WCDO Radio News

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.
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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.