WCDO Radio News

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 6-22-25

Broome County 911 Center received multiple reports of a fire at the Knights Inn, at 2603 East Main Street in Endwell, at about 6:00 AM today, a total of 6 fatalities have been confirmed. Additional information, including the identities of the victims, will be released at a later time, 2 others were taken to Wilson Medical Center. over 70 residents have been displaced and are being assisted by the Red Cross. A temporary shelter has been set up at the Vestal United Methodist Church. Endwell Fire Department arrived to find heavy black smoke in the front of the building and flames showing from the rear of the building. The fire spread rapidly, and multiple Fire Departments, ambulance crews and police agencies arrived on scene to assist. The New York State Office of Fire, the Broome County Office of Emergency Services, Broome County Mobile Crisis Response Team is on scene, the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Tomorrow is is Primary Election day around the State. Democrats will vote statewide for the Comptroller candidate between long time incumbent Tom DiNapoli and challengers Drew Warshaw and Raj Goyle. Locally Democrats in the 102nd Assembly District will decide between 3 candidates, Thomas Boomhower, Janet Tweed & Mary Finneran. In the Republican Primaries locally, Peter Oberacker & Alexander Portelli are seeking the nomination to be on the ballot for the 19th Congressional District, in the 51st State Senate District, the Republican candidates are Chris Tague & Terry Bernardo, for Otsego County Sheriff, Incumbent Rich Devlin faces a challenge from Mike Stalter, In Afton, Jason Wicks is challenging long time Town Supervisor John Lawrence.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 6-22-26

State Police arrested 56 year old Joel Salinas of Bainbridge following a traffic stop on Chenango County Road 35 last Tuesday. Troopers observed a vehicle committing multiple violations, initiated a traffic stop, Troopers observed a sawed-off shot gun and other illegal weapons, Salinas was driving to sell the shotgun, the investigation resulted in the seizure of several other illegally possessed weapons. Salinas was charged with multiple counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon, Criminal Sale of a Firearm, he was processed & transported to the Chenango County Jail for Centralized Arraignment.

The Classical Guitar Society of Upstate New York is holding a benefit concert Sunday for the Unadilla Food Pantry. The concert will begin at 1:00 PM at the 1st Presbyterian Church in Unadilla.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 5-29-26

Otsego County Sheriff’s Office arrested 24 year old Alexander Gutierrez of Milford & 28 year old Jordan Gutierrez-Champen for Introducing dangerous contraband in to prison & Conspiracy, following an investigation into suspicious activity in the Otsego County Jail in 2025. Investigators were notified by corrections staff that they had intercepted a letter hidden in a bible which detailed the receipt of contraband by mail to an inmate, they obtained a search warrant for Gutierrez-Champen’s mail, a page had been saturated with a controlled substance later identified as a synthetic cannabis known as “K2.” On Wednesday, deputies located Alexander Gutierrez in the Town of Otego and took him in to custody, he was processed and released. On Thursday deputies responded to the Lakeview Correctional Facility in Chautauqua County and took Jordan Gutierrez-Champen in to custody, he was transported to the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office where he was held for Arraignment.

27 year old Alexander Schwarz of Roxbury, was sentenced to a 4-month term of incarceration in the County Jail for violating the conditions of his probation supervision. Schwarz was convicted in Greene County for Attempted Sexual Abuse and was sentenced to a 10-year term of probation supervision. On March 19th, he violated the terms of his probation imposed by the Greene County Court by using an unauthorized device to view pornographic material, Schwarz appeared in Delaware County Court this week & admitted to the violation, he was sentenced to 4 months in the Delaware County Jail, then he will be required to complete his 10-year term of probation supervision.

Helios Care is offering 2 free instructional workshops throughout the months of June & July as a part of the Healing Grief Workshop series. The Sound Healing workshop is a 6-week program at the Cabin Hill Church in Delancey starting on June 3rd, from 10:00am to 11:30am. The Art of Bereavement workshop will take place in Delhi at the Office of the Aging starting on June 14th, more information is available at (607) 432-5525

4 people accused of participating in the murder of 53 year
old Kenneth Robinson of Worcester in October, were arraigned in Otsego County
Court.  15-year-old Anais Soto of Oneonta
was granted a reduction in bail to $2500; she was released & was ordered to
wear an ankle monitor.  Dylan Robinson,
Alexander Borgreen & Nicolas Meridy were arraigned for 2nd degree Murder,
1st degree Burglary, and Attempted Robbery, Meridy is still being held without
bail; Robinson and Borgreen’s are being held on $25,000 cash Bail or $50,000
Bond.

The Friends of Afton Parade Committee will hold the annual
Afton Christmas Parade Saturday.  The
Parade line-up will be at Corporate Park on Route 7 at 4:00 pm, the parade
starts at 5:00pm & Santa will be in the NBT Bank after the parade. Food and
hot beverages provided by the Chamber of Commerce and VFW, located inside the
VFW. Community bonfire located in the First Baptist Church Parking lot after
the parade. More information is available at 208-5005, or the "Friends of
Afton" Facebook page.

State Police arrested 21-year-old Alexander Church of Delhi for Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs and Unlawful Possession of Marihuana. The arrest resulted from a traffic stop for failing to keep right while driving on State Route 28 in Franklin, Church is accused of driving while impaired & also unlawfully possessed approximately three grams of marihuana, he was issued tickets returnable to the Town of Franklin Court on December 11th.

State Police have charged 3 people following a shooting at a Margaretville gas station Thursday night. 34 year old Keishaun Harper of Charlotte North Carolina was charged with 1st degree Assault & Attempted Robbery, 32 year old Joann Winne of Margaretville, was charged with Attempted Robbery, 24 year old Danielle Vitale of Arkville, and was charged with Attempted Robbery. Police reported that 23 year old Mackenzie Alexander, of Arkville was allegedly shot by Harper while seated in a vehicle at the Hess Mart in Margaretville. She was taken to Albany Medical center with non-life threatening injuries. The 3 Defendants were arraigned & were remanded to the Delaware County Jail. The investigation is continuing.

2 local blood drives will be held today, as the American Red Cross encourages people to give blood as all types are needed to maintain a stable supply. You can donate blood from 8:30am to 2:30 pm at the Bainbridge Guilford High School and from 1:00 to 6:00 pm at Saint Matthews Episcopal Church in Unadilla, appointments can be made at 1-800-RED-CROSS

Funeral services for Johnson City Police officer David Smith will be held this morning in Johnson City.  The Funeral will start at 11:00 AM at Sarah Jane Johnson Church in Johnson City. Road closures along Main Street in Johnson City will be instituted; Representatives from Police agencies from all over will be attending.

The Chenango county sheriff’s department arrested 26-year-old Brad Church of Edmeston for Disorderly Conduct and Resisting Arrest.  Church allegedly approached a vehicle that had been pulled over by a deputy, and obstructed traffic, and refused to comply with the deputy, and then resisted arrest.  Church was arraigned and was sent to the Chenango County Jail on $5,000 cash bail pending future court action.

Chenango County Sheriff department arrested 25-year-old Alexander Griffin and 37-year-old Laura Griffin of Bainbridge for 1 count each Animal Cruelty and Failure to provide a dog adequate shelter. The Griffins are alleged to have left a dog tied up outside for several hours in inclement weather without adequate food, shelter, and water as required by State law.  The dog also had a fractured leg that did not receive medical attention.  Both defendants were issued appearance tickets and released; they face court action in the Town of Bainbridge Court at a later date.

Chenango County Sheriff department arrested 25-year-old Alexander Griffin and 37-year-old Laura Griffin of Bainbridge for 1 count each Animal Cruelty and Failure to provide a dog adequate shelter. The Griffins are alleged to have left a dog tied up outside for several hours in inclement weather without adequate food, shelter, and water as required by State law.  The dog also had a fractured leg that did not receive medical attention.  Both defendants were issued appearance tickets and released; they face court action in the Town of Bainbridge Court at a later date.