WCDO Radio News

The River Valley News group of Pennsylvania announced that they will cease operating the Tri Town News, The Chenango American, as well as weekly newspapers in Oxford & Whitney point. Tri Town New editor Allison Collins comments:

(Allison Collins 12-13-18)

Collins said that the Tri Town News had its start in 1882 as the Sidney Record; its last issue will come out on December 21st.

The Chobani Foundation announced the recipients of Their 1st Community Impact Fund, which will provide $100,000 in grant funds to 4 beneficiaries locally. The Sidney Central School District was awarded $21,000, to incorporate a food truck into its nutritional education program. The Catskill Development Foundation was awarded $28,150 for a food and agricultural entrepreneur training program at Delaware County FoodWorks+, The Oxford Academy and Central School District was granted $30,000 to fund the salaries of 25 students working for local businesses in the 10-month Career Pathways Program, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Madison County received $20,850 to provide marketing assistance for farmers and managers of farmers markets looking to expand their businesses. The Chobani Foundation partnered with the Community Foundation for South Central New York to facilitate the grant selection process; more information is available at chobani.com/impact/chobanifoundation.

Governor Cuomo’s office announced on Tuesday of their goal to create a program for regulated marijuana use next year. The governor’s office hosted the listening sessions throughout September and October to gauge community appetite for legalizing marijuana, A study by the New York City Comptroller’s office estimated that revenues from taxes on regulated marijuana sales could bring in $3.1 billion dollars for the state. In Colorado, marijuana retailers made $1.5 billion last year and collected $247 million in taxes.

New York Farm Bureau has released its annual "Circle of Friends," naming 160 New York State Legislators to the distinguished list. The award is an indication of the individual lawmaker's support of New York agriculture and Farm Bureau. The "Circle of Friends" honor is based upon each legislator's voting record on issues of agricultural importance as well as other evidence of legislative support, including sponsorship of bills that New York Farm Bureau has either supported or opposed during the most recent legislative session, State Senators Fred Akshar, Jim Seward & John Bonacic plus Assembly members Cliff Crouch, Bill Magee, Donna Lupardo & Gary Finch were all named to the Farm Bureaus “Circle of Friends" again this year.

Governor Andrew Cuomo's office has announced the start of a child care availability task force. The group is comprised of representatives from the child care provider community, the business community, unions that represent child care providers, representatives from several state agencies and local departments of social services will develop recommendations to make quality, affordable child care accessible across the state. The task force met for the first time on Wednesday.

Voters in the Unadilla Valley School district have until 8:00 tonight to vote on the district's proposed 10 million dollar capital improvement project. Voting is being held at the District Office Lobby.

The Food and Drug Administration announced today that Del Monte Foods has recalled more than 64,000 cases of "Fiesta Corn" seasoned with red and green peppers. So far there had been no reports of illness, Del Monte determined the cans had not been properly sterilized, leading to the risk of spoilage. The corn was in 15.25-ounce cans with the UPC number printed on the label: 24000 02770, it can be returned to the point of purchase for a refund or exchange, more information is available by calling Del Monte Foods at 800-779-7035.

A.M. NEWS Thursday 12-13-18

State Police have located James Sitts, who was wanted on an arrest warrant out of the town of Oneonta Court for 2 counts of Grand Larceny. Sitts was located and arrested by City of Oneonta Police Officers on December 8, He was later transferred to the custody of State Police and was arraigned in the town of Oneonta Court where he was remanded to the Otsego Jail with no bail. His next court date is January 3rd.

The American Red Cross is hosting 2 area Blood Drives today, 1 in Oneonta from 1:00 to 6:00 PM at the Foothills Performing Arts Center, at 24 Market Street, and another in Walton from 12:00 Noon until 5:00 PM at the United Presbyterian Church, at 58 East Street Blood donors of all blood types, especially type O, appointments can be made at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies named Kevin Boles as the team's manager for the 2019 season. Boles joins the New York Mets organization after spending the last eleven seasons managing in the Boston Red Sox system.

Chenango County Sheriff’s Office announced that 34 year old Timothy Adams of Sherburne will be charged shortly, in Connection with the Monday Morning Robbery at
The Sherburne Mirabito Convenience Store. Adams is accused of forcibly stealing items in the store & throwing hot coffee in the store clerk's face before fleeing the
scene. Monday afternoon, deputies located Adams, who had harmed himself with a knife and fled on foot to a nearby overgrown field where he was later apprehended.
Officers administered first aid to Adams, he was transported to Wilson Memorial Hospital in critical condition, upon release, he will be charged with 2nd degree Robbery.
2nd degree Assault, Tampering with Physical Evidence, and Possession of Stolen Property.

The Broome-Endicott Swat Team executed a narcotics search warrant for the Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task Force on East Windsor Road in Nineveh
today; they arrested 24 year old Marissa Price of Port Crane for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Criminal
Possession of Marihuana & Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia. Officers seized 7 grams of Methamphetamine, 5 ounces of Marijuana, prescription pills, Digital scales
and drug packaging materials as well as 5 shotguns and rifles & $5,188 in cash from suspected drug sales. Price was arraigned in the Town of Colesville Court today and
was remanded to the custody of the Broome County Sheriff’s Correctional Facility without bail.

Chenango County Public Works will close County Road 5, between County Road 2 in the Town of German and State Highway 220 in the Town of McDonough today. Local traffic will be allowed to and from their homes. The traveling public must follow the designated detour from County Road 5 south along County Road 2, then north along State Highway 220 to County Road 5. More information is available at 337-1710.

New York state’s farms generated $4.8 billion in revenue in 2017, with 15 agricultural products ranked in the top 5 nationwide, according to a report released today by
State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. New York has more than 35,000 farms covering 7.3 million acres, nearly one quarter of the state’s land area. Milk is by far the state’s
largest agricultural commodity, with $2.7 billion in sales in 2017, New York vineyards covered 35,000 acres in 2017, producing 187,000 tons of grapes, surpassed only by
California and Washington. The full report is available at osc.state.ny.us/reports.

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.

Governor Cuomo announced a joint effort by state agencies to crack down on underage drinking on college campuses and in college towns as the fall semester begins. The State Liquor Authority and the State DMV, working with local law enforcement agencies, will conduct statewide sweeps of locations holding liquor licenses, including bars, restaurants, liquor stores and grocery stores, looking for fake IDs and illegal sales to minors. The combined enforcement effort will begin immediately, Persons under the age of 21 found to be using fake IDs or false documents with the intent of purchasing alcohol can be arrested and have their license revoked for a minimum of 90 days or up to one year. Businesses charged by the State Liquor Authority with underage sales face civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation, and repeat offenders also face potential suspension or revocation of their liquor licenses.

Commerce Chenango and the Hamilton Business Alliance will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Rogers Environmental Education Center. Business and community leaders are invited to attend the “Business After Hours” event from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Rogers Environmental Education Center on Route 80 in Sherburne.

Local sales tax collections across New York grew 6% in the first 6 months of 2018, according to a report released today by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. Tax collections totaled $8.5 billion compared to $8 billion during the same period last year. The report revealed that the highest regional increases in the state were in the Southern Tier, the Mohawk Valley& the Mid-Hudson all at 5.8%, The Capital District had 5.6% growth & Long Island at 5.5%.

The Chenango County Sheriff's Office was alerted of an alleged abduction last night at about 9:30 PM in Smithville Flats. This morning, the victim, 20 year old Katelyn Nielsen of Smithville Flats, the suspect 46 year old Calvin Burlingame of Newark Valley & his vehicle were all located in Broome County. Deputies reported that Nielsen was unharmed, the investigation is continuing, anyone with information can call 337-1863.

The Chenango County Relay for Life is being held Saturday in downtown Norwich, Heather Brewster of the American Cancer Society comments:

(Heather Brewster 7-20-18)

Brewster said that last year's Chenango County efforts raised $94,000.

The village of Morris will conduct its 38th annual community-wide Yard Sale Day on Saturday. The event will feature dozens of family sales, food tents, and vendors in the village park.

The Unadilla Chamber of Commerce will meet tonight at 5:30pm at The Meeting Place. The agenda will be devoted to a final update for the Annual Carnival of Sales on July 14th & to continue the Strategic Planning Workshop.

Fireworks Over the Fairgrounds returns to the Chenango County Fairgrounds on July 4th, Terry Potter of Millennia Entertainment explains:

(Terry Potter 7-3-18)

Tickets are available locally at Blue Ox Store or at the gate the day of the show, the day will conclude with a Fireworks display at Dusk.

Governor Cuomo announced that more than $1 million has been awarded to New York State farmers through two grant programs designed to promote growth in the state's agriculture industry. The New Farmers Grant Fund assists new and early-stage farmers, and the Veterans Farmer Grant Fund supports farms owned and operated by military veterans. In the Southern Tier; Lilley Farms, LLC, Chenango County will receive $47,589 to Build and equip a livestock barn and purchase field equipment to expand the farm's herd and increase sales.

Norwich Police and the Chenango County Sheriff's Office announced the arrests of 37 year old Andres Figueroa & 46 year old Lourdes Medina of Norwich on charges of Criminal sales of a controlled substance & criminal nuisance. Police investigated narcotics sales starting in May & they executed a 'No-knock' search warrant at a North Broad Street apartment. Figueroa and Medina were sent to the Chenango County Jail, Figueroa on $50,000 bail and Medina on $20,000 bail, pending action in Norwich City Court on Wednesday.

33 year old Sean Martin of Binghamton was sentenced Monday in Chenango County Court to 90 days in jail & 5 years post-release Supervision, for driving drunk during a 1 vehicle crash that killed his brother. Martin pleaded guilty in April to vehicular manslaughter, and driving while intoxicated, in connection with the September 24th 2017 crash on State Highway 41 in the Town of Greene

High School Artists from around the region can submit their work, and they may wind up showing their work alongside professional artists at this Year’s Colorscape Chenango event in September, Spokesperson Peggy Finnegan explains:

(Peggy Finnegan 6-5-18)

More information is available at 316-3212, applications can be submitted; postmarked for this June 9th to Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival, PO Box 624 Norwich, 13815.

The Unadilla Chamber of Commerce will have a regular meeting on Today at 5:30 pm at The Meeting Place, 187 Main Street, Unadilla. All directors and members are urged to attend. Information on final plans for the 42nd Annual Unadilla Carnival of Sales will be discussed, the event will be held on Saturday, July 14th this year.

The Rolling Antiquer's Old Car Club of Norwich will have their Annual Car Show and Flea Market Saturday and Sunday at the Chenango County Fairgrounds in Norwich. Over 100 trophies will be awarded over the many classes on the 2 day event.

Assemblyman Cliff Crouch and State Senator Fred Akshar dedicated the State Route 206 East Bridge into Bainbridge, in honor of former Bainbridge Town Supervisor Hugh Kearney this afternoon:

(Crouch Akshar 5-25-18)

Kearney served as Bainbridge Town Supervisor on the Chenango County Board of Supervisors; he was also a Bainbridge Town councilman, as well as serving the Bainbridge Development Corporation, the Chenango County IDA, Vision 21 and the BG school board.

The Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task Force executed a narcotics search warrant at the home of 43-year-old Robert Brady of Binghamton Thursday. Police seized 100 bags of heroin, Illegally possessed prescription pills, Drug packaging materials, and $12,816 in cash from suspected drug sales. Brady was charged with several counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminally using drug paraphernalia.

State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced the guilty plea and conviction of Robert Niederriter of Kirkwood, and his business, Buffalo Head Bar & Grill, for failing to file numerous sales tax returns and remit over $59,000 in sales tax that was collected at the business. Niederriter paid $59,789 to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance for the unpaid sales tax and was sentenced to a one-year conditional discharge.

State Police arrested 35 Year old Christopher Lindow of Binghamton for Driving While Intoxicated with a B.A.C of .29% and several traffic infractions. A passing motorist had contacted Chenango County 911 reporting that a vehicle was parked in the middle of the driving lane on State Route 26, in the town of Bainbridge. Lindow was arrested & was released on appearance tickets for town of Bainbridge Court on April 5th.

State Police arrested 49 year old Dwayne Lockwood of Guilford for DWI. Troopers were originally called to a dispute at a residence in the town of Butternuts but learned that Lockwood left the residence prior to their arrival. Lockwood was located by Troopers at a business nearby, he was arraigned in the town of Guilford Court, he was remanded to the Chenango County Jail on $500 cash bail or $1,000 bond pending an April 10th court date.

State Police and local law enforcement will conduct special enforcement efforts designed to deter drinking and driving during St. Patrick's Day weekend. The traffic enforcement detail runs through Sunday, Drivers can expect sobriety checkpoints, additional DWI patrols, and stings targeting underage drinking and illegal sales of alcohol to minors during the campaign. State Police will also be ticketing distracted drivers who use handheld electronic devices. During the 2017 St. Patrick's Day weekend enforcement effort, Troopers made 229 arrests for DWI and issued nearly 15,000 tickets.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested Morgan Cleveland of Norwich for 1 count of Criminal Contempt, after Cleveland allegedly violated an order of protection that was issued in February by the Town of Norwich Court. Cleveland was arraigned in the Town of Guilford Court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on bail; he will appear in the Town of Norwich Court at a later date.

State Police arrested 39 year old Jillenia Murphy of Afton for DWI, Obstructing Governmental Administration and several traffic infractions. Troopers were dispatched to Oak Hill Road in the town of Afton for a 1-car accident, they located Murphy and her vehicle stuck in the snow. Murphy refused to submit to a breath sample or allow troopers to take her fingerprints and was charged with obstructing governmental administration. Murphy was arraigned and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $500 cash bail or $2,000 bond; she faces court action in the town of Afton Court & Town of Unadilla Court on March 26th.

Chenango County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 21 year old Armoni Prince of Endicott for Criminal Mischief, after deputies responded to a domestic dispute in the Town of Greene. Prince is alleged to have destroyed the cellular phone of the victim who was attempting to contact police for assistance. Prince was arraigned in the Town of Greene Court and was released on recognizance and is to reappear in court at a later date.

Chenango County Sheriff’s department arrested 19 year old Johnathon Gemberling of Norwich on a warrant for failure to comply with his conditions following a conviction of Criminal possession of a controlled substance. Gemberling was apprehended following a foot pursuit and was taken into custody; deputies discovered Suboxone and methamphetamine in Gemberling’s possession. Gemberling was charged with 2 counts of Criminal Possession of a controlled substance, resisting arrest and on 2 active warrants, he was remanded to the Chenango County Jail & will appear in Chenango County Court and Town of Norwich court at a later date.

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.

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.