WCDO Radio News

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 12-29-22

The State Health Department continues to see a high positivity rate for COVID 19 testing across the state. The most recent test period had over 3600 positive tests out of 38,200 tested, for an 8.66% rate. Patient hospitalization have surged back up to over 3800. with 403 ICU patients & 179 on ventilators, and 128 deaths reported at hospitals & nursing homes.

An American Red Cross Blood Drive is being held today at the A.O. Fox Tri-Town Campus, from 1:30 PM to 6:30 PM, in the Conference Room N-112. The Red Cross is experiencing a blood shortage due to the cancellation of blood drives and has issued an emergency request for all blood types. Appointments may be made at redcrossblood.org, or by calling 1-800-RedCross (1-800-733-2767).

The Annual Giveaway for Operation Merry Christmas will be held tomorrow. The giveaway to families enrolled in the program will be from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the AO Fox Hospital Tri Town Campus on Pearl Street in Sidney.

Operation Merry Christmas will be ready to collect the gifts & toys next week, as they approach the annual Giveaway Day, Spokesperson Cheryl Liberty explains:

(Cheryl Liberty 12-2-22)

The Annual Giveaway Day for Operation Merry Christmas will be held Saturday December 10th for the families enrolled in the program, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the AO Fox Hospital Tri Town Campus on Pearl Street in Sidney.

A Red Cross Blood Drive is being held in Oneonta today from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital's Levine Center, in Oneonta. Appointments can be made with the Red Cross Blood Donor App, at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

Commerce Chenango will host its 1st annual Manufacturer Appreciation Luncheon on Thursday, October 6th at the Northeast Classic Car Museum in Norwich, as part of Manufacturing Week. The ‘Manufacturer of the Year’ award will be presented to Gladding Braided Products in South Otselic, the event that begins at 11:00 a.m. at the Northeast Classic Car Museum in Norwich. More information, or to register for this event, is availabel at commercechenango.com or email register@chenangony.org.

A.M. NEWS Wednesday 9-21-22

State Police responded Monday to a report of a 1-vehicle crash on County Highway 7 in the town of Otego. 45 year old Jennifer Thayer of Otego was driving on County Highway 7 when she exited the roadway and struck a tree. Thayer was transported to A.O. Fox Hospital where she was pronounced deceased.

Binghamton Police Department responded Monday to 314 Prospect Street for the report of a shooting. Officers located a 26 year old male who was shot in the abdomen, he was taken to an area hospital for emergency surgery. Police arrested Franklin Smalls of Binghamton for Attempted Murder and Criminal Possession of a Weapon, the investigation is continuing.

A Blood Drive is being held in Sidney today, at the A.O. Fox Hospital Tri Town Campus on Pearl Street. The Blood Drive will run from 1:30 to 6:30 PM, Appointments are requested at 1-800-RED CROSS or redcrossblood.org.

An American Red Cross Blood drive will be held today in Oneonta, from 1:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the AO Fox Memorial Hospital Levine Center, On Norton Avenue. To donate blood, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 7-8-22

State Police responded Thursday to a motorcycle crash on State Highway 8 in the town of Masonville. 54 year old Joseph Beers of Sidney was traveling south on State Highway 8 when he left the roadway and struck a guide-rail. Beers was transported to AO Fox Hospital's Tri-Town Campus in Sidney, where he was pronounced dead.

Southern Tier 8 is holding the first-ever Upstate Rural Broadband Conference, on June 28th at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Binghamton. The daylong conference will bring national and state, and regional leaders together to identify actionable ways to speed-up the deployment of high-speed networks. Over 20 speakers from Washington, Albany, and the region will discuss how to get networks built, whom to partner with, how to fund high-speed broadband expansion, and the advocacy efforts needed to make it all happen. For more information, please visit southerntier8.org.

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 6-9-22

The Oneonta Police Department is seeking public help in the murder on May 30th of 24 year old Kaleb O'Neill of Oneonta. O’Neill was found with stab wounds in the alley near 6 Dietz Street, he was declared dead after being transported to A.O. Fox Hospital. Anyone with additional information on the investigation is asked to contact the Oneonta Police Department Detective Division at 607-432-1111.

A.O. Fox Hospital is hosting a blood drive with the American Red Cross today, as blood supplies remain low. The Blood Drive will be today from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Fox Hospital in the Levine Conference Room, Appointments may be reserved by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or visiting redcrossblood.org.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 5-31-22

Oneonta Police are investigating the murder of a 24-year-old Kaleb O’Neill of Oneonta Monday. Oneonta Police Department received a 911 call of a male being stabbed in the alleyway of 6 Dietz Street, O’Neill had multiple stab wounds, 1st responders administered aid, he was transported to A.O. Fox Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased. State Police Forensic Identification Unit and canine unit were called to the scene and an attempt to locate the suspects was undertaken but revealed no other information. The case remains under investigation by the Oneonta Police Department & State Police BCI & Major Crimes Unit. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Oneonta Police Detective Division at (607) 432-1111.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 5-17-22

Bassett Healthcare Network warns parents to be aware of the right and wrong approaches to the during the baby formula shortage. Fox Hospital Pediatrician Dr. Bill Fredette told WCDO News that parents should NOT water down existing formula to stretch out supplies, they should avoid using home-made recipes online for baby formula, which commonly lack required nutrients, he did suggest what new parents should try to do:

(Dr. Bill Fredette 5-17-22)

Abbott Laboratories and the FDA reached a deal Monday to restart production of baby formula at the Michigan plant that has been shut down after the recall, where 2 babies died from a rare bacterial issue traced back to that Abbott plant months ago. Dr. Fredette said that to HealthyChildren.org is a good source for information, but the best is to consult with your own pediatrician. WCDO will air the full interview with Dr. Fredette tomorrow morning at about 8:40 AM.

The CDC is warning residents in most upstate counties to wear masks due to high case-counts of COVID-19. 36 counties are now classified as having "high" community levels of the coronavirus, making up almost half of the entire nationwide total. “High Transmission” counties have confirmed cases of the new BA.2.12 sub-variant, according to the state Health Department officials. Governor Hochul’s office reported Thursday that Central New York, the Finger Lakes, Mohawk Valley and Southern Tier were on a downward trend in case counts, and hospitalizations.

The City of Oneonta Police Department arrested 36-year-old Melissa Scott of Oneonta for 1st degree Assault and criminal possession of a weapon, after Scott and a 34-year-old male victim engaged in a domestic dispute at 7 Fonda Avenue in Oneonta. Scott allegedly stabbed the male victim causing a serious injury and uncontrolled bleeding, he was transported to Fox Hospital, was stabilized & was transported to Albany Medical Center. Scott was held at the City of Oneonta Jail Anyone with information is asked to contact the Oneonta Police Department Detectives Division at (607)432-1111.

A.O. Fox Hospital’s Carson Lecture Series program continues tonight with “TB and COVID-19: A Tale of Two Pandemics,” presented by Doctor Richard Chaisson, professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Tuberculosis Research. The presentation will be held tonight at the Foothills Performing Arts center on Market Street in Oneonta, starting at 7:30 pm., it is FREE and open to the public.

Otsego County Health Department reported today that that county is now at a MEDIUM COVID-19 Community Level for transmission. The County reported 26 New cases today with 3 hospitalizations and a 10.0% 7 day positivity rate. More information is available at otsegocounty.com.

Today through April 30th Bassett Healthcare Network is holding its annual Drug Take Back Week, where people can bring any unneeded, unwanted and expired medications for safe disposal. Bassett has special collection kiosks at the Outpatient Pharmacies in Cooperstown, the FoxCare Center in Oneonta & at O’Connor Hospital in Delhi as well as the AO Fox Hospital lobby, AO Fox Tri-Town Hospital lobby in Sidney.

2 people were injured & 3 dogs died in a house fire last night on Earls Road in Hartwick. The fire before 6:00 PM, 3 people lived in the home, 2 were sent to Bassett Hospital with smoke inhalation and 1 had minor burns. Firefighters from Hartwick, Fly Creek, Milford, Mt. Vision and Cooperstown responded, the cause is under investigation.

The American Red Cross is experiencing a blood shortage due to the cancellation of blood drives and has issued an emergency request for all blood types. A Blood Drive is scheduled today at the A.O. Fox Tri-Town Campus in Sidney between 1:30 PM and 6:30PM in Conference Room N-112. Appointments may be made at redcrossblood.org, bassett.org or by calling 1-800-RedCross.

The American Red Cross is experiencing a blood shortage due to the cancellation of blood drives and has issued an emergency request for all blood types. A Blood Drive is scheduled for Friday, April 22, at the A.O. Fox Tri-Town Campus Lab in Sidney between 1:30 PM and 6:30PM in the Tri-Town Campus Conference Room N-112 . Appointments may be made at redcrossblood.org, bassett.org or by calling 1-800-RedCross.

The US Air Force Band will be performing a free concert in Oneonta next week, spokesman Gene Schmidt explains:

(Gene Schmidt 3-8-22)

Schmidt said that proof of vaccination is required for next Wednesday's concert at Foothills.

A.M. NEWS Tuesday 3-8-22

The Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 33 year old Felix Hartman of Unadilla for Burglary, 3rd degree assault, Attempted Rape, forcible touching Stalking & Criminal Impersonation for an incident in the Town of Unadilla Friday evening. Hartman claimed to be with a fire department, he allegedly sexually assaulted the victim, who sustained an arm injury & was treated & released at A.O. Fox Hospital in Oneonta. Several hours later, State Police received an additional sexual assault complaint in the Town of Otego. Hartmann was located by Troopers at his residence, he was arraigned & was remanded to the Otsego County Correctional Facility on $15,000 cash bail or $30,000 bond. An order of protection was issued, more charges are expected.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 3-1-22

Town of Colchester Police announced that 81 year old George Fredericks of Roscoe died in a Sunday afternoon car crash. Delaware County 911 Center received multiple reports of a 2-car, head-on crash at about 12:38 pm. on Delaware County Route 7 near Hill Top Lane in Colchester. Fredericks was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the 2nd vehicle, 49 year old Angelo Zayas and a passenger were taken to Delaware Valley Hospital in Walton for treatment of their injuries. the preliminary investigation reported that Fredericks crossed over into the opposing lane striking the Zayas vehicle, both vehicles were engulfed in flames. The State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating the crash.

Bassett Healthcare Network has partially lifted visitation restrictions in its emergency departments, at A.O. Fox Hospital in Oneonta, the Tri-Town Campus in Sidney, Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, Cobleskill Regional Hospital, Little Falls Hospital, and O’Connor Hospital in Delhi. More information is available at bassett.org.

Delaware County Sheriff Deputies responded Wednesday to a 2 car motor vehicle accident at the intersection in the Town of Harpersfield. Deputies discovered only 1 vehicle at the accident scene, the 2nd operator fled the scene. Deputies identified the operator of the fleeing vehicle as 45-year-old Wayne Swart of Hobart, whose Driver’s License was revoked on 3 separate dates. Deputies arrested Swart Sunday and charged him with Obstructing Governmental Administration, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Operating a Motor Vehicle Without an Ignition Interlock Device, and several other related charges, Swart was released on appearance and traffic tickets and is scheduled to appear at the Town of Harpersfield Court at a later date.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 1-31-22

Oneonta Police Department is investigating the death of 20-year-old male Tyler Lopresti-Castro. On Thursday at about 6:50 am, City of Oneonta employees located a male, laying on the pavement near the Silas Lane Bus Garage. Lopresti-Castro was identified by his SUNY Oneonta ID and was suffering from extended exposure to subzero temperatures, he was taken to AO Fox Hospital, video showed Lopresti-Castro emerging from a wooded area behind the garage at about 2:15 am, he may have been walking in the area of River Street-River Street Service Road, Oneida Street or Chestnut Street, Anyone with information is asked to contact Oneonta Police at (607) 432-1111 or the State University Police at Oneonta at (607) 436-3550.

The Otsego County Department of Health reported their 100th death from COVID 19 in their latest report. The County has had 5 deaths already this year, they reported 128 new cases, and they have 8 hospitalized and a positivity rate of 16.8% over the previous 7 days.

The State Department of Health today announced the publication of the largest comparative study of its kind on immunity to COVID-19 from vaccines and from previous infection. The study, based on 32 million cases, found that both vaccination and a prior infection provided protection against future infection and hospitalization. The study concluded that becoming vaccinated and staying up-to-date with booster doses remains the most effective and only recommended way to gain immunity to COVID-19. More information about the Department's study is available at health.ny.gov.

Bassett Healthcare Network temporarily suspends visitation to inpatient units across all of its hospitals beginning today. Network officials say the community virus spread around Central New York remains high with the Omicron variant, leading to measures to protect the safety and health of its patients and staff. The announcement affects A.O. Fox in Oneonta, Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, Cobleskill Regional Hospital, Little Falls Hospital, and O’Connor Hospital in Delhi, more information is available at bassett.org.

Chenango County Health Department confirmed the 99th COVID-19 attributed death in the County since that pandemic began 2 years ago.  Chenango County reported 722 Active Cases 722, 35% are vaccinated, they have 8 hospitalized, and none of those were vaccinated.  1053 are Quarantined, vaccine information or how to report a positive home test for COVID, can be found at the Chenango County Health Department website.

COVID-19 booster vaccine clinics at the Fox Hospital’s Tri-Town Campus in Sidney will be held today, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, the Vaccinations offered will be the Moderna COVID-19 booster doses, for Patients 18 or older.  Appointments are required at 607-563-7080; more information is available at bassett.org/covid-19.

As the rise of the Omicron variant continues to threaten the safety of our nation’s health care workforce, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is calling on the Biden administration to continue and make permanent the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) emergency COVID-19 protections for health care workers, after OSHA let the temporary requirements to lapse:

(Gillibrand 1-12-22)

Gillibrand said that the safety measures must be re-instated as soon as possible, as more than 120,000 people are hospitalized with COVID-19 nationwide, further straining overworked health care workers and hospitals facing severe staffing shortages.

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 1-12-22

The Chenango County District Attorney's Office reported that Cody Coleman of Smithville Flats, appeared in Chenango County Court on December 20th to accept that plea bargain, for the murder of his 16 year old Girlfriend Amelia Wakefield in May of 2019. The case was scheduled to go to trial in May of 2020, but was delayed by the COVID 19 pandemic. Chenango County District Attorney's office offered a plea deal, the charge was lessened from murder to manslaughter, Coleman is scheduled to be sentenced on February 28th in Chenango County Court.

COVID-19 booster vaccine clinics at the Fox Hospital’s Tri-Town Campus in Sidney will be held this afternoon & tomorrow. Clinic Times will be today, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM & Tomorrow from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, the Vaccinations offered will be the Moderna COVID-19 booster doses, for Patients 18 or older. Appointments are required at 607-563-7080, More information is available at bassett.org/covid-19.

The Otsego County Health Department reported 1 new death from COVID 19 in their latest report, bringing their total to 97 since the pandemic began. Otsego County has 959 active cases, with 92 added Monday, they have 6 hospitalized. Otsego County Health Department also has a feature on their website to report a positive COVID test from a home testing kit.

The Chenango County Health Department added 6 more deaths to their total of COVID 19 deaths today. Last week the health Department team was able to confirm COVID-19 as the contributing cause of death for 6 County, they passed away between November 21st & December 27 of 2021. Currently, Chenango County has 802 active cases, 43% are vaccinated, they report 1180 quarantined, 10 are hospitalized, all of those are unvaccinated. Vaccine sites can be found at the Chenango County Health Department website or at covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced today that all the New Yorkers enrolled in SNAP will receive the maximum allowed of amount of food for January. All the homes that participate in SNAP, including those that already are on the level maximum of benefits, will receive one assignment further by the end of this month, providing approximately $ 230 million in funding federal to the economy of the state. More information is available at mybenefits.ny.gov.

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A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 1-11-22

The State Health Department reported that over 282,000 were tested for COVID Sunday, with over 54,000 positives, for a positivity rate of 19.35%. Over 12,000 are hospitalized, over 1500 are in an ICU unit and almost 800 are on ventilators, there were 135 deaths in hospitals & nursing homes from COVID Sunday.

Bassett Healthcare Network is holding COVID-19 booster vaccine clinics at A.O. Fox Hospital’s Tri-Town Campus in Sidney this Wednesday & Thursday. Patients are asked to arrive at 43 Pearl Street West in Sidney and come in the front doors to the far right in the front of the building. Clinic Times will be Wednesday, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM & Thursday, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, the Vaccinations offered will be the Moderna COVID-19 booster doses, and Patients must be 18 or older. Appointments are required at 607-563-7080, Patients are asked to bring their insurance prescription cards and vaccination cards. More information is available at bassett.org/covid-19.