WCDO Radio News

Camp Forget Me Not is a camp for children from Helios Care, to help them deal with their grief from the loss of a loved one, program organizer Inda Fitch comments:

(Inda Fitch 7-9-26)

Children can get signed up for the July 23rd class at the Townsend Elementary School in Walton, by calling 607-432-5525 by July 16th, more information is available at Helioscare.org.

Congressman Josh Riley's team will be in Walton today to meet with constituents who may need assistance with Medicare, Social Security, veterans' benefits or any other issue involving a federal agency. The team will be in Walton from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at the Ogden Free Library 42 Gardiner Place, for those who can not attend, call (607) 242-0200 or visit riley.house.gov to open a case.

Preparations are wrapping up for the annual Delaware County Fair in Walton in August, Fair Board President Jason Craig explains:

(Jason Craig 7-1-26)

Craig said that another big announcement about a Fair giveaway will be announced next week, the 139th annual Delaware County Fair will be August 17th through the 22nd this year, one of the highlights will be a show by Chubby Checker.

Delaware County Sheriff's Office arrested 45 year old Ryan Barriger of Walton following the execution of an arrest warrant issued by the Town of Walton Court.   On June 24th, Deputies responded to an "in progress" domestic incident, Deputies found that Barriger had engaged in a physical domestic with another person while a child was present, Thursday, Deputies received court documents they located & arrested Barriger, he was charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Harassment & he was processed, arraigned & was released on his own recognizance and was directed to reappear at the Town of Walton Court at a later date to answer the charges.

The Luszi’s Legacy Cornhole Tournament last weekend successful, the tournament raised $1,600 that will go directly to Pet Street Station Animal Hospital fund, to assist families deal with the bills for emergency or quality of life care for their senior pets.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 6-26-26

Most of the area School Districts will have their High School Graduation exercises today & tomorrow. Graduation ceremonies begin this afternoon at 5:00 pm for Gilbertsville Mount Upton grads, at 6:00 pm for AFTON, MILFORD, 6:30: in WINDSOR and 7:00 PM for UNATEGO, NORWICH, ANDES, MORRIS, LAURENS, DEPOSIT, EDMESTON, FRANKLIN, HANCOCK and 7:30 for CHARLOTTE VALLEY. Graduation ceremonies on SATURDAY start at 9:00 AM for HARPURSVILLE, at 10:00 AM for SIDNEY, UNADILLA VALLEY, DELAWARE ACADEMY, GREENE, WALTON, 10:45 AM for ONEONTA, 11:00 AM at OXFORD ACADEMY, SCHENEVUS; 1:00 PM for SOUTH KORTRIGHT and 7:00 PM for the BAINBRIDGE-GUILFORD.

The United States Attorney's Office announced that 20 year old Jerry Butler of Walton pleaded guilty in US District Court to receiving child pornography. Butler admitted that in January and February 2025, he used a social media messaging application to receive child sexual abuse material from an out-of-state minor victim. Butler exchanged approximately 20,000 messages with the victim in which Butler persuaded the victim to create and send him sexually explicit depictions of herself, or he would publicly embarrass her if she did not comply with his demands. Butler faces a term of imprisonment of at least 5 years and up to 20 years in prison when sentenced in October, he also faces a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life. Butler will also be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

Congressman Josh Riley's team will be in Walton today to assist constituents who need help with Medicare, Social Security, veterans' benefits or any other issue involving a federal agency. Riley's team will be at the Ogden Free Library in Walton 1:00 to 3:00 PM, for those with issues and who can not attend today, call (607) 242-0200 or visit riley.house.gov.

Walton Police arrested former Walton Teacher Eric Scofield who allegedly violated an Order of Protection by being on school property. Scofield was located on the property of the Walton High School, Scofield was charged with 4 counts of Criminal Contempt, he was arraigned & was being held at the Delaware County Correctional Facility on $50,000 cash bail or $100,000 bond. Scofield was ordered to stay away from the district after an investigation for engaging in improper communications with students.

Delaware County Sheriff's Office arrested 48- year-old Noel Wildey of Walton on an arrest warrant issued by the Masonville Town Court. On October 16th, 2024, The Sheriff's Office - Civil Division conducted an eviction in Masonville, During the eviction, Wildey refused to identify himself & gave Officers several false names. Wildey was charged with False Personation, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and Obstruction of Governmental Administration. Wildey was processed and released on appearance tickets to reappear at the Masonville Town Court at a later date to answer the aforesaid charges. Wildey later failed to show up as directed, resulting in an arrest warrant being issued by the Masonville Town Court on February 4th, 2025. On June 2nd, 2026, Wildey turned himself into the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office where he was subsequently arraigned and was released on his own recognizance to reappear in the Masonville Town Court at a later date.

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 6-5-26

Delaware County Sheriff's Office arrested 46 year old Anthony Alessi of Walton for Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs, Criminal possession of a controlled substance, following a traffic stop at a check point in Town of Colchester,  Alessi is accused of being impaired & was found to possess cocaine, he was processed and was released on appearance tickets for Town of Colchester Court at a later date.

Clear Path for Veterans IS A NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION helping out veterans with a variety of programs, Sean Sejersen is a Peer Mentor with Clear Path For Veterans, and a veteran himself, he told WCDO News about the program:

(Sean Sejerson 6-5-26)

A benefit will be held at Awestruck Ciders in Sidney Sunday from 12:00 to 5:00 PM, Sejersen will be there explaining their services & accepting donations, a portion of the proceeds from Awestruck will also be donated.

Delaware County has continued to transition operations of the senior meals program after Delaware Opportunities abruptly ceased operating on May 7th. Delaware County Office for the Aging has supported Senior meals both at congregate meal sites and through home meal deliveries. Congregate meal sites are now fully staffed and operational in Delhi, Hancock, Walton & Grand Gorge, the Margaretville senior meals dining center is open and located back in the Margaretville Methodist Church. The Sidney senior dining center has been temporarily relocated to the Sidney Community Cultural Center at 1 Bridge Street in Sidney, today that site will be operational to serve meals on site and prepare meals for home delivery. The County continues to work with the owners of the Sidney Senior Housing site to permanently relocate senior meals back to the senior nutrition site at 21 Liberty Street Sidney. Those interested in county employment, contact the Delaware County personnel office to inquire about these positions.

2 more American Red Cross Blood drives are being held today, 1 in Oneonta from 1:30 pm. - 5:30 pm., at the American Legion at 279 Chestnut Street, and another from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the O'Neil High School, in Walton. Book a time to give blood or platelets now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

22 year old Jubilee Klimas of Walton pleaded guilty to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance with intent to sell. Klimas admitted that she and her co-defendant Joseph Hahn had possessed 8-10 baggies containing methamphetamine when they were arrested in Walton on January 27, following a traffic stop, Hahn had a revoked license, a search of the vehicle led to the discovery of the baggies, plus scales, funnels, packaging material and other paraphernalia, sentencing for Klimas will be on July 1st.

3 More American Red Cross Blood Drives are being held today, as blood supplies remain low. The 1st on will be at the DCMO Boces Campus on State Route 206 from 9:30 to 2:30, another will be in Oneonta from 12:00 Noon until 5:00 PM at the SUNY Oneonta Hunt College Union, & the 3rd will be in Walton 1:30 to 5:30 PM, at the 1st Baptist Church on Townsend Street, make an appointment for either location at RedCrossBlood.org, by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

The Butternut Valley Alliance is accepting artist submissions for the annual "On the Trail of Art" forest exhibition, to be held June 13-14 at General Jacob Morris State Forest. Artists are invited to submit weatherproof work for outdoor display along a forest trail transformed into an immersive gallery. Artists may also contribute work to BVA's online auction. Submissions can be made at butternutvalleyalliance.org or by emailing info@butternutvalleyalliance.org.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 4-28-26

41 year old Frank Giacalone of Walton, pleaded guilty to Felony Driving While Intoxicated in Delaware County Court, The plea was entered as part of a negotiated disposition where it is anticipated that Giacalone will be sentenced to 1 to 3 years in state prison. State Police responded to the report of a vehicle hit a fire hydrant on Mead Street in the Village of Walton, then backed up and drove away. A Trooper observed a piece of the vehicle’s front bumper near the fire hydrant, found the vehicle matching the description, missing a portion of its front bumper, Giacalone failed field sobriety tests & was arrested, he'll be sentenced at a later date.

Delaware County Public Health is hosting free Climate and Health Workshops at the Delaware County Senior Dining Centers. Participants will learn how changes to the climate can impact their health and ways to prepare for emergencies. These workshops are free and open to residents 60 years and older. Each workshop will take place during the senior dining program lunch hour from 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM, each participant will receive a starter emergency preparedness kit. Workshops will be held today at Grand Gorge Civic Center, Thursday at the Sidney Civic Center Room, Friday in Walton at the St. John’s Roman Catholic Church, others are planned in May & July.

56 year old Paul Petrosky of Walton pleaded guilty to Criminal Sale of a Controlled substance in Delaware County Court, he admitted to selling methamphetamines. On December 19, 2024, a Delaware County Grand Jury indicted Petrosky for 2 counts each of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance & Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a temporary order of protection prohibiting Petrosky from having any contact with the child. Sentencing will be in May.

30 Year Old Joseph Hahn of Walton pleaded guilty to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Methamphetamine with the intent to sell and he was sentenced to 4 years in state prison to be followed by 2 years of post-release supervision. On January 27, Delaware County Sheriff Deputies initiated a traffic stop in Walton they discovered that Hahn had a revoked license, a search of the vehicle uncovered multiple baggies of methamphetamine, scales, funnels, packaging material and other paraphernalia associated with the sale of illegal narcotics. The case was presented to a Grand Jury & Hahn was indicted, he pleaded guilty on Monday in Delaware County Court, he was remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility to begin serving his sentence.

The New York State Police at Troop C will be hosting 2 FREE Car Seat Safety Checks locally, the 1st will be on Saturday, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Walton Fire Department at 59 West Street, another will be on Monday, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Troop C Headquarters on State Route 7; Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will be on-site to Inspect car seats, Ensure proper installation & Answer questions and provide guidance. No appointment is necessary but are encouraged by calling Troop C Traffic at (607) 561-7400.

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 4-16-26

A Chenango County Grand Jury indicted Lance Madsen for criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal possession of a weapon, unlawfully fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle and criminally using drug paraphernalia. The indictment alleges that on September 17, 2025, in the City of Norwich, Madsen possessed about 2 ounces of methamphetamine with intent to sell, along with a scale, baggies and cash. He was also charged with possessing a switchblade knife and allegedly fleeing Norwich police on a motorcycle while speeding, passing vehicles and disobeying traffic signals. Madsen faces court action on the indictment shortly.

Greater Opportunities of Broome and Chenango County, recently won the bid from the Norwich School District to purchase Flanagan Field on Plymouth Street in Norwich, they plan to build a $9 million multi-unit apartment project for low-income housing at the site. The sale of the parcel has to be approved by voters in the Norwich School District when they vote on the district budget on May 19th in the Norwich City School District Office, 89 Midland Drive in Norwich.

AM NEWS TUESDAY 4-14-26

Walton Fire Department and Emergency Squad were dispatched Sunday at about 2:00 PM to a working structure fire on Fish Hollow Road in the Town of Hamden, that was called in by a passerby. Upon arriving, units found a 2 1/2 story farm house with smoke & flames showing, by 3:00 pm the fire was under control, the structure was a total loss and 1 nearby structure was saved, No injuries were reported to the 3 residents or firefighters, mutual aid was provided by several area Fire Departments.

WALTON Firefighters responded Thursday night to the report of an explosion on Delaware County Highway 23, at around 9:00 PM, WCDO News will have further details when they are released.

The Delaware County Business Alliance will hold a networking breakfast on Friday at 8:30 am. in Walton at Packin’ Heat Bar & Grill. The event registration deadline is Wednesday at delawarecounty.org.

A new report by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli details how small businesses generate nearly $1 trillion in sales and revenues with more than 3.7 million employees at over 422,000 establishments in 2023,comprising 98.9% of all businesses in the state. New York ranked 4th among states in the number of small businesses and 3rd behind California and Florida for its share of small businesses, Over 80% of all New York businesses had fewer than 10 workers. Small businesses employed 3.7 million people, close to 45% of the state’s jobs, earning an average of $60,579 in annual pay in 2023.

A.M. NEWS Tuesday 3-17-26

State Police arrested 2 people and a third person was picked up on an arrest warrant following a traffic stop in the town of Oneonta Saturday. Troopers near Motel 88 in the city of Oneonta observed suspicious activity in the parking lot and initiated a traffic stop. The driver, 45 year old Ashley Darran of Unadilla, was charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle While Impaired by Drugs, a passenger, 40 year old Barbara Walley of Walton was found in possession of suspected illegal drugs and brass knuckles & was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and Criminal Possession of a Weapon, a man who had exited the vehicle was found to have an active warrant with the City of Norwich Police Department and was returned to the City of Norwich to answer to his charges. Darran and Walley were issued appearance tickets to the Oneonta Town Court on April 21, 2026.

Delaware County Sheriff's Office arrested 37 year old Christina LoRusso of Hamden following an investigation of a 1 car accident on February 19th. Deputies were dispatched to State Route 10 near the County Solid Waste Management Facility in the Town of Walton. Lorusso drove off the roadway and over an embankment, crashing into the State DOT perimeter fencing, causing her vehicle to become stuck, she was charged with Driving While Intoxicated and Moving from Lane Unsafely. Lorusso was released on summonses, directing her to appear in the Town of Walton Court at a later date, to answer the charges. Additionally, on the morning of February 20th, Deputies were notified of additional damage at the Solid Waste Facility front gate from Lorusso’s vehicle, she was charged with Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Accident.

The State Girl's Wrestling Tournament was held at the MVP Arena in Albany Thursday, Sidney High School Sophomore Bella Phelps took 1st Place Honors in the 114 pound weight class, beating her opponent 11 to 1 in the Championship Match. Sophomore Wrestler Cadence Guy of the Walton Delhi Team finished in 4th place in the 100 pound weight class. The 2 Day Boys State Wrestling Tournament begins today in Albany.

Congressman Josh Riley's team will be in Walton today to meet with constituents who need help with Medicare, Social Security, veterans' benefits or any other issue involving a federal agency. The session will be held from 1:00 - 3:00 PM at the Ogden Free Library, 42 Gardiner Place, For those who can not attend, call at (607) 242-0200 or visit riley.house.gov.

2 American Red Cross Blood Drives will be held today locally, one from 1:00 to 6:00 PM at the Sidney Elks Lodge on River Street & another from 2:00 to 6:00 PM at the Pine Brook Church in Walton. Make an appointments at redcrossblood.org, 1-800-redcross or with the blood donor app, February Donros will receive a $20 E-GIFT Card, all blood types are needed.

The Broome County Sheriff's Office arrested 2 Walton residents following a narcotics investigation in Kirkwood. Arrested were 30 year old Joseph Hahm, on 2 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and 22 year old Jubilee Klimas for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, both face court action on the charges shortly.

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 2-16-26

The Walton Police Department & the Delaware County District Attorney's Office announced the arrested of Walton High School teacher Eric Scofield for dissemination of indecent materials to Minors. 2 counts of a Sexually motivated felony, 7 counts of tampering with physical evidence & 5 counts of official misconduct, following a complaint that Scofield was engaging in improper communications with students. Scofield was brought to the Delaware County Correctional facility pending arraignment on the charges.

Delaware County Sheriff's Office arrested 48 year old Luke Lupo of Walton man on charges of Promoting Prison Contraband, after they received a complaint from the Delaware County Correctional Facility. Lupo allegedly possessed contraband while incarcerated at the Delaware County Correctional Facility on pre-existing charges. Lupo was arraigned and was remanded back to the custody of the Delaware County Correctional Facility on the charges that led to his initial incarceration.

Congressman Josh Riley's team will be in Walton today meeting with constituents that need assistance with federal agencies for issues with Medicare, Social Security, veterans' benefits. Riley's team will be available from 1:00 - 3:00 PM at the Ogden Free Library at 42 Gardiner Place. for those who can not attend, call (607) 242-0200 or visit riley.house.gov.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 2-5-26

Delaware County Sheriff's Office arrested 45 year old James Nash of Sidney on on two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon. Nash was arrested on January 26th in Walton after a traffic stop, Nash was a passenger in the vehicle, he was found to possess 2 pistols, he is a convicted felon and prohibited by law from possessing the pistols. Nash was issued appearance tickets directing him to appear in the Village of Walton Court at a later date to answer the charges.