WCDO Radio News

The African Children’s Choir will be performing at the Binghamton First Assembly Church Friday Night at 7:00 PM, as part of a national tour, that has performed all over American & Canada since April. Tour Leader Keira Carnie explains:

(Keira Carnie 10-25-17)

The African Children’s choir has been performing for over 30 years, and has performed for Queen Elizabeth at her Golden Jubilee, and has performed with Paul McCartney, Annie Lennox, Mariah Carey & Keith Urban. Friday Nights show is free; the church is located at 225 Washington Street in Binghamton.

The State office of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Services announced the opening of the new Voices Recovery and Community Outreach Center at 340 Prospect Street in Binghamton. The center will provide free support and services for people who are in recovery from a substance use disorder and for their families.

Governor Cuomo signed legislation to extend property tax exemptions to eligible United States veterans to include school taxes. Currently, state property tax laws provide partial property tax exemptions to qualified veterans of the United States Military; however, this exemption does not apply to school taxes. In 2013 and 2016 the alternative veteran's property tax exemption and Cold War property tax exemption were amended to give school districts the options of allowing the exemption, now, all 3 veteran's property tax exemptions would be applied to school taxes.

CDO Workforce and BEAM are offering a free interviewing workshop today at 10:00 AM at the CDO Workforce Center, at the 2nd Floor of the Sidney Civic Center. Reservations are requested at 832-5776, but walk-ins are welcome. The Interviewing Workshop is in time to prepare for the Southside Mall Job Fair later today from 2:00 to 5:00 PM.

The New York State Preparedness Corps will conduct disaster preparedness training on Tuesday November 7th at the Sidney Public Library. The Training is free, & will cover how to prepare for a disaster, how to respond to one & how to recover as quickly as [possible. There will 2 sessions, one from 3:00 to 4:30 PM for senior citizens & another for the general public from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. The Tri County Senior Center & The Sidney United Way sponsors the Disaster Training, pre-registration is requested at 563-8065, or in person at the Senior Center.

Governor Cuomo and US Senator Charles Schumer are teaming up to denounce a tax overhaul proposal from Republicans in Washington that they say would hurt middle-class homeowners. They urge the state's Republican Congress members to oppose what they said is a partisan attempt to hurt big Democratic states such as New York and California. Republicans argue their plan would also increase the standard deduction and reduce business taxes in an effort to spur the economy. Negotiations over the proposal are continuing in Congress.

State Lawmakers did not complete the 2017 session Wednesday, and are being called back to Albany to wrap up the session Friday Morning. A few items were left on the table when work completed late last night, but are likely to be voted on Friday, they included bills extending control of New York City Mayor authority over the public school system & the continuation of sales taxes in upstate and Long Island counties.

Delaware County Public Health announced another Free Rabies Vaccination Clinic For dogs, cats and ferrets today, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, at the Masonville Fire Hall. Previous vaccination records are requested to verify if pets are eligible for 3-year coverage. More information is available at 832-5200 or delawarecountypublichealth.com

An Elder Law & Special Needs Law Clinic will be held on Thursday June 29th from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, for residents of Otsego, Chenango & Delaware, for those 60 and older. A free ½ hour legal consultation from an attorney will be available to discuss Wills, Trusts, Health Care Proxies, Bankruptcy, Grandparents Rights, Personal Injury, and many other issues pertinent to seniors. The event will be held at the ELM PARK CHURCH at 401 Chestnut Street, Oneonta. Pre-registration is required by June 27th at 607-231-5950

The State Senate passed of a package of bills to reduce mandated costs and other expenses that drive up local taxes for municipalities and school districts. Included in the package is a bill sponsored by Senator Jim Seward, to change the requirement for school districts to conduct internal audit risk assessments from annually to biennially. The package of bills was sent to the Assembly.

Today is the last day to sign up for free income tax preparation in Chenango County through the Colgate University Volunteer income tax assistance program. Residents who earned less than $54,000 may be eligible to participate, more information, can be made through Cornell Cooperative Extension at 99 Broad Street in Norwich, at 334-5841. The deadline to file state & federal income taxes is Tuesday April 18th this year.

Some of the wealthiest New Yorkers are urging the state to raise their taxes. 80 New Yorkers including George Soros, Steven Rockefeller & Abigail Disney wrote to lawmakers & Governor Cuomo, claiming that they & other top money makers in the state can afford to pay more taxes, in order to help the state pay for infrastructure projects, school funding & programs to help the poor, elderly & homeless. A proposal calls for the all making more than $650,ooo a year to pay more into the state coffers, a move that they forwarded last year as well. Assembly democrats have called for an immediate tax increase on the state's top 1% wage earners, State Senate majority Republicans & Governor Cuomo want to hold off on tax increases on Millionaires.

Sidney High School and the Tri-Town Coalition on Substance Abuse Prevention invite Sidney, Bainbridge and Unadilla community leaders, business people, parents, students, and school staff to a free Spaghetti & Meatballs Dinner from 5:15 PM to 5:45, followed by presentations starting at 6:00 PM in the High School Auditorium. Coalition President Lorraine Keckeisen comments:

(Lorraine Keckeisen 3-22-17)

Local experts Mary Rosenthal of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council, addiction expert Dave Ramsey, Sidney Police Chief Jan Gorshack will also speak. Pre-registration is encouraged in order to accommodate dinner provisions and door prizes, more information is available at 561-7707.

Delaware County Public Health will hold their next Free Rabies Vaccination Clinics today in Delhi. The Clinic will be held at the Delhi Fire Hall, 140 Delview Terrace Extension from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. More information is available at 832-5200 or delawarecountypublichealth.com

Governor Cuomo today announced additional free tax filing assistance events across New York State. At these events, Tax Department volunteers will be available to help low and middle-income taxpayers file their taxes online for free ahead of the April 18 deadline. Since the tax-filing season began in January, the Tax Department has partnered with various organizations to provide free tax filing assistance to thousands of taxpayers at 54 locations throughout New York State. More information is available at tax.ny.gov.

Governor Cuomo spoke at Binghamton University today, he called for County Executives to convene meetings among all county governments to consolidate services, share office space & equipment, & put it before voters, in order to lower the States Staggering Property taxes:

(Cuomo Property Tax)

Governor Cuomo also reiterated his plans for free SUNY Tuitions for students in families earning less than $125,000 a year:

(Cuomo SUNY)

Cuomo has both plans up for consideration by the State Legislature this year, in his $152.9 Billion dollar budget proposal.

A free business partnership workshop open to the public will be held tonight at the Oxford Academy primary school multi purpose room. Representatives from the Voss Group & Southern Tier Startup Alliance will speak to those who are thinking about becoming entrepreneurs in the Greater Chenango Area, the workshop runs form 6:30to 8:00 PM tonight & is one of a series of workshops as part of the 2 year "Innovation Series" of monthly forums. More information is available at 843-2025 extension 3301.

New York Lawmakers will begin several weeks of hearings on Governor Cuomo's proposal in the 152 billion dollar budget plan. The 1st hearing will be focus on the Governor's plan to make state & City university free again, for students in families making less than 125,000 a year, the 2nd hearing will be dedicated to workforce development, following hearings will deal with taxes, state spending on public safety, economic development, health care & social services, education and the environment. The legislature has until April 1st to pass a budget.

United Way of Delaware & Otsego Counties announced that taxpayers will be able to do their taxes free online through the CASH Coalition of Otsego & Delaware counties. United Way Executive Director Susan Kurkowski explains:

(Susan Kurkowski 1-24-17)

The website is unitedway.org/myfreetaxes.

Governor Cuomo continues to deliver his state of the state addresses at locations around the state; he again called for free Higher education at State Universities for middle class families:

(Cuomo 1-10-17)

Cuomo will deliver 2 more speeches tomorrow, and then the state legislature will begin work on the governor's proposal, plus the annual state budget plan.

Governor Cuomo today announced an initiative to reduce property taxes by empowering voters to approve locally designed plans that eliminate duplicative services to lower the cost of local government. Taxpayers will then vote on these cost-saving plans in a referendum in the November 2017 general election.

The Sidney Chamber Of Commerce announced today that Long time Sidney Fire Department member & former Chief Ray Baker is this year's choice for "Citizen of the Years” Baker told WCDO News he was quite surprised to get the honor at this mornings chamber meeting:

(Ray Baker 4-6-16)

This year's Sidney Chamber "Business of the Years" award goes to the Cullman Child Care Center, Director Amy Williams comments:

(Amy Williams 4-6-16)

Baker & the Cullman Center will both be honored at the Sidney Chamber Of Commerce's annual dinner in June.

The United Way of Delaware and Otsego Counties announced that the The CASH Coalition of Otsego and Delaware Counties can still prepare and file state and federal income taxes for free, for taxpayers who made under $62,000.00 in the 2015 tax year. The program is available for use on any home computer or public computers at CDO Workforce Offices, in Oneonta, Sidney or Delhi, at the SFCU branch in Delhi. Also, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance is available for individuals and families who made under $54,000 in the 2015 tax year, They offer free tax preparation and filing by trained individuals under the supervision of volunteer site coordinators, apointments are required by calling Catholic Charities at 432-0061. More information is available at United Way of Delaware and Otsego Counties at 432-8006.

Governor Cuomo announced that he is deploying the Department of Financial Services' Mobile Command Center to help eligible New Yorkers prepare and file their taxes for free. The unit will be making stops at locations throughout Upstate New York between the hours of 12 p.m. and 6 p.m.: Locally, the event will be held today in Oneonta at the Foothills Performing Arts Center.

Governor Cuomo announced that he is deploying the Department of Financial Services' Mobile Command Center to help eligible New Yorkers prepare and file their taxes for free. The unit will be making stops at locations throughout Upstate New York from April 4 through April 9, between the hours of 12 p.m. and 6 p.m.: Locally, the event will be held on Wednesday, April 6th in Oneonta at the Foothills Performing Arts Center.

Boys & Girls 14 & younger are invited to participate in the Knights of Columbus Basketball Free Throw event Saturday in Sidney. Registration with parental consent begins at 10:00 AM at the Sidney High School Gym; the winners will be eligible to participate in the district & state competitions.

The CASH Coalition of Otsego and Delaware Counties has announced that residents who meet income eligibility requirements will be able to prepare and file their state and federal income taxes for free. MyFreeTaxes is a service available to individuals and families who made under $62,000 in the 2015 tax year. The program is available beginning January 31st at CDO Workforce Offices in Oneonta, Delhi & Sidney, The Sidney Federal Credit Union Delhi Branch on Saturdays, 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon, & at the Huntington Memorial Library at 62 Chestnut Street in Oneonta. Appointments are required at 432-0061.

Governor Cuomo announced the opening of 85 free tax filing assistance sites across New York State. These new locations will add to the expanding network of sites that help eligible New Yorkers file timely and accurate returns at no charge. The State is offering 1,200 sessions at 85 locations, each staffed by State Department of Taxation and Finance tax experts who are available to assist eligible New Yorkers with electronically filing their 2015 taxes. To find free electronic filing assistance near you, call 518-457-5181 or visit tax.ny.gov/fsa.

The CASH Coalition of Otsego and Delaware Counties has announced that residents who meet income eligibility requirements will be able to prepare and file their state and federal income taxes for free. MyFreeTaxes is a service available to individuals and families who made under $62,000 in the 2015 tax year. The program is available for use on any home computer or public computers that are available for use beginning January 31st at CDO Workforce Offices in Oneonta, Delhi & Sidney, The Sidney Federal Credit Union Delhi Branch on Saturdays, 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon, & at the Huntington Memorial Library at 62 Chestnut Street in Oneonta. Appointments are required at 432-0061.

Fishing and hunting bring a stream of cash to New York’s economy, generating the 2nd highest expenditures in any state at approximately $5 billion, according to a report by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. Nearly two million people fish, hunt or trap in New York, Fishing is the most popular, with two-thirds of New York participants fishing exclusively, followed by 28 percent who fish and hunt and nine percent who hunt only. Nearly $1.9 billion was spent on trip-related purchases including transportation, lodging and food.

Free Income Tax certification training starts January 4th in Delhi, for Delaware County residents familiar with computer use. The Delaware County Office for the Aging helps prepare taxes for about 400 elderly each year, those interested in the tax preparer positions need to sign up now in order to start the training in January. More information is available at 363-7303.

Governor Cuomo announced an agreement with state leaders on last minutes issues, as lawmakers wrap up the 2015 legislative session.

(Cuomo 6-24-15)

Cuomo said that the state leaders will meet with their conferences regarding these last minute issues, he said that the property tax rebates were important as many New Yorkers acknowledge that property taxes are the top reason that people look to leave the state.

Another free Chenango County Rabies clinic will be held today. The clinic will run from 5:30 to 7:00 PM at the firehouse in New Berlin, more information is available at 337-1673.

The Governor's Traffic Safety Committee announced that resources are available to help young people stay safe as graduation season gets into full swing including free toolkits to help young drivers, and a brand new website recently launched by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (NYS OASAS) that gives parents the tools to talk to their children about the risks of underage drinking. For more information about the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee and its partners, visit www.safeny.ny.gov.

The Greater Oneonta Economic Development Council will hold their next meeting today at the Oneonta Holiday Inn at 7:00 PM. Residents of the town & city of Oneonta are encouraged to attend; the topic is the possible savings in taxes by consolidating the town of Oneonta into the City of Oneonta.

The Greater Oneonta Economic Development Council announced that they would hold their next meeting on Monday June 22nd, at the Oneonta Holiday Inn at 7:00 PM. Residents of the town & city of Oneonta are encouraged to attend; the topic is the possible savings in taxes by consolidating the town of Oneonta into the City of Oneonta.

The Chenango County Sheriff's summer camp will start on July 6th. Applications can be picked up at the Sheriff's Office or online at www.chenangosheriff.us. The camp is free to all Chenango County children ages 9 to 12, more information is available at 334-5175 Monday through Friday 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

Delaware County Sheriff Tom Mills announced that they are seeking funding to help acquire & give away Bicycle helmets to children whose family may not be able to afford one. Since 1999 the Sheriff’s safety program has acquired & given out 4000 free bike helmets, more information is available by calling the sheriff’s department at 746-2336.

New York’s IDA’s provided $660 million in net tax exemptions in 2013, up $105 million from 2012 but estimated job gains were nearly 23,000 lower than the previous year, according to State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. The report found that, despite this weakening growth in jobs, the state’s 109 active IDA's provided $1.38 billion in total tax exemptions in 2013. The exemptions were partially offset by $723 million in payments-in-lieu of taxes, leaving the total net exemptions for the year at $660 million – an increase of $105 million, or 19% from 2012. DiNapoli has also renewed his call for improvements to IDA oversight and accountability. A copy of the report is available at osc.state.ny.us.

New York collected $149.1 billion in revenue in fiscal year 2014-15, an increase of $11.4 billion, or 8.3% from the prior year, largely because of one-time financial settlements and a boost in federal aid, according to a report by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. The state collected more than $71 billion in taxes, Business tax collections of $8.5 billion. The state received $48.6 billion in federal grants, which were used primarily for Medicaid, homeland security, public welfare and education.

The Sidney Center Improvement Group is hosting their annual Spring Street Team Cleanup Day this weekend on May 16th. The Group is looking for volunteers to help with cleaning the streets of trash and light debris in and around the Hamlet; they will provide free t-shirts, a full lunch, prizes and all cleanup supplies. A large dumpster will be on site for residents to dispose of trash.

More dates that have just been added for the "My Free Taxes” program by appointment only on Saturdays of March 7, 14, 21 and 28 at the Delhi Branch of Sidney Federal Credit Union. Cheri Albrecht of the United Way of Delaware & Otsego Counties explains:

(Cheri Albrecht 3-6-15)

Locations will be in Delhi & Oneonta, all appointments can be made at 432-0061.

State Senator Jim Seward announced the launch of an on-line petition drive in support of his initiative to cut New York’s gas tax. Seward stated that New York consumers are faced with gas taxes that add up to approximately 63-cents a gallon. Senator Seward’s petition to “Cut The Gas Tax” can be found on his website, senatorjimseward.com.

Today is "National Go Red For Women Day", to kick off the month long Heart Month awareness program. Heart disease is the number one killer of American women according to the American Heart Association. Locally, to kick off Heart Month, UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital will have a display of free information and awareness items in the cafeteria; donations may also be made to the local American Heart Association Heart Walk.

The Delaware county board of supervisors announced this week that new County Recycling center is running debt free as the county received grants. The success at the county recycling center follows another success story with the county compost facility generating revenue generated by the facility exceeded initial expectations, according to County Solid Waste Coordinator Sue McIntyre:

(Sue McIntyre 1-9-15)

McIntyre said that Delaware County has traditionally acted ahead of the curve on recycling and composting issues, which helped lead to the higher revenue.

The Disabled American Veterans chapter #200 of Oneonta will be hosting a discussion on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder free Monday night. Chapter Secretary & Treasurer Mike Alvin explains:

(Mike Alvin 1-9-15)

The discussion will begin at 7:00 PM Monday night at the Oneonta veterans club at 279 Chestnut Street; more information is available at 437-2028.

State Police at Oneonta arrested 41-year-old Amy Rezmerski of Binghamton for Unlawful Possession of Marihuana & speeding. The arrest was made after a vehicle stop for speeding over 80 miles an hour on I-88 in Otego, After detecting the odor of marihuana, the Trooper searched the vehicle and found 2 grams. Rezmerski was released after being issued tickets returnable to the Town of Otego Court on January 29th.

Municipalities and school districts face growing challenges to keep pace with increasing costs, according to New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s Annual Report on Local Governments. Property tax levy growth has slowed over the past several years, from 7.7% in 2003 to 2% increase in the fiscal year ending in 2013. Local government revenues increased in counties sales taxes in upstate counties was only 1.7%

The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance said bitcoin purchases will not be subject to sales taxes. According to a tax guidance memo from the agency’s Taxpayer Guidance Division, digital currencies are a type of “intangible property” and, as such, are not subject to a sales tax when purchased. A sales exchange involving a digital currency w?uld b? considered a type ?f barter transaction. Only ??rt?in goods ?nd services exchanged far a digital currency w?uld b? subject t? a sales tax or related reporting requirements.

Law enforcement agencies around the state will conduct DWI enforcement patrols and checvkpoints, from the end of this week through the new year. Drunk drivers kill more than 10,000 people each year, the frequency of those accidents increase during the holiday season. You can now download the free STOP-DWI mobile app for Ios, Android & Windows Phone at stopdwi.org/mobileapp. The app will allow you to call a taxi; program a designated driver list & report suspect drunk drivers.

The State Department of Taxation and Finance kicked off the holiday shopping season today by reminding New York consumers and merchants that items of clothing and footwear sold for less than $110 are exempt from New York State’s 4% sales tax. Clothing and footwear items under $110 are completely tax free, tanks to the actions taken by the governments of new York city & 8 upstate counties, with the local portion of their sales tax those items, also exempted, locally that includes Chenango & Delaware Counties.

Broome County adopted a $365 million budget for 2015 that has a slight increase in property taxes, along with declines in spending and revenue. Executive Debbie Preston proposed a plan in September that called for $10.5 million less in spending than in 2014, and $13.7 million less in revenue. It would raise the property tax levy 2.5 percent, while predicting $6 million less in sales tax revenue. Last week, her office declined to veto three changes proposed by the legislature, effectively adopting the budget

The 2nd round of New York State rebate checks have been delivered in recent days. The checks will provide rebates to homeowners on school property taxes if their local district stayed under the state tax cap, which limited the growth in taxes to less than 2% this year. In 2012, The State tax department sent about 1 million checks each worth $350 for people with a child under 17, who met the income eligibility.

The Chenango Arts Council will host the “Wee Witches and Wizards of Norwich” on Saturday from 2:00 to 5:00 pm. The event is free and open to the public and will include a “Gothic Stories and Spoken Word Open Mic Contest” from 2:00 to 4:30, A costume contest will follow at 4:30 for ages 3-18, followed by the YMCA Parade at 7:00 pm. More information is available at 336-ARTS or at chenangoarts.org

The State health department reminds residents that cancer screenings are being offered to low-income or uninsured New Yorkers during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. About 100 events across the State are offering free breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screenings during the month of October, to find a screening & schedule an appointment, call 1-866-442 2262.

The state has set up an appeals process for New Yorkers who believe they should have received a $350 family rebate check but didn't get one. In recent weeks, the Family Tax Relief Credit was delivered in a check by mail, to people who had children under 17 when they filed their 2012 taxes, and had a household adjusted gross income between $40,000 and $300,000. More than 1 million checks were mailed based on the 2012 tax returns. More information is available at tax.ny.gov.

New York will send 2 tax-rebate checks next month: a $350 check for families with children and then a check to refund residents for this year's growth in school property taxes. In 2013, Cuomo and Legislature agreed to provide the $350 checks to residents with children under 17 as of 2012 and with incomes between $40,000 and $300,000. This year, residents will receive the $350 checks in the mail. In 2015 and 2016, the money will come as credits when people file their state income taxes.

Fruits, veggies and whole grains will fill the plates of all the students who choose to buy their lunch in the cafeteria this school year. The changes are being made to comply with the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. They include whole grains as the primary ingredient in all grain products, one cup of fruit at breakfast, more fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy and protein foods. For more details on the new regulations, visit usda.gov.