WCDO Radio News

Former New York Governor George Pataki is indicating he may run for president. Pataki, who served for 3 terms from 1995 to 2006, met recently with David Koch, the billionaire businessman and GOP backer. Pataki was a relatively unknown state lawmaker when he beat 3 term Governor Mario Cuomo in 1994. He easily won reelection in 1998 and 2002, but endured slumping popularity ratings in his final term, and chose to not run again.

The Chenango County Sheriff's Department arrested 63-year-old David Eaton of Norwich felony DWI, Parking on Pavement, No or Improper Signal, Refusal to take a Breath Screen test, Consumption of an alcohol in a motor vehicle. Eaton was pulled over by a deputy, who observed a pickup truck pull over and park in a no parking zone in the Village of Sherburne hitting the curb, as the deputy approached, Eaton pulled away from the curb with no turn signal, and then stopped after driving a block, he was taken into custody without incident, failed to submit to the chemical test, and was arraigned in the Village of Sherburne Court, he was remanded to the Chenango County Jail on $1,000 cash bail pending court action at a later date.

A New dairy risk management program that was enacted as part of the recently passed Farm Bill is open for signups. U.S. Senator Charles Schumer urged the USDA to implement the program, which replaces the previous Milk Income Loss Contract program, by allowing dairy farmers to recoup some of the cost of low milk prices and high cost of production. There are also web tools to help farmers navigate the new dairy insurance program at fsa.usda.gov. The dairy industry is New York's leading Agriculture sector.

The Delaware County Department of Corrections announced that the 4th annual Andrew Brown Memorial Golf Tournament would be held tomorrow at Hardwood Hills gold Course in Masonville, with a tee time of 8:30 AM. Organizers announced that the money raise with this years tournament will go to the family of Johnson City Police officer David Smith, who was shot & killed in the line of duty on March 31st.

Governor Cuomo's campaign will not appeal a ruling allowing Zephyr Teachout to remain in the Democratic primary. A state appeals court rejected the campaign's argument that Teachout has spent part of the past five years in Vermont. A lower court had already ruled Teachout could stay on the ballot for the September 9th primary. Teachout teaches at Fordham University Law School in New York City. A recent Quinnipiac University poll found 85 percent of state Democrats said they know too little about Teachout to have any opinion of her.

The Drug Enforcement Administration will enforce tighter control over prescriptions of the painkiller hydrocodone. U.S. Senator Charles Schumer said hydrocodone would be moved from a Schedule III drug to a Schedule II in 45 days. This will mean greater restrictions in how doctors can prescribe the drug as well as the quantity that can be prescribed. According to the DEA, nearly seven million Americans abuse controlled-substance prescription medications, including opioid painkillers that contain hydrocodone.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s department arrested 36-year-old David Tennant of Rome for grand larceny and conspiracy.  Tennant was taken into custody by Chenango county deputies at the Oneida County Jail, to bring him into custody for an active arrest warrant out of the Town of Norwich Court, stemming from an incident in the town of Norwich at an area business.  Tennant was arraigned in the Town of Norwich Court, and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $2,000 cash bail.

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer wants the Federal Trade Commission to investigate whether utilities or power producers artificially inflated upstate New York electric rates in recent months.   Rates spiked the most this winter for National Grid customers by an average of 60 to 75%, and average rates rose10 to 15% for NYSEG.  Utilities blamed raises in the wholesale cost of electricity and said they have no control over those prices.  NYSEG suggested customers struggling with rising rates sign up for their budget-billing plan.