WCDO Radio News

Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 32 year old Keith Tompkins of Oxford for several counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, 9 counts of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia, after deputies observed a male, laying on the floor in the back of the vehicle, attempting to conceal himself by hiding under automotive parts. Tompkins had an active arrest warrant out of the Village of Oxford Court for Unlawful Fleeing of a Police Officer. Tompkins was in possession of over 2 ounces of crack cocaine, about 4 ounces of crystal Methamphetamine, 1,150 wax envelopes of Fentanyl, packaging material, digital scales, and over $2,000 in cash from suspected drug sales. Tompkins was arraigned and was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility without bail. Tompkins is to appear in Chenango County Court at a later date.

Bassett Healthcare Network and Helios Care are collaborating to provide hospice and palliative care to patients in Central New York. The State Department of Health has given approval for Helios Care to expand their services to include Herkimer and Chenango Counties to better serve within the Bassett Healthcare Network. Currently, Helios Care serves Otsego, Delaware, and Schoharie Counties.

The Bassett Healthcare Network announced that O’Connor Hospital in Delhi has achieved re-accreditation by the Joint Commission after an on-site assessment and survey. All hospitals, health systems, and health services must achieve certain accreditations to remain in operation, Hospitals are evaluated quality and safety, organizational performance, care plans, and Hospital surveys by the Joint Commission generally last for 3 consecutive days and occur every three years.

Chenango Arts Council’s Holiday Show, with the New York Theater Ballet will be performed tonight at the Martin W. Kappel Theater in Norwich, Council Spokesperson Mary Beth Miller explains:

(Mary Beth Miller 12-13-23)

More information about this & other shows & activities are available at ChenangoArts.org or call (607) 336-2787. Chenango Arts Council is located at 27 West Main Street, Norwich.

Chenango Memorial Hospital is closing the long-term care unit located on the hospital’s second floor as of January 31st. CMH will no longer be accepting new residents and, over the next 2 months, they will work closely with our residents and their families to ensure their placement in other long-term care facilities. 19 residents are currently at the facility, and employees of the facility will be transferred to other positions across the Hospital's departments. The hospital’s board and leadership team are currently exploring options for alternative uses for the second floor of the hospital.

Bassett Healthcare Network’s board of directors announced that President and CEO, Dr. Tommy Ibrahim, has decided to leave the organization at the end of the year. The Bassett Healthcare Network board has voted to appoint Staci Thompson, who is the Bassett Healthcare Network’s current executive vice president and chief operating officer, as Dr. Ibrahim’s successor, on an interim basis starting on January 1st. Over the coming weeks, Ibrahim and Thompson will work together with the Bassett Healthcare Network board of directors and executive leadership team to ensure a smooth transition of leadership.

44 year old Andre Gilliam of Binghamton was arrested after a search warrant was executed on Tuesday. The Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task Force Tuesday executed a search warrant at 174 1/2 Castle Creek Road in the Town of Chenango, they seized Fentanyl, Scales and cutting agent used for the distribution of narcotics, plus $3,790 in cash from suspected drug sales. Gilliam was charged with multiple counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance & 2 Counts of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia, he was transported to the Broome County Correctional Facility for processing and to await arraignment at Central Arraignment.

The Chenango County Sheriff's Office arrested 34 year old James Gay of North Norwich for Driving While Ability Impaired by drugs, and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, following a traffic stop for an equipment violation in the Town of Norwich. During the investigation of the traffic stop, James was exhibiting signs of recent drug use and failed the field sobriety testing. While being taken into custody James was found with a small amount of Methamphetamine. James was processed and released on appearance Tickets to appear in the Town of Norwich Court at a later date.

John "JB" Bayne has announced his departure as the General Manager of the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, the Double-A affiliate of the New York Mets. Team Officials said that Bayne will be replaced on an interim basis by Richard Tylicki, and the search for a new General Manager will begin immediately.

A.M. NEWS Wednesday 11-8-23

Election Night Results are coming in, The State Board of Elections stated that in the State Supreme Court 6th District, Republican Cheryl Insinga was the winner by a 49 to 46% margin, The Delaware County Board of Elections announced that unofficially, in the town of Sidney race, Kevin Greene & Paul Muratore are the winners of 2 seats, The Chenango County Board of Elections stated that unofficially, in the Town of Guilford Superviser race, Sue McIntyre defeated 2 other candidates.

Bassett Healthcare Network and the Cancer Services Program of the Central Region will have No cost cancer screenings today at the Southside Mall in Oneonta, from 9:00 am. to 3:00 PM. More information or Appointments can be made by calling 1-888-345-0225.

Bassett Healthcare Network announced that they have been alerted of an email scam, where scammers are posing as representatives or recruiters on behalf of A.O. Fox Hospital and attempting to steal money and personal identification information from victims. The suspicious emails reads: “A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital is pleased to extend an offer of employment to you a the full-time position”, it prompts the reader to “scan a copy of personal forms of identification for employment verification,” Bassett Healthcare Network will never ask potential job seekers for any forms of payment or personal documents prior to a genuine job offer. Anyone receiving the email should Report it to Trina Silver, Privacy Officer at Bassett, at 607-547-7900 or patrenia.silver@bassett.org, they should also contact Law Enforcement, change their internet passwords & contact their financial institution.

Broome County District Attorney Mike Korchak announced that Dylan Shoemaker of Chenango Forks pleaded guilty to 2nd Degree Assault, in Broome County Court Friday. Shoemaker admitted that on February 6th, he assaulted a State trooper, when police responded to a residence on Perch Pond Road in Windsor following the report of a domestic dispute. 1 trooper was hit in the face and the same trooper was cut by glass as he wrestled Shoemaker to the ground, he was treated and released at a local hospital. Shoemaker has a lengthy criminal history, he will be sentenced to 12 years to life in New York State prison on January 12.

Rural Health Network of South Central New York will hold their 25th Anniversary Celebration Event & fundraiser today, in Binghamton, Director of Resource Development Cindy Martin told WCDO News about celebration & their services:

(Cindy Martin 9-28-23)

More information is available at rhnscny.org.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 10-5-23

Bassett Healthcare Network announced enhanced sign-on bonuses for a variety of open job positions for the next 90 days. Spokesperson Gabby Argo explains:

(Gabby Argo 10-5-23)

Bonus increases include up to $35,000 for registered nurses, Up to $20,000 for licensed practical nurses, clinical laboratory technicians, ultrasound technologists, radiology technologists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists & Up to $15,000 for nursing assistants, emergency department technicians, physical therapy assistants, More information is available at bassett.org/careers.

The Chenango County Historical Society will host special programming Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Festivities include interactive demonstrations with a blacksmith and other historic artisans, the Chenango Canal Association, the Chenango Valley Amateur Radio Association, There is no charge for the “Museums & More!” Day activities, more information about this & future programs can be found at ChenangoHistorical.org for more details about this and other programs.

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 10-5-23

State Police are searching for 16-year-old Emily Clapper who was reported missing on October 2nd, she is described as 5 foot 4 inches tall, 120 pounds with red hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt with “OLD FORGE” in white letters and gray sweatpants, she may be in the city of Oneonta area. Anyone with information should call State Police at (315) 366-6000.

The Otsego County Health Department will have a Rabies Vaccination Clinic for Dog Cats & Ferrets at the Otego Fire Department today. The clinic will run from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, more information is available at 607-547-4230.

The Rural Health Network of South Central New York will be hold a 25th anniversary celebration in October in Binghamton, Director of Resource Development Cindy martin told WCDO News about their services:

(Cindy Martin 9-28-23)

The celebration will be held October 16th at 5:00 PM at the Double Tree at the Hilton in Binghamton, tickets are available until October 6th, more information & tickets are available at rhnscny.org.

Chenango County Health Department will have a drive thru flu vaccination event at the Chenango County Fairgrounds in Norwich from 9-11 am. on Saturday October 7, for ages 10 and older. Preregistration is required at health.ny.gov; more information is available at 337-1660.

State police reported that 82 year old Lorena Mayes of Norwich was killed from a 2-vehicle crash Tuesday afternoon in the town of North Norwich. Police reported that Mayes was operating her vehicle at County Highway 32 and State Highway 12, she pulled out into the path of an SUV traveling north on Route 12. Mayes was transported to Chenango Hospital, but did not survive. A 91-year-old passenger in the Mayes vehicle was taken to Chenango Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Both occupants of the SUV were taken to Basset Hospital in Cooperstown with non-life-threatening injuries.

Bassett Healthcare Network, Hartwick College, and SUNY Oneonta gathered on September 13 to inaugurate a groundbreaking workforce development partnership aimed at retaining new graduates in the region and addressing critical workforce shortages across Bassett’s network. Bassett President & CEO Dr. Tommy Ibrahim comments at a Fox Hospital Press Conference Wednesday:

(Dr. Tommy Ibrahim 9-14-23)

Dr. Ibrahim said that Bassett CARES is open to graduates from all disciplines, participants may earn up to $25,000 in loan repayment stipends. SUNY Oneonta and Hartwick College students may also get free or subsidized on-campus housing in the summer for matriculated students who are working for Bassett Healthcare Network during the summer months. SUNY Oneonta also plans to provide bridge housing for recent graduates for the summer directly following their graduation to ease the transition to professional life at Bassett.

The Otsego County Health Department, Sheriff's Office & The Governor's Traffic Safety Committee will hold a Child car Seat Safety check event today at the AAA office on State Highway 28 in Oneonta. The clinic will run from 2:00 to 5:00 PM, More information is available at 607-547-4230.

Federal funding will be going to the Chenango Health Network, they will receive $60,000 to help the organization to further its comprehensive approach to substance abuse prevention, intervention, and treatment. The Money is coming from the US Department of Heath & Human Services.

The State Department of Labor released preliminary local area unemployment rates for June. The State’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held constant at 3.9% in June, locally Chenango County had 2.8% unemployment, Delaware County had 3.6% and Otsego County had 3.3% in June.

Basset Health Care recently held a conference regarding their successful School Based Health Centers, Spokesperson Gabby Argo explains:

(Gabby Argo 3-24-23)

Argo said that Basset operates the largest school based health network in New York State with 21 schools in 17 area districts participating in the program.

The Chenango County Department of Public Health is offering a free rabies clinic for Chenango County pet owners on Saturday, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Guilford Highway Department, located at 223 Marble Road in Guilford. The clinic is for Dogs Cats & Domesticated Ferrets.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 3-23-23

2 Broome County residents are facing 20 felony charges after being apprehended by Broome County Sheriff’s Deputies following an armed robbery in the Town of Chenango that led to an extended vehicle and foot pursuit through Johnson City and Endwell. Deputies responded Wednesday to a report of a robbery and assault on Dimmock Hill Road in the Town of Chenango. Deputies determined that 39 year old Alex Shoga of Binghamton, entered the residence displaying a handgun with 27 year old Kristin Silvanic of Endicott. 1 of the victims stolen tablets allowed deputies to track the suspects in Johnson City, where Deputies converged on the area and encountered the suspect vehicle, after a short pursuit, the suspects were taken to the Broome County Sheriff’s Office Central Arraignment and charged with the following Robbery, Burglary, criminal Use of a Firearm, tampering with physical evidence & criminal possession of stolen property, among many other charges,

19th District Congressman Marc Molinaro announced over $10 million in federal funding for various local organizations. Greater Opportunities for Broome and Chenango, Inc. is receiving $2,744,923 for its Head Start Program, Cornell University is receiving $3,792,922 for pharmacology research and $776,752 for allergy and immunology research. SUNY Binghamton is receiving $783,365 for alcohol abuse treatment research & The Family Health Network of Central New York, Inc. is receiving $2,300,207 to support the continuation of care.

Following the release of a CDC report that showed a sharp increase in maternal mortality in 2021, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced that start of a new hotline to help pregnant women or new mothers deal with a variety of issues:

(Gillibrand 3-23-23)

Gillibrand's "National Maternal Mental Health Hotline" has already helped 7,5000 and Gillibrand is calling for its full implementation in the next federal Budget.

A.M. NEWS 3-23-23

The Delaware County District Attorney office announced that 37 year old Douglas Rodriguez pleaded guilty in Delaware County Court to Criminal Contempt, after violating a court order of protection by phone several times, and for trying to convince that person not to testify against him. Rodriguez was remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $35,000 cash bail pending sentencing on April 10th.

The Delaware County District Attorney's office announced that 50 year old Kristopher Surdis of Kingston, appeared in Delaware County Court on March 20, 2023 and pleaded guilty to one count of Falsely Reporting an Incident. Surdis was arrested by the Colchester Police Department for allegedly calling the Downsville Country Store and reporting a bomb threat. After being arraigned on a Superior Court Information, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to time already served in jail and also imposed a 3-year Conditional Discharge, which requires Surdis undergo a mental health evaluation, and comply with any treatment recommendations for the next three years, if he violates the terms, he could be re-sentenced to a term of 7 years in jail.

Alliance for Manufacturing and Technology will host an OSHA Ergonomic Safety Training today in the Commerce Chenango Community Room from 1:00 pm. to 3:30 pm. The event is geared towards manufacturers who employ less than 250 employees, more information is available at Commerce Chenango at 607-334-1400.

Bassett Healthcare Network announced today that masks are no longer required for patients, visitors, or staff members across most areas of the health system. 1 exception is in Bassett’s skilled nursing facilities at A.O. Fox Nursing Home, Valley Residential Services, and Valley Health Services, where masks will still be required for all employees and visitors. Long-term care facilities continue to follow stricter guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) based on community transmission rates to protect residents.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 3-20-23

The Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 48 year old Charles Bodie of Edmeston for 2nd degree Rape, Criminal Sex Act, Dissemination of Indecent Material to Minors, Obscenity, & Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Bodie is accused of engaging in sexual relationship with a minor for several months, allegedly sent indecent material to the minor while he was employed outside of the State, and then Homeland Security was requested to assist. Bodie was located and arrested & he was returned to New York, he was turned over to investigators and was being held at the Otsego County Correctional Facility to await arraignment. Additional charges are expected.

The Oxford Girls Basketball team finished the 2022-23 season with an appearance in the Class-D state championship game on Sunday in Troy. The Blackhawks fell to Hammond from Section 10 in the title game but earned an exciting semifinal victory on Saturday over Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons from Section 2. Madalyn Barrows was the star of the weekend for Oxford as she tallied 43 points, 19 rebounds, 12 steals & 10 assists over the two games. She did all this while being sick and only being able to eat crackers and drink pedialyte. The Blackhawks finish the season at 22-6 and they were the first Chenango County Girls Basketball team to make the state finals since B-G did in 1999. For more information make sure to check out Sports Director Nate Lull on Twitter.

See New York's premiere Billy Joel Tribute Band, The Downtown Men, in the Martin W. Kappel Theater Saturday, February 18, 2023. Doors open at 6:30, show starts at 7, tickets are available at ChenangoArts.org, by calling 607-336-2787, or at the door.

More than 330 guests attended the Friends of Bassett Healthcare Network’s fifth annual Valentine’s Soirée at the Otesaga Resort & Hotel in Cooperstown on Saturday, February 11. The event raised over $250,000 in support of Bassett’s School-Based Health and Dental Program.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 2-17-23

Delaware County District Attorney's office announced that 40 year old Denise Wells of Herkimer was convicted of 1 count of Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs, in the Town of Delhi Court Wednesday. Wells was charged after driving erratically through Delhi on December 12th of last year, she eventually drove off the road on State Highway 10, she was under the influence of heroin. Wells was sentenced to a 1-year conditional discharge, she was also ordered to undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation, attend and complete an Impaired Driver Program, and attend a Victim Impact Panel, her license was revoked for 6 months, and she was ordered to pay $900 in fines & fees.

Bassett Healthcare Network will continue to require masks for all people in patient care and public areas of their buildings, including in hospitals, clinics, long-term care and rehabilitation facilities, and school-based health centers. Bassett Officials said that COVID-19 and influenza community transmission rates in Central New York remain high or substantial & the State Department of Health's latest safety guidance continues to affirm the importance of masking as a key infection prevention tool. Bassett's experts in Infection Prevention and other disciplines will continue to monitor community transmission levels and proceed forward with safety measures that are aligned with CDC guidance and in the best interest of our patients and communities.

Truth Pharm will be holding a free Narcan training at the Afton Free Library, at 105 Main Street in Afton, at 10:00 AM today The training is open to the Chenango County and surrounding communities, and will teach participants the science of substance abuse and addiction, as well as how to recognize an overdose, and how to respond to an overdose using Narcan.

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 1-23-23

36 year old Jason Gerhard of Montrose Pennsylvania was found guilty in Broome County Court today for Criminal Possession of a Weapon. State Police responded to a home on Patch Road in the Town of Chenango last February, where Gerhard entered a residence without permission, he was in possession of an illegal handgun & was arrested, at that time, Gerhard was on probation for illegal possession of a .38 caliber revolver. Gerhard could spend 3½ to 7 years in State prison when he is sentenced on April 20th.

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the availability of up to $7.5 million for state-certified providers and other treatment programs to establish low threshold services to address opioid addiction. The funding will provide up to $500,000 for 15 programs statewide to offer low threshold services, certified treatment providers, clinics by the state Office of Mental Health, hospitals, and harm reduction programs are eligible to apply for the funding.

Bassett Medical Center announced today that it has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Primary Stroke Center Certification. Primary Stroke Center Certification recognizes hospitals that meet exacting standards to support critical elements to achieve long-term success in improving outcomes for stroke patients, currently, strokes are the 5th leading cause of death in the U.S.