicity from amphetamines, ethanol, Xanax & Marijuana. The investigation into the Michael's death is continuing.

State Troopers initiated a pursuit of a suspect in Binghamton Tuesday afternoon. 36 year old James Giacalone of Glen Aubrey was wanted on an active warrant, he led police on a pursuit through the city's Southside, on Conklin Avenue, he crashed his vehicle into a utility pole, troopers tried to take Giacalone into custody, but he backed his vehicle away from troopers into a parking lot. Troopers approached the vehicle, Giacalone accelerated forward, striking one of the troopers, who shot Giacalone in the face, he then attempted to flee again. Giacalone was eventually taken into custody & was brought to Wilson Hospital and transferred to another hospital in Pennsylvania for treatment of gunshot wound to the face. The injured trooper was taken to Wilson Hospital for leg and facial injuries and was treated and released. State Police are asking the public for any witnesses or information related to this incident at 775-1241.

State Police & Emergency crews from Sidney & Unadilla responded to a 2-car accident with injuries at Tryons Corners today. The accident occurred at around 12:00 Noon, with front-end damage reported on both vehicles, and at least 2 injuries were reported, one person was taken to Fox HOsiptal in Oneonta, another wwas taken to Wilson Hospital in Johnson City with non-life threatening injuries, the investigation by state police is continuing.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Office arrested and charged 28 year old Michael Schermerhorn of Sidney for one count of Assault and one count of Criminal Mischief, following an incident in the Delaware County Jail where a Corrections Officer was assaulted while performing a cell extraction of Schermerhorn regarding unruly behavior and failing to follow the direct orders of staff. Schermerhorn was arraigned in the Town of Delhi Court and returned to the Delaware County Correctional Facility without bail pending further court action.

40-year-old David Burton of Johnson City was found guilty today in Broome County Court on murder & arson charges. Burton was found guilty of starting a fire at an ex-girlfriends residence in October 2015 in Johnson City, the fire Killed the Ex-Girlfriend's 2 sons, 3 year old Michael Maxwell & 4 year old Joshua Maxwell, and injured 2 others. Burton will be sentenced on September 14th.

State Lawmakers have reportedly reached a deal to name the new Tappan Zee Bridge after the late Governor Mario Cuomo. A new bridge is currently being built to replace the old span over the Hudson River, which was originally named after Governor Malcolm Wilson, who served as Governor in the 70's.

Chenango County Sheriff's office reported that on Tuesday at 10:40 PM, the 911 Center received a report of a snowmobile accident on Quarry Road in the Town of Oxford. The investigation determined that the operator of the snowmobile, 54-year-old Michael Buchanan of Bainbridge lost control of the snowmobile; he struck a guide and was ejected. Buchanan was pronounced dead at the scene.

On Monday Morning at about 11:10 a.m., Chenango County 911 received a report of shots being fired in the area of Algerine Street, in the Town of Afton. Responding Troopers located a male subject suffering from a shotgun wound to his upper leg, he was transported to Wilson Hospital in Johnson City, where he was being treated for his non-life threatening injury. The circumstances of how this subject was injured is currently under investigation. The continuing investigation determined a burglary had occurred in the Town of Afton. After consultation with Chenango County District Attorney Joseph McBride, State Police arrested 34 year old James Fletcher of Greene, for 2nd degree Burglary. Fletcher was arraigned in Town of Afton Court and was remanded to the Chenango County jail on $50,000 cash bail or $100,000 bond. The investigation into this incident is ongoing, Anyone with information is requested to contact State Police at 561-7400.

Chenango County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 2 car motor vehicle crash on State Route 12 in the Village of Greene. Deputies & Village of Greene Police reported that one vehicle was driven by 64 year old Danny Frayer of Oxford, when a 2nd vehicle operated by 33 year old Kyle Skidmore of Binghamton crossed the center line and was struck by Frayer’s vehicle. The passenger in Frayer’s vehicle, 54 year old Thomas Whittaker of Greene was pronounced dead at the scene. Frayer was transported to Wilson Hospital with minor injuries. Skidmore was transported to Wilson Hospital for treatment of serious internal injuries. Frayer and Skidmore were both wearing seat belts, Whittaker was not. The Sheriff’s Office has determined that Skidmore was operating at an unsafe speed for road conditions and failed to keep right.

Delaware County Sheriff Deputies arrested 29 year old Michael Walters of Davenport at the Town of Davenport Court while being arraigned on separate charges. Walters was charged with 3 counts of Criminal Contempt, and 1 Count of Harassment, from a previous domestic dispute with the protected party of the order of protection. Walters was remanded to the Delaware County Jail in lieu $5,000 cash bail, he will reappear in the Town of Davenport Court at a further date.

Broome County Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo vows to continue forward ing a bill to strengthen the state's parking garages. the bill failed to pass this year despite sponsorship from lawmakers in the majority party in each house of the legislature. The bill follows the collapse of a parking garage at Wilson Hospital in Johnson City in July 2015.

Delaware County Sheriff Deputies arrested 24-year-old Michael Vogel of Delhi for DWI & several other traffic violations, following a hit and run accident on Scotch Mountain Road in the Town of Delhi. Witnesses at the scene described the vehicle Vogel was operating, and it was located shortly after on Main Street in Delhi. Vogel was found to be operating in an intoxicated state, he was arrested & was arraigned in the Town of Delhi Court, he was remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility on $1,000 cash bail or $2,000 secured bond.

The Pre-registration deadline for this week’s Commerce Chenango Business After Hours event is today. The next event will be held at the Chobani headquarters at 147 State Highway 320 in Norwich Thursday at 5:00 PM. A presentation by Vice President of Corporate Communications Michael Gonda is scheduled; RSVP’s are requested today at 334-1402

State Police responded Friday to a reported house fire at 215 Loughlin Road in the Town of Kirkwood which resulted in the death of one individual. The investigation revealed that 72 year old Roger Simma and 67 year old Lynn Tompkins were awakened by smoke and fire in the living room of the residence. Tompkins was able to exit the residence and was attempting to assist Simma’s exit through a bedroom window, but was unable to do do due to the fire conditions. Tompkins suffered severe burns and was transported to Wilson Memorial Hospital and later air lifted to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse where he was listed in stable, but critical condition. Simma was unable to escape the home and was later located deceased as a result of the fire. The cause of the fire was determined to be the faulty chimney of a wood burning stove.

State Police have announced that name of the person killed in an accident in Cortland County last week. 61-year-old Ronald Reed of Cortland crossed into the opposing lane with his vehicle, he struck a tractor-trailer driven by 48-year-old Michael Gross of Norwich. Reed was declared dead at the scene, Gross was transported to Upstate Medical in Syracuse for non-life threatening injuries.

State Police responded Saturday to Union Center Highway in the Town of Union, for a report of a man suffering from gunshot wounds. The man identified as 50 year old Timothy Mancini was transported to Wilson Hospital in Johnson City, where he was being treated for his injuries. The investigation has revealed that the shooting followed an altercation, 4 subjects were detained and interviewed and were later released. The investigation is continuing and no arrest have been at this time. Anyone with information is asked to call the New York State Police at (607) 775-1241

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office investigated a 2 vehicle crash Wednesday Morning on State Highway 12 near County Road 45 in the Town of North Norwich. Deputies reported that a northbound vehicle was being operated Michael Davis, when he became unconscious, crossed the center line and struck a State DOT dump truck that was parked on the southbound shoulder. Donna Davis was a passenger in the vehicle, she suffered a broken ankle, both occupants were transported to Wilson Hospital in Johnson City.

The Chenango County Sheriff's Office & Sherburne Police investigated incidents of criminal mischief and larceny, on March 8the & 9th. The investigation began with the report of a motor vehicle crash in the Town of Smyrna, the occupants of the vehicle left the scene, and the vehicle was stolen from Sherburne. Information led to the arrest of a 15 year old male & 17 year old Michael Wilson, of Sherburne. The pair is accused of stealing the vehicle; spray painting vehicles, school buildings, and residences & stealing items from vehicles. Both were charged for multiple counts of Grand Larceny, Petty Larceny, and Criminal Mischief, the amount of damage and stolen property is approximately $15,000.00 The 15 year old male was released on a juvenile appearance ticket and Michael Wilson is being arraigned in the Village of Sherburne Court. The investigation is continuing and the Sheriff's Office is asking anyone with information to call 337-1931 or 334-2000 option 1.

State Police were on the lookout for a Dodge Magnum driven by 27 year old Elvis Guzman of Cincinnatus, following the report of a violent domestic dispute. Trooper Michael Gardner observed the Guzman vehicle & he refused to stop. After a brief pursuit, Guzman purposely drove off of State Route 79 and into a field that led down a steep embankment and into an ice-covered lake in the town of Barker. Trooper Gardner with the help of a passing motorist, tied a rope to his belt and entered the ice-covered water & pulled Guzman out. Guzman's vehicle was located & removed, Guzman was transported to Wilson Hospital in Johnson City where he refused medical attention, he was issued numerous traffic tickets to the Town of Barker court & he was then turned over to the Cortland County Sheriff’s Department for a possible felony assault charge.

On Tuesday morning, a Delaware County Correctional Facility inmate was arrested and charged with assaulting another inmate at the County Jail last week. Sheriff’s Investigators arrested and charged 19 year old Michael Fairbairn of Sidney, for 2nd degree Assault, for allegedly punching another inmate in the face several times, causing injuries requiring medical treatment. Fairbairn, who was being held on a burglary charge pending in Delaware County Court at the time of the assault, he was arraigned and was returned to the Delaware County Jail on the previous County Court order, on $10,000 cash bail.

Sidney republicans & Democrats co-hosted a candidate’s forum at the Sidney Library Smart Community Room Last night. The main part of the forum was the chance for voters to hear from County Family Court Judge candidates Gary Rosa & Porter Kirkwood. Rosa told WCDO News why he felt he should be the first Delaware County Family Court Judge:

(Gary Rosa 10-21-15)

County Attorney Porter Kirkwood told WCDO News why he felt he should be the first county court judge:

(Porter Kirkwood 10-21-15)

4 candidates are running for 2 seats on the Sidney town board, they are incumbent Bill Heath, Former town Council man Eric Wilson as well as Loddie Marsh & Jeannette Hinckley, who each gave introductory comments at the Sidney Library Forum last night.

Broome County deputies responded Sunday to State Route 12 and Knapp Hill Road in Chenango Forks, for a reported motor vehicle accident. Patrols located the vehicle in a ditch, and a male, covered in blood, which ran from the scene. The male was taken into custody & was identified as 29-year-old Andrew Hessney of Chenango Forks; he was transported to Wilson Hospital for treatment of his injuries and later released to the custody of the Sheriff’s Office. Hessney was charged with Obstructing Governmental Administration, Resisting Arrest, moving from a lane unsafely, he was arraigned and was remanded to the Broome County Sheriff’s Correctional Facility in $500.00 bail pending future court action.

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office responded Sunday to an unknown injury motor vehicle accident on Smith Hill Road in the Town of Lisle. Deputies found a vehicle stuck in a yard in front of 429 Smith Hill Rd. The driver was also located & identified as 34-year-old Michael Quail of Lisle, he was charged with Driving While Intoxicated, as well as several other charges, and he was processed at the Broome County Sheriff’s Office and will answer charges in the Town of Lisle court at a later date.

State Police responded to a Broome County 911 report of a fatal motor vehicle accident involving 2 race vehicles on the dirt track at the Broome Tioga Raceway in the Town of Lisle. The investigation determined that 38-year-old Michael Smith of Owego, was driving a 2000 Chevrolet Blazer when he lost control of his vehicle on a turn and rolled over coming to rest on the driver’s side. His vehicle was then struck by approaching racer 35 year old Mitchell Quail of Richfield, who was unable to avoid a collision. Smith suffered a head injury from the collision and was transported to Wilson Memorial Hospital were he died. An autopsy is pending; Mitchell Quail was not injured in the collision. The investigation is ongoing.

State Police arrested 56-year-old Michael Muller of Denver, New York for Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated with a reportable BAC result of .24%, 3 times the legal limit. The arrest occurred after a vehicle stop for driving left of the pavement markings on State Route 23 in Davenport, Muller was issued tickets returnable to the Town of Davenport Court on September 23rd.

State Troopers arrested 26-year-old Justin Mullen of Harpursville, for Driving While Intoxicated, following a Motor Vehicle accident at North Road and Dodd Road in Thursday in Windsor.  Troopers accuse Mullen of driving off the road & striking a concrete culvert, he was trapped in the vehicle and was removed by members of the West Windsor, Windsor and 5 Mile Point Fire Departments utilizing the Jaws of Life. Mullen was airlifted to Wilson Regional Trauma Center in Johnson City, for multiple internal and external injuries.  Mullen was issued tickets returnable to the Town of Windsor Court at a later date.

The unofficial election results are in from the county boards of election:

In Delaware County:

In the town of Sidney, Republican Gene Pigford wins the Supervisor position; winning town council seats were Democratic incumbent Pete Cordes, & Republican John Woodyshek

In the Town of Franklin, Republicans David Grant & Garrett Sitts win board seats,

In the Town of Masonville, Republican Michael Spaccaforno is re-elected Supervisor. Steven Roff and Betty Scott are elected to the town board.

In the town of Davenport, Dennis Valente was re-elected as supervisor. Republicans kitty Ballard and William Hansen won town board seats.

In deposit, Victor Davis and Carl Clark win town board seats,

In the town of Meredith: James Ellis is the new Supervisor,

In Otsego County:

Dan Crowell wins the election for county treasurer,

2 seats on the Town of Oneonta board were won by democrats Patricia Jacob & Andrew Stammell. Republicans Sean Farrell & Bruce Smith won the 2 town justice seats.

In the Town of Unadilla, Republicans Roger Cecce, George Banta, won 2 seats on the town Council

In the Town Of Butternuts, the supervisor is Charles Eckleman

The Otego town supervisor is Joseph Hurlburt.

In Chenango County,

In the Town of Afton, Republicans Robert Tallmadge, and Chris Warren win seats on the town board,

In the Town Of Guilford, for the 2 seats on the Town Council; Republicans Tomas Ives & Barbara O’Dell win.

In New Berlin, Robert Star is the supervisor, Wendy Rifanburg & John Parks are the winners for town board seats.

In the town of Oxford Lawrence Wilcox is the supervisor; Ronald Charles and John Hoffman win board seats.

In the Town of Coventry, the Supervisor is George Westcott, for Town Justice, Republican Joseph Agunzo wins

On the Town Council, Republicans Robert Boudreau & John Wicks win 2 seats on the board.

Some of these results could change pending the counting of absentee ballots.

Binghamton police have identified the murder victim from Monday as 22 year old Jordan Dordell, who was Beaten, stabbed, bound, & set on fire, his 19 year old pregnant girlfriend was taken to Wilson Hospital where she is in critical condition, but is expected to survive.  25 year old Nigel Saunders and 21 year old Julian Talamantez were arraigned Tuesday on felony counts of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder, they were sent to the Broome County jail without bail.

A two vehicle accident near the town line of Nanticoke and Glen Aubrey has left two dead. 34 year old Brett Berg, of Johnson City was driving his car south on Route 26 when it crossed into the opposite lane while going around a curve and hit an SUV. Berg and Michael Smith, 49, of Homer, were pronounced dead at the scene. Passenger Gail Renninger-Smith, 50, of Homer, was taken to Wilson Memorial Hospital for treatment of her injuries.

The Broome County Sheriff's Office arrested Michelle Lynn Hill, 37, of the town of Union, after she let her 12-year-old daughter drive her car in the parking lot of the old Heritage Country Club in the town of Union on Friday. The daughter got behind the wheel, with two other 13-year-olds also in the car. The daughter then lost control, struck an embankment and the car rolled two times. All three were slightly injured and taken to Wilson Hospital. Deputies said Hill was standing in the parking lot when it happened.  Hill has been charged with three counts of reckless endangerment in the first degree, a class D felony. She was arraigned in the Town of Union Court.

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has filed a lawsuit against Donald Trump and The Trump Entrepreneur Institute, formerly named Trump University LLC, and Michael Sexton, former president of Trump University for engaging in persisten fraudulent, illegal and deceptive conduct in connection with the operation of Trump University. Between 2005 and 2011, More than five thousand people across the country paid Donald Trump around 40 million dollars as Trump University operated as an unlicensed educational institute that promised to teach Donald Trump’s real estate investing techniques to consumers nationwide but instead misled consumers into paying for a series of expensive courses that did not deliver on their promises.

Police arrested Kim A. Seals, 23, of Binghamton, Saturday at a home on Crocker Avenue in the village of Johnson City. He was wanted for stabbing Tequon Williams, 23, also of Binghamton, on Aug. 13. Police said Williams was stabbed in the stomach at a home on Charlotte Street in Binghamton. He then fled to a home on Hamilton Street, where police found him. Williams underwent emergency surgery at Wilson Hospital. Seals has been charged with one count of assault in the second degree.