WCDO Radio News

Today's wintry mix of weather may wind up being less than originally anticipated, as far as final amounts of snow accumulations, Sidney Science Teacher & Meteorologist Rich Townsend comments:

(Rich Townsend 2-7-18)

Area Schools & Universities were closed today, schedules are expected to be back to normal tomorrow. Law Enforcement Agencies remind area motorists that roads are open, but conditions remain slippery throughout the WCDO Listening area, & many accidents have been reported, Motorists are urged to travel with extreme caution.

Bassett Healthcare Network announced that they will participate in Drug Take-Back Program, collecting leftover pharmaceuticals from the public free of charge through July. Locally, O’Connor Hospital in Delhi and Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown are participating in this pilot program developed by the Product Stewardship Institute and the New York Product Stewardship Council. FoxCare Pharmacy in Oneonta will also begin collecting unused medications free of charge.

City of Norwich Police arrested 40-year-old Jay Perce for Unlawful Manufacture of Methamphetamines, Criminal Possession of Precursors of Meth, and Unlawful Disposal of Meth Laboratory Materials. Perce is accused of manufacturing illegal Methamphetamines using the 1 pot method; he was arraigned at Norwich City Court and sent Chenango County Jail without bail.

27-year-old Anderson Lee is now facing 40 counts of unlawful surveillance, for allegedly spying on co-workers at Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown with hidden cameras. Lee is being held in the Otsego County Jail on $100,000 cash bail or $200,000 bond pending future court action.

Voters in the Gilbertsville Mount Upton District passed 2 propositions Tuesday. Voters approved of a measure to purchase a full sized school bus, and for a plan to set up a capital reserve fund for future vehicle purchase.

State Police arrested 45 year old John Shapley from Afton, for 3rd degree Assault, after troopers responded to a Chenango County 911 report of a dispute at a home on Oak Hill Road in Afton. Shapley is accused of choking a man & grabbing his hair, which caused an injury. Shapley was arraigned in the town of Bainbridge Court and was released on his own recognizance. An order of protection was issued against him on behalf of the victim. Shapley’s next court date in the town of Afton is on February 19, 2018.

Governor Cuomo announced a 30-day budget amendment to add 36 different chemical compositions associated with Synthetic Marijuana, to the state's controlled substances list. The 36 compounds are already listed on the federal schedule of controlled substances but are only banned in certain New York State counties. Synthetic marijuana is marketed as K2, Spice, and AK-47, They contain plant material coated by chemicals, which are supposed to mimic the effects of naturally grown marijuana, making them both extremely unpredictable and potentially fatal.

State Police arrested 25 year old Nicholas Whitney of Windsor, for Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and 20 year old Monica Whitney of Windsor, for Criminal Mischief. The arrests occurred after troopers responded to a Broome County 911 report of a dispute in Windsor, Both suspects were issued tickets to appear in the town of Windsor Court on February 14.

The Sidney Chamber of Commerce will hold their next meeting this morning at Trackside Dining, the meeting will begin at 7:45 AM.

State Police arrested 46 year old William Bateman of Edmeston, for 7 counts of 2nd degree Rape 2nd degree, 6 counts of Criminal Sexual Act, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, after troopers were advised of an incident in Otsego County. Bateman is accused of having sexual contact with a child less than 15 years old; he was arraigned in the town of Otsego Court and was released on his own recognizance. An order of protection was issued on behalf of the victim. Bateman’s next court date is on January 17th.

Area Citizens are being reminded to be aware of the latest scams that are being perpetrated by phone, emails or even in person. Sidney Police Chief Jan Gorshack explains:

(Jan Gorshack 1-11-18)

Gorshack said that if anyone has any questions regarding the latest scams, they can contact the Sidney police Department at 561-2301.

New York State Department of Health officials urged New Yorkers 6 months of age and over who have not yet received a flu shot to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Over the past week, cases of influenza rose by 37%, and new cases of influenza were reported in 61 of 62 counties & the first influenza-associated pediatric death was confirmed by the state's public health laboratory. As of January 6th, 11,280 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza have been reported and 3,606 people have been hospitalized with influenza in New York State. Adults aged 65 years and older, people with certain chronic medical conditions, young children and pregnant women are among those at highest risk for serious flu complications, which may require hospitalization and could result in death.

The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance today announced that the income tax filing season officially kicks off on Monday, January 29. 9.5 million New York taxpayers e-filed in 2017. Taxpayers with incomes of $66,000 or less are eligible to electronically prepare and file both their federal and NYS returns under the Free File program. More information is available at tax.ny.gov.

Governor Cuomo today announced a new record for the number of people arrested in 2017 attempting to use fake identification to buy alcoholic beverages under the legal drinking age. As part of the state's year-round Operation Prevent initiative, investigators from the Department of Motor Vehicles and the State Liquor Authority work with state and local law enforcement agencies to conduct underage drinking and fake ID sweeps at bars, restaurants, concert venues, and alcohol retailers across New York State. In the Southern Tier there were 45 arrests for selling alcohol to minors last year.

The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce will once again hold the Annual Bruce Haak Memorial Sleigh Rally in General Clinton Park later this month. Event organizer Phil Canonaco comments:

(Phil Canonaco 1-11-18)

The Sleigh rally will be held weather there is snow or not on Saturday January 27th from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at General Clinton Park in Bainbridge, donations will be accepted on behalf of the Delaware Valley Humane Society.

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting today, in the Guilford Elementary school at 6:30 PM. The business portion of the meeting will start at 7:00 PM with a PUBLIC HEARING on the Smart Schools Investment Plan.