WCDO Radio News

The Chenango County Board of Supervisors invite the Chenango County Public to an Open House tomorrow at the Chenango County Office Building in Norwich, regarding the proposed new County Office building project. Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey Blanchard explains:

(Jeffrey Blanchard 7-13-26

The Open House on Tuesday runs from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM at 5 Court Street in Norwich, more information about the project is available at chenangocountyny.gov.

37 year old Rondell Dowdell of Endicott, pleaded guilty this morning in Broome County Court, to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance. On July 17, 2025, Dowdell was stopped in Vestal while operating an electric bicycle in violation State Traffic Laws, a Vestal Police Department canine alerted to the presence of narcotics. A search recovered approximately 20 grams of methamphetamine, a digital scale, packaging material, and cash from suspected drug sales. Dowdell is scheduled for sentencing on October 14th, he faces 3 years in State Prison and 3 Years of post release supervision.

30th Anniversary Stagecoach Run Art Festival will be held Saturday & Sunday, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, at various locations around Franklin & Treadwell, More than 40 artists in various disciplines will be displaying their work, more information is available at stagecoachrun.com.

A.M. NEWS Friday 7-10-26

Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 35 year old Ross Scribner of Greene for 2nd degree strangulation, from a domestic incident, where he allegedly choked a victim, he was arrested and processed & was taken to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $2,000 cash bail, He is scheduled to appear in the Town of Greene Court at a later date.

The 2026 Unadilla Carnival of Sales takes place on Saturday, along Main Street, Unadilla Chamber of Commerce President Jackie Carey explains:

(Jackie Carey 7-10-26)

The Carnival of Sales runs from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, more information is available at the Go Unadilla NY Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.

The Village of Unadilla has a few events lined up this week, starting with amusement park rides for the kids, according to Unadilla Chamber President Jackie Carey:

(Jackie Carey 7-7-26)

Carey said that the Summer Concert series begins Thursday night, and the Carnival Of Sales will be held on Saturday. More information is available at the go Unadilla Facebook page.

A.M. NEWS Tuesday 7-7-26

Chenango County Household Hazardous Waste Collection day will be Saturday August 8th, at the Chenango County Highway Garage on Rexford Street in Norwich, spokesperson Kari Wilcox told WCDO News what they can and can not accept:

(Kari Wilcox 7-6-26)

The deadline to sign up is August 3rd, to register call 607-337-1792, more information is available at chenangocountyny.gov.

Norwich Police Department executed a search warrant at 41 Cortland Street following an investigation into the sale and distribution of illegal narcotics. 39 year old Shawn Utter of Norwich, & 24 year old Brittany Cox were charged with several Counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Criminal Possession of a Weapon, Criminal Nuisance & Conspiracy, Officers seized cash from suspected drug sales, drug measuring equipment, methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana, various pills, & weapons, The Village of Sidney Police Department assisted on scene with their drug detecting K9 unit, Utter was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility without bail pending further proceedings. Cox was processed and arraigned in Norwich City Court, where she was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $10,000 cash bail.

State Police arrested 41 year old Donatello Lazarati of Baldwinsville for Grand Larceny, after an investigation revealed that Lazarati was working with the Assigned Counsel Program in Chenango County, Lazarati submitted duplicate billing to Chenango County for the same legal services and accepted payment. Chenango County sustained a financial loss of approximately $4,700. Lazarati was arrested was arrested, and was turned over to members of Troop C, he was processed & then transported to the Chenango County Jail for Centralized Arraignment.

The Chenango County Historical Society is collaborating with Commerce Chenango to host the annual Summer Barn Party from 5 to 7 pm. on June 25 at 43 Rexford Street. Historical Society Executive Director Jessica Moquin said that they will also be trying to raise funds during the events:

(Jessica Moquin 6-25-26)

The event will have live entertainment, food & soft drinks, this year’s Summer Barn Party will also serve as a Commerce Chenango “Business After Hours,” event, more information about this and other Society programs can be found at chenangohistorical.org

Local government sales tax collections totaled $6.1 billion in the first quarter of 2026, an increase of 5.1%, compared to the same quarter last year, according to the State Comptroller's Office. 9 of the 10 regions in the state, had a year-over-year increase in collections, first quarter collections for counties and cities outside of New York City grew by 3.9%, the full report can be found at osc.ny.gov.

Chenango County Health Department announced a free rabies clinic in Plymouth today. The Clinic will be held from from 5:30 to 6:30 PM at the Plymouth Fire Department. For More information call 607-337-1673.

The Norwich Girls Softball will be run by the Norwich YMCA this year, instead of by the Little League, Spokesperson Danielle Ryan said that they will be able to charge only $10, per player interested, and they hope to get a lot more participation & teams playing:

(Danielle Ryan 2-28-26)

Ryan said that the Registration for the Norwich Youth Softball Organization will run through March 13th, the registration & more information is available at norwichymca.com.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 2-24-26

The Broome County Sheriff's office arrested 61 year old MD Omar Faruk and 39 year old Mohammad Rahman for Criminal Tax Fraud, Possession or Transport of Unstamped or Unlawfully Stamped Cigarettes following an investigation into the illegal sales of cigarettes, vapes and marijuana in the Town of Colesville. On February 12th, the Sheriff’s Office, the Special Investigations Unit Task Force & the Broome County Health Department conducted a flavored nicotine vape compliance check at the Empire Plaza gas station, a search warrant uncovered illicit flavored nicotine vapes, marijuana products, untaxed cigarettes and $18,346 in Cash. Faruk was released with an appearance ticket to the Town of Colesville Court, Rahman was turned over to U.S. Border Patrol, as he had failed to appear for immigration proceedings.

Chenango Health Network & Bassett Medical Center Research Institute, are calling on residents of Norwich and Sherburne to participate in a Community Health Survey, Kimberly Lorraine of the Chenango Health Network explains:

(Kimberly Lorraine 2-23-26)

The results will be used to develop and evaluate future diabetes prevention efforts. The deadline is February 28th, For more information, visit chenangohealth.org or call 607 337-4171.

Commerce Chenango's next Economic Outlook Breakfast will be held today at the Northeast Classic Car Museum on Rexford Street in Norwich. The keynote speaker will be Ken Entenmann, chief investment officer at NBT Bank, the event begins at 8:30 AM.

Local government sales tax collections in New York state totaled $24.4 billion in calendar year 2025, an increase of 4.5%, or $1 billion, from 2024, according to a report released today by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. Aggregate county collections outside of New York City grew 4%, or $443 million, in 2025 compared to the previous year. 52 of 57 Counties experienced an increase in collections, Chenango County had the highest growth at 11.8%, followed by Yates, Hamilton and Delaware at 10.7%.

Commerce Chenango and the Chenango Foundation announced that registration is open for the 3rd annual Chenango Women’s Leadership Conference at DCMO BOCES Campus in Norwich on March 16th. To register visit commercechenango.com.

A.M. NEWS Thursday 1-22-26

State Police arrested 23 Year old Garcia Pfister-Gumaer of Windsor felony weapon charges following a traffic stop. Troopers initiated a traffic stop on State Route 79 in the village of Windsor after observing vehicle and traffic violations, a Trooper observed signs of impairment. Pfister-Gumaer failed Field Sobriety Tests. Troopers located illegal drugs & numerous weapons with ammunition, he was charged with several counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon, Criminal Possession of a Disguised Gun, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell, Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia, Driving While Ability Impaired (Drugs) and Resisting Arrest, Pfister-Gumaer was held at the Broome County Jail for Centralized Arraignment.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 45 year old Timothy Heady of Smyrna following a narcotics investigation. The Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant Tuesday in the Town of Smyrna, they seized 1 pound of methamphetamine packaged for distribution & cash from suspected drug sales. Heady was taken into custody at the scene & was charged with multiple Counts of 2nd & 3rd Degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, plus Tampering with Physical Evidence, He was arraigned and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility.

The ‘Pink Patch Project’ at Broome County Sheriff’s Office presented a $3,864 donation to Traci’s Hope and the Tina Fund toward helping local families fighting cancer. The Pink Patch Project is a national campaign bringing law enforcement and the community together to raise breast cancer awareness and funding to help local families fighting cancer. In the first 3 years of the Broome County Sheriff’s Office Pink Patch Project, they raised over $11,200 for local families battling cancer through contributions and sales of patches, badges, hats and other custom merchandise.