WCDO Radio News

The Annual Sherburne Pageant of Bands will be held this
weekend, at the Sherburne High School.
Pageant competitions will be held tonight & tomorrow, the Parade
will begin Saturday at 1:00 PM on Route 12 in downtown Sherburne.

This weekend is the MX Rewind Weekend at the Unadilla Valley
Sports Center on State Route 8, in New Berlin.
MX Rewind is a full weekend of vintage racing and has become the largest
vintage event of its kind in the nation.
Racing begins on Friday with AHRMA cross-country racing and moves into
motocross racing on Saturday and Sunday. More information is available at
965-8450 or unadillamx.com.

The Northeast Classic Car Museum at 24 Rexford Street in
Norwich has a new exhibit starting this weekend featuring 70's Muscle
Cars.  Among the vehicles on display, a
'70 Mustang Boss 302, a '71 Mercury Cougar, a '79 Pontiac Trans Am, Hours are
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily, more information is available at 334-2886 or
classicarmuseum.org.

The Family Resource Network will have a presentation on
Puberty & Sexuality tomorrow at SUNY Delhi from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon;  Network Spokesperson Robin Piefer explains;

(Robin Piefer 5-31-19)

More information is available at 432-0001 at familyrn.org.

Greater Chenango Cares is once again coming to Norwich to
provide services for families in need. Greater Chenango Cares is a Department
of Defense Innovative Readiness Training event. It gives joint training
opportunities to reservists to increase their deployment readiness while also
providing free medical, dental, vision and veterinary services to the
community.  This year's Chenango Cares
will be held at Norwich High School from July 11th through the 20th.   The Chenango United Way is looking for
volunteers for the event; those interested can call 334-8815.

Norwich city officials are monitoring the situation at 33
Mitchell Street, after part of a wall at the building fell to the ground
Wednesday.  All tenants were evacuated
& city officials blocked off the intersection of Mitchell & State Street
while they try to determine of the 1855 building can be safely repaired, or
needs to be razed.

The Scripps National Spelling Bee had to name 8 champions
yesterday, after the 8 winners continued to spell words correctly round after
round after round.  Organizers said that
they ran out of difficult words to give to the last 8, Scripps officials gave
up and declared them all co-champions, each will win the $50,000 grand
prize.  Melodie Loya of Bainbridge made
it to the final day for the 3rd straight year, before being stumped during an
afternoon round Thursday.

Governor Cuomo today announced
the application window is now open for round one of the Grow-NY food and
agriculture competition. The competition is focused on growing an enduring food
and agriculture innovation cluster in New York's Finger Lakes, Central New York
and Southern Tier regions. The competition will run for 3 & will offer a
total of $3 million in funding for each round to innovative high-growth
start-ups that are focused on the food and agriculture industry.   More information is available at grow-ny.com.

Today is World No Tobacco Day, where people are trying to
get the word out about the dangers of Tobacco use & the growing
Concern  of children getting addicted to
Nicotine through fruit flavored E-Cigarettes Like Juul.  Linda Wegner of Advancing Tobacco free
Communities of Delaware, Otsego & Schoharie Counties said that they are
hoping the state & the Federal Government do something soon:

(Linda Wegner 5-31-19)

Currently, the state wide rate of smoking is about 14%, but
Delaware County is much higher at 24%, there has also been a 160% increase in
E-Cigarette usage among teens in the last 2 years, each Juul cartridge contains
the same amount of nicotine as an entire pack of traditional cigarettes.

A.O. Fox Hospital is offering a program this summer for
individuals interested in becoming junior volunteers, to offer a helping hand
to hospitalized patients, nursing home residents, and staff in a multitude of
capacities.  Training for accepted
applicants is scheduled for Monday, July 1st
from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 PM in Fox Hospital’s Education Department.  Applicants must be at least 14 years of age
& applications are available in the guidance offices of area high
schools,  all applications are due by
June 18th . More Information is available at 431-5042.

The 57th General Clinton Canoe regatta was held
over the Memorial Day Weekend, with over 1000 paddlers from 22 states & 5
Canadian Provinces participating.

In the men’s NYMCRA stock Race, Mike & Wayne Himes of
Otego took 1st place; they spoke with WCDO’s Craig Stevens:

(Himes 5-29-19)

In one of the largest C1 Pro fields Rod McLain from Maine
was able to use high water conditions from Milford down to his advantage to
take 1st place: he talked to WCDO’s Craig Stevens after the race:

(Rod McLain 5-28-19)

Oneonta resident Trevor LeFever took 2nd place in
the C2 Pro class with his partner Ben Schlimmer of Camillus; he discussed what
it is like to race against Canoe Racing Legend Serge Corbin:

(Trevor LeFever 5-29-19)

Complete results of the races are available at
canoeregatta.org.

A Ribbon Cutting ceremony was held at the Sidney Central
School District today along with the Raymond Corporation of Greene, for the
opening of their Raymond welding Center.
Sidney Welding Program Advisor Joseph Waltz told WCDO News about the
full year course

(Joseph Waltz 5-28-19)

Raymond Corporation representative Dan Quiter Jr. told WCDO
News that this program is the first of its kind locally:

(Dan Quiter Jr 5-28-19)

The program was started through the efforts of 6 Sidney
Students and a Raymond Corporation Advisor.

Communities & Educators are looking at ways to curb
tobacco use & the use of fruit flavored E-Cigarettes like Juul, that are hooking
a whole new generation of people getting addicted to Nicotine.  Linda Wegner of Advancing Tobacco Free
Communities of Delaware, Otsego & Schoharie Counties explains;

(Linda Wegner 5-28-19)

Wegner said that 1 Juul packet contains as much nicotine as
an entire pack of tobacco cigarettes and her group is continuing to try to
educate local residents not to be tricked into nicotine use & addiction.

An amended marijuana legalization bill was introduced on
Friday by lawmakers in Albany, which more closely echoes what Governor Cuomo
wanted in the bill earlier this year.
The bill includes the Office of Cannabis Management to regulate
commercial and medical marijuana; it would also expunge the records of those
who have committed marijuana-based offenses in the past.   Opponents to Marijuana legalization site
potential issues with traffic safety and increased links to mental illnesses
such as Schizophrenia & violence.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies charged 40-year-old
Jeffrey Bosket of Tompkins with 2 counts of harboring a dangerous dog in
violation of Agriculture and Markets Law. The charge follows an investigation
where an individual was allegedly bitten by 2 dogs owned by Bosket in the Town
of Tompkins. Bosket was issued tickets and was scheduled to appear before the
Town of Tompkins Court at a later date to answer for the charges.

State Senator Fred Akshar released a new Community Voice
Survey on a proposal to end religious and any other non-medical exemptions for
vaccination for children attending school in New York State.  All 50 states require that students be vaccinated
for diseases like measles, mumps, chicken pox and polio among many others, all
states allow exemptions for medical reasons, but 47 (including New York) allow
exemptions for religious reasons.   The
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that measles was eradicated
in 2000; however 940 measles cases were reported nationwide this year, with
more than half of those reported in New York City & Rockland County.   Akshar is asking his constituents to weigh
in on Senate bill S.2994 which would repeal all non-medical exemptions from vaccination
requirements for children; the survey is available at Akshar.NYSenate.Gov.

New York State will not be
funding a housing development with 64 units in Oneonta' 6th Ward.  The RSS development announced their plans
last year, with residents speaking out about the plans to have some people in
the development recovering from substance abuse.  Governor Cuomo recently announced that 6
organizations in The Southern Tier would receive $21.3 million in tax credits
and low-interest loans from the State Homes & Community Renewal’s 2018
Unified Funding applications; the Oneonta RSS project was not included.

The 57th General Clinton canoe regatta was held over the
Memorial Day weekend, with over 1000 pro & Amateur Paddlers from 22 states
& 5 Canadian Provinces participating.

The 2 person pro race was won by Steve Lajoie & Jimmy
Pellerin, who completed the 70 mile course in 7:15:23, they spoke with WCDO’s
Craig Stevens

(Lajoie/Pellerin 5-28)

The Duo beat 2nd place finishers Trevor LeFever of Oneonta
& Ben Schlimmer of Camillus by 2 minutes, but 2nd place wasn’t easy as they
beat out Guillaume Blaise & Samuel Friggone for Quebec by just 1 second,
Schlimmer spoke to Craig Stevens about the close ending:

(Schlimmer 5-28)

62 year old Regatta champion Serge Corbin & his partner
Normand Mainguy finished 4th in the pro race, he talked with WCDO’s Craig
Stevens after the race;

(Serge Corbin 5-28)

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

The Michigan Team of Bruce & Roxanne Barton, Tim
Triebold & Weston Willoughby won the C4 Race with a time of 7:37:45;  Local Paddler Bob Zaveral of Mount Upton
spoke to Craig Stevens after his 4 person team finished 2nd in the C-4 race
yesterday:

(Zaveral 5-28)

Walton father Son team Bill & Lucas Walley won the tough
stock aluminum race by 40 minutes over the 2nd place finishers, Lucas Walley
talked about racing with the heavier canoes to WCDO’s Craig Stevens:

(Lucas Walley 5-28)

Complete results can be found at canoeregatta.org.

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce will host a FREE
workforce development event today aimed at business owners and managers who are
struggling to hire staff or have employees in drug and/or alcohol treatment and
recovery.  Representatives from the
Delaware County Probation Department, Delaware County Drug Treatment Court, CDO
Workforce and the Department of Labor will participate, the session will be
held at 10:00 AM at the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce at 5 1/2 Main
Street, Delhi, more information is available at 746-2281.

Congressman Anthony Brindisi will be hosting a listening
session on rising prescription drug costs in Binghamton Today.  The event will include health care
professionals, seniors, and community leaders, at the Koffman Southern Tier
Incubator at 120 Hawley Street at 11:30 a.m.

Attorney General Letitia James announced a settlement with
Oneonta Elks, over their wrongful use of over $480,000 charitable assets from
the estate of a benefactor whose last will and testament directed that the
funds be used to help the needs of children, people with disabilities, and the
elderly.   The Oneonta Elks are required
to repay those funds, after the investigation determined that the Oneonta Elks
repeatedly appropriated and expended almost $170,000 to pay for capital
improvements to its lodge building and property, as well as covering general
operating expenses, rather than for the intended purposes.

The National Weather Service is calling for a Winter Storm
Watch Tuesday, local meteorologist rich Townsend comments:

(Rich Townsend 1-28-19)

Townsend said that he believes that
the storm will have up to 6 inches of snow accumulation Tuesday.

A Delaware County Grand Jury handed down Sealed Indictments
last Thursday after a narcotics trafficking investigation in the Delhi area.  Sheriff’s Investigators and Deputies arrested
61 year-old Herbert Jones and 47 year-old Nicole Byron of Delhi Friday, for
Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance, for allegedly selling Heroin in the
Village of Delhi in December.  Byron was
located and arrested in the City of Albany, & was returned to Delaware
County. Jones was arraigned in Delaware County Court on Friday and was remanded
to the Delaware County Correctional Facility without bail pending continuation
of his arraignment.   Byron was arraigned
in Delaware County Court this morning and was also remanded to the Delaware
County Correctional Facility to be held without bail pending continuation of the
arraignment.

The Child Victims Act is expected to pass today in the
legislature, and a 3-way agreement was reached on this legislation last week.
Governor Cuomo has been a vocal advocate for the Child Victims Act for years,
and he even quoted Pope Francis in his State of the State address recently to
call for the passage of these bills by the legislature:

(Cuomo 1-28-19)

The Child Victim's act will be signed into law by Governor Cuomo
shortly after its expected passage in Albany.

Local sales tax collections continued to climb in 2018,
According to a report released today by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.
Collections across the state of $17.5 billion grew by $872 million, or 5.3%,
every region in the state has experienced an increased annual growth rate in
sales tax collections in each of the last 3 years, with the exception of the
Finger Lakes.  The Southern Tier saw the
highest year-over-year increase at 6.8%, the strongest for the region since
2011.

A new report shows that the use of E-Cigarettes by New York
State youth has sky-rocketed in the last few years by 160% over 4 years.  Linda Wegner of Advancing Tobacco Free
Communities of Delaware Otsego & Schoharie Counties said that there is a
lot of work to be done to correct this issue:

(Linda Wegner 1-28-19)

Wegner said that the problem has been compounded by big
tobacco companies such as Marlboro, buying up E-cigarette companies & using
flavorings & marketing to entice youth into nicotine based products, state
& federal officials are just starting to consider legislative action to
stop these trends.

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce announced that their
next "1sty Friday Eat & Greet” event will be held at the Bellayre ski
resort in Highmount om February 1st at 8:30 AM.
The last day to register for the event through the Chamber office in
Delhi is tomorrow at http://delawarecounty.org

State Senator Fred Akshar released his latest in a series of
online surveys.  Akshar is asking his
constituents to weigh in on the Governor's proposal to legalize recreational
marijuana. Key provisions of the proposal include Establishing separate licensing
programs for marijuana growers, distributors and retailers, with a ban on
growers also opening retail shops;
Imposing a 20 percent state tax and 2 percent local tax on the sale of
the drug from wholesalers to retailers, plus a per-gram tax on growers;
Allowing counties and large cities to ban marijuana sales within their
boundaries & Banning marijuana sales to anyone under the age of 21. The
survey can be found at Akshar.NYSenate.Gov.

Hundreds of county delegates
from across the state will gather Today through Wednesday for the New York
State Association of Counties Legislative Conference at the Desmond Hotel in
Albany.  Attendees will participate in
bipartisan standing committee meetings, training workshops, policy discussions,
keynote addresses, and business meetings.
More information is available at nysac.org.

The Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task Force
Police arrested 26 year old Bethany Kasson & 38 year old Anthony
Thompson  of Binghamton following a drug
bust at 116 Park Avenue Friday. Police seized 25 grams of Fentanyl plus
Cocaine, $7,800 cash from suspected drug sales, Marijuana, & Drug Packaging
Materials, Kasson & Thompson face 6 counts of Criminal Possession of a
Controlled Substance, 1 count of Criminal Possession of Marijuana, and 4 counts
of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia, they were being held  pending court action.

Bainbridge United, previously known as Reunite Bainbridge,
will meet at 7:00 PM tonight at the back of Bob's Diner.  They will continue preparing a mission
statement, other topics are welcomed, the public is invited to attend &
participate.

The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive today from
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Sidney Federal Credit Union, at 42 Union Street.  To make an appointment, download the American
Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS, All
blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients.

The Delaware County Fair Board annual dinner was held
Saturday at the Walton Fire house.  The
Fair Board announced that 10 $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to current
high school seniors or students already in college, through State Association
of Agricultural Fairs & the New York’s State Showpeople's Association, more
information is available by emailing delcofair@gmail.com, applications are
available at nysfairs.org & must be returned by April 12th.

More than 150 new Troopers were honored this morning for their perseverance and dedication in completing the 207th session of the Basic School of the State Police Academy during graduation exercises in Albany, New York. David Schulte of Oneonta was one of today's graduates:

(Trooper Schulte 11-14-18)

Trooper Schulte will be assigned to Troop C in Sidney.

The Great American Smoke Out is being celebrated on Thursday, November 15th and is an awareness day to promote tobacco use abstinence. Dee Cisneros of the Advancing Tobacco Free Communities said that they can help companies help their employees quit tobacco:

(Dee Cisneros 11-14-18)

Advancing Tobacco Free Communities of Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie Counties can be reached at 518-255-5364.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 36-year-old Jarred Robinson of Walton, for disorderly conduct, trespass, obstructing government administration and resisting arrest following a report of a male subject causing fights and refusing to leave the Feather and Stone Bar in the Village of Walton. Robinson physically resisted Deputies during arrest, he was arraigned at Hamden Town Court and was remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $400 bail or $1000 bond pending future court action.

Unadilla Valley Central School District confirms that they went into a lock-down late Tuesday morning after an alleged threat reported in the Otselic Valley School District. Unadilla Valley went on a lock-down after 2 students reported an audio recording of a threatened act of violence against a school, was allegedly made by a Unadilla Valley student. Chenango County sheriff’s Deputies responded, the student who made the threat was located and a search of that student’s locker revealed no weapons or contraband & the lockdown was lifted about 30 minutes later. The investigation is continuing.

The Miller family of Smithville has gone through 3 fires on the property in a 4 day period at 993 County Road 3 in Smithville. Chenango County officials said that the 1st fire was reported Saturday afternoon in the garage, the 2nd fire occurred 7 hours later in a barn, the 3rd fire was reported Tuesday in the family's attic. All 3 Miller fires are under investigation.

36 year old James Giacalone of Glen Aubrey faces sentencing in Broome County Court today. Giacalone pleaded guilty to attempted aggravated assault against a police officer in a plea deal in September, Giacalone was accused of leading police on a chase through Binghamton, trying to run down a Trooper with his vehicle, the trooper then shot Giacalone in the face. Giacalone was sentenced to the maximum penalty of 12 years in prison today.

A Boil Water order has been lifted in the Village of Greene, following a water main break on Saturday on North Chenango Street. The Water Main Break & subsequent advisory forced the cancellation of classes for the Greene Central School District Tuesday, classes were back in session today.

The City of Oneonta is set to unveil the draft vision, goals and recommendations for the Oneonta Comprehensive Plan Update at an open house today from 3:00 pm to 7:30 pm, at the Oneonta High School cafeteria. The event will build on feedback and information gathered during the first open house held in January. For those unable to attend the Open House, an opportunity to provide feedback will be available at opportunityoneonta.com.

Delaware County Sheriffs Department, State Police & the Trout Creek Fire Department responded to the report of a small plane crashing in the woods near Trout Creek, at about 3:00 this afternoon. Authorities have closed off Chase Brook Road & Readburn Road, they have not announced if there were any injuries or fatalities. WCDO news will have more information as it becomes available.

1st responders have been responding to multiple accident on I-88 this afternoon. A tractor trailer crashed between Harpursville & Afton, injuring a 68 year old man, and causing a small amount of oil to spill.  Another crash near Harpursville resulted in 3 people being injured when a car slid off the highway & slid down an embankment. several other minor accidents have been reported, due to slick road conditions.

State Police issued a total of 16,690 tickets statewide during the Halloween enforcement campaign. Troopers arrested 266 people for DWI, investigated 1,778 accidents with 251 injuries & 3 fatalities. Troopers also wrote over 5700 tickets for Speeding, 448 for Distracted Driving, 475 for Seatbelt violations & 193 for the Move Over Law. During last year’s Halloween enforcement campaign, the State Police issued 9,057 total tickets and arrested 248 people for DWI.

Law enforcement agencies from Yates County to the Capital District are looking for 71 year old Franklin Herman of Jerusalem, who suffers from Alzheimer's Disease & Diabetes. Herman is described as a white male, 5'6" about 150 pounds, he is bald & has blues eyes & wears glasses, he is driving a blue GMC Sierra Pick up with New York License number 9093JY, he was last seen this morning in Cohoes at about 9:40 AM. Anyone with information is asked to call local law enforcement or the Yates County Sheriff’s department at 315-536-4438.

The City of Oneonta is set to unveil the draft vision, goals and recommendations for the Oneonta Comprehensive Plan Update at an open house on Wednesday, November 14th from 3:00 pm to 7:30 pm. The open house will be held at the Oneonta High School cafeteria, the event will build on feedback and information gathered during the first open house held in January. For those unable to attend the Open House, an opportunity to provide feedback will be available at opportunityoneonta.com.

Next week is the Annual Great American Smoke-out, where people try to give up their tobacco habit. While that event continues, tobacco marketing efforts keep trying to recruit the next generation of tobacco users; Bonnie Peck of the Advancing Tobacco Free Communities told WCDO news about her local findings about tobacco advertisement placement.

(Bonnie Peck 11-9-18)

The Great American Smoke out will be held next Thursday November 15th. More information about local efforts to lower smoking rates is available by calling the Advancing tobacco Free Communities at 518-255-5364.

1st responders from the Afton Fire department and the Sidney Emergency Squad responded today, to the report of a 2 vehicle accident on I-88 East Bound between Mile Marker 21 & 22 in Afton. A Tractor trailer went over the guard rail and rolled over; WCDO News will have more information as it become available.

Delaware County Department of Public Works announced that they will close County Route 44 today, for bridge repairs on the bridge about 1/4 of a mile from the intersection with State Route 357. The road will be closed through December 7th; motorists can use a detour on Covered Bridge Road to State Route 357 during the project.

SFCU CEO Jim Doig announced his plans to retire at the end of 2018. The public is invited to Join the SFCU staff at Jim Doig's Retirement Open House today SFCU Corporate Headquarters, 42 Union Street in Sidney, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.

A.O. Fox Hospital was awarded an “A” from The Leapfrog Group’s Fall 2018 Hospital Safety Grade, placing the organization among the top facilities nationwide for patient safety excellence. The Safety Grade assign grades to hospitals based on their performance in preventing medical errors, infections and other harms among patients in their care. The Fox Hospital’s report is available at hospitalsafetygrade.org.

The NYS Smokers' Quitline, recently launched a fully updated, redesigned and mobile-ready website www.nysmokefree.com Linda Wegner of the Advancing Tobacco Free Communities - Delaware, Otsego & Schoharie Counties commented about the 24/7/365 website:

(Linda Wegner 8-23-18)

The NYS Smokers’ Quitline is a service of the NYS Department of Health, at 1-866-NY-QUITS, which is still free of charge, & is available 7 days a week starting at 9:00 AM each day.

The Walton Central School district board of education held another emergency meeting Wednesday night, they appointed Larry Thomas as interim Superintended replacing Roger Clough, who is out of paid administrative leave following accusations of misconduct. The Walton School Board is also working to hire new principal at the High School & Middle School, & an Assistant Principal from both school, after Rob Knuschke, Andy Gates & Mark Lamoreaux all resigned recently to accept other positions in other school districts.

The Delaware County Board of Supervisors voted to stop eminent domain proceedings in order to acquire the Bishop Farm property in Hamden, for a new Delaware County Department of Public Works facility. The board had made an offer for the property which was deemed too low by the Bishops, a public outcry at a recent meeting led to Wednesday board of supervisors’ decision to remove the bishop property from the list of properties considered for the facility.

The Binghamton University School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences opened up this week at their new $60,000 million dollar building in Johnson City. The facility is located at 96 Corliss Ave in Johnson City, a couple opf blocks away for the UHS Wilson Memorial Hospital complex. More information about classes & curriculum is available at binghamton.edu.

Governor Cuomo signed legislation that expands the benefits available to eligible crime victims, who have not been physically injured, to include reimbursement of crime scene cleanup and domestic violence shelter costs. The change will allow victims of hate crimes or domestic violence cases to apply for compensation for these expenses from the state Office of Victim Services. Under current law, crime scene cleanup and shelter costs incurred by crime victims were excluded.

State Police arrested 57 year old Cornelia Dawson of Massachusetts for Aggravated DWI with a reportable B.A.C. of .21%, as well as several other traffic tickets, after Troopers monitoring I-88 in Oneonta Dawson's vehicle cross into the shoulder several times. Dawson was arraigned in the town of Oneonta Court and released on her own recognizance.

State Police arrested 37 year old Matthew Millard of Endicott for DWI with a reported B.A.C .22%. A trooper on patrol responded to a 911 complaint of a tractor trailer driving erratically on I-88, the trooper observed the tractor trailer travel into the shoulder several times. Millard was arrested for DWI & was released on appearance tickets returnable to the town of Oneonta Court on August 7th.

The National Baseball Hall Of Fame Induction weekend begins Friday morning, with Ozzie Smith's Play Ball museum educational Fundraiser at 8:00 AM at the Hall of Fame & then it moves to a Cooperstown area Ball field for instruction & stories from Hall of Famers Jeff Bagwell, Johnny bench & Tim Raines. Activities will continue through Monday, Highlighted by the induction of 6 New Hall of Famers Sunday afternoon at the Clark Sports Center.

Otsego County officials announced that an auction on tax foreclosed properties will be held in Oneonta on August 15th. Information about foreclosed property can be found at NYSAuctions.com, click on Otsego County, specific properties can be located by putting an address in the Search box. The Auction on the 15th will be held at the Oneonta's Holiday Inn on route 23 Southside.

The Bureau of Chronic Disease, Evaluation, and Research released a report that indicates that the use e-cigarettes, vaping products, or Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems has doubled among high school youth over the span of 2 years, with over 1 in 5 youth reporting current use. LINDA WEGNER OF “Advancing Tobacco Free Communities Comments:

(Linda Wegner 7-26-18)

Wegner said that E-cigarettes contain nicotine, carcinogens and toxins and are not approved by the FDA as cessation devices, Health advicates believe that e-cigarettes may contribute various health issues later in life, and may serve as a getway to cigarettes. A recent Poll shows that New Yorkers overwhelmingly support a policy that would restrict e-cigarette advertising to youth under the age of 18 and over half support a ban on candy like flavors in e-cigarettes.

Justin Crandall was sentenced Wednesday in a Binghamton federal courtroom to 50 years in prison with post-release supervision for life, after he pleaded guilty to sexually exploited a 17-month-old child between December 2016 and February 2017 in Sidney. His wife Jessica Crandall was sentenced Wednesday to 25 years in prison with post-release supervision for life. Both pleaded guilty in October 2017.

Emergency crews from Brisben & Greene responded to a 2-vehicle crash involving a small camper Wednesday afternoon. Crews responded at about 12:40 PM to State Route 12 near Brisben. Debris from the camper was strewn along Route 12, no injuries were reported.

The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce will be holding their next "Business After Hours" event This evening, the featured businesses this week will be Bob's Diner, Dexheimer Building Movers And Riggers & Payne’s Cranes; more information is available by calling the Bainbridge Chamber at 967-8700.

The next meeting of the Tri Town Coalition on Substance Abuse Prevention will be at 6:00 PM this evening. The meeting will be held at the Track Side Diner in Sidney. Mary Rosenthal of the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council of Delaware County & Megan Walradth of the Central Region Prevention Resource Center will be attending this evening's meeting

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County will conduct the 88th annual Delaware County Dairy Tour. The stops on this free drive-yourself tour will include Granston Farm in Oneonta, the farm of Dan and Naomi Buel in Franklin and Creek-Crest Holsteins in Delhi.

State Senator Fred Akshar has come under fire for his relationship with Jessica Williams, who has worked for Akshar, his predecessor Tom Libous & is now working for the state Senate Republicans staff and she has received large percentage pay increases since 2011. Akshar spokesman Emmanuel Priest told WCDO News that Williams' is involved with Senator Akshar, and the increasing salary was commensurate with the work she has been tasked with doing. Akshar has been a State Senator since 2015, when he won a special election to fill Libous's seat.

State Police arrested 45 year old Brett Brooks of Sidney, Wednesday, for Operating a Motor Vehicle While Impaired by Drugs. Troopers were dispatched to a 2 car Accident on State Highway 7 near Valley View Drive in Unadilla. After an investigation, Brooks was arrested and arraigned in the town of Unadilla Court, he was released on his own recognizance and scheduled to reappear on August 13th.

Governor Cuomo today announced $30 million is available statewide to support conservation easement projects on dairy farms. The Farmland Protection Program for dairy builds on New York State's continued land preservation efforts. In May, the State announced nearly $38 million is available through the Farmland Protection Implementation Grant program to help Farmers across New York protect valuable and at-risk farmland. The application deadline is August 31, and the Request for Proposals is available at agriculture.ny.gov/RFPS.html.

470 New York State municipalities have adopted tobacco-free outdoor area policies, 2 recent examples are the Town of Stamford and Village of Delhi in Delaware County. Both municipalities recently worked with Advancing Tobacco Free Communities in Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie Counties, spokesperson Linda Wegner comments:

(Linda Wegner 7-6-18)

The use of tobacco products is prohibited on any present and future parks, recreation areas, trails and events under the jurisdiction of the Town of Stamford & the Village of Delhi, Tobacco products are defined as any manufactured product containing tobacco or nicotine including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, Snuff, chewing tobacco, dipping tobacco, e-cigarettes and vape pens.

The Franklin Farmers' Market & the Stage Coach Run Art Festival will be hosting a free children's rock painting activity Sunday from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm. Children and Families are invited to use paints provided for artistic expression on the rocks. The Franklin Farmers' Market is located at 25 Institute Street, Franklin, every Sunday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The Stage Coach Run Art Festival runs Saturday & Sunday at various locations in Franklin & Treadwell; more information is available at stagecoachrun.com.

Governor Cuomo announced that advance sale tickets for the 2018 Great New York State Fair will be available Monday, July 9, including new discounts to make the Fair more affordable. The New York State Fair is operated by the State Department of Agriculture and Markets, it runs from August 22 to September 3 this year in Syracuse.

The 129th Afton Fair begins today at the fairgrounds, organizer Rhonda Barriger told WCDO News about events on the weekend:

(Rhonda Barriger 7-6-18)

This Year’s Afton Fair will run today through Sunday, the full schedule is available at theaftonfair.com.

The 7th & Final "Rock in the Park" will be held tomorrow at General Clinton Park in Bainbridge, organizer Jason Hall explains:

(Jason Hall 7-6-18)

The show is scheduled to begin at 12:00 Noon tomorrow, with the headliners "Tusk-A Tribute To Fleetwood Mac" going on stage in the early evening.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 71 year old Phyllis Brown of Denver, New York for DWI, failure to maintain lane and failure to notify DMV change of address. The arrest was the result of a civilian report that Brown was driving erratically in the Village of Margaretville, nearly causing multiple collisions in the opposing lane of travel. Brown was released and is scheduled to appear at the Town of Middletown Court at a later date.

Tomorrow is “World No Tobacco Day”, where the health risks associated with tobacco products are highlighted, in the hope that people will quit smoking, or never start. In 1964, US Surgeon General C. Everett Koop released his landmark report about the health dangers of smoking, but tobacco companies have been resilient in recruiting young people to take up the habit, with the latest dangerous products like “Juul” hitting the market, with fruity flavors, novelty appearances designed to attract youth to nicotine, according to Linda Wegner of “Advancing Tobacco Free Communities”:

(Linda Wegner 5-30-18)

Wegner was joined at WCDO by long time Sidney Businessman Whit Whitaker & His Wife Rosemary; who shared stories of how Tobacco addiction destroyed the lives of loved ones. Whit said that he smoked for a brief period as a young man and had an interesting story of how he quit.

(Whit Whitaker 5-30-18)

Rosemary Whitaker grew up in a house full of smokers, who died from various diseases associated with Tobacco, she tried it one & said that she knew that the advertisements of that time were false:

(Rosemary Whitaker 5-30-18)

The Whitakers became involved in the “Advancing Tobacco Free Communities” program following a Rotary Club presentation; more information is available at 518-255-5364.

Chenango County Sheriff’s Office investigated a reported assault with a weapon, they arrested 45 year old Philip Cuda was arrested. Deputies reported that the victim sustained injuries from a knife and was transported to Chenango Memorial Hospital then later transported to Wilson. Cuda was arraigned in the Town of Norwich Court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $10,000.00 cash bail.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Investigators arrested 31 year old Michael Fiske of Johnson City, on an Arrest Warrant issued by the Town of Davenport Court. The charges stem from a Criminal Contempt and Aggravated Family Offense case, Fiske was also charged with Aggravated Harassment from an incident in April. Fiske was arraigned at the Town of Davenport Court and was released on his own recognizance and is scheduled to appear at the Davenport Town Court at a later date.

The State Dec announced that the 6 1/2 foot Boa Constrictor reported lost in Binghamton's West Side, never left the owners apartment. The owner Brian Kaminsky told authorities that the snake was found behind his kitchen sink. It was reported lost on Tuesday, which prompted an investigation by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Corey Hobart of Johnson City has died from a self inflicted gunshot wound at a Syracuse Hospital. Hobart was a parolee who had been involved in a standoff with police at a Cortland hotel last week; an autopsy confirmed the self-inflicted gunshot wound as the cause of death. The woman held in the standoff was not injured.

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce presented the "Outstanding Young Farm Family" award to Ronan and Susan Robinson, owners of Moo Juice Farm in Franklin. The Robinsons milk over 50 Holstein cows each day and their farm has been a Dairy of Distinction since 2001. They received the award last week at a ceremony in South Kortright.

The next meeting of the Coalition on Substance Abuse Prevention will be held this evening. The meeting will begin at 6:00 PM at Trackside Dining, Main Street in Sidney.

Governor Cuomo signed the New York Democracy Protection Act Wednesday, which calls on all political advertising in print, TV & radio to disclose the organization or individual paying for that ad. The Act also amends the definition of "political communication" to include paid Internet and digital advertisements, it ensures foreign entities cannot form an independent expenditure committee and purchasing political ads to influence elections; Requires all digital ad buyers to register as an independent expenditure committee, Requires paid independent political online ads to clearly display that the ad was not authorized by any candidate; and Directs the State Board of Elections to create an online archive of all political communications in order to make them transparent and accessible to the press, fact-checkers, political opponents and the public.

The slow start of Spring weather is forcing a slow start to the racing season at Afton Motorsports Park, spokesman Ron Ford explains:

(Ron Ford 4-19-18)

Ford said that the special events scheduled for later in the season should not be affected by the late start to the season.

Hartwick College will host a Rural Prosperity Forum on Infrastructure, presented by the US Department of Agriculture Rural Development Office and Congressman John Faso. The Topics of discussion will include innovative partnerships that have been developed to overcome challenges in rural areas and exploring best practices to build and support economic development. The event will run from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM Friday at the Shineman Chapel House on the Hartwick College campus, the public is welcome to attend.

The Bainbridge Girls Scouts are coordinating Their Annual Community Giveaway to be held this Saturday, spokesperson Jessica Chambers explains:

(Jessica Chambers 4-19-18)

Those wishing to Drop Off gently used items can do so Friday from 3:30 to 6:00 PM or Saturday between 8:30 to 9:00 AM The giveaway will then be held from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon at the GreenLawn Elementary School, more information is available at 267-2378.

A Chenango County jury found Jeremy Coates of Norwich guilty of the murder of David Green in Oxford in 2016. Coates and his girlfriend Melissa Crispell robbed Green, Coates beating him 20 times with various weapons, Crispell pleaded guilty to robbery last May, in a plea deal in exchange for her testimony against Coates, Sentencing for Coates is scheduled for June 1st.

The "Seen Enough" Tobacco Presentation will be held at the Sidney Library This evening, Linda Wegner is the Program Director of Advancing Tobacco Free Communities in Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie Counties:

(Linda Wegner 4-18-18)

Wegner's special guests at the presentation will be Former Sidney Business Owner Whit Whitaker & his wife Rosemary; the program will start at 6:30 PM at the Sidney Memorial Public Library.

Chenango Links & the Chenango Arts Council present the Documentary "UNFRACTURED" at the Martin W. Kappel Theater tonight, which follows the story of Biologist Sandra Steingraber, who helped get Hydraulic Fracturing banned in New York State, she talked to WCDO News about her efforts & the movie:

(Sandra Steingraber 4-18-18)

The movie director was Chanda Chevannes of Toronto Canada, she told WCDO News about the film:

(Chanda Chevannes 4-18-18)

Both Steingraber & Chevannes will be at the screening of "Unfractured" tonight in Norwich, the movie starts at 7:00 PM, more information is available at chenangolinks.com or unfractured.com.

Afton village residents, business owners & property owners are encouraged to attend the unveiling of the Economic Revitalization Strategic Plan draft & the Water/ Flooding Study this evening at the Bolster Community Center. The program will begin at 7:00 PM; more information is available at 639-4849.

The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce & the Otsego-Delaware Job Service Employer committee is co-hosting a free “Opioid Crisis in the Workplace” discussion, with featured speaker, attorney Theresa Levine of Coughlin & Gerhart. The event will be held from 8:30 AM to 12:00 Noon at the Otsego Chamber offices at 189 Main Street in Oneonta.

Delaware County Public Health is hosting a Free Rabies Vaccination Clinic today for dogs, cats and ferrets. The Clinic will run from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, at the Pindars Corners Fire Hall on State Highway 23, in the town of Davenport, more information is available at 832-5200 or delawarecountypublichealth.com