WCDO Radio News

Oneonta Police arrested 28 year old David Thomas of Oneonta for attempted Murder, Assault and Strangulation, following a domestic dispute. Police accuse Thomas of twisting the unidentified woman's neck “in a violent manner,” causing extensive damage, she was transported to Fox Hospital & was transferred to Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown where she required surgery.

State Police are seeking the public’s assistance locating the people responsible for throwing 2 dogs out of an SUV on I-81 Wednesday. Troopers patrolling I-81 in the Whitney Point area spotted a tractor trailer parked in the left lane, Wednesday morning, they observed the truck driver carrying one badly injured dog and another following behind him. A State Police K9 handler bandaged the injured dog to stop bleeding, the Broome County Humane Society was contacted and took possession of the dogs. The truck driver observed a Dodge Durango SUV slow down, roll down their rear window and throw the dogs out of the window. Anyone with information is asked to call State Police at 749-1614.

The Salvation Army Empire State Division provided nearly 4 million meals to individuals and families who needed it most, through last year’s Annual Red Kettle Campaign. This year, with just 10 ringing days left in this year’s campaign, the kettles are trending short of the statewide goal. Volunteer bell ringers are needed throughout The Salvation Army's 48-county region. An hour of bellringing yields enough money in the kettle to provide thirteen meals. Anyone interested in ringing the bell is invited to visit: http://bit.ly/beabellringer to sign up.

The New York State Department of Health is advising parents/guardians, caregivers and health care providers to be aware of the signs and symptoms of enterovirus EV-D68, which has now been confirmed in 39 children in New York State. EV-D68 can cause mild to severe respiratory illness, or no symptoms at all. EV-D68 infection most commonly results in mild symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, cough, body aches and muscle aches. Severe symptoms, may include wheezing and difficulty breathing. Recent cases in NYS have been confirmed among individuals who reside in Western and Central New York, the Capital Region and Long Island, and specimens have been received from other regions for specialized testing at Wadsworth. More information about enterovirus EV-D68 can be found cdc.gov.

Tickets are still available for this Sunday's 2 performances of "The King & I" at the Forum Theater in Binghamton. Shows will begin at 3:00 PM & &;30 PM Sunday, Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.com.

A.M. NEWS Friday 12-15-18

18 Year Old Gunnar Hassard of Oneonta has been arrested and charged with a hate crime after allegedly posting pro-Nazi posters around the SUNY Purchase campus, where he was a freshman. Hassard is accused of hanging 16 posters containing Nazi imagery, swastikas and images of Adolph Hitler; he was arraigned in Harrison Town Court yesterday and charged with Aggravated Harassment in the First Degree, a class E felony.

The Department of Environmental Protection announced plans to build a $34 million hydroelectric facility at Cannonsville Reservoir, which should produce enough electricity to power more than 3,500 homes each year. DEP officials announced that they will host 2 public meetings today, 1 at 9:00 AM at the Deposit State Theater, at 148 Front Street in Deposit & another at 12:30 PM at the Upper Delaware Council office, 211 Bridge Street in Narrowsburg. More information is available at nyc.gov.

The Sidney American Legion will host their Annual Children's Christmas Party tomorrow, spokesman Larry Halbert explains:

(Larry Halbert 12-14-18)

The event will run from 12:00 Noon until 1:30 PM at the American legion tomorrow at 22 Union Street in Sidney.

Officials with Dick’s Sporting Goods Open announced that Keith Urban will be the concert performer on August 16th in Endicott. Tickets for that show will be available today through Ticketmaster.com.

The American Red Cross is hosting a blood drive in Sidney Saturday, from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Sidney Elks Lodge, at 104 River Street. Blood donors of all blood types, especially type O, are needed; appointment can be made at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

State Police arrested 26 year old Jordan Dilello of Oneonta for DWI after a trooper was dispatched to a 1 car accident on Winney Hill Road in the town of Oneonta. The trooper observed a vehicle partially in a ditch and partially blocking part of the travel lane, Dilello & 21 of his 2 passengers were taken to Fox Hospital, he was released & was arrested & was released on appearance tickets returnable to the town of Oneonta Court on December 4th.

Two people were injured when a Pickup Truck & Oneonta City School Bus collided Monday afternoon at route 8 & Country Club Road. The driver of the pickup, 35 year old Benjamin Goodwin of Laurens was ticketed for running a red light, the unidentified bus driver & a driver’s aid suffered minor injuries in the crash & were taken to Fox Hospital, 3 children on the bus were not injured.

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.

A Special meeting for Oneonta area residents interested in learning about A.O. Fox Hospital’s volunteer patient companionship program, will be held today at the Foxcare Center. Fox Spokesperson Gabrielle Argo explains:

(Gabby Argo 11-8-18)

The Meeting will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 pm at the FoxCare Center in Classroom 3, Reservations for a spot are available by calling 431-5042.

A.O. Fox Hospital in Oneonat & Oneonta Job Corps Academy are partnering for the 2nd year with The American Red Cross to bring the Oneonta community a blood drive competition this Thursday & Friday. Fox Spokesperson Gabrielle Argo explains:

(Gabby Argo 11-6-18)

Oneonta Job Corps Academy will host the 1st blood drive on Thursday, from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM, in their campus gymnasium. Fox Hospital will host its blood drive Friday, from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM at the FoxCare Center. Last Year, Fox Hospital won the competition with 76 units of blood collected, followed closely by Oneonta Job Corps Academy, who gathered 68 units. The American Red Cross needs blood donations following a recently devastating series of hurricane disasters across the country, more than 36,000 units of blood are being used each day nationwide.

28-year-old Devan Ellsworth of Norwich has been indicted for manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide, for allegedly causing the death of his 20-month-old daughter in August in Norwich. Ellsworth was originally charged with assault following the August 27th incident, where first responders were called to Ellsworth’s home on Henry Street following the report of an unresponsive child, who died the following day in a Syracuse hospital. Ellsworth remains held in the Chenango county jail pending court action.

Author Gray Basnight of Bethel New York has published his 3rd book, “Flight Of The Fox” a mystery thriller that takes place in Upstate New York, & is tied in to the 50th anniversary of the Woodstock Music & Arts festival in Bethel in 1969. Basnight told WCDO about his novel:

(Gray Basnight 10-22-18)

Basnight will appear at the Huntington Memorial Library on Chestnut Street in Oneonta this Saturday starting at 11:30 AM for a book signing. The book is Published by Down & Out Books.

A.O. Fox Hospital will begin construction on its Main Entrance on 4th Street in Oneonta starting tomorrow. Fox Spokesperson Gabrielle Argo explains that patients & visitors can enter the hospital in other entrances:

(Gabby Argo 10-15-18)

Argo said that the construction project is expected to last 6 weeks more information is available at 431-5009.

State Police responded to a fatal accident Saturday at approximately 8:20 p.m. on State Route 23 in the town of Oneonta. 45-year-old Katy Doughty of Walton was crossing State Route 23 near State Highway 28 when she was struck by a vehicle, the section of road is not lit and she was not crossing at a crosswalk. 2 people provided CPR, Oneonta EMS and Fire attempted to provide lifesaving measures but were unable to, Doughty was pronounced dead at the scene, she was transported to Lourdes Hospital for an autopsy. The accident remains under investigation, no tickets have been issued.

State Police at Norwich arrested 36 year old Michael Brown of Pitcher for 3rd degree Assault, Menacing & Harassment, after Troopers responded to a physical dispute where Brown is accused of threatening 3 women with a pocket knife. Brown sustained lacerations and was treated at Chenango Memorial Hospital, he was taken into custody and arraigned & was remanded to the Chenango County Jail on $1,000 cash bail or $2,000 bond and is to appear in the town of Pitcher Court on October 16th, an order of protection was issued to all 3 women.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 18 year old Dana Bitter of Oyster Bay on 1 count of driving while ability impaired by drugs. Bitter is accused of operating a vehicle while impaired by drugs & that a passenger in Bitter’s vehicle was suffering from a drug induced overdose. The passenger was treated on scene and subsequently transported to Delaware Valley Hospital, Bitter was released on tickets returnable to Walton town court at a later date.

The American Red Cross will hold blood drives in Sidney & Masonville today. The Sidney Blood drive will be held from 2:30 to 6:30 PM at the A.O. Fox Tri-Town Campus, at 43 Pearl Street West, the Masonville Blood Drive will be held at the DCMO BOCES campus from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM, Donors of all blood types are needed; appointments can be made by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

The 4th Annual Sidney Health Fair will be held at Keith Clark Park in Sidney this Saturday, with a host of activities planned,
Spokesperson Gabrielle Argo explains:

(Gabrielle Argo 9-20-18)

Representatives from Fox Hospital's Tri Town Regional Hospital will participate, along with representatives from Sidney EMS, Catholic Charities, The United Way & the Tri Town Coalition on Substance Abuse Prevention.

Nearly a year after Hurricane Maria plowed through Puerto Rico, public health conditions are still poor and access to basic health care is limited. Maria was a Category 4 hurricane, a Hospital was destroyed, and chronically ill patients are still struggling to get the care they need. Waterborne and infectious diseases continue to rise, and the mental health crisis Puerto Rico faced before Maria has worsened. 4 representatives will be going to Puerto Rico later this month to assist, according to Nurse Anna Buell:

(Anna Buell 9-12-18)

The Bassett staff will include Buell, Dr. Celeste Johns, chief of Psychiatry; Dr. Chris Kjolhede (Coal-Heed), a pediatrician, and registered nurse Rachel Gaston along with 8 other volunteers from New York State.

A.O. Fox Hospital is co-hosting a special panel discussion event at Hartwick College’s Slade Theatre in Yager Hall today from 3:30 to 5:00 PM, Community agencies, law enforcement, crisis counselors, survivors, & A.O. Fox’s Emergency Department will facilitate a candid conversation about sexual assault, more information is available at 431-5180.

20 year old Michael Roque pleaded guilty Friday for the 2nd degree murder of Binghamton University student Joao (Joe-Ow) Souza. Roque fatally stabbed Souza in his Binghamton University dorm in April. Roque is scheduled to be sentenced on November 16.

Fire Fighters responded to a call at A.O. Fox Hospital – Tri-Town Campus on Pearl Street in Sidney at approximately 1:00 PM Friday afternoon regarding smoke. The building was evacuated and it was later determined that a line supplying the cooling system had a crack in it and was spraying coolant into the Laboratory Department, which created a smoke-like reaction that led to an evacuation. No injuries were reported. All care services are back to operating normally.

A.O. Fox Hospital is co-hosting a special panel discussion event at Hartwick College’s Slade Theatre in Yager Hall on Wednesday, September 12th from 3:30 to 5:00 PM, Community agencies, law enforcement, crisis counselors, survivors, & A.O. Fox’s Emergency Department will facilitate a candid conversation about sexual assault more information is available at 431-5180.

A Free 7-Week Smoking Cessation Course will begin on Monday, August 6th, from 4:00 to 5:00 PM, at Fox Hospital’s Tri-Town Campus Conference Room at 43 Pearl Street West in Sidney. Interested people can Register for the classes by calling 431-5692, emailing deborah.roberts@aofmh.org, or at bassett.org/quit-today.

Assemblyman Cliff Crouch voiced his concerns today with recent reports claiming that 77 violent sexual predators will be granted the right to vote under the governor’s new policy of restoring voting rights to parolees.

(Crouch 7-24-18)

Crouch said that the 77 individuals in question have been deemed as too dangerous to return to society, & were all transferred to civil confinement in state psychiatric hospitals at the end of their prison sentences. Earlier this year the governor announced he would be implementing a new initiative to grant 35,000 parolees in New York state the right to vote.

The American Red Cross has declared an emergency need for all blood types. A.O. Fox's Tri-Town Campus is hosting a blood drive this Friday, from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 pm in conference room number 2, at 43 Pearl Street West in Sidney. Appointments can be made at 561-7937 or redcrossblood.org. Walk-ins are always welcome.

State Police have released the identity of a toddler who died after being found in Goodyear Lake as 3 year-old Andrew Durkin. State Police, Otsego County Sheriff's Department & Milford Fire & EMS were called in following the report of a missing child from Bob Wilson Road in the Town of Milford Sunday shortly before 3:00 PM. State Police reported today that the Andrew Durkin wandered off as his & another family were cleaning up following a meal, the Underwater Recovery Team found the about 90 minutes later underwater near a dock on Goodyear Lake. Emergency Crews attempted to resuscitate Durkin, he was transported him to Fox Hospital in Oneonta, where he was pronounced deceased. The drowning death of the boy has been ruled as accidental.

A.O. Fox Hospital is offering training for individuals interested in becoming junior volunteers. The training is scheduled for Tuesday, July 10, from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm in A.O. Fox Hospital's Education Department. Applicants must be at least 14 years of age, Applications are available in the guidance offices of Oneonta Community Christian School, as well as the Oneonta, Unatego, Charlotte Valley, Franklin, Laurens, Gilbertsville–Mt. Upton, Morris and Edmeston Schools. More information is available at 431-5042.

A.O. Fox Hospital will offer training for teenagers interested in becoming junior volunteers. The training is scheduled for July 10th from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM in the Fox Hospital’s Education Department. More information is available at the Fox Volunteer Office at 431-5042; the registration deadline is June 22nd.

Oneonta Police responded Friday night to the report of an 18 year old SUNY student, jumping naked from the top level of the Municipal Parking Garage & sustaining multiple injuries. The unidentified student was taken to Fox Hospital for treatment following the 10:30 PM incident.

Hartwick College has received a $300,000 grant from The Clark Foundation to help fund a new Hospital Suite Simulation Unit for the College’s nursing department. The new equipment will be located in repurposed space in Smith Hall. The grant will enable the College to better prepare its nursing students to enter the field, and grow the department by another 10 students. This is the fourth such award from the Foundation since 2011.

The FoxNow Convenient Care Clinic at the FoxCare Center in Oneonta will be closing tomorrow, Fox Hospital Marketing Director Gabrielle Argo Explains:

(Gabrielle Argo 4-30-18)

The Convenient Care Clinic off of River Street in Oneonta is open 7 days a week, more information about their services is available at bassett.org or at 1-800-bassett.

Governor Cuomo announced nearly $2.2 million will be awarded to 34 farms across the state through the Climate Resilient Farming Grant Program, to help farms reduce their operational impact on the environment and better prepare for and recover after extreme weather events. In the Southern Tier; Chenango County Soil and Water Conservation District was awarded $77,255 to work with 6 farms to implement cover crops, which are planted to improve soil quality, reduce erosion, and to increase soil organic matter to improve resiliency during periods of flood and drought.

The FoxNow Convenient Care Clinic at the FoxCare Center in Oneonta will be closing on May 1st, Fox Hospital Marketing Director Gabrielle Argo Explains:

(Gabrielle Argo 4-24-18)

The Convenient Care Clinic off of River Street in Oneonta is open 7 days a week, more information is available at bassett.org or at 1-800-bassett.

Binghamton Police responded to 14 Doubleday Street Sunday for the report of a man being shot in the face. The unidentified 29 year old victim was taken to Wilson Hospital in Johnson City & was transported to Syracuse for surgery; the victim was serious condition Monday. Police reported that the victim was approached by the suspect, & was shot, the suspect was wearing dark clothing, may have been with another man, and anyone with information is asked to contact the Binghamton Police Detective Division at (607) 772-7080.

Bassett Healthcare Network is encouraging people to spring clean their medicine cabinets and get rid of unnecessary medications. Bassett Healthcare Network offers 3 locations for residents to drop off unwanted, expired, or leftover medications by collection kiosks and pre-paid mail-back envelopes at the Bassett Medical Center Pharmacy in Cooperstown, FoxCare Pharmacy in Oneonta and O’Connor Hospital Pharmacy in Delhi. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is April 28.

Governor Cuomo announced that the State Department of Health has issued a health advisory to hospitals, emergency departments and urgent care centers following severe and life-threatening bleeding cases in Illinois, Maryland, Wisconsin, Indiana and Missouri, due to the consumption of synthetic marijuana believed to be contaminated with rat poison. To date, no cases have been reported in New York State. Synthetic marijuana is sold with street names such as K2, Spice and AK-47, which consists of plant material coated by chemicals, which are supposed to mimic the effects of naturally grown marijuana.

State Police are investigating the death of a 10-year-old girl in the town of Colesville. Broome County 911 received a call Sunday from a residence on East Windsor Road for a 10-year-old girl who was unresponsive. The responding troopers determined that Belladonna Loke was discovered by the owner of the house in a second floor bedroom, Loke's family had been staying at the residence since December. The preliminary investigation revealed that Loke suffered from a serious medical condition, she was transported to Lourdes Hospital where an autopsy was performed today, the results have not yet been released, The investigation is continuing.

A.O. Fox Tri-Town Campus in Sidney will hold a Blood Drive today from 2:30 PM to 6:30 PM. The American Red Cross is experiencing a blood shortage and has issued an emergency request for all blood types. Appointments may be made at redcrossblood.org, owa.bassett.org or by calling 1-800-RedCross.

State Police arrested 43-year-old Stacey Juhl of Portlandville for Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance & other traffic violations. A trooper observed a vehicle with a loud exhaust, as it weaving across road markings on State Route 28 in the town of Milford. Juhl is accused of driving while impaired by drugs, she was found to unlawfully possess an oxycodone pill. Juhl was transported to Fox Hospital where she consented to a test of her blood for drugs. The lab results are still pending. Juhl was issued tickets that are returnable to the Milford town Court on February 27, 2018.

State Police arrested 31-year-old Scott Ward of Binghamton for 3rd degree Assault, following the report of a bar fight January 20th in Conklin. Ward is accused of pushing & kicking a man, resulting in lacerations to his face & chipping a tooth. The victim was treated at Lourdes Hospital then released, ward faces court action in Conklin Town Court on February 26th.

2 people were injured in a collision between a dump truck & a car on State Route 23 in the Town of Oneonta Wednesday afternoon. Police reports stated that the dump truck was operated by 50-year-old Roger Hamilton of East Meredith; he had pulled into traffic & was struck by a vehicle operated by 60-year-old Deborah Sutch of Prattsville. Sutch & a passenger were taken to Fox Hospital with minor injuries, no tickets were issued.

State Police became involved in a pursuit with a suspect wanted on a warrant of arrest in the City of Binghamton yesterday afternoon at about 5:00 PM. The pursuit reached the intersection of Conklin Avenue and Alfred Street, troopers were attempting to apprehend the suspect when he intentionally struck a trooper with his vehicle, the suspect sustained a gunshot wound, and fled the scene. He was apprehended a short distance away and was taken to Wilson Memorial Hospital for treatment. The trooper was treated for non-life threatening injuries. Both the trooper and suspect are in stable condition. State Police officials said that additional information will be released as this investigation continues.

State Police responded Friday to a report of a 2 vehicle collision on State Route 28, in the town of Franklin. 31 year old James Crosby of Delhi drifted into the southbound lane of State Route 28 and struck a tractor trailer head on. 42 year old Jamie Dougherty of Oneonta was operating the Tractor-Trailer attempted to avoid being struck by Crosby, drifted off the road, striking a stone wall, and coming to rest in the woods. Doughtery was transported to Fox Hospital, Crosby was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation is continuing.