WCDO Radio News

The Afton Central School District Board of Education has invited 2 candidates to interview for the Superintendent position. A forum for each candidate will be held next week, with the forum with Daniel Erickson; who is the middle school principal in Johnson City, will be November 28th, from 5:30 to 6:30 PM in the Afton Central School auditorium. Timothy McNamara is the principal in the Downsville Central School District; his public forum will be on November 30th from 5:30 to 6:30 PM in the Afton Central School auditorium.

The Village of Bainbridge announced that there would be 2 public hearings in addition to the regular monthly Board meeting. The hearings are for the new Spectrum contract and the resolution for the Restore NY grant application. All residents are encouraged to attend this evening at 6:30 PM at 33 West Main Street.

Chenango County Sheriff's department arrested 65-year-old Edith Butler of Bainbridge for leaving a companion animal inside a vehicle during extreme conditions at a Norwich business. Deputies responded to find 2 dogs locked inside a car with insufficient ventilation for about 90 minutes. The dogs were then removed from the vehicle and appeared to be in good health. Butler was issued an appearance ticket for a later date in the Town of Norwich Court.

Sidney Village Officials announced that Main Street, between Smith Street & Cartwright Avenue would be closed tomorrow to traffic, between the hours of 8:00 AM & 4:00 PM. Crews will be digging trenches in that area for new electric service, as part of the Main Street Revitalization Program. All Main Street businesses will be open their normal Hours Thursday & will be accessible for customers.

The Oneonta Town Board will have a public hearing tonight on proposed revisions to the town's sign ordinance. The hearing will be at the start of the regular monthly meeting in Town Hall, West Oneonta, at 7 p.m.

The Village of Sidney Crews will be paving River Street tomorrow. Paving will be performed from West Road to Winkler Road, motorists are reminded to expect delays.

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting Today in the District Conference Room. The business portion of the meeting will start at 7:00 PM.

33-Year-Old Tory Brown of Columbus was arrested by Chenango County sheriff’s Deputies for unlawful possession of marihuana, criminal possession of a weapon and aggravated unlicensed operation. Brown was charged following a traffic stop in the Village of New Berlin for operating a motor vehicle while having his driving privileges suspended, marijuana and a weapon were located in the vehicle. Brown was arraigned in the Town of New Berlin Court and was remanded to Chenango County Jail on cash bail pending future court action.

Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 46-year-old Kristin Slater of Sherburne for aggravated driving while intoxicated, following an accident in a parking lot of a local business in the Village of Sherburne. Slater is accused of striking 2-parked cars in the parking lot; her BAC was more than three times the legal limit. Slater was arrested and processed without indent and later released on tickets for a return date in the Village of Sherburne Court in October.

The Delaware County Board of Elections announced that Friday October 13th, is the last day to postmark a registration form to vote in the November 7th General Election. Also, October 13th is the last day for the Board of Elections to receive an enrollment change to be effective for 2018. In Delaware County this year, Offices up for Election include Supreme Court Justice, County Sheriff, County Clerk, County Treasurer and many town offices. Officials also stated that the Sidney Center poll site change: Districts 1 & 3 voters will vote at the New Sidney Center Fire Department Building. Registration Forms and Absentee Ballot applications may be downloaded at co.delaware.ny.us/departments/elec/elec.htm or by calling 832-5321

Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 20-year-old Stephen Duvall for criminal possession of stolen property, following the report of a stolen golf cart was being operated in the Village of New Berlin. When Deputies responded a local resident had stopped Duvall & the golf cart by blocking him in with his personal vehicle, the cart had been reported stolen in Otsego County. Duvall was arrested and was turned over to the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office for further investigation; he faces court action in New Berlin Court on October 16th.

On Saturday October 14th Delaware County Public Health and the Village of Sidney Police will be holding a free Car Seat Safety Event at McDonalds in Sidney, from 9AM-12PM. The free event will educate parents and caregivers on proper car seat installation and use. Car seats, which do not meet the Federal Motor Safety Standard, may be replaced. more information is available at Delaware County Public Health at 832-5200.

The Bainbridge Rotary Fall Festival will be held this Saturday, spokesperson Doddy Crissell explains:

(Doddy Crissell 9-28-17)

More information is available at the Bainbridge Rotary Facebook page.

The Tri-Town Theatre will perform “The Fantasticks” at the Sidney High School Auditorium for 3 performances starting tonight at 7:30 PM, followed by Saturday night at 7:30 PM, and a Sunday afternoon show at 2:00 PM. Tickets are available online at brownpapertickets.com, or at Rosa's Pizzeria, Bainbridge and Rainbow's End Consignment, Sidney, at the door.

The Village of Sidney Board of Trustees will hold a special board meeting on Monday, at 7:00 AM in the board room of the Sidney Civic Center. The purpose of this meeting is to approve the grant funding on the Construction of a Full Length Parallel Taxiway for the Sidney Municpal Airport.

Local Assemblyman Cliff Crouch announced his annual fundraising Pig Roast, to be held at General Clinton Park in Bainbridge. The event will be held on Sunday September 17th from 12:00 Noon to 3:00 PM.

State Senator Fred Akshar will join Town of Bainbridge Supervisor Dolores Nabinger and local leaders today to officially open the Bainbridge Salt Shed. The $100,000 project will now provide protection from weather and erosion for winter road salt, Previously, road salt had to be stored on the bare ground and covered only by a tarp. Akshar will also help introduce Bainbridge Free Library & Town Hall Theatre's presentation of Jack and the Beanstalk performed by the Tri Cities Opera,

The American Legion of Bainbridge will hold a Chicken Barbecue Saturday, in front of the Family Dollar Store, North Main Street in Bainbridge, from 1030 AM until all sold out. All proceeds will be used to finance Community programs and services provided by Post 806 in the Bainbridge area.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies arrested 36-year-old Seth Maki of Minnesota, with Criminal Impersonation; he is accused of falsely identifying himself to Deputies at the Delaware County Fair. Maki was arraigned in the Village of Walton Court and was remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility on $500 cash bail.

The Chenango County Department of Public Works will close County Road 38 between Hohreiter Road and Searles Hill Road, in the Towns of Guilford and Bainbridge today, between 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, for a Culvert Replacement project. Motorists are asked to seek alternative routes. More information is available at 337-1710.

The Oneonta City Clerk's office announced 3 meeting for today at City Hall. The Operations, Planning & Evaluation Committee will meet at 4:00 PM, the Finance Committee meets at 5:00 PM and the Zoning & Housing Board of Appeals meets at 7:00 PM. All meetings will be held in the Common Council Chambers & are open to the public.

The Chenango County Department of Public Works will close County Road 38 between Hohreiter Road and Searles Hill Road, in the Towns of Guilford and Bainbridge Monday, between :00 AM to 6:00 PM, for a Culvert Replacement project. Motorists are asked to seek alternative routes. More information is available at 337-1710.

Chenango County Sheriff’s Department arrested 33-year-old Daniel Taylor of Edmeston on an active Arrest Warrant for the charge of 1st degree Assault. Taylor was arrested following an investigation of an assault of a 29-year-old Norwich man on July 27th in the Village of Oxford. Taylor is alleged to have struck the victim in the head several times with a large piece of wood. Taylor was arraigned in the Town of Guilford Court and was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $20,000 cash bail. Taylor is to reappear in the Village of Oxford Court at a later date to answer to his charge.

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting on Today in the District Conference Room. The business portion of the meeting will start at 7:00 PM.

State Police arrested 35 year old Donald Craw of Norwich for criminal possession of narcotic drugs and criminal possession of a controlled substance. Craw was arrested on state Route 8 in the town of Bainbridge at about 3:05 pm. July 5th, he faces court action shortly.

The Sidney Village Board will hold their next regular meeting tonight at 7:00 PM, at the Civic Center. A presentation regarding the Main Street Revitalization project is expected.

Several area fire companies responded this morning to the report of a fire with explosions of hazardous materials, at 178 Howe Lane in Afton off of State Route 41 in Afton. Afton, Bainbridge & Sidney Fire Department responded to the blaze, which was reported at about 11:15 AM, at Pit Stop Auto Repair. The investigation is ongoing.

Governor Cuomo announced that nearly $37 million in grants and interest-free loans have been approved by the State Environmental Facilities Corporation Board of Directors to support drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects across the state. Locally, the Village of Stamford will receive $6.2 million, for the construction of a new water storage tank and control building to replace the Village's old tank, undersized water distribution mains with new mains at several locations throughout the Village.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 24 year old Francisco Rodriguez of Hancock Monday, on charges of Aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, failure to keep right, and unsafe lane change. Deputies say this arrest is a result of a traffic stop on East Front Street in the Village of Hancock. Rodriguez was arraigned in front of Judge Buckley at Hancock Village Court and was remanded to the Delaware County Jail in lieu of $1,000 bail.

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting today in the Guilford Elementary School Cafeteria at 6:30 PM. The business portion of the meeting will start at 7:00 PM.

The Bainbridge Street Art Fest will be held Saturday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 pm along Main Street. Jericho Arts Council Spokesperson Nancy Kitchen explains:

(Nancy Kitchen 4-28-17)

The event features Free food, street musicians, raffles, as well as the Adirondack Canoe Paddle Chairs & Game Tables designed by area artists, that will be featured in Bainbridge prior to an auction on Saturday May 27th during the General Clinton Canoe regatta. More information is available at Jerichoarts.com.

The Oxford Village Tree Board will be holding its 31st annual "Tree City USA" Arbor Day Celebration on Saturday, starting at 9:00 AM at the LaFayette Park bandstand. The Oxford Village Tree Board encourages families and individuals to attend.

The Sidney Shade Tree Commission held their annual Arbor Day Ceremony this morning at the pavilion at Keith Clark Park. Village Spokesman John Redente comments:

(John Redente 4-28-17)

A tree was planted near the playground, in honor of long time Sidney merchant & Shade Tree Commission member, Elwin Van Valkenburgh. Sidney has once again earned the designation as a "Tree City USA".

More than 200 fire departments have signed up for the 7th annual Recruit New York weekend, according to the Firemen's Association of the State of New York. Firehouses across the State will open their doors to the public in an effort to increase membership in the volunteer fire service. Firefighters will be conducting tours of their facilities, demonstrating firefighting techniques, and allowing visitors to try on turnout gear. Participating local fire departments include Harpursville, Bainbridge, Greene, East Meredith, Walton, Unadilla & West Oneonta; the complete list is available at recruitny.org/participation-area.

The State University of New York Board of Trustees today announced the appointment of Kristina Johnson as the 13th chancellor of SUNY, replacing Nancy Zimpher, who will step down as Chancellor in June. Johnson’s appointment is effective September 5 at an annual state salary of $560,000.

The Sidney Village Police Department announced that they would be participating in the National Drug Take Back event this Saturday. Sidney Police Chief Jan Gorshack comments:

(Jan Gorshack 4-27-17)

Chief Gorshack said that the Drug Collection box will continue to be located at the front of the Police Department offices & is available at all times, in order to keep drug from getting into the wrong hands, or even into the water supply.

The American Cancer Society's "Paint the Town Purple Day" is tomorrow, where tri town area Residents & businesses are asked to decorate with purple item, for cancer awareness. Spokesperson heather Brewster explains:

(Heather Brewster 4-27-17)

Brewster said that there is one last meeting on May 1st at 5:30 PM at the SFCU Sidney branch for those who would still like to add a team for the Tri Town Relay For Life Event, on May 6th at General Clinton Park in Bainbridge.

Today, Law Enforcement Officers around the state will participate in Operation Safe Stop Day. During "Safe Stop," police officers are on board school buses and in marked and unmarked patrol units on selected bus routes that have a history of illegal passing complaints. Police issue tickets to drivers who pass stopped school buses. In the last four years, 35 students were hit by motorists passing stopped school buses in New York State.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 43 year old Troya Cunningham of Walton on charges of unlicensed operator, aggravated unlicensed operation, operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration, and endangering the welfare of a child; following a civilian report of a 13 year old child operating a motor vehicle on a public roadway. Cunningham was later released on tickets returnable to Walton Village Court at a later date.

The Bainbridge Village Board will host a special meeting this evening. The meeting will begin at 6:30 in the Village Clerk's office, the board will discuss the 2017-2018 annual budget.

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce will honor the Village of Sidney as their winner of the “BUSINESS ADVOCATE OF YEAR” award. Chamber President Ray Pucci explains:

(Ray Pucci 4-21-17)

The annual Delaware County Chamber dinner will be held on May 17th at 5:30 PM at the Castle on the Delaware in Walton. Tickets can be purchased through Delawarecounty.org or by calling 746-2281.

The Jericho Arts Council will bring back the Feinberg Brothers Bluegrass act to Bainbridge Saturday night, council spokesman Phillip wade comments:

(Phil Wade 4-21-17)

More information about this & future shows can be accessed at jerichoarts.org.

There will be a public meeting on Sunday for Afton Village Residents to discuss the Strategic plan & local Waterfront revitalization grant that the village has received. Representatives from GeoEco Design will answer questions Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the Bolster Community Center on Main Street.

The Guilford Town Board will hold a special meeting Saturday at 12:00 Noon at the Town Hall on Marble road. The board will review website proposals at that meeting, which is open to the public.

The Flood warning is continuing to be issued by the National Weather service for the WCDO listening area through Saturday afternoon. In Sidney, Mayor Andy Matviak told WCDO what is expected after consulting with Sidney High School Science Teacher & Meteorologist Rich Townsend this morning:

(Andy Matviak 4-7-17)

Minor flooding has been reported along the Susquehanna River in Unadilla & Bainbridge locally, as well as in Walton on the Delaware River, and in Sherburne & Greene along the Chenango River. River Gauges can be accessed at WCDORadio.com & click on the River Levels Icon.

The village of Sidney announced that Keith Clark Park Is closed until further notice, and minor flooding in anticipated in the River Street Area from the Fire House to State Route 8. Sidney Mayor Andy Matviak comments:

(Andy Matviak 4-6-17)

Matviak said that those with questions could call the Sidney Fire Department at 561-2313 or 561-2312. Updates will be posted to Village of Sidney website or the Villages Face book Page, river levels can be found at wcdoonline.com & click on the river levels icon.

The Delaware County Tourism Advisory Board will meet this morning at 10am at the County Office Building, 111 Main Street, Delhi. The meeting is open to the public.

The Village of Sidney announced today that Keith Clark Park will be closed until further notice, as a safety precaution. The Susquehanna River is expected to crest Friday, Those who live near the River, or any other waterways in the region can check river levels & predictions at wcdoonline.com, and click on the river levels icon.

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting on Thursday, April 6, 2017 in the District Conference Room at 6:30 PM. The business portion of the meeting will start at 7:00 PM.

The village of Sidney will be putting bids out in the next couple of weeks for the Main Street Project, with an eye on getting the projects under by the end of may or early June, which led to SFCU Officials deciding to cancel this year’s home town day parade. Sidney Mayor Andy Matviak explains:

(Andy Matviak 4-4-17)

SFCU officials announced that they fully plan on running the next Hometown Day Parade in June of 2018.

It's a little more than a month away for this year's Tri Town Relay For Life for the American Cancer society. Spokesperson Heather Brewster comments:

(Heather Brewster 4-4-17)

The event will be held from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM at the General Clinton Park in Bainbridge, to raise money for cancer society research, education & advocacy for cancer patients in the region.

Opioid Overdose training will be held the next 2 nights at the Bainbridge Guilford high school. The training session will begin at 6:00 PM tonight & Wednesday night, all participants will be taught how to administer Naloxone & will receive a free rescue kit. More information is available at 967-6321.

The next General Clinton Canoe Regatta Meeting will be held tonight at the Highway 7 Bar and Grill in Bainbridge at 6:30 PM the Race Committee Meeting will begin, followed at 7:30 PM with the Regular meeting. More information is available at 237-6008.

The Next Tri Town Relay for life event is coming up in May, and an important meeting for team captains is coming up, according to new regional spokesperson Heather Brewster:

(Heather Brewster 3-23-17)

The Tri Town Relay for Life will once again be held in General Clinton Park in Bainbridge; their goal is to raise $70,000 for The American Cancer Society's research, educational programs & assisting cancer patients.

The State Department DOT will hold a public open house meeting today to discuss plans to replace a bridge on State Route 7 in the village of Afton. The open house will be held at the Afton Town Hall, from 5:30 to 7:000 PM today regarding the bridge was built in 1922 and carries State Route 7 over Kelsey Brook. The bridge is safe for continued travel and is regularly inspected. The purpose of the meeting is to share and exchange information with the public regarding the project and its potential impacts, including proposed work zone traffic control options to manage traffic during construction. More information is available at 772-7336.

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting on today, in the District Conference Room at 6:30 PM. The business portion of the meeting will start at 7:00 PM.

Another Opiate Awareness Program will be held this week at the Afton school district in conjunction with Lourdes Hospital & Yes Safe Choices. State Senator Fred Akshar explains:

(Fred Akshar 3-13-17)

Senator Akshar said that he was encouraged that both the Afton & Bainbridge School district are requiring students involved in their athletics programs to be part of the program. Future events are listed at yessafechoices.org/events.

Governor Cuomo announced that the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Board of Directors approved nearly $60 million in grants and interest-free and low-cost loans to support vital drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects across New York State. The Village of Sidney will receive $9.4 million to improve source water quality by developing new wells, and/or providing the existing two wells with a treatment system. Additionally, water mains with poor pressure and frequent breaks will be replaced and meters will be installed on all remaining unmetered services.

The Otsego County Board of Representatives has requested an employee file from Otsego County Sheriff Richard Devlin. The board wants to review potential violations of the county’s workplace violence prevention program & what if any disciplinary actions were taken, regarding the sheriff’s son, Corrections Officer Ross Devlin. Vice Chairman of the County Board of Representatives Ed Frazier of Unadilla told WCDO News that Ross Devlin’s Superiors came to the board:

(Ed Frazier 3-10-17)

Sheriff Devlin told WCDO News what actions he has taken to resolve the issue:

(Richard Devlin 3-10-17)

Ed Frazier also said that during their workplace violence investigation, other information came to light regarding disciplinary procedures and treatment of inmates at the Otsego County Jail.

The Sidney High School and the Tri Town Coalition on Substance Abuse prevention will hold a substance abuse education night on Wednesday march 22nd at 6:00 PM. Community Members, families & students of the Sidney, Bainbridge & Unadilla areas are encouraged to attend; free dinner will be served by the Sidney school. Pre-Registration is encouraged at 561-7707.

The annual Train Show in Binghamton will be held this Saturday. The show is sponsored by Village Train & Hobby of Windsor, owner Jeff Olin comments:

(Jeff Olin 3-10-17)

The show will once again by held at the American Legion on Robinson Street in Binghamton, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM Saturday.

The village of Bainbridge Board of Trustees will hold a budget workshop tonight at the village clerk's office on West Main Street, the workshop begins at 6:30 PM & is open to the public.

Chenango County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on a 2013 Nissan Rogue and the occupant 24 year old Taylor Nelson of Afton. A traffic stop was conducted in Oxford where Nelson was taken into custody; Officers recovered digital scales, packaging material, methamphetamine, and cash. Nelson is accused of selling Crystal Methamphetamine in Chenango County & in the Village of Sidney, he was charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia. He was arraigned in the Town of Bainbridge Court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $20,000 cash bail.

Earlier this week, the Unatego School district Board of Education decided that they would close the Otego Elementary School building prior to the start of school this fall. Superintendent Dr. Dave Richards explains:

(Dave Richards 2-17-17)

Richards said that there are successful instances of schools being repurposed, such as the Sidney Civic Center and the former New Berlin & South New Berlin school buildings.

On Thursday January 19th, Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 35-year-old Brian Bennett of Stamford, on charge of obstructing governmental administration, felony assault, and felony assault on a police officer following a report of an assault in progress at a Restaurant in the Village of Stamford. Deputies allege that Bennett repeatedly struck another person leading to a fractured vertebra, and then kicking a Deputy in the face. Bennett was later arraigned in Stamford Town Court and was remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $10,000 bail.

The Unatego School District Board of Education will be deciding next month on the recommendations from a Facilities study on the district's buildings. Unatego Superintendent Dave Richards explains:

(Dave Richards 1-23-17)

Richards said that the 2 Elementary school buildings are each about 90 years old & would require millions of dollars in renovations, however the need for the extra space is negated by the fact that the district population has decreased by 28% over the last 10 years.

THE UNADILLA CHAMBER of Commerce IS HOSTING THE 4 CHAMBER MIXER at Green's Long River Inn, Unadilla today. The Meeting will begin at 6:30 pm for members of the Unadilla, Sidney, and Bainbridge & Afton Chambers of Commerce.

The Village of Sidney has received close to another 2 million dollars in federal FEMA funds for their projects, thanks to US Senator Charles Schumer, Sidney Mayor Andy Matviak explains:

(Andy Matviak 1-18-17)

Senator Schumer visited Sidney in December 2014, and liked the plans & promised to work on getting the federal funding.

About 100 area residents attended last nights Unatego School district Town Hall meeting with Superintendent Dave Richards, who told WCDO News of the 2 main concerns:

(Dave Richards 1-18-17)

Richards said that the Facilities committee has suggested closing the Otego Elementary School first, and then the Unadilla Elementary School in 4 to 5 years after that, the Unatego Board of Education is expected to vote on the Otego closure next month. Richards said that the district has lost 28% of their student population in the last 10 years, and the 2 buildings are over 90 years old and face millions of dollars in repairs & renovations.

Delaware County Sheriff Deputies responded to a 2-car motor vehicle accident on State Highway 206 in the Town of Walton Monday. 48-year-old Tenzin Pelmo of Ithaca was rear-ended by a vehicle being driven by 37 year old Karyl Rose of Bainbridge. Both drivers were transported to Delaware Valley Hospital for treatment of their injuries. Rose was charged with Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation, unsafe tires and following too closely. Rose was arraigned & was released on her own recognize pending later court action in Town of Walton Court.

Bainbridge-Guilford-Afton-Harpursville Head Wrestling Coach Brandon MacNaught has been named the 2015-2016 New York State Wrestling Coach of the Year. The New York State Public High School Athletic Association recognized MacNaught's work during the 15-16 season, he had the task of working with 3 different school districts for his combined team, yet the Bears are consistently one of the most successful teams in the area. They sent several wrestlers to the state tournament in Albany last year and won several tournaments as a team as well.