WCDO Radio News

State lawmakers are beginning work on segments of next year's state budget this week in Albany. The Governor is scheduled to deliver a joint state of the state & state budget message to a joint session of the legislature in mad January, the budget is due to be passed on April 1st.

The Afton Central School District Board of Education will hold open forums this week for their 2 candidates for Superintendent. Daniel Erickson of the Johnson City school district will have his public forum will be from tonight from 5:30-6:30 pm in the Afton Central School auditorium. Timothy McNamara of the Downsville School District, will be have his public forum Thursday from 5:30-6:30 PM in the Afton Central School auditorium.

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.

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.

A vigil was held at Memorial Park in Binghamton this morning, to remember those killed 8 years ago today at the American Civic Association immigration center on Front Street by Jiverly Wong of Johnson City. 13 people were killed inside the center; Wong eventually turned a gun on himself. It was one of the largest homicides in US history.

The Delaware County Tourism Advisory Board will meet this Friday April 7th at 10:00 am at the County Office Building at 111 Main Street, Delhi. The meeting is open to the public.

Local representatives appeared at the home of Olga Ehret in Johnson City this morning, where Olga discussed the savings on her heating bills after having a free survey performed on her home, through the Home Performance with Energy Star Program. Brad Pacalis of the Public Policy & Education fund said that homeowners need to sign up as soon as possible to take advantage of the savings:

(Brad Pacalis 3-8-17)

Pacalis said that the program will only be available for a limited time, so Southern Tier homeowners should take advantage as soon as possible; the phone number for more information about the program is 723-0110.

The Delaware County Department of Economic Development announced the acceptance of applications under the County’s 3rd-year Agricultural Microenterprise Program, which will make matching grants available up to $30,000 to eligible ag-based businesses. The Department of Economic Development will hold an application workshop, at the County eCenter in Delhi on Thursday, March 16th at 6:00 PM. Applications must be received by Monday, April 10th, more information is available by calling 832-5123.

State Budget hearings wrapped up Friday in Albany, as lawmakers look towards a final plan to submit to the Governor in about 6 weeks, assemblyman Pete Lopez comments:

(Lopez 2-20-17)

Lawmakers are on a break until February 28th, they will then be working on the 152.3 Billion dollar Budget proposal submitted by Governor Cuomo in January, they hope to pass the budget on time by the state of the next fiscal year, on April 1st.

State Police arrested 2 men on drug charges Friday after an attempted traffic stop, & an 8-mile chase from Kirkwood to Reynolds Road in Johnson City. During the pursuit, the operator was observed throwing a plastic bag containing 150 grams of cocaine. Police arrested 37-year-old Anthony Thompson of Johnson City, for Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance, Tampering with Physical Evidence, Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation and numerous Vehicle and Traffic Law. Also police arrested 29-year-old Tyrell Tomlinson of Tarboro, North Carolina for Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance. Both were arraigned and remanded to the Broome County Jail without bail.

State Police responded to a car-pedestrian crash on Gilmore Lane in Norwich. 32-year-old Brandon Jones was driving a pickup when he got into a verbal dispute with his wife, who was a passenger. Police said that the wife exited the vehicle; the truck then struck her, causing serious injuries. She was transported to Wilson Memorial Hospital in Johnson City. Jones was charged with 2nd-degree vehicular assault and DWI, he was arraigned in the Town of Norwich Court and was sent to the Chenango County Jail on $7,500 cash bail or $20,000 bond pending court action on January 24th.

Lawmakers are getting a chance to look over Governor Cuomo's executive Budget proposal, which was released earlier this week, area Assemblyman Pete Lopez comments:

(Lopez 1-20-17)

The budget increases spending by just under 2%, up to 152.3 billion dollars, the legislature will have until April 1st to get a final budget passed.

A Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser will be held Saturday, January 21, 2017 from 4:00-7:00 pm at the Sidney Elks Lodge. Proceeds from the fundraiser will help support a group of Sidney High School students who will be traveling to the Grand Canyon in April. Tickets are available at the door.

State Police reported that 14-year-old Gabriella Broad of Kirkwood has been located, and has returned to her family home, in good health. Broad was reported missing after being dropped off at the Oakdale Mall in Johnson City on January 7th.

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies are getting ready for their inaugural season with the new team name, they will be holding a talent contest later this month for on field activities between innings. Team Spokesman Ed Saunders explains:

(Ed Saunders 1-12-17)

Saunders also said that construction is underway at Nyseg Stadium, for a 2.5 million dollar renovation, which includes a new party deck, as well as underground facilities for the players for training purposes. The season gets underway in April.