WCDO Radio News

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 1-2-26

Otsego County Sheriff's office arrested 58 year old David Hand of Morris for 2nd degree Murder, Criminal Use of a Firearm, Tampering with Physical Evidence & Concealing a Corpse, for the murder of 71 year old Lynn Barton of Morris. On November 8th, the Sheriff’s Office was contacted by Barton's family, they had not had contact with Barton for more than 2 days. Deputies checked the residence, Barton was not present, the Investigation led to County Route 49 to interview Hand, who was the last known person to have contact with Mr. Barton, he directed deputies to an area behind a vacant building where Barton was deceased, his body was removed for an autopsy, the manner of death was a gunshot wound to the head. Hand was arraigned & was remanded to the Otsego County Jail.

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office announced 2 more Public Safety Town Halls taking place this month in the towns of Windsor and Vestal. Sheriff Fred Akshar, Undersheriff Sammy Davis, and other members of the Sheriff's Office will be on hand to discuss public safety issues, answer questions, The Windsor Public Safety Town Hall will take place on Tuesday, May 23rd from 6:00pm – 7:30pm at the Windsor Central High School Cafeteria, the Vestal Public Safety Town Hall will take place on Thursday, May 25, 2023 from 6:00pm – 7:30pm at the Vestal Elks Lodge on the Vestal Parkway

The Rural Schools Association of New York State is hosting a "Rural Issues Forum Series" for the South-central Catskills Region tonight, featuring David Little, Executive Director of the Rural Schools Association The event will be held at 6:00 pm at the Delaware Academy and Delhi Central School, Little will provide updates on the state of our rural schools and communities from a position of legislative advocacy.

A.M. NEWS Thursday 5-11-23

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced thousands of state jobs are open and available for immediate hiring in the health and human services fields across ten state agencies as part of the Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Program. A new webpage and portal are available that list the HELP job openings and allows candidates to upload an application and resume for positions they are interested in at cs.ny.gov/help.

Norwich CDO Workforce is hosting an in-person recruitment event at the Norwich CDO Workforce Center at 1 O'Hara Drive in Norwich on Thursday, July 28th from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Representatives from Amphenol in Sidney & Willow Run Foods in Kirkwood will be on hand to discuss job opportunities. Job seekers can also call ahead to pre-schedule an interview: 607-334-2201.

WCDO's Nate Lull has started a Scholarship program, with the 1st fundraiser to be a golf Tournament in Franklin Sunday, he told WCDO News about it:

(Nate Lull 7-22-22)

Lull said that he hopes to make this an annual event & other events may be added to raise additional funds for future scholarships.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 7-22-22

More than 50 Hall of Famers are expected to return to Cooperstown this weekend to honor the Class of 2022. Bud Fowler, Gil Hodges, Jim Kaat, Minnie Miñoso, Tony Oliva, Buck O’Neil and David Ortiz will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Sunday, the Hall of Fame Parade of Legends returns at 6:00 pm Saturday.

Republican Gubernatorial Candidate & Congressman Lee Zeldin was attacked at a campaign event in Monroe County last night while giving a speech. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office arrested 43-year-old David Jakubonis of Fairport for 2nd Degree Attempted assault, he was processed & released in his own recognizance, Zeldin was not injured.

Vestal Police cancelled the missing vulnerable adult alert for 87 year old Charles McGlynn of Vestal late last night. Police said that McGlynn was found safe, & further details have not yet been released.

The Chenango County Sheriff's Office has an active Arrest Warrant for 42 year old Jason Barrows, who is known to frequent the Oxford and McDonough areas. Barrows has an active arrest warrant for 2nd degree Burglary, anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office at 334-2000 extension 1.

State DOT announced the opening of 2 lanes of traffic on the newly constructed section of Interstate 81 northbound and State Route 17 westbound between I-81 Exit 3 & Chenango Street in the city of Binghamton. This marks the end of the temporary, two-lanes-in-each-direction traffic pattern on I-81 southbound/Route 17 eastbound. The project is scheduled for completion in December 2020. Work in 2019 will include the construction of Front Street northbound lanes and a multi-use path.

The State DEC reported that hunters reported taking 14% more deer in the Northern Zone and 11% more in the Southern Zone, than they did last year. Preliminary figures show hunters killed nearly 109,000 deer this fall statewide, compared to just under 98,000 last year and 86,000 in 2016. Bear hunters reported taking 1,066 bears, the 2nd straight decrease since 2016.

The State Labor department released the report of local unemployment rates for November. The state rate was 3.9%, Locally, Chenango County had 3.5%, Delaware County had 3.7% & Otsego County had 3.4% unemployment in November.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 32 year old Terence Ito of Walton for Criminal Contempt; he is accused of violating an order of protection that had been put in place by the Delaware County Family Court. He was arraigned in the Delhi Town Court where he was released on his own recognizance; he will reappear at a later date in the Franklin Town Court.

State Senator Jim Seward will be sworn into office on January 1st at the Foothills Performing Arts Center in Oneonta. Seward will be sworn into office for his 17th senate term. Otsego County Judge John Lambert and Otsego County Sheriff Richard Devlin will also be sworn in for new terms. Otsego County Board of Representatives Chairman David Bliss will serve as master of ceremonies. Otsego County Judge Brian Burns will administer the oath of office.

Delaware Valley Humane Society will see some added revenue next month, following a pledge by a Sidney business, Erin Insinga of the Humane Society explains:

(Erin Johnson 12-28-18)

Additional information about the fundraiser, pet adoptions or items that can be donated to the shelter can be obtained by calling 563-7780.

The 2018 Greater Binghamton Project Homecoming Job & Career fair will be held today at the Oakdale Mall in Johnson City. Representatives from 65 area employers will be on hand, the fair will run from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, it is sponsored by the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce.

An autopsy will be performed today on 18-year-old Destyni Twyman of Walton, after she suffered a medical emergency at Walton High School Tuesday, and was taken to Delaware Valley Hospital, where she later died. School officials announced that grief counselors are on hand for students & staff affected by Twyman's death, through the next few days.

A Roxbury man and woman were arrested by Delaware County Sheriff's Office Investigators on felony drug possession charges Monday following a probation search that led to the seizure of approximately one hundred (100) grams of powder and crack cocaine, over eleven hundred dollars ($1100.00) cash and a number of fireworks. Sheriff’s Investigators arrested and charged 30 year old David Dykstra and 33 year old Lisa Skala on 2 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance & Unlawfully Dealing with Fireworks. Dykstra was being supervised by the Delaware County Probation Department from a 2016 conviction in New Jersey. Dykstra and Skala were arraigned & were remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $150,000 bail pending further court action.

Governor Cuomo announced that he is directing the Traffic Safety Committee to examine the "Textalyzer" technology, which is being developed to determine if a motorist was texting while driving at the time of a crash. Cuomo said that committee will try to determine if the device can stand up to privacy & constitutionality questions that are being raised. Cuomo said that many state drivers are still using hand held devices while driving, in violation of state laws.

24-year-old David Murrer of Harpursville has been indicted on a number of charges in Broome County Court, in connection with an accident on I-88 last December. Murrer was indicted by a Broome County Grand Jury for Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, Vehicular Manslaughter, 2nd degree Manslaughter, plus Assault, Vehicular Assault, DWI, & Reckless Driving, He is accused of crashing into a vehicle driven by Synthia Baciuska of Afton, which forced the vehicle off of the highway, it over turned, and a passenger, 67 year old Lynn Bacuiska was ejected, he was declared dead at the scene. Mrs. Baciuska suffered non-life threatening injures & was taken an area hospital for treatment.

The State DEC announced that Bald eagles are thriving in the State, with 323 breeding pairs reported so far this year, the largest number since the agency began a restoration effort in 1976. The DEC started a "hacking" program in 1976, which involved hand rearing and releasing older nestlings, acquired from healthy populations of bald eagles in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, and Alaska. During a 13-year period, 198 bald eagle nestlings were collected, raised to independence with minimal human contact, and were released in New York, were the population has continued to grow.

Sidney Village Police will be out patrolling New Year's Eve to make sure that people travel safely, Sidney Police chief Jan Gorshack explains:

(Jan Gorshack 12-30-16)

State Police will also be out in full force across the state for New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day this year. Troopers will be looking for speeders, aggressive drivers, drivers using hand held devices, and drunk or impaired drivers.

Supporters came from all over to show their support for the residents of Islamberg in the town of Tompkins, as a group of Bikers known as the "American Bikers United Against Jihad" planned a rally, against the Muslim group who have been targeted in certain media as being a terrorist training ground. Julia Reischel of the Watershed Post was at yesterday's rally; she told WCDO News that the rally was a lot smaller than expected:

(Julia Reischel 5-16-16)

Reischel said that state Troopers & Delaware County Sheriff’s deputies were on hand to insure the safety of the community & the supporters. Islamberg had also been targeted by Robert Doggart of Tennessee, who vowed to get a militia together to burn down the community and kill the residents; he was arrested earlier this year by the FBI for making terrorist threats.

Johnson City Police Patrolman Lou Cioci was presented the Congressional Medal of Valor by President Barack Obama this morning at the White House. Cioci was recognized for his actions on March 31st 2014, after fellow Johnson City Police Officer David Smith was shot and killed on Harrison Street, as Patrolman Cioci arrived, he opened fire on the gunman, hitting him several times, The injured gunman tackled Cioci, attempting to grab his service weapon, Cioci shot the man twice more during the confrontation, ending the attack.

Funeral services for Johnson City Police officer David Smith will be held this morning in Johnson City.  The Funeral will start at 11:00 AM at Sarah Jane Johnson Church in Johnson City. Road closures along Main Street in Johnson City will be instituted; Representatives from Police agencies from all over will be attending.

Governor Cuomo announced that the DMV will begin issuing the first State emergency management red license plates for vehicles registered to State agencies, counties, cities, towns, and villages. Vehicles that get the red plates will get immediate access during a state emergency, the plates will have a white background and a red banner with the “EM” designation appearing in the upper left hand corner. More information is available through the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services at 518-242-5202.

Binghamton & Johnson City Police Chief Joseph Zikuski announced that Johnson City Police Officer David Smith was shot & killed yesterday morning at about 7:05 AM near Wilson Hospital.  The suspect was 43-year-old James Clarke of Greene, who died yesterday morning in surgery.  Officer Smith arrived near the entrance of Southern Tier Imaging to a reported disturbance, when he arrived; Clarke attacked him, took his service weapon & shot Officer Smith during the struggle.  Police back up arrived & shot Clarke several times.  The investigation is continuing.

The Chenango county school counselors association is sponsoring their annual spring college day from 10:45 to 2:00 PM today.  The event will be held at the Norwich YMCA, representatives from 40 colleges & the Armed Forces, will be on hand to meet students, parents and interested community members.

PM NEWS 7-11-13

Endicott Interconnect Technologies Inc. filed for federal bankruptcy protection Wednesday, saying it's 70 million dollars in debt left the 11 year old electronic packaging supplier with no other option. In a one page letter distributed to employees on Wednesday, EI's new Chief Restructuring officer David Van Rossum said the company had adequate cash on hand for daily operations on a go forward basis. The letter also stated that James Matthews Jr., who was named as the company's interim CEO in April following the retirement of former chief executive James McNamara Jr., has stepped down as the head of the company.

US Senator Charles Schumer is calling for more stream and river guages for New York State. Schumer is urging passage of the Obama Administrations 2014 budget, which includes 36.2 million dollars for the gauge program, an increase of 7.3 million dollars. The budget also includes 63 million dollars for the USGS Cooperative Water Program, an increase of 400 thousand dollars. Schumer would like see up to 300 new stream guages installed nationwide, with New York State being given particular focus. Schumer said that if approved, the funding would go into effect October 1st. You can view the river guages for our local area online 24 hours a day at our website, at WCDO Radio dot com.

Vestal police charged 36 year old Dale Paulhamus of Newark Valley with 3rd degree larceny after an investigation in misappropriation of car parts and money while he was the parts manager of Matthews Auto Group in Vestal and Norwich. During 2011 and 2012, Paulhamus is accused of ordering parts and creating fictitious purchase orders that were charged to the Matthews Auto Group. Paulhamus either used the parts or sold them for cash according to police.

More than $1.1 billion in unclaimed life insurance benefits have been recovered nationwide after an investigation by New York regulators. The state’s Department of Financial Services said many insurance companies are not using lists of recent deaths from the Social Security Administration to determine whether a policy holder had died. New York regulators will direct insurers to go to NYPolicyFinder.com, to help residents locate lost life insurance policies and annuity contracts.
During a visit to Ithaca yesterday, Gov. Cuomo shed more light on his conversations with FEMA representatives about getting money for flood victims in the Mohawk Valley. Cuomo continued to say that he was not optimistic about getting aid for homeowners. Cuomo said many of the people he visited in the flooded regions did not have insurance that covered their losses. He would have to call a special session of the state legislature to get funding for flood victims.

State police officials said nearly 1,500 qualified applicants have already signed up to take the upcoming trooper exam. The application period ends September 8. Exam dates are October 5, 12, 19 and 26, 2013. The online application can be found at the State Police Recruitment website at nytrooper.com

State regulators have scheduled a series of hearings on a proposal to reduce the volume of carbon dioxide emissions allowed in a nine-state region. New York is part of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which plans to cap emissions at 91 million tons each year starting in 2014, down about 45 percent from the current 165 million-ton cap. The proposal would also set a $2 per ton price on allowances power plants can trade. The DEC hearings will be in late August.

New poll results show former Gov. Eliot Spitzer leading in the race for New York City comptroller, but allegations of his involvement in a prostitution scandal continue to dog him. Two women's rights group leaders held a news conference this week to denounce his decision to run again for public office. Spitzer resigned in 2008 after being identified as a client of a pricey escort service that was under federal investigaion. Spitzer was never charged with any crime. Spitzer topped fellow Democratic hopeful Scott Stringer by 42 to 33 percent among registered Democrats, according to a Wall Street Journal poll.

State troopers arrested 22 year old George Holbert of Guilford for 4th degree criminal mischief and 2nd degree Harassment following a dispute on State Route 8, in the Town of Guilford. Holbert was arraigned in town of Guilford court and sent to the Chenango County jail on $2,000.00 bail.

State troopers arrested 36 year old Rob Lane of Endicott for 2nd degree criminal impersonation following a traffic stop on I-81 in the town of Triangle. Lane used a false name and did not have a valid driver’s license. Lane was issued an appearance ticket for town of Triangle court July 15.