WCDO Radio News

Today is the 2nd day of the trial of 64-year-old Ramadan Abdullah of Johnson City, in Broome County Court. Abdullah is accused of stockpiling weapons in various locations in Broome County; he was indicted for 15 counts of criminal possession of a weapon following his arrest in June

State Police responded to a report of 3 people attempting to burglarize a home in the Town of Union. Responding troopers observed the reported vehicle & conducted a traffic stop. Police arrested 20 year old Alfred Irish of Endicott, 20 year old Anthony Bennett of Apalachin and 20 year old Vincent Pitts of Vestal, were arrested on Burglary Charges, they were arraigned in the Town of Union Court and remanded to the Broome County Jail with no bail set. Their next court dates are pending.

Today, Hartwick College will host the 5th Annual Hartwick Hawks’ Night Fever, a pep rally for the entire College community, in Lambros Arena, Binder Physical Education Center, on the College campus. The event starts at 9 p.m., and is free and open to the community

Governor Cuomo announced more than $220 million in federal grants that will support counter terrorism and emergency preparedness activities in counties across New York State. The funding supports regional preparedness efforts, including planning, organization, and training activities that are critical to sustaining and improving community prevention, protection, response, and recovery capabilities. Locally Broome County received $364,894, Chenango County $109,968, Delaware County $99,971 & Otsego County $109,968

State Police arrested 24-year-old Adam Gager of Windsor on 7 counts of Falsifying Business Records. Police were advised of a theft of over $800 from the Mirabito gas station on Old Route 17 in the town of Windsor, Gager was an employee, He is accused of deleting items from the store sales records and using the money to purchase lottery tickets. Gager was arraigned in the town of Windsor court and was remanded to the Broome County Jail in lieu of $2,000 cash bail or $4,000 property bond.

Hartwick College will celebrate the 40th Anniversary of its men’s soccer team’s NCAA Division 1 National Championship this weekend. In December 1977, Hartwick College stunned the collegiate soccer world by defeating the defending champion and heavily favored San Francisco 2-1 in Berkeley, California, The festivities will begin Saturday at 6:00 PM at the Lambros Arena, at Hartwick College. Tickets are available to the general public for $40 at hartwickalumni.org or at 431-4064.

On Sunday, the Democratic Committee of Delaware County is hosting their 2nd Community Barbecue. The event will be held at the Hamden Town Hall Pavilion from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Town Hall is located at 37029 State Highway 10, Hamden, NY 13782. 8 candidates running for the 19th Congressional District in the 2018 elections have been invited to participate. More information is available at dcnydems.org.

Governor Cuomo announced that 26 state-approved Child Advocacy Centers will share more than $4 million to enhance services provided to children who are victims of crime. The centers are located across New York State and will use the funding to offset the cost of purchasing and installing video recording equipment, as well as hiring specially trained staff to interview young victims of sexual and physical abuse. In the Southern Tier, funding was designated to the Crime Victims Assistance Center for two centers, one in Broome County, one in Chenango County, totaling $118,097

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Business Links Golf Tournament on Tuesday, September 12 at the Delhi College Golf Course, with a 1:00 PM shotgun start. Captain and crew four-person entry fees are $300 per team. Fee includes cart and green fees, dinner, unlimited range balls and invaluable networking. Registration or more information is available at delawarecounty.org or 746-2281.

Free concert Tuesday will be held at General Clinton Park tonight, sponsored by Bainbridge Community Foundation. Woodshed Prophets will perform at 6:30, the concert is made possible by donations from several local businesses. If it rains it will be held in pavilion.

Sidney, Unadilla & Masonville fire fighters responded to a fire at 80 Main Street in Sidney today at about 2:45 PM, in the basement of Ermeti’s Community Lounge. Sidney Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Ray Baker told WCDO News that the fire appears to have started in a dryer, & it was under control in about 30 minutes.

40-year-old David Burton of Johnson City was found guilty today in Broome County Court on murder & arson charges. Burton was found guilty of starting a fire at an ex-girlfriends residence in October 2015 in Johnson City, the fire Killed the Ex-Girlfriend's 2 sons, 3 year old Michael Maxwell & 4 year old Joshua Maxwell, and injured 2 others. Burton will be sentenced on September 14th.

The American Red Cross Will Hold a Blood Drive At Hartwick College today from 12:00 Noon until 5:00 PM. Appointments can be made with the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, at REDCROSSBLOOD.ORG or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS. All blood types are currently needed.

State Senator Jim Seward joined community, labor and business leaders to announce the launch of New Yorkers for Affordable Energy, which supports increasing access to natural gas for manufacturing facilities, power production, transportation, and other purposes to support New York's economy and quality of life:

(Seward 5-2-17)

Seward said that the Coalition partners includes the Otsego County IDA, Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier, The Business Council of New York State, more information can be found at www.affordableenergyny.com.

The annual Big Wheels Golf Tournament, held at the Delhi College Golf Course, will take place on Friday, May 12th. The event serves as a primary fundraiser for programs and services which provide assistance to Delaware County senior citizens. More information or to request an entry form please contact the Delaware County Office for the Aging at 607-832-5750.

NYSEG reports power outages throughout the region from last night's powerful storm, with crews working to restore power as quickly as possible. A state of emergency was declared in Broome County by County Executive Jason Garnar; Broome County had over 13,000 customers without power this afternoon, Chenango County had over 5100 without power, Delaware County had over 1600 & Otsego County had over 2300 without power.

The Town Of Oneonta will hold 2 public meetings this week to provide residents with information about an energy delivery program that may save residents money on their energy bill. The program, Community Choice Aggregation is a new State program, which has authorized communities to join to together to aggregate the purchase of electricity in hopes of getting better prices for the residents. The first informational meeting is today at the Oneonta Town Hall from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, the second meeting is on Thursday, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Foxcare Center.

The City of Oneonta will be celebrating Arbor Day today at the Maple Street Park, where a tree planting ceremony will take place at 11:00 AM. The City has been recognized as a "Tree City USA Community" for 31 years, the public is invited.

The SUNY Broome Job fair will be held today at the campus's Ice Center, in partnership with the state Labor Department. The event will run from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, more information is available at SUNYBROOME.EDU/career center.

The American Red Cross Will Hold a Blood Drive for all Eligible Donors today from 12:00 TO 5:00 PM at Hartwick College. Appointments can be made with the Red Cross Blood Donor App, at REDCROSSBLOOD.ORG or by calling 1-800-733-2767.

The Broome County Sheriff's arrested 2 people wanted on warrant by the town of Afton, while investigating a suspicious vehicle parked in a parking lot in Chenango Bridge Friday. 32-year-old Zachariah Burns is accused of possessing cocaine, and giving officers the name and date of birth of another person. Burns' was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Criminal Impersonation, he was also wanted on a Bench Warrant for Failure to Appear in Town of Afton Court. Another passenger was 19-year-old Salena Palmatier also is also accused of giving officers the wrong identity, she was charged with Criminal Impersonation, & was also wanted on a Bench Warrant for Failure to Appear in Town of Afton Court.

New York State of Health, is offering a series of enrollment and informational events at approximately 40 campuses across the State this week. Certified enrollment assistors will speak with students and soon-to-be graduates about how to get health insurance coverage and enroll in a health plan through the Marketplace. Details on the colleges participating in the April educational activities with NY State of Health can be found at info.nystateofhealth.ny.gov/events.

Former Broome County Executive Debbie Preston appeared in Binghamton City Court this morning, she pleaded guilty to 1 count of Official Misconduct, she was originally charged with 3 counts. Preston will pay a $1,000 fine. Preston was charged for using a Town of Conklin Credit card for her own purposes when she was a town supervisor between 2005 & 2012.

State Police are investigating a Fatal Motor vehicle Collision on I-88 in the Town of Maryland, early Saturday morning. A vehicle exited the roadway, entered the center median, rolled over several times, ejecting 19 year old Douglas Alvarez of Mamaroneck, and coming to rest in the westbound lane of travel, it was then struck by another vehicle. Alvarez was transported to Albany Medical Center and later succumbed to his injures. 5 other occupants were transported to Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown with non-life threatening injuries. All 6 occupants are SUNY Cobleskill College students. The operator of the second, uninvolved vehicle was not injured. Alcohol was not a contributing factor to the accident. The investigation is ongoing.

The Oneonta Town Board will hold a special meeting this afternoon, to set up a public hearing on the Community Choice Aggregation. The meeting will begin at 4:00 PM at the town hall in West Oneonta.

State Police arrested 29 year old Robert Shultz of Lisle, for felony Sexual Abuse. The arrest occurred after troopers investigated a crime in the Town of Triangle, where Shultz is accused of having sexual contact with the victim by forcible compulsion. Shultz was arraigned in the Town of Triangle Court and was remanded to the Broome County Jail without bail.

Governor Cuomo announced that there were only a few more items to negotiate for the state Budget plan, at a press conference last night:

(Cuomo 4-6-17)

Cuomo said that agreements were made on the Millionaire’s Tax, on the middle-class tax cut, on the Clean Water program, on ride sharing, on college affordability, workers comp, property tax reform, a prescription drug program & an opioid program.

Commerce Chenango will present Tom Sutton with the Commitment to Community award at the Annual Membership Appreciation Luncheon today at Magro’s Banquet Hall in Sherburne at 11:30 AM. Sutton has worked his way up to Central and Southern New York Territory Manager for NBT & is involved with numeorus committees, projects and events throughout the County.