WCDO Radio News

State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker urged New Yorkers to talk with their health care providers before asking for antibiotics because they may not be appropriate and may even pose additional health risks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports said that at least 2 million people become infected with bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics every year in the U.S. and at least 23,000 people die as a result of these infections, the over prescribing of antibiotics can Kill good bacteria in the body; Cause a serious allergic reaction that may require hospitalization; Result in an antibiotic-resistant infection. Resistant bacteria are harder to kill.

The State DEC announced that the 2015 regular deer and bear hunting seasons open at sunrise on Saturday, November 21, in New York's Southern Zone. These big game seasons close at sunset on Sunday, December 13. The Southern Zone Regular Season is New York's most popular hunting season, with participation from about 85 percent of New York's 550,000 licensed hunters. Harvest during this season accounts for nearly 60 percent of the total statewide deer harvest and 30 to 60 percent of the statewide bear harvest.

The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood to help ensure a sufficient blood supply throughout the holiday season. Donors with all blood types are needed, and especially those with types O negative, B negative, A negative and AB. To make an appointment to donate blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS. The next blood drive is today in Norwich from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM at BOCES of Chenango County, located at 6678 Country Road 32.

Literacy Volunteers of Chenango County is looking to increase enrollment in their classes currently. Program Director Ellen Hurtubise explains:

(Ellen Hurtubise 11-19-15)

Those who are of high school age or adults, whose level of reading math or even computers skills are low, can contact the program at 334-7114.

The Chenango County Historical Society will open a new exhibit featuring the history of Preferred Mutual Insurance Company. The exhibit will be a permanent display at the museum located on 45 Rexford Street in Norwich. Preferred Mutual Insurance Company began in 1896, they have maintained many of their original artifacts despite a historic fire, multiple renovations, and years of use, and these items will be available for public viewing.

State Police and Oneonta Police Department arrested 33-year-old Godfrey Little of Oneonta for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, and 2 counts of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia. Police executed a Search Warrant, they Seized crack-cocaine, a set of digital scales, drug packaging material and over $22,000 cash and a Chevy Malibu, Little was arraigned in the Town of Oneonta Court and remanded to the Otsego County Correctional Facility in lieu of $10,000 cash/$20,000 property bail.

State Police officially announced that they have located the 2 missing Afton teens in the Binghamton area at about 3:00 PM Thursday. Lindsey Seymour & Charles Weed were both in good health, the pair were missing after they left classes for the day on Tuesday. The investigation is ongoing.

This Sunday is the 34th Norwich Family YMCA’s Turkey Trot; officials will have over 550 runners participating in the 5K race, starting at 2:30 PM. This year’s race will start in front of the YMCA and will travel on North Broad Street, through Birdsall and Silver Street back on to North Broad to finish. Participants are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for local food pantries. Registration for the race will continue until 12:00 PM Sunday.

The Bainbridge Guilford central school district board of education is currently seeking indivduals interested in filling a vacant seat on the board. Candidates must be a qualified voter in the district, 18 years of age, among other qualifications. Those interested should submit a letter to the Bainbridge Guilford school district clerk at 18 Juliand Street Bainbridge 13733 by November 30th, more information is available at 967-6321.

State Police hosted the 7th annual State Intelligence Summit Wednesday & today in Lake George, along with Homeland Security, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the FBI. More than 250 leaders from federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement agencies from Canada and the United States attended to hear from law enforcement representatives experienced in current trends in terrorism, intelligence gathering and sharing, major crime trends, and counter terrorism programs. The event also provided an opportunity for the attendees to receive training in crime analysis, cyber threats, and current narcotics trends. Last week's terror attacks in Paris and the State's response to the potential increased threat of terrorism in New York have been ongoing topics of discussion at the conference.

Oneonta Police along with the Delaware county sheriffs department executed a search warrant at 10 Meckley Avenue in Oneonta Wednesday, following an investigation regarding drug trafficking. Arrested were 30 year old Sophie Szczepanski of Oneonta, 43 year old Charles Haynes Jr. of Oneonta & 23 year old Orane Crawford or Queens for multiple counts each for criminal possession of a controlled substance, among other charges. Police recovered Crack cocaine, marijuana, hydrocodone pills & cash, all 3 were being held pending arraignment on Oneonta city court.

State Police are currently looking for 2 missing Afton teens who have been missing since Tuesday afternoon & who may be traveling together. Lindsey Seymour is a 15-year-old white female; 5” 06” tall and thin build, with numerous piercings, with short dark hair in a Mohawk style. Charles Weed is 17-year-old white male who is medium build, with short dark hair that he recently dyed black, he has numerous piercings he usually wears black clothing. Anyone with information please contacts the New York State Police at (607) 561-7400.

The State’s private sector job count increased by 30,300, or 0.4%, to 7,859,000, according to preliminary figures released today by the State Department of Labor. The statewide unemployment rate decreased from 5.1% to 4.8% in October 2015, reaching its lowest level since November 2007 and falling below the national unemployment rate.

State Senator Fred Akshar is calling on state leaders to remember the upstate regions when they are budgeting for infrastructure projects:

(Fred Akshar 11-19-15)

Akshar and several area leaders held a press conference in Broome County yesterday at the site of a bridge in need of repair, previous studies have suggested that 30 to 40% of bridges need serious upgrades.

The village of Bainbridge DPW announces that they will be repairing a water leak in front of the Scoville Meno Dealership starting at 2:00 AM on Monday. Water will be shut off is all 4 directions for about 200 feet of the leak, traffic restrictions will be minor, the work is excepted to take about 6 hours.

65-year-old Gary Murphy of the town of Maryland was charged with 3rd & 4th degree grand larceny. And scheming to defraud for allegedly scamming residents in the town of Maryland and Laurens for getting paid for contracting work that he did not perform. Murphy was being held in the Herkimer County jail on separate charges, he was arraigned d& was returned to the Herkimer County jail pending court action on December 16th in Otsego County Court.

Hancock firefighters responded to a house fire at 245 East Main Street Wednesday. The house was not occupied & had been undoing repairs, There were no injuries reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Governor Cuomo hosted the third New York State Tourism Summit in Albany Wednesday, where local and international tourism leaders met with State officials to explore new industry opportunities. At the summit, a commitment of $50 million was unveiled to promote statewide tourism, create jobs, and attract more visitors to every region of New York. This investment, which is one of the largest ever by the State, builds upon the historic investments in the tourism industry, which generated a $100.1 billion economic impact in 2014.

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting Today, in the Guilford Cafeteria at 6:30 PM.

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office, State Police Warrant Task Force and the State Parole apprehended Justin Knapp at a residence on Route 369 in the Town of Fenton. Knapp had a parole warrant for dangerous drugs violations; additional charges will be filed regarding a “one-pot” methamphetamine Knapp allegedly cooked. Knapp attempted to break out a rear window to escape police, who had surrounded the house, he dove out of a glass bedroom window, and he was subdued with a Taser & was remanded to the Broome County Correctional Facility. Knapp was charged on the Parole warrant, police seized Methamphetamine materials, he was then charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance Unlawful Manufacture of Methamphetamine.

Governor Cuomo signed legislation that will make business easier for craft beverage companies in New York State. The 3 measures will allow farm distilleries to sell gifts and souvenirs, authorize retail stores to conduct tastings of liquor, beer and cider, and exempt micro-breweries from redundant tax filing requirements.

The Afton Central School District Board of Education will hold their next meeting today. The meeting has been moved to 10:30 this morning at the Afton Central School.

Governor Cuomo directed the State Police to ramp up enforcement efforts as part of a national crackdown on impaired driving. The 20-day campaign, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, runs from tomorrow through Labor Day, September 7th it is aimed at significantly reducing deaths and injuries caused by motorists driving drunk or impaired by drugs. On November 1, 2014, stronger penalties were enacted in New York to deter impaired driving. Drivers convicted of DWI or DWAI three or more times in 15 years face a Class D felony charge, up to 7 years in prison, and a fine up to $10,000.

Former Broome County resident & escaped prisoner David Sweat appeared in court this morning for arraignment on 2counts of 1st degree escape and 1 count of promoting prison contraband. Sweat did not enter a plea in Clinton County Court in Plattsburgh, so the judge entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. Sweat and Richard Matt escaped from the Clinton Correctional Facility, they were on the run for 22 days, Sweat was found June 28th where he was shot and wounded by a state trooper. Matt was shot and killed June 26th. Sweat has been transferred to another state facility, he is serving a life sentence for the murder of Broome County Sheriff's deputy Kevin Tarsia in 2002, and he faces court action again, on September 29th.

Governor Cuomo announced that global technology leader AG plans to generate more than 1,000 new jobs and initially invest over $2 billion to support a cutting edge, 360,000 square foot wafer fabrication facility to be constructed at the Nano-Utica site in Marcy. Cuomo also announced that GE Global Research will expand its New York global operations to the Mohawk Valley, serving as the anchor tenant of the Computer Chip Commercialization Center on the campus of SUNY Polytechnic Institute’s Colleges of Nanoscale Science and Engineering in Utica. Nearly 850 jobs are expected to be created over the next 10 years.

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer has proposed an amendment to Federal Aviation Administration legislation, to prevent drones from flying within two miles of U.S. airports. Schumer said that a drone could get sucked into the engine of an airliner & cause hundreds of deaths." Schumer’s proposal calls for installing additional software in drones that does not let them fly within 2 miles of an airport & does not let them fly above 500 feet high. Schumer’s request follows an FAA report that pilot sightings of unmanned aircraft have nearly tripled in the past year from 238 sightings last year, and already there have been 650 sightings this year.

New York State’s private sector job count climbed by 19,300, or 0.2%, to more than 7.83 million in July according to statistics released today by the State Department of Labor. The State’s unemployment rate decreased from 5.5% to 5.4%, the State’s lowest rate since July 2008.

This Year’s Delaware County Fair Dairy Princesses Are Malorie Jordan & Sabra Warner of Franklin, they have been at the Delaware County Fair in Walton all week, to help promote the health benefits of 3 dairy servings per day. Jordan & Warner explain that 1 of their projects will be helping athletes refuel after this Saturday’s Fair 5K & 10 K running races:

(Jordan-Warner 8-20-15)

The full interview with Warner & Jordan will air tomorrow after the News at 10:00 AM on WCDO.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 1 Lions Park Lane in Greene will hold a community preparedness event tonight in Greene. Spokesperson Elain Sherman explains:

(Elain Sherman 8-11-15)

Sherman said that they go into more detail on each issues, than the state does at their emergency preparedness events.

THE CHENANGO COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT ARRESTED A NEW BERLIN MAN SUNDAY FOR AGGRAVATED DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED. 46 YEAR OLD JEFFREY REYNOLDS WAS STOPPED FOR A MOVING VIOLATION IN THE VILLAGE OF NEW BERLIN AND WAS FOUND TO HAVE A BLOOD ALCOHOL CONTENT OF MORE THAN 3 TIMES THE LEGAL LIMIT. HE WILL APPEAR IN TOWN OF NEW BERLIN COURT AT A LATER DATE.

A TOWN OF SHERBURNE RESIDENT WAS ARRESTED LAST WEEK FOR A VARIETY OF CHARGES AFTER HE BROKE DOWN A DOOR TO A RESIDENCE AND ATTACKED A FAMILY MEMBER. 39 YEAR OLD JOHN BUSH WAS CHARGED WITH BURGLARY, CRIMINAL MISCHIEF, CRIMINAL OBSTRUCTION OF BREATHING AND HARASSMENT DURING A DOMESTIC DISPUTE. HE WAS ARRAIGNED IN TOWN OF SHERBURNE COURT AND REMANDED TO THE CHENANGO COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY IN LIEU OF 25 HUNDRED DOLLARS BAIL. HE WILL APPEAR IN COURT AT A LATER DATE.

THE NEW YORK STATE FAIR WILL UNVEIL A NEW MEMORIAL DEDICATED TO THE MILITARY WORKING WAR DOGS ON ARMED FORCES DAY. AN IRAQ WAR VETERAN WILL TELL THE STORY OF HOW HIS SERVICE DOG SAVED HIS LIFE. ARMED FORCES DAY WILL ALSO INCLUDE MILITARY BANDS AND MILITARY VEHICLE DISPLAYS. THE WAR DOG MEMORIAL WILL BE UNVEILED AT 11AM ON SEPTEMBER 3RD DURING THE STATE FAIR.

New details on the Delaware County couple that were involved in a fatal crash on Sunday in Otego when the golf cart they were driving was struck by a freight train near County Route 48 in Otego. New York State Police are reporting that the golf cart hit the side of the locomotive around 2:54 PM on Sunday afternoon. State Police are still investigating the circumstances of the case – hoping to find out why the couple hit the side of the train. They are unsure at this time if perhaps the cart was unable to stop at the time of the accident. Troopers have reported that it does not initially appear that drugs or alcohol were a factor. Charles Turk, 57, of Bloomville was killed in the accident. His wife, 58 year old, Cynthia Turk had 2 broken femurs. She is in stable condition at this time and her injuries are not life threatening. The Turk’s dog was also killed in the accident. WCDO will have more updates as they become available.

The Broome County Special Investigation unit arrested 19-year old Jeana Dimeo of Binghamton yesterday after she was found with over 100 grams of crack cocaine. Officials executed a search warrant on Monday on Frederick Street in Binghamton where they found approximately 119 grams of power cocaine and crack cocaine along with packaging material. Dimeo was charged with 2 counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 3rd degree – a felony. Also, 2 counts of criminally using drug paraphernalia – a misdemeanor.

Those who would like to vote in their party's primary election on September 10th, need to register in person to their county board of elections by this Friday August 14th, or by mail with a postmark no later than August 15th. Several Primaries will be held through the region on the 10th for a variety of positions, with the winners to be placed on the General Election Ballot in November.

There will be 3 area Free Rabies clinics locally in the next 2 days. One will be held today from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Sidney Fire Station at 74 River Street, a 2nd one will be held at the Afton Town Garage from 6:00 to 7:00 PM, another will be tomorrow afternoon, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at the Franklin Fire Hall at 351 Main Street.

The Gilbertsville-Mount Upton Central School District Board of Education Audit Committee will meet tonight at 6 PM at the high school. The regular board of education meeting will follow at 7 PM in Room D-104

DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER THE NYSEG “LIVE-LINE” DEMONSTRATIONS AT THE CHENANGO COUNTY FAIR HAVE BEEN MOVED TO TONIGHT AT 8:30PM AND TOMORROW AT 10:30AM AND 1PM. THESE ELECTRICAL SAFETY DEMONSTRATIONS HAVE BEEN A FAVORITE OF FAIRGOERS FOR MANY YEARS.

THE NATIONAL BASEBALL HALL OF FAME IN COOPERSTOWN WILL HOST A BLOOD DRIVE FRIDAY, AUGUST 14TH IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE AMERICAN RED CROSS AND BASSETT HEALTHCARE. THE DRIVE WILL TAKE PLACE FROM 9AM TIL 3PM IN COOPER PARK ADAJACENT TO THE HALL OF FAME IN A RED CROSS BLOOD MOBILE. ALL BLOOD DONORS WILL RECEIVE FREE ADMISSION TO THE HALL OF FAME MUSEUM ON FRIDAY.

Fire investigators have determined that it was a lightning strike that hit the Sidney Federal Credit Union Main branch in Sidney. Vice President of Marketing Keith May told WCDO News that he came to work there at about 6:00 This morning, & the Sidney Fire Department was summoned about an hour later:

(Keith May 7-20-15)

May said that the Sidney branch had only minimal damage, teh clean up is underway & the State of the art insulation in the new building smoldered for several hours since the lightning strike at about 10:00 Sunday night, traditional insulation would have likely burst into flames quicker.

A State Department of Corrections employee has been charged with 2nd degree attempted murder in Norwich. Norwich Police arrested 33-year-old Wayne Spratley Sunday morning, following a call about a person displaying a weapon in the area of a North Broad Street business. A Norwich Police Officer responded and heard gunshots near Lackawanna Avenue, where the officer found the victim who appeared to be shot in the stomach, the victim was taken to University Hospital in Syracuse & was listed in critical condition. Spratley was arraigned in Chenango County Court and was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $50,000 bail, additional charges against Spratley are pending & the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Norwich Police at 334-1212, or the Norwich Police Department’s TIPS Line at336-8477, or at npdtips.com.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies arrested and charged a Delhi man with introducing dangerous prison contraband into the facility. On Saturday night Delaware County Correctional Facility intake officers conducting a search of a new inmate found Brayan Thompson of Delhi was in possession of a concealed belt buckle knife while being booked into the jail, on an unrelated Burglary charge, he was subsequently charged with Promoting Prison Contraband. Thompson was arraigned on the new charge, & was remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility on $2000 cash bail; he remains incarcerated pending future court appearances.

On Friday, July 17th, Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 48 year old Wade Egan of Lake Grove New York for 1 count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon & 2 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, failure to Keep Right, Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated, Failure to Obey a Police Officer, and several violations. The arrests were made as a result of a pursuit and subsequent traffic stop on State Highway 10 in the Town of Walton. Egan was arraigned in the Town of Walton Court and was released to reappear at a later date.

The Town of Unadilla crews are repaving Butternut Road this week. Repaving will be between 7:00 AM & 4:30 PM each day and the road will be closed at those times.

The next 4-chamber mixer will be held today, sponsored by the Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce. At the 6:00 PM at the Sundown Golf club on Hay Path Lane in Guilford. All members of the Sidney, Unadilla, and Afton & Bainbridge chambers are encouraged to attend.

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a SPECIAL Board of Education Meeting today in the Guilford Cafeteria at 6:30 PM. Business Office staffing and Administrative staffing will be discussed.

A Town of Unadilla resident was arrested by the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office for Criminal Possession of Stolen Property. Deputies & State Police arrested 39 year old Jacob Conklin on an active Arrest Warrant during a routine traffic stop in the Town of Bainbridge, he is accused of stealing a 1997 Toyota from a driveway in Afton and scrapping it for cash at Gary’s U-Pull it in Binghamton. Conklin was arraigned in the Town of Afton court and is being held in the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $10,000.00 cash bail. Conklin is to reappear in the Town of Afton court on a later date.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Department arrested an Afton man for 4th degree Grand Larceny. 45-year-old Russell Davis was charged following an investigation in which Davis allegedly stole a motor vehicle from a Town of Norwich woman and failed to pay her for the vehicle. Davis is to appear in the Town of Norwich court at a later date

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting today, in the Guilford School Cafeteria at 6:30 PM. The business portion of the meeting will start at 7:00 PM.

The Cancer Services Program of Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie counties will offer free health screenings to women 40 and older who are uninsured today. The Bassett Cancer Institute’s mobile screening coach will be available, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Walton Health Center, 130 North Street, Walton. Appointments are requested at 1-888-345-0225 for your appointment.

Former New York State Governor George Pataki announced that he is seeking the Republican nomination for President. Pataki served 3 terms as governor, including at the time of the 2001 Terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11th.

State Police responded to a 1-car accident on I-88 in the Town of Sidney early Wednesday morning, 25 year old Ericka Sa-Keema of Lorton, Virginia drove off the roadway on to the shoulder, over corrected, & lost control of her vehicle, into the center median where it over turned and rolled over several times coming to rest on the wheels. Sa-Keema was partially ejected and 2 two rear passengers were completely ejected, the front seat passenger remained in the vehicle. Ericka Sa-Keema was transported to Wilson Memorial Hospital in Johnson City for head and internal injuries, state police reported this morning that she died from her injuries this morning. The Rear seat passengers were 2 year old Zavion Martin was transported to Wilson Memorial Hospital for a chest injury and 1 year old Zamari Martin was air lifted by Life Net to University Hospital in Syracuse for a head injury. The front seat passenger: 27 year old Anthony Martin was transported to Wilson Hospital for an ankle injury. The 2 children were not secured in their child restraint seats. The investigation is ongoing.

State Police arrested 69 year old Burnett Burnside of Kortright for Sexual Abuse & Endangering the Welfare of a Child. This arrest occurred after Troopers received a report of child abuse from the Delaware County Child Protective Services. Burnside is accused of sexually abusing a girl under the age of eleven, in his residence in December of 2014. He was arraigned & was released to reappear on June 16th; an order of protection was issued for the victim.

The Afton school board meeting originally scheduled for today has been cancelled. There will be no make up date.

Governor Cuomo today announced that New York State’s fight against opioid addiction has been strengthened by new funding to provide naloxone kits to schools statewide and training for school personnel. Included as part of the 2015-16 New York State Budget, $272,000 in funding will be used to offer training for school nurses and other personnel from the state’s approximately 3,000 school districts. The training is expected to be similar to what is already in use for training first responders and community members.

Voters in the town of Afton approved of a measure yesterday to purchase the former IVCI building on County route 39 for a new Town Hall Complex. Voters approved by a vote of 377 in favor & 101 opposed.

The Otsego County Planning Department will host training classes tonight for Town Supervisors, Village and City Mayors, Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals Chairmen, Zoning Enforcement Officers of Otsego-Schoharie and Delaware Counties, at the Meadows complex in Cooperstown. Session 1 is from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm for a Zoning Board of Appeals Overview, Session 2 is from 6:45 pm to 8:45 pm regarding Rural Planning

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting in the District Conference Room tonight at 6:30 PM. The business portion of the meeting will start at 7:00 PM.