WCDO Radio News

Chenango County Public Health reported another 11 Positive COVID 19 cases Friday. They have 126 active cases, 498 quarantined & 8 hospitalized.  Chenango County has had 928 cases of the virus, with 770 recoveries & 16 deaths.

Governor Cuomo today announced that state and local law enforcement agencies throughout New York will be stepping up patrols to crack down on impaired driving during the holiday travel season. The enforcement campaign will run through Friday, January 1. This crackdown is part of the national "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" initiative designed to reduce alcohol and drug-related traffic crashes. It is sponsored by STOP-DWI with funding from the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee.

Chenango Arts Council will have Santa Claus in Norwich Saturday from 1:00 to 3:00 PM on the Martin W. Kappel stage at the Arts Council, at 27 West Main Street, Chenango Arts Council Executive Director Alecia O'Neill explains:

(Alecia O'Neill 12-18-20)

More information can be found at ChenangoArts.org, or the Council's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages, or at 336-2787.

The Sidney Chamber of Commerce announced that Santa Claus will appear in Downtown Sidney again this Saturday& the Sidney Chamber also will have their annual house decorating contest conclude this weekend, Chamber President Teri Schunk explains:

(Teri Schunk 12-18-20)

Schunk said that Santa Claus's appearance will include masks & social distancing due to the ongoing pandemic.

A.M. NEWS Friday 12-18-20

Following the Winter Storm, Governor Cuomo Declared a STATE OF EMERGENCY in 18 Counties.  The Disaster Emergency was declared in Broome, Chenango, Delaware, & Otsego Counties locally, there were over 600 accidents on the roads statewide Thursday, with 2 fatalities.

Delaware County Public Health had 13 more COVID 19 positive cases Thursday, 79 cases are active & there are 3 people hospitalized & 318 in quarantine.  Delaware County has had 553 total cases with 464 recoveries & 10 deaths.

Commerce Chenango, NBT Bank, The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce, SUNY Morrisville & others have teamed up to distribute complete holiday meals in 2 Chenango County locations today, Commerce Chenango President & CEO Kerri Green comments;

(Kerri Green 12-18-20)

Site #1 will be at SUNY Morrisville, Conkey Avenue in Norwich and pick-up time is 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM, and Site #2 will be manned by the Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce at General Clinton Park with a pick-up time of 2:00 to 3:00 PM, for those who pre-registered.

The Sidney Central School District has been notified by the Delaware County Public Health of 4 positive COVID-19 cases in the elementary school in grades K, 2, 3 and 5, Contact tracing has begun and the health department or school district officials will be in contact with any student and staff member impacted by the exposure.  The Sidney elementary school grades K-6 will transition to full remote learning for next Monday & Tuesday due to continued contact tracing efforts. Teachers will be in contact to communicate instructional schedules, there will be no change to the 7-12 instructional schedules.

Chenango County Public Health announced that they are up to 157 cases of the Coronavirus with 66 active quarantines, no one is hospitalized, 140 have recovered, there have been 6 deaths, and 12,375 tests have been performed.

The New York State Council on the Arts announced that $490,000 in Cares Act Funding will go to 49 arts organizations around the state.  Locally, the West Kortright Centre in Delaware County will receive $10,000 in funding.

Delaware County Sheriff Deputies arrested 23 year old Travis Jennings of Hancock with 3rd degree rape and endangering a child.   Jennings is accused of engaging in sexual intercourse with a female child under the age of 17-years-of-age in the Town of Hancock in August of 2019, he was arraigned & was released on his own recognizance pending his appearance in the Town of Hancock Court on a later date.

Due to the number of complaints from the public over the July 4th holiday weekend, State Police targeted people bringing illegal fireworks purchased in Pennsylvania into New York State.  State Police arrested 21 individuals and charged them with unlawfully dealing with fireworks; more than $27,000 in illegal fireworks were seized.

Oneonta's Survive, then Thrive initiative is providing 2 gallons of hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, touch-free thermometers and surgical masks to city small businesses free of charge.  Distribution will take place on Thursday and Friday from 10:00 a.m.-1:00p.m. in front of the Clubhouse at Damaschke Field. Eligible businesses should reserve these supplies in advance by calling 434-3130 or 376-7599.

Delaware County Public Health received no positive lab reports for COVID-19 for the 14th straight day Tuesday, they are still at 82 positive tests since March, and they report 76 recoveries. No patients are isolated at home or in a hospital, 6 have died, 18 are in quarantine.