WCDO Radio News

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 5-26-26

The 64th General Clinton Canoe Regatta was held over the Memorial Day Weekend, nearly 800 paddlers from 256 US states & 2 Canadian Provinces competed. In Sunday's 1 person 70 mile Pro race, Mike Schlimmer, of Cortland, took top honors, after arriving at 8:00 PM, the night before the race:

(Mike Schlimmer -c1-2026)

In the 48 boat 2 person pro race, Ryan Zaveral, formerly of Mount Upton & Weston Willoughby of Michigan, placed 3rd and talked about the cold conditions on the rover:

(Zav-willo-pro 2026)

The weekend weather affected the rides & hot air balloons on Saturday, but the entertainment, music, and fireworks went off as planned.

The 64th General Clinton Canoe Regatta was held over the Memorial Day Weekend, nearly 800 paddlers from 256 US states & 2 Canadian Provinces competed. In Sunday's 1 person 70 mile Pro race, in Sunday's Men's NYMCRA Stock Race, Jeff Newman of Wells Bridge & Dale Beckwith of Sidney Crossed the finish line 9 minutes ahead of 2nd place boat with Nate Lull & Brett Sherwood, last years winners Both Teams spoke with WCDO"S Craig Stevens at the finish line:

(Nate Brett NYMCRA 26)

Beckwith & Newman described what happened:

(beck-new NYMCRA 26)

The weekend weather affected the rides & hot air balloons on Saturday, but the entertainment, music, and fireworks went off as planned.

45 year old Dustin Yannuzzi of Binghamton, was found guilty by a Broome County Jury last week for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Felony of Tampering with Physical Evidence and Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle, Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia. On October 2, 2024, Yannuzzi drove at a high rate of speed, engaging in conduct to unlawfully flee members of the State Police. Yannuzzi threw packages containing methamphetamine, from the vehicle, which was recovered by the Police. Yannuzzi was subsequently taken into custody at a local hotel, he faces sentencing on August 21st in Broome County Court, As a second felony drug offender, Yannuzzi faces a minimum of 6 years and a maximum of 14 years in State Prison, plus 5 years of Post Release Supervision.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 5-26-26

OVER 800 PADDLERS FROM THE U.S. AND CANADA PARTICIPATED IN THE 64TH GENERAL CLINTON CANOE REGATTA OVER THE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND. THE WEEKEND'S RACES INCLUDED GENERATION GAP, SCOUTS, SPRINTS, RELAYS AND THE 70 MILE ENDURANCE RACES FROM COOPERSTOWN TO BAINBRIDGE. THE COVETED TWO PERSON PRO RACE CROWN WAS WON THIS YEAR BY TRAVIS MECKLENBERG FROM MICHIGAN AND LOGAN MYNER OF TEXAS WITH THE WINNING TIME OF 7 HOURS 46 MINUTES AND 36 SECONDS...JUST 2 MINUTES AND 42 SECONDS OVER THE 2ND PLACE TEAM. WCDO'S CRAIG STEVENS SPOKE WITH THE WINNERS:

(TRAVIS-LOGAN 2026)

2ND PLACE HONORS WENT TO Guillaume BLAZE FROM QUEBEC AND MICHAEL DAVIS OF MICHIGAN WHO WERE LAST YEAR'S PRO RACE WINNERS. THE PRO CLASS FEATURED 48 TEAMS AND MANY OF NORTH AMERICA'S BEST PADDLERS. SUNDAY'S 70 MILER ALSO FEATURED 13 AMATEUR RACES. TEAM "RIPPLE FX H2 O" FROM ONTARIO, CANADA TOOK TOP HONORS IN THE 4 PERSON AMATEUR DIVISION. CRAIG STEVENS SPOKE TO THE TEAM AFTER THE RACE:

(RIPPLE FX 2026)

THE WEEKEND'S COLD, RAINY WEATHER CAUSED THE RIDES TO BE SHUT DOWN ON SATURDAY, BUT THE LIVE MUSIC, TWO NIGHTS OF FIREWORKS, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES UNDER THE TENTS WENT ON AS PLANNED. NEARLY 5 THOUSAND PEOPLE HAVE COMPLETED THE GENERAL CLINTON CANOE REGATTA'S 70 MILE COURSE SINCE IT BEGAN IN 1963.

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 22 year old Isiah Eckler of Cooperstown, for Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Assault, Criminal Obstruction of Breathing or Blood Circulation & Harassment, following an investigation into an incident in the Village of Cooperstown. Eckler was processed & was being held in the Otsego County Correctional Facility pending arraignment

The next meeting of the General Clinton Canoe Regatta Committee will be held in Bainbridge tonight. The meeting will be held at the General Clinton Park Office beginning at 6:30 PM.

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce is hosting its next Business and Breakfast networking event at The Hancock House Hotel this morning at 8:30 am. More information is available under the event tab at DelawareCounty.org.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 5-23-23

The General Clinton Canoe Regatta will draw thousands to the region this coming weekend, Co-Chairman Mike Kauffman told WCDO News about Sunday's races & a special tribute for the late Bainbridge Native Griffin Fisher, who passed away last fall:

(Mike Kauffman 5-23-23)

There will plenty of activities at General Clinton park on Sunday as well, according to Co-chair Chris Smith:

(Chris Smith 5-23-23)

The complete schedule of activities can be found at canoeregatta.org.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced more than $112.9 million has been awarded to 70 projects through the Restore New York Communities Initiative. The City of Binghamton will be awarded $2 million for the Crowley Factory Lofts project. The project, located at 149 and 135 Conklin Avenue, will restore the waterfront building's second and third floors with 48 one and two-bedroom market rate housing units. The ground floor will be flexible commercial space. Also, the City of Norwich will receive $2 million for the Norwich Hotel project, to repurpose an existing vacant, unoccupied building at 14-16 South Broad Street into a 45-room boutique hotel.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 3-2-21

The State Department of Health has added hotel workers to the vaccine eligibility list, and they further refined which restaurant workers and hired drivers can get vaccines.  People added to the vaccine list include Restaurant employees, including workers in permitted soup kitchen and congregate meal programs, Restaurant delivery workers, Public-facing hotel workers & For-hire vehicle drivers.  More information is available at am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov.

The next meeting for the General Clinton Canoe Regatta will be held this evening.  Volunteers are needed for a variety of items for this year's event; tonight's meeting will begin at 7:00 PM at Galaxy Bowl in Bainbridge.

State Police arrested 34 year old Brandon MacLaury of Guilford & 25 year old Candace Cullipher of Oxford, who were illegally living at the Unadilla House Hotel. MacLaury and Cullipher were each charged with 3rd-degree burglary and criminal possession of a controlled substance,  MacLaury was also charged with criminal possession of a weapon.  They are accused of possessing Methamphetamines and a rifle, they were processed at the Troop C Sidney Headquarters and were released on appearance tickets for Unadilla Town Court on January 11th.

As the state deficit from the pandemic balloons to 15 billion dollars, the state announced the closure of 3 prisons and the displacement of about 900 corrections officers.  The state will close the Clinton Correctional facility in Dannemora, plus the Gowanda facility in Western New York and the Watertown facility in Jefferson County.

The Broome County Health Department’s contact tracing team has interviewed a confirmed positive COVID19 case who reported having participated in the New York Off-Road Association Boondocks event in Pitcher. The confirmed positive individual was there September 19th & 20th.  The Broome County Health Department also reported that a positive COVID case was from a person who was at the Old Union Hotel at 246 Clinton Street in Binghamton on Monday, September 21 between 4:00 and 8:30 PM.  The Health Department asks anyone who was at either location during those periods to quarantine until October 6th, anyone exhibiting symptoms should immediately begin self-quarantine and contact a medical provider.

State Police arrested 27 year old Gary Garbera of Oneonta
for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a motor vehicle, DWI, Refusal to Submit
to a Breath Test, Operating a Motor Vehicle without an Inspection among other
charges.  Troopers initiated a traffic
stop on Clinton Street in the city of Oneonta after they observed Garbera with
an equipment violation, he was arrested & Troopers learned that Garbera’s
licensed was revoked and he had a bench warrant with the city of Oneonta Police
Department.  He was arrested and
processed then released to Oneonta Police.

The Greater Afton Area Chamber
will hold their annual reception this Sunday at 1:00 PM at the Silo Restaurant
in Greene.  The Chamber will honor
McDowell & Walker as the Business of the year, Hickory & Doc as the
Startup Business of the year & Friends of Afton as the Organization of the
year.

The General Clinton Canoe Regatta will be coming up later
this month, with activities at General Clinton Park & in the Susquehanna
River from Friday through Monday, Memorial Day, Regatta chairman John Harmon
said that he needs some volunteers to help out:

(John Harmon 5-3-19)

Harmon’s' Number is 237-6008,  His email is JHarmon80@outlook.com, the
Regatta weekend is May 24th though the 27th this year.

Delaware County Chamber of Commerce will host their monthly
First Friday Eat & Meet Breakfast this morning at the Hancock House Hotel
from 8:30 to 10:00 am.  The featured
speaker is Jeff Bump, of Grow Hemp New York, LLC, of Windsor, regarding hemp
legalization, regulatory requirement, & best growing practices.

Governor Cuomo announced a proposal that would protect New
Yorkers from unknown exposure to toxic chemicals:

(Cuomo 1-21-18)

The "Consumer Right to Know Act" would authorize
the DEC & the State Health Department & the Department of State to
develop regulations establishing on-package labeling requirements for
designated products indicating the presence of potentially hazardous chemicals,
including carcinogens.   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Due to a change in the House of Representatives voting
schedule, 22nd district Congressman Anthony Brindisi has rescheduled
his Binghamton town hall at American Legion, 39 Louisa Street in Binghamton,
for this Saturday at 4:00 PM.  In place
of the originally scheduled town hall, Congressman Brindisi will hold a
telephone town hall from his Washington, D.C. office on Tomorrow at 7:35 pm,
constituents can participate by calling 855-614-0159.

The
Oneonta Police Department is holding special education sessions for community
members about emergency preparedness in the event of an active shooter in a
public place.  Classes will be held on Tuesday
from  11:00 AM to 1:00 PM in Classroom 1
at FoxCare Center, or on Wednesday from 3:00 to 5:00 PM in Classroom 1 at
FoxCare Center.  The program is free and
open to all who are interested, more information is available by contacting Joe
Tiemann at the Oneonta Police Department by email jtiemann@oneonta.ny.us (mailto:jtiemann@oneonta.ny.us).

This Wednesday is the last day
to register for an upcoming workshop on substance abuse, targeted at business
and community leaders of Chenango County.  The event “Substance Abuse in the Workplace”
is being presented by Chenango Health Network, Commerce Chenango and UHS
Chenango Memorial Hospital; it will take place Thursday, January 31 at
Canasawacta Country Club in Norwich. Breakfast will begin at 7:45 a.m. on the
day of the event, with the presentation to follow at 8:30.  Registration is available through Commerce
Chenango at 334-1400 or by email:  register@chenangony.org (mailto:register@chenangony.org).

The Tioga Downs Resort and
Casino in Nichols received a package addressed to a casino hotel guest, which
contained 10 ounces of crystal methamphetamine.
State Police personnel assigned to the casino detail contacted State
Police CNET, they identified the hotel guest as 34 year old Michael Champlin of
Camillus, and Investigators were granted a search warrant to search Champlin’s
room and his vehicle.  Those searches
lead to the seizure of additional methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.  Champlin was charged with Attempted
Possession of a Controlled Substance, he was arraigned in the Town of Nichols
Court, where he was remanded to the Tioga County Jail without bail.

The Annual Bruce Haak Memorial
Sleigh Rally will be held this coming weekend in General Clinton Park.  Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce President John
Payne explains:

(John Payne 1-21-19)

The annual event will be held in
General Clinton Park again this year; it will be free & open to the public
& will be held with or without snow.

The Delaware Academy Girls Basketball Team will celebrate their State Championship on Wednesday, with a parade down Main Street in downtown Delhi at 5:30 PM. The parade will line up at 5:00 PM at Clinton Street & will end up by the Social Services Building on Main Street, more information is available at delhischools.org.

Main Street in Oneonta was closed for a brief period this Morning, as Oneonta Firefighters tackled a small boiler fire, that required an evacuation, at the former Oneonta Hotel building, across from Muller Plaza. The fire was out quickly, Main Street was re-opened, no injuries were reported.

Tickets are available for "Rock In The Park" on July 8th in General Clinton Park in Bainbridge. Organizer Jason Hall explains:

(Jason Hall 6-12-17)

Hall said that proceeds this year will benefit the Chenango SPCA & Sarcoma Cancer Research.

Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul will make several stops in Cooperstown today. Hochul Discusses New York State Agriculture at North East Association of State Departments of Agriculture Conference at the Otesaga Hotel celebrates the 78th Birthday of Baseball Hall of Fame & visits the Fenimore Art Museum this afternoon.

A Binghamton man has been arrested for a shooting at the Clinton Hotel bar in the City of Binghamton early Saturday morning. Binghamton Police responded to a shooting at 20 Clinton Street, 1 victim had suffered a non life-threatening gunshot wound to his right leg. 39-year-old James Simpson was arrested a short time later, a loaded revolver was recovered. Simpson was charged with 1st degree assault & Criminal Possession of a Weapon. Simpson was arraigned in the City of Binghamton Court and taken to the Broome County Jail.

The total donated from Bainbridge Glow Run 2016 was $1,326. The money was raised to benefit Mindy Ives Natoli of Oxford for cancer related medical expenses; the event was held on September 17th in General Clinton Park in Bainbridge.

State Senator Jim Seward announced that he will be at the Otesaga Hotel in Cooperstown on Tuesday. Seward is a member of the Senate Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction, he will be joined by officials from LEAF Council on Alcoholism and Addictions, Bassett Healthcare Network, and Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals to unveil a collaborative initiative to help dispose of unused prescription medication.

This year's American Cancer Society's Tri Town Relay for Life at General Clinton Park in May, raised $90,046. The money raised will be used for Cancer research, Education, advocacy, and services for patients. Money will also go to the 3 "Hope Lodges" where patients can stay while going through Cancer Surgery or treatment. More information is available at cancer.org.

The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce announced its annual award recipients, this year's winners are: Wahl to Wahl Auto, The Hartwick College Center for Craft Food & Beverage, The award winners will be honored at the Chamber's Small Business Banquet on Thursday, October 20th at The Otesaga Resort Hotel in Cooperstown.

A "Glow Run" benefit will be held at General Clinton Park in Bainbridge on Saturday September 17th starting at 5:00 PM, to raise money for an Oxford Nurse battling Leukemia. Sidney Native & Cancer Survivor Heather Bucalos is coordinating her 2nd "Glow Run"; she was inspired by people who held fundraisers for her against her battle against Hodgkin's Lymphoma, she told WCDO News how to register for this event.

(Heather Bucalos 9-7-16)

Last year's event assisted Ken Long of Binghamton, this year, Mindy Ives Natoli of Oxford will be the recipient of funds raised through the Glow Run & the sale of T-shirts commemorating the event. More information is available at the Glow With The Flow Benefit 5K run/walk/ Roll Facebook page.

The Oneonta Department of Public Service announced that they would be flushing water mains on the low service in the West End over the next 2 weeks. The flushing will affect residents & businesses at Chestnut Street & All other streets west of Clinton Street, including all Town of Oneonta customers connected to the City water system. Water color & pressure may be affected during this period; more information is available at 432-2100.

There are some changes to some of the races at the General Clinton canoe regatta this year. Regatta Chairman John Harmon explains:

(John Harmon 5-2-16)

Harmon said that the final meeting of the Clinton Canoe regatta committees, prior to the Memorial Day Weekend, would meet tomorrow night in Bainbridge.

The city of Oneonta will be sweeping all 3 levels of the parking garage tonight at 10:00 pm until Tuesday morning at 11:00 AM. The parking garage will be closed at that time, all other city lots plus the Clarion Hotel lot may be used. More information is available at 432-6465.

Area Republican Congressman Richard Hanna made national headlines today, as he joined Kevin McCarthy in suggesting that an investigation into the Benghazi incident may have been an effort to damage Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton. In a radio interview in Utica yesterday, Hanna implied that McCarthy was forced to withdraw his bid for House Speaker, by his Republican peers because of his statements regarding the political damage that they tried to inflict on Hillary Clinton & her presidential bid.

The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce will hold their annual ceremony to honor the Small Business of the Year award & the Breakthrough Business of the Year today. The award winners will be honored at the Chamber’s Small Business Banquet at The Otesaga Hotel in Cooperstown.

The 53rd General Clinton Canoe Regatta featured 4 days of canoe racing, over the Memorial Day weekend, over 1000 paddlers from North America, competed including yesterday’s 70-mile endurance races, from Cooperstown to Bainbridge. Andy Triebold from Michigan & Steve Lajoie from Quebec won the pr race for the 7th time together, Lajoie explained what it’s like paddling with all the amateur teams on the river:

(Steve Lajoie)

In the new 4-person division, the local Otego Oneonta team, of Bob Wisse, Cathy Grimes, Jeff Shultis & Larry Harrison, finished 3rd, just 3 minutes behind the 2nd place team. Harrison talked about their race:

(Larry Harrison 2015)

The 53rd regatta also featured rides, games, entertainment, music & fireworks throughout the weekend.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
6 more people were inducted into the General Clinton Canoe Regatta Hall of fame this year, including paddlers Jan Whitaker, Calvin Hassel, Mike Packard, & Rodney Robinson & original Clinton organizers Dick Sloane & Don Loudon. Local Paddler Mike Packard of Otego commented after the ceremony:

(Mike Packard 5-26-15)

Paddler Rodney Robinson of Otego also commented after the ceremony:

(Rodney Robinson 5-26-15)

Special commendations were also given by the regatta Hall Of Fame Committee to the Benson Family for their decades of volunteering, John & Shirley Girton for handling race entries & results, and to WCDO for broadcasting the Regatta for 30 years.

The City of Oneonta will be sweeping all 3 levels of the municipal parking garage, tonight at 10:00 PM through tomorrow morning at 11:00 AM. The garage will be closed on all levels during that time; lots at Dietz Street, Wall Street and the Westcott lot will all be open. The Clarion Hotel lot will be open for public use during that time; it can be accessed from south main street or Market Street. More information is available at 432-6465.

The General Clinton Canoe regatta officials brought back the Wrestling tournaments that were hugely popular many years ago. Regatta Chairman John Harmon explains:

(John Harmon 5-22-15)

Harmon said that there is a nominal fee for the wrestling tournament, more information is available at canoeregatta.org.

The City of Oneonta Crews will be sweeping all 3 levels of the municipal parking garage, from Tuesday May 26th at 10:00 PM, to Wednesday may 27th at 11:00 AM. The garage will be closed on all levels during that time; lots at Dietz Street, Wall Street and the Westcott lot will all be open. The Clarion Hotel lot will be open for public use during that time; it can be accessed from south main street or Market Street. More information is available at 432-6465.

Tomorrow is “Paint The Town Purple” to raise awareness about cancer. Helen Gregory of the American Cancer society explains:

(Helen Gregory 4-24-14)

Gregory said that a “Relay For Life” event will be held this weekend in Delhi, and the Tri Town Relay for life will be held in General Clinton park in Bainbridge Friday may 2nd to Saturday may 3rd.

The Delaware County Board of Supervisors voted to implement a bed tax at its meeting yesterday in Delhi. Funds from a 2 percent hotel, motel and bed and breakfast room tax in Delaware County will be used to promote tourism. The resolution will now go before the state Legislature to be assigned a bill

A Siena College poll shows New Yorkers favor Hillary Clinton for president, over New Jersey Republican Governor Chris Christie.  Clinton tops Christie, Congressman Paul Ryan, and Senator Rand Paul by over 35 points among New Yorkers polled recently, regarding the 2016 presidential race.

The Binghamton Mets will hold their annual "Welcome Back B-Mets" Dinner on Wednesday, April 2nd at the DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton in downtown Binghamton.  Tickets are $25.00 per person. Tickets may be purchased by calling 723-METS or in person at NYSEG Stadium.  The B-Mets season begins on Thursday, April 3 against Akron at NYSEG Stadium at 6:35 PM.

Binghamton City Police responded to a robbery at the Dollar General on Clinton Street shortly after noon today.  Binghamton police initial reports said that no weapon was displayed, this suspect was described as a  white or light-skinned black male, 5 foot 7, wearing a black coat and dark hooded sweatshirt with a purple scarf over his face. Binghamton police are currently investigating 9 robberies, 4 other cases are open in Johnson City, Chenango and Fenton in the last few weeks.

Details have been released regarding the projects that are getting funded through the Regional Council awards announced last week by Governor Cuomo.  In Delaware County,  $1,3 million dollars will go for the Town of Margaretville to construct of a new hotel at the site of the already existing Margaretville Motel.  Also, $850,000 will go for the County IDA to acquire and renovate a former water bottling plant for the purpose of developing a manufacturing facility to attract new private sector investment and job creation.

Mollianna's Mission is holding their 2nd  Annual Family Day Festival tomorrow at General Clinton Park in Bainbridge.    The event starts at Noon with musical acts, arts & crafts, vendors, with the full schedule at familydayfestival.org.   There will be a parking charge with the proceeds going to Mollianna’s Mission, according to mission spokesperson Melissa Matthews:

(Melissa Matthews 5-17-13)

Mollianna's Mission Inc. was recently designated as a “not for profit incorporation” that assists families financially with the costs associated with lost pregnancies or infants.

Paterson’s people will host the 2nd annual charity fun run to support the American cancer society’s relay for life.  Registration will begin at 10:00 am Saturday at the Rockdale Hotel followed by the fundraiser ride through Chenango & Otsego counties.  More information is available at lcerver@yahoo.com.