WCDO Radio News

Lawmakers continue to work in Albany, and ethics reform bills are getting priority after the recent arrests of 5 lawmakers on a variety of charges.  Assemblyman Cliff Crouch said that he wants to see the governor’s proposal to deal with the situation:

(Crouch 5-16-13)

Among those waiting currently for their days in court are former democratic State senate leaders John Sampson for allegedly receiving $440,000 illegally & Malcolm Smith for allegedly violating campaign laws relating to a possible run for New York city mayor.

The General Clinton Canoe Regatta is expected to once again draw thousands of people to the region over the Memorial Day weekend again this year. One of the highlights this year will be the 2nd annual regatta Hall of Fame dinner & ceremony, Regatta chairman John Harmon comments:

(John Harmon 5-16-13)

The “Meet & Greet” portion will be under the tent at General Clinton Park on Saturday May 25th at 4:00 PM, the dinner will start at 5:00 PM and the ceremony will follow that.

State Troopers arrested 44-year-old Stephen Thill of Colchester, on an active arrest warrant for 2nd degree Aggravated Harassment from the Nassau County Police Department. The arrest resulted from another complaint, which occurred in the Town of Colchester, Thill was taken into custody and turned over to the Nassau County Police.

Oneonta Troopers arrested 30-year-old Zujeily Ganio of Mount Vision for Driving While Intoxicated with a BAC of .13%. The arrest resulted from a vehicle and traffic stop in Oneonta, she was issued tickets returnable in the Town of Oneonta Court on May 21st.

Congressman Chris Gibson announced this morning that he voted in support of the 2013 federal 5 year Farm Bill.   Provisions in the bill include a  safety net for dairy producers through a new marginal insurance framework, Promotion and improvement of local agriculture markets, risk management options that level the playing field for specialty crop producers, support for organic farmers and specialty research, The Senate Agriculture Committee passed their version of the Farm Bill Tuesday, both versions now must pass their respective houses, and head for conference committee action.

Governor Cuomo announced today that a 14-day statewide “Buckle Up New York” campaign to crack down on drivers and their passengers who are not wearing seat belts will be conducted by law enforcement agencies shortly.  The latest campaign will run from Monday May 20th  through June 2nd. “Buckle Up New York” is part of the nationwide “Click It or Ticket” campaign. During this year’s campaign, law enforcement agencies that share state borders will team up in what is being called “Operation Border to Border” to provide increased seat belt enforcement at border sites.

State Police at Oneonta arrested 49-Year-old David Pallik of Downsville for DWI with a BAC result of 0.16%, which is twice the legal limit.  The arrest resulted from a traffic stop on State Route 28 in Oneonta; Pallik was issued tickets returnable to the Town of Oneonta Court on March 19th.

The Police Benevolent Association of the New York State Troopers is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the man who stabbed Trooper Rodney Smith at the empire state plaza in Albany Sunday.  Trooper smith was approached by a man seeking directions, before stabbing him in the neck.  Trooper smith is recovering at Albany Medical Center; Police are looking for 18-year-old Eric Green as a person of interest,

A private family funeral was held today in Norwich for 36-year-old Jennifer Ramsaran of New Berlin, who was reported missing in December and whose body was found in the town of Pharsalia last week. Ramsaran will be buried at Mount Hope Cemetery in the town of Norwich, the cause of her death has not been determined, the investigation is continuing.

Governor Cuomo announced that the state DMV has investigated 13,000 possible cases of identity fraud since facial recognition technology was implemented three years ago. These investigations have resulted in more than 2,500 arrests and more than 5,000 individuals facing administrative action.  Research showed that about 50% of the subjects identified had one valid license while having a second record that was suspended or revoked, 20% of the subjects had suspended or revoked licenses, 30% of the subjects had multiple valid licenses.

State senate republicans are forwarding the 2013 Family Tax Relief Act, to assist the struggling families upstate, area state senator Jim Seward comments:

(Seward 3-5-13)

Seward said that the plan will update tax credits and exemptions, some more than 25 years old, would more than double the value of the Dependent Exemption; increase the Child Tax Credit and provide an additional $500 child tax credit; increase the value of the Dependent Care Credit; and restore STAR property tax rebate checks.

State Troopers arrested 40-year-old Rhonda Butler of Endicott for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of a Hypodermic Instrument. The arrest resulted from a traffic stop on State Route 17C, Butler was arraigned and remanded to the Broome County Jail in lieu of $1,000 cash bail.

Governor Cuomo announced $285,000 in available funding for the third year of the Governor's "Fresh Connect" program, which brings fresh food from New York farms to underserved communities throughout the state. The Fresh Connect program provided viable market locations for over 100 farmers, which helped, increase the sale of locally grown food. The applications are due by April 3rd, & are available at the Department of Agriculture and Markets' website: www.agriculture.ny.gov (http://www.agriculture.ny.gov/).

Vision 21 is looking to start an incubator operation in the tri town area with a location in the Village of Sidney.  The operation would offer office space to small and start up companies that cannot afford large overhead.  More information is available at 267-8541.

The Chenango county sheriff’s department arrested 27-year-old Amy Dwyer of German on charges of 2nd degree Harassment, 3rd degree Assault, as well as 4th degree Criminal Mischief & Resisting Arrest.  Dwyer is arrested following an investigation of a Domestic Dispute, where she is accused of striking & biting the victim & smashing a cell phone that was being used to call police.  Dwyer was arraigned & was remanded to the Chenango County Jail on $500 cash bail; she will reappear in the Town of German Court at a later date.

New York State Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Darrell Aubertine will deliver the Executive Budget presentation on behalf of Governor Andrew Cuomo today in Norwich.  The presentation will be given at the Northeast Classic Car Museum at 24 Rexford Street at 11:00 AM.

Students in the Harpursville school district will be off again today, as work continues on a defective water pump in the school’s well.  Students are expected to return to classes on Tuesday.

The Broadway musical “ROCK OF AGES” comes to the Broome County Forum in Binghamton this evening.  The show is set in 1987 on the Sunset Strip, & features 28 hits from the 80’s.  Tickets are still available through ticketmaster.com, 1-800-745-3000 or at the Arena Box office.