WCDO Radio News

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 12-2-25

Country Club Auto Group in Oneonta presented a check for $10,000 to Friends of Bassett Healthcare Network on November 21 after dedicating a portion of their October sales to the Bassett Cancer Institute Expansion Initiative. Tom Armao presented the check at FoxCare Center's cancer clinic & he told WCDO News why they donated:

(Tom Armao 12-2-25)

Learn more about Bassett Healthcare Network's Bassett Cancer Institute expansion initiative by visiting bassett.org/MovingForward.

The 1st Winter Storm of the season presented some problems on area roads today, law enforcement & 1st responders were kept busy with minor accidents around the region, they remind motorists to slow down & leave extra time for travel during wintry conditions.

The State DEC is now accepting applications for $851,255 in Volunteer Fire Capacity grants to help rural fire departments protect public safety and natural resources. The application deadline is December 22, 2025. Interested fire departments can obtain applications and additional information about the grant program, at (518) 402-8839, or at the DEC website at dec.ny.gov.

Broome County District Attorney's office announced today that Nicholas Neer of Binghamton, was sentenced in Broome County Court to 7 to 14 years of incarceration following his pleas of guilty to 3rd degree Burglary and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property. Neer’s convictions stem from an investigation earlier this year by the State Police and the Broome County Sheriff’s Office into a series of burglaries and thefts in the towns of Windsor, Union, and Kirkwood, they identified Neer as a key participant responsible for breaking into multiple properties and possessing stolen items tied to those incidents.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 12-2-25

New Yorkers can now apply for HEAP, eligible households could receive up to $996, depending on their heating method. The program's opening was delayed due to the 43-day federal government shutdown, Assistance is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and households can apply online, by mail or in person at local social services departments. Click dps.ny.gov/energy-affordability-program for more information.

The State Department of Health is alerting the public to an increase in measles cases in parts of the state. To date, there 35 total cases , with 16 in Upstate Counties, New Yorkers are urged to be up to date on their measles, mumps and rubella vaccines. Measles is a highly contagious, serious respiratory disease that causes rash and fever. More information can be found at health.ny.gov.

New survey findings regarding Governor Hochul's distraction-free schools law have been released, they received over 350 responses from school administrators who implemented smartphone restrictions this year, 92% reported a smooth transition to the new policy, 83% of schools experienced more positive classroom environments and better student engagement & 75% of teachers reported that the distraction-free policy improved their ability to teach effectively.

39 year old Michael Davis pleaded guilty in Broome County Court to 1st Degree Assault stemming from a violent attack, on October 22, where Davis acted with the intent to cause serious physical injury to another individual by means of am unidentified instrument, Davis will serve 7 years in state prison, followed by 5 years of post-release supervision, Davis is scheduled to be sentenced in Broome County Court on March 3, 2026.

The Chenango Arts Council will host the "Night Before Christmas" free movie & Popcorn event tonight at 7:00 PM, the Tinsel-Town Free movie will be held on the 9th with "It's a Wonderful Life, and the 16th with "Scrooge" all moviees will be at the Martin W. Kappel Theater in downtown Norwich.

Sidney Village Mayor Ray Baker told WCDO News today that the closing date for the purchase of the former Acco Brands facility in Sidney is March 14th, and is being purchased by Copeland Associates of San Diego California. Initially a cannabis manufacturing facility will occupy part of the facility, with an estimated 400 employees, with another undisclosed area company planning to use the rest of the facility for storage..

21 year old Christian Rogler of the Town of Maine, pleaded guilty in Broome County Court for Leaving the Scene of a Fatal Accident and Attempted Rape. Rogler's guilty plea stems from two separate criminal incidents, last September in the Town of Dickinson, Rogler struck and killed Jamel Smalls of Binghamton, and fled the scene of the crash. Rogler will be sentenced to 2 and 1/3 to 7 years in State Prison, and in 2021, in Johnson City, Rogler engaged in an attempted sexual assault of an underage person, he will receive 3 and ½ years in State Prison, followed by 10 years of post-release supervision. Rogler is also required to register as a sex offender and a final no-contact order of protection will be issued for the victim. Sentencing is scheduled for May 28th.

34 year old Kyle Oakley of South Kortright was sentenced in Delaware County Court to state prison for violating the terms of his probation. Oakley had previously pleaded guilty in 2023, to 3rd degree Burglary because of a forced entry into a seasonal residence during March of 2022, he was sentenced to a 5-year term of felony probation supervision, in subsequent court appearances, he admitted to using illegal narcotics, Driving while intoxicated, obstructing governmental administration and this week, Oakley made further admissions to violating the terms of his probation. Oakley was sentenced to an indeterminate term of imprisonment to last no less than one year and no more than three years.

The Otsego County Solid Waste Department is continuing with the annual Plastic Film Recycling Challenge where Otsego County Schools recycle things like bread bags, Grocery bags Bubble wraps & bring it to Trex Affiliated business where the totals are counted. Kyle King of the Otsego County Solid Waste Department comments:

(Kyle King 2-28-25)

King said that last year this challenge helped divert roughly 6 tons of plastic film from the landfills and helped promote recycling practices in our school aged community. The winning schools in each division will receive an ice cream social event in the spring.

The Jericho Arts Council & the Bainbridge Town Hall Theatre present "Yesterday Once More - A Tribute to The Carpenters" Saturday Night at 7:00 PM, Council Spokesman Phil Wade Comments:

(Phil Wade 2-28-25)

Wade said that in the gallery will be the works of Scott Higby, ​For ticket Reservations Call (607) 288-3882.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 2-28-25

State Police executed a search warrant in the town of Springfield for possible animal neglect. The investigation resulted in the removal of over 2-dozen animals. 8 dogs, 13 cats and 1 turtle were in need of immediate medical care and were turned over to the care of the Susquehanna SPCA. State Police were assisted by the Otsego County Emergency Services and the DEC, The investigation is on-going, charges are likely.

Governor Hochul & Mediator Martin Scheinman announced an agreement has been reached between striking Corrections officer & the state. The final agreement changes the "Halt Act over a phased in period, makes changes in shifts, overtime, approved leave, and the addition of a circuit breaker safety measure for inadequate staffing issues.

Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 30 year old Joseph Schneider of Albany & 35 year old Samuel Smith of Hamilton on a number of drug charges, in North Norwich. Due to recent burglaries and larceny complaints Deputies were conducting property checks at storage units, when they observed a suspicious vehicle. Deputies located a quantity of Methamphetamine, packaging material, and a scale inside the vehicle. Schneider and Smith were taken into custody without incident. Both were arraigned and were released on their own recognizance. Schneider and Smith are to appear in the Town of North Norwich Court at a later date.

Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 35 year old Steven Torres-Figueroa of Smyrna for 2 counts of Menacing a Police Officer and Resisting Arrest, after investigation into a disabled vehicle complaint in the Town of Smyrna. Deputies located Torres-Figueroa, who became irate that his vehicle was getting towed for being a traffic & snow removal hazard. Torres-Figueroa went into his residence and retrieved a kitchen knife and began to approach the Deputies and Troopers on scene aggressively and disobey commands to comply. Deputies and Troopers were able to subdue Torres-Figueroa, he was arraigned in Chenango County Court and remanded to the Correctional Facility on $5,000 cash bail while awaiting his next court date.

Organizers for the annual Binghamton St. Patrick’s Day parade announced that it will be held on Saturday March 1st , it will start at 1:30 pm. at Fayette and Court Streets, a number of organizations have signed up to participate this year.

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 2-11-25

60 year old Loretta Washington of Binghamton was sentenced in US District Court to 18 months in prison for social security fraud. Washington admitted that she had applied for and was receiving social security benefits for a minor child, In September 2018, Broome County Department of Social Services removed the child from Washington’s custody after the 4 year old child was found walking on a road in the middle of the night. Washington never reported the change in custody, she received over $25,000 in social security benefits, In addition to the prison term. Washington will serve 3 years of supervised release & was ordered to pay restitution to the Social Security Administration.

State Police at Troop C in Sidney announced that 9 people were arrested for DWI or related charges over the Superbowl Weekend initiative. In New York State slightly more than 30% of the fatal crashes are alcohol related. In New York State, a driver's ability to operate a motor vehicle may be considered legally impaired if their BAC exceeds 0.05% & there are legally intoxicated if their BAC is 0.08% or greater. In a recent study, 16% of weekend nighttime drivers tested positive for illicit drugs.

The State DOT is alerting motorists that beginning this Thursday, the Exit 83 off ramp from westbound State Route 17 to Broome County Route 28 in the Town of Sanford will be closed. The closure is necessary to facilitate a culvert replacement and is expected to last until mid-March, weather permitting. Motorists should follow the posted detours, Motorists are urged to slow down in work zones as fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone.

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies are looking to fill several baseball related positions for the upcoming 2025 baseball season. The Rumble Ponies are hosting 2 upcoming Job Fairs at Mirabito Stadium, on February 15 and February 22, from 11 am. to 2 pm. each day, in the Administrative Office & the Team Store at Mirabito Stadium.

The State DEC announced that dates for the 34th annual Free Fishing Days program, which will be this Saturday & Sunday February 15 and 16, plus June 28 and 29, September 27 and November 11. While fishing during these days is free, all other regulations remain in effect. Outside of these free days, anglers over the age of 16 must have a valid fishing license to fish, more information is available at dec.ny.gov.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 2-11-25

Binghamton Police Department Detective Bureau are attempting to locate 50-year-old Scott Mitchell of Binghamton in connection with the murders of 58 year old Daniel McCloe and 55 year old Marshall VanOven, who were reported missing February 3, On February 5, both men were found dead at a private residence in Binghamton, the Autopsies determined the cause of death was murder. Mitchell's vehicle was found days later in South Carolina, Anyone with information should call the Binghamton Police Detective Bureau at (607)772-7080.

Delaware County Sheriff's Office responded to a domestic incident in the Town of Delhi, 50-year-old James Eriksen of Delhi engaged in a physical altercation with his partner, in front of a 4-year-old child and 13-year-old child. Eriksen had left the scene prior to Deputies arriving, Deputies to applied for criminal summons through the Town of Delhi court, last Friday Eriksen surrendered himself at the Sheriff’s Office and was ordered to appear in the Town of Delhi Court at a later date to answer the charge.

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 1-17-25

Norwich Police Department, and New York State Parole concluded an investigation into a Level III Sex Offender who was using social media without registering his account, as well as violating his parole conditions. Additionally, the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office has separate charges as well. 44 year old Joshua Clifton of Norwich was charged with, Failure to Register & on a State Parole Violation Warrant, for allegedly using an unregistered Instagram account where he had access to juveniles and activity in violation of his Level III Sex Offender status, Clifton is being held at the Norwich Police Department, pending arraignment, The investigation is ongoing, and more charges are expected.

Delaware County Sheriff and current President of the NYS Sheriff’s Association, Craig DuMond, announced the roll out of the Sheriff’s Associations “Blue Envelope” Program, Sheriff DuMond told WCDO News how it works:

(Sheriff DuMond 1-17-25)

Sheriff DuMond said that any driver on the Autism Spectrum can ask for a blue envelop in person or by phone to a law enforcement agency or request to have one mailed to their home address, that they can fill out & have in their vehicles in case they are pulled over.

The Otsego County Health Department reported that a raccoon in the town of Laurens, tested positive for rabies. All people & animals exposed to the raccoon are receiving medical care. More information about rabies is available at 607-547-4230 or at the Health Department's page at Otsegocountyny.gov.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies arrested 37 year old Matthew Walsh of Sidney For 3rd degree Grand Larceny. Walsh was arrested last August on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges related to an identity theft investigation, earlier this week he was additionally charged with Grand Larceny, Walsh was located with the help is the Sidney Police Department, Walsh was turned over to the Delaware County Correctional Facility Centralized Arraignment where he was released on his own recognizance and directed to appear at the Village of Sidney court at a later date to answer for the charge.

A.M. NEWS Friday 1-17-25

The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office arrested 33 year old Gary Garbera of Oneonta following an investigation into a property damage motor vehicle accident on East Street in Oneonta. Garbera fled the vehicle and after a search of the immediate area, he was located and taken into custody without further incident. Garbera was charged with Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Criminal Use Drug Paraphernalia, Resisting Arrest, Felony DWI, Operating Motor Vehicle Impaired by Drugs, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation and Numerous NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law Violations, he was processed and released on an Appearance Ticket returnable to Town of Oneonta Court at a later date.

New York State Office of General Services will hold the 5th annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life and legacy, with guest speakers, live performances, and the premiere of the 2025 film tribute “We Press On: New York State Celebrates the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”. A welcome reception will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the base of the Egg, and the formal program will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Empire State Plaza Convention Center.

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar began his term as president of the New York State County Executives' Association this week. The Association is an affiliate of the State Association of Counties and represents the 19 counties that have county executives as their chief elected official. These counties, including the City of New York, represent more than 16 million New Yorkers.