WCDO Radio News

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 1-15-26

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand co-sponsors a new bipartisan bill to ban congressional stock trading called the Restore Trust in Congress Act today, to step up the law she had passed 10 years ago that members of Congress are not following:

(Gillibrand 1-15-26)

Gillibrand said that 1 in 3 members of Congress traded stocks or other financial assets from 2019-2021, and at least 3,700 of those trades posed potential conflicts of interest with their legislative responsibilities. 86% of those polled believe that the bill must be enacted & followed.

Applications are open for Delaware & Broome County families in need to send their kids, between the ages of 9 and 12 free of charge to the 2026 New York State Sheriff’s Summer Camp. The deadline this year for the initial application is March 1st, children from across the state travel to Keuka Lake in Penn Yan, to attend the Camp free of charge. The program is funded by the New York State Sheriff’s Institute and is designed to provide the full camp experience to children. More information is available at sheriffsinstitute.org.

State Police arrested 64 year old Joseph Wyble of Harpersfield after an urgent rescue of animals in Delaware County. Wyble was charged with 12 counts of Overdriving, torturing and injuring animals; & failure to provide proper sustenance, The arrest stems from an investigation in partnership with the Susquehanna SPCA. One pig, three geese, five cats, three chickens and 8 domestic cats were removed from the residence on Odell Lake Road in Harpersfield. Wyble was issued appearance tickets and is scheduled to appear in the Harpersfield Town Court on January 26, 2026.

Governor Kathy Hochul has signed legislation that prohibits fully cashless businesses in New York State. The bill explicitly rules out retail and food service businesses from going completely cashless, as many places around the country have done. Businesses that violate the new law will face fines designed to fight back against establishments that don’t allow customers to choose their method of payment.

Long time Sidney businessman Bill Thomas passed away Friday at the age of 70, Thomas & his wife Linda ran Sidney Auto Body until 2018, Bill also served on the Masonville Town Board & The Sidney School District Board of Education, calling hours will be Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on at C.H. Landers Funeral Home, 21 Main Street Sidney, A memorial service will be held at the Sidney United Methodist Church, 12 Liberty Street in Sidney, at 11am on Friday.

The State Police are working alongside other state agencies in preparation for the solar eclipse at approximately 3:00 PM today, with a narrow path of totality across Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Watertown, Lake Placid and Plattsburgh. Motorists who must travel in the areas impacted by the eclipse are asked to allow for extra travel time due to expected large volumes of traffic.

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 7-21-23

National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies will be held this weekend in Cooperstown. The festivities start with the Parade of Legends Cooperstown at 6:00 PM Saturday. The parade originates at Lake Street and Chestnut Street, proceeds down Chestnut Street toward Main Street and onto Main Street to the Baseball Hall of Fame. The Parade of Legends will feature more than 4 dozen returning Hall of Famers as well as Class of 2023 members Fred McGriff and Scott Rolen. The Induction Weekend will conclude with the inductions of McGriff and Rolen Sunday at 1:30 at the Clark Sports Center.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand introduced the bipartisan Ban Stock Trading for Government Officials Act, so that the American voters know that their elected leaders are putting the public first & not using their power to line their own pockets:

(Senator Gillibrand 7-21-23)

The bill is sponsored in the US House of Representatives by Republican Josh Hawley, it follows a study that showed that 1 in 3 Members of Congress traded stocks from 2019 to 2021, 1 in 7 violated the STOCK Act of 2012 by failing to properly report their stock trades & that 17.5% was Average amount by which members of Congress’ stock portfolios outperformed the S&P 500 in 2022.

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 2-17-23

A Group of Sidney residents & businesses are teaming up for a fundraiser Saturday at 6:30 at Keith Clark Park for the family of Anielle "AK" McEwan-Lomnicki, who was severely injured when she was hit by a vehicle while walking home from school Wednesday afternoon. Kim Ayres is one of the organizers, she told WCDO News how the money will be raised:

(Kim Ayres 2-17-23)

Ayres also said that the Polar Bear Jump at Good year Lake will be held tomorrow and a portion of those funds raised will also go to AK's family. Also, At the MAC basketball championship games tonight at UV they will be taking up a collection for the Sidney student who was hit by a car earlier this week. Anielle McEwan-Lomnicki. BG Boys play Delhi at 5 and Unatego Girls take on Greene at 7:30.

See New York's premiere Billy Joel Tribute Band, The Downtown Men, in the Martin W. Kappel Theater Saturday, February 18, 2023. Doors open at 6:30, show starts at 7, tickets are available at ChenangoArts.org, by calling 607-336-2787, or at the door.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand laid out some of her priorities in the Senate, as the negotiations continue for the next 5 year farm bill, which she said will address rising concerns about inflationary food prices, supply chain issues & millions GOING Without sufficient food:

(Gillibrand 2-16-23)

Gillibrand said that the last Farm Bill came in 2018 before the pandemic, which has added or changed many of the provisions from previous Farm bills out of necessity due to new problems that the pandemic created or expanded.

US Senator Chuck Schumer announced Thursday that a federal bill designed to bolster semiconductor manufacturing passed in the House of Representatives after passing in the U.S. Senate Wednesday. The bill would allow the United States to better compete with international rivals & keep technology jobs in America, the . Schumer said that the White Pine and the Marcy nano center In New York, should greatly benefit after President Biden signs the bill.

The State DEC announced that the beach at Glimmerglass State Park on Otsego Lake has been closed for swimming due to a Harmful Algae Bloom. DEC officials said that other beaches on the lake at 3 Mile Point, and Fairy Springs remain open, but are being monitored.

North Country Comedy returns to Sidney This weekend with 3 comedians Saturday Night at the American Legion on Union Street. A Prime Rib Dinner is being offered before the show, tickets for Andy McDermott, Bill Lake & Cody Montayne are available at northcountrycomedy.com.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 4-8-22

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced an agreement on a budget in the Fiscal Year 2023. The State's reserves will increase to 15% of State Operating Funds by 2025, the budget will include Tax relief for middle-class New Yorkers and small businesses; it will suspending fuel taxes, authorize the sale of to-go alcoholic beverages; & included investments in pandemic recovery funding, infrastructure & a record investment in clean energy. The total budget is currently estimated at approximately $220 billion.

State Police announced the line of duty death of Trooper James Monda. On Sunday, Trooper Monda was working a marine detail on the Great Sacandaga Lake, he went into the water and did not resurface, and he was located & was transported to an area Hospital where he later died. Trooper Monda entered the State Police in September 2002 and served for 18 years & is survived by his fiancée, mother and father.

The Otsego County Department of Health reported that 1 person died from COVID 19 on Saturday, they reported 83 active cases with 14 hospitalizations and 14 new cases as of yesterday. The Otsego County Department of Health encourages those who have not yet been vaccinated to get vaccinated as it is able to prevent hospitalization and death.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 8-24-21

Delaware County Sheriff's Office announced that a Latham woman was arrested after striking and injuring Walton Police Officer Morgan Seamons while he was engaged in directing traffic on Friday night. Delaware County Sheriff Craig DuMond explains:

(Dumond 1)

Deputies charged 54 year-old Gwyn Trask of Latham with DWI, Driving a vehicle with a BAC of .08% or higher, Failure to comply with a Police Officer & operating a vehicle with an open container, Officer Seamons was transported to Wilson Hospital in Johnson City with non-life-threatening injuries. Sheriff Dumond added that, due to the Bail Reform laws, deputies had to release Trask:

(Dumond 2)

Sheriff DuMond said that the investigation is on-going and more charges are anticipated.

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies announced the inductees for the Binghamton Baseball Shrine Induction Ceremony that will take place the evening of Saturday, September 4th at Mirabito Stadium ahead of the Rumble Ponies game against Richmond. This year’s inductees are former Binghamton players David Wright, Jay Payton & Preston Wilson, who went on to Major League Careers and former Binghamton Mets General Manager Bill Terlecky.

The Chenango River Theater will be back with live performances shortly, at the facility in Greene, Spokesman Bill Lelbach comments:

(Bill Lelbach 8-2-21)

Tickets for "Ben Butler" or "The Craftsman" are available at chenangorivertheatre.org.

State Troopers and other first responders were dispatched to Canadarago Lake for a man that went into the water and did not resurface.  Members of the State Police, the Otsego County Sheriff’s Department, State Park Police, and others responded to the scene Saturday, An investigation revealed that 54-year-old David Morrissey of Mohawk went into the lake after he saw his boat drifting away, he did not resurface.  Morrissey was recovered from the lake several hours later by the New York State Police Underwater Recovery Team.

Police are looking for a 93 year old Rockland County man with dementia, who may be driving in the local region.  Joseph Buffamento is described as a white man, 5'5" about 135 pounds, with gray hair, Brown eyes, driving a 2002 Toyota Rav 4 with license plate number 556823, he was last seen driving on Oquaga Lake Road at about 7:30 PM last night.  Anyone with information is asked to call 911.  (Buffamento was located safely at home Friday morning)

State Senator Jim Seward announced Senate passage of legislation to assist a retired teacher from Otsego County who was being forced to repay the State Teachers Retirement System nearly $64,000 due to multiple accounting errors.  Katherine Sweeney retired from teaching from the Richfield Springs school district in 2004, in 2018 & again in 2019 she was informed that she was overcompensated & had to reimburse the State Retirement System.  Sweeney contacted Senator Seward, the issue was corrected, legislation passed both houses & the bill will now go to the governor for final approval.

The Chenango County Department of Public Works will close
County Road 29, between the Bryant / Dilly Hill Road Intersection and Lake
Road, in the Town of New Berlin tomorrow, for the replacement of a large
culvert.  The road is expected to be
closed for 1 to 2 days, the traveling public shall be asked to seek alternative
routes. Local traffic shall be allowed to and from their homes.  More information is available at 337-1710.

The Unadilla Chamber of Commerce will hold a Special Meeting
at 5:30 PM, at the Bill Bauer Community Center.
The Purpose of the meeting is to update the Chamber & Steering
Committee Members regarding the Village beautiful Market & other event
items.

Governor Cuomo has signed the “Revenge Porn” bill into law,
making it a misdemeanor  offense.  The law will defines "revenge porn"
as the unlawful dissemination or publication of an intimate image, with the
intent to cause harm to the emotional, financial, or physical welfare of
another person and when the image was taken with a reasonable expectation that
it would remain private. It was also allow victims of "revenge porn"
to seek civil recourse for the damages. Those convicted could face penalties up
to a year in jail.

Several Otsego County Fire departments responded shortly
before 12:00 noon today for a structure fire at the intersection of Hathaway
Road & Beaver Lake Lane in the town of Laurens.  Fire fighters from Laurens, West Laurens, and
Mount Vision responded,   WCDO News will
have more information as it becomes available.

Town of Vernon Code Officials in
Oneida County rejected the promoters of Woodstock 50’s 3rd application for a
permit to hold the 3 day concert at Vernon Downs.   Officials said that the  Application was filed after 120 day deadline
passed, & that the Public Health, Safety, Traffic, Parking & Security
concerns for an event that size were not properly addressed.  The event is supposed to be held from August
16 through August 18, on the 50th anniversary of the original festival in
Bethel, it was rejected previously in Watkins Glen, before the latest rejection
in Vernon.

Governor Cuomo today signed legislation banning the
performance of declawing procedures on cats, making New York the first state to
prohibit the practice. Declawing involves the removal of all or most of the
last bone of each of the toes of the front feet, and tendons, nerves and
ligaments that allow for normal function of the paw are severed, resulting in
pain and other serious medical or behavioral issues. The bill takes effect
immediately.

The State Senate passed a bill that eliminates the criminal
penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana, but fines may still be
applied up to $50 for 1 ounce or less, or $200 for between 1 & 2
ounces.  The State Assembly voted to pass
the measure early this morning; Governor Cuomo is expected to sign it.  Lawmakers could not get enough votes to make
recreational marijuana legal.

Delaware County Sheriff Craig Dumond & the Delhi Fire
Department awarded local teenager Kayleigh Verspoor with The County Sheriff's
Department "Super Star" Award and the Delhi Fire Department's plaque
of recognition. On Sunday, May 26th, Verspoor rescued 2 canoeists who had
tipped over in Delta Lake in Rome while working as a counselor at Haven Camp
for disabled adults.

New York is poised to make undetectable guns, including
3D-printed guns, illegal in New York.
The bill passed the Senate earlier this month and breezed through the
Democratic-led Assembly on Monday. Now it will head to Governor Cuomo's desk
for his review, he is expected to sign it into law.  The measure would ban the manufacture, sale,
transport and possession of undetectable firearms, in order to crack down on
gun violence.

A trailer at the Shady Acres Mobile home Park near Goodyear
Lake, was destroyed by fire, No one was home when the fire broke out, one
firefighter suffered a cut, Firefighters from Milford, Oneonta, Hartwick,
Hartwick Seminary & several other fire companies responded

The State Budget is expected to get wrapped up quickly as
the Budget deadline is midnight on Monday.
Among the items expected to make it into the final budget plan, the
permanent installation of a 2% Property tax Cap, a ban on plastic grocery bags,
Items that have been removed from the Budget plan, the expansion of the bottle
bill, recreational marijuana & the governors plans to cut the Aid to
Municipalities.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will hold a public meeting
on April 3 to review, submit feedback and comment on the draft East Sidney Lake
Master Plan and draft Environmental Assessment.
The meeting will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Sidney Town Clerk
Building, at 44 Grand St., Sidney, the meeting will include an open house
discussion with project team members from 6 to 7 p.m. A formal project
presentation and question and answer session will begin at 7 p.m. followed by
another open house discussion from 8 to 9 p.m.
All updates regarding the Master Plan revision, public meeting
information and ways to submit comments or questions may be found at
nab.usace.army.mil/ESL-Master-Plan-Revision/

State Police have released the identity of a toddler who died after being found in Goodyear Lake as 3 year-old Andrew Durkin. State Police, Otsego County Sheriff's Department & Milford Fire & EMS were called in following the report of a missing child from Bob Wilson Road in the Town of Milford Sunday shortly before 3:00 PM. State Police reported today that the Andrew Durkin wandered off as his & another family were cleaning up following a meal, the Underwater Recovery Team found the about 90 minutes later underwater near a dock on Goodyear Lake. Emergency Crews attempted to resuscitate Durkin, he was transported him to Fox Hospital in Oneonta, where he was pronounced deceased. The drowning death of the boy has been ruled as accidental.

Comedian & Actor Bill Murray will be performing at Glimmerglass on State Route 80 in Cooperstown tomorrow night. Murray will appear Tuesday night in a 1-night only program of chamber music and literature with cellist Jan Vogler, pianist Vanessa Perez, and violinist Mira Wang. Tickets & more information are available at glimmerglass.org.

Dutchess County Executive & leading Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Marcus Molinaro released his 2017 tax returns over the weekend. Molinaro & his wife earned $174,048 last year, most of it as the Dutchess County executive, and from a rental property. Currently he is the only remaining Republican looking to challenge Andrew Cuomo for Governor this year. Democratic candidate; actress cynthia Nixon released her tax returns Friday, she earned about 1.5 Million dollars last year, through investments & acting & royalties, she gave $53,000 to various charities. Governor Cuomo's returns showed that he had $212,000 in income and a combined tax bill of $55,000 in 2017; He gave $11,000 in charitable contributions.

Republican Annie Rabbitt announced her campaign for the 42nd State Senate District today, seeking to replace the retiring John Bonacic. Rabbitt has served as County Clerk of Orange County, also in the New York State Assembly, on the Warwick Town Board, Greenwood Lake Village Board and as President of the Greenwood Lake Chamber of Commerce.

State police are reporting a new telephone scam, where the caller will ask “Can You Hear Me” and if you respond “yes”, they will record your response & then use your recorded voice & place unauthorized charged against your credit card or utility company accounts. State police said that the best response is to say nothing & hang up, they also advise that if you have already fallen for this scam, check your credit card account & utility bills carefully for extra charges that scammers may have added to your bill, then follow the normal procedures to dispute the extra charges.

The 22nd annual Polar Bear Jump will be held at Goodyear Lake Saturday. Each year, funds are raised through pledges by jumping into the frigid waters; they will also raise funds with the Polar Bear Auction with donations from numerous local businesses and organizations. All proceeds are used to support local children and families with medical issues and the community organizations that support them.

Governor Cuomo announced that the first of several free fishing events in New York State for 2017 would take place this weekend. New York residents and non-residents are permitted to fish for free without a fishing license at any of the state's 7,500 lakes and ponds or 70,000 miles of rivers and streams. Cuomo has also designated June 24-25, September 23 (National Hunting and Fishing Day), and November 11 (Veterans Day) as free fishing days.

The New York State Assembly Minority Task Force on Protecting the Rights of People with Developmental Disabilities conducted 11 informational forums and issued a series of recommendations in a report published today. Local Assemblyman Cliff Crouch participated:

(Crouch 2-9-17)

Among the recommendations, Enacting a Bill of Rights for individuals with developmental disabilities, Requiring the Department of Labor and the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities to conduct a wage study for direct care workers; Establishing a service learning or internship program for students interested in working with individuals with developmental disabilities; Amending tuition rates for Special Act School Districts; and Directing the Commissioner of Transportation to conduct a statewide study and review of the transportation of individuals with developmental disabilities. More information on the task force is available through the Assembly Minority Office of Public Affairs at 518-455-5073.

On February 18th, the 22nd annual Polar Bear Jump will be held at Goodyear Lake. This year, they will raise funds through pledges by jumping into the frigid waters; they will also raise funds with the Polar Bear Auction with donations from numerous local businesses and organizations. All proceeds are used to support local children and families with medical issues and the community organizations that support them.

The New York State Legislature will again consider legislation that would authorize people with terminal illnesses to request life-ending drugs from a physician. The bill was introduced Monday, it would require 2 physicians to certify the patient's illness is terminal. Physicians could refuse to agree to the request for any reason. The bill passed an Assembly committee last year but didn't get a full floor vote & it is expected to be rigorously challenged again this year. Colorado, Washington, Vermont, California and Oregon already have similar laws on the books.

State Police responded to a report of a 1-vehicle crash on County Road 2 near Echo Lake Road in the Town of Greene, where the driver had fled the scene on foot into the woods. The driver was identified as 23-year-old Alexander Drost of Greene. A man had knocked on the door to a home nearby asking for help, Drost was found hiding in a large backhoe. He was arrested for DWI, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation and several traffic violations & was arraigned and remanded to the Chenango county Jail on $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 property bond.

The Tri county area is expecting lake effect snowstorm with varying amounts of snow. Sidney Meteorologist Rich Townsend explains:

(Rich Townshend 12-8-16)

Townsend predicts that we will have a much more active winter this year.

Governor Cuomo announced the Department of Financial Services has published a Consumer Bill of Rights for New Yorkers facing foreclosure. Additionally, The Department has finalized a regulation protecting communities from the blight of "zombie properties" by requiring banks and mortgage servicers to report and maintain vacant and abandoned properties. Both actions follow legislation the Governor signed in June that curbs the threat "zombie properties" pose to communities by expediting foreclosure proceedings.

Governor Cuomo signed a bill into law that will require telemarketers to use accurate caller identification information. The bill is expected to eliminate unwanted calls in which caller id information on the customers phone does not display the telemarketers company or correct phone number. Complaints can be filed with the FTC at 1-888-382-1222.

December in upstate New York is likely to be warmer than normal, but it's not likely to break last December's warmth & lack of precipitation. Forecasters believe that Lake effect Snow will fall, and a big storm could hit in the coming weeks, but they expect that temperatures will still be 1 to 1.5 degrees above usual December numbers.

Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed a bill that authorizes 16 and 17-year-olds to make organ donations upon their death. The legislation includes appropriate safeguards that enable parents or legal guardians to rescind the decision if the minor dies before age 18. Current law provides that the minimum age to make an anatomical gift in New York State is 18.

Otsego County Conservation Association will be holding a highway cleanup along State Route 80 tomorrow from 9:00 to 11:00 AM. The cleanup is part of New York State’s Adopt-A-Highway program, Volunteers will meet at OCCA’s office at Mohican Farm, at the corner of Route 80 and Allen Lake Road, and will collect trash along a two-mile stretch of the road. Bags, water, and safety equipment are provided. Participants should wear long pants and sturdy shoes, and bring sunscreen. More information is available at 547-4488,

The State DEC unveiled new regulations concerning deer and bear hunting, to increase opportunities for junior hunters to take bears, rescind an antlerless-only rule from 2015 in portions of southeastern New York and the Lake Plains, reduce antlerless harvests in two management units in the western Adirondacks, and clarify when special season tags may be used by bow and muzzleloader hunters. The new bear hunting regulation now includes the taking of bears in the youth firearms hunt over Columbus Day weekend that was previously a deer-only event.

Governor Cuomo today signed legislation to legalize interactive fantasy sports in New York State. The bill requires that fantasy sports companies must register with, and operate under regulations issued by, the State Gaming Commission. the legislation will generate approximately $4 million in revenue to fund state education aid. The legislation also takes steps to institute consumer protections for players for the first time, some of which include offering introductory procedures to new players, identifying highly experienced players, prohibiting the participation of minors and protecting players' funds upon deposit.

State Police Superintendent Joseph D'Amico discussed a new App that will be an extension of the "See Something, Say Something" campaign, launched after 9/11:

(DAmico 11-23-15)

D'Amico said that the App is free to download, the news of the App follows a week of law enforcement meetings in Lake George regarding the latest terrorist attack in Paris France. D'Amico added that there was no current credible terroristic threat to New York State.

State Senator Jim Seward announced that legislation he sponsored establishing the Catskill Mountains Scenic Byway has been signed into law by Governor Cuomo. The bill adds portions of New York State Routes 28, 42, and 214 in Delaware and Ulster counties to the New York State Scenic Byways System. The Catskill Mountains Scenic Byway will be comprised of 65 miles primarily along New York State Route 28.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli reported that Total state receipts through the first 7 months of the fiscal year totaled just under $85 billion, $181.8 million lower than the Division of the Budget’s latest projections but $1.9 billion higher than April projections. The General Fund ended October with a balance of $11.4 billion, largely due to financial settlements. Year-to-date tax collections were $5.4 million over the latest projections and nearly $1.7 billion over initial projections from the Enacted State Budget.

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer plans to renew the push for a bill that would no longer allow people on airlines' no-fly lists to purchase guns in the United States. The bill Schumer is backing was originally proposed by former President George W. Bush in 2007 & would close the so-called "terror gap." Under current federal law, suspected or known terrorists who are on a no-fly list can legally purchase firearms and explosives in the U.S.

Next week, several locations in the Delaware County area will serve as collection sites for "Operation Christmas Child". The annual project consists of filling shoeboxes with toys, school supplies and notes of encouragement.   Local Collection Sites will include the Sidney 1st Baptist Church, The New Hope Community Church in Walton, & the Stamford Baptist Church 40 Lake Street. More information is available at samaritanspurse.org.

Detectives and missing-persons bureaus would have an easier time updating the national database on missing children under legislation that could pass the US Senate shortly. The bill would reauthorize the 1974 Runaway and Homeless Youth & Trafficking Prevention Act, it would allow local law enforcement to update records in the National Crime Information Center without getting prior approval from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children or the originating agency. 10,312 children were reported missing in 2013 in upstate New York and the Hudson Valley, and 1,269 of those cases were still active at the end of last year.

School groups said an additional $1.9 billion is needed to fund education in the fiscal year that starts April 1st. The groups said the nearly 9% increase in state aid would help schools maintain services and fund new initiatives. New York spends the most per capita in the nation on schools, at $19,076 per student, and puts more than $22 billion a year into education, including a 5% increase in the current fiscal year. About $1 billion has been withheld in recent years through the “Gap Elimination Adjustment” .

State Police arrested 21-year-old Logan Coss of Roxbury for 2nd degree burglary following a report of missing money from a residence on Lake Street in Roxbury. An investigation determined Coss had entered the residence and stole $230 cash. He was arraigned in Town of Roxbury Court and sent to the Delaware County Jail on $1,000 cash bail. Coss is due back in court October 20.

Governor Cuomo signed a bill to designate yogurt as the official New York snack. Cuomo approved the legislation on the day of the state's second Yogurt Summit, a public forum at Cornell University in Ithaca on issues facing dairy producers.

Otsego County Sheriff, The state DEA, the Otsego County DA's office, & Oneonta Police arrested 22-year-old Nicholas Michael Torres of Mohegan Lake, following a 4-year investigation into heroin and oxycodone powder trafficking in and around Otsego County.  Torres allegedly distributed narcotics that were stolen from Covidien Pharmaceuticals in Hobart plant, he was taken into custody in Carmel, he was arraigned and was remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $25,000 bail returnable in the Town of Oneonta Court on August 21st

The state Education Department has produced a preliminary parents bill of rights on the use and security of student data. Lawmakers in April required the bill of rights, the appointment of a chief privacy officer and other changes to protect student data, after there was a statewide backlash against the Education Department's plans, to share identifiable student data with inBloom. The law forced New York to pull out of the inBloom project, which closed shortly thereafter.

New York will consider whether to bid on the 2024 Olympics. Talks between Governor Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio will continue about whether to bid for the summer games and create an advisory committee.  The U.S. Olympic Committee is expected to narrow cities for a 2024 bid in the coming months and make a decision by year’s end. New York bid but lost the 2012 Olympics to London.

Nearly 100 New York lakes have issues with occasional algae blooms, according to U.S, Senator Chuck Schumer, who is  calling on the EPA to set standards for toxins in lakes so the state can become eligible for federal help in combating blue green algae.  Lakes in the Tri County region with blue green algae were Chenango & Echo Lake in Chenango County, plus Somerset & Titus Lakes in Delaware County.  Schumer said more than a dozen countries test drinking water for toxins, but the EPA does not.

The state Senate passed legislation to increase the criminal penalties of some methamphetamine-related crimes. The bill passed by a vote of 55 to 4, if enacted; it would toughen criminal penalties for possessing meth-making materials and for making meth. The same bill passed the senate last year, but failed to pass in the Assembly.

The State Senate passed legislation that would prohibit registered sex offenders from driving a school or passenger bus. Under the bill, the Department of Motor Vehicles would be barred from issuing, or renewing a commercial driver’s license, to operate a bus to people who are required to register as a sex offender. The bill has been sent to the Assembly.

New York environmental officials are looking for citizen scientists to help them assess water quality. The state DEC is recruiting volunteers to help with assessments of Lake Ontario and the Niagara, Genesee, Delaware, Hudson and Mohawk River watersheds. Data from the Water Assessments by Volunteer Evaluators project enhances the work of state scientists creating an inventory of water quality. Volunteer monitors visit stream sites once a year in the warmer months to collect samples. Training sessions are being held around upstate areas in May and June. More information is available at dec.ny.gov.