WCDO Radio News

Governor Cuomo announced the winners of the Regional Economic Development awards and the Upstate Revitalization Initiative Award winners this morning, at an Albany Ceremony:

(Cuomo 12-10-15)

State Senator John Bonacic was pleased that Delaware county, which is part of the Southern Tier Regional Council, came up big today:

(Bonacic 12-10-15)

Locally, the Southern Tier & Central New York Regional Councils won the 500 Million Dollar Upstate Revitalization Initiative Awards, & the Mohawk Valley won the largest Regional Economic Development Award at 100.3 million dollars.

Convicted murderer, Ganesh Ramsaran appeared in Chenango County Court Wednesday, where he pleaded guilty to a bribery charge, for offering $100,000 to a corrections officer to assist in a scheme to break out of jail. Ramsaran was returned to the Chenango County Jail where he was being held for the murder of his wife Jennifer 3 years ago, he faces sentencing on the new bribery charge on February 3rd.

A Broome County Sheriff’s Deputy pulled over a vehicle for a loud exhaust early Thursday morning; the Deputy noticed a hypodermic needle in plain sight in the passenger’s purse. The passenger also provided the deputy with her sister’s name to hide that she was wanted on a warrant elsewhere in New York State. Melinda Sutton was charged with Criminal Possession of a Hallucinogen, 3 Counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Criminal Impersonation, she is accused of possessing mushrooms, cocaine, methamphetamines, & controlled substances. She was arraigned in the Town of Chenango Court & is being held at the Broome County Jail without bail.

Chenango River Theatre announced that the New York State's Council on the Arts Theatre Panel has awarded the theatre a 3-year grant to support overall operations. The grant award is for $7,000 a year, for 2016 to 2018, which reflects a 40% increase over previous grant awards. Chenango River Theatre is the only non-profit, professional theatre in Chenango County to receive direct NYSCA funding, and one of only two in the greater Binghamton area.

The Oneonta Department of Public Service announced that they will be constructing drainage improvements along the southbound lane of West Street between Hartwick Derive & Ravine Parkway beginning Monday morning at 7:00 AM. The project will continue for the week, from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM daily, 1 lane traffic will be maintained with occasional interruptions, more information is available at 432-6465.

Chenango County Suicide Prevention will hold a special event with documentary filmmaker Erin Davies tonight in Norwich, Spokesperson Ann Marie Troy comments:

(Ann Marie Troy 9-11-15)

The event will begin at 7:00 P.M. at the Broad Street United Methodist Church in Norwich, more information is available at 334-8244 extension 228.

The Chenango Arts Council, Norwich Business Improvement District, and the Norwich Rotary Club announced that the Chenango Public Arts Initiative begins with a Gallery opening reception today from 5:30 to 8:00 pm; it is free and open to the public. The Gallery will be open both days of Colorscape Weekend this Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM and will stay on display until October 25. More information is available at 336-ARTS or email at: info@chenangoarts.org

Thursday's Primary Day elections have been tabulated, In Delaware County; The Democratic Party Town of Middletown Supervisor Primary was won by Marjorie Miller. The Republican Party Primary had Delaware County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jim Eisel winning for the Harpersfield Town Supervisors position. In the Primary for Town of Walton Supervisor, Charles Gregory defeats Bruce Dolph. In Chenango County, District Attorney Joe McBride wins the Republican primary, in the city of Norwich; Christine Carnrike won The Republican Primary for Mayor over incumbent Joe Mauirano.

Republican area Assemblyman Cliff Crouch announced that he would not run for the State Senate seat vacated by the federal conviction of Tom Libous for lying to the FBI. Crouch released a Statement where he stated that he wished to remain in his current Assembly seat; former Broome County Executive & former state DMV Commissioner Democrat Barbara Fiala announced that she would seek the seat

State Police arrested 21-year-old Tyler Backus of Binghamton, for Criminal Possession of a Weapon, after Troopers responded to a Broome County 911 report of a dispute with a man holding a gun in Conklin. Troopers observed Backus driving away from the scene, he was stopped and arrested. Backus was arraigned in the Town of Chenango Court and remanded to the Broome County Jail with no bail set.

The Chenango Arts Council announced the acceptance of Request for Proposals from New York State artists for exhibition in the Mariea Brown and Raymond Loft Galleries, located in CAC facilities at 27 West Main Street, Norwich. The proposal deadline is January 6th, 2016, with a jurying process occurring mid-January for exhibition in the following year. There is no fee for submission, and CAC staff is available for technical assistance with the application process. Also, the Arts Council, the Norwich Business Improvement District and the Norwich Rotary Club, announced a “Call for Artists” for the Chenango Public Arts Initiative for this fall, Artists of all mediums are encouraged to submit applications by August 14 for a September 11th opening. More information is available at chenangoarts.org, or 336-ARTS.

the Chenango County Health Department will hold a free rabies clinic for dogs cats & domesticated Ferrets tonight. the clinic will run form 6:00 to 7:00 PM in the town of Columbus garage, more information is available at 337-1673.

The State Assembly passed legislation to name a Town of Chenango bridge after fallen State Trooper Christopher Skinner. The Assembly unanimously passed the bill, sponsored by area Assembly members Cliff Crouch & Donna Lupardo, it passed in the Senate a few days earlier. The legislation has now been sent to the governor to be signed into law. Trooper Skinner was intentionally run down while conducting a traffic stop on I-81 between Exits 6 and 7 in Chenango in May of 2014, Almond Upton of Florida is facing multiple charges for Trooper Skinners death.

State Police at Norwich arrested 22-year-old Michael Verry of Greene for 3rd degree Assault, after Troopers responded to a Chenango County 911 report of a dispute at a residence on Crestmont Drive in the Village of Greene. Verry is accused of punching a female victim in the face, causing a jaw injury. Verry was arraigned in the Village of Greene Court and remanded to the Chenango County Jail in lieu of a $5,000.00 cash bail. The court issued an order of protection against him.

The Chenango Arts Council, Norwich Business Improvement District, and the Norwich Rotary Club announced that the Chenango Public Arts Initiative, Summer 2015 has been created to bring the arts to the public in everyday life. The Public Arts Initiative will showcase local talent and give artists exposure, be placing their artwork on display in the Chenango Arts Council’s Mariea Brown and Raymond Loft Galleries from June 26 to August 28th. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 9am to 4pm.