WCDO Radio News

State Police & Emergency crews from Sidney & Unadilla responded to a 2-car accident with injuries at Tryons Corners today. The accident occurred at around 12:00 Noon, with front-end damage reported on both vehicles, and at least 2 injuries were reported, one person was taken to Fox HOsiptal in Oneonta, another wwas taken to Wilson Hospital in Johnson City with non-life threatening injuries, the investigation by state police is continuing.

A name change is coming to Tri Town Regional Hospital in Sidney, as the facility is required to have its Emergency Department within 35 miles of an acute care Emergency room, as provided by Fox Hospital in Oneonta. Fox CEO Jeff Joyner explains:

(Jeff Joyner 12-6-17)

The Change takes effect on January first, the facility in Sidney will be known as A.O. Fox Hospital-Tri Town Campus.

The Oneonta Police Department is investigating the death of State University student Daniel Michaels of Dix Hills Saturday, preliminary reports suggest that a combination of drugs & alcohol led to a cardiac arrest, which led to the death the 18-year-old. Michaels was found passed out at a fraternity at 34 Academy Street in Oneonta early Saturday, he was taken to Fox Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. The full toxicology report is not expected for another 4 weeks, the investigation is ongoing. State University of Oneonta announced that they are offering additional counseling services to students affected by the Michael's death.

Tri Town Regional Hospital in Sidney will have a new name as of January 1st, following the recent decision to have the hospital affiliated with Fox Hospital in Oneonta, rather than Bassett hospital in Cooperstown. State regulations stipulate that a satellite emergency department must be within 35 miles of an acute care facility, Fox is about 23 miles from the Sidney facility. The new name will be A.O. Fox Hospital- Tri Town Regional Campus; services that are available will be unchanged with the new name.

The Tri Town Coalition on Substance Abuse Prevention will present the full length of the movie "CHASING THE DRAGON" tonight at the Sidney High School. Coalition Spokesperson Lorraine Keckeisen explains:

(Lorraine Keckeisen 11-15-17)

Keckeisen said that Superintendents from Sidney, Bainbridge Guilford & the Unatego Schools are participating, there will also be representatives from Truth farm, Fox Hospital, Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council of Delaware County, M-Kat, SSAD & Yes Leads at the event, which will run from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM in the SIDNEY HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM

A.O. Fox Hospital & Oneonta Job Corps Academy are partnering to bring the Oneonta community its first blood drive competition Wednesday & Thursday with the 1st Annual Donor Dash, to benefit the American Red Cross. Fox Spokesperson Gabby Argo explains:

(Gabby Argo 11-7-17)

Community members are encouraged to participate with employees at both locations, the Fox Hospital blood drive will be on Wednesday, at Fox Care Center. The Oneonta Job Corps Academy blood drive is on Thursday in the gymnasium, both events will be from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Donors can register at redcrossblood.org or 1-800-733-2767.

An Autopsy performed at Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton has determined that Kenneth Faulkner of New Rochelle died from a Cocaine Overdose. Oneonta Police had picked up Faulkner where they had warrants to search Faulkner & an apartment in Oneonta, following a drug investigation. Faulkner struggled with Oneonta Police officers & swallowed a packet believed to contain Cocaine, EMT's brought him to Fox Hospital, and he died a few hours later, after the Police struggle Thursday night. The investigation into the incident is continuing by the Oneonta Police Department & the Otsego County District Attorney's office.

Oneonta Police Detectives arrested a 52- year-old man from New Rochelle Thursday afternoon following a 2-month investigation into narcotics trafficking. Search warrants were obtained for the suspect's person and for an 85 Ford Avenue. The suspect was transported to the City's Public Safety Building. A 2nd warrant was served that permitted officers to conduct a body search, the suspect became combative, officers observed that the suspect placed a substance believed to be cocaine in his mouth, which was swallowed after a struggle with 4 officers. EMT’s responded, the suspect was taken to Fox Hospital in Oneonta, where he died at 7:40 PM. The body was taken to Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton for an autopsy and toxicology screening. The suspect's name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The incident remains under investigation by the Oneonta Police Department under the supervision of the Otsego County District Attorney's Office.

Officials at SUNY Broome have confirmed that freshman Miranda Gifford of Rome, has died from injuries she sustained in a car crash on State Route 12 in Oxford Monday. The Chenango County Sheriff's Office said Gifford veered in to oncoming traffic around 12:00 noon & struck a truck operated by Danny Hall of Barton. Gifford was extricated from her vehicle and airlifted to University Hospital in Syracuse, where she died Wednesday afternoon. The cause of the crash is still under investigation. Gifford was enrolled at SUNY Broome, they are offering counseling for students affected by Gifford’s death.

A.O. Fox Hospital and the Oneonta Job Corps Academy are partnering to bring the Oneonta community its first blood drive competition on November 8th & 9th to benefit the American Red Cross. The competition is called The First Annual Donor Dash: Fox Hospital Spokeswoman Gabby Argo explains:

(Gabby Argo 11-1-17)

Registration is requested for either event at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-733-2767.

Fox Hospital in Oneonta is looking for volunteer companions for patients at the Hospital; they will hold a special session today about their program. Fox Hospital Chaplain Reverend Judy Thistle explains:

(Rev. Judy Thistle 10-18-17)

The program will be held today in the Levine Conference room at Fox Hospital from 5:00 to 6:00 PM, more information is available at 431-5009.

The Next Tri Town Coalition on Substance Abuse Prevention will be tonight at the Sidney High School cafeteria at 6:00 PM. Sarah Buttice of Fox Hospital will discuss smoking cessation programs & initiatives like “Stop Targeting Our Teens”.

Fox Hospital in Oneonta is looking for volunteer companions for patients at the Hospital; they will hold a special session November 1st about the program. Fox Hospital Chaplain Reverend Judy Thistle explains:

(Rev. Judy Thistle 10-18-17)

The program will be held November 1st in the Levine Conference at Fox Hospital from 5:00 to 6:00 PM, more information is available at 431-5009.

19-year-old Dylan Cumpston of Delhi was arrested Saturday by Oneonta Police following the report of a stabbing. Cumpston was charged with 2nd-degree assault & 4th degree criminal possession of a weapon, after Police responded to Fox Hospital, where staff treated the victim of a stabbing following a fight on Columbia Street. The unidentified victim was treated and released from Fox Hospital, Cumpston was arraigned Sunday in Oneonta City Court, the investigation is ongoing.

23-year-old Edward Ferrall of Lynbrook Long Island was arrested early Saturday morning by Oneonta police, for 1st degree assault, criminal possession of a weapon, tampering with physical evidence, menacing and resisting arrest. Oneonta Police responded to 236 Main Street at about 2:25 AM, Police found the victim of a Head Injury, who was taken to Fox Hospital, and was transferred to Albany Medical Center. Ferrall was arraigned in Oneonta City Court and released on $5,000 bail, the investigation is ongoing.

Oneonta Police announced that 3 men wanted for an April Burglary have been arrested. Oneonta police responded to a domestic dispute on April 22nd. 1 of the victims was pistol-whipped & was treated & released from minor injuries at Fox Hospital. 34-year-old Teddy Faison of Oneonta was arrested in Monticello, he's been charged with 2nd degree assault and criminal possession of a weapon, he was remanded to the Otsego County Jail without bail. Also charged was 19 year old Brian Scott of Utica, & 19 year old Nelson Navar of Utica, they were charged with 1st degree burglary & 1st degree robbery, they both face court action shortly.

State Police arrested 28-year-old Dorothy Ramsell of the town of Maryland, for 2nd degree Assault & Criminal Mischief, after troopers responded to a physical dispute at a home on State Route 7 in the town of Maryland. Ramsell allegedly threw a coffee mug at her boyfriend’s head & a stepladder at his vehicle, which smashed the windshield. The victim was treated at Fox Hospital for head pain and a laceration to his arm, and then released. Ramsell was arraigned and was remanded to the Otsego county jail on $1,000 cash bail or $2,000 property bond, pending court action on September 12th. The court issued an order of protection against Ramsell on behalf of the victim.

Brandon Corey was sentenced today in Broome County for a knifepoint rape of a woman in the parking lot at Wilson Hospital in Johnson City in April 2016. Corey will serve 10 years in prison followed by 20 years post-release supervision, he was also ordered to register as a sex offender.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a motor vehicle accident on State Highway 28 in the Town of Franklin. 22-year-old Nicholas Thompson of Garnerville crossed over the opposing lane and drove off the roadway and struck a culvert. Thompson was transported to Fox Hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the accident. Deputies charged Thompson with DWI & Failure to Keep Right. He was issued tickets returnable in Town of Franklin at a later date.

Tri-Town Regional Hospital in Sidney will become a satellite emergency department under the leadership of Fox Hospital in Oneonta, on January 1st 2018. A certificate of need was approved earlier this year by the State Department of Health to bring Tri-town Regional under the operations of Fox Hospital, State rules stipulate that a satellite emergency department must be within 35 miles of an acute care hospital; Fox Hospital is 23 miles from Sidney while Bassett Medical Center is just over 45 miles away. The change will not affect any services at tri Town. Bassett Officials also announced a plan to apply for $25 million in grant funding to create a medical village at the Sidney campus, for outpatient and emergency care.

State Police responded to a Delaware County 911 report of a two vehicle crash with serious injuries on River Road in the Town of Sidney. An investigation determined that 39 year old Jason Cunningham of Unadilla was driving his 2005 vehicle on River Road when he entered a sharp curve and drifted into the opposing lane, striking a pickup truck driven by 35 year old Matthias Wesner of Unadilla. Cunningham was transported to Fox hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. An autopsy will be conducted at Lourdes hospital and the results are pending. Wesner received minor injuries in the crash. No tickets have been issued at this time. This investigation is ongoing.

Fox Hospital & Tri Town Regional Hospital President Jeff Joyner will be the guest speaker at the Sidney Rotary club today. The meeting will be held at the St. Luke’s church on West Main Street in Sidney at 12:00 Noon.

A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital announced the appointment of 5 new members to their Board of Directors. Joining the Board is Noel Goodspeed of Sidney, who is the Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at SFCU, Jeffrey Lord who is Vice President at Community Bank, N.A, Scott H. McLean of Sidney, who is the owner and President of Tieco-Unadilla Corporation in Unadilla, is business administrator at C.H. Landers, Funeral Chapel, Luisa Montanti who is the Property Manager of the Southside Mall, and Oneonta City School Superintendent Joseph Yelich.

State Police arrested 36-year-old Jeffrey Oakley of Delhi, for 3rd degree Assault, after troopers were advised of a dispute Monday in the Town of Meredith. Oakley allegedly grabbed the victim by the hair and bounced the victim’s head off the floor causing a neck injury, with a child present. The victim was treated at a local hospital and was released. Oakley was arraigned in the Town of Delhi Court and was remanded to the Delaware County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 property bond. An order of protection was issued for the victim.

Oneonta Police Department were dispatched to a reported stabbing at 12 Division Street early Friday Morning. Police found a 24 year old man bleeding from lacerations to his head and hand, after he tried to break up a domestic dispute among neighbors. The stabbing victim confronted the male, he was then assaulted with a knife & was transported to Fox Hospital, where he was treated and released. Police arrested 53 year old EDDIE BURNS of the Bronx for 2nd degree Assault, Criminal Possession of a Weapon, Reckless Endangerment, & Criminal Possession of a controlled substance. Burns was arraigned and was remanded to the custody of the Otsego County Sheriff's department without bail.

A certificate of need has been submitted to the New York State Department of Health to make Tri-Town Regional Hospital in Sidney; a satellite emergency department under the leadership of Fox Hospital in Oneonta. Tri Town Regional Hospital CEO Dr. Carlton Rule explains:

(Dr Carlton Rule 1-25-17)

Dr. Rule said that both hospitals are part of Bassett Healthcare Network; he said that if the Certificate is approved, the conversion to a satellite Emergency Department model would take effect in the third quarter of this year. Dr. Rule said that services would not change; state regulations simply stipulate that a satellite emergency department must be within 35 miles of an acute care hospital. Fox Hospital is 23 miles from TRH in Sidney while Bassett Medical Center is just over 45 miles away.

State Police responded to a 1 car fatal crash in the Town of Cortlandville. Responding troopers observed a 2001 Honda Civic that had rolled over onto its roof 23 year old Ryan Card of Cortland was driving the vehicle, he failed to negotiate a curve & drove off the west shoulder, striking some trees then rolling over down an embankment. Card was pronounced deceased at the scene. 2 passengers suffered & were taken to Syracuse area hospitals with various injuries, the investigation is ongoing.

A Red Cross Blood Drive is being held today in Oneonta, at the Fox Care Center from 12:00 Noon until 5:00 PM. Those who would like to donate Blood can download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS to make an appointment.

State Police arrested 31-year-old Anna Rodriguez of Binghamton for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol in a stolen vehicle after a pursuit in the town of Sanford on Sunday afternoon. Troopers observed a vehicle traveling on State Route 17 in the town of Sanford at 94 miles per hour. The vehicle stopped briefly, then fled at a high rate of speed and crashed a short time later; Rodriguez was taken into custody & was treated for minor injuries at Wilson Memorial Hospital and released. She was charged with driving while intoxicated, unauthorized use of a vehicle, unlawfully fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, unlawful possession of marihuana, and numerous traffic violations. Rodriguez was arraigned in the village of Deposit Court and remanded to the Broome County Jail on bail.