WCDO Radio News

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 10-7-24

Otsego County Sheriff's office arrested 33 year old Schuyler Schmidt of Garratsville following an investigation of a structure fire in the Town of New Lisbon. Schmidt was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Arson, Criminal Mischief in connection with a structure fire of a garage owned by a relative, multiple area Fire Departments responded, investigators located approximately thirteen vehicles & Machinery sustained significant damage or had become a total loss. Upon Arrested, Schmidt allegedly possessed methamphetamine, he was held at the Otsego County Correctional Facility pending arraignment.

The Chenango County Planning Department has scheduled an Open House for County Members to examine the County's draft 2050 Vision Plan, County Planning Director Shane Butler explains:

(Shane Butler 10-7-24)

The Open House will be held on October 16th from 5:30 to 7:00 PM at the Commerce Chenango Office at 15 South Broad Street in Norwich, more information is available at chenangocounty2050.com.

DCMO BOCES is seeking donations from the local counties, in order to continue to send winners of area Spelling bees & their families to the National Competition nest year, spokesperson Martha Ryan explains:

(Martha Ryan 10-7-24)

Donations may be sent by check payable to DCMO BOCES - Spelling Bee Program and mailed to 6678 County Road 32 Norwich, NY 13815. For more information, call 607-335-1292 or contact by email at ryanm@dcmoboces.com.

Governor Kathy Hochul today extended the application deadline for homeowners to apply for emergency repair grants for the July and August 2024 extreme weather events across the state. Funds are available to eligible homeowners flood or insurance coverage or other forms of disaster recovery funds insufficient. Locally Delaware County Residents who had damage from the severe weather of August 9th & 10th are eligible, more information on the program, is available on HCR’s website: hcr.ny.gov. The application deadline has now been extended to Friday, November 8.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 9-7-24

52 year old Shannon Finch of Margaretville was indicted by the Delaware County Grand Jury & was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance. The indictment alleges that on May 5 in a hotel room in Fleischmanns, Finch, possessed methamphetamine, he was previously arraigned in the Town of Middletown Town Court where he was released on his own recognizance, he faces up to 5 1/2 years in state prison and 2 years of post-release supervision if convicted.

Broome County Sheriff’s Office Road Patrol observed a vehicle reported missing from the Town of Fenton. The vehicle had pulled into a driveway in Binghamton when the patrol activated their emergency lights. The vehicle then accelerated into the yard, driving through a fence into the yard of a residence on State St in an attempt to escape police. The vehicle had struck a building, the occupants fled on foot. The female passenger, 21 year old Hailey Blank was located and taken into custody, 20 year old Rodney McCormick, was located & arrested, he was charged with Criminal Mischief, Reckless Endangerment, Obstruction of Governmental Administration & Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Blank was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance & Obstruction of Governmental Administration. McCormick and Blank were turned over the Binghamton Police to answer for multiple warrants, both were remanded to the Broome County Correctional Facility.

19 year old Lamont Weaver of Binghamton, and an 18-year-old adolescent offender from Binghamton, pleaded guilty to Criminal Possession of a Weapon in Broome County Court. On April 27th, Weaver was involved in a shooting in Binghamton, at sentencing on October 25, 2024, Weaver is expected to receive a sentence of up to 8 years in New York State Prison, along with up to 5 years of post-release supervision. On August 18th, the adolescent offender was involved in shooting in Binghamton, firing several rounds at people during a dispute. the adolescent faces 6 years in State Prison, followed by 5 years of post-release supervision.

59 year old Dolores Barse, also known as Dolores Hurlburt of Sidney appeared in Delaware County Court last week & pleaded guilty to Welfare Fraud, she is accused of providing false information while applying for SNAP and HEAP benefits, she claimed to have no income despite being employed. Barse improperly received $14,203 in public benefits that she was not entitled to, she will be ordered to pay the money back to the Delaware County Department of Social Services.

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 7-31-24

2 Broome County Corrections officers have been suspended without pay, following an incident of unnecessary use of force during an interaction with an incarcerated individual with suicidal pronouncements at the Broome County Correctional Facility on July 23rd. Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar held a press conference, he said that corrections officers responded to a housing unit where an incarcerated individual was refusing to return to his cell and he was escorted to the Medical housing unit for observation, Sheriff Akshar explains:

(Sheriff Akshar 7-31-24)

Sheriff Akshar said that the officer; 39 year old James Woodard of Windsor was charged with Official Misconduct & Harassment, Both Woodard and the other unidentified officer were immediately suspended without pay while both the investigation and internal disciplinary processes continue, the case has been reported to the state’s Commission of Correction and the state’s Attorney General's office. The video of the incident can be viewed at the Broome County Sheriff's Office YouTube channel, it does contain rough language.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced new bipartisan legislation to expand access to mental health services for 1st responders, who have the most stressful jobs, and documented higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression than civilians:

(Gillibrand 7-31-24)

Gillibrand’s bill would establish a national mental health hotline for first responders and expand access to mental health care for law enforcement officers, it has bipartisan support among lawmakers.

Local government sales tax collections totaled $5.83 billion in the second calendar quarter, an increase of 2.2%, or $127 million, compared to the same quarter last year, according to State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. 39 of 57 of upstate counties saw an increase in collections in the quarter, the full report can be found at osc.state.ny.us

State Police at Troop C responded yesterday afternoon to a residence on State Route 369 in the town of Fenton, where a person was suffering the mental health crisis was taken into custody without incident, no harm to the person or to any law enforcement.

A.M. NEWS Wednesday 7-31-24

State Police arrested 50 year old Bryan Howard of Mount Vision, Monday for 4 counts of Reckless Endangerment, following an investigation of “shots fired” at State Route 205 in the town of Laurens. A resident discovered bullet holes in the kitchen window where he and his family reside. Troopers located and interviewed Howard and determined he shot in the direction of the residence recklessly engaging in conduct which creates a grave risk of death to another person. Howard was processed and transported to the Otsego County Correctional Facility for Centralized Arraignment and Processing.

Delaware County Sheriff's Office arrested 25 year old John Coss of Andes for 3rd degree Assault, Criminal Mischief , Public Lewdness and 2 counts of possessing a controlled substance. On Monday Deputies were on patrol in the Village of Delhi and observed an altercation, they found that the clerk at the Speedway Gas Station was attempting to ask an intoxicated patron to leave the property after urinating on the building, and while doing so, was assaulted. Coss was found to have a quantity of Methamphetamine and Fentanyl in his possession, he was processed and turned over to the Delaware County Correctional Facility for arraignment.

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce will hold a "Business After Hours" event at Ravens View Genetics in Delhi, on Thursday, August 8, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm, regarding their State licensed cannabis cultivation facility, County Chamber President Ray Pucci explains:

(Ray Pucci 7-31-24)

Pucci said that the event is free , but registration is requested under the Events tab at DelawareCounty.org.

State Police arrested 20 year old Joseph VanBlarcom of Margaretville for Reckless Endangerment as a Hate Crime & Aggravated Harassment. Troopers responded Monday afternoon to a Jewish Synagogue in Fleishmanns, an investigation determined that VanBlarcom threw objects and recklessly swerved his vehicle at three Jewish men while yelling obscenities. VanBlarcom was processed and transported to the Delaware County Correction Facility for Centralized Arraignment and Processing.

An American Red Cross Blood Drive is being held in Laurens today from 1 pm. - 5:30 pm., at the Laurens Fire Department, 34 Main Street. Appointments can be made at the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS

Congressman Marc Molinaro's constituent service team will hold mobile office hours from 11:00am to 1:00pm today at the Norwich City Hall. Constituents will be able to connect with representatives from Rep. Molinaro's office to share comments and resolve issues they are having with federal agencies like the VA, IRS, and Social Security Administration.

The Broome County District Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday that Michael Gibson of Endicott has been sentenced for rape in the first degree, he will serve 17 years in prison for the crime, followed by 15 years of post-release supervision. Gibson admitted to performing sexual acts with a victim who was under the age of 13 in Summer 2023, the office said. He pleaded guilty to the crime in February.

Delaware County Sheriffs Office Criminal Investigations Division received a complaint in April from Delaware County Probation Department that a person supervised by the Probation Department was suspected of communicating with underage children in a sexual manner. On July 3rd, the Division arrested and charged 27-year-old Dylan Brooks, of Hancock for 1 count of Disseminating Indecent Material to Minors, and 1 count of Endangering the Welfare of Child, Brooks is alleged to have violated his terms and conditions of probation by using an unauthorized phone and social media account to engage in conversations of a sexual nature with a 16-year-old child, proceeding to then send photos of a pornographic nature to the underage child. Brooks was released on an appearance ticket returnable to the Town of Hancock Court at a later date.

The Southern Tier Music Festival went over well this past weekend at the Sidney Airport, Teri Schunk was 1 of the organizers of the event:

(Teri Schunk 7-10-24)

Schunk also said that the Sidney Summer Music Series begins tonight with the Sidney Community band at 6:00 PM, due to the inclement weather, the concert will at the Sidney Community Center at 1 Bridge Street, the shows will all be free.

State Police & The State Office of Cannabis Management has continued to execute search warrants on businesses suspected of illegally selling Marijuana without possessing a license to do so. Sidney Exotics at 30 Main Street in Sidney was closed down Monday, more details are expected to be released shortly.

A.M. NEWS Wednesday 7-10-24

Chenango County Sheriff's Office arrested 30 year old Christopher Fuller of Oxford on July 3rd, after a Deputy in Norwich observed Fuller driving a pick-up truck & knew he did not have a valid license. The Deputy observed Fuller driving in a reckless manner and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, Fuller failed to comply & the pursuit continued until Fuller's truck became disabled, he attempted to flee on foot, and he was taken into custody. Fuller was charged with Criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, Reckless Endangerment, Unlawfully fleeing a Police officer & numerous other related charges, he was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on cash bail.

The Broome County Sheriff’s Strategic Response Group arrested 59 year old Kenneth Jordan of Endicott On Saturday. During a traffic stop in Binghamton, deputies observed a knotted plastic bag hanging out of his pocket, Jordan to be in the possession of fentanyl, cocaine, plus cash from suspected drug sales. Jordan was charged with Criminal Possession of Narcotics with Intent to Sell, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, speeding and several other related charges, Jordan was arraigned and released after being issued appearance tickets returnable to the City of Binghamton Court.

64 year old Johannes Vulto of Vulto Creamery LLC in Walton, was sentenced in federal court on July 9 for his company’s connection to a listeriosis outbreak from the cheese they produced & sold in in 2016 and 2017 that resulted in the death of 2 people and 8 hospitalizations. Vulto was sentenced to 3 years probation and ordered to pay a $100,000 fine, along with 240 hours of mandated community services. Vulto Creamery went out of business after the listeria issue.

The State DOT will host a public information meeting from 5 pm. to 7 pm. on Tuesday, July 16, pertaining to a proposed project along State Route 23 and State Route 28 in the Town of Oneonta, that may begin in the spring of 2026. The project will enhance safety, traffic flow and pedestrian accommodations State Route 23 Southside, The meeting will be held at the Southside Mall Community Room.

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 6-21-24

The Deadline to register a team to play in this year's Gus Macker 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament in Norwich is this Monday June 24th, Organizer Tom Revoir told WCDO News that teams, volunteers & referees are needed:

(Tom Revoir 6-21-24)

Teams can register at Macker.com, volunteers & referees should call 607-336-9622. The Macker Tournament returns to the streets of Downtown Norwich this year on July 13th & 14th.

59 year old Dolores Barse of Sidney was indicted by the Delaware County Grand Jury for Welfare Fraud & Offering a false Instrument for Filing, for allegedly obtaining $14,203.00 dollars that she was not entitled to, and for providing a false information about her income with the Delaware County Department of Social Services in an effort to obtain public assistance benefits she was not entitled to. Barse was arraigned Thursday and was released & she was ordered to appear for a court conference on July 8th.

The State Department of Transportation is advising motorists to expect nightly single and periodic double lane closures at the junction of Interstate 81 northbound and State Route 17 westbound in the City of Binghamton, between the hours of 7:00 pm AND 6:00 am, beginning this Sunday, June 23, to facilitate concrete repairs. The work is expected to last until July 28, weather permitting. For up-to-date travel information, call 511, visit 511NY.org or download the free 511NY mobile app.

Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar joined Broome County Executive Jason Garnar, and others to announce the activation of their full-time Strategic Response Group, which is comprised of a team of deputies charged with focusing on quality-of-life issues like high numbers of speeding vehicles or repeat traffic complaints; Frequent or repeated narcotic activities, property crimes; homeless persons and connecting with services; and Targeting enforcement of high crime areas with gun and gang related violence. More information is available at the Sheriff's office web page at gobroomecounty.com

A.M. NEWS Friday 6-21-24

State Police responded Sunday to 3410 Luther Street, Apartment 1 in the town of Union for a structure fire, Troopers attempted to put the house fire out utilizing fire extinguishers from their patrol vehicle, Troopers and Endwell fire members located 70-year-old Marino Panaro deceased in the entryway of the residence. Broome County Fire Investigators determined the origin of the fire to be in the area where Panaro was located, and the fire appears to be ruled accidental. An autopsy is scheduled to determine an official cause of death.

A Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute band will be performing at the Foothills Performing Arts Center in Oneonta tonight, spokesman Geoff Doyle comments:

(Geoff Doyle 6-21-24)

Tickets for this & upcoming shows & events can be found at foothillspac.org.

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 1-3-24

The Rochester Police Department identified the two victims of a crash initiated by Michael Avery of Syracuse, as 28-year-old Justina Hughes of Geneva and 29-year-old Joshua Orr of Webster. Police stated that Avery bought gasoline several gasoline containers and crashed rental car in outside the Kodak Center parking lot in Rochester, Avery died at an area hospital, 9 people were injured Police working traffic detail said that Avery appeared to be speeding toward a crowd of people in a crosswalk before he hit the ride share vehicle containing Hughes and Orr. The investigation is continuing.

The Broome County Sheriff’s Department is currently attempting to locate 36 year old Nathan Pixley of Binghamton regarding the pending charges of Domestic Harassment, Strangulation, Criminal Mischief, Violation of Court Stay Away Order, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child stemming from an incident that occurred in the Town of Fenton on January 2nd. Pixley is known to operate a Gray Toyota Corolla 4-door sedan, license plate NY-KWD-3285 and is last known to frequent the Burr Avenue area of the City of Binghamton. Pixley is described as a White Male, 6'1" 160 pounds with brown hear & brown eyes, anyone with information on the location of Nathan Pixley, please contact the Broome County Sheriff’s Department at 607-778-1191.

The State Department of Labor is reminding New Yorkers that unemployment tax forms will be automatically mailed to those who claimed benefits in 2023. The 1099-G provides the total amount of money a customer received in benefits during the year, as well as any adjustments or tax withholding made to those benefits. Last year, customers could opt out of receiving their 1099-G by mail, but that is no longer an option. Customers can expect the forms to arrive in mailboxes by the end of January.

The Southside Mall will be adding a couple of major retailers to their location in the coming months, Mall General Manager Luisa Montanti explains:

(Luisa Montanti 1-3-24)

Montanti said that the mall is almost at 100% capacity & they will continue with various special events through the year, more information is available at shopsouthsidemall.com or on their Facebook page.

The Chenango County Sheriff's Office arrested 29 year old Katelyn Tresnak of Smithville, for welfare fraud & Grand Larceny. Tresnak was charged following a fraud complaint from Chenango County Department of Social Services, Fraud Investigation Division. The investigation revealed that Tresnak illegally trafficked over $1,400 in SNAP Benefits. Tresnak was arrested and released on an appearance ticket for Village of Oxford Court at a later date.

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 1-3-24

Governor Hochul will deliver the 2024 STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS next Tuesday January 9th at 1:00 pm to a joint session of the State Legislature. The Address will be held at the Assembly Chamber in the New York State Capitol Building in Albany.

Chobani announced that they are paying the debt for about 1,300 families who owed money for school breakfast and lunch. Chobani has donated $32,000 to eliminate school lunch debt across 11 school districts where their workforce resides, local districts where the school lunch debt was paid off include Cooperstown, Morris, Laurens, Edmeston and Schenevus.