WCDO Radio News

The Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task Force
executed a narcotics search warrant Wednesday in Binghamton; they arrested 32
year old Christopher Fox on a variety of Drug charges.  Officers seized 24 grams of Fentanyl, plus
marijuana, drug packaging materials and approximately $ 7,400 in cash from
suspected drug sales.  Fox was arraigned
& was remanded to the Broome County Jail pending future court action

The Franklin Railroad & Community Museum announced that
they will raise money for Helios Care, with their Sports Memorabilia Auctions
this month & Bids can be placed by calling 829-2692. The Museum on Main
Street in Franklin will be open this Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, the
winning auction bids will be announced on December 29th.

The Friends of Afton Parade Committee will hold the annual
Afton Christmas Parade Saturday.  The
Parade line-up will be at Corporate Park on Route 7 at 4:00 pm, the parade
starts at 5:00pm & Santa will be in the NBT Bank after the parade. Food and
hot beverages provided by the Chamber of Commerce and VFW, located inside the
VFW. Community bonfire located in the First Baptist Church Parking lot after
the parade. More information is available at 208-5005, or the "Friends of
Afton" Facebook page.

Hartwick College will host its First Year Seminar Symposium
today 4:00 to 5:30 PM in the Library at Yager Hall. The event, which is free
and open to the public, will provide an opportunity for first-year students to
show off their work, ranging from research about political change to displays
of visual and performing arts. Appetizers, desserts, and beverages will be available
for all participants and guests.

State Police arrested 59-year-old Carl Pritchard of Exeter
for overdriving, torturing and injuring animals; failure to provide proper
sustenance and failure to provide appropriate shelter for dogs left
outside.  K. Pritchard was arrested after
Troopers responded to a complaint from a UPS driver who observed a dog whose
left leg appeared to be missing, The Susquehanna SPCA responded and a
veterinarian was contacted, who believed that Zoe had chewed off her own leg
after they observed bone fragments in her stomach, she also had previous
untreated injuries and scarred ear tips.
Zoe was transported to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
for further care.  Pritchard surrender
Zoe due to his inability to pay for any vet bills, he is due to appear in the
town of Exeter court on December 4th.

2 unidentified people were arrested Monday night at
Binghamton University, following protests of republican Economist Arthur
Laffer, who was scheduled to give a speech on campus after being invited to
speak by College Republicans.  Laffer was
not able to deliver his speech; the protest came 2 days after an outside
protest on the campus following a separate event, also by College
Republicans.    State Senator Fred Akshar
announced that he has cancelled his planned visit tonight to Binghamton
University’s campus; he extended an invitation to the leaders of the Binghamton
University College Progressives, College Democrats and the College Republicans
to meet to discuss the incidents.

Sunday night, the Deposit Fire Department and Eastern Broome
Emergency Services were dispatched to a motor vehicle accident where the
vehicle involved had gone into a creek in the Town of Sanford. The sole
occupant of the vehicle was able to get out of the vehicle and water prior to
our arrival. The occupant sustained injuries as a result of the accident and
was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce announced their
"Community Heroes Awards” are George Bergleitner, of Delaware County Real
Estate of Stamford,   Eric Wedemeyer,
founding broker of Coldwell Banker Timberland Properties, & Patty Wood of
the Walton Town Council.  A reception
will be held tonight from 5:30 - 7 p.m., at the Delaware County Historical
Association at 46549 State Highway 10, Delhi, more information is available at
delawarecounty.org or at 746-2281.

Following a recent
inspection, State DOT engineers are recommending immediate repairs with a
temporary closure and 5-ton weight restriction on the large culvert carrying
State Route 80 over Hayden Creek in the Town of Springfield in Otsego
County.  A new traffic pattern consists
of a 1-lane, 2-way operation controlled by a temporary traffic signal. Traffic
information is available at 511NY.org.

Congressman Anthony Brindisi is hosting a Veterans
Resource Fair Today at the SUNY Broome Community College West Gymnasium from
3:30 PM to 6:30 PM, to connect Southern Tier Veterans with resources and
services.  More than a dozen
organizations will be in attendance including Clear Path for Veterans, the
Southern Tier Veterans Support Group, representatives from the VA, More
information is available at Congressman Brindisi’s Binghamton office at
242-0200.

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office Detective Division
arrested 18 year old Crystal Green of the Town of Chenango, 18 year old Justin
Gumaer of Deposit and 17 year old Jayden Howe of Binghamton, following a
traffic stop Friday in Binghamton.  Green
and Gumaer have been charged with Hindering Prosecution, Obstructing
Governmental Administration & Criminal Possession of Marijuana. While being
taken into custody, Green physically resisted and was charged with Resisting
Arrest.  Howe was taken into custody on
an active Probation Warrant. Green, Gumaer and Howe are currently in the
custody of the Broome County Sheriff’s Office.

The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce announced that they will
hold their annual Commitment to Community Dinner Saturday at 6:00 PM at the
Sundown Golf & Country Club in Guilford.
The CITIZEN OF THE YEAR award will go to   MATTHEW GERMOND, the BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
award goes to GALAXY BOWL & the SERVICE ORGANIZATION RECOGNITION award goes
to the JERICHO GARDEN CLUB.

On Friday, Members of the Broome County Special
Investigations Unit Task Force executed a narcotics search warrant at 132 Main
St in the City of Binghamton. Investigators recovered: approximately an ounce
of Crystal Methamphetamine, drug packaging materials and approximately $5,000
in suspected drug sale proceeds.
Investigators charged Timothy Bell and Stephanie Starks on numerous drug
charges, they were held at the Binghamton Police Department awaiting
arraignment in Binghamton City Court. Starks is additionally being held on a
Petit Larceny Warrant out of the Village of Johnson City.

The State Health Department reports that people should be
getting their flu shots soon, as we are entering the start of the traditional
flu season.  There have been 187 flu
cases reported statewide, 100 of them last week, there were no cases reported
in the tri-county region, and 1 in Broome County so far.

Congressman Anthony Brindisi is
hosting a Veterans Resource Fair on November 5th at the SUNY Broome Community
College West Gymnasium from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM, to connect Southern Tier
Veterans with resources and services, with more than a dozen organizations in
attendance including Clear Path for Veterans, the Southern Tier Veterans
Support Group, representatives from the VA, and more.  Veterans with questions can contact
Congressman Brindisi’s Binghamton office at 607-242-0200.

Chenango County Sheriff’s Deputies responded early Saturday
morning to the call of 1-car motor vehicle accident involving a bicyclist on
State Route 80 in the Town of Columbus.
49 year old Allen Emrich of New Berlin struck the bicyclist, 30 year old
Martin Logsdon Jr, he was  pronounced
deceased at the scene.  Emrich was
operating the vehicle with a blood alcohol content of more than .08% & with
a child in the vehicle he was charged with Vehicular Manslaughter, Aggravated
DWI with a child in the car, Endangering the Welfare of a Child among other
charges, he was arraigned in the Town of Columbus Court & was remanded to
the Chenango County Correctional facility on $2500.00 cash bail. The
investigation is ongoing.

Governor Cuomo today announced the launch of the 3rd
round of the Energy to Lead competition with $5 million available for New York
colleges and universities to lower their carbon footprint & reduce energy
use.  The competition is open to 2 or 4-year
colleges or universities that are REV Campus Challenge members and it is
administered through NYSERDA. Proposals will be accepted through February 20,
2020.  Ongoing projects under previous
rounds include the Broome Community College's "Geothermal Learning
Laboratory" to install a closed loop geothermal system that uses the heat
energy stored in the earth.

The Binghamton Devils will be starting a new season shortly
at the Floyd L. Maines Broome County Arena.
Team practices are being held this week at the Arena; Single-game
tickets are on sale at Binghamton Devils.com, or at the Arena Box Office.  The Devils will open up the 2019-20 season at
home on Saturday, October 5 at 7:05 p.m. against the Utica Comets.

The Afton Community Theater presents "Matilda the
Musical" this weekend. Erin Wehrli is directing the performances of
"Matilda" this weekend:

(Erin Wehrli 9-24-19)

"Matilda The Musical" will be performed Friday
& Saturday nights at 7:00 PM, with Saturday & Sunday Matinees at 2:00
PM, at the Margery Secrest Theater at the Afton Central School.  Tickets are available at
BrownpaperTickets.com.

The 13th annual O’Connor
Hospital Invitational took place on September 18th at The College Golf Course
at Delhi, raising more than $40,000 to support hospital equipment and building
upgrades.  Numerous area businesses
sponsored the event; those interested in sponsoring for next year can call the
Friends of Bassett Healthcare Network office at 547-4799 or email
sheila.lemaster@bassett.org.

The New York Mets Monday announced
the winners of the 2019 Sterling Awards, emblematic of the top minor league
performers in New York’s farm system. Three of the seven honorees spent at
least part of the season with the Binghamton Rumble Ponies.  Mark Vientos was the Hitter of the Year; LHP
Kevin Smith was named Pitcher of the Year; Andrés Giménez was the Mets’
Defender of the Year; and Sam Haggerty was the system’s top baserunner. Haggerty
was a September call up to New York, he scored his first big league run September
6th against Philadelphia.

The
Community Foundation for South Central New York announced a new mini-grant
opportunity for qualified non-profit organizations in Broome, Tioga, Chenango,
Delaware and Otsego counties.   Proposals
may be submitted for projects that support, develop and/or expand the skill set
of young professionals in our region and/or increase their involvement in the
community.  The deadline for applications
is Friday, September 6th.  Details on
submission requirements can be found at donorswhocare.org.

A
new Siena College Poll of registered New York voters found that the majority of
New Yorkers say Governor Cuomo has made the state a better place since he took
office in 2011, the poll also found that his favorability and job performance
ratings currently match record lows.  New
York voters said Cuomo has improved the state by a 51 to 39% margin,  but his favorability ratings of 43% negative
and 50% positive matches his lowest ratings, his job performance rating of 34%
positive and 64% negative is his lowest ever.

The
State Department of Health announced that a proposal for a new Medicaid model
of care serving children throughout the state with complex health needs has
been approved by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The
new model will improve access to Medicaid services and expand Medicaid coverage
to home- and community-based care for more than 6,000 youth under age 21 who
are faced with an array of serious health issues and otherwise could be forced
to live in hospitals and other institutionalized settings.

33 year old Kevin Wilcox of
Harpursville pleaded not guilty to charges of vehicular assault and driving
while impaired by drugs, at his arraignment Tuesday.  Wilcox was arrested following the
investigation into Monday afternoon's incident in Binghamton, where he
allegedly drove onto the sidewalk on Beethoven Street and struck 17-year-old
Harper Stantz and 19-year-old Britney Laserinko.   Both were taken to Wilson Hospital with a
variety of serious injuries, including internal injuries & fractures.  Wilcox is being held in the Broome County
Jail pending future court action.

Jody Zakrevsky, who is the CEO of Otsego Now, will be
holding a series of "town hall" meetings throughout Otsego County in
the coming weeks. The first of these meetings will be held today at Hartwick
College in the Shineman Chapel from 5:30pm - 7:00pm. The second one will be
held on Thursday, at Oneonta Town Hall from 5:00pm - 6:30pm Topics to be
discussed range from grant opportunities available under the next consolidated
funding application process, economic and community development interests, and
energy. Questions and comments from the public are welcomed and encouraged.

Cornell Cooperative Extension will host a Farmers’ Market
Community Meeting at their Hamden office this morning from 9:30-11:30 am.  The goal of this meeting is to create and/or
strengthen relationships among individuals and groups that support farmers’
markets in Delaware County.  More
information is available at 865-6531 or ccedelaware.org.

Broome County District Attorney Steve Cornwell held a press
conference earlier today, regarding the investigation of the shooting involving
Trooper Timothy Conklin & Nicholas Philhower on January 28th, when Conklin
attempted to apprehend Philhower in the town of Kirkwood:

(Steve Cornwell 2-18-19)

Cornwell state that Trooper Conklin responded to the report
of a stolen Nissan that Philhower took from his mother without permission, and
she reported the car stolen.   Philhower
was pronounced dead at the scene, Trooper Conklin was treated for an arm wound,
he will return to duty this week, and Trooper Conklin’s actions have been ruled
as justified.

Governor Cuomo announced plans to close up to 3 correctional
facilities following record reductions in the State's incarcerated population
and reported crime.  The Department of
Corrections and Community Supervision will select the prisons, transition staff
and incarcerated individuals, and cease facility operations by no later than
September 1st.   Since 2011, the prison
population has declined by nearly 10,000 or 16.7% from 56,419 to 46,973 people,
currently.

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce will hold Job and
Resource Fairs on Wednesday, April 10th from 11:00 am to 3:30 pm at ONC BOCES
in Grand Gorge and on Thursday, April 11 at DCMO BOCES Harrold Campus in
Masonville.  Employers will be connected
to a viable workforce consisting of recent high school and college graduates as
well as adults who are eager to obtain employment.   There is no fee to participate, but
registration is required.  To register or
to obtain more information, go to delawarecounty.org or call 746-2281.

On January 20th troopers were dispatched to a possible
overdose in a vehicle parked in Dollar General on North Road in the town of
Windsor.  Troopers observed both
occupants passed out, they were assessed by paramedics & were charged with
a variety of drug & other charges.  Arrested
were 24 year old Caitlynn Rhodes of Colesville, & 24 year old Tieler
Kennerup of Windsor, they were arraigned at Broome County Central Arraignment
and Processing.  Kennerup was released on
his own recognizance and Rhodes was remanded to the Broome County Jail without
bail.

A new survey by the Commission on Independent Colleges and
Universities reports that Hartwick College generated an estimated $123 million
in total economic impact on the region in 2017. More than $49 million was a
result of direct spending by the institution.
Also noted in the survey, Hartwick College accounted for $5.4 million in
average annual construction spending, up $700,000 from the previous survey in
2015. In 2017, the College opened its new $7.1 million living-learning
apartment community on campus, which houses 72 upper-class students.

Broome County District Attorney Stephen Cornwell has
announced today he will not seek re-election to the office for a 2nd 4 year
term.   Cornwell defeated long-time
District Attorney Gerald Mollen in 2015.

The City of Oneonta has been
designated as a "Clean Energy Community" by NYSERDA, for reducing
energy use, cutting costs and driving clean energy locally.  The City received the designation for
completing 4 of 10 high-impact clean energy actions identified by NYSERDA as
part of the Clean Energy Communities initiative. In addition, the designation
gives the City an opportunity to apply for up to $5,000 toward additional clean
energy projects, with no local cost share.