WCDO Radio News

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 6-3-26

The Oneonta Fire Department responded to the report of a fire at the new Dietz Street Lofts in Oneonta, at about 2:00 PM this afternoon. mutual aid was requester from fire departments in Otego, West Oneonta, Laurens and Milford, Videos from scene showed flames on the roof of one of the buildings. WCDO News will have more information as it becomes available.

State Police at Troop C responded to the report of a Motorcycle and SUV accident at State 434 in Owego. Troopers & 1st responders attempted life-saving measures but were unsuccessful. The operator of the motorcycle was pronounced deceased, the driver of the SUV was transported to Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City for evaluation and treatment. The investigation remains on-going. The identity of the motorcyclist will be released once notifications are made to next of kin.

Attorney General Letitia James today announced another court victory against the National Rifle Association and former Executive Vice President & CEO Wayne LaPierre, and other top executives, The judgment will require LaPierre to pay $4.3 million back to the organization LaPierre had sought to overturn the 2024 judgment against him filed by James in 2020, the motion was rejected in State Supreme Court. LaPierre was also banned from serving as an officer or director of the NRA or any organization under the NRA's direct control for 10 years.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced a $63.5 million infrastructure project targeting roadways across the Southern Tier and western parts of the state. Locally In Otsego County, a $5.5 million safety initiative will be spent on installing a new sidewalk and drainage system upgrades along State Route 28 in Cooperstown. Transportation officials warn local commuters to prepare for ongoing lane adjustments, reduced speeds, and alternating ramp closures throughout the construction zones.

$6.3 million of the $54 million distributed to SUNY schools are going to Southern Tier universities, SUNY Chancellor John King Jr. announced that $5.8 million of that money will go to Binghamton University while the remaining $500,000 will go toward SUNY Delhi, for student services and research performed by the universities.

New York State DEC announced new and continued investments to address extreme heat, new funding opportunities to create public cooling spaces, and expanded assistance to provide affordable cooling for New Yorkers at home. With heat waves and other extreme heat events more common, DEC is coordinating the implementation of the plan with NYSERDA and other state agencies Information about what the public can do during hot weather and how to?locate cooling centers?can be found at health.ny.gov.

A.M. NEWS Wednesday 6-3-26

CHENANGO COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE arrested 30 year old Jordan Robinson of Smyrna for Harassment, Unlawful Imprisonment, Criminal Mischief and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Deputies responded to a residence in Smyrna for a domestic dispute, where Robinson allegedly subjected the victim to unwanted physical contact, damaged property, and attempted to prevent the victim from calling 911 in the presence of a juvenile. Robinson was Arraigned & was released on an appearance ticket, and an order of protection was issued for the victim. Robinson is to appear in the Town of Smyrna Court at a later date.

Attorney General Letitia James announced the sentencing of former New York State Police Trooper Christopher Baldner of Catskill for causing the death of 11-year-old Monica Goods on December 22, 2020. Baldner was found guilty on the charge of Manslaughter & was sentenced to 2 1/2 to 7 1/2 years in prison. On December 22, 2020 Tristin Goods was driving on the New York State Thruway with his wife and two young daughters, Trooper Baldner was on patrol and stopped the Goods family car for speeding. During the stop, Baldner deployed pepper spray into the interior of the car and Mr. Goods sped away, Baldner rammed his police vehicle into the rear of the Goods family's car twice, it skidded into the guard rail, flipped over, and came to rest upside down. The impact ejected Monica Goods from the car, causing her death.

Broome County Sheriff's Office arrested 26 year old Jazmine Meade of the Town of Dickinson, after a search warrant execution found narcotics & other drug paraphernalia on Monday. Members of the Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task Force executed a search warrant at the Hillside Inn, as well a vehicle associated with Meade, officers seized 34.9 grams of cocaine, Suboxone strips, Narcotics packaging material, Digital scale, Cutting agent, Meade was charged with 2 Counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, 3 Counts of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia, Child Protective Services was contacted for additional investigation.

The deadline has been extended for those in Chenango County to comment on the County Hazard Mitigation plan, Shane Butler of the County Planning Department explains:

(Shane Butler 6-3-26)

The link for the public comment period is at chenangocountyny.gov/416/Hazard-Mitigation-Plan---2026

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 2-3-26

The State DEC announced that on January 28th, in the Town of New Lisbon, Forest Rangers responded for a search for a missing 70-year-old after her husband called to report her missing. Otsego County Sheriff’s Deputies followed her tracks to Butternut Creek, A Forest Ranger Laymon went to County Route 12, where the road crosses the creek, and spotted the missing subject standing in a cornfield. Otsego County Emergency Medical Services transported the patient to Bassett Hospital.

Local government sales tax collections in New York state totaled $24.4 billion in calendar year 2025, an increase of 4.5%, or $1 billion, from 2024, according to a report released today by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. Aggregate county collections outside of New York City grew 4%, or $443 million, in 2025 compared to the previous year. 52 of 57 Counties experienced an increase in collections, Chenango County had the highest growth at 11.8%, followed by Yates, Hamilton and Delaware at 10.7%.

The latest Sienna Institute Polling has Governor Kathy Hochul holding a commanding lead over Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, 54-28%. Among registered Democrats, Hochul has an overwhelming 64-11% lead over Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado. 6 of the Governors proposals received 58-68% support, including eliminating state income tax on the first $25,000 earned in tips, ensuring immigration enforcement targeting those in the country illegally, cannot occur in sensitive locations such as schools, hospitals, & places of worship, increasing childcare funding & providing $30 million in payments to farmers to offset what Hochul calls rising costs due to tariffs (59-17%).

Delaware County District Attorney Shawn Smith announced that 62 year old Amber Sines of Sidney pleaded guilty in the Village of Sidney Court to Driving While Intoxicated, Sines was sentenced yesterday to 60 days in jail to be followed by 3 years of probation supervision, her license was revoked, and she will be required to install an ignition interlock device in any vehicle she owns or operates if she re-obtains the privilege to drive. Sines was arrested last March by State Police after observing a vehicle sitting stationery at the intersection of State Highway 8 and Delaware Avenue in the Village of Sidney, the vehicle had an expired registration and inspection and she failed Standardized Field Sobriety Tests at the scene and was placed into custody.

With the cold weather forecasted for this upcoming weekend, the Friends of Rogers Winter Living Celebration is RESCHEDULED and moving to February 14th from 11AM-3PM. The Rogers Center is located in Sherburne, more information is available at friendsofrogers.org.

A.M. NEWS Tuesday 2-3-26

The DCMO BOCES Board of Education proposed capital building project plan will be voted on today until 8:00 PM, by residents of all of the school districts associated with the Pole Campus in Norwich & the Harrold Campus in Trout Creek, and they will also vote on the purchase of the former Masonville Elementary School to house programs for students. BOCES District Superintendent Michael Rullo told WCDO News of the main reasons for the projects:

(Michael Rullo 11-4-25)

Rullo said that the BOCES buildings are over more than 50 years old, with the most recent renovations approved in 2005. The projects would start in March of 2027 and conclude in 2028, if approved by voters today.

On January 31st, State Police conducted an Underage Drinking Detail in Otsego County, all 14 business were in compliance, NONE of the locations checked sold alcohol to a person under that age of 21. The detailed focused on Otsego County Businesses in Oneonta, Schenevus & Worcester, During these investigations, businesses are checked utilizing a Trooper in plain clothes and one or several underage operatives who cannot lie about their age or provide a false date of birth (if asked).