WCDO Radio News

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 9-17-24

The Broome County Sheriff's Office announced that a fugitive wanted for murder in Georgia was arrested Monday by their Warrants Division. Last week, the Sheriff’s Office received information that 21 year old Dawensley Astrel of Binghamton had an active arrest warrant out of the state of Georgia for Murder, he was enrolled as a student at Broome Community College. The Sheriff's Office coordinated with SUNY Broome Campus Safety to take Astrel into custody without incident, he will be extradited back to Georgia to face murder charges.

Hartwick College in Oneonta launched their "The Life Balance College" concept starting this semester, that places student success at the forefront. Hartwick College President Jim Mullen explains:

(Jim Mullen 9-17-24)

More information about Hartwick College & their new approach can be found at hartwick.edu.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 9-17-24

Delaware County Sheriff's Office arrested 43 year old Jonathan Hynes of Stamford on an Arrest Warrant for 2nd Degree Assault following an investigation by the Otsego County Sheriff's Office for an incident that occurred in Worcester. On September 5th, Otsego County Sheriff’s Deputies contacted and requested assistance from the Delaware County Sheriff's Office in locating a vehicle and driver which were involved in a hit and run motor vehicle accident and an assault, Delaware County Deputies were able to locate the vehicle and Hynes, he was arrested & was turned over to the Otsego County Sheriff''s Office.

The Norwich Police Department reminds area residents that they will be hosting a Citizens Police Academy in October. The 6-week course will be two hours, one night of the week, Anyone interested in attending this course should email info@norwichpd.org. Class size will be limited to fifteen community members.

Broome County Sheriff Road Patrol deputies responded to a motor vehicle accident involving 2 vehicles Early Sunday morning on Morgan Road in the Town of Binghamton. Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar identified the deceased as 29 year old Charles Burrell of Conklin, who was ejected from 1 of the vehicles, he said that the operators of the 2 vehicles were engaged in a continuing dispute over women & narcotics, they engaged in a road rage incident that ended with the fatality. 20 year old Cody Diffendorf of Kirkwood & 26 year old James MacDowall of Binghamton were each charged with 2nd degree manslaughter, both are in the custody of the Broome County Correctional facility pending future court action.

The Delaware County Planning Board announced that they plan to develop a Strategic Comprehensive Plan, to guide future growth, development, and preservation in the County. Fisher Associates will lead the planning process and public engagement efforts. Public Input Sessions will be today from 6:00 PM -8:00 PM at the Hobart Community Center & Tuesday, September 17 from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at the Walton Fire Hall, on West Street. The input gathered from the public survey and during these initial input sessions will be reviewed by Delaware County Planning and Fisher Associates, followed by additional opportunities for public review and comment.

Red Cross Blood Drives are continuing locally, with one in Sidney today from 1 pm. - 6 pm., at the American Legion Post at 22 Union Street, another will be in Oneonta from 12 pm. - 5 pm., at the SUNY Hunt College Union, appointments can be made at RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

Broadway In Binghamton announced that single tickets for the Broadway smash hit musical AIN'T TOO PROUD – THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS, will go on sale today at 10am. Tickets will be available at BroadwayInBinghamton.com, Ticketmaster.com, and in person at the Arena Box Office. AIN'T TOO PROUD will play at the Broome County Forum Theatre October 22 & 23 AT 7:30PM.

Hartwick College in Oneonta launched their Together, We Soar campaign last November, with the goal of raising $50 Million dollars for a variety of reason, James Kellerhouse, Vice President for Institutional Advancement & External Relations, told WCDO News about their efforts:

(James Kellerhouse 4-11-24)

Kellerhouse said that they have already raised about $30 million dollars, and that enrollments increased this year by about 10%, with an even higher percentage of new students from the local counties, more information is available at hartwick.edu/giving/together-we-soar.

The Binghamton Police Department arrested a 17-year-old from Johnson City for leaving the scene of a pedestrian hit-and-run Tuesday afternoon. Binghamton Police responded at Court and Water streets for a report of a person who was crossing the road being struck by a vehicle, the victim was a 45 year old man from Binghamton, He was transported to an area hospital w& was in critical condition. Detectives found the suspect and their vehicle later, he was arrested & was released on an appearance ticket.

A.M. NEWS Thursday 4-11-24

40 year old Jesse Barnum of Endicott was arrested in Pennsylvania on multiple felony charges for failing to register under the Sex Offender Registration Act. Barnum was found hiding under a blanket in the rear of a van, he was arrested and extradited to appear in Broome County and Town of Union courts. On Friday, April 1, 2024, members of the Broome County Sheriff’s Warrants Division and the United States Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force traveled to Scranton area, Barnum was wanted 2 separate counts of Failure to Register Under the Sex Offender Registration Act, plus Bail Jumping.

The Sidney Chamber of Commerce will have their next Buisness After Hours event at the Community Cultural Center today, Sidney Chamber President Teri Schunk explains:

(Teri Schunk 4-11-24)

The next Community Cultural Center will have their next Comedy night Friday night with Angela Cobb & Headline Vinnie Mark.

The Deadline to sign up to sell your wares & get on the 4 Towns Forward Maps for their April 27th event is approaching, Teri Schunk of 4 Towns Forward explains:

(Teri Schunk 4-9-24)

The 4 Towns Forward Yard Sale event will be on Saturday April 27th, also the Unadilla & Bainbridge Fire Departments will have their community Open House & Recruitment event as well.

State Attorney General Letitia James announced that 2 conservative political operatives; Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman, will have to pay $1.25 million under a settlement to New York. Wohl & Burkman orchestrated a robocall campaign to dissuade about 85,000 Black people from voting in the 2020 election, in Ohio, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania and Illinois. The robocall told the victims that they could be subjected to arrest, debt collection and forced vaccination if they voted by mail. Wohl and Burkman pleaded guilty to felony telecommunications fraud in Ohio, they were sued in New York by The National Coalition on Black Civil Participation, they also recruited a college student to falsely claim he was raped by then-Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 4-9-24

Broome County District Attorney's office announced that 39 year old Majid Richardson of Binghamton was found guilty of 4 counts of Criminal Contempt, plus 3rd degree Robbery and 2 counts of Grand Larceny by a Jury in Broome County Court. On June 1, 2023, Richardson forcibly stole from a victim and then attempted to contact that victim multiple times from Broome County Jail after an order of protection was issued. Richardson is due back in court for sentencing on July 3, 2024, where he will be sentenced to State Prison.

The State Department of Agriculture & markets announced that 22 organizations will receive grants for food resiliency projects. The Unadilla Community Farm Education Center will receive over $44,000 dollars in grant money.

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office is currently looking for Veronica Mitchell on an outstanding warrant for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Mitchell is a white female, 5'2" 100 Pounds with brown hair & eyes, anyone with information should go to gobroomecounty.com/sheriff/warrants or call (607) 778-1196.

The Vestal Police Department arrested 43 year old Lori Littler of Vestal on a variety of drug charges. Members of the police department executed a search warrant at Littler’s residence, they seized methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, suboxone, plus Packaging materials & Scales, Littler was remanded to the Broome County Jail to await arraignment.

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 2-28-24

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 23 year old Lucian Decker of Pittsfield, for 2nd degree Assault with a weapon, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, plus he was wanted on 2 warrants. Decker was arrested following an investigation into an assault in the Town of Morris on April 7 2022, where he allegedly struck the victim in the head with a lead pipe after an argument, Decker fled the scene & left the state, earlier this month, deputies learned that Decker was back in the area, and was involved in another incident that is still under investigation. Decker was located in the Town of Pittsfield and was taken into custody without incident, he was arraigned & was remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $3,000 cash bail/$30,000 secured bond.

The Broome County Sheriff's Office is currently investigating a one-person motorcycle accident with injuries on Interstate Route 81 South between Exits 1 and 2 in the Town of Kirkwood Tuesday. The initial investigation revealed that the motorcyclist was the only individual involved and speed was a factor in the crash. The motorcyclist was transported to Wilson Hospital with serious injuries.

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office and SUNY Broome have partnered on a program to begin introducing community college “life skills” curriculum to incarcerated men and women at the Broome County Correctional Facility. The pilot program consists of five, 1-hour weekly classes taking place over five weeks, offered in both a male and a female housing pod. Undersheriff Sam Davis is the instructor for each class, he previously served as the Director of Training for the Broome County Sheriff’s Office and taught several criminal justice courses at SUNY Broome over the past 8 years.