WCDO Radio News

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 10-28-21

The Associated Press is reporting today that New York Attorney General Letitia James will announce her intentions to run for Governor. James's term as Attorney General led to the resignation of Former Governor Andrew Cuomo, a recent hypothetical Siena College poll among Democrats placed James a distant 2nd to current Governor Kathy Hochul, and slightly ahead of Andrew Cuomo.

Delaware County Public Health Announced Another Death From COVID 19, bringing their total to 64 since the pandemic began. The County reports 30 new cases with a 4.9% positivity rate for tests conducted Tuesday & Wednesday, they have 103 active cases, 3 hospitalized & 123 quarantined, and 52% of Delaware County Residents are vaccinated against COVID 19.

Norwich Police arrested a Texas man following a high speed chase Late Wednesday Night. Norwich Police arrested 46 year old Ronald Alexander Jr. of Pharr, Texas for criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal use of a firearm, criminal possession of a weapon, Unlawful Fleeing Police, reckless endangerment, & Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs. Pharr faces court action shortly, the investigation is ongoing.

Otsego County sheriff's deputies arrested 52 year old Timothy Arnold of Edmeston for 1st-degree disseminating indecent material to minors and failure to notify an account change for a sex offender. Arnold was arrested Tuesday following the execution of a search warrant at his residence, he is accused of requesting nude pictures and he allegedly solicited sex from a minor, he also failed to register his social media accounts to authorities which is required by paroled sex offenders.

The Center to Advance Palliative Care has announced that Helios Care of Oneonta, was awarded a “Silver” designation in the "Tipping Point Challenge". Alicia Fish of Helios Care told WCDO News that it is a high honor to be considered:

(Alicia Fish 10-28-21)

Helios won their award for its project: “Choices: Innovative In-Home Palliative Care Program for the Rural Under-served Population."

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 10-28-21

The State Attorney General's Office announced the indictment of Trooper Christopher Baldner, for 2nd degree Murder, 2nd degree Manslaughter and Reckless Endangerment. The indictment alleges that Trooper Baldner, while on patrol along the State Thruway in Ulster County in December, used his police vehicle to ram a car occupied by the Goods family, causing the car to flip over, resulting in the death of 11-year-old Monica Goods. Additionally, the indictment alleges that, in September of 2019, Baldner similarly endangered the lives of 3 passengers by using his police vehicle to ram their car. Baldner was arraigned and was remanded, Baldner a bail hearing will be held today.

The State Cannabis Control Board has announced that their next meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, November 3, at 1:00 pm virtually. The public is able to observe this meeting at players.brightcove.net. Videos and transcripts of the meeting will be posted on at cannabis.ny.gov.

Delaware County Public Health will be conducting a COVID-19 vaccination clinic today at 97 Main Street, Delhi from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. The vaccination clinic is open to people over the age of 18. Boosters will be available at this clinic as well as first or 2nd dose vaccines. The CDC issued recommendations for a single booster dose six months or more after initial series for people 65 years of age and older, those who live in long-term care settings, those with underlying medical conditions, those who work or live in high-risk settings, as well as First responders, Education staff, Food and agriculture workers, Manufacturing workers, Corrections workers & U.S. Postal Service workers. For more information, call Delaware County Public Health at 607-832-5200.

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 7-14-21

Nationwide Opioid overdose deaths were a record 93,000 last year during the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase of more than 19,000 from 2019 or 29%.  Lockdowns and pandemic restrictions made treatment programs difficult to access in 2020, which likely contributed to the deaths.  New York State has had about 3000 overdose deaths annually since 2018.

SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras is encouraging students to get vaccinated ahead of the fall semester through a 30-day challenge he issued this week.  Malatras announced that students would need to be vaccinated to return to campus, with vaccines that have FDA approval.   SUNY Schools are looking to return everyone to dorms & classrooms in the 2021-22 school year, after a year of large numbers of infections on SUNY campuses, and remote learnings throughout the system.

Village of Sidney Police Department arrested 23 year old Donovan Teague of Sidney, Wednesday following an investigation into a stolen bicycle.  Teague is accused of possessing small amounts of heroin and methamphetamine & was charged with Criminal mischief, Criminal possession of stolen property & 2 counts of Criminal possession of a controlled substance, he was arraigned in Village of Sidney Court & was released on his own recognizance, Teague was on parole, he was turned over to State Parole officers, who then remanded him to the Delaware County Jail.

The Greater Binghamton Airshow is back returns this weekend to the Greater Binghamton Airport on Saturday and Sunday, with the United States Air Force Flight Demonstration Squadron, known as "The Thunderbirds".  Last’s event was cancelled due to the COVID Pandemic & the shutdown of large scale events.  The airshow runs from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 PM both days, to purchase tickets or for more information, go to binghamtonairshow.com

Republican Kyle Van De Water has decided to run against Congressman Antonio Delgado again, after losing to him in 2020, when Delgado won with 54% of the vote, to Van De Water 42%.  The 19th Congressional District currently includes all of Delaware & Otsego Counties, as well as Schoharie, Sullivan and Ulster counties & a part of Broome County, but it could look substantially different after redistricting based on the 2020 census.

A.M. NEWS Wednesday 7-14-21

NYSEG reported about 310 customers were still without power this afternoon in Broome & Chenango Counties, after last night's storm, crews are working to restore power as quickly as possible.

New Yorkers enrolled in SNAP will receive the maximum allowable level of food benefits for July. The agency is also working with the federal government to ensure this aid, which has brought in more than $2.5 billion in food assistance to New Yorkers since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, will continue beyond July.  Nearly 1.6 million households in New York State will receive the supplemental benefits later this month, which will result in the state receiving roughly $200 million in federal assistance.

Chenango County Public Health announced that their next COVID vaccination clinic will be today at Seeber’s Tavern in Smithville Flats from 3:00 to 6:00pm, a 1st dose Pfizer clinic for 12 years and older clinic will be held tomorrow at the former Label Shopper Store, in the South Plaza in Norwich from 4:00 to 6:00pm, More information is available at 337-1660.

Governor Cuomo signed legislation expanding New York State's definition of telemarketing to include marketing by text message. New Yorkers have protection against unwanted robocalls under state law, but texting was not previously defined as telemarketing, this legislation closes that loophole.