WCDO Radio News

State Police continue to investigate tips that will help locate the person or persons responsible for throwing 2 beagle mix dogs out of a moving vehicle on Wednesday, December 12th on I-81 in Marathon. Several local, state and national animal welfare agencies and private donors are now offering a total of $16, 500 reward leading to the conviction of the person(s) responsible after the case has gained national attention. The following agencies have contributed: the Animal Legal Defense Fund $10,000, People for Ethical Treatment of Animals $5,000, the New York State Humane Association $1,000 and a private donation $500. Anyone with information about the suspect(s) is asked to call SP Homer at (607)749-1614.

Governor Cuomo today announced that more than $763 million in economic and community development funding has been awarded through Round 8 of the Regional Economic Development Council initiative. Locally, the Southern Tier RDC, which covers Delaware & Broome Counties, will get 65.4 Million dollars for various projects, Central New York, which includes Chenango County, receives 88.2 million dollars, and the Mohawk Valley region, which includes Otsego County, receives in 85.4 Million dollars.

NY State of Health announced that enrollment reached 4.7 million at close of business on December 15th, the deadline for January 1st 2019 coverage. Enrollment volumes in Qualified Health Plans and the Essential Plan outpaced last year’s levels with over 83,000 more people enrolled compared to last year.

In 2018, The Raymond Corporation contributed to over 150 nonprofit and educational organizations with monetary contributions, forklift donations and voluntary participation. Raymond gave food donations to the local food pantries, supported causes ranging from cancer awareness, veterans rehabilitation and animal rescue, & Raymond and its employees supported such programs as the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, Breast Cancer Awareness, & Big Brothers and Big Sisters. More information is available at raymondcorp.com.

Charter Spectrum will pay a record $174 million and refund customers in New York $62 million in a settlement over claims it defrauded internet subscribers. The settlement announced Tuesday by the State Attorney General's Office is the largest consumer payment by an internet provider in U.S. history. Charter Spectrum has agreed to provide some premium cable channels for free to customers as part of the deal, customers will each receive between $75 and $150, and they will also get streaming services and premium channels, with a retail value of over $100 million, at no charge for about 2.2 million active subscribers.

The Oneonta Common Council will hold their next regular meeting this evening at 7:00 PM at City Hall. A Public hearing will be held regarding Sewers another will be held regarding fire prevention, the meeting is open to the public.

Emergency crews responded to a Tractor Trailer fire at about 12:00 Noon today. The fire was knocked down quickly & the westbound lanes of I-88 were re-opned quickly, WCDO news will have further details as they become available.

The Binghamton Devils donated over six barrels of non-perishable food to CHOW today with the help of team captain, Kevin Rooney. The food was collected from fans during the Put the Biscuit in the Basket food drive from November 28 to December 15, 2018. Totaling 1,415 pounds, the provisions will help feed Broome County families in need this holiday season.

Senator Fred Akshar will continue the second year of his district-wide "Akshar's All-Stars" student recognition program on Tuesday by recognizing students at one Broome County school and three Chenango County schools. Each month, Senator Akshar recognizes local students selected by their school districts in the 52nd Senate District who have shown great leadership, compassion, school spirit or improvement amongst their peers. Senator Akshar will make presentations starting at 8:00 AM at the Harpursville High School, then at 9:00 AM at Afton High School, 11:00 AM at Bainbridge-Guilford High School and and at 1:15 pm at the DCMO BOCES Campus in Norwich.

31 year old Brett Poyer of Port Crane was sentenced to 9 years in jail, in Broome County Court, following guilty pleas for a variety of drug charges. Poyer was arrested in January by the Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task force after they raided Poyer’s residence & seized 2 pounds of Crystal Methamphetamines.

Governor Cuomo announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration has granted his request for a Physical Disaster Declaration for businesses and households in several Counties, including Broome, Chenango & Delaware Counties that were affected by severe storms and flash flooding on August 13th through the 15th. The assessment confirmed that there was major damage to 20 homes and 7 businesses in Broome County totaling $717,000, and minor damage to 205 homes and 14 businesses totaling $1,228,000. The SBA low-interest loans can help affected residents and businesses make timely repairs & remove debris. Applications by calling the SBA's Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955, Loan applications can be downloaded at www.sba.gov/disaster.

Fire Fighters from Otego, Wells Bridge, Franklin & West Oneonta responded last night to the report of a structure fire on County Road 7 in Otego. All of the occupants escaped without injury, fire investigators are trying to determine what started the fire.

Delaware County Sheriff Deputies arrested 40-year-old Jennifer Weaver of Oneonta and charged her with one count of falsifying business records, criminal possession of a firearm & criminal contempt. Weaver is accused of disobeying a provision of an Order of Protection issued by the Court directing her to surrender any and all firearms and subsequently filing a false statement indicating that she did not own or possess any firearms. Deputies later seized a handgun that Weaver is accused of unlawfully possessing and failing to surrender in compliance with the Order of Protection. Weaver was arraigned in the Town of Davenport Court and was released on her own recognizance pending further action in the Town of Davenport Court.

State Police at Troop C in Sidney announced that an elderly woman Otsego County woman, who had been reported missing, was found safe Wednesday afternoon. 89-year-old Belle Lord of the town of Otsego had left in a Toyota convertible with North Carolina plates, she was found in good condition and was returned to her family.

State Senator Fred Akshar announced 12 funding grants to support local volunteer fire departments and emergency services squads totaling $155,000. The grants will go toward a variety of projects depending on the needs of each department. Locally, the Borden Hose Company will receive $10,000; Greene Fire Department will get $15,000; the Norwich Fire Department Emergency Squad will get $10,000.

The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce announced their annual small business and Entrepreneurial spirit award recipients. Directive, of Oneonta, is the recipient of the Key Bank, 19th Annual Small Business of the Year Award; The Otsego ReUse Center is the recipient of the Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield Breakthrough Business of the Year. The award winners will be honored at the Chamber’s Small Business Banquet at The Otesaga Hotel in Cooperstown, beginning at 5:45 PM today.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 26 year old Vernon Kalin of Middletown on 1 count each of DWI, Driving with a BAC of 0.18% or Higher plus other violations following an accident in the Town of Colchester. Kalin was arraigned at the Town of Colchester Court where he was released upon his own recognizance, and scheduled to re-appear at a later date.

The state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services' Office of Fire Prevention and Control held their 21st annual ceremony Monday morning in the Empire State Plaza Convention Center. 28 names were added today, many of the names added in recent years were from New York City Fire Department who died from illnesses associated with working at the World Trade Center after the September 11th 2001 terrorist attacks.

Drug Overdose deaths from Opioids have declined in Broome County. In the first 9 months of 2018, Officials said that there were 22 overdose deaths, in 2016 there were 60 deaths, and in 2017 there were 55. Most of the deaths were male, the average age was 41.

The Delaware County Board of Elections reminds area residents interested in voting the in the November 6th General Election, need to register by this Friday October 12th, which is the last day to register in person and to postmark a registration form for the November 6th General Election. Registration forms and applications for absentee ballots may be found online at co.delaware.ny.us/departments or by calling 832-5321.

State Police and the Schoharie County Sheriff's Department responded to a motor vehicle crash at the intersection of State Route 30 and S30A in the town of Schoharie. A Ford Excursion limousine was traveling in a southwestern direction on State Route 30 and failed to stop at the intersection with State Route 30A. The limousine traveled across the intersection into a parking lot and struck a 2015 Toyota Highlander which was unoccupied and parked; the Highlander then struck and killed 2 pedestrians. 20 victims were killed, all 18 in the limousine, including the driver, and the two pedestrians. The investigation is ongoing.

Otsego County Sheriff Department arrested 31 year old Joel Young of Exeter, after he pointed a shotgun at a Sheriff’s Deputy during a domestic dispute call. The deputy entered the residence and attempted to arrest the defendant, who fled from into his bedroom & retrieved a shotgun and pointed it at the Deputy. Young was taken in to custody following a physical struggle, he was arrested for Menacing a police officer, Criminal Possession of Weapon, Resisting Arrest & Harassment, he was arraigned in the Town of Otsego Court, & was remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $20,000 cash bail or $40,000 bond and he is scheduled to reappear at a later date.

Physician Assistant Alyssa MacIntosh of UHS Women’s Health Center in Norwich will hold a discussion about Breast Cancer & earl y detection in a free presentation today at Bohemian Moon, 103 W. Main Street in Norwich. An optional buffet and cash bar will be available at 6 p.m., with the presentation and discussion to start at 7 p.m. The event is part of UHS Chenango Memorial’s 2018 Women’s Health Series, which will conclude on Monday, November 12 with a discussion on pre-diabetes and diabetes risk factors. More information is available at 337-4183.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced today that federal disaster assistance has been made available to New York to supplement state, and eligible tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms and flooding on August 13th to August 15th. Federal funding is available to state, and eligible tribal and local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms and flooding in 7 area counties, including Broome, Chenango, & Delaware counties.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Department arrested 56 year old Raymond Champlin of Harpersfield, on 6 counts of Forcible Touching and 6 counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Champlin is accused of forcibly touching a 14 year old female victim; he was arraigned & was remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Jail on $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 bond pending a return to Town of Harpersfield Court at a later date.

Governor Cuomo signed legislation passed by the Legislature this year, to allow pets to board any public transportation service in the event of a state of emergency and evacuation. The legislation expands existing law; it was changed after issues during Superstorm Sandy, where many pet owners refused to evacuate because they could not take their companion animals with them, which jeopardized the lives of the residents, their pets & emergency personnel attempting to evacuate them.

Governor Cuomo today announced that the Raise the Age law is now in effect, it removes 16-year-olds who have committed a criminal act from the adult criminal justice system and places them in age-appropriate settings. 16-year-olds who are arrested for non-violent offenses will have the same opportunities for diversion and community-based services as youth 15 and under. 16-year-olds charged with serious offenses will be processed as adolescent offenders in a Youth Part of criminal court and placed in specialized secure detention facilities for adolescents instead of adult jails.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 32 year old Matthew Hubbard of Walton for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, operating a motor vehicle while registration suspended, and other Vehicle and Traffic law violations. The arrest occurred during the course of an investigation into a disabled vehicle on State Highway 206 in the Village of Walton. Hubbard was released on traffic tickets, and is scheduled to appear at the Village of Walton Court at a later date to answer the charges.

Delaware County officials have received the go ahead to put a transmission tower near the Cannonsville Reservoir, as part of their overhaul of the Emergency Services radio communications system. County EMS Coordinator Steve Hood explains:

(Steve Hood 9-26-18)

Hood said that they started updating their system in 2012; this latest development will allow them to fill in a spot that did not have a tower & did not receive optimum service.

Otsego County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Barbara Ann Heegan has been chosen to participate in a program to develop plans to improve community health. Heegan is one of 10 chamber executives chosen nationwide by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives for the Healthy Communities program, Bassett Healthcare Network Dr. Henry Kurban & Heegan will colloborate on plans to promote mental health and prevention of substance abuse & chronic diseases.

Commerce Chenango next Business After Hours event will be held today at the Chenango SPCA. The event will run from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at 6160 County Road 32, in Norwich.

Tourism-related dollars spent in Delaware County in 2017 have grown to nearly $112 million, according to a report issued by Tourism Economics for New York State Empire State Development Division of Tourism; Delaware County Chamber of Commerce President Ray Pucci comments:

(Ray Pucci 8-21-18)

The report showed that tourist spending statewide increased by 4.4%, growth in the Catskills region increased by 7.1%, while Delaware County saw an increase of 11.6% in 2017. Pucci said that tourism dollars translates into 1,100 Jobs, which translates into $38 Million in Labor Income recirculating into the County's economy. More information is available at delawarecounty.org or 746-2281.

Broome, Chenango, Delaware and Otsego counties will all receive funding to support emergency response operations, as part of a statewide program administered by the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. Funding will be used for upgrades in call-taking and dispatching technology, including investing in new services such as text messaging, data communication and improvements to geo-location for emergency response. Local Assemblyman Cliff Crouch said that Broome County was awarded $194,069, Chenango County $179,215, Delaware County $168,096 and Otsego County $157,615.

The State Labor Department released the statistics for the month of July today, as unemployment statewide fell 2/10's to 4.3%. Locally, Chenango County had 4.1% unemployment, Delaware County had 4.7% & Otsego County had 4.3% in July.

Reports from South Carolina said that it was a Union-Endicott teacher from Broome County New York who was attacked and killed by an alligator while walking her dog near her vacation home in South Carolina. 45 year old Cassandra Cline was a kindergarten teacher at the Johnson Elementary School, investigators said that the alligator went for the dog first, Cline tried to rescue the dog when the 9 foot alligator attacked her & pulled her several feet into the lagoon.

Governor Cuomo signed legislation to further protect children from exposure to secondhand smoke. The bill prohibits individuals from smoking in facilities that provide child care services, including private homes. All facilities required to be licensed or registered for child care services must comply with the smoking ban within 90 days.

Thousands attended the Calling Hours & Funeral Services over the weekend for Trooper Nicholas Clark. Troopers & officers from various law enforcement agencies paid their respects, along with friends and family members, at the services held at Alfred University. Trooper Clark died in the line of duty last Monday while responding to the report of a suicidal man who had barricaded himself inside a home in Steuben County.

The American Red Cross is now facing an emergency blood shortage following a difficult Fourth of July week for blood donations; with hundreds fewer blood drives than a typical week and a resulting decline in donations. All eligible donors are urgently needed to give now to help replenish the blood supply. Locally, blood drives are being held today in from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the SFCU main branch in Sidney; in Gilbertsville, from 1:00 to 6:00 PM, at the Christ Episcopal Church, In Delhi Wednesday from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm at the State University of New York Delhi O’Connor Center for Community Engagement, at 2 Main Street & Friday from 1:00 to 6:00 PM at the Delhi Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, 41861 State Highway 10

Norwich City police arrested an area couple for allegedly assaulting a child. Police were notified by the Chenango County Department of Child Protective Services, The child had been taken to Chenango Memorial Hospital’s Emergency room with injuries to the head & face, police arrested 31-year-old Marrianne Ray and 31-year-old Scott Ray of Norwich for 2nd degree Assault and endangering the welfare of a child, Both were arraigned in Norwich City Court and sent to the Chenango County Jail on $75,000 cash bail, they will reappear in Norwich City Court at a later date.

State Senator Jim Seward will be in Otsego County today at Opportunities for Otsego in Oneonta at 2:00 PM. Senator Seward will announce special state grants he secured to help fund local domestic violence prevention programs. Representatives from Opportunities for Otsego, Catholic Charities of Delaware, Otsego & Schoharie Counties, Delaware Opportunities, and Liberty Resources of Chenango County will join Senator Seward for the announcement. Senator Seward will also detail several legislative accomplishments from the past year to combat domestic violence and sexual harassment.

Governor Cuomo announced that $275 million in grant funding is available to municipalities with infrastructure projects that protect or improve water quality and/or public health. This funding is available through the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act and the Intermunicipal Water Infrastructure Grants Program. Municipalities, county or town improvement districts and certain other entities are eligible to apply for funding; more information is available at efc.ny.gov.

The Sidney Emergency Squad has experienced increasing demand on their services over the first 3 years of service. Director of Operations Dana Weygand told WCDO that while they are a not-for-profit organization, there is still a charge for the services:

(Dana Weygand 6-28-18)

Weygand said that they are still seeking a larger home facility, and they would like to increase the number of crews, more information about joining the Sidney Emergency Squad is available at 561-2316.

5 more races remain in 2018 Run Chenango series, which is a series of 5K and 10K races organized by non-profit groups across Chenango County. The 5th race in the series is "Chris’s Run" in Cincinnatus this Saturday, to benefits the Chris Tennant Foundation, registration begins at 6:30 AM; the race begins at 8:00 AM at the Cincinnatus Town Park. The remaining 4 races will be the Wild Goose Chase Trail 5K September 15th in Sherburne, the Chobani Chamber 5K/10K Trail Run on September 30th in Pharsalia, the DCMO BOCES Mountain Mover 5K, October 13th in North Norwich & the Norwich Family YMCA Turkey Trot 5K, November 18th in Norwich. More information is available at the Run Chenango Facebook page.

State Police arrested 34 year old Bradley Lidell of Norwich for felony of Aggravated Unlicensed Operation, DWI, & Refusal to Submit to a Breath Test. Troopers were dispatched to a reported one car rollover on County Road 21 in the town of Smyrna. Troopers located Lidell, their investigation revealed Lidell’s license has been suspended 17 times. Lidell was transported to the Chenango Memorial Hospital for a complaint of pain. After he was released, he was processed at SP Norwich then arraigned in the Smyrna Town Court. Lidell was remanded to the Chemung County Jail on $7,500 cash bail or $12,000 bond.

Party Primaries will be held for congressional seats tomorrow across the state. Locally, there are 7 Democrats running for the 19th Congressional District, to take on incumbent Republican John Faso. In Delaware County, more information is available by calling the County Board of Elections at 832-5321.

Governor Cuomo announced today that the state Department of Financial Services has issued new regulations aimed at protecting the private data of millions of New Yorkers, following last year's Equifax security breach that exposed the personal information of 148 million Americans, including about 8 million New Yorkers. Cuomo said that the state financial services regulators now have oversight for the first time over credit reporting agencies operating in New York. The Governor stated that in addition to registering with the state, credit reporting firms will have to comply with the state's cybersecurity standard.

A Chenango County Grand Jury handed down an indictment against 45 year old Philip Cuda of Morris for 1st & 2nd degree Assault. Cuda is accused of causing serious injuries to an unidentified person by stabbing the person in the stomach & back on May 29th in Norwich; resulting in the victim undergoing emergency surgery.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 31 year old Ashlee Calabrese of Walton for 2 counts of Criminal Mischief and 1 count of Endangering the welfare of a child, after deputies investigated a domestic dispute at Calabrese’s residence in the Town of Walton. Calabrese was arraigned in the Town of Walton Court and later release on $1000 cash bail. Calabrese is set to return to the Town of Walton Court on a later date.

The State Department of Transportation will be closing State Highway 12 north of Oxford for a 2-week period for the construction of the Fly Meadow Creek bridge, where they will replace the bridge deck over the bridge which is located between County Road 4 and Turner Street. Officials stated that sometime during the period of July 16 and August 31, 2018, the bridge is scheduled to be closed for an approximate 2-week period; traffic will be maintained through an off-site detour using County Road 32, State Highway 220 and County Road 32B.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 39 year old Cristal Cartelli of Pineville, Louisiana on an arrest warrant issued by the Village of Sidney Police Department. Deputies were alerted to Cartelli’s active warrant status and presence within Delaware County, she was turned over to Sidney Police Department, and she was arraigned at the Village of Sidney Court & was remanded to the custody of the Delaware County Correctional Facility on $1500 cash bail or $3000 bond pending future court action.

State Police arrested 34 year old Merrill Lamb Jr. of Hobbsville, North Carolina for Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs.  Troopers were dispatched to I-88 in Worcester for a man walking along the interstate, they spotted a tractor trailer on the side of the interstate and the driver told them he got lost then ran out of gas.  An investigation revealed that Lamb was under the influence of drugs, he was arrested and arraigned, he was remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $1,000 cash bail or $2,000 bond.

Broome County Sheriff’s Department arrested 33 year old Emerson Ryan of Binghamton after a patrolling deputy observed a vehicle at 71 miles an hour in a posted 45 mile an hour zone.  The vehicle accelerated and then lost control on a curve, crashing into the ditch.  Ryan was charges with DWI, Driving with a BAC of .08% or higher, reckless driving & speed not reasonable & prudent, among other charges.   Ryan was released and issued tickets to return to the Town of Kirkwood court at a later date.

Alternate Jurors were selected & the trial of Jeremy Coates is underway in Chenango County Court. Coates is charged with 2nd degree murder for the September 2016 =killing of 58 year old Daniel Green in Green’s Oxford home. The trial is expected to take 2 weeks to complete.

Delaware County Sheriff Deputy’s arrested 37 year old Benjamin Pankiewicz & 31 year old Ashlee Calabrese of Walton for Attempted Assault after they had engaged in a physical altercation with one another. Pankiewicz was also arrested for Endangering the Welfare of a Child, as the altercation occurred while a child was present. Calabrese was issued an appearance ticket, having to appear in the Town of Walton Court at a later date. Pankiewicz was arraigned & was remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility in lieu of $500 cash or $1,000 secured bond.

State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced criminal convictions and a civil resolution against Broome County trash collection firms, Bert Adams Disposal and Taylor Garbage Service. The 2 companies conspired to rig bids, allocate customers, and fix prices for trash and recycling services, which forced residents and businesses to pay artificially inflated prices for essential services, they also colluded on bidding for municipal contracts. As part of Bert Adams Disposal’s guilty plea, it will be required to pay $850,000 in criminal penalties. Taylor Garbage Service, Inc. will pay $500,000 in civil penalties, and Robert Taylor, the company’s president and co-owner, will also pay a $50,000 penalty to New York State.

A New York State Budget Presentation will be presented Today at 12:00 Noon, at The Northeast Classic Car Museum, in Norwich. State Commissioner RoAnn Destito of the State Office of General Services will make the presentation.

Governor Cuomo announced that the State Department of Health has issued a health advisory to hospitals, emergency departments and urgent care centers following severe and life-threatening bleeding cases in Illinois, Maryland, Wisconsin, Indiana and Missouri, due to the consumption of synthetic marijuana believed to be contaminated with rat poison. To date, no cases have been reported in New York State. Synthetic marijuana is sold with street names such as K2, Spice and AK-47, which consists of plant material coated by chemicals, which are supposed to mimic the effects of naturally grown marijuana.

The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce & the Otsego-Delaware Job Service Employer committee is co-hosting a free “Opioid Crisis in the Workplace” discussion, with featured speaker, attorney Theresa Levine of Coughlin & Gerhart. The event will be held from 8:30 AM to 12:00 Noon at the Otsego Chamber offices at 189 Main Street in Oneonta.

The Otsego County Planning Department & New York Department of State are hosting a land use training work at the Milford Central School Auditorium, today from 5:00 to 8:15PM. 2 sessions will be offered covering planning, zoning, and General Municipal Law. The sessions offered in this workshop can qualify to meet the state requirement for members of planning boards and zoning boards of appeals. To register, call the Planning Department at 547-4225 or otsegocountyworkshop.eventbrite.com.

Former Delaware County Sheriff's deputy Ted Tiska of Masonville was sentenced on Monday in Delaware County Court to 5 years in state prison for assaulting his wife with a meat cleaver in 2016. Tiska pleaded guilty to 2nd-degree assault in a plea bargain deal, He will also serve a term of 1½ years probation after his release.

State Police arrested 22 year old Kody Kemp of Friendsville Pennsylvania for Criminal Possession of a Weapon & Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance & 30 year old Scott Maxey of Montrose Pennsylvania for Criminal Possession of a Weapon, after Troopers observed their vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed on Colesville Road in the town of Kirkwood. Troopers located a loaded gun in the vehicle and drug paraphernalia. Both were remanded to the Broome County Jail pending future court action.

Otsego County has received more than $842,000 in grants for improvements to emergency and public safety communications infrastructure and equipment. The $684,650 award will be used to complete 3 tower sites needed to complete the emergency services telecommunications project, the 2nd grant totaling over $157,000 will add a dispatcher position, and an alarm systems at tower sites.

Commerce Chenango will be offering a Notary Public class on March 20th in the Commerce Chenango Community Room, 15 South Broad Street, Norwich, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This session is open to the public, Pre-payment and pre-registration is required; more information is available at 334-1429 or chenangony.org.

Local grassroots organization "Chenango Links" is presenting "Unfractured" at the Martin W. Kappel Theater in Norwich next month, it's a documentary about the fight against Hydraulic fracturing in New York State, and how one woman's efforts help persuade New York to ban the practice. Ken Fogarty of Chenango Links explains:

(Ken Fogarty 3-13-18)

"Unfractured" will be shown in Norwich on April 19th at 7:00 PM, more information is available at chenangolinks.com or unfractured.com.

The State Department of Labor today released preliminary unemployment rates for January. The State’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.7% in January, Locally, Chenango County had 7.1% unemployment, Delaware County 7.3% & Otsego County had 6.6% unemployment.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested a 17 year old youth of Hamden, New York on charges of Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs and Unlawful Possession of Marihuana. The youth was also cited for no headlamps. This arrest stemmed from a traffic stop on Stockton Avenue in the Village of Walton. Deputies were assisted by the Village of Walton Police Department. The youth is scheduled to appear in the Village of Walton Court at a later date to answer the charges.

The State Department of Criminal Justice Services announced a Missing Child Alert, for a 1-year-old white/male from Ontario Countyhas been cancelled. Police said that 1-year-old GLENN NEWSWANGER; from Stanley NY, was found in Virginia with his father, 36 year old Leroy Newswanger. The investigation is continuing.

State Police arrested 30-year-old Chad King of Whitney Point for 1st degree Assault, after troopers responded to a Broome County 911 report of two men fighting outside of Aiello’s Restaurant on Main Street in the town of Triangle. King is accused of punching another man in the face while holding metal knuckles, the unidentified victim was sent to Wilson Hospital with serious physical injuries. King was arraigned & remanded to the Broome County Jail without bail pending future court action.

Governor Cuomo today highlighted proposed enhancements in the Executive Budget Proposal to continue the County-Wide Shared Services Initiative. The budget includes a $225 million investment to help localities consolidate efforts, and further empowers towns to share justices. The Initiative is designed to lower property taxes by sharing services, facilities & equipment wherever it is feasible.

Chenango County Residents over the age of 60 can get their taxes prepared for free, through Cornell Cooperative Extension. The service is available by appointment starting this month. To receive more information, or to make an appointment, call Cornell Cooperative extension in Norwich at 334-5841, extension 11.

State Route 7 between Kelly Road & Lawrence was closed earlier today, following a reported 2-vehicle accident with injuries. State Police as well as Bainbridge & Sidney Emergency squads responded, WCDO New will have more details as they become available.

The Broome County Special Investigations Unit arrested 2 people in the town of Maine on a variety of drug charges. 29-year-old Kacey Rozelle and 30-year-old Paul Reed were charged after investigators seized crystal meth, heroin, suboxone, drug packaging materials and about $727 in suspected drug sales. Rozelle and Reed were charged with 4 counts each of criminal possession of a controlled substance among other charges, they were arraigned & sent to the Broome County Jail without bail.

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce announced their First friday Eat & Meet Breakfast to be held on February 2nd. The event will be held from 8:30 to 10:00 am at the Andes Hotel at 110 Main Street in Andes.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has declined to over-rule New York State’s denial of the construction of the Constitution pipeline. The DEC ruled that the pipeline failed to meet certain requirements, the federal agency will not over rule the state’s decision. The Constitution pipeline was proposed to run from Northeast Pennsylvania, through Broome, Chenango, Delaware & Otsego Counties into Schoharie County, carrying gas would could have been tapped into by businesses and communities along the route.

Memorial services will be held saturday from 2:00 to 4:00 PM & 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Walton Fire department, for 18 year old Destyni Twyman of Watlon, who died suddenly from an undisclosed medical emergency tuesday. Final Services will be held on Sudnay at the Walton fie house, an autopsy was conducted Wednesday, no officials cause of death has been released.

State Police arrested 42 year old William Caputo of Raleigh, North Carolina for DWI and other traffic violations, after troopers responded to a 1 vehicle collision on Russell Road, in the town of Walton. Caputo is accused of driving while intoxicated when he drove off the roadway and stuck a tree, Caputo was transported to Delaware Valley Hospital for anxiety and chest pains, he refused to submit to a test to measure his blood alcohol content. Caputo was arraigned & was remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 property bond.

The Binghamton Pond Festival for local hockey enthusiasts will take place over the next 3 weekends starting today. Events will take place at Chenango Valley State Park in Chenango Forks. There is no charge to attend, area Hockey teams are invited to register to participate, and the full schedule of events and registration information is available at bingpondfest.com.

Chenango County Judge Frank Revoir has found Wayne Spratley of Greene not guilty of all 6 charges he was facing, in connection with a shooting incident in downtown Norwich in July 2015. Spratley was found not guilty Thursday of attempted 2nd-degree murder and 1st-degree assault, attempted 2nd-degree murder & criminal use of a firearm.