WCDO Radio News

ACHIEVE in Norwich gave a tour of their new facility at East Main Street in Norwich yesterday, the renovated facility will offer a 200 capacity multi-purpose meeting space, a cafe & kitchen for job skills training, a nursing station, Hoyer Lift Systems and a community center. Achieve is a non-profit organization that provIdes support & services to more than 2200 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Broome, Chenango & Tioga Counties, more information is available at achieveny.org.

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the application for the Excelsior Scholarship for new applicants for the Spring 2024 term is now open. Students from households with federal adjusted gross incomes up to $125,000 are eligible, Students must Plan to attend a SUNY or CUNY two- or four-year college; Complete 30 credits per year towards their program of study and must be on track to graduate with an associate degree in two years or a bachelor's degree in four years. more information is available at webapps.hesc.ny.gov, Applications will be accepted through February 2, 2024.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 12-19-23

Otsego County Officials announced that several roads are closed due to flooding conditions, including County Highway 48 between Chamberlain Hill and Downey Road Spur in Otego, County Highway 4 between Mill Street and Hilton Street in the Town of Butternuts, Miller Road in Pittsfield, Bemis Road from State Highway 51 to Pegg Road in Morris. In Delaware County, State Route 30 in Roxbury has flooding issues, officals in all around counties advise motorists to turn around if they find flooded roads & report them to authorites as soon as possible. Motorists can check 511ny.org for road closures.

Delaware County Sheriff's Office arrested 31 year old Cachet Fernandez of Sidney on a sealed indictment arrest warrant issued out of the Delaware County Court. On Friday Morning, Broome County Sheriff’s Deputies, located and identified Fernandez, he was turned over to the custody of Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies. The Delaware County Court issued a sealed indictment arrest warrant, stemming from Fernandez allegedly not reporting his new residence as a registered Sex Offender to the proper authorities upon moving. Fernandez was remanded to the Delaware County Jail to await arraignment in Delaware County Court at a later date.

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office is currently looking for Pamela Fox on an outstanding warrant for a Violation of Probation for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a motor vehicle. Fox is described as a white female, 5' 2" tall about 130 pounds with Blond hair & Blue eyes, Anyone with information on the location of Fox is asked to contact the Broome County Sheriff’s Office at gobroomecounty.com/sheriff/warrants or by calling the Broome County Sheriff’s Office tip line at (607) 778-1196.

The State Comptroller's Office announced that State tax receipts totaled $51.5 billion through the 1st 6 months of State Fiscal Year 23-24, $1.7 billion higher than estimates released in the Division of the Budget in July. However, tax receipts were $6.9 billion lower than the first half the previous year according to the monthly State Cash Report released today. The new report reflected a higher than anticipated tax collections and lower than anticipated spending. The full report can be found online at osc.state.ny.us.

A.M. NEWS Wednesday 10-18-23

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce will hold their 2023 Business Awards celebration at Bluestone Restaurant in Delhi today. Delaware county Chamber President Ray Pucci told WCDO News that they have many "Rising Star" award recipients this year, for businesses that have been operating for 1 to 5 years:

(Ray Pucci 10-18-23)

Pucci said that UHS Delaware Valley Hospital & Decker Advertising of Delhi will share the Business of the Year honors, their Community Connector Award will go to the Delaware County Industrial Development Agency. The celebration coincides with National Chamber of Commerce Day.

2 more American Red Cross Blood Drives will be held today, 1 in Oneonta from 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., at SUNY Oneonta, Hunt College Union, and another will be held in Walton from 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., at the Walton First Baptist Church, 55 Townsend Street, appointments can be made with the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 10-13-23

Broome County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 35 year old Devyn Wilcox of Harpursville on 27 counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child & 1 count of disorderly conduct on Thursday. Deputies responded Thursday afternoon to the Harpursville School District Bus, Wilcox is accused of entering the stopped bus and began yelling, screaming, swearing and threatening juveniles, according to witnesses & video. There were 30 students from elementary school to high school ages on the bus. Wilcox was taken into custody without incident at his residence, he was processed at the Broome County Sheriff’s Correctional Facility and released on appearance tickets for the Town of Colesville Court at a later date. The investigation is continuing.

The Community Cultural Center in Sidney will be holding an artistic event tonight, Saturday Night & Sunday Afternoon, with local artist Branden Hurd, with a Jazz concert planned on Sunday as well, spokesperson Amy Williams explains:

(Amy Williams 10-13-23)

Tickets are available at Roasted Coffee House & Barking Cat Boutique, more information is available at the Community Cultural Center Facebook page.

The Norwich Rotary Club will have their 38th annual AMBA Program Saturday from 6:30 TO 10:00 AM at the Norwich YMCA Community Room. Low cost blood screenings are available for those who register at 1-800 234-8888 & have a prescription from their health care provider.

A Red Cross Blood Drive will be held at Hartwick College today from 12:00 Noon until 5:00 PM, appointments can be made with the Red Cross Blood donor app, at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800 RED CROSS.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 9-14-23

The Sidney Central School District is continuing with the process of changing the school nickname & mascot, 2 meeting have been set up on September 27th, Sidney Superintendent Eben Bullock explains:

(Eben Bullock 9-14-23)

The district is now seeking members for the community stakeholder group, which will meet 3 times, on September 27, October 18, and November 1. Community members who are interested should RSVP to Nancy Edwards at nedwards@sidneycsd.org, or call 607-561-7700, extension 3.

Bassett Healthcare Network, Hartwick College, and SUNY Oneonta gathered on September 13 to inaugurate a groundbreaking workforce development partnership aimed at retaining new graduates in the region and addressing critical workforce shortages across Bassett’s network. Bassett President & CEO Dr. Tommy Ibrahim comments at a Fox Hospital Press Conference Wednesday:

(Dr. Tommy Ibrahim 9-14-23)

Dr. Ibrahim said that Bassett CARES is open to graduates from all disciplines, participants may earn up to $25,000 in loan repayment stipends. SUNY Oneonta and Hartwick College students may also get free or subsidized on-campus housing in the summer for matriculated students who are working for Bassett Healthcare Network during the summer months. SUNY Oneonta also plans to provide bridge housing for recent graduates for the summer directly following their graduation to ease the transition to professional life at Bassett.

The State Department of Labor announced that the number of private sector jobs in New York State increased over the month by 4,900, to 8,252,700 in August. The State's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held constant at 3.9% in August, New York's labor force participation rate increased to 61.5% in August, highest level since 2013.

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 9-14-23

Broome County Sheriff’s Deputies responded Monday to a 911 call of a pedestrian-train accident in the Town of Union. The pedestrian, 33 year old Joey Rosa of Endwell was pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives found that Rosa had been known to frequent the area and was on the tracks as the train approached. The conductor of the train attempted to signal multiple times to get Rosa’s attention, but Rosa did not move off the tracks. The engineer was unable to stop the train, and at Rosa was struck and killed. Investigators have ruled the incident an accident.

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 5-19-23

The Broome County Sheriff's Office arrested 22 year old Houston Alexander of Binghamton following a high speed pursuit Thursday night. A Deputy was conducting a routine speed enforcement on I-81 in the Town of Dickinson when he encountered a vehicle traveling at 90 miles per hour in a 55 miles per hour zone, after pursuits through several towns, Alexander's vehicle collided with a patrol vehicle, he fled on foot, which ended a few block later in Johnson City with a Taser deployment, and he was taken into custody. Alexander was charged with Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle, Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, Reckless Endangerment, Obstructing Government Administration & Resisting Arrest, Alexander was processed and issued appearance tickets for a future court date, The Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Johnson City Police and State Police. There were no injuries stemming from the incident.

SUNY Broome announced that just under 750 people graduated last night at the Visions Veterans Memorial Arena in downtown Binghamton. College Officials said that 65% of the graduates are female and 35% are male, the most popular major again this year was nursing.

The Mid-York Concert Band will present its annual Spring Concert on Sunday at 2:00 PM in the Norwich High School Auditorium, conductor Doug Ernst comments:

(Doug Ernst 5-19-23)

Ernst said that the ensemble is made possible with public funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, which is a program of the New York State Council on the Arts.

Hartwick College will celebrate Earth Day, Saturday with the world premiere of the film, The Search for Up, which was shot in Hartwick’s Observatory in early November 2022. In addition to the film screening at 6 pm. in Hartwick’s Yager Museum, the event will feature a 5 pm. opening of a showcase of creative projects by secondary students from local and regional schools. More information is available at sheehym@hartwick.edu.

Sidney & Walton Fire Departments are participating in the "Recruit New York" Event tomorrow. The statewide event runs from 10:00AM to 2:00 PM as fire departments around the state look to recruit more members. Participating Fire Departments can be found at recruitny.org/participants.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 4-21-23

Delaware County Sheriff's Office arrested 32-year-old John Durgala of Syracuse and 26 year old Prince Johnson of Binghamton. Deputies were dispatched Wednesday to Marvin Hollow Road and State Highway 10 in the Town of Walton for a suspicious vehicle complaint. Prince Johnson was the operator of the vehicle was found to have an active Violent Felony Warrant out of Broome County and he was arrested. John Durgala provided a false identity to Deputies, he was found to have an active Violent Felony Warrant out of Broome County Sheriff’s Office in relation to Johnson’s arrest warrant. Durgala was charged with false impersonation, Obstructing Governmental Administration, he was issued appearance tickets and was directed to appear in the Town of Walton Court at a later date to answer to the charges.

An anonymous tip from the community led to multiple drug smuggling charges at the Broome County Sheriff’s Correctional Facility this week. Investigators received information from anonymous community member that an 37 year old Luis Bigio of Endicott allegedly smuggling contraband into the Correctional Facility. Investigators searched Bigio’s cell & recovered 136 suboxone strips, Bigio was charged with 2 Counts of Promoting Prison Contraband, he was serving a Broome County Court sentence related to disobeying a court mandate. Bigio was processed at the Broome County Correctional Facility and will answer for his charges at the Town of Dickinson Court on a future date.

The City of Norwich Common Council voted recently to award the bid for the water main replacement project to Vacri Construction of Binghamton, City of Norwich Community Development Director Erik Scrivener said they must now go through the Federal application process with the EPA to get the grant money necessary for the project, with the hope of getting the project started as soon as possible.

(Eric Scrivener 4-18-23)

Scrivener said if the grant was delayed they have made arrangements to use a USDA loan, that would be paid back with the grant money if it delayed beyond the length to complete the project. The planned project area includes a new mains on South Broad Street, and East Main Street.

Broome County Sheriff's Office will hold the 1st of 4 Public Safety Town Halls this Thursday’s meeting at the Town of Chenango Town Hall from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. Sheriff Akshar, Undersheriff Davis and members of the Sheriff's Office team will be present to discuss issues, answer questions. The Town of Chenango Town Hall is located at 1529 State Route 12, Binghamton.

A.M. NEWS Tuesday 4-18-23

State Police, the FBI & local law enforcement agencies arrested 20 year old Peter Howard of Louisville Kentucky, who is a student at Hamilton College in Clinton, Howard is accused of posting a a false alert of a possible active shooter situation at the Hamilton Campus, on a social media site called Jodel. No active threat was found, students were told to shelter in place during the investigation, Howard was arrested on Sunday and charged with making a threat of mass harm.

Broome County District Attorney Mike Korchak announced that Philip Garcia of Endicott, pleaded guilty to felony Arson. Garcia admitted that on May 2, 2021, in the Village of Endicott, he intentionally damaged property by setting a fire on a stove inside a Hillside Court apartment and the interior of a motor vehicle, by lighting objects inside the car on fire, after a domestic dispute with a 31-year-old female in the Village. The fire in the apartment was put out by residents with minimal smoke damage. The Endicott Fire Department responded to the scene and quickly extinguished the car fire. The vehicle sustained interior damage. Garcia, who has a criminal history dating back to 1992, will be sentenced to 5 years in New York State prison followed by 2 1/2 years post release supervision on June 9, 2023.

A free virtual job fair will be held on Wednesday, April 12th, from 11:00am to 1:00pm. All businesses and job seekers from across a 6-county region are invited to attend: including from the local counties of Chenango, Delaware, and Otsego. More information is available at working-solutions.org.

The Town of Unadilla announced their Spring Clean up will be held this Friday starting at 6:30 Am until 2:00 PM. The town will accept, Appliances, Scrap Metal, Electronics, 4 tires per residence, more information is available at town of unadilla.org.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 3-27-23

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the nomination of Dr. James McDonald to serve as Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health. Dr. McDonald is originally from Cohoes and received his bachelor's degree from Siena College. He joined the New York State Department of Health in July of 2022, serving as medical director of the Department's Office of Public Health. He later was appointed Interim Director of the Center for Community Health and began serving as Acting Commissioner of Health on January 1 of this year.

Former Assistant to Former Broome County District Attorney James Worhach was sentenced to 2 to 4 years in prison. Worhach served under previous DA Steven Cornwell, In January, Worhach pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny after admitting he stole more than $1,000 from 2016-2019 from the Broome County government. Worhach was also ordered to pay $5,727.75 in restitution to Broome County plus a fine of $1,000.

Broome County Sheriff's Office welcomed 27 new Corrections Officers at a ceremony at SUNY Broome Community College, including 7 women. The 27 officers was the largest group of new Corrections Officers in the history of the Sheriff's Office, freshman Sheriff Fred Akshar stated that it was a priority to bolster the number of Corrections officers as soon as possible, when he took office in January.

Bassett Healthcare Network announced today that masks are no longer required for patients, visitors, or staff members across most areas of the health system. 1 exception is in Bassett’s skilled nursing facilities at A.O. Fox Nursing Home, Valley Residential Services, and Valley Health Services, where masks will still be required for all employees and visitors. Long-term care facilities continue to follow stricter guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) based on community transmission rates to protect residents.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 3-20-23

The Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 48 year old Charles Bodie of Edmeston for 2nd degree Rape, Criminal Sex Act, Dissemination of Indecent Material to Minors, Obscenity, & Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Bodie is accused of engaging in sexual relationship with a minor for several months, allegedly sent indecent material to the minor while he was employed outside of the State, and then Homeland Security was requested to assist. Bodie was located and arrested & he was returned to New York, he was turned over to investigators and was being held at the Otsego County Correctional Facility to await arraignment. Additional charges are expected.

Governor Kathy Hochul appeared in Johnson City this morning, she outlined some of the executive Budget Proposal Items that are aimed at helping the Southern Tier:

(Governor Hochul 2-22-23)

Governor Hochul discussed $1.4 billion in School Aid for the Southern Tier, Over $151 million in DOT capital projects, $50 million for Binghamton University to continue establishing a hub for battery technology innovation, Over $23 million for local paving and pothole repairs, $963,000 for Broome Community College, $16 million for addiction services funding, the 227 Billion Dollar Budget proposal is being negotiated & is due on April 1st.

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 2-22-23

The New York State Department of Health today issued the results of its latest annual chronic disease public opinion survey. According to the survey, 88% think heroin use is a serious public health problem, 90% site the use or misuse of prescription opioids, 92% said childhood obesity, 85% think tobacco use continues to be a major problem, 80% reported issues with health care access, 77% said alcohol consumption & 46% think marijuana are other serious health problems.

P.M. NEWS Thursday 1-12-23

The City of Norwich is receiving federal money for the upcoming water Main replacement project downtown, City of Norwich Community Development Director Eric Scrivener told WCDO News where the money is coming from for the $4 Million Dollar project:

(Eric Scrivener 1-12-23)

The planned project area includes 5,760 feet of piping on South Broad Street, from the Prentice and Broad Street intersection to the Mechanic and Broad Street intersection, and a 640-foot section of East Main Street between the Broad Street intersection and the railroad tracks, the water Main are about 140 years old.

A Red Cross Blood Drive at Hartwick College in Oneonta today. The Blood Drive runs from 12:00 Noon until 5:00 PM, Appointments are requested at 1-800 RED CROSS, with the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or at redcrossblood.org.

Village of Sidney announced that the water service disruption scheduled for Monday has been postponed until Tuesday, due to Mondays holiday. Starting around 9:00 AM Tuesday, water system customers north of the Susquehanna River along Route 8 and the surrounding areas will experience water service disruptions, until about 4:00 PM. This service disruption is associated with the Village of Sidney’s work to install new water mains under the Unadilla and Susquehanna Rivers.

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 1-12-23

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office is currently looking for Kiana Montanez, on an outstanding warrant and asking the residents of Broome County for assistance. Montanez is wanted for Burglary, Bail Jumping, Resisting Arrest and Obstructing Governmental Justice. She is described as 5’5?, 140 pounds, anyone with information is asked to contact the Broome County Sheriff’s Office at gobroomecounty.com/sheriff/warrants or by calling the Broome County Sheriff’s Office tip line at (607) 778-1196.

The Delaware County Tourism Advisory Board is now accepting applications for funding under the 2023 Local Community Tourism Grant program. This program will provide funding assistance to eligible applicants for projects that seek to attract visitors to Delaware County and enhance the overall tourism industry. For a copy of the program guidelines and application, contact the Delaware County Department of Economic Development at 607-832-5123. Applications are due by February 28th.