WCDO Radio News

The old Great American Supermarket & former adjacent stores have been removed & the New Stewart's Shops will be constructed, Chuck Marshall of Stewart's said that the store should be up & running fairly quickly:

(Chuck Marshall 5-14-26)

The New Stewart's will include Amenities like a gas station, electric vehicle charging, in additional to the retail store inside, at the corner of West Main & Steiner Road in Sidney.

This Year's General Clinton Canoe Regatta will feature the competition among area singers, with the winners getting to sing on stage at this summer's biggest event in Sidney, according to organizer Ed Curley:

(Ed Curley 5-14-26)

The competition will start at 1:00 pm in the Main Event Tent on Saturday at General Clinton Park in Banbridge during this years' General Clinton Canoe Regatta.

Delaware County Department of Public Works and Delaware County Government has closed the Downsville Covered Bridge, over the East Branch of the Delaware River to through traffic for the foreseeable future, Crews will be repairing structural deficiencies, the traveling public should use alternate routes.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 4-28-26

The land has been cleared & construction will begin soon for the new Stewart's Shop on West Main Street & Steiner Road in Sidney, Stewart's Director of Real Estate Chuck Marshall told WCDO About the store:

(Chuck Marshall 4-28-26)

Marshall said that the new Stewart's Shop in Sidney should be open for business this July.

Delaware County DPW will be closing bridges to through traffic for inspections, including the Hamden Covered Bridge on May 11th & 12th, the Downsville Covered Bridge May 13th to May 15th, the Fitches Covered Bridge on May 16, through Monday, May 18, The traveling public should use alternate routes.

Unadilla Fall Fest 2024 will be held this Sunday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Under the big tent at Covered Bridge Farm Market, 331 Covered Bridge Road, Unadilla, there will be more than 50 vendors, plus live music, food trucks, corn maze, kids activities, pumpkins, admission is free.

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 9-28-22

On Tuesday, Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to a serious personal injury 2 car Accident on Covered Bridge Road in the Town of Sidney. Deputies discovered that 1 of the vehicles in the crash was sheered into 2 separate pieces. Deputies also discovered that the occupants of both vehicles had been wearing their seat-belts, and that no occupant had been ejected from either vehicle. 4 patients were transported from the scene, one patient was later transferred to Upstate Medical Center for a higher level of care. The investigation is continuing and anyone with any information should call Senior Investigator Chris Erwin at (607) 832-5633 or Investigator David Barnes at (607) 832-5629.

The State DOT will hold a public hearing today at 5:30 pm. to discuss plans to enhance safety at 4 sites on State Route 8 in the towns of Columbus, New Berlin and Norwich. The proposed project will widen traffic lanes and shoulders, improve sight distances, reduce curvature in the roadway, The hearing will take place at the Unadilla Valley Central School Auditorium. More information is available at dot.ny.gov/Rt8Safety

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 43 year old Jason Gray of Bainbridge after violating a court protection ordered. Gray was charged with Criminal Contempt, following an investigation into a violation of an Order of Protection by contacting the protected party through electronic means, the defendant is scheduled to appear in the Town of Unadilla Court at a later date.

The Covered Bridge Farm Market Fall Festival will be held on Sunday in Unadilla, Organizer Luke Johnson explains:

(Luke Johnson 9-23-22)

Johnson said that last year's event drew about 2000 people to the festival on Covered Bridge Road in Unadilla.

The Jericho Arts Council announced an oldies flavored show Saturday night at the Bainbridge Town Hall Theater, Spokesman Phil Wade explains:

(Phil Wade 9-23-22)

Tickets are available at the door before the show, or can be reserved by phone at (607) 288-3882.

Today at 4:00 PM, the family of Bainbridge native Griffin Fisher, will hold a memorial at General Clinton Park. Fisher died recently at the age of 22 in Queens, friends & family are invited to attend.

State Police at Troop C in Sidney announced today that during the month of November, 55 impaired drivers were taken off the roadways of Troop C. State Police & other law enforcement agencies throughout the state will increase patrols targeting impaired driving during the holiday travel season, as the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” initiative begins tomorrow & runs through January 1st, to reduce impaired driving over the holidays.

Delaware County Department of Public Works reported today that the Corbett Road Bridge over the East Branch of the Delaware River and the Covered Bridge in Downsville have been re-opened to traffic this afternoon.

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the award of $216.2 million in enhanced assistance for 88 local governments to rehabilitate and replace bridges and culverts in every region of the State. This funding, provided through the State's BRIDGE NY initiative, supports projects that reduce the risk of flooding, improve resiliency of structures, facilitate regional economic competitiveness and prioritize projects that benefit environmental justice communities. The Southern Tier region will be funded for 9 bridges & 3 culverts in this latest round of funding.

Chenango County Public Health reported that they have had an increase in Coronavirus cases to 123, 1 patient is hospitalized, 89 have recovered, there have been 5 deaths and 95 are quarantined.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in their investigation of recent vandalism to the historic Hamden Covered Bridge. On May 21st, a local resident reported discovering new graffiti spray painted on the interior of the wooden covered bridge and area road signage, the names “Jake” and “Dylan” were spray painted inside the bridge,   Delaware County DPW employees have removed the paint from the road signage, and began attempting to remove the spray paint from the rough cut lumber of the bridge.  Deputies are asking anyone with information, to call 832-5555, or toll-free (888) 914-9111.

Delaware County is reporting 1 new case of COVID-19 Tuesday, The known active cases in the County is now 13.  To date there have been 73 confirmed positive cases, 27 people are quarantined, 5 are isolated in the hospital, 8 are isolated at home, 4 people have died and 56 have fully recovered.

Several
Fire companies as well as police agencies are on the scene of a structure fire
at 288 Ketchum Hill Road in Port Crane.  The
fire started earlier this afternoon, the home was recently purchased & was
going through renovations, it was not occupied at the time the fire broke
out.  WCDO News will have more details as
they become available.

The
Unadilla Chamber Of Commerce announced their award winners for 2020.  The Business of the Year will be awarded to
Covered Bridge Farm Market, The Good Neighbor Commitment to Community award
goes to Erin Insinga of Unadilla, who is the Director of the Delaware Valley
Humane Society, she commented about the recognition:

(Erin
Insinga 3-12-20)

The
Unadilla Chamber Annual dinner will be held on April 19th at 5:00 PM at the 1st
United Methodist Church in Unadilla.

Delaware
County Public Health will hold another Free Rabies Vaccination Clinic today for
dogs, cats and ferrets.  The Clinic will
be held from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at a new location; at the SUNY Delhi Farm, Arbor
Hill Road in Delhi.   More information is
available at 832-5200 or delawarecountypublichealth.com.

The Delaware
County Department of Public Works will be closing County Route 44 in the Town
of Sidney to through traffic on Monday at 7:00 am for bridge repairs. The road
will be closed at Bridge 44-1 which is located 0.25 miles north of the
intersection with State Route 357.  It is
expected that the road will be remain closed until Friday, April 19th. The
detour will be Covered Bridge Road to State Route 357.

The General
Clinton Canoe Regatta officials announced that they will have their 12th Annual
Dan Elwood Memorial 5k Run and the Tracy Richmond 1 Mile Walk for Hospice on
Saturday, May 25th, at 9:00 AM at General Clinton Park, in Bainbridge.  There is a
$20 pre-registration fee, which will be accepted until Saturday, May
18th,  after that,  entrants may register the day of the race
beginning at 8:00 AM for a fee of $25. T-shirts will be given to first 100
entrants. Pre-registration forms may be sent to: Dan Elwood Memorial Race c/o
John Harmon, 3617 State Hwy 206, Bainbridge, NY 13733.

Delaware County Sheriffs Department, State Police & the Trout Creek Fire Department responded to the report of a small plane crashing in the woods near Trout Creek, at about 3:00 this afternoon. Authorities have closed off Chase Brook Road & Readburn Road, they have not announced if there were any injuries or fatalities. WCDO news will have more information as it becomes available.

1st responders have been responding to multiple accident on I-88 this afternoon. A tractor trailer crashed between Harpursville & Afton, injuring a 68 year old man, and causing a small amount of oil to spill.  Another crash near Harpursville resulted in 3 people being injured when a car slid off the highway & slid down an embankment. several other minor accidents have been reported, due to slick road conditions.

Delaware County Department of Public Works announced that they will close County Route 44 today, for bridge repairs on the bridge about 1/4 of a mile from the intersection with State Route 357. The road will be closed through December 7th; motorists can use a detour on Covered Bridge Road to State Route 357 during the project.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 29 year old Alexis Seward of Otego, Saturday for 1 count each of Felony DWI, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, & resisting arrest, following a 1 car accident in Franklin. Seward’s vehicle went off the roadway and into a ditch, the investigation revealed that Seward’s driver’s license was revoked, due to a previous alcohol related charge, Seward then resisted the Deputy’s attempt to arrest her. Seward was remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $5,000 bail or $10,000 bond, pending future Court action.

The Delaware County Department of public works announced that County Route 44 in the Town of Sidney would be closed to through traffic starting tomorrow morning, through Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM, for a culvert replacement project near Patent Line Road. The detour will be Covered Bridge Road to state Route 357 & back to County Route 44

The 1st "Rock In The Park" Golf Tournament will be held next month at the Afton Golf Course, as additional fundraiser to the Concert in Bainbridge. Organizer Jason Hall explains:

(Jason Hall 6-26-17)

For those who would like to sign up a team, they can call 607-972-6526.

Chenango County Sheriff's Narcotics Division arrested 20-year-old Cheyanne Moore of Oxford for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance Friday. Moore is accused of possessing cocaine with intent to sell, following a traffic stop on County Road 29 in the Town of New Berlin. Moore was arraigned in the Town of North Norwich Court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $10,000 cash bail. She is scheduled to reappear in court at a later date.

Chenango County Sheriff's Office responded to the Dollar General at State Highway 12 in the Town of Norwich for a reported Robbery. An individual entered the store, stole merchandise, and displayed a large knife. The Sheriff’s Office located the suspect in a wooded area near the Norwich Motor Lodge, he was taken into custody, a large knife and stolen merchandise was recovered. 21-year-old Collin Berry was charged with 1st degree Robbery & Criminal Possession of a Weapon, he was arraigned in the Town of North Norwich Court and remanded to the Chenango County Jail on $10,000 cash bail. He is scheduled to appear in the Town of North Norwich Court at a later date.

State Police arrested 32-year-old Curtis Commesso of Bainbridge for reckless endangerment, endangering the welfare of a child and criminal contempt, after troopers were advised of a domestic dispute on I-88 in the Town of Fenton. Commesso allegedly drove recklessly by another vehicle that was occupied by his ex-girlfriend, their young child and others, he swerved in front of the victim’s vehicle, and the behavior violated a court order of protection. Commesso was arraigned in the Town of Fenton Court and was remanded to the Broome County Jail in lieu of $2,500 cash bail or $5,000 property bond, pending future court action.

New York state’s Medicaid system made approximately $6.8 million in inappropriate payments, including $3.5 million for separately billed medical services that should have been covered by managed care plans, according to an audit released by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. Additionally, auditors identified 15 Medicaid providers who were charged with or found guilty of crimes that violated the laws or regulations of a health care program. So far, about $2.4 million of the overpayments were recovered. The report is available at osc.state.ny.us/audits.

The State DOT announced that bridge work on State Route 30/206 northbound and southbound over the East Branch of the Delaware River in the town Colchester will require intermittent road closures in both directions starting today through December 2 from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM each day. Crews will be setting bridge girders for the new bridge. Motorists will encounter traffic stoppages intermittently for 10 – 15 minutes several times during the work hours daily. Motorists are advised to be alert for slow moving traffic and sudden stops.

The Lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, which came from Oneonta this year, will be seen on the big screen at the Foothills Performing Arts center tonight. Center Spokesman Bill Youngs explains:

(Bill Youngs 11-30-16)

The tree was removed recently from the Eichler property at Country Club Road in Oneonta; it will be let in the televised ceremony tonight & will be on display until January 7th.

State Police announced a "Missing Vulnerable Adult Alert" in the Southern Tier, for 78-year-old William Caloroso of Nichols, who is missing since Sunday. Caloroso is described as a white Male, 5’10", about 160 pounds with Brown Hair & eyes, he suffers from Alzheimer's disease and may be in need of medical attention. He was last seen on River Road in Nichols, at 8:30 PM last night, driving a 2010 dark blue Chevrolet Impala with New York license plate GDY-8262. He was wearing a flannel shirt, blue pants, and may be wearing a baseball hat that says Sidney on top. Anyone with information is asked to call State police at 561-7400 or at 911.

Area residents are once again receiving calls from people claiming to represent the IRS, who try to get personal information, in order to scam people out of money, Area Tax preparer George McLain explains:

(George McLain 7-11-16)

McLain said the IRS would never call & ask for that kind of information & that is also helpful to report such calls to law enforcement. More information is available by calling McLain at his Bainbridge office at 967-8858.

Hancock Fire and EMS responded to a report of flash flooding in the area of 5256 County Highway 28 Town of Hancock Saturday Night. A wedding with 130 people was in danger and subjects were advised to seek higher ground. The road covered in 1 to 1 ½ feet of rapidly moving water and impassible, swift water rescue resources by the Delaware County Emergency Services and the Deposit, Walton, and Sidney Swift Water Rescue Teams and boats, State Police responded. The water started to drop allowing responding personnel to gain access to the area of the wedding party. All 130 plus individuals were accounted for and safe on higher ground, they were assisted onto awaiting coach buses that had been provided for the wedding and driven to a safe location. Delaware County DPW cleared and reopened County Highway 28 shortly after. The bridge and lower part of Shea Road however were determined to be unsafe with extensive washouts noted. This area was closed off to travel.

The state DOT is reminding motorists driving in today’s wintry conditions, to remember a few simple rules: Never follow a snowplow too closely or attempt to pass one. Never try to pass one on the right, as the driver will not be able to see you. Remember that the highway ahead of the plow is usually snow-covered; Maintain a safe distance from other vehicles; Assume that bridge surfaces are slippery, as they freeze more quickly than road surfaces; Equip your car with emergency supplies including sand, shovel, flares, booster cables, rope, ice scraper, portable radio, flashlight, blankets and extra warm clothes;

The Chenango County sheriff's department responded to a 2 car head on crash in the town of Sherburne Monday morning at about 10:20. Deputies reported that Vehicles Number 2 was traveling northbound near Knapp road, when it collided with a vehicle driven by Lance Yerton of Sherburne. Yerton was Taken to a Utica area hospital with face & leg Injuries, the driver of the other vehicle was pronounced dead after being taken to a Utica Hospital, the name of the deceased would be released following notification of the next of kin. The investigation is ongoing.

The Guilford Town Board will be holding a special meeting on Saturday afternoon.  The Board will meet at 12:00 Noon at the Guilford town Hall at 223 Marble Road to discuss a Grant Application, the meeting is open to the public.

The New York Center for Agricultural Medicine & Health from Bassett Healthcare Network is holding a free Rural Farming Community Skin Cancer Screening on Saturday in Unadilla from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.  Sheila Ayres is one of the nurses at the event:

(Sheila Ayres 11-1-13)

The screening will take place at the Covered Bridge Gardens Reception Hall, on Covered Bridge Road, Unadilla. Appointments are appreciated at 1-800-343-7527 ext 292; but walk-ins are also welcome.

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office arrested Joe Vandermark following a 1-vehicle crash on Chapel Street in the Village of Windsor early Sunday Morning.  .  Deputies apprehended Vandermark a short distance away from the crash.  The investigation revealed that Vandermark’s vehicle left the roadway and struck cable guide wires, his BAC was more than 3 times the legal limit of .08 percent.  Vandermark was charged with felony DWI, felony aggravated DWI, leaving the scene of a property damage accident and driving on the shoulder of a highway, He will re-appear in Town of Windsor court at a later date.

The Guilford Town Board will be holding a special meeting on Saturday afternoon.  The Board will meet at 12:00 Noon at the Guilford town Hall at 223 Marble Road to discuss a Grant Application, the meeting is open to the public.

The New York Center for Agricultural Medicine & Health from Bassett Healthcare Network is holding a free Rural Farming Community Skin Cancer Screening on Saturday, November 2nd from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.  The screening will take place at the Covered Bridge Gardens Reception Hall, on Covered Bridge Road, Unadilla. Free skin cancer screening and flu shots will be offered, along with information about personal protective equipment. Appointments are appreciated; walk-ins are welcome, more information can be obtained at 1-800-343-7527 extension 292.