WCDO Radio News

AM NEWS 7-11-13

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that 54 million has been awarded to 20 recipients to finance large scale solar energy projects across New York State. The new projects will add 64 megawatts to the state’s solar capacity and will make New York the leader in solar energy generation. The closest sites to the Southern Tier are Cornell University in Ithaca and SUNY Cortland. For more information on this plan, visit ny-sun.ny.gov

New York officials plan to overhaul the state’s psychiatric services over the next four years by consolidating 24 inpatient hospitals statewide into 15 regional centers and establishing more than two dozen outpatient service hubs. The consolidation plan, released by the Office of Mental Health on Wednesday, also includes closing psychiatric hospitals in Elmira and Binghamton in 2014. The plan is expected to save $20 million the first year. The state spends about $6.6 billion, including federal funds, annually on mental health treatment.

A Binghamton man was charged with felony second-degree strangulation following a dispute on Willow Street with a family member, according to Johnson City police. 33 year old Kareem A. Davis is accused of threatening to kill a woman, and then grabbing her by the neck and choking her, causing her to pass out. Davis was arraigned in village court and sent to the Broome County jail.

Many activites for the entire family are happening in around our area. The Afton Fair and Agricultural Expo opens today at 9am at the Afton Fairgrounds with animal exhibits, floral judging, harness racing, a children's bicycle drawing and the K Bar F Rodeo at 7:30pm this evening. Admission is only $1 per person with children 5 and under free. The Fair continues through Sunday and the complete schedule can be found online at The Afton Fair Dot Com. Also, Unadilla will have their Free Summer Concert for this week, tonight from 6:30-8pm on the Community House Lawn. Montebank Brothers will provide the entertainment, and bring a dish to pass and your own table service, as there will be a community picnic starting at 5:30pm. For dessert The Unadilla Chamber of Commerce will hold a strawberry social during the concert. In case of rain, the concert will be held in the firehouse on Clifton St. Plus, The Chenango County Blues Fest Summer series kicks off tonight in Norwich with New Riders of the Purple Sage taking the stage at 7pm in East Side Park. The series continues weekly on Thursday nights through August 1st. The complete schedule for the series can be found at chenangobluesfest.org.

The supply of types O positive and O negative blood at the American Red Cross is at very low levels. Eligible donors with type O blood are asked to donate blood today at a Blood Drive at Guernsey Memorial Library in Norwich, at 3 Court Street, from 9:00 to 2:00 pm. Appointments can be made at 1-800-RedCross or redcrossblood.org.
Commerce Chenango will hold their next networking luncheon today at Lewis’s restaurant in Sherburne. Registration begins at 11:30, more information is available at 334-1402.

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold the Re-Organizational Board of Education Meeting today in the Guilford School Cafeteria at 6:30 PM. The business portion of the meeting will start at 7:30 PM.

The incidence of confirmed rabies cases of raccoons in the tri county area continues. Pet owners are reminded that your pets must be vaccinated. Free rabies clinics are taking place next week at the Coventry Town Garage on Tuesday, July 16th from 5:30 to 6:30pm, Wednesday the 17th at the Morris Fire Department from 6 to 8pm and Thursday, July 18th at the New Berlin Fire Station from 7 to 8:30pm. The clinics are for dogs, cats and ferrets.
State regulators are looking for feedback on proposed changes to freshwater fishing rules. The DEC has identified potential changes based on discussions with anglers, biologists, and fisheries managers. Now the DEC is seeking additional angler feedback. Many changes under consideration would eliminate special regulations that didn’t achieve their intended purpose. Highlights include increasing year-round trout fishing opportunities at specific streams and establishing catch-and-release fishing at a few additional streams. To view the potential changes and provide input, go to dec.ny.gov

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in locating 54-year-old Paul Terwilliger.  Detectives describe Terwilliger as a white male 5’6” 150 pounds with brown hair balding and blue eyes. Terwilliger was arrested on April 29th for Course of Sexual Conduct Against a Child, for allegedly engaging in sexual intercourse with a child less than 11 years of age.  A missing persons report was issued for Terwilliger after he was bailed out on the criminal charges, anyone with information on Terwilliger’s whereabouts is asked to call the Broome County Sheriff’s Office Tipline at 778-1196.

Governor Cuomo announced that more than 18,000 teens would have jobs this summer through New York State’s Summer Youth Employment Program.  The State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance has distributed $25 million in funding to all 57 counties and New York City to help bring youth into the workforce. Youth interested in participating can contact their local department of social services (http://otda.ny.gov/workingfamilies/dss.asp).

The Chenango county sheriffs department arrested 28-year-old Amey Suwarrow of South New Berlin and 64-year-old Gertrude Bullock of Mount Upton for 3rd degree Welfare Fraud and offering a false instrument for filing.  Both were arrested for allegedly submitting day care time sheets to the county social services department containing false information, w resulting in an over-payment of more than $12,000 between November 2010 –and April 2012.   Both face court action at a later date.

The Broome County Sheriffs department arrested 23-year-old Joshua Kramer and 21-year-old Harlee Skinner of Binghamton are facing drug & burglary charges for allegedly being found with stolen jewelry and drugs.  Deputies & the County Special Investigations Unit Task Force arrested the pair at their apartment as part of an on going burglary investigation, police confiscated stolen jewelry & 7 envelopes of heroin and the equipment and ingredients to manufacture methamphetamines.  Both were remanded to the Broome County Jail & face court action shortly.

The Oneonta zoning board of appeals meeting for tonight has been cancelled.  City officials reported that a lack of quorum was the reason for the cancellation, the next zoning board meeting is scheduled of April 22nd.

Catskill area hospice has lined up another big-name act to be part of their fundraising celebrity party this summer.  Bob Escher of Catskill area hospice gave WCDO News the details:

(Bob Escher 3-25-13)

Escher said that this year’s show would be held at the Wright Soccer campus in Oneonta, on July 1st, the tickets go on sale April 12th at 9:00 AM.

More than 1 million middle class families across New York State will benefit from a child tax credit that will be enacted as part of the 2013-2014 Budget, according to the state Division of Budget.  Families with incomes between $40,000 and $300,000 will be eligible to receive a new child tax credit of $350 per-year for 3 years, starting in 2014. Locally about 20,000 families can benefit in Chenango, Delaware Otsego & Broome counties.

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a special Board of Education Meeting today in the District Conference Room. The meeting will begin at 6:00 PM. Also, the Bainbridge-Guilford District is holding a public forum in the High School Auditorium at 7:00PM to discuss the 2013-2014-school budget.  School administrators and Board of Education members will be present to address questions and concerns.

The state senate today acted on a non-budget bill and passed “Alix’s Law”, which closes a loophole and holds intoxicated drivers accountable for leaving the scene of an accident.  The legislation follows a drunk driving accident in Amherst where 18-year-old Alix Rice was killed by a drunk driver in 2011 as she road home on her long board.   current law only requires drivers to report an accident when they know or have reason to know the accident resulted in an injury or property damage. Which allowed drunk drivers to flee the scene of an accident they caused and later claim they did not know any injury or damage occurred.  The bill was sent to the Assembly.