WCDO Radio News

State Lawmakers will get back to work in January in Albany, after Governor Hochul delivers the State of the State Address & the State Budget proposal, local Assemblyman Joe Angelino told WCDO News what he predicts for 2024 in Albany:

(Joe Angelino 12-29-23)

In Addition to a host of proposed legislation, lawmakers will attempt to reach an agreement on the State Budget by the April 1st Deadline.

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 12-20-23

ACCO Brands announced to their employees last week that they will be closing their Sidney manufacturing and distribution plant late next year. Kori Reed the Director of Communication at ACCO Brands in Ohio told WCDO News that there is no firm timeline for the closure, the process will take most of next year to fully execute.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 12-19-23

The United Way of Mid Rural New York has increased their fundraising totals by 12% in the last week alone, as they head for the end of their annual fundraising campaign, according to Executive Director Elizabeth Monaco:

(Elizabeth Monaco 12-19-23)

More information about the annual campaign is available at their Norwich Office at 607-334-8815, or by going to uwmrny.org.

Governor Hochul signed 4 bills into law recently, 1 law Prohibits Selling Medicine for an Excessive Price During a Drug Shortage, another Prohibits Hospitals, Health Care Professionals and Ambulances from Reporting Medical Debt to Credit Agencies, the 3rd law requires Companies to Notify Customers of Automatic Subscription Renewals and to Provide Clear Instructions for Canceling, and the 4th clarifies that Merchants Must Post the Highest Price a Consumer Might Pay for a Product Regardless of Payment Methods

Governor Hochul signed Angelica’s Law, which decreases the number of prior license suspensions needed to qualify for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. The legislation was named for Angelica Nappi who lost her life after being killed by a driver with multiple prior suspensions.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 12-7-23

The Sidney Community Cultural Center will feature their annual "Breakfast With Santa" event this Sunday, Sidney Chamber President Teri Schunk &Cultural Center Spokesperson Amy Williams explained on WCDO This Morning:

(Teri Schunk-Amy Williams 12-7-23)

Additional information about this & other events are available at the Community Cultural Center Facebook page.

Governor Hochul announced the annual statewide holiday donation drive to benefit families in need across the state, will begin Today. Donations of new unwrapped toys, coats and school supplies are requested, Drop off locations will be set up locally through December 15th at the Binghamton State Office Building, 44 Hawley Street and the Homer Folks Facility, 28 Hill Street, Oneonta.

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 11-27-23

Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is being sued by former aide Brittany Commisso, who claims that Cuomo sexually harassed her while he was still in office. Commisso filed the case against the ex-governor in state Supreme Court in Albany on Wednesday, she was 1 of 11 women who accused Cuomo of sexual misconduct, leading to his resignation in 2021, he has denied the allegations.

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 11-22-23

Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation which aims to protect consumers during storms and other emergencies by requiring utility companies to develop plans to prioritize responding to reports of downed wires. If a member of the public identifies a downed wire that presents a hazard, they now can report that wire to their utility, which must respond to no later than 72 hours after the response to an emergency ends. Previously, the power companies only had to have a plan to securing a wire on a schedule if the wire was reported by a municipal emergency official.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 11-14-23

Delaware County District Attorney's Office announced that 45 year old Luke Lupo of Walton appeared in Delaware County Court Monday and pleaded guilty to 3rd degree Burglary. Lupo admitted that in April of 2022, he entered a building owned by Herman’s Trailer Sales and Service in Walton, and stole property, he will be sentenced to 5 years of felony probation supervision and ordered to pay restitution to the victim. Sentencing was scheduled for January 16, 2024.

Governor Hochul announced $5 million is available to support animal shelters and humane societies in making infrastructure upgrades. The program is administered by the Department of Agriculture and Markets, it provides matching grants to shelters and humane societies to offset the costs associated with capital projects. Shelters & Humane Societies must have their Applications in by 4:00 pm on January 29, 2024.

Governor Hochul's office announced that work is officially underway to transform the Greater Binghamton Airport into a modern, state-of-the-art facility. The project calls for the Redevelopment of the Airport Road approach, Construction of a new canopy and entry portals, Reconfiguration of the ticketing lobby, baggage claim area and relocation of rental car counters, New parking revenue control system & the Construction of a new Customs and Border Protection Facility.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 11-7-23

The State Office of General Services announced an auction of surplus vehicles, highway equipment, and miscellaneous property will be conducted on November 14. More information is available at ogs.ny.gov/nysstore, or call (518) 457-6335. The auction will be on Tuesday, November 14, at 9:30 am. at State Police Troop C headquarters on State Route 7.

Governor Hochul announced that the state investment in renewable energy is continuing, with 3 Offshore Wind and 22 Land-Based Renewable Energy Projects, which is expected to power 2.6 Million New York Homes and Deliver 12 Percent of New York’s Electricity Needs in 2030. The Projects are projected to create about 8,300 Jobs and Bring $20 Billion in Economic Development Investments Statewide. Local projects will include Stonewall Solar will build a 145-megawatt solar facility co-located with 20 megawatts of energy storage in the Town of Meredith.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 10-19-23

State Police announced today that they are embarking on a new recruitment campaign. Applications for the State Trooper Entrance Exam will open on October 23rd through March 4th of next year. The last day to take the Trooper Entrance Examination is March 17, 2024. During its most recent recruitment campaign which ended on October 1st, 12,691 individuals applied to take the exam, with a significant increase in applications within the 29 to 34-year-old age range, after Governor Hochul approved a request from the State Police to raise the maximum age to apply to 34, more information is available at joinstatepolice.ny.gov.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 10-17-23

The Chenango County Sheriff's Office is looking for the public's assistance on locating Derek Crouse, who is wanted by the Chenango County Sheriff's Office for Grand Larceny. Crouse was last known to be in the Oneida County area, anyone with information should cal (607)337-1921 or (607)334-2000 extension 1.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 9-14-23

The Sidney Central School District is continuing with the process of changing the school nickname & mascot, 2 meeting have been set up on September 27th, Sidney Superintendent Eben Bullock explains:

(Eben Bullock 9-14-23)

The district is now seeking members for the community stakeholder group, which will meet 3 times, on September 27, October 18, and November 1. Community members who are interested should RSVP to Nancy Edwards at nedwards@sidneycsd.org, or call 607-561-7700, extension 3.

P.M. NEWS Friday 9-1-23

State Police and local law enforcement will be out in force through Labor Day weekend in order to crack down on impaired and reckless driving during Labor Day weekend. The enforcement period runs through Monday, September 4, the State Police will increase patrols to combat drunk, impaired, and reckless driving throughout this Labor Day weekend.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 8-29-23

Delaware County 911 received call Sunday from the operator of tractor trailer stating that he had traveled off the roadway and had rolled over on State Highway 23 in the Town of Kortright. Delaware County Sheriff Deputies were dispatched to the scene along with members of the Davenport Fire Department, Stamford Fire Department, Bovina Fire Department, Headwaters EMS and NYS DEC Spill Response team. 61 year old Michael Rowe of Sidney was taken to Fox Hospital for minor injuries and was released. The investigation into the crash is continuing and tickets are pending.

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 8-25-23

60 year old John Hussey of Walton, pleaded guilty in Walton Town Court for Driving While Intoxicated. On February 21st, a State Trooper responded to the report of a vehicle stuck in a ditch on Beebe Road, the Trooper found Hussey face down in the ditch, he was uncooperative & impaired, he refused to take a Field Sobriety Test and attempted to get into his vehicle, Hussey was arrested & taken into custody. Hussey was sentenced Thursday, he had his license revoked for 6 months, was assessed a fine and surcharge, and ordered the installation of an Ignition Interlock Device, he will also be required to enroll in the Impaired Driving Program and the Victim Impact Panel.

P.M. NEWS Wednesday 8-23-23

31 year old Thomas Harris of Unadilla, pleaded guilty to 4th degree Arson, on June 4, 2022, State Police responded to reports of a structure fire in the Town of Sidney. Upon arrival, the Troopers discovered several broken and intact beer bottles, some of which contained gasoline, a victim stated that Harris threw the bottles, starting the fire. The Bottles were tested, the results confirmed the presence of Harris’ DNA on the bottles. Harris will be sentenced to five years of felony probation supervision when sentenced at a later date.

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 8-11-23

Chenango County Sheriff's Office arrested 52 year old Robert Colson of Norwich following a lengthy investigation into the burglary of two Chenango County Gas Stations in late October of 2022. Colson is accused of forcing his way into the establishements and stealing thousands of dollars' worth of tobacco products. The Chenango County District Attorney's Office presented the case to a Grand Jury where Colson was indicted for 3rd degree Burglary, 3rd & 4th Degree Grand Larceny, & 3 counts of criminal mischief. Colson was arrested Monday while he was incarcerated at the Chenango County Correctional Facility on separate charges, he was arraigned in Chenango County Court where he was remanded back to the Chenango County Correctional Facility and scheduled for a later day in court.

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 7-31-23

The New York State Broadcasters Association has revealed the addition of 5 new inductees into its Hall of Fame, and 1 of those is WCDO General Manager Craig Stevens:

(Craig Stevens 7-31-23)

Others inducted this year include New York City Weather Forecaster “Mr. G" Irv Gikofsky, New York City radio personality Angie Martinez, Syracuse TV News Reporter Dan Cummings & Rochester radio broadcaster Bob Matthews, honorees will be inducted at a ceremony to take place on October 26 at the Rainbow Room inside 30 Rockefeller Plaza in the City of New York.

P.M. NEWS Thursday 7-27-23

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that applications are open for $500 million from the state Budget to bolster New York’s child care workforce through the Workforce Retention Grant Program. Funding will support approximately 150,000 direct child care staff through financial incentives ranging from $2,300 to $3,000 in retention and referral bonuses for existing staff as well as sign-on bonuses for new staff. Applications can be found at my.ny.gov.

President Biden approved Governor Hochul's request for a Major Disaster Declaration to provide federal assistance to communities impacted by flooding from heavy rainstorms across much of Upstate New York. The declaration releases critical federal assistance to support recovery and reconstruction efforts in Clinton, Dutchess, Essex, Hamilton, Ontario, Orange, Putnam and Rockland counties. These counties now have access to financial support for debris removal, emergency protective measures and repairs to public buildings and infrastructure.

Governor Hochul announced today that New York will be sending engineers to Perform Dam Safety Inspections in Vermont, after their recent devastating flooding. So far, New York has deployed 9 engineers from the New York Power Authority and the Department of Environmental Conservation to Montpelier, Vermont to assist in performing dam safety evaluations throughout the state. The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services is coordinating additional incoming requests for assistance from Vermont and State agency partners stand ready to provide resources as necessary.

Governor Hochul announced more than $516 million in assistance for rehabilitating or replacing bridges and culverts all over the state. In the Southern Tier Region - $52.8 million, with $2.783 million to Chenango County for the replacement of the Blanding Road bridge over the Chenango River, $1.5 million to Chenango County for the replacement of the Route 10 culvert carrying the tributary to Genegantslet Creek, $5.3 million to Delaware County for the replacement of the Route 206 bridge over Spring Brook & $1.1 million to the Village of Stamford for the replacement of the River Street culvert carrying the tributary to the West Branch Delaware River, Delaware County.

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 6-30-23

Governor Hochul announced that temporary lane closures for road and bridge construction projects on State highways will be suspended from 6:00 AM Saturday, July 1 to 6:00 AM on Wednesday, July 5, to ease travel throughout the July 4th holiday weekend. Motorists should be aware that some work may continue behind permanent concrete barriers or for emergency repairs

Governor Hochul announced that temporary lane closures for road and bridge construction projects on State highways will be suspended from 6:00 AM Saturday, July 1 to 6:00 AM on Wednesday, July 5, to ease travel throughout the July 4th holiday weekend. Motorists should be aware that some work may continue behind permanent concrete barriers or for emergency repairs. AAA predicts record breaking traffic volumes over the holiday weekend, an increase of 2.4% over 2022.

Governor Hochul, & State Leaders today announced New York State's "ConnectALL" Office has been allocated more than $664 million in funding from the federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program. The allocation will be used primarily for providing fiber optic infrastructure to locations in New York that currently have no broadband service.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 6-8-23

The Sidney Chamber of Commerce Is planning “Hometown Day” on June 10th, which will begin with the SFCU parade, followed by events in Keith Clark park, Sidney Chamber President Teri Schunk explains:

(Teri Schunk 6-8-23)

The parade will begin lining up at 11:00, after the parade, all of the events mentioned will be at Keith Clark Park on River Street in Sidney.