WCDO Radio News

In memory of Trooper Christopher Skinner, The State Police are inviting the public to join them by giving blood at the 2nd annual Trooper Skinner Memorial American Red Cross blood drive today. Trooper Skinner was killed in the line of duty, while conducting a routine traffic stop on I-81 in the town of Chenango. The public can Donate Blood in Memory of Trooper Skinner from 12:00 Noon to 5:00 PM at the State Police Barracks at 84 Crescent Drive in Kirkwood today.

Governor Cuomo announced that Taste New York has achieved the goal of tripling gross sales of participating vendors in 2015, to over 4.5 Million dollars. Additionally, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets partnered with Empire State Development to provide New Yorkers and visitors worldwide instant access to a list of all the Taste NY agri-tourism destinations through the I LOVE NY mobile app, bringing greater exposure to New York’s food and beverage businesses across the state. The Department also worked with Food Export USA and Empire State Development this year to ensure Taste NY products were included in the Governor Cuomo's trade missions to Cuba and Puerto Rico.

Chenango County Habitat for Humanity has been settling into their new office space located in the Klee House in Guilford. Officials remind residents that they can donate bottles and cans in the Habitat Bottle Shed at the Rte 12 Redemption Center in Norwich. Officials are also looking for more volunteers, interested parties can call 334-7492; more information is available at habitat.chenango.org.

Governor Cuomo today announced $10 million in Public Safety Answering Points operations grants have been awarded to municipalities across New York State. The funding through State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services will support 57 counties and the City of New York in improving 9-1-1 response and emergency dispatching. Locally, Broome County receives $209,000, Chenango County gets over $170,000, Delaware county received over $154,000 and Otsego County will get over $157,000.

The murder trial of 57-year-old John Guzy is scheduled to begin in late March in Chenango County Court. Guzy is accused of fatally shooting 26 year old Derek Prindle of Afton, and shooting in injuring Prindle’s father, 60 year old Derek Prindle, in a case of alleged road rage on October 27th 2014, on state route 7 in Bainbridge. Guzy turned himself in to state police at the Troop C headquarters after the shooting; he remains held at the Chenango county jail pending the upcoming trial.

Binghamton Police arrested 41 year old Harry Johnson for 3rd degree Grand Larceny & Falsely Reporting an incident. Johnson is accused of reporting an armed robbery at Joseph Guardi Auto Sales in Binghamton, as he opened up the business Saturday morning. Detectives determined that a robbery did not happen, Johnson was arraigned and is being held in Broome County Jail.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 34-year-old David Franklin of Oxford for 2 Counts of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property. Detectives arrested Franklin while investigating a Larceny from an Oneida County Business; Detectives located and recovered the stolen property in Franklin’s possession in the City of Norwich. Franklin was arrested and arraigned on a Chenango County Court Warrant and was remanded without bail, he was issued appearance tickets to appear at a later date in City of Norwich Court. Additional charges are pending in Oneida County.

A Town of Columbus resident was arrested by the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office for Grand Larceny. Detectives arrested 20-year-old Maxwell Horton; Detectives located and recovered the stolen property, which had a value of over $3,000. Horton was arraigned in the Town of Columbus Court and was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $3,000 cash bail.

Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 2 men in connection with multiple burglaries in Chenango County, the Southern Tier and Northern Pennsylvania. The Sheriff’s Office arrested 28 year old Nicholas Neer of Port Crane and 27 year old William Polhamus from the Town of Greene, for allegedly committing 2 burglaries in the Town of Greene & 1 in the Town of Oxford. Several pieces of stolen merchandise were recovered during the investigation. Both men were arraigned in the Town of North Norwich Court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $25,000 cash bail. The investigation is continuing and additional arrests will be made. The State Police and Broome County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the investigation.

Governor Cuomo today announced the growth of agricultural sales in New York outpaced the national average, with cash receipts up 36% across the state and only 32% nationally. In 2014, farmers in New York State also set a new record for sales with $6.36 billion in cash receipts, representing a nearly $1.7 billion increase in gross income from sales of crops, livestock, and other products.

The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce will hold their annual Christmas parade tomorrow, Bainbridge Chamber President John Payne explains:

(John Payne 12-11-15)

Payne said that there will also be free movies, bake sales & other activities around the Village tomorrow.

The Chenango County Law Enforcement Association will be hosting “Shop with a Sheriff” at Wal-Mart in Norwich, Saturday. Deputies will take children Christmas Shopping, who will be provided with money raised by the Association & donations from local business, individuals, and each Deputy. The children shopping with the Deputies were selected by each school district throughout Chenango County.

Chenango Arts Council will host an open house at their facilities Sunday. The day includes various musical performances as well as tours of their Art Gallery, Pottery and Ceramic Classrooms, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at 27 West Main Street, Norwich. More information is available at 336-ARTS or chenangoarts.org.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 21-year-old Cody Bradbury of Norwich for 1- Count of 3rd degree Assault. It is alleged that Bradbury intentionally assaulted another person in the Town of Pitcher in August, causing an injury. The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are pending.

The Chenango county sheriff’s department arrested 44-year-old Patricia Mead of McDonough for 3rd degree welfare fraud and Offering a False Instrument for filing. Mead allegedly failed to report a change in her household composition which resulted in Mead receiving $18,675.84 in assistance she was not entitled to, she faces court action at a later date.

The next Chenango County free rabies clinic will be held tonight at the North Norwich Fire Station. The clinic will run from 5:30 to 6:30 PM.

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman today announced a settlement with Lowe’s Home Center over allegations of deceptive sales practices for flooring installations. The agreement provides cash refunds of up to 10% of per-square-foot basic flooring installation fees charged to over 16,000 New York consumers and establishes new disclosure guidelines relating to “per square foot” installation charges. Lowe’s will also pay $900,000 in costs and fees to New York State. Lowe’s operates 64 stores in New York State.

State Police at Sidney arrested 36-year-old Celia Daniels of Oneonta for Aggravated DWI with a child less than 15 years old and Endangering the Welfare of a Child plus several other traffic violations. The arrest occurred after a trooper responded to a Chenango County 911 report of an erratic driver who struck a guide rail on Interstate 88 in the Town of Bainbridge. Daniels is accused of being intoxicated while having her 4-year-old daughter as a passenger. Daniels was issued tickets returnable to the Town of Bainbridge on August 24th.

State Senator Jim Seward and Assemblyman Cliff Crouch announced legislation they sponsored, allowing Delaware County to enact a "bed tax" on hotel and motel room rentals, has been signed into law by Governor Cuomo. The bill follows a home rule request from the Delaware County Board of Supervisors; it allows Delaware County to impose a "bed tax" of up to 2% on hotel and motel room rentals. The estimated return of between $200,000 to $250,000 will be dedicated to promoting County's tourism. Governor Cuomo also signed into law a bill allowing Delaware County to maintain its local sales tax at 4%, which in 1% above the rate authorized in state law.

The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance kicked off the back to school shopping season today by reminding New Yorkers that qualifying clothing and footwear purchases are exempt from New York sales tax year-round. State Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Jerry Boone said that in addition, in New York City and the eight counties listed below, clothing and footwear items under $110 are exempt from local sales tax year-round, included in those 8 counties locally are Chenango County & Delaware County

The Chenango Arts Council announced their schedule of shows for their upcoming 40th season. Chenango Arts Council executive Director Dian Batson-Smith explains:

(Diane Batson Smith 8-4-15)

Tickets or information about memberships are available at 336-ARTS or at their website Chenango Arts.org.

About 170 military uniformed personnel provided services to Chenango County area residents with the 10 day "Greater Chenango Cares" event The about 2500 people were provided with medical, dental, eye care & even veterinary services over the 10 day event held at the Norwich High School. He event provided military personnel with an opportunity to train in the event of a major emergency that they may have to respond to.

Local sales tax collection growth across New York State slowed to 1.6% in the first 6 months of 2015, compared to 3% growth last year, according to State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. County sales tax collections, increased only 0.5%, Locally, Chenango county had a 1.7% increase, while Delaware county had a 5.3% decrease, and Otsego had a 2.3% decrease in tax collections.

The State DOT announced that structural repairs to the State Route 79 Bridge over the Chenango River in Chenango Forks were completed Thursday evening and the bridge was reopened to traffic ahead of schedule. Bridge Maintenance workers worked extended hours on the repair while the bridge, also as a result of this repair, the previous weight restriction of 20 tons will be lifted.

The “Greater Chenango Cares” event begins today through Wednesday the 22nd at the Norwich HIgh School Complex. Area residents can receive free medical, dental, optical & even Veterinary services from trained Army personel from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm each day.Chenango County Planning Department Spokesperson Rena Doing said that shuttle bus service is available:

(Rena Doing 7-13-15)

Walk-ins are allowed for Medical and Optical Services, more information about shuttle busses & how to make appointments for dental & veterinariy services, is available at the Greater Chenango Cares Facebook page.

Governor Cuomo today announced advance ticket sales for the 2015 Great New York State Fair will begin Today at 9 a.m. with expanded online savings for advance admission, midway and bargain book items. For the first time, online purchases will be available throughout all 12 days of the Fair and fairgoers will be able to use an electronic ticket on their smartphone for easy entry. Tickets will be available online and in hundreds of stores across New York. 5 products will be sold online at www.etix.com, the State Fair runs from August 27th to September 7th this year.

The annual "Rock In The Park" will be held tomorrow at General Clinton Park In Bainbridge. Organizer Jason Hall told WCDO News that they are raising money for Chenango SPCA this year:

(Jason Hall 7-10-15)

The gates will open at around noon, with headlining act Rusted Root hitting the stage at about 4:00 PM.

The annual Unadilla carnival of Sales event will be held tomorrow all over the village. Unadilla chamber Festival organizer Linda Bickos explains:

(Linda Bickos 7-10-15)

A Chinese Auction will be held to benefit local efforts to bring service dogs to veterans in need of help. A Unadilla area couple that has a service dog is looking to raise money to assist other vets; Joshua Palmer currently has a service dog “Hampton” his wife Kristina Palmer told WCDO News about their plans:

(Kristina Palmer 7-10-15)

The Chinese Auction drawing will begin at 4:00 PM behind the Unadilla library tomorrow.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 2 Town of Norwich residents for Neglect of an Impounded Animal. Charged were 53-year-old Keith Robinson and 64 year old Mary Randall, they are accused of keeping 4 dogs in crates for extreme lengths of time without cleaning the crates or having proper ventilation. Both will appear in the Town of Norwich Court at a later date.

A Unadilla area couple that has a service dog is looking to raise money to assist other vets in need of service dogs, with a Chinese Auction at the Unadilla Carnival of Sales on July 11th. Joshua Palmer currently has a service dog "Hampton" his wife Kristina Palmer told WCDO News what business & individual citizens can donate for the Chinese auction:

(Kristina Palmer 6-25-15)

Palmer said that it currently costs about $20,000 for a service dog, the Chinese Auction drawing will begin at 4:00 PM behind the Unadilla library on July 11th.

The Broome County Sheriff's Office reported that 45-year old Christine Clark was pronounced dead on arrival at Wilson Hospital, after fire fighters pulled her from a house fire Wednesday evening in the Town of Dickinson. The fire at 127 Adams Drive was called in by a neighbor at about 7:00 PM.   The cause of the fire is under investigation, firefighters from the Town of Chenango, Port Dickinson, Choconut Center and Binghamton responded.

Officials at the Delaware County Fair announced that all grandstand tickets for the 129th Fair are now on sale. this year's fair will features the Demolition Derby, The King FMX Show, NYTPA Modified Tractor Pull, & Country music stars Parmalee & with opening acts Jana Kramer, Lindsey Erin and The Jason Wicks Band. tickets are availabel delawarecountyfair.org or at Hodges Sales and Service in Walton.

The Chenango Arts Council announced the launch of Norwich Preparatory Theater which is a workshop designed to prepare young adults, ages 8 to 18, for a career in the performing arts. Council CEO Diane Batson Smith comments:

(Diane Batson Smith 6-17-15)

The 4-week program will be held on the stage at Chenango Arts Council, 27 West Main Street, Norwich, in July, registration and other information is available at 336-2787.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office executed a “no knock” search warrant at 134 Great Brook Potter Road in the Town of New Berlin Thursday. The search warrant stemmed from a lengthy investigation into the sales of heroin and cocaine in Chenango County. Deputies arrested 31-year-old Nathaniel Sherwood; approximately 70 packets of heroin were confiscated, along with over $2,000 in cash, a digital scale, and a Kawasaki motorcycle. Sherwood was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, he was arraigned in the Town of New Berlin Court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $10,000 cash bail.

Governor Cuomo today announced additional details for funding of the 76West initiative, which includes a $10 million clean energy business competition and $10 million for business support services to the local clean energy market. The initiative is expected to launch this fall; it is designed to enable self-sustaining, clean energy markets to build a clean, resilient, and affordable energy system for New York. The winners will be in or move their operations in upstate counties, including Broome, Chenango, & Delaware counties.

New York State Fair officials today alerted fans of pop star Meghan Trainor to false advertising of online ticket sales for Trainor's concert at the Fair's Chevy Court stage. The concert, on September 3rd is free with admission to the Fair, yet in some cases, tickets are being sold online for more than $1,500 dollars. The problem began with the website meghantrainor-tour.com, which had a link that goes directly to TicketNetwork.com, their page shows a map of the seating areas at the Grandstand, giving the impression the show is at the Fair's paid concert venue and not at the free Chevy Court venue. Consumers wishing to make a complaint can access a free online form at the State Division of Consumer Protection at dos.ny.gov.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office is participating in the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee’s educational campaign of “The Empty Chair.” The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee launched “The Empty Chair” educational campaign, which symbolizes the missing high school senior on graduation day. The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office will be putting out educational material this week in an effort to educate teen drivers and combat teen motor vehicle accidents. Motor vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death for people ages 16-24. More information is available at dmv.ny.gov/younger-driver.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will offer Greek yogurt as a meat alternative in school lunches nationwide this fall, after a successful 12-state test with Chobani and The Upstate Niagara Cooperative of Buffalo. The USDA decided to make Greek yogurt a permanent part of its national school lunch program after a 12 state pilot program concluded that the Greek Yogurt has ample nutritional value, and that there's sufficient demand from school children. Chobani became the #1 seller of Greek Yogurt; they recorded more than $1 billion in annual sales and they employ more than 2,000 people.

A Chenango county grand jury indicted 35 year old Shaun Sullivan of Norwich, on charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal nuisance and endangering the welfare of a child. Sullivan is accused of unlawfully allow individuals to gather at his Norwich residence for the purpose of engaging in unlawful sales of controlled substances & possessing Heroin & Cocaine with the intent to sell, & acting in a manner injurious to the welfare of a child.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office & Norwich Police executed a “no knock” search warrant Thursday at 12 Mechanic Street in Norwich, following an investigation of heroin and narcotics sales. 27-year-old Jason Sigler of Norwich was charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance & Criminal Nuisance, he was arraigned in the City of Norwich Court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $5,000 cash bail. 50-year-old Patricia Manwarren of Norwich was charged with Criminal Nuisance, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Criminal Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, with more charges pending, she was arraigned in the City of Norwich Court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $1,000 cash bail. 39-year-old Michael Hackett was found to be in possession of marihuana and issued an appearance ticket to appear in the City of Norwich Court at a later date. The Sheriff’s Office recovered cocaine, prescription pills, marihuana, digital scales, and Baggies during the search.

Today is "National Go Red For Women Day", to kick off the month long Heart Month awareness program. Heart disease is the number one killer of American women according to the American Heart Association. Locally, to kick off Heart Month, UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital will have a display of free information and awareness items in the cafeteria; donations may also be made to the local American Heart Association Heart Walk.