WCDO Radio News

The Delaware County Solid Waste Management & Delaware County Chamber of Commerce are holding an open house at the Solid waste center on Saturday Morning from 8:00 AM until 12:00 Noon. Solid Waste Coordinator Sue McIntyre explains:

(Sue McIntyre 11-15-17)

McIntyre also said that the department's ten-year plan is available for viewing & public comment, it can be found on the Delaware county Website

State Police arrested 24-year-old William Deluca of Afton for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and other traffic violations. Deluca was pulled over by a State Trooper form driving without a front license plate on East Main Street in Afton, the trooper detected Marijuana odors from the vehicle & a subsequent search turned up methamphetamine powder. Deluca was issued tickets for town of Afton Court on December 4th.

The State DEC is reminding hunters who take a deer, bear, or turkey to report their game harvest this hunting season. Hunters who fail to report their harvest can be subject to fines of up to $250. Reporting deer, bear, or turkey harvest can be done by calling 1-866-426-3778, or online to the DEC website, or on the DEC's mobile app, "NY Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife".

The start of the 2017-18 skiing and snowboarding season is this Saturday, with both Whiteface Mountain and Gore Mountain opening their season. Belleayre Ski Resort is scheduled to open Friday, November 24th. Every winter, skiing and riding at New York's 51 mountains attracts millions of visitors and generates $1 billion for the state's economy.

The Tri Town Coalition on Substance Abuse Prevention will present the full length of the movie "CHASING THE DRAGON" tonight at the Sidney High School. Coalition Spokesperson Lorraine Keckeisen explains:

(Lorraine Keckeisen 11-15-17)

Keckeisen said that Superintendents from Sidney, Bainbridge Guilford & the Unatego Schools are participating, there will also be representatives from Truth farm, Fox Hospital, Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council of Delaware County, M-Kat, SSAD & Yes Leads at the event, which will run from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM in the SIDNEY HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM

The investigation is continuing as to how 2 abandoned rail cars broke free & rolled along dead tracks before derailing at State Route 7 in Colliersville Saturday. The trains cars derailed when they reached route 7, as the tracks had been paved over, there were no injuries.

The State Office of General Services announced a surplus vehicle, highway equipment, and miscellaneous property auction has been scheduled in Binghamton on Wednesday, November 15. Information on specific items and terms of sale are available at ogs.ny.gov, more information is available at (518) 457-6335. Next Wednesday Auction will begin at 9:30 AM at the Department of Transportation at 241 Colesville Road, Binghamton

Governor Cuomo signed legislation to end child marriage in New York. The legislation raises the age of consent to marry from 14-years-old to 18-years-old and amends the process to require parental and judicial consent for marriage of those between 17-years-old and 18-years-old. Previously, children as young as 14-years-old could get married with parental permission and written consent provided by a judge.

A bipartisan proposal to add post-traumatic stress disorder as a qualifying condition for New York's medical marijuana program has received final approval from state lawmakers and is headed to the desk of Governor Cuomo. 26 of the 29 states with medical marijuana programs allow patients with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to qualify.

With Graduation parties coming up, the parents of students are reminded that it is illegal to provide alcohol to minors under the age of 21 in New York State. Justin Hamm of the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council of Delaware County told WCDO News that "Social Host Laws" can make parents libel of alcohol related problems:

(Justin Hamm 6-21-17)

More information about social host laws as well as alcohols & drug abuse can be found at adaconline.org.

Governor Cuomo today announced that his administration has reached a 5-year contract agreement with the Civil Service Employees Association, which represents over 60,000 state government employees. The contract must now be approved and ratified by CSEA membership and authorizing legislation is expected to be passed before the end of the legislative session.

The New York State Department of Labor today released preliminary local area unemployment rates for May. The State’s unemployment rate increased from 4.3% to 4.4% in May 2017, locally, Chenango County had 4.6% unemployment, Delaware County had a 4.8% rate & Otsego County registered 4.2% unemployment

Health officials in New York have detected the first of the season's mosquitoes with West Nile virus downstate in Staten Island. Officials at Cornell University advise New Yorkers to take steps now to protect themselves from the risks of mosquito-borne illnesses. Those who participate in outdoor activities should wear mosquito repellents, dump out any standing water in gutters, plant pots, tarps, buckets, birdbaths & children’s pools.

State Police issued 21,864 tickets during the June "Speed Week" campaign this year. The special traffic enforcement period to crack down on speeding and aggressive drivers was held June 7 through June 13, 2017. State Troopers ticketed 9,456 drivers for speeding, arrested 268 people for DWI and investigated 315 personal injury accidents, which resulted in 412 people injured Troop C troopers wrote over 1500 tickets during the Speed Week Enforcement.

The U.S. Justice Department reached an agreement with New York state to settle a lawsuit over voter registration opportunities through the State's DMV offices. Federal investigators found applications for New York driver's licenses, permits and ID cards didn't always serve as applications for voter registration, Under the agreement, New York will insure a voter registration opportunity will be included with all applications. Change of address information will also be used to update voter address information.

State Senate Leader John Flanagan said that his house will not vote on the bill to change requirements that would have made it easier for the vicitms of sexual molestation to sue their attackers. The proposal that passed the Assembly, and had the support of the Governor, would have given victims more time to file civil lawsuits, and would have allowed for a 1 year window for past victims to file lawsuits. The proposal had opposition from the Catholic Church and other religious organizations.

Chenango County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Division responded to 305 Race Road in the Town of Greene for a narcotics investigation, they discovered 2 men manufacturing methamphetamine. Officers seized methamphetamine, scales, and packaging material & arrested 22-year-old Taylor Micha of Norwich and 36-year-old Paul Decker of Greene, for Unlawful Manufacturing of Methamphetamine, Criminal Possession of Methamphetamine Manufacturing Material, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia. Both were arraigned and remanded to the Chenango County Jail on $25,000 cash bail, pending action in Town of Greene Court at a later date. The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are expected.

A Job Fair will be held today at the State Veterans' Home at Oxford from 12:00 Noon to 6:00 PM. Professionals from the nursing department will be on hand to provide information, give tours and conduct interviews for RN, LPN and CNA positions.

A plan to permit movie theaters to serve alcohol is not expected to make it to the governor’s desk. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said that he opposes the bill on the grounds of public safety; he decides which bills are voted on in the assembly. Governor Cuomo pitched the idea late last year, as a tie in to the state’s growing craft beer industry. Under current law, a theater can serve alcohol if they also operate a full kitchen, or obtain a tavern license & only serve alcohol in the lobby. The proposal states that theaters could apply for a special license & local officials also support the issuance of that license.

The next Sidney Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours program will be held today. The event will be held at The Delaware National Bank of Delhi on Route 7 from 5:00 to 7:00pm.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 25-year-old James Blount of Walton, Friday on charges of failure to keep right, unsafe lane change, unlicensed operator, and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, following an investigation of a 1-car accident in the Town of Franklin. Blount was later released on tickets returnable to Franklin Town Court at a later date.

The Animal Adventure in the town of Colesville named their calf this morning, following the end of voting at midnight Sunday. People who have followed the tail end of April the Giraffe's pregnancy voted, and decided to let Alyssa Swilley, the Lead Zoologist at Animal Adventure, pick the baby boy Giraffe's name, it was announced by their live stream that "Tajiri" was the name that was chosen, it is Swahili for "Hope". Animal Adventure's 5th season opens on May 13th.

The City of Oneonta Parks & Recreation Committee will hold their next regular meeting this evening. The meeting will begin at 7:00 PM at the Common Council Chambers on the 2nd floor of City Hall; it is open to the public.

3 people were arrested following a stabbing early Friday on Birdsall Street in Norwich. Norwich Police Department and the Chenango County Sheriff's Office found the victim who was stabbed during a fight; he was treated at Chenango Memorial Hospital & released. Arrested were 36-year-old Eric Carpenter for 2nd degree Assault & Criminal possession of a weapon, 22-year-old Brandon Parker, for Tampering with physical evidence, & 21-year-old Russell Button for Tampering with physical evidence. All three were arraigned in Norwich City Court, Carpenter was sent to the Chenango County Jail on $25,000 cash bail. Parker and Button were each sent to the jail on $3,000 cash bail. All will reappear in Norwich City Court today.

36-year-old Danielle Dunham of Morris was arrested for allegedly bringing drugs into the Otsego County Jail. Dunham was charged with Introducing Dangerous Contraband into Prison, Possessing Dangerous Contraband in Prison & Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, for possessing Suboxone as she was being brought to the jail on a previous charge. Dunham was arraigned in the Town of Otsego Court and is being held at the Otsego County Jail on $1,000 cash or $2,000 bond, pending court action on May 17th.

The Deadline for those wishing to compete in some of the races during this year's General Clinton Canoe Regatta is approaching. Regatta Chairman John Harmon explains:

(John Harmon 5-1-17)

Harmon said that many of the familiar events will be back at the Regatta Grounds this year, and they will also be back to 2 fireworks nights this year.

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies have rescheduled their Prevention Night for tonight. No alcohol will be served during the Rumble Ponies' game this evening, as they have teamed up with the Broome Opioid Abuse Council Drug Free Communities for the event. Tickets for last Wednesday's game will be honored tonight when The Rumble Ponies host the Akron Rubber Ducks at 6:35 PM.

Chenango County Sheriff's Department responded to 30 Classic Street in Sherburne to investigate complaints of methamphetamine being manufactured at the residence. Officers arrested Andrew Palmer they located several “one pots” & State Police teams responded to conduct a search and cleanup of the area. Methamphetamine & ingredients were recovered, Palmer was charged with Unlawful Manufacturing Methamphetamine, Unlawful Disposal of Methamphetamine Laboratory Equipment, and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance. He was arraigned & was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $15,000 cash bail.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies responded Sunday t a 1 car MVA on Pines Brook Road, in the Town of Walton. Deputies arrested 22 year old Fawn Palladino of Walton, for Aggravated DWI; driving with a BAC of .18% or more, along with several other Vehicle and Traffic violations. Palladino failed to maintain control of her vehicle while turning onto Pines Brook Road; Deputies also arrested 27-year-old Amanda Dente of Walton, for Obstructing Governmental Administration, after she became physically violent with individuals on scene. Both were processed and released with appearance tickets made returnable to the Town of Walton Court at a later date.

Standard & Poor Global ratings has raised the City of Oneonta's Long Term rating to AA-, on the city's general obligation debt. The ratings review was issued in anticipation of the city's issuance of 4.2 Million Dollars in general obligation bonds next month. The improved rating will mean lower long-term interest rates & lower costs to taxpayers over the life of the bonds.

This Month is Alcohol & Substance Abuse Awareness month across the nation. Justin Hamm of the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council of Delaware County told WCDO News of some disturbing statistics:

(Justin Hamm 4-19-17)

Hamm said that The Council is working with the Delaware County Stop DWI program to bring presentation to area schools, and they will be reviving the "Mock DWI" Crash demonstrations shortly.

The next meeting of the City of Oneonta's Planning Commission will be tonight at City Hall. The meeting begins at 7:00 PM in the Common Council Chambers on the 2nd floor.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to Bell Hill Road in the Town of Delhi Monday, for a personal injury Motor vehicle accident. 18 year old Camron Cotto of Ithaca, lost control of his vehicle on a curve causing the vehicle to leave the road and strike a number of trees. Cotto was treated and released from O’Connor Hospital. 24-year-old Jesse-Lee Demarco of Watertown sustained serious head trauma and was airlifted to Albany Medical Center, 20-year-old Alex Brimmer of Dexter sustained serious chest and head trauma and was airlifted to Bassett Hospital. 2 other passengers were not injured. The investigation is continuing, charges may be filed.

A State of Pennsylvania resident was arrested by the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office on a Fugitive from Justice Warrant stemming from two warrants from Pennsylvania. Michael Perry had been released from the Chenango County Correctional Facility on unrelated charges then turn over to the Chenango County Sheriff’s Department on the active warrant. Perry was arraigned in the Town of Norwich Court and remanded back to the Jail, Perry is to reappear in the Chenango County Court at a later date to answer to his charges.

Former First Lady of Canada Margaret Trudeau will give the keynote speech at this year’s Women’s Fund Annual Breakfast on Thursday, June 22 at the Holiday Inn on Hawley Street in Binghamton. Trudeau’s speech will focus on her life as First Lady, Mother of current Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the loss of a son and her former husband, & living with bipolar disorder. Tickets to the program can be obtained at 772-6773 by June 15th for reservations.

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies announced a partnership with Broome Opioid Abuse Council Drug Free Communities to provide a Prevention Night at NYSEG Stadium tonight. no alcohol will be served during the Rumble Ponies’ game, as part of this year’s “We Care Wednesdays”. April is Alcohol Awareness Month and Gates open at 5:30 PM for the April 19 game against the Portland Sea Dogs. Details of the event are available at bingrp.com.

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Special Board of Education Meeting today in the District Conference Room at 6:00 PM to discuss negotiations and to approve the estimated statement of expenditure for the 2017-18 school year. The business portion of the meeting will start at 6:30 PM.

Broome County Fire Investigators have determined that it was a space heater that was too close to combustibles in the Skylark Motel Lobby in Vestal on March 14th, which caused the fire that, claimed the life of the owner of the Motel, 79-year-old Dick Patel. Patel & his wife lived above the motel office with his wife, investigators reported that Patel helped his wife get out but he could not make it out of the building, remaining occupants also escaped. The motel was a total loss.

State Police were dispatched to a report of 2 dead goats on property located at 674 County Highway 36, in the Town of Westford Monday. 45-year-old Stephen Pandelakis was charged after police discovered numerous dead animals on the property, including a dog, a cat, a pig, 2 goats, 6 chickens and 2 ducks. Pandelakis was charged with 2 felony counts of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, and 13 counts of Torturing, Injuring or Failure to feed an animal. Remaining chickens were surrendered & were taken to another person for proper care. Pandelakis was issued appearance tickets returnable in the Town of Westford Court April 4th.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies and Hancock Village Police arrested 33-year-old Christen Wrighter of Hancock Monday on a number charges, after a traffic stop. Deputies and Hancock Police started an investigation recently following a number of complaints of people who made advance payments to Christen Wrighter Photography for photographs that she failed to provide. Deputies observed Wrighter speeding on State Highway 97 in Hancock Monday evening, they discovered that she had her driving privileges suspended, she also unlawfully possessed a quantity of the prescription controlled substances, including Oxycodone. Wrighter was charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, speeding, Scheming to Defraud, Grand Larceny & petty Larceny. Wrighter was arraigned in the Village of Hancock Court and was remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $5,000 cash bail or $10,000 bail bond pending further court action. The investigation is ongoing.

Sidney High School and the Tri-Town Coalition on Substance Abuse Prevention invite Sidney, Bainbridge and Unadilla community leaders, business people, parents, students, and school staff to a free Spaghetti & Meatballs Dinner from 5:15 PM to 5:45, followed by presentations starting at 6:00 PM in the High School Auditorium. Coalition President Lorraine Keckeisen comments:

(Lorraine Keckeisen 3-22-17)

Local experts Mary Rosenthal of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council, addiction expert Dave Ramsey, Sidney Police Chief Jan Gorshack will also speak. Pre-registration is encouraged in order to accommodate dinner provisions and door prizes, more information is available at 561-7707.

Delaware County Public Health will hold their next Free Rabies Vaccination Clinics today in Delhi. The Clinic will be held at the Delhi Fire Hall, 140 Delview Terrace Extension from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. More information is available at 832-5200 or delawarecountypublichealth.com

Chenango County Sheriff Ernest Cutting reported the arrest of 2 parents in connection with the death of 16-year-old Jeffrey Franklin on March 1st in the Town of Guilford. The Sheriff’s Office arrested 35-year-old Ernest Franklin & 33 year old Heather Franklin following the investigation of a fire at their residence on state Route 8. The autopsy showed that the fire did not cause Jeffrey’s death, and that he was deceased prior to the fire, investigators believe the fire was set to cover up the murder of Jeffrey. Both parents are charged with 2nd degree Murder, Arson and Tampering with Physical Evidence. The investigation is continuing and further charges may be filed.

State Police arrested 56-year-old Danny Baldwin of Cherry Valley, for Conspiracy. Troopers accuse Baldwin of conspiring by allegedly attempting to hire another person to intentionally commit murder. Baldwin was arraigned in town of Richfield Springs Court and was remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $250,000 cash bail or $500,000 property bond.

Oneonta Police arrested 20-year-old Kyle Alger of Oneonta on Drug Charges Friday Night. Alger was interviewed by police at his Rose Avenue home after a neighbor called to complain that someone was vomiting outside of Alger’s car. Alger is accused of throwing an item underneath the vehicle as police arrived, police then recovered 2 grams of bulk heroin & 11 individually packaged paper folds, and $532 cash. Alger was charged with Criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Legendary performers Judy Collins & Stephen Stills will perform together this summer at the Anderson Center at SUNY Binghamton on August 28th. Anderson center Marketing Director Roseanne Norris explains:

(Roseanne Norris 3-22-17)

Tickets go on sale on Monday March 27th. Norris said that Collins & Stills would be touring on a collaborative album due out this summer.

A new Siena College poll has Governor Cuomo at his highest favorability ratings in 2 years. Today's Poll has 60% of respondents viewing Cuomo favorably, compared to 34% who have an unfavorable view. Today's poll also has President Donald Trump with 68% unfavorable and only 29% favorable.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies responded a fatal, 2 car head on collision on Bear Spring Mountain in the Town of Walton Saturday. Sheriff’s Deputies and the State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit revealed that 43 year old Andrew Thompson of Tenafly, New Jersey, was driving on State Route 206 when a vehicle driven by 41 year old Joel Alves of Hopewell Junction crossed the center lines & collided head on with Thompson’s vehicle. Thompson was pronounced dead at the scene, his wife 43-year-old Wendy Hoeben, and their 6-year-old son were transported to Delaware Valley Hospital in Walton, Hoeben was treated & released, and the child was transferred to Westchester Medical Center. Alves was also transported to Delaware Valley Hospital where he was also treated and released. Alves was driving with a suspended driver’s license and a suspended vehicle registration, the investigation is continuing & charges are anticipated.

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia today reminded school districts of their duty to comply with existing state and federal laws that ensure the rights of immigrant children to attend New York’s public schools without fear of reprisal. The guidance provides districts with information pertaining to their duties under the law, regarding the confidentiality of student records, that Law enforcement officers may not remove a student from school property or interrogate a student without the consent of the student’s parent, except during a typical crime investigation. The guidance reminds districts that under the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, parents must consent to disclosing personally identifiable student information, except in some rare situations.

SUNY Delhi has been ranked among the country’s “Most Affordable Colleges for Incoming Freshman with Financial Need” by Student Loan Report. The ranking, based on Peterson’s college data, examined need-based scholarships and grants to incoming freshmen at more than 1,000 colleges. SUNY Delhi ranked at #158, with financial aid awarded to 87% of freshmen with financial need. The average financial aid award is $8,026.

Many locations in the Tri-County area were hit hard by Saturday's torrential downpours, which led to downed trees, isolated power outages and damage to property. Walton & Conklin hit flood stage, many other towns hit action stage, the latest river levels and projections can be found at WCDORADIO.COM & click on River Levels.

The Sidney Rotary Club is funding a Recovery Coach Training Program at the Tri-Town Hospital today. The program implementation and content will be delivered by Mary Rosenthal, Executive Director of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council Delaware County and instructor, Jeannette Tolson. The Training begins today through this Friday, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman warned immigrants of scams, where people have been fraudulently posing as Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents scams and demanding money in order to avoid deportation. Schneiderman said that his office has received an increasing number of scams as deportation raids that been have taken place. To report potential fraud, people are asked to call the Attorney General's Immigration Services Fraud Unit Hotline at (866) 390-2992 or email Civil.Rights@ag.ny.gov.

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce will host a "First Friday Eat & Meet" membership breakfast on Friday, March 3 from 8:30 - 10 a.m. at Centennial Lounge in Sanford Hall at SUNY Delhi. The featured speaker is Michael Laliberte who was appointed as SUNY Delhi president in August. The event is sponsored by SFCU, To RSVP call 746-2281 or register online at delawarecounty.org.

The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for its Annual Dinner & Celebration of Business that will be held on Tuesday, March 28th at SUNY Oneonta’s Hunt Union Ballroom. Nominations are accepted at survey.constantcontact.com.

Binghamton Police charged 25-year-old Juan Lopez of Binghamton for the stabbing death of 31-year-old Santos Echevarria of Binghamton. Officers were called to the parking lot of Town & Country apartments for a disturbance early Sunday morning, Echevarria had already left the scene in a vehicle and was taken to the Lourdes Hospital Emergency Room; He died a short time later. Lopez also fled, but he surrendered himself to Binghamton Police. he was charged with 2nd degree Murder, Binghamton Police are continuing the investigation and are encouraging anyone with information to contact them at 772-7080.

The Tri-Town Coalition on Substance Abuse Prevention will meet tonight at 6:00 PM at the Sidney High School Library. Coalition spokesperson Lorraine Keckeisen discussed tonight’s agenda, and other schedule items coming up shortly:

(Lorraine Keckeisen 2-15-17)

The Recovery Coach Training Event will be hosted by Tri-Town Regional Hospital and will be delivered by Mary Rosenthal & her staff at The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council of Delaware County.