WCDO Radio News

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 7-26-21

The Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task Force executed a search warrant Friday in Windsor, officer seized Methamphetamines, Fentanyl, weapons & drug paraphernalia.  Police arrested Shawn McCabe of Windsor on a variety of Weapons & Drug Charges, he was being held at the Broome County Sheriff’s Correctional Facility pending arraignment.

Norwich city police are looking for a suspect in a stabbing in downtown Norwich Sunday evening.  Norwich Police said that a pedestrian was walking near American Avenue in downtown Norwich at about 5:25 PM, & was stabbed several times in the neck & chest during the robbery near American Avenue.  The victim was taken to Wilson Memorial Hospital in Johnson City; Norwich Police officers are asking anyone with information about the attack to call them at 336-8477.  The Suspect is described as a White Male with a red backpack, wearing a Baseball cap, line at 607-336-8477.

Governor Cuomo today announced a new streamlined application process for the rent relief program to help eliminate potential barriers to funding. The new process relaxes documentation standards for both tenants and landlords and implements a streamlined process for submission of arrears documentation for multi-tenant landlords effective Tuesday.   The State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance will administer the program.

Bainbridge Fire Fighters responded to a car fire at the Mirabito's Saturday afternoon.  Firefighters found a Kia from North Carolina fully involved, the occupants were out of the vehicle & no injuries were reported.

The State HEAP Cooling Assistance Program, which provides up to an $800 benefit to purchase and install an air conditioner or a fan, will be open until August 31st.   To apply, households must contact their local social services Department; more information is available at otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/.

A.M. NEWS Monday 7-26-21

State Police arrested 29 year old Anthony Masi of Sidney for Criminal Possession of Stolen Property.  Masi was the driver of a motorcycle that crashed into an SUV near the intersection of State Highway 28 and the Lettis Highway on July 4th in Oneonta,  Masi was taken to Albany Medical Center, the other driver was not injured.  An investigation determined that the motorcycle was stolen.  Masi was charged by the Village of Sidney Police on July 19, he was turned over to the State Police. Masi was transported to Otsego County Central Arraignment and Processing.  He was remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $10,000 cash or $20,000 property bond.

Otsego County Sheriff's Office responded to a commercial bus fire earlierSaturday on State Route 28 in the Town of Otsego.  The bus passengers were heading to a wedding when the fire broke out.  No injuries are reported, the bus suffered substantial damage and was towed from the scene.  The Cooperstown and Hartwick Seminary Fire Departments responded, with Assistance by the Cooperstown Police Department and the State Police.

State Police responded to a report of a fatal skydiving incident in the area of County Highway 34 in the town of Westford.   A preliminary investigation revealed that 59 year old Karen Bernard of Wildwood, Florida jumped out of a plane to skydive when it appears she had a malfunction with her parachute,  the investigation continues.

State Police arrested 21 year old Noah Bascom of Hamilton for 3rd degree Assault and Overdriving, Torturing and injuring an Animal.  Bascom allegedly repeatedly struck a small dog with a wooden dowel.  He was also accused of striking a person in the face, causing injury.  The victim was taken to Community Hospital by a third party and received treatment.   Bascom was located at his residence in Hamilton and arrested.  He was released on an appearance ticket to the Earlville Village Court on August 11th.

Governor Cuomo announced that 4 mass vaccination sites will cease operations as part of the ongoing downscaling that will allow the State to focus on localized vaccination efforts. As part of the downscaling, the site at Binghamton University will cease operations following vaccinations TODAY.

The Bainbridge Fire Department responded to State Highway 7 for the report of a Single Engine Plane Crash last night.  The plane was tangled up in wires, & the person was able to get out of the plane. More information is expected to be released later today.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 6-1-21

The Otsego County Sheriff's Department arrested 49-year-old Jason Tracy of Cherry Valley for 3rd & 4th Degree Arson.  Tracy is accused of setting a fire that damaged a camper & a farmhouse on May 22nd in the town of Springfield; he was arraigned then released on his own recognizance pending an appearance in Town of Springfield court at a later date.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies responded April 25th to a trespass complaint on Delside Drive in the Town of Delhi, the home’s surveillance system video revealed an unknown male attempting to open a locked door early that morning.  Deputies identified the male as 40 year-old Sean VanHeusen of Delhi; he was arrested Monday and was charged with attempted criminal trespass, he was released on an appearance ticket for Delhi Town Court on a later date.

The Broome County Department of Public Works announced the closure of the bridge on North Sanford Road over Oquauga Creek in the Town of Sanford.  A Bridge replacement project is underway today through September 30th; more information is available at 778-2470.

Catholic Charities is assisting The Delaware County Department of Social Services starting today, to help county renters or landlords with past due rent because of the COVID pandemic.  Penny McKnight of Catholic Charities explains:

(Penny McKnight 5-6-21)

McKnight said that people can contact her at Catholic Charities at 604-4071 or Delaware County Social Services at 832-5300 and ask to speak to an Emergency Eligibility Worker for more information.

This year's Virtual General Clinton Canoe Regatta was a success with 68 boats signed up to for the 70 mile race any day of the 3 day Memorial Day Weekend.  Paddlers who can provide a GPS proof of completing the race will receive an official 70 Mile Finish, the Regatta Race Committee is still tallying up how many Paddlers finished the journey. Of note this year, 81 year old Don Lafever of Norwich finished his 39th race, paddling with his nephew Jim Lafever Jr. and Jim Jordan of Otego finished his 44th 70-miler, the most completions in the history of the event, passing Ted LaMonica who had 43 finishes.  Officials also said that 100 Scout Boats & 20 Generation Gap boats participated over the weekend; more information is available at canoeregatta.org.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 6-1-21

New York's Positivity rate for COVID tests dropped to .69%, with the 7-Day Average down to .67%.  Patient Hospitalizations are down to 1,032, Patients in ICU beds are down to 252 & Patients on ventilators are down to 150, there were 18 deaths reported Sunday.  The Total number of vaccine doses administered is over 19 million.

Governor Cuomo announced the lifting of the midnight curfew for indoor dining at bars and restaurants, those establishments can go back to serving until the hours stated on their liquor license.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli today warned retirees not to be fooled by a scam if they received text messages or other communications that purport to come from the state's retirement fund and the Office of the State Comptroller, asking for a payment to "upgrade" the retirement fund.  Report the message to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov or by calling 1-800-CALLFBI.

Governor Cuomo signed legislation allowing veterans to qualify for state benefits after a diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Previously, veterans had to be diagnosed by a provider at the Department of Veteran Affairs.

P.M. NEWS Thursday 3-18-21

State Health department announced that some restrictions are being lessened as COVID positivity rates continue to decline & vaccinations increase.  Indoor fitness classes can resume at limited capacity on March 22, at 33% with health screening and contact information required at sign-in.  Local health departments shall inspect before or within 2 weeks of the fitness center opening to ensure compliance.  Also, Beginning April 5th, the 11:00 PM curfew currently in place for casinos, movie theaters, bowling alleys, billiards halls, gyms and fitness centers will be lifted. The 11pm curfew for food and beverage establishments and the midnight curfew for catered events will remain in effect; both curfews will be re-evaluated in late April.

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 29 year old Christopher Ruiz of the Town of Hartwick on 55 counts of violating an order of protection while incarcerated at the correctional facility.  Ruiz   is accused of contacting a party that was protected by an order of protection, over 100 times while remanded at the Otsego County correctional facility.

State Police conducted an Underage Drinking Initiative Tuesday, in Otsego & Chenango Counties.  All 17 businesses were found to be in compliance in Greene, Oxford, Norwich, Sherburne, & Morris.  During the Underage Drinking Detail Initiative retail establishments are checking utilizing a trooper in plain clothes and one or several under aged operative who cannot lie about their age or give a fake date of birth.  When asked for ID, they must show their real ID.

Delaware County Public Health Services and Friends of Recovery- Delaware Otsego will be sponsoring a Recovery Coach Academy & Ethical Considerations training from April 12th to April 17th, from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, at the First Baptist Church in Delhi.  The Recovery Coach Academy includes all course materials. Scholarships are available. For more information or to register for this course, call 267-4435 or email: Kyle@friendsofrecoverydo.org.  The deadline to register is April 7th.

Chenango County Public Health reported 13 more COVID positive tests; they report 83 Active Cases, 252 Active Quarantines, 7 hospitalizations & 2598 Total Confirmed Cases, with 2357 recoveries & 64 deaths.

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 3-18-21

The state-run mass vaccination site at SUNY Oneonta will open Friday, Bassett Healthcare Network staff will work at the site each day, along with Staff from the State, the National Guard and Otsego County Public Health.  Anyone currently eligible under state guidelines can find the link to register at bassett.org/covid-19, after registering, patients should go to forms.ny.gov/s3/vaccine.  Eligible New Yorkers can also schedule appointments by utilizing New York's 'Am I Eligible' website or by calling the state's COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline at 1-833-NYS-4-VAX (1-833-697-4829).  Each site will be open from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm. daily.

22 year old Brandon Clark was sentenced to 25 years to life in Oneida County Court this week, for the murder of Bianca Devins in Utica in July of 2019.  Clark killed Devins & then posted the murder scene on social media, near the site of the Boilermaker run on Sunday, July 14th 2019.

Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task Force arrested 43 year old Michael Palmer of Binghamton after they executed a search warrant at his residence.  Police seized over $10,000 in cash, Fentanyl & drug packaging materials, Palmer was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and tampering with physical evidence; he was arraigned in Binghamton City Court and was remanded to the Broome County Jail.

Delaware County Public Health reported 18 new COVID cases out of 467 tested, they have 101 active cases, 8 hospitalized & 388 quarantined.

Delaware County Public Health will be conducting a COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Saturday at the DCMO BOCES- Harrold Campus, on State Route 206 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This vaccination clinic is open to New York state residents or people who work in New York State who presently qualify by being 60+ years of age, an eligible worker 18+ years of age, or those with qualifying medical conditions 18+ years of age.  Eligibility requirements are available at covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/phaseddistribution-vaccine, Registration is mandatory at delawarecountypublichealth.com/covid-19.

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce will hold their free virtual Third Thursday event this morning from 8:30 to 9:30 AM.  The featured speaker is Congressman Antonio Delgado, who was elected to his 2nd term in November, he currently serves on the House Agriculture, Small Business, and Transportation and Infrastructure committees, to register, go to delawarecounty.org.