WCDO Radio News

Binghamton Police are looking for 2 suspects who robbed a woman Tuesday evening. One man was armed with a gun and the other with a baseball bat. The first suspect is described as a tall black male, wearing dark-colored clothing and a dark-colored bandanna covering his face, the 2nd suspect is described as a tall, light-skinned male in his 20s with a thin build, wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt, dark-colored pants, and a bandanna covering his face. Anyone with information is asked to contact Binghamton detectives at 607-772-7080.

Syracuse Police have arrested 2 brothers from Binghamton for allegedly beating 2 men who were intervening on behalf of a homeless person being harassed Christmas Night. 18-year-old Nouman Khan and 20-year-old Hamza Khan, both of Binghamton, were charged with assault late Tuesday night after turning themselves in to police. Police reported that the victims intervened when a group of five men harassed a homeless man, 1 of the victims suffered a skull fracture. The Khan brothers were released on appearance tickets and ordered to appear in Syracuse City Court on January 20.

The Broome County Sheriff's Office have charged a man with DWI, following an accident involving 3 tractor trailers Monday morning. The accident occurred on Colesville Road in Kirkwood, where a tractor trailer driven by 54 year old Daniel Masonic of Binghamton, crossed over the double yellow lines and struck two other tractor trailers who were headed the opposite direction. Masonic's truck then went off the road, up an embankment, and struck a group of trees. Masonic's BAC was .18%. He was issued tickets to appear at a later date in the Town of Kirkwood court.

The Binghamton Mets have formally announced a new owner; Buffalo area businessman John Hughes & his group are the new owners of the team.

(John Hughes 12-29-15)

Hughes is the head of Evans Street Baseball, Incorporated, they will honor the player development contract with New York Mets through 2020, and the NYSEG stadium lease through 2022. General Manager Jim Weed and staff have been retained.

Binghamton Police arrested 41 year old Harry Johnson for 3rd degree Grand Larceny & Falsely Reporting an incident. Johnson is accused of reporting an armed robbery at Joseph Guardi Auto Sales in Binghamton, as he opened up the business Saturday morning. Detectives determined that a robbery did not happen, Johnson was arraigned and is being held in Broome County Jail.

State Police were dispatched to a complaint of shots fired at a residence on December 14th, on State Route 79 in Chenango Forks. 1 round was fired from a rifle through a window of a house with 2 adults and 3 children inside. Police arrested; 31 year old Joseph Spencer; 23 year old Chelsie Boyce; 30 year old Joseph Wolcott; and 29 year old Brian Stevens all of Binghamton, for 1 count each of Reckless Endangerment, and Criminal Mischief, Walcott was additionally charged with Criminal Contempt. All 4 were arraigned and remanded to Broome County Correctional Facility. The investigation is continuing and additional charges are pending.

Binghamton Police responded to the emergency room at Wilson Hospital Thursday night, after 26-year-old Franklin Reyes of Binghamton was treated for a non life-threatening stab wound to his chest. Police arrested Reyes’s wife, 22-year-old Quanisha Porter-Reyes, she was charged with first-degree assault. The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact Binghamton detectives at 772-7080.

The Binghamton Senators host the Lehigh Valley Phantoms this Saturday at 7:05 PM for their Ugly Sweater Night. The B-Sens will be wearing special Christmas-themed game jerseys that will be auctioned off post game. All fans that wear their own ugly Christmas sweater will receive a coupon good for one FREE TICKET to the Friday, January 8, versus the Utica Comets.

Governor Cuomo today announced that 16 more businesses plan to expand in or locate to New York State as a result of START-UP NY program that establishes tax-free areas associated with colleges and universities across the state. The Governor announced that efforts at SUNY Binghamton University will result in 21 new jobs, as SensAttire, they will locate to the incubator at the Engineering and Science building in Vestal. The company will not only create 21 new jobs but they will also invest over $3,00,000.

State Police arrested 25-year-old Dustin Phillips of Binghamton for criminal possession of a weapon, after troopers responded to assist an Environmental Conservation Officer who was out with three men shooting on state lands in the Town of Kirkwood. An investigation determined that Phillips and two other men where shooting shotguns at targets, Phillips is on parole and also is a convicted felon who cannot legally possess firearms; he faces court action on Tuesday.

The Southern Tier & Central New York Regions won big again this year, when Governor Cuomo announced these years’ winners for the Regional Economic council awards and the Upstate revitalization Initiative awards Thursday. State Senator Fred Akshar comments:

(Akshar 12-11-15)

The Top projects this year include the 7 Hawley Street Redevelopment in Binghamton & the Southern Tier Health Sciences and Technology Innovation Park in Binghamton.

Chenango River Theatre announced that the New York State's Council on the Arts Theatre Panel has awarded the theatre a 3-year grant to support overall operations. The grant award is for $7,000 a year, for 2016 to 2018, which reflects a 40% increase over previous grant awards. Chenango River Theatre is the only non-profit, professional theatre in Chenango County to receive direct NYSCA funding, and one of only two in the greater Binghamton area.

area performer & music teacher Dana LaCroix has been volunteering with the Garden Groove Project in Binghamton where urban children learning about gardening and growing food. LaCroix decided to get her music students involved in a project to raise money for the Garden Groove Project, she told WCDO news ABOUT IT:

(Dana LaCroix 12-8-15)

LaCroix also said that the The Garden Groove Kids will perform at the Oneonta Boys and Girls Club Christmas Party, at 70 River Street, Oneonta this Saturday, December 12th, at 1:00 pm. The event is organized by First Night Oneonta, where download cards will be on sale to help raise funds for this project. more information is available at GardenGroove.org.

State Parole Officers & Broome County Sheriff’s department arrested 5 people on various drug & weapons charges Thursday at the Econo Lodge in the town of Dickinson. Arrested were 38 year old Terrance Brown of Dickinson., 27 year old Patrese Reid of Brooklyn, 24 year old Lauren Steckler of Binghamton, 23 year odl Breeanna Ortiz of Afton & 25 year old Gabrielle Bohn-Blodgett of Binghamton. Authorites seized heroin, marijuana, hypodermic needles, heroin packaging materials, scales and s stolen Pennsylvania State Police handgun. All fcee court action at a later date.

Governor Cuomo today announced the designation of 11 new Brownfield Opportunity Areas in communities across New York State. The program helps participants develop revitalization strategies focused on returning dormant and blighted areas into productive communities of economic growth and development. Projects in these areas will be given priority status for grants and the project developers may access additional Brownfield Cleanup Program tax credit incentives. in the Southern Tier, the Endicott Johnson Industrial Spine in Binghamton & Johnson City, with 17 potential brownfield sites near UHS Memeorial Hospital & near the desiognated area of the future Binghamton University School of Pharmacy, gets a $155,000 grant. The Brandywine Corridor in Binghamton contains a 100-acre area with 18 brownfield sites, a $1 75,500 BOA Program grant will go toward that project

The Trial of Former State Senate Majority leader Dean Skelos continues in a Manhattan Federal Courtroom. Skelos is accused of using his political influence to get his son Adam No-Show jobs with politically connected firms in exchange for political favors. Skelos's trial follows the recent conviction of former deputy Majority leader Tom Libous of Binghamton and former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver on similar corruption charges.

Former State Senator Tom Libous of Binghamton was sentenced in Federal Court today to 6 months of home confinement, a $50,000 fine and two years of probation. Libous was convicted in July for Providing a False Statement to the FBI during an investigation of his son Matthew. Libous's attorney pleaded for leniency as Libous's cancer has worsened & was told by his cancer doctors that he has maybe a year to live.

Starting November 30th, the Binghamton Mets will be accepting toy donations at NYSEG Stadium for the "Toys for Tots" drive this Christmas season. All fans that donate a new toy will receive one free ticket to the Binghamton Mets game on Opening Day in April 2016. Fans can bring new, unwrapped donations to NYSEG Stadium during business hours Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM to claim their free 2016 Opening Day ticket. Donations will be accepted until December 18th.

The remaining Broadway Theatre League shows go on sale today at the Arena Box Office and Ticketmaster, for JOSEPH & THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT on February 14th, ANNIE on March 6th, & RIVERDANCE – THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY WORLD TOUR on May 3-5. More information is available at BroadwayinBinghamton.com

State Police officially announced that they have located the 2 missing Afton teens in the Binghamton area at about 3:00 PM Thursday. Lindsey Seymour & Charles Weed were both in good health, the pair were missing after they left classes for the day on Tuesday. The investigation is ongoing.

The classic Mel Brooks Musical "The Producers" will be at the Forum Theater in Binghamton tonight & tomorrow night at 7:30 PM. Tina Niles of NAC Entertainment comments:

(Tina Niles 11-17-15)

Tickets are still available at 1-800-745-3000, at Ticketmaster.com or at the Arena Box office. More information is available at BroadwayInBinghamton.com.

The New York State Office of General Services announced a surplus vehicle, highway equipment, and miscellaneous property auction will be held today in Binghamton, however the previously scheduled auction in Unadilla was cancelled and will not be rescheduled. Items and terms of sale are available at ogs.ny.gov. Today’s auction will begin at 9:30 AM at the DOT at 241 Colesville Road, Binghamton.

The State DOT announced that construction work for the Prospect Mountain project will be performed and will require lane closures in the City of Binghamton and the Town of Dickinson, all this week from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Concrete pavement work will be performed on I-81 Northbound between Exit 4 Binghamton and Exit 5 Front Street, the highway will be reduced to one lane. Motorists are advised to be alert for slow moving traffic and sudden stops.

State Police at Binghamton arrested 23-year-old Andre Deanjou of Port Crane for driving while intoxicated, after a traffic stop when Deanjou was observed operating a vehicle at 90 mph when the posted speed limit was 40 mph on State Route 369 in the Town of Fenton. Deanjou was issued tickets returnable to the Town of Fenton court on November 19th.

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office & State Police arrested 24-year-old Ruslan Opatskyy of Binghamton in connection with the armed robbery at the Mirabito Gas Station in the Town of Windsor on Thursday. Opatskyy has been charged with 2nd degree robbery & faces court action in the Town of Windsor Court at a later date. Opatskyy and Catherine Boyea-Kaninsky, 21 of Port Crane were also charged with 2nd degree robbery for the armed robbery at the Kwik Fill Gas Station in Port Crane last Tuesday.

State Police and the Broome County Sheriff’s Department arrested 2 people Friday, after a string of convenient store armed robberies. State Police arrested 24 year old Ruslan Opatskyy of Binghamton & 21 year old Cathrine Boyea-Kaninsky of Port Crane for 2nd degree Robbery 2nd. Both are accused of committing the October 20th armed robbery of the Kwik Fill Gas Station in Port Crane, they were arraigned in the Town of Fenton court and held without bail at the Broome County jail. The investigation is continuing and additional charges are pending.

The State Assembly Task Force on the Heroin crisis held their 6th forum in Binghamton this week, local assemblyman Cliff crouch serves on that task force. Crouch told WCDO News that law enforcement officials testified that more has to be done from outside law enforcement:

(Crouch 10-22-15)

Crouch also said that part of the problem is that insurance and Medicaid covers 3 days of coverage after an overdose, which usually needs 7 days to get passed the high pain levels of withdrawal from heroin.

A federal appeals court ruled Monday that Governor Cuomo's SAFE Act gun control law that bans assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines doesn't violate the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The Court upheld a lower court's decision striking down the 7-bullet limit for ammunition clips, New York had already agreed to not enforce the 7-bullet limit in the law.

State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman today announced that his office reached an agreement with Don’s Automotive Mall in Binghamton to resolve an investigation that revealed that the company was selling salvaged automobile airbags in violation of New York State law. Don's agreed that they would not sell any salvaged airbags without first complying with the law, New York requires anyone attempting to sell inflatable restraint systems salvaged from another vehicle to have it first certified according to standards established by a nationally recognized testing, engineering and research body approved by the DMV. Currently there are no approved standards from the State of New York, the sale of all salvaged airbags illegal.

Mel Brooks "The Producers" takes the stage at The Forum Theatre November 17th & 18th in Binghamton. Tickets go on sale this morning at 10:00 AM at The Arena Box Office and Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000 or online at BroadwayInBinghamton.com.

State Senate Republican candidate Fred Akshar campaigned in Norwich today, he told WCDO News what prospective constituents concerns are:

(Fred Akshar 10-16-15)

Akshar faces Democrat Barbara Fiala in the special election to fill the 52nd state senate district, following the conviction of long time senator Tom Libous of Binghamton this summer.

Governor Cuomo today announced that the State Liquor Authority has approved a host of advisories to help support the continued growth and development of New York’s beverage manufacturers, retailers and wholesalers. Governor Cuomo convened the state’s 3rd Beer, Wine, Spirits and Cider Summit last week, where industry participants raised specific legislative and regulatory issues facing the industry. Bainbridge Native & Binghamton Brewing Company Owner Kristen Lyons participated in the summit:

(Kristen Lyons 10-15-15)

The new State Liquor Authority advisories are posted at sla.ny.gov, more information about the state's growing beer, wine, spirits and cider industries is available at taste.ny.gov.

State DOT officials today announced the scheduled reopening of the Interstate 81 southbound ramp to State Route 17 westbound, a major milestone in the $135 million project to reconstruct the Prospect Mountain Interchange of State Route 17 and I-81 in the city of Binghamton and town of Dickinson, Broome County. The I-81 southbound ramp to Route 17 had been closed since December 2014. An estimated $164 million project to reconfigure Interchange 4 will begin next spring and is expected to be completed by the end of 2019.

A man arrested by Delaware County Sheriff's Office Investigators on September 29th on a heroin possession charge was arrested again on Tuesday & charged with 2 additional felony drug charges. 31 year old Sean Dingle of Binghamton and Queens was charged Tuesday with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, with intent to sell & Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance, for allegedly possessing and selling heroin in the Town of Sidney in September. Dingle was arraigned in Town of Sidney Court on the new charges; his previous set $50,000 bail was subsequently raised by Judge Rose, who remanded Dingle to the Delaware County Jail on $250,000 cash bail.

State Police at Binghamton arrested 34-year-old Melissa Ipson of Liverpool for criminal possession of a controlled substance, driving while ability impaired by drugs and possessing a controlled substance in a non-original container. This arrest occurred after a trooper observed Ipson appearing disoriented as she sat in her vehicle at a gas pump and then drove to a parking space at the Mirabito on Castle Creek Road in the Town of Barker. An investigation determined that she was driving while impaired by drugs and unlawfully possessed over 2 grams of cathinone bath salts. Ipson was arraigned & was remanded to the Broome County jail without bail set at this time.

The B-Sens open their regular season Saturday, when they host the Albany Devils at 7:05 PM. Binghamton Senators Team president Tom Mitchell expects a good season this year:

(Tom Mitchell 10-9-15)

Tickets are available by calling the Binghamton Senators at 722-7367, or at the Arena Box Office and Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.

Governor Cuomo announced that over $32 million in federal highway safety grants have been awarded to 541 highway safety programs throughout New York State to improve overall highway safety and reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries due to crashes. Locally, funding will go to the Binghamton police department, Broome County Sheriffs department, Deposit Police, Sidney village police, Delaware county sheriffs department, Oneonta city police and the Otsego county sheriff's department. The funding was awarded to New York State by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

37-year-old Dushon Goldwire of Binghamton has been indicted on a charge of attempted murder, in connection with a July 30th shooting in Binghamton. Goldwire is accused of attempting to shoot 26-year-old Michael Perez following a confrontation, Perez was not injured. Goldwire faces court action in Broome County Court shortly.

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman today announced agreements with Auburn Community Hospital in Auburn and Our Lady of Lourdes Memorial Hospital, in Binghamton that will bolster their language assistance and financial aid services. Both hospitals serve increasingly diverse communities Schneiderman said that implementing and revisiting language assistance and financial aid policies would work to ensure the hospital’s services remain available to individuals regardless of their English proficiency or ability to pay.