WCDO Radio News

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office and Village of Sidney Police Department executed a “no knock” search warrant Wednesday at 104 Spreutels Lane in the Town of Guilford, following an investigation into the sales of cocaine and heroin in Chenango County and the Village of Sidney. Police Detectives located 280 packages of heroin, plus cocaine, digital scales, packaging material, and cash; they arrested Samuel Rivera for 2 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Criminal Nuisance, & 2 counts of Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia. Rivera was arraigned in the Town of Norwich Court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $10,000 cash bail. The investigation is still continuing and more arrests are expected.

Oneonta Police Department responded to a report of a subject who appeared to be intoxicated while driving a vehicle with a small child Sunday. Police arrested 31 year old Ashley Stanton of Oneonta for Driving while ability impaired by drugs with previous convictions, Aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, Aggravated DWI with a child less than 15 years of age & Endangering the welfare of a child. Stanton is accused of using medications and substances that impaired her ability to operate a motor vehicle, with a suspended license.

6 individuals will be inducted into the General Clinton Canoe Regatta Hall of Fame this year, during the 54th annual Regatta, The paddlers being inducted are Armond Bassett, Bob Allen, Jim Jordan & Al Rudquist & the "Pit Crew" inductees are Dale Fox & Dean Oliver, both of Bainbridge. Regatta Chairman John Harmon comments:

(John Harmon 4-21-16)

The induction ceremony will be held on Saturday May 28th under the tent in General Clinton Park in Bainbridge.

Chapter 200 of the Disabled American Veterans is seeking donations for the purchase of their next van to take area veterans to the VA Hospital in Albany, and they are also seeking volunteer drivers to drive their van. Service Officer Ernest Thompson of Chapter 200 explains:

(Ernest Thompson 4-21-16)

Those seeking more information about donating or volunteering can call 764-8134 or log on to DAV.Org.

Governor Cuomo today announced that the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance stopped more than 239,000 suspicious refund claims during the income tax season. As a result, the Department saved taxpayers $400 million—an increase of 18 percent over the same time period last year. Taxpayers who suspect that an individual or business is committing tax fraud can confidentially report it online or by phone at 518-457-0578.

The rock group Toto will play at the Chevy Court stage at the Great New York State Fair on Friday, August 26th at 8:00 PM. Toto has had a string of hits in the 70’s through early 90’s, other acts scheduled to appear during the state fair include Bruce Hornsby, Air Supply, Herman's Hermits, Survivor, The Commodores, Culture Club, & Chicago.

Spring turkey season opens May 1 in all of upstate counties and the DEC's 13th annual youth turkey-hunting weekend is this weekend. The youth turkey hunt for junior hunters ages 12-15 is open in all of upstate New York and across Suffolk County. More information about turkey hunting in New York, is available at the DEC's website at dec.ny.gov.

Kinder Morgan announced Wednesday that they have decided to stop their Plans to build a natural gas pipeline through the Southern Tier into New England. Officials with the company cited a lack of contracts with gas distribution companies.

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman received more than one thousand complaints regarding improprieties in the course of the Primary day elections. Schneiderman said that his office has opened an investigation into the voting problems reported by the New York City Board of Elections. Inquiries may also occur in additional areas of the State where voting irregularities appeared unusually high.

State Police from Deposit arrested 22-year-old Brookleyn Foster of Endicott, for Driving While Intoxicated with a BAC of .15%, along with other vehicle & traffic violations. The arrest resulted after Troopers responded to the report of a vehicle parked in the center median against the guide rail facing the wrong way on State Route 17 in Hancock. Foster was issued tickets returnable to the Village of Hancock Court on February 4th.

On January 7th Delaware County Deputies arrested Lee McDonald of Walton, for 2 counts of Issuing a Bad Check to a Deposit business, McDonald arrested on Saturday again & charged him with Issuing a Bad Check after receiving a bad check complaint from a Town of Kortright business. McDonald was issued an appearance in the Town of Kortright Court on February 17 to answer that charge.

The Delaware County Sheriff's Office is investigating a residential burglary that occurred on Sands Creek Road in the Town of Tompkins on December 5th. Guns and ammunition were taken from the residence and were recovered outside the home by the homeowner upon discovering the crime. Deputies are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the vehicle and person in these photos from one of the home’s surveillance camera. The vehicle appears to be a small, light color sport utility vehicle. Anyone with information is asked to contact  the Delaware County Sheriff's Office, (607) 746-2336, Extension 381. All calls will be returned and kept confidential.

The Unadilla Chamber of Commerce will host the Four Chamber Mixer meeting on Monday, January 26 6:00 pm, with the meeting at 7:00 PM at Green’s Long River Inn, on Route 357, Unadilla. RSVP's to each Chamber Secretary by January 21 are requested.

The Disabled American Veterans chapter #200 of Oneonta will be hosting a discussion on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder tonight. The discussion will begin at 7:00 PM at the Oneonta Veterans Club at 279 Chestnut Street; more information is available at 437-2028.

The Otsego county health department is offering the Zostavax vaccine for shingles, for an administrative fee of $25 for those who meet certain requirement, shingles is a painful skin rash, often accompanied by blisters, fever, headaches, chills & upset stomach, it can sometimes lead to hearing loss, blindness, pneumonia brain inflammation or even death. More information about shingles or the county vaccination program is available at 547-4230.

Commerce Chenango & NBT Bank will host their annual Economic Forecast Breakfast on January 28th. The event will be held at the American Legion Post 189 at 29 Sheldon Street in Norwich, RSVP's are requested by January 16th at 334-1402.

2 committees of the Oneonta Common Council will be meeting today at City Hall. The Facilities-Operations-Community Operations Improvement committee will meet at 5:00 pm, The Finance & Administration Committee will meet at 6:00 PM, and both meeting will be held at the Common Council Chamber on the 2nd floor of City Hall.

Audits of special education providers across New York State have uncovered mismanagement that cost taxpayers nearly $42 million in the last decade, including $20 million in 2014 alone, according to State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. 11 audits identified more than $6.7 million in public funds that special education providers misspent or misused, including cases of possible fraud that have been referred to law enforcement for investigation. About 81,000 preschool students with disabilities receive services in New York annually at a cost of more than $1.4 billion to the state and localities.

The Oneonta Police Department responded to the Tanning Bed at 76 Chestnut Street for a report of a patron discovering another patron filming them inside of a private tanning room. 31 year old Christopher Demarco of Otego is accused of using his cell phone to film another patron getting undressed, Demarco was charged with Unlawful Surveillance, he is being held pending arraignment in City of Oneonta Court.

The Delaware county board of supervisors announced this week that new County Recycling center is running debt free as the county received grants. The success at the county recycling center follows another success story with the county compost facility generating revenue generated by the facility exceeded initial expectations, according to County Solid Waste Coordinator Sue McIntyre:

(Sue McIntyre 1-9-15)

McIntyre said that Delaware County has traditionally acted ahead of the curve on recycling and composting issues, which helped lead to the higher revenue.

The Disabled American Veterans chapter #200 of Oneonta will be hosting a discussion on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder free Monday night. Chapter Secretary & Treasurer Mike Alvin explains:

(Mike Alvin 1-9-15)

The discussion will begin at 7:00 PM Monday night at the Oneonta veterans club at 279 Chestnut Street; more information is available at 437-2028.

State Police at Oneonta arrested 41-year-old Amy Rezmerski of Binghamton for Unlawful Possession of Marihuana & speeding. The arrest was made after a vehicle stop for speeding over 80 miles an hour on I-88 in Otego, After detecting the odor of marihuana, the Trooper searched the vehicle and found 2 grams. Rezmerski was released after being issued tickets returnable to the Town of Otego Court on January 29th.

Municipalities and school districts face growing challenges to keep pace with increasing costs, according to New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s Annual Report on Local Governments. Property tax levy growth has slowed over the past several years, from 7.7% in 2003 to 2% increase in the fiscal year ending in 2013. Local government revenues increased in counties sales taxes in upstate counties was only 1.7%

If you were planning on heading to the Western Counties of new York state using the New York State Thruway, Governor Cuomo has ordered that highway closed from Rochester to Buffalo due to lake effect snow squalls. Road closures may also be in effect in the North Country, those planning to venture to ski resorts or other winter activities in those area are invited to call 511 or log on at 511NY.org to check on road conditions and closures

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office responded to Bates Road in Harpursville around 5:30 PM on June 18th for a report of motorcycle accident. 15-year-old Kayla Hartwell of Harpursville was riding a dirt bike when her clothing became entangled in the rear chain and sprocket of the dirt bike. Hartwell was located by family in cardiac arrest and transported to Wilson Hospital in Johnson City where she was pronounced dead.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced his office completed an audit of Otsego County. DiNapoli’s report stated that the Otsego County treasurer could not determine the source or purpose of moneys held in several trust and agency funds totaling more than $75,000 as of last October. The county’s failure to identify and disburse these funds in a timely manner has resulted in its inability to use these moneys, which could otherwise help fund current or future operations.

Governor Cuomo announced that Fitch Ratings' system upgraded of New York's credit rating to AA+ with a stable outlook, the best rating that Fitch has ever given New York. This action follows the upgrade on Monday from Moody's Investor Services and, represents New York's best credit ratings since 1972. The announcement follows a 4-year track record of on time budgets, spending reductions, reducing government workforce & job growth through the regional economic development program.

Veterans confused about benefits & services can visit the Disabled American Veterans Mobile Service Office today & tomorrow in Oneonta. The mobile office will be located at DAV Chapter 200 at 279 Chestnut Street in Oneonta today & tomorrow from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The Mobile Service Office is free to all veterans and members of their families, more information is available at 518 626-5690.

The American Idol Live! Tour opens on Tonight at the Broome County Arena. Finalists from this season's American Idol will be performing at tonight’s show.

The president of the NAC Entertainment & The Broadway Theater league Albert Nocciolino, was on national Television, winning a Tony Award for his role as one of the producers of Cindy Lauper’s “Kinky Boots” which was chosen as the best Musical.   Nocciolino told WCDO News how he became involved:

(Albert Nocciolino 6-12-13)

Nocciolino said that the show will eventually hit the road and will come to the upstate theaters in about a year.

State police charged Davenport town supervisor, Dennis Valente with felony operating a motor vehicle with a blood-alcohol content of .08 or more.  Valente was arraigned in Davenport Town Court and was released, pending future court action on June 25th.

State police arrested 25 year old Jordan Finch of Bainbridge for 1st degree reckless endangerment, 1st degree unlawful imprisonment, criminal possession of a weapon, criminal use of a firearm, menacing, criminal obstruction of breathing & 2nd degree harassment.  Finch faces court action on the charges shortly.

State Troopers in Oneonta arrested 18-year-old Justin Woznicki of Oneonta for Unlawful Possession of Marihuana. The arrest was the result of a complaint originating at the Celtic Inn in Oneonta; Woznicki was issued an Appearance Ticket returnable to the Town of Oneonta Court on June 18th.

State police arrested 44-year-old Imre Szabo of Afton for possessing a sexual performance by a child.  Szabo is accused of possessing child sexual materials; he was issued a ticket to appear in court at a later date.

Binghamton City police are searching for 37-year-old Levelle Marton of Binghamton on an arrest warrant for 2nd degree strangulation.   Martin is described as black, 5 feet 11 inches tall and 220 pounds with brown eyes and black hair. Anyone with information can contact the Binghamton Police Warrant Division at 772-7044.

The American Red Cross announced that on June 17th at 5:30pm at Remliks in downtown Binghamton, the “Heroes for the American Red Cross” campaign will kick off. The campaign has businesses, school clubs, church groups, civic organizations and individuals pledge to raise at least $1,000 for the American Red Cross Southern Tier Chapter, for disaster relief, assistance for fire victims, emergency military communications, first aid, CPR and other lifesaving classes.  More information is available at 785-7207.

US Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer announced that the village of Morris has received a Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant for $2,475,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Loan and Grant Program.  The funding will be for the construction of a new water storage tank, replace old water mains and install water meters.  The old water tank was well over 100 hundred years old.

The nonprofit Disabled American Veterans Mobile Service Office will be visiting various communities around the state in the coming weeks, to provide the counseling and claim filing assistance.  The Mobile Service Office is free to all veterans and members of their families, it will be in Oneonta on Thursday, June 27th from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at DAV Oneonta Chapter #200, 279 Chestnut Street.