WCDO Radio News

State Police Responded to an apparent Murder Suicide in the town of Stamford Tuesday, after 57 year old Christopher German of South Kortright failed to show up for work in Cooperstown. Troop C BCI Captain Scott Heggelke Explains:

(Capt Scott Heggelke 11-7-18)

Captain Heggelke said that the incident occurred after 9:00 PM Monday; The Delaware County Coroner's Office ordered the bodies removed for autopsies, which were being performed at Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton this afternoon, the official cause and approximate time of death is expected to be in the final Autopsy report, which may be released later today.

State Police arrested 25 year old Taylor Nelson of Afton for 2 counts of Criminal LOUDESPossession of a Controlled Substance, Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument, Operating a Motor Vehicle while Impaired by Drugs, & Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia. Troopers were dispatched to the Sunoco on County Route 39 in the town of Bainbridge to check the welfare of a male slumped behind the wheel of his vehicle. Troopers determined that Nelson was impaired and was in possession of a counterfeit $100 bill, methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and items used to measure drug quantity. Nelson was arraigned in the town of Bainbridge Court where he was remanded to the Chenango County Jail on no bail.

State Police arrested 51 year old Marianne Stanislawski of Chenango for Grand Larceny, for allegedly taking advantage of a 75-year-old man who suffers from Alzheimer’s. An investigation revealed that Stanislawski knew the victim for several years; she would visit him weekly at his residence and help him run errands. The investigation further revealed that Stanislawski was making cash withdrawals that the victim did not approve of. Stanislawski was arrested and arraigned in the town of Oxford Court and released on her own recognizance and is to appear in court at a later date. An order of protection was issued by the judge protecting the victim.

Long Time State Assemblyman Cliff Crouch easily won the 122nd Assembly District on Election Day; he told WCDO News that he was thankful for that level of Support:

(Cliff Crouch 11-7-18)

Crouch defeated Conservative Nicholas Libous in Tuesday’s election; there was no Democratic candidate in the race. Crouch has served in the State Assembly since 1995.

The Southern Chenango County Community Listening Session, Hosted by Truth Pharm, will be held this evening in Bainbridge. The main topic of discussion will be the local drug abuse problem; the event will begin at 6:30 PM at Bob’s Diner in Bainbridge.

The results are in from the State Board of Elections in the U.S. Senate seat, Democratic incumbent Kirsten Gillibrand by a 2 to 1 margin over Republican Chele Farley, in local Congressional races, in the 19th District, Democrat Antonio Delgado defeats incumbent John Faso by about 3%. In the 22nd District: Democrat Anthony Brindisi defeats incumbent Claudia Tenney. In State Office races, Incumbent Democrat Andrew Cuomo defeated all challengers to win a 3rd term as Governor, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli easily defeats all challengers for another term., and the new Attorney General will be Democrat Letitia James. In the race for the 6th District State Supreme Court seat, Republican Joe McBride wins. In area State Senate races, in the 42nd district, Democrat Jennifer Metzger wins over Republican Ann Rabbitt for the seat previously held by the retiring John Bonacic, in the 51st district, Republican Incumbent Jim Seward wins re-election for a 17th term, in the 52nd district , Incumbent Republican Fred Akshar was unopposed. In local State Assembly Races, in the 121 District: Republican John Salka defeats longtime incumbent Bill Magee, in the 122 District: Incumbent Cliff Crouch easily defeats Conservative Nicholas Libous, in the 123rd District: Democratic incumbent Donna Lupardo was unopposed & in the 102nd District: Democrat Aidan O’Conner wins by a slim margin over incumbent Republican Christopher Tague. Rich Devlin is re-elected as Otsego County Sheriff & David Harder is re-elected as Broome County Sheriff.

Free 5-gallon pails of remixed exterior latex paint are available to non-profit agencies and Otsego County residents free of charge on a first come first serve basis. The
paint was collected as part of the county’s annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day held this past September. Paint collected during the event was re-mixed
and packaged for distribution through the generosity of Golden Artist Colors, Inc. of New Berlin. To place an order or to get more information, call the Otsego County
Planning Department at 547-4225.

DELAWARE COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES announced a "Free Weekend at Noah’s World" for Delaware County Residents, at 144 Roundhouse Road in Oneonta.
The free weekend is for Delaware County Residents through the Children with Special Health Care Needs Program, who need help in accessing various health care
professionals and other community resources. This sponsored weekend will take place this Friday through Sunday, Friday's hours are 11:00 am to 7:00 pm & Saturday
and Sunday, the hours are from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. More information is available at noahsworld.net or by calling Delaware County Public Health at (607) 832-5200.

Today approximately 100 Delegates from across 10 counties met in Binghamton to formally nominate the Republican candidate for State Supreme Court in the 6th
Judicial District, they unanimously selected Chenango County District Attorney Joe McBride to run as the Party's candidate in this November's election. The vacancy in
this office was created by the recent retirement of Judge Kevin Dowd.

A judge has denied a motion by ex-Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver regarding his bail request, pending the appeal of his corruption conviction and seven-year prison term. U.S. District Judge Valerie Caproni has denied Silver's request Monday, she stated that the substance of Silver's appeal lacks merit, and the sole purpose of the request was to stall Silver starting his prison term on October 5th. Silver was sentenced to 12 years in prison after his first conviction in 2015, that conviction was overturned after the U.S. Supreme Court redefined the boundaries of public corruption, then a 2nd jury convicted him
earlier this year, for taking $5 million illegally by using his political power for personal gain.

Chenango County District Attorney Joe McBride announced that 34 year old Tobias Rundstrom-Wooding pleaded guilty this morning in Chenango County Court to 2nd degree murder and 1st degree rape.

(McBride 6-22-18)

Rundstrom-Wooding & James Brower were both charged in connection with the rape & murder of 11 year old Jacelyn O'Connor in their town of Norwich residence on July 30th of 2017. Rundstrom-Wooding will be sentenced on August 13th to 20 years to life in prison.

Jabari Ashe of Binghamton was sentenced to 25 years to life in Prison in Broome County Court for the fatal shooting of Tyquan Gumbs in Binghamton on April 28th of 2017. Ashe was charged with 2nd degree murder, he was found guilty in Broome County Court recently following a 3 day trial.

Graduation Exercises for area high School Seniors will begin this evening, and continue through Sunday afternoon locally. Tonight at 6:30; seniors will graduate from Afton, Charlotte Valley, & Windsor. Commencement exercises scheduled for 7:00 PM tonight will be held at Deposit, Franklin, Hancock, Laurens, Milford, Morris, Oneonta, & Unatego. Saturday Morning Graduations will be held in Sidney, Delaware Academy, Gilbertsville Mount Upton, Greene, Harpursville, Oxford, Norwich, Sherburne Earlville, Saturday afternoon Unadilla Valley seniors will graduate, Saturday night, the Bainbridge Guilford district seniors will graduate & on Sunday Edmeston seniors will graduate.

State Police arrested 28 year old David Sarauw of Colesville, for felony Criminal Contempt, following a complaint when a victim told troopers Sarauw was violating an Order of Protection and continued to call the victim over four dozen times. Sarauw was arrested & was arraigned in the town of Colesville Court and remanded to the Broome County Jail on $500 cash bail.

Chenango County Court Judge Frank Revoir made only a mild adjustment to the bail of Ernest Franklin of Guilford this week. Franklin's cash bail remained the same at $125,000, bond was reduced from $250,000 to $200,000 Thursday, Franklin is accused of planning the murder of his special needs son Jeffrey Franklin & setting fire to the family home to cover up the murder. Heather Franklin is currently out on bail; both will be tried separately next year, according to Chenango County DA Joe McBride.

The State DEC, the Chautauqua County DA's Office & and Chautauqua County Sheriff's Department announced that 34 year old Thomas Jadlowski of Sherman, surrendered to officers, he is accused of shooting his neighbor, 43 year old Rosemary Bilquist, while she was walking her dogs on November 22nd. Jadlowski was arraigned on a 2-count indictment for 2nd degree manslaughter & hunting after legal hours. Billquist died from a gunshot wound at a local hospital within hours of the incident.

Tickets are still available for Carol of the King, The Irish Dance Christmas, at the Chenango Arts Council's Martin W. Kappel Theater Saturday night. Council CEO Alecia O’Neill comments:

(Alecia O'Neill 12-1-17)

Tickets are available at 336-ARTS or ChenangoArts.org.

A Chenango County Free Rabies Clinic will be held Saturday in Norwich. The clinic will be held at the Norwich Fire Station at 31 East Main Street from 9:30 to 11:00 AM Saturday.

Chenango County District Attorney Joe McBride announced today that more charges have been filed against James Brower & Tobias Rundstrom-Wooding, in connection with the rape & murder of 11 year Old Jacelyn O'Connor on July 30th in Norwich. Brower faced court action this afternoon in Norwich, the 2 men were charged initially with 1st degree Murder, and now felony "While acting in concert" in connection with the girls death. Both men are being held without bail pending additional court action.

Delaware County Sheriff's Office Investigators arrested 30-year-old Scott Hanrahan of Deposit, 29-year-old Justin Crandall of Sidney, and 27-year-old John Bolster of Hancock, for promoting contraband within the Delaware County Correctional Facility. All 3 are incarcerated at the County Jail on unrelated charges, they are accused of possessing prescription medication prescribed to another inmate, they were charged with 1 count each of Promoting Prison Contraband, they face arraignment on the new charges in the Town of Delhi Court at a later time.

Delaware County has a rapidly growing aging population, with an increasing number of young adults leaving the region, which is causing problems for the Delaware County Office for the Aging to take care of elderly clients. Office Director Wayne Shepard explains:

(Wayne Shepard 8-8-17)

Shepard said that anyone who wants to volunteer, or want to pursue a career ion helping the elderly, they can contact Delaware County Office for the Aging at 832-5750.

Governor Cuomo announced today that $1.6 million has been awarded to 3 emergency food relief organizations in the Southern Tier through the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program, administered by the Department of Health. Agencies receiving these awards are required to devote a portion of the funding to food identified as helpful in the prevention of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and obesity. Locally, funding was awarded to the Broome County Council of Churches, they received $100,000 & Delaware Opportunities received $149,315

The Electoral Action Working Group of Delaware County Solidarity has organized a community forum Saturday, August 26th from 4:00 to 7:00 PM in the Community Room, The United Ministry of Delhi at 1 Church Street. Candidates who have officially announced their run for the 19th congressional seat will participate, including Jeff Beals, Steven Brisee, Dave Clegg, Antonio Delgado, Brian Flynn, Gareth Rhodes, Pat Ryan and Sue Sullivan. More information is available at 363-2752

The pending homicide case against Ernest & Heather Franklin of Guilford in Chenango County Court has now received national attention, with the bail hearing transcripts from last week included in “People Magazine” Chenango County District attorney Joseph McBride stated at the hearing that the Franklins allegedly killed their special needs adopted son Jeffrey, and then set the family residence on fire, after watching the movie “Manchester By The Sea” on February 28th, which contained scenes with a murdered child & an arson fire. McBride commented to WCDO News about the case’s timeline:

(Joe McBride 4-13-17)

Bail for Ernest Franklin was set at $250,000 cash or $500,000 bond; Bail for Heather Franklin was set at $125,000 cash or $250,000 bond.

Chenango county sheriffs department responded to county route 17 in the town of Oxford for a 1-vehicle accident Wednesday. 26-year-old Christina Graham of Norwich lost control of her vehicle went off the roadway & into a tree. Graham was airlifted to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse for head trauma, her 6 year old son was taken to Wilson hospital for a shoulder injury, the investigation is continuing.

State Police arrested 18-year-old Austin Carr and 16 year old Cody Ferrara of Guilford for 2ND Degree Burglary, following an investigation into a forced entry burglary at a home on North Pond Road in the Town of Guilford, where numerous electronic items were taken. Carr & Ferrara were arraigned in the Town of Guilford court and were remanded to the Chenango County Jail on $1,000 cash bail.

28-year-old Adam Alexander of Afton pleaded guilty in Broome County Court to 2nd degree manslaughter & driving a vehicle with a BAC higher than .08, in connection with the death of 36-year-old Jason Smith in the town of Colesville last September 5th. Alexander’s vehicle failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of state routes 235 & 7; he collided with Smith’s Motorcycle. Alexander faces sentencing on June 22nd.

Otsego County's annual Hazardous Waste Collection Event will be held today & tomorrow. The 1st event will be at the Unadilla Town Highway Building today & Waste from Otsego County small businesses is accepted and the 2nd event will be at the Meadows Office Building in Cooperstown on Saturday. No Pre-Registration is required, Saturday Participants are asked to arrive according to the first initial of your last name. More information is available at otsegocounty.com/depts/sw or by calling 547-4225.

Chenango County Suicide Prevention will hold a special event with documentary filmmaker Erin Davies tonight in Norwich, Spokesperson Ann Marie Troy comments:

(Ann Marie Troy 9-11-15)

The event will begin at 7:00 P.M. at the Broad Street United Methodist Church in Norwich, more information is available at 334-8244 extension 228.

The Chenango Arts Council, Norwich Business Improvement District, and the Norwich Rotary Club announced that the Chenango Public Arts Initiative begins with a Gallery opening reception today from 5:30 to 8:00 pm; it is free and open to the public. The Gallery will be open both days of Colorscape Weekend this Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM and will stay on display until October 25. More information is available at 336-ARTS or email at: info@chenangoarts.org

A SUNY Delhi freshman from Wappingers Falls was found dead in a wooded area near the campus Tuesday. The unidentified student was found unresponsive by friends, he was pronounced dead at the scene by the Delaware County Medical Examiner's office. No foul Play is suspected; a memorial service for the student is planned on September 25th in Hopewell Junction.

Thursday's Primary Day elections have been tabulated, In Delaware County; The Democratic Party Town of Middletown Supervisor Primary was won by Marjorie Miller. The Republican Party Primary had Delaware County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jim Eisel winning for the Harpersfield Town Supervisors position. In the Primary for Town of Walton Supervisor, Charles Gregory defeats Bruce Dolph. In Chenango County, District Attorney Joe McBride wins the Republican primary, in the city of Norwich; Christine Carnrike won The Republican Primary for Mayor over incumbent Joe Mauirano.

The Delaware County Industrial Development Agency recently completed a renovation project at the Sidney Industrial Park to ensure the continued growth of Gravity Ciders. The company outgrew their Walton facility; they were looking for a new production and warehousing facility to keep up with the demand of their Awestruck Premium Hard Ciders. The IDA invested $32,000, to keep Gravity Ciders in Delaware County; more information is available at dcecodev.com or 832-5123.

The Delaware county department of corrections will hold the 5th Annual Andrew Brown Memorial Golf Tournament tomorrow, at the Hardwood Hills Golf Course in Masonville. Registration is at 7:30 AM, shotgun start is at 8:30 AM, and money raised will assist Delaware county residents being cared for by Catskill Hospice & Palliative care.

Today is Primary Day in New York State, for those who want to decide on a candidate to represent their political party in the November elections. In Delaware County, The Democratic Party will hold Primaries for Town of Middletown Supervisor between Patrick Davis & Marjorie Miller. The Republican Party will hold a Primary for the Harpersfield Town Supervisors position between current Delaware County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jim Eisel and Edward Pick & In the Town of Walton for Town Supervisor, the race is between Charles Gregory & Bruce Dolph. In Chenango County, primary races of interest include the republican primary for District Attorney between incumbent Joe McBride and Zachary Wentworth. In the city of Norwich, there is a Republican Primary for Mayor between Incumbent Joe Mauirano & Christine Carnrike.

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman will operate a statewide Election Day Hotline during the primary election this Thursday, September 10. Voters encountering barriers to access at their polling sites can report those issues to the Attorney General’s Office by calling the hotline at 800-771-7755, or by emailing the office at civil.rights@ag.ny.gov. The Hotline will be available until 9:00 PM. .

The Board of Directors of The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce meet this morning at 9:00 AM at the Barnyard Swing Mini golf and Family Fun Center in Milford, to announce the 16th Annual Small Business of the Year award & the Breakthrough Business of the Year. The award winners will be honored at the Chamber’s Small Business Banquet that will be held on Thursday, October 15th at The Otesaga Resort Hotel in Cooperstown.

The Delaware County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division obtained a Search Warrant for the residence of Michael and Toni Spencer of Walton; they seized 10 marihuana plants, processed marihuana, a video surveillance system, growing equipment, firearms and public assistance benefit cards. Investigators charged 47-year-old Michael Spencer, 39-year-old Toni Spencer and 18-year-old Bradley Jackson with Criminal Possession of Marihuana & Unlicensed Cultivation of Cannabis, for allegedly growing and possessing more than 16 ounces of marihuana. All three were arraigned in the Town of Walton Court and were remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility in lieu of $10,000 cash bail.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division arrested 44-year-old Shannon Hunter of Oxford and 45 year old William Miller of Gilbertsville. Deputies stopped a vehicle just off of State Hwy 12 in the Town of North Norwich, Shannon Hunter was found to be in possession of heroin and drug paraphernalia, the driver, William Miller was found to be in possession of Hydrocodone pills and drug paraphernalia. Hunter was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell, Miller was charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance, both were arraigned in the Town of North Norwich Court and remanded to the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office on $5,000 cash bail.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies are investigating a late August hit and run accident that has resulted in the closure of the Corbett Bridge spanning the East Branch of the Delaware River in the Town of Colchester. A DOT supervisor discovered recent structural damage to the bridge located at the intersection of Corbett Road and New York State Route 30, a Subsequent inspection by engineers determined that the structural integrity of the bridge was compromised as a result of the accident and the bridge was immediately closed to all traffic. Officials anticipate the bridge will remain closed for an extended period of time for appropriate repairs, they believe the structure was struck by a large vehicle, anyone with information should contact Deputy Christopher Erwin at 287-4756.

The 3rd annual Catholic Charities Bands brew & Barbecue event is scheduled for later this month in Norwich, spokesperson Robin Beckwith comments:

(Robin Beckwith 9-10-15)

Tickets are available at the Norwich YMCA, Hummel's, Garf's Deli, Commerce Chenango & M&T Bank in Norwich, or online at Brown Paper Tickets. Com.

State Police responded to a Delaware County 911 report of a motor vehicle over an embankment on Brickhouse Hill Road, in the Town of Davenport. Troopers located a man, who was deceased, while pinned underneath a 1996 Ford Crown Victoria. The investigation revealed that 20-year-old Travis Barra of Stamford was operating the car on Brickhouse Hill Road when he drove off the roadway and was stuck on the shoulder. Barra left the car in neutral attempted to free it & was pinned underneath the car when it rolled backward. Barra’s death as was ruled as accidental due to mechanical asphyxiation by the coroner’s office, the investigation is ongoing.

A Pre-Primary Meet and Greet will be held in Norwich today at the Commerce Chenango Community Room, 15 South Broad Street, beginning at 5: 30 PM. Chamber members can meet 1-on-1 with incumbent Norwich Mayor Joseph Maiurano, candidate-elect Christine Carnrike, incumbent Chenango County District Attorney Joseph McBride and candidate-elect Zachary Wentworth.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 23 year old Steven Sanchez of Tarrytown on Friday, on 2 bench warrants issued by Delhi Town Court for failure to pay fines for disorderly conduct, criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminally using drug paraphernalia & unlawful possession of marijuana. The arrest followed a civilian report of an erratic driver in the Town of Delhi. Sanchez was also issued tickets for consumption of an alcoholic beverage in a motor vehicle and was later turned over to the Delhi Police Department for arraignment on the charges from the warrants.

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman will operate a statewide Election Day Hotline during the primary election this Thursday, September 10. Voters encountering barriers to access at their polling sites can report those issues to the Attorney General’s Office by calling the hotline at 800-771-7755, or by emailing the office at civil.rights@ag.ny.gov. The Hotline will be available from 6:00 A.M. until 9:00 P.M. on Election Day.

State Police arrested 30-year-old Nathan Tuttle of Deposit for 3rd degree rape and criminal sexual act. The arrest occurred after an investigation determined Tuttle allegedly had sexual contact with a victim under the age of 17. Tuttle was arraigned in the Village of Deposit Court and remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $5,000 cash bail or $10,000 property bond. Tuttle was previously charged last week with 4 counts of Sexual Abuse and 3 counts of endangering the Welfare of a Child relative to an incident involving a different victim. Anyone with information involving Tuttle is asked to call the State Police at 775-1241.

The Broome County Specials Investigations Unit Task Force arrested 51-year-old Dennis Scrubbs of Endicott Wednesday. Scrubbs is accused of possessing 622 bags of heroin, plus Suboxone, cocaine, crack-cocaine, and marijuana, Investigators also confiscated about $4,000 in cash. Scrubbs was held pending court action.

A Broome County Court jury convicted Nigel Smith for the murder of Bretnie Owens in Binghamton in June of 2013. Smith was found guilty of 2nd degree murder, 1st degree robbery, criminal trespassing and resisting arrest. Smith is due to be sentenced on November 17th.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies arrested 42 year old Tina Garcia of Walton for Falsely Reporting an Incident. Garcia is accused of falsely reporting the theft of a vehicle owned by Shane Bellows after that vehicle was involved in a hit and run property damage accident on State Highway 10 in the Town of Walton on August 15. Garcia was issued an appearance ticket returnable to the Town of Hamden court on September 21st.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 74 year old Richard Wayman of Jefferson with Endangering the Welfare of an Incompetent or Physically Disabled Person, for allegedly endangering the welfare of a physically and mentally disabled resident of Robinson Terrance Nursing Home in Stamford while visiting another resident of that facility earlier this week. Wayman was arraigned in the Town of Delhi Court and released on his own recognize pending his appearance in the Harpersfield Town Court on September 14th.

On September 8th, Commerce Chenango will host a Pre-Primary Meet and Greet, At the Commerce Chenango Community Room, 15 South Broad Street, Norwich at 5: 30 PM. Chamber members will be able to meet one-on-one with incumbent Mayor Joseph Maiurano, candidate-elect Christine Carnrike, incumbent District Attorney Joseph McBride and candidate-elect Zachary Wentworth. RSVP's are required by Friday to 334-1400 or info@chenangony.org

“Take Back Chenango” will hold a meeting at the Bainbridge Town Hall at 7:00 PM this evening.  Bainbridge Town Council Member Jennifer Sienko explains:

(Jennifer Sienko 4-10-14)

Chenango County District Attorney Joe McBride and Sheriff Ernest Cutting & local officials will be on hand this evening, Bainbridge residents are encouraged to attend. canada online pharmacy levitra (http://familycareintl.org/blog/2015/02/12/canada-online-pharmacy-levitra/)