WCDO Radio News

Emergency crews have been busy responding to accidents throughout the tri-county region this morning.  Roads remain slippery in many locations, law enforcement agencies remind all motorists to drive with extreme caution.

Police, emergency room physicians, parents and officials with the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council of Delaware County  have seen a dramatic shift from teens of alcohol abuse to the abuse of heroin, prescription pain medications, “Bath Salts” and synthetic Marijuana.  Dave Ramsey of the alcohol & drug abuse council said that parents need to be very observant regarding their teen:

(Dave Ramsey)

Those with questions regarding the current popular abused substances can call the council at 746-8300; additional information can be found at adaconline.org.

State Police in Oneonta arrested 42-year-old Allison Lorette of Worcester for 2nd degree Harassment.  The arrest resulted from a complaint originating on Cook Street in Worcester, Lorette was arraigned in the Town of Maryland Court, remanded to the Otsego County Jail in lieu of $500 cash bail and is scheduled to appear before the Town of Worcester Court on January 8th.

Delaware County Deputies arrested 20-year-old Abigail Clark of Delhi for 2nd degree Criminal Contempt and 2nd degree Criminal Trespass.  The arrest stems from an alleged domestic incident that occurred in the Town of Middletown on December 20th where Clark allegedly violated an order of protection issued from the Town of Roxbury Court.  Clark was arraigned in the Town of Stamford Court and remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility in lieu of $1,000 cash bail.

16 nonprofit organizations received grants totaling $225,100 from the Community Foundation for South Central New York through the Foundation’s annual special grants process. The grants will be used for a variety of capital projects, operations and programs at the organizations, to replace funding lost from FEMA for food pantries in Chenango, Delaware and Otsego Counties and for The Southern Tier Coalition for the Homeless “No-Freeze” program in Broome, Chenango and Otsego Counties.   Some of the Organizations receiving grants include the local Boy & Girl Scout councils, the Discovery Center of the Southern Tier, Mom’s House, & the United Way of Broome, Chenango, Delaware and Otsego Counties.

Emergency rooms and law enforcement are noticing increased Problems with prescription painkillers and heroin in Delaware County & surrounding areas in recent months.  Dave Ramsey of the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council of Delaware County said that doctors, law enforcement & parents all have roles in trying to reverse this trend among teens:

(Dave Ramsey)

More information drug abuse, underage drinking and interventions are available by calling the council at 746-8300 or checking out their website at adaconline.org.

State police at Troop C in Sidney are continuing the investigation, after the discovery of a dog left at the side of state route 28 in the town of Franklin last weekend. The male mastiff was left at the site with food & water, he was taken to the Delaware valley Humane Society in Sidney, police are following up based on evidence left at the scene.

The Norwich Common Council will hold a special meeting tonight at 6:00 at the city offices, for the purpose of conducting 2 public meetings.  The common council will hold a hearing on the a proposal to override the states 2% property tax cap, the 2nd public hearing will be on the proposed 2013 city budget, which seeks a 9.8% tax increase.

State Police at Oneonta arrested 30-year-old Randy Moore of Portlandville for 2nd degree Criminal Contempt, following an investigation into a complaint on State Route 28 in Portlandville.  Moore was issued an Appearance Ticket returnable in the Town of Milford Court on December 18th; he was turned over to the City of Oneonta Police Department, for action on a City of Oneonta Court warrant of arrest.

Congressman Maurice Hinchey made one last trip around the Broome county portion of his congressional district yesterday to say goodbye to long time supporters.   Hinchey decided to retire at the conclusion of this year’s session, after 20 years in Congress, which followed a lengthy stint in the state legislature.  Hinchey’s district was split up into surrounding districts during the re-districting process this year, his constituents will be served by 2nd term republican congressmen Chris Gibson in the Hudson valley, and Richard Hanna in the southern tier.

The Boys & Girls Club of Sidney announced that the Sidney Youth Basketball Program is returning on Saturdays Morning starting on February 2nd, 2013 at the Sidney Middle and Elementary Gym. The program is open to all Sidney students in kindergarten to 6th grade.  The fee for registering is $10 and registration forms can be picked up at the Boys & Girls Club on the 2nd floor of the Sidney Civic or at www.bgcsidney.com (http://www.bgcsidney.com/). Registration forms need to be returned the Club by January 4th, information call (607) 561-2311 or email tritownbgclub@yahoo.com (mailto:tritownbgclub@yahoo.com).

The Federal Court of Appeals has upheld the convictions of 3 people who killed a Mohawk valley officer in 2006.  The court decided today that to upheld the convictions of Toussaint Davis, Marion Pegese and Robert Ward for the 2006 death of New Hartford Police Officer Joseph Corr. The trio had argued that their case should be re-tried due to legal errors, the court decided otherwise.

The New York Wine and Grape Foundation reported that 2012 was a record setting year for that industry.  The foundation stated that 17 new licenses were issued in 2012, bringing the number of wineries to 328 with nine more still pending.  In international wine competitions, New York wines received 88 "Best" designations, 565 gold medals, and 80 "double gold" medals which require unanimous decisions by the judges.  Governor Cuomo recently held a wine & spirits summit in Albany to seek input on ways that the industry can expand 2012 levels.