WCDO Radio News

Congressman Chris Gibson has re-introduced The Tick-borne Disease Research Transparency and Accountability Act. The bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to consult with a working group to submit a strategic plan to Congress within three years that includes benchmarks to measure progress. The legislation passed the House of Representatives last year but was not brought to a vote in the Senate.

Officials with the Village of Sidney announced that the Village Planning Board will be meeting Today at 6:00 PM in room 202 located in the Civic Center. The meeting is open to the public.

Area Congressman Chris Gibson has begun his 3rd & final term in the U.S. House of Representatives, he told WCDO News what he hopes to accomplish:

(Gibson 2-2-15)

Gibson was in Walton Saturday for the annual Delaware County Fair Board Dinner.

Today is the day that Sidney high School Seniors can begin to apply through Scholarship America.org, to find scholarships to help pay for higher education. Sidney Dollars For scholars’ president Tracy Young explains:

(Tracy Young 2-2-15)

This year is the 2nd year that Sidney Seniors are able to apply for scholarships online, through scholarship America.org.

Officials at the Utica School of commerce announced that the vast majority of classes at the Oneonta Branch and Sidney Site would be suspended for the Spring Semester. All current students and re-entering students will be able to continue their programs at the Utica Campus with transportation provided by the college through Oneonta Bus Lines. The college will continue to maintain the Elm Street Oneonta facilities for student support functions, with the Learning Center -Library relocating there, and computers will be available for student use, 3 days per week. The USC Board of trustees sited a decline in enrollment and recent parking changes in Oneonta for the changes.

Congressman Chris Gibson announced the federal spending bill approved by the House last week includes $344 million to ensure the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs are developing electronic health records to transfer veteran's medical information. The legislation also includes language to require the VA to create a system to prevent unnecessary mistakes or delays in veterans’ medical care. If goals are not met, a portion of the funding will not be released. The VA reform bill signed into law earlier this year requires the VA to permit veterans to be seen by non-VA healthcare providers if they reside more than 40 miles from the nearest VA medical facility or are unable to secure an appointment at a VA facility within 30 days.

The results are in from yesterday’s elections. In statewide races, Governor Andrew Cuomo, State Attorney General's Eric Schneiderman & State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli win re-election by healthy margins, and all 3 state propositions pass. In the 19th Congressional District Incumbent Chris Gibson is re-elected, in the 52nd State Senate district, Incumbent Tom Libous is the winner, in 121st Assembly District, incumbent Bill Magee wins again, & Broome County Sheriff David Harder is re-elected.

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In local races, for the Sidney Town Board, Republican Jody Proffitt defeats Loddie Marsh by a small margin, in Oneonta, Patricia Kent wins re-election to the town board by a large margin, in Franklin, Republicans Donald Smith and Lisa Huyck win 2seats on the town council

Amphenol & Lockheed Martin officials discussed the F-35 Lightning II interactive cockpit demonstrator that was unveiled today at Amphenol Aerospace in Sidney. Amphenol senior vice president Gary Anderson commented:

(Gary Anderson 9-25-14)

Congressman Chris Gibson & Richard Hanna also spoke at this morning's events & both expressed their continued support for Amphenol & Lockheed Martin:

(Gibson Hanna 9-25-14)

The F-35 cockpit demonstrator simulates the fighter aircraft's advanced technologies and combat capabilities in an interactive environment.

The latest polling finds Republican congressman Chris Gibson a 24% lead over democratic challenger Sean Eldridge. . The Time Warner Cable News/Siena College poll of likely voters in the 19th Congressional District found Gibson leading Eldridge 57% to 33% with 10% undecided. The poll also showed that Eldridge was unknown by 57% of the voters in the district.

As part of national preparedness month, the American Red Cross has scheduled blood drives in the tri county area. The next event is tomorrow from 8am to 1pm at the First Congregational Church, corner of Main and Bridge Streets in Sidney.   Appointments can be made at redcrossblood.org and walk-ins will also be welcome.

The Out of the Darkness Community Walk will take place in Neahwa Park in Oneonta tomorrow, to raise money for research and local suicide prevention efforts. It's sponsored by the local chapter in formation of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.   Registration will be held from 9:00 to 11:00 AM. Congressman Chris Gibson will speak at the memorial service at 11:00 AM & will participate in the walk. There will also be an auction, food by donation and a butterfly release at 2:00 PM, more information is available at 435-3112.

Several area fire companies responded to a fire at the Hillcrest Roller Rink on West Main Street in Sidney overnight. Firefighters from Sidney, Wells Bridge, Deposit, Mount Upton, Walton, Trout Creek, Oneonta, Unadilla, Masonville, Franklin and Bainbridge responded to the fire, which was reported at around 11:40. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Congressman Chris Gibson will join state and local officials at 10:30 This Morning at the Masonville Town Hall for the announcement of an award from the National Association of State Agencies for Surplus Properties. The town of Masonville is being honored for its innovative repurposing of a surplus Army truck for use as a town dump truck and snow plow, which saved town taxpayers more than $200,000.

Sidney Village Police arrested 51 year old Wesley Eignor of Sidney for 7 counts of failure to provide food & drink to impounded animals, in violation of State Agriculture & markets law. Eignor is accused of not providing food and & water to 3 dogs, 3 cats and a bird for an extended period of time, he was arraigned & will reappear in Sidney Village Court at a mater date.

P.M. News Tuesday 8-26-14
Congressman Chris Gibson met with local elected officials, business owners, and educators this afternoon to discuss further coperations between the educational and business commuinties, to help with the economic development issues in the Sidney area. Congressman Gibson said that consituents are concerned with the education fo their children, and with possible careers for their children locally:

(Congressman Chris Gibson 8-26-14)

The meeting was hosted by The Utica School of Commerce, and held at the Sidney Public Library, congressman Gibson suggested a follow up meeting in 6 months to review progress.

The Sidney skateboard park was officially opened last night with a celebration at Keith Clark Park.  Sidney mayor Andy Matviak commented:

(Andy Matviak 8-26-14)

Dave Ramsey of the Sidney Youth Advocacy program, the group behind the idea, also commented:

(Dave Ramsey 8-26-14)

Ronnie Haag of the Sidney Youth Advocacy program was the MC for the event, which featured a demonstration by “the Museum” of Oneonta.  The park is located between the pee wee baseball field and the volleyball courts in Keith Clark Park.

The Chris Gibson for Congress Campaign will be announcing an Agriculture Coalition in support of the Congressman’s re-election. The launch will take place at the farm of Robert and Joyce Bishop in Walton at 10 AM this morning.   Congressman Chris Gibson will then meet with local elected officials, business owners, and educators to discuss economic development in the Sidney area.  The event will begin at 12:30 PM at the Sidney Library.

Congressman Chris Gibson announced the House Energy & Commerce Committee approved the Tick-borne Disease Research Transparency and Accountability Act of 2014. Gibson's legislation forms an interagency working group consisting of federal agencies, Lyme physicians and patient advocates, who are tasked with ensuring coordination among federal agencies to maximize research priorities.

The Sidney town board will hold a special meeting tonight at 6:30 PM at the former Sidney Center Elementary school. The meeting will begin at 6:30 PM, regarding the Sidney center wastewater project.

The annual Sidney Alumni Weekend will get underway tomorrow morning with a Golf Tournament & tomorrow night with an icebreaker at the Sidney VFW. Sidney Alumni Association spokesman Greg Davie told WCDO what is scheduled Saturday & Sunday:

(Greg Davie 7-17-14)

More information about the alumni weekend or the association is available at Sidney alumni.org.

Congressman Chris Gibson announced the House of Representatives passed the Highway Transportation and Funding Act of 2014, to make the Highway Trust Fund solvent until a full multi-year Transportation Reauthorization bill can be passed. The Highway Trust Fund will reimburse states for road and bridge improvements; it extends the solvency of the trust fund through May 2015, ensuring that urgent transportation infrastructure projects in New York State continue unabated.

The Delaware County Local Development Corporation closed on 2 loans totaling $118,000. The loans were made to Natural Gardens LLC and the Andrew Hinkley Insurance Agency, which together anticipate creating approximately 22 new jobs in Delaware County over a 2-year period. Natural Gardens will turn 80 acres of land into a teaching farm & event center for parties, weddings and corporate events, which will be complete with a microbrewery. The Andrew Hinkley Insurance Agency, from Harpursville is moving to 53-55 Main Street in Sidney. More information is available at economic development programs in Delaware County at 746-8595.

The U.S. House of Representatives adopted an amendment introduced by area Congressman Chris Gibson that increases funding to combat the heroin epidemic plaguing Upstate New York communities. The amendment to the Fiscal Year 2015 Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Bill increases the account for the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force by $4 million. The Task Force supports multi-jurisdictional investigations to target drug traffickers.

A Fly In Breakfast Will Be Held On Sunday at the Sidney Municipal Airport from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The event is sponsored by the Fagan Flyers; the event will include a pancake breakfast, plane rides, crafts, displays, blood pressure screening, live music and a 50/50 raffle.

Congressman Chris Gibson has authored “ The Vector-Borne Disease Research Transparency and Accountability Act of 2014” to update guidelines on treating tick borne illnesses, which will lead to insurance companies paying for treatments:

(Gibson 5-23-14)

Gibson said that early indications are that the bill has support in both houses of congress & in the White House.   Gibson was in Sidney today to speak to the Sidney Rotary Club.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Department arrested 39 year old Thomas Carman of Sidney Center on 1 count each of criminal mischief, menacing and unlawful imprisonment.  Carman was arrested following an investigation into a domestic dispute, he was arraigned in Town of Sidney Court and was remanded to the Delaware county jail on $5000 cash bail pending court action on May 5th.

In an effort to safeguard against future flooding events in the Catskills, Congressman Chris Gibson  is calling on the New York City Department of Environmental Protection to make adjustments to the water levels in the city’s Upstate reservoCHirs.  Congressman Gibson sent a letter (attached) May 1 to DEP Commissioner Emily Lloyd detailing his concerns that DEP reservoir levels are at certain times of the year too high, increasing the threat of flooding during severe storms like Hurricane Irene.  Gibson also asked the agency to consider downstream flood mitigation as a factor when making operational decisions affecting reservoirs.

Congressman Chris Gibson announced that his campaign is submitting 11,000 individual petition signatures today to the New York State Board of Elections for his re-election.  The signatures will enable Gibson to qualify for the Republican, Conservative, and Independence Party's ballot lines, if the Board finds that the correct number of signatures is valid.  Gibson will likely face democrat Sean Eldridge, who announced earlier this week that he has enough signatures to run as the Democratic candidate for the 19th congressional district.

The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at the Tri-Town Regional Hospital in Sidney until 6:00 PM tonight.  All donors in April can enter to win a $250 gift card to use toward a rainy day getaway.  Appointments for future blood drives can be made at 1-800-Red Cross, walk-ins are also welcome.

Congressman Chris Gibson announced today that The IRS is alerting the public of a new phishing scam in which taxpayers receive emails purporting to be from the Taxpayer Advocate Service. Gibson said that the emails have the IRS logo and contain a bogus case number, the emails claim that the person receiving the email is having their 2013 income is flagged for review due to a document processing error, and the case has been forwarded to the Taxpayer Advocate Service.  The email contains a link soliciting personal information from the recipient; the congressman & the IRS advise people not to click on the link, & to forward the email to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov. More information is available at IRS.gov.

Sidney residents with homes in the 100 year flood plain should be aware of the state recovery housing programs, which can lead to buyouts of homes no matter the level of damage sustained.  The programs can pay for repairs, rehabilitation or elevation; residents must apply by April 11th.  State representatives will be available Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM in the village office at the Sidney Civic Center; information is also available at stormrecovery.ny.gov.

The new Senior Center opened today on the 2nd floor of the Sidney Civic Center, which will be tied into the recreational facilities at the Sidney Boys & Girls Club.  Club Director Trish Tyrell said that many area organizations and businesses have supported this project:

(Trish Tyrell 1-21-14)

Congressman Chris Gibson attended the ribbon cutting for the Senior Center this morning, he commented about the importance of this undertaking:

(Congressman Chris Gibson 1-21-14)

More information about the Senior Center or the Boys & girls Club is available at 561-2311.

Plans are continuing to go forward, for the ambitious plan to try to get village of Sidney residents out of the flood prone areas downtown, into a new settlement to be built in the Plankenhorn Road area.  Sidney village Economic development Director John Redente explains:

(John Redente 1-21-14)

Village Mayor Andy Matviak said that another informational meeting would be held on January 29th at 7:00 PM at the river street Fire Training Center.

An Open House will be held today at the Sidney Civic Center in room 207, where a senior center is planned with a variety of services, including shared recreational use of the Boys & Girls Club.  Club Director Trish Tyrell explains:

(Trish Tyrell 1-21-14)

Tyrell said that the open house will run from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, & Congressman Chris Gibson is scheduled to attend this morning.  More information is available at 561-2311.

U.S Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Richard Hanna announced the success and expansion of the U.S. Department of Agriculture pilot program to serve New York-based Chobani yogurt in school lunches.  New York State was chosen as 1 of 4 states to participate in the pilot program, the USDA has decided to continue and expand it to 4 additional states during the next school year. During the pilot program, 200,000 pounds of yogurt were provided to schools in those states. New York State leads the country in Greek yogurt production, which has twice the protein, less sodium and fewer carbohydrates.

The Sidney community blood drive will be held tomorrow at St. Luke’s church 129 west main street in Sidney.  The drive runs from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM, appointments can be made at 1-800-red cross or at redcrossblood.org.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 37-year-old Christopher Merwin of Delhi for 1 count of Criminal Contempt of Court in the 2nd degree Thursday.  Merwin is accused of violating a Court Order prohibiting him from having contact with a protected person. He was arraigned in the Town of Delhi Court and released on his own recognizance to appear in the Town of Meredith Court at a later date.

An Open House will be held on January 21st at the Sidney Civic Center in room 207, where a senior center is opening up with a variety of services, and even shared recreational use of the Boys & Girls Club.  Club Director Trish Tyrell explains:

(Trish Tyrell 1-10-14)

Tyrell said that the open house will run from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, & Congressman Chris Gibson is scheduled to attend.  More information is available at 561-2311.

State police in Sidney & the US Marshals fugitive task force apprehended 29-year-old Angelina Wilson of Conklin, who was wanted for absconding from the Pennsylvania Department of parole & probation, for her participation in gas station armed robberies around Halstead, Pennsylvania.  Wilson was caught while fleeing from a trailer park in Conklin, she was also found to be in possession of a hypodermic needle and syringe.   Wilson was arraigned as a fugitive from justice and remanded to Broome county jail pending extradition back to Pennsylvania.

Congressman Gibson submitted comments to the State Department of Health regarding the draft midterm revisions to the New York City’s Filtration Avoidance Determination.   Gibson stated that the Land Acquisition Plan needs  to be decreased from $50 million to $20 million over the next 5 years.  Gibson also said that Reservoir levels should be maintained based on a scientific and technical review of NYC water needs, new infrastructure improvements, and an analysis of the risk facing Upstate communities. Contingency plans should also be put in place in the event of the potential of significant weather events.

The Platinum Street Ballers will be back in Sidney this year, as part of an annual fundraiser for the Sidney Boys & Girl’s club tomorrow night at the Sidney High School Gym.  Club Director Trish Tyrell comments:

(Trish Tyrell 11-8-13)

Tickets are available at the Boys & Girls club in the Civic Center, the Sidney Great American, VEP, Sidney Flowers & Gifts, & Hometown Pizza in Franklin, the money raised will help the Boys & Girls club continue to operate their programs for area youth.

Operation Gratitude is sending donated Halloween candy & other items to service men & women overseas, Kim MacRabie of Masonville along with the Sidney Great American store, have a collection box for those donations for service men & women overseas, MacRabie comments:

(Kim MacRabie 11-8-13)

MacRabie is picking up the collection Box at the Sidney Great American this afternoon, more information is available at 607-231-3888.

Congressman Chris Gibson will attend the Veterans Breakfast and Program at the Franklin Central School, at 7:30 AM this morning.  Congressman Gibson and local veterans will speak to students about their military service.  At 10:00 AM Gibson will visit the Walton Middle/High School, where he will tour the school and speak to different classes.

Furloughed federal workers protested in front of the home offices of congressmen Richard Hanna and Chris Gibson yesterday.  Protestors blame both representatives of being part of the congressional shutdown that has cost them their paychecks until the government shutdown ends.

Commerce Chenango will co-host a "Meet the Candidates" Business After Hours event this evening, at the Sidney Federal Credit Union Norwich branch.  The event will run from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 PM, more information is available at 334-1402.

Residents in the town of Sidney will be voting for a new town supervisor in November, as incumbent Bob McCarthy is not running for a 2nd term.  Republican Gene Pigford is running for town supervisor, who told WCDO news about his ideas:

(Gene Pigford 9-18-13)

Pigford faces democrat & Sidney First Candidate Bill Heath for Sidney town supervisor on Election Day in November.

Congressman Chris Gibson and his Watershed Advisory Group released a position overview on the State Health Department’s draft midterm revisions (http://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/nycfad/) to the New York City Filtration Avoidance Determination. Gibson said that the current plan by the city to purchase land in the watershed region is unacceptable, with the money used for land purchases better suited for flood mitigation and upstate economic development.  Gibson also said that the reservoir should be set at levels that meet new York city’s drinking water needs without endangering watershed communities above & below dams, in order to prevent flooding.   The revisions were published by the DOH in late August, and are currently in a public comment period.

Congressman Chris Gibson announced that he opposes the idea of military intervention in Syria.  Gibson says he wants Congress to oppose President Barack Obama’s plan to launch a missile attack on Syria in retaliation for the alleged chemical weapons massacre of civilians, however, House speaker John Boehner agrees with the president’s plans.  . Gibson served in Iraq during wartime and as part of a peace-enforcement mission in Kosovo, Gibson said a mediated settlement would be far better for the U.S. and its interests than launching missiles

THE SIDNEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SEPTEMBER BOARD MEETING WILL BE HELD TOMORROW MORNING AT 7:45 AT THE SIDNEY GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB.  ALL CHAMBER MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND.

Funeral services were announced for a Bainbridge teenager recently killed in two vehicle accident. 15 year old Brandy Smith was driving a Ford Focus that crossed the center line of County Route 35 in Oxford Aug. 4 and collided with a Dodge Caravan driven by 48-year old David Clark, of Oxford. Friends can call on the Smith family from 1 to 4 p.m. Aug. 25, at CH Landers in Sidney

Congressman Chris Gibson will host a broadband symposium tomorrow at 9am at SUNY Cobleskill, bringing together local, state and federal resources to look at ways to expand broadband access. The symposium is open to all interested area residents and the issue has been a key priority for the Congressman since taking office. For more information go to Gibson.house.gov

Congressman Chris Gibson will appear in Oneonta this morning, to meet with veterans at 10:00 AM at the Veteran’s club at 279 Chestnut Street.   Congressman Gibson will give an update on veteran’s issues before Congress and take questions.

The Sidney chamber of commerce will hold their next regular meeting today.  The meeting will begin at 7:45 this morning at the Sidney golf & country club, chamber members & directors are encouraged to attend.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the new Amphenol site in Sidney was held this afternoon.  Congressman Chris Gibson was one of the dignitaries that spoke to the crowd; he said that this project was especially important to him as a military veteran:

(Congressman Gibson 5-13-13)

Group General Manager of Aerospace and Industrial Operations division and Senior Vice President of Amphenol Gary Anderson thanked the assembled dignities and the employees at Amphenol for their drive to get this project underway:

(Gary Anderson 5-13-13)

Delaware county economic development executive director Glen Nealis was sited in several speeches today, he told WCDO News where they go from here:

(Glen Nealis 5-13-13)

Construction for the new site on Delaware avenue in Sidney next to K-Mart will begin shortly.

The 23rd Ed Wessels canoe regatta was held Saturday on the Susquehanna river from Otego to Sidney, and featured top pros that are expected to compete in the upcoming General Clinton Canoe Regatta.  This years Wessels regatta winners were Steve Rankinen of Pennsylvania & Matt Strybe of Indiana, beating out 7 time General Clinton winner Andy Treibold and & 5 time winner Steve Lajoie  (Lajwa) of Quebec by only 9 seconds.  Treibold & Lajoie struggled early in Saturday’s race with a hole in their canoe; they are expected to return to the area to defend their Clinton title on memorial day.

Tomorrow is the 23rd Annual Ed Wessels Canoe Regatta along the Susquehanna River from Otego to Sidney.  More information is available at sidneychamber.org/wessels.

Congressman CHRIS Gibson will visit Otsego County today.  Gibson will Visit Apple Converting in Oneonta at 8:30 AM, he will tour the facility with state senator Jim Seward.  At around 2:15 this afternoon, the congressman will New York, Susquehanna, and Western Railway Corporation in Cooperstown, he will tour the facility and learn more about their operation.

Congressman Chris Gibson will make appearances today in Otsego & Delaware counties.  Gibson will tour the Oneonta Job Corps at 9:00 AM, the New York center for Agricultural Medicine in Fly Creek at 2:00 PM and he will hold Mobile Office Hours in Roxbury 6:00 – 7:30 PM.

The Sidney chamber of commerce will hold their next Business After Hours program today at Sidney Memorial Public Library Computing Center.  The event will run from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, Chamber members are urged to attend.

The Sidney town board will hold their next regular meeting this evening.  The meeting gets underway at 7:00 PM the meeting will be held in the first floor boardroom of the Sidney civic center.

19th district Congressman Chris Gibson announced that he has joined with a bipartisan group to introduce H.R. 610, which would establish a federal Tick-Borne Diseases Advisory Committee.  Under the legislation, the Advisory Committee would be tasked with enhancing communication among federal agencies, medical professionals, and patients/patient advocates and to ensure that a broad spectrum of scientific viewpoints is represented in public health policy decisions.