WCDO Radio News

Governor Cuomo & state leaders announced the awards for the Regional Economic Development Councils today in Albany. Cuomo talked about how the successes of the councils activities over the last 4 years have helped lead New York’s resurgence:

(Cuomo 12-11-14)

Locally, the Southern Tier Regional Council, which includes Chenango, Delaware & Broome Counties, came in 3rd by receiving $80.8 Million dollars for their plans for economic development.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Office investigated a fatal 1-car motor vehicle accident on State Highway 10 in the Town of Hamden. 48 Year old Kelvin McKnight of Walton and a passenger, 23 year old James Spain of Walton were traveling north on State Highway 10 in the Town of Hamden near the intersection of County Highway 26 when the vehicle veered to the left and drove off the highway where the vehicle then struck a tree. McKnight was transported to O’Connor Hospital in Delhi where he later died from the injuries sustained in the accident. Spain was transported to Delaware Valley Hospital in Walton for evaluation and treatment. The accident remains under investigation.

A Bainbridge man has died following a rollover crash Tuesday night on I-88 in the town of Fenton, after he struck a deer. 35-year-old Sean Coleman was pronounced dead at Wilson Memorial Hospital of massive head trauma. Police investigators believe that Coleman hit the brakes after colliding with the deer & lost control, overturned and landed on the right shoulder of the highway. Police said that Coleman was found about 30 feet from his vehicle; an unidentified passenger suffered only a minor injury and was treated at an area hospital & was released.

Local fire departments are urging area residents to make sure that they carbon monoxide alarms are working properly. Carbon monoxide poisoning is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths nationwide, with about 200 new Yorkers being hospitalized each year. Those who are poisoned tend to exhibit flu like symptoms; a New York state law from 2010 requires carbon monoxide alarms in residential properties as wall as hotels, dorms & nursing homes.

An autopsy conducted at Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton on 26-year-old Derek Prindle of Afton determined that the cause of death was from a gunshot wound to the chest, the death ruled as a homicide. State police are looking of eyewitnesses to the shooting in the parking lot of Peak Fitness in the town of Bainbridge Monday between 1:00 & 1:30 PM; they can call Troop C at 561-7400. Former New York City police officer and John Guzy of Bainbridge has been charged with 2nd degree murder, he is being held in the Chenango county jail without bail pending court action Friday.

A Delaware county sheriffs deputy was involved in a head on crash on state highway 10 in the town of Walton that resulted in a serious injury to the driver of the other vehicle.   Deputy Stephanie Proffitt was taken to Delaware valley hospital in Walton where she was treated for a leg laceration & was released. The 2nd driver, 27year old Amber Phraner of Walton was airlifted to Wilson Hospital in Johnson City where she was listed in critical condition. The investigation is continuing.

6 Sidney area residents were arrested on drug trafficking charges Friday evening by members of the Delaware County Sheriff's Office, Sidney Village Police Department and State Police, following a 5 month investigation, and the execution of a search warrant Friday. Arrested were 43 year old Gabriel Bonacci, on 2 counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance, for Heroin, 27 year old Rene Hurlburt of Unadilla, for Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance for Cocaine. Also arrested was 64 year old Donna Bonacci of Sidney for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to sell for the intended sale of cocaine, heroin, prescription drugs & marihuana. Police also charged 53 year old Belinda Davis of Sidney on 3 counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance for allegedly selling Oxycodone, 32 year old Randal Babcock of Sidney for Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance for allegedly selling Xanax & 34 year old Chad Walters of Mount Upton for Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance. All werearraigned & were remanded to the Delaware County Jail without bail, additional arrests & drug charges are pending.

YES! Safe Choices for Kids, from Senator Libous and Lourdes, will host over 500 students from across the Southern Tier at their YES! Ignites Training today at the Binghamton DoubleTree from 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM. YES! Leaders are trained to provide substance abuse prevention education to elementary school students, from Afton, Bainbridge-Guilford, Chenango Valley, Norwich, Windsor & other Broome & Chenango County school districts. Senator Libous will kick off the opening session with introductory remarks.

The America Cancer Society's Annual Harvest Festival takes place tomorrow at the Delaware County Fairgrounds in Walton. The event runs from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with all proceeds to benefit the American Cancer Society more information is available at 865-4990 or on Facebook at "Annual Harvest Festival-American Cancer Society".

A missing Windsor man was found yesterday after a daylong search involving multiple public safety agencies and volunteers. 30-year-old Brian McNulty was missing since Tuesday. When a cell phone provider indicated his phone might be in a wooded area off Grove Street, state DEC forest rangers and the Windsor Fire Department were called in to aid in the search, along with the sheriff's office K-9 unit. McNulty was found semi-alert, on an island in the Susquehanna River in the Village of Windsor at 3:10 p.m. He was flown by helicopter to Wilson hospital in Johnson City

The Delaware Valley Humane Society is sponsoring "Walk For Paws" fundraiser tomorrow from 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM, at the Sidney Walking Trails, located at the Keith Clark Park on River Street in Sidney. Registration will be at the Cable House at the entrance to the park. Forms can be picked up at the Delaware Valley Humane Society at 101 East Main Street, Sidney.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies arrested 53 year old Barbara O’Sullivan of Delhi with 2nd degree Assault, she is accused of intentionally attempting to prevent Deputies from arresting her on a Warrant by attempting to order a dog to attack deputies. The dog bit a Deputy & was temporarily incapacitated by a Taser. O’Sullivan was arrested on the Warrant as well as Resisting Arrest. O’sullivan’s daughter, 28 year old Alecia Bracci of Delhi was also arrested Thursday night on an Arrest Warrant for Resisting Arrest. The injured deputy was treated on his arm at O’Connor Hospital and was released. O’Sullivan was arraigned & was remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $10,000 bail pending future court action. Bracci was arraigned & was sent to the Delaware County Jail on $1,000 bail pending future court action.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies arrested 23 year old Whitney Valcin of Garnerville in Rockland County on a Warrant issued by the Town of Hamden Court in 2011. Valcin was arrested in Spring Valley on an unrelated charge, it was discovered that Valcin was wanted by the Delaware County Sheriff's Office for Failure to Appear for a court appearance for Criminal Impersonation, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle & Failing to Stop at a Stop Sign. Valcin was transported back to Delaware County & was arraigned & was remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $5,000 cash bail pending future court appearances.

The Otsego county health department will hold a free rabies clinic today for dogs & cats at least 3 months of age.  The clinic will be held at the Neahwa Park from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.  Delaware county Public Health also will hold a Free Rabies Vaccination ClinicFor dogs, cats, and ferrets today, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at the Franklin Fire Hall on Main Street in Franklin.

The Walton Farmer's Market will continue through the fall.  The market is located at the Delaware Valley Hospital parking lot from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM today, as well as August 20th, September 3rd & 17th and October 1st & 15th.   More information is available at 865-6531 or
CCEDELAWARE.ORG.

State Police arrested 31 year old Dawn Otte, of Walton, for felony Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated in violation of Leandra’s Law.  The arrest occurred after Troopers at the Delaware Valley Hospital observed an intoxicated woman walk in after driving herself.  An investigation determined that Otte had also dropped off a child, less than 16 years old, prior to arriving at the hospital intoxicated, she was arraigned in the Village of Walton Court and then released without bail.

Delaware County Deputies investigated a motorcycle accident Monday in the Town of Tompkins on State Highway 10.   52-year-old Cindy Beteau of Deposit lost control of her motorcycle, struck the guardrail, she was thrown from the motorcycle and landed on the embankment. Beteau was air lifted to Wilson Hospital in Johnson City, & was listed in serious but stable condition

Hospitals and health systems in Central New York lost more physicians over a year period than any other upstate area, according to a report from the Healthcare Association of New York State. The survey covers September 2012 to September 2013, it found 552 physicians joined medical staffs in Central New York, while 715 left.   67% indicated physicians are leaving their respective communities because of retirement. UHS reported that they have 184 physicians and it is difficult to recruit doctors to rural areas, including Chenango Memorial Hospital in Norwich and Delaware Valley Hospital in Walton.