WCDO Radio News

The Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 55 year old Vladimir Suprunchik of Utica, for DWI, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation, Moving from a lane Unsafely & among other charges, following an investigation into a motor vehicle accident in the Town of Unadilla, Suprunchik was located at the scene of the accident, he did not possess a valid driver’s license, he was processed on Appearance Tickets for Unadilla Town Court at a later date.

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 3-2-26

41 year old Franklin Gentry of Utica was arrested by Norwich Police Friday for Attempted Murder in connection with a fatal stabbing in Utica on February 15th. U.S. Marshals tracked gentry to Norwich, they coordinated with Norwich Police, Gentry was found Friday at West Main & Guernsey Street in Norwich at around 2:00 PM. Gentry was brought back to Utica by US Marshalls & faces court action On the attempted Murder charge, additional charges are anticipated.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 2-10-26

The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office arrested 43 year old Leon Marriott of Utica following a traffic stop in the Town of Edmeston. Deputies conducted a traffic stop, Marriott fled the scene & Deputies took him into custody after a brief chase, Marriott was charged with a number of traffic violations, plus unlawfully fleeing a Police Officer, Criminal possession of a Controlled substance, for the possession of Methamphetamine, he was was processed and later released with an Appearance Ticket for Town of Edmeston Court at a later date.

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 10-10-25

State Police responded to a 3 vehicle crash on State Route 12 in the town of Greene, where a Mazda driven by 22 year old Makayla Cummings of Utica, was traveling south on State Route 12, when she crossed into the opposing lane, striking a Ford Focus head-on, driven by 44 year old Angel Kiekel of Nineveh. Cummings continued off the roadway and struck a parked Honda Civic, then she struck the exterior of a residence. Cummings & Keikel were both transported to Wilson Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, Cummings faces charges for the incident.

The Binghamton Black Bears announced that an AHL pre season hockey game between the Syracuse Crunch & Utica Comets will be played at the Visions Veteran's Memorial Arena in Binghamton this Friday at 7:05 pm. Binghamton Black Bears Spokesman Brooks Hill explains how this opportunity came about between the Arena & team owners:

(Brooks Hill 9-30-25)

Tickets can be purchased at 315-473-4444, at the Visions Veterans Memorial Arena Box Office and online through Ticketmaster.

Officials with the Utica Boilermaker race announced that the annual event, set for July 13 this year, is completely filled up for the 15K race & there will be no more available slots to sign up for, however, people can sign up for the wait list, in case some runners drop out before the race day, Runners can also sign up for the 5K race instead. The annual 15K race is one of the most famous races in the country. More information is available at boilermaker.com.

Utica University has announced its commencement speaker for the undergraduate ceremony in 2025 will be Hamdi Ulukaya, the founder and CEO of Chobani, Ulukaya will receive the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Utica University, he emigrated from his native Turkey in 1994 to the US, he purchased a closed factory in Edmeston in 2007 with a small business loan, Chobani became he biggest seller of Greek Yogurt in the world by 2012. The undergraduate ceremony is set for May 9th at The Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.

Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado was in Oneonta Tuesday, he announced that the Utica Center for Development was holding their grand opening of a new veterans resource center in the Oneonta Armory. The new location at 4 Academy Street in Oneonta, will be open Monday through Friday from 8 am. until 4 pm. More information is available at ucdevelopment.org.

State Police responded Saturday to the State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision to the report of a deceased inmate at the facility in Marcy. 22 year old Messiah Nantwi was pronounced deceased at Wynn Hospital in Utica, the circumstances surrounding his death are part of an ongoing investigation by State Police & the Department of Corrections Special Investigations.

Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 23 year old Brandon King of Norwich for Burglary, Rape, 2 counts of Menacing and Criminal Obstruction of Breathing. Deputies responded to a Trespass in progress complaint, they located the female victim inside the residence, they determined that King unlawfully entered the victim’s residence, pointed a firearm at her, then displayed a knife and held it to the victim’s throat before forcing the victim to engage in sexual intercourse, a phone call was received from family members and the victim explained the situation, they contacted Police and King fled the scene on foot, he was later located in Utica and taken into custody. King was processed & was remanded without bail to the Chenango County Correctional Facility and is to appear in the Town of Norwich Court at a later date.

Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 41 year old Shawn Taylor of Utica on a variety of drug charges following a a month-long investigation into drug sales, Taylor is accused of traveling to Chenango County from Utica and selling Crack Cocaine. On January 17th, 2025 a search warrant was executed in the City of Norwich on Taylor and his vehicle, a quantity of packaged Crack Cocaine was located. Taylor was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Chenango County Sheriff's Office for processing. Taylor is currently being held without bail at the Chenango County Correctional Facility.

18 year old John Koscinski of Utica was found safe, he was reported missing from SUNY Cobleskill, the State Division of Criminal Justice reported that Koscinski had been missing since Wednesday.

Judge Anthony Brindisi was confirmed to the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand recommended Judge Brindisi to President Biden earlier this year and he was nominated in July. Brindisi has been a judge on the New York State Court of Claims in Utica since 2022, he has been serving as an Acting Supreme Court Justice in Oneida County, Brindisi was served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing New York’s 22nd congressional district.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 11-19-24

State Police responded at about 6:50 this morning to the report of a single vehicle crash on Broad Street in the village of Morris. An investigation at the scene determined that a 42-year-old male from Utica was operating an SYV when he crashed, he was pronounced deceased on scene. The roadway reopened shortly after 10:00 AM, the name of the deceased has not been released pending family notification.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 10-15-24

State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on US-20 in the town of Plainfield. Police stated that a 56 year old woman from Sherburne veered into the opposing lane & sideswiped a tractor trailer driven by an unidentified man from Westerlo. The woman was ejected from the vehicle and was transported to a Utica Hospital with serious injuries the truck driver was not injured despite hitting a utility pole. The road was closed for several hours for the clean up & accident reconstruction efforts & for the repair of downed power lines. the investigation is continuing.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 10-3-24

19 year old Benjamin Wheeler of Norwich pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle, Wheeler admitted that on August 6, 2024, he knowingly possessed a “Spikes Tactical” AR-15 style rifle at his apartment in Norwich, New York, The firearm was not registered to Wheeler, Sentencing for his conviction for possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle is scheduled for February 12, 2025, in Utica, he faces a maximum sentence of up to 10-years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000.00, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years.

Utica Police arrested a Connecticut couple following Friday morning's robbery at the Bank of Utica on Genesee Street in downtown Utica. Police arrested 60-year-old James Perkins and 42-year-old Christy Roper, both of Hamden, Connecticut. after the Friday Morning heist, a search warrant was issued and following the search, proceeds from the robbery along with a large quantity of narcotics was located. Perkins & Roper were charged with Robbery, & Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, The investigation is continuing.

President Biden has nominated former area Congressman & current Judge Anthony Brindisi to serve at the federal level in Utica based on the recommendation of U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Brindisi has been on the New York State Court of Claims since 2022. This nomination is for the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York, Brindisi will be to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee, followed by full Senate confirmation.

An Investigation by the State Attorney General's Office will begin shortly, following the shooting by Utica Police of a 13 year old Friday night. Utica's Crime Prevention Unit conducted a stop of two juveniles related to an ongoing investigation, one of them fled on foot and displayed what appeared to officers to be a handgun, an un-named officers discharged his weapon and shot the teen, who succumbed to his injuries at an area hospital.

Oneida County District Attorney's office & State Police announced that former Utica School Superintendent Bruce Karam was sentenced to pay $11,549 back to the Utica school district for the resources improperly diverted, he was ordered to serve 5 years probation and perform 250 hours of community service, he was also ordered to pay $150,000 by May 17, representing a reduction in his pension earnings from the date of his crime until his termination.

The Utica Police Department has disclosed the identities of the deceased individuals involved in the Kingston Road incident Tuesday night. The 2 deceased individuals were 22 year old Sara Doody and 26 year old Donte Green both of Utica. Utica Police said that Green shot Doody in the head, shot his grandfather in the leg & when Police responded, he fire shots at the Officer and fled into a nearby resident & shot himself to death with a rifle. The 2 year old child of Doody & Green was removed from the scene and was brought to family members, Green's Grandfather is in an area hospital recovering from gunshot wounds to his legs.

A.M. NEWS Friday 4-5-24

New York lawmakers passed another extension for the state's budget on Thursday to ensure state workers get paid and operations continue, as negotiations continue. The extension will push the deadline to pass a budget to April 8th, local Assemblyman Brian Miller comments:

(Brian Miller 4-5-24)

Last year, lawmakers passed the budget almost 1 month later than the April 1st deadline.

Utica Police are investigating a shooting that ended with 2 dead & one person injured. Officers responded to a reported shooting, the responding officer found a man with a rifle standing over a victim in a driveway, he fired 2 rounds at the officer & escaped into a nearby residence & reportedly took his own life. Utica police said that one shooting victim was taken to an area hospital, another female was found with multiple shots to the head, a 2 year old child was removed from the scene. The investigation is continuing.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 3-28-24

Delaware County Sheriff's Office arrested 36 year old Kyle Walker of Utica, for Aggravated Unlicensed Operator of a Motor Vehicle and Unlicensed Operator following an investigation. Deputies responded Saturday to an emergency call for service for a possible abduction of an adult that occurred within Delaware County. Deputies along with Delhi Police Officers were able to locate the vehicle that was allegedly being used during the reported abduction which had been traveling from the Downsville area to the Village of Walton, it was found that no abduction had occurred, however Deputies found that Walker had 19 suspensions on his drivers license. Walker was issued appearance tickets to appear before the Village of Walton Court at a later date.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli and State Police announced the arrest of Utica City School District Superintendent Bruce Karam and the former Utica Mayor and School Board President Louis LaPolla. Karam was using school money and resources to send election mailers in support of school board candidates that he favored and who determined his contract, salary and authority. He also is accused of using school resources to send invitations for a non-school related fundraiser for a purported charity run by LaPolla. LaPolla was allegedly aware that school resources were being used on his behalf. Karam also allegedly tried to cover up his actions by attempting to persuade school district employees to lie that the resources being used for a valid purpose.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 11-21-23

State Police Major Crimes Unit members were in southern Vermont searching an area of forest for the remains of Sara Anne Wood, about 30 miles east of Albany. Wood was abducted while riding her bicycle 30 years ago in a remote area of the Town of Frankfort, & was killed by Lewis Lent of Massachusetts, Over 80 officers from the State Police assisted in the search, which concluded on Thursday, No remains were found in the search.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 9-19-23

41 year old Paul Thayer of Utica was sentenced in Delaware County Court for his conviction of Attempted Dissemination of Indecent Materials to a Minor. On May 2nd, Thayer drove from Utica to the Village of Walton to meet a person he believed to be a 14 year old boy after sending the boy numerous text messages soliciting sexual acts. Thayer admitted he believed the boy was 14, the boy was actually a fictitious entity controlled by an organization dedicated to catching sexual predators, Judge Hubbard sentenced him to a 3-year term of probation supervision, which will include specific sex offender terms and conditions.

The Unadilla Historical Society is having a Fall Open House tonight at the Village & Town Museum at 133 Main Street in Unadilla. The event runs from 6:30 to 8:30 PM & is open to the public.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 9-19-23

State Police arrested 48 year old Theresa Price of Utica for 3rd degree Grand Larceny. Troopers were advised last week that Price took a used vehicle for a test drive from a car dealership, told them she’d like the vehicle checked out by her mechanic but never returned. An investigation revealed that on September 15, the vehicle was traveling on Interstate 90. Price and the vehicle were located at a truck stop in the town of Pembroke. She was arrested and was processed and was turned over to the Otsego County Jail for Arraignment.

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 9-11-23

The Utica City School District today released the name of the security officer who was shot after a football game at Proctor High School. District Officials said that Jeff Lynch was shot Saturday, he was taken to an area hospital, he is recovering & is expected to be released shortly according to the Utica Police Department. An unidentified 16 year old male was charged with 2nd degree attempted Murder, Criminal possession of a weapon, among other similar charges.

35 year old Antonio Felice of Utica appeared in Delhi Town Court and entered guilty pleas to Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs & Bail Jumping. Felice was apprehended in Utica, he was arrested on a warrant & was transported to the Delaware County Jail, he was sentenced to a jail term to be followed by a year of conditional discharge & his license was revoked.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 8-17-23

Norwich City Police arrested 2 men on drug charges, after they pulled over suspects accused of possessing illegal drugs. Police seized methamphetamines and heroin, they arrested 40 year old Anthony Torres of Utica & 39 year old Matthew Lamb of Norwich, they were charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance and criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, both are facing court action shortly.

The State Department of Labor announced that its Division of Worker Protection investigators have recovered and returned over $11.7 million in stolen wages to 12,000 affected workers since January 1, putting the Department on track to recover $20 million in stolen wages this year. Over the past decade, they have recovered and dispersed more than $360 million in stolen wages, identified over a million misclassified workers, and assessed over $400 million owed in unemployment insurance contributions through both criminal cases and civil enforcement.

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 8-10-23

State Police announced that 15 year old Emily Clapper, who was reported missing recently, from the town of Winfield, has been located. Utica Police found Clapper & reported her in good health.

US Senator Charles Schumer was in Sidney yesterday for a brief press Conference, WCDO's Craig Stevens has the story:

(Craig-Schumer 8-9-23)

Senator Schumer & Gillibrand were also in Utica yesterday  for a ribbon cutting on the Air Force Research Lab's new Extreme Computing Facility, which will bring tech jobs coming to Mohawk Valley.