WCDO Radio News

Hancock Police & State Police responded to the McDonald's on West Main Street in Hancock Friday for a subject with a knife stabbing at the floor, Officers were able to disarm the subject who was hallucinating after taking several illegal drugs. 40 year old BRADEN ROSE of Horseheads, was taken to Delaware Valley Hospital and was treated & released, he was then charged with multiple counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and 1 count of Criminal Possession of a Hypodermic Instrument, he was arraigned and was remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $25,000, The approximate street value of the drugs seized is approximately $10,000.

Delaware County Sheriff Deputies arrested 24-year-old Michael Vogel of Delhi for DWI & several other traffic violations, following a hit and run accident on Scotch Mountain Road in the Town of Delhi. Witnesses at the scene described the vehicle Vogel was operating, and it was located shortly after on Main Street in Delhi. Vogel was found to be operating in an intoxicated state, he was arrested & was arraigned in the Town of Delhi Court, he was remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility on $1,000 cash bail or $2,000 secured bond.

On Thursday November 10th, Delaware County Sheriff Deputies responded to t a two car head on collision on Bobs Brook Road in the Town of Tompkins.  The operators of both vehicles involved were each transported to Delaware Valley Hospital for treatment of injuries sustained from the collision. One of the operators identified as 68 year old Barbara Horton of Walton New York was issued and released on traffic tickets for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle 3rd degree, operating with a suspended registration, and operating a motor vehicle without active insurance. Deputies say that Horton’s license and registration were suspended as a result of the active insurance lapse. Horton is scheduled to appear at Tompkins Town Court at a later date to answer the charge.

The Delaware County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death of Sal Ferone of Franklin Sunday, Investigators believe that Ferone may have may have been hit by a tractor he was operating at about 5:00 PM Sunday at east Handsome Brook Road. A local jogger reported the incident, Ferone was taken to Delaware Valley Hospital in Walton, where he was declared dead, the investigation is continuing.

State Police responded Friday to a reported house fire at 215 Loughlin Road in the Town of Kirkwood which resulted in the death of one individual. The investigation revealed that 72 year old Roger Simma and 67 year old Lynn Tompkins were awakened by smoke and fire in the living room of the residence. Tompkins was able to exit the residence and was attempting to assist Simma’s exit through a bedroom window, but was unable to do do due to the fire conditions. Tompkins suffered severe burns and was transported to Wilson Memorial Hospital and later air lifted to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse where he was listed in stable, but critical condition. Simma was unable to escape the home and was later located deceased as a result of the fire. The cause of the fire was determined to be the faulty chimney of a wood burning stove.

On Friday night, October 28, members of the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, State Police, Delhi Village Police, S.U.N.Y. Delhi University Police and Delaware County Probation Department conducted an Enhanced Traffic Safety Enforcement Campaign in the Delhi area. The campaign resulted in the arrest of 4 drivers impaired by the use of drugs and or alcohol; 3 of whom were also charged with Unlawful Possession of Marihuana. Additionally, 2 Walton residents were arrested and charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance that led to the discovery and seizure of heroin. 54 summonses were issued during the detail.

Immigrants in New York State comprise 22%, or 4.4 million, of the state’s population, which is 2nd only to California, & well above the national average of 13%, according to a report released today by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. More than 92 percent of all New York’s immigrants reside in New York City, Long Island and the Hudson Valley, according to the report. For those immigrating to New York State from 2010 to 2015, nearly 75 percent of the 631,000 immigrants settled in New York City.

A free Narcan Training session for interested area residents will be held in Sidney today, sponsored by the Tri Town Coalition on Substance Abuse, at Tri Town Regional Hospital tonight. Coalition Spokesperson Lorraine Keckeisen explains:

(Lorraine Keckeisen 11-2-16)

The training will run from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, for those who pre-registered, but walk ins will be welcome.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 20-year-old Jared Soodsma of Sprakers for DWI, criminally using drug paraphernalia & unlawful possession of marijuana, following a 2-car motor vehicle accident in the Town of Hamden. Deputies allege that Soodsma collided with a parked car in the Hamlet of Hamden; Deputies seized marijuana, as well as a number of wrapping materials used to package a narcotic drug. Soodsma was additionally charged with failure to keep right, moving unsafely from lane, and speed not reasonable and prudent, he was released on tickets returnable to Hamden Town Court at a later date.

State Police responded to a head on collision on State Route 17 in the town of Nichols 90 year old John McCarthy of Elmira was driving the wrong way on 17 after leaving the Nichols rest area, he crashed into a vehicle driven by 65 year old Sandra Spaeth of Rome Pennsylvania. She was transported to Packer Hospital for non-life threatening injuries. McCarthy was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies arrested 30-year-old Randel Condon of Franklin on 1 count of 2nd degree Assault. Deputies allege that Condon intentionally assaulted another person with a dangerous instrument on Leland Hull Road in the Town of Franklin in August; Condon was arraigned in Franklin Town Court and was released on his own recognizance.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies and Walton Fire and Emergency Squad members were dispatched Early Saturday morning to Upper East Brook Road in the Town of Walton following a report of an off-road, personal injury motor vehicle accident involving a pedestrian entanglement. a number of campers were sleeping in a field when a truck driven by 30 year old Dustin Truman of Walton, drove over 24 year old William Pregnall of Poughkeepsie, who was sleeping on the trail when he and his sleeping bag became entangled in the truck’s front wheel and undercarriage and had to be extricated by Walton Fire and Emergency Squad members. Pregnall was transported to Delaware Valley Hospital and was transferred to U.H.S. Wilson Hospital in Johnson City for further medical treatment. No charges have been filed at this time as Deputies are continuing their investigation.

A Sidney Center man was ticketed Friday morning by Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies acting on complaints received from the Sidney School District regarding vehicles passing stopped school buses on County Highway 23 in the Town of Sidney. 21-year-old Matthew Stafford was issued 2 tickets for passing a stopped school bus on 2 separate occasions; he received 1 ticket for possessing more than one unexpired driver’s license. Stafford was released and ordered to appear in the Town of Sidney Court at a later date to answer those charges. The Delaware County Sheriff's Office reminds the public that it is illegal and very dangerous to pass a stopped school bus when its red lights are flashing, as the bus is picking up or discharging students.

The recent closing of a loan with Rock Valley Spirits brings the total amount invested by the Delaware County Industrial Development Agency in the Towns of Hancock and Deposit through the Millennium Pipeline Community Benefit Fund to $785,800. The IDA has used the Millennium Fund to support 11 businesses and community development projects, matched with nearly $3.9 million of private and public investment in the Towns of Hancock and Deposit, resulting in the establishment of 4 new businesses, and the creation/retention of 73 jobs.

State Police responded Saturday to Union Center Highway in the Town of Union, for a report of a man suffering from gunshot wounds. The man identified as 50 year old Timothy Mancini was transported to Wilson Hospital in Johnson City, where he was being treated for his injuries. The investigation has revealed that the shooting followed an altercation, 4 subjects were detained and interviewed and were later released. The investigation is continuing and no arrest have been at this time. Anyone with information is asked to call the New York State Police at (607) 775-1241

A speed enforcement detail in Bovina Center by Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies led to the arrest of a parolee on a number of vehicle and traffic charges. 29 year old Joseph VanLeuvan of Big Indian was observed speeding, he was pulled over & he driving while unlicensed, & had 11 active suspensions for failing to answer summonses in various courts and his driving privileges had been revoked for several years. VanLuevan was charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle & speeding, He was arraigned in the Town of Delhi Court & he was released in his own recognizance pending action in the Town of Bovina Court at a later date.

The Broome County Sheriff Department is investigating a fatal 2-vehicle car vs. motorcycle accident Monday afternoon. Deputies reported that a Jeep Cherokee, operated by 28 year old Adam Alexander of Afton, struck a motorcycle operated by 36 year old Jason Smith of Binghamton, at State Route 235 & State Route 7. Smith suffered traumatic injuries and was transported to Wilson Hospital where he died from his injuries. Alexander was chargedd with Vehicular Manslaughter & DWI, he was arraigned in Town of Colesville Court & he was remanded to the Broome County Correctional Facility on $5,000 cash bail.

Tri-Town Regional Hospital in Sidney announced that they would hold a health fair on September 24th. Spokesperson Amy Beveridge explains:

(Amy Beveridge 9-6-16)

Beveridge said that the event will run from10:00 to 2:00 outside the hospital grounds, weather permitting, in case of inclement weather, it will be moved indoors.

A small plane crashed in the woods at Chenango Valley State Park Sunday morning after having engine failure. The crash happened Sunday at around 10:45 AM. The pilot lost control shortly after takeoff, he was not injures. State police, State Park Police and the Broome County Sheriff's Department all responded. The Investigation is continuing.

Delaware County Deputies arrested 26 year old Jeremy Aubry of Middletown, for Attempted Burglary, Attempted Robbery, Criminal Trespass, and Criminal Mischief & Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance. Aubry is accused of attempting to make entry into a house on State Highway 30 in the Town of Middletown, where he attempted to rob the homeowner of a purse. Aubry was found in possession of pills and kicked a window of a patrol car causing damage. He was arraigned in the Town of Middletown Court and sent to the Delaware County Correctional Facility on $10,000 cash bail. He is to return to the Town Middletown Court at a later date.

Oneonta City Police arrested 25-year-old Benjamin Williams of Oneonta for 6 counts of 2nd degree assault, & possession of obscene sexual performance by a child. Williams is accused of injured the infant on several occasions; Police also discovered child pornography on 2 devices. Williams was arraigned in Oneonta City Court he was remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $20,000 cash bail or $40,000 bond for each of the felony charges, the infant was taken to Bassett hospital in Cooperstown for a variety of injuries including a broken leg.

Governor Cuomo today announced the second round of funding is available through the state’s Farm to School Program, which helps school districts establish stronger relationships with local growers and producers and increase their use of homegrown specialty crops. $500,000 in grants is available for projects that help schools buy and serve healthy, locally grown foods on school menus. Last year, 6 Farm to School programs were awarded, benefitting 45 school districts from Western New York, Mohawk Valley, Capital Region, North Country, Finger Lakes and Southern Tier. The funding helped the districts employ local or regional Farm to School coordinators, purchase supplies and equipment needed to increase the capacity of the school kitchen and food service staff to prepare and serve locally produced specialty crops, and to make capital improvements to better transport and/or store those crops. A list of awarded projects from 2015 may be found here.

The Oneonta City Department of Public Service announced that they would continue with flushing water mains on the low service today through Friday. Flushing will affect residents & businesses in the area around Fox Hospital, during flushing, water pressure may be decreased & water may change in color. More information is available at 432-2100.

Delaware County clean sweep phone registration started today, for the event later this month. Delaware County DPW Spokesperson Sue McIntyre explains:

(Sue McIntyre 9-1-16)

Online registration is still available at clean sweep delaware.event brite.com. Farms & businesses will participate on Friday September 23rd, residents on Saturday September 24th.

State Police at Deposit arrested 21-Year-old Scott Primavera of Guilford, Connecticut for felony criminal possession of marihuana, after a traffic stop for speeding on State route 17 in the Town of Hancock. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of over 16 ounces of marihuana. Primavera was arraigned in the Town of Hancock jail and was remanded to the Delaware County jail on $1,500 cash bail or $3,000 bond.

Following the investigation into a disabled vehicle on August 13th, in the village of Delhi. Deputies arrested 37-year-old Robert Avery of Utica On 1 count of Criminal Possession of Stolen property. Avery is accused of being in possession of a vehicle that was reported stolen in Utica August 7th, he was arraigned in Village of Delhi Court and sent to Delaware County Jail on $3000 cash or $6000 property bond bail.

State Police arrested 45-year-old James Begin of North Adams, Massachusetts for DWI and other traffic violations. Troopers responded to a Delaware County 911 report of a van driving the wrong way on State Route 17 in the Town of Hancock. Begin was issued tickets returnable to the Town of Hancock on July 18th.

A Bobcat has tested positive for rabies in the town of Tompkins, the first animal testing positive for rabies in 2016, according to Delaware County Public Health Services. The Bobcat was sent to the State Rabies Laboratory for testing, there was no human exposure, a dog that was exposed to the rabid Bobcat was immunized against rabies, and is not in danger of contracting the disease. Delaware County Public Health announced that the next scheduled rabies clinic is at the Masonville Fire Hall on June 29th from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. To report a suspected rabid animal call Delaware County Public Health Services at 832-5200, more information is available at delawarecountypublichealth.com.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County will be sponsoring 3 farmers’ markets for the 2016 season in Sidney, Walton and Deposit, NY. The Deposit Farmers Market will be held at the First United Methodist Church, on August 18 & September 15, from 10:00 am to 2:00 PM. The Sidney Farmers Market will be held in the Video Entertainment parking lot, 89 Main Street, on Tuesdays from June 28 to August 30 from 2:00 to 6:00 PM. The Walton Farmers Market will be held at the Delaware Valley Hospital’s parking lot, on the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays from July 6th to October 19th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Amphenol of Sidney has laid off 90 production workers for the 2nd time in 7 months, after a stop-shipment order by the Defense Logistics Agency, Land and Maritime, on connectors made at the Sidney plant. Delaware County Economic Development Director Glen Nealis explains the issue:

(Glen Nealis 4-20-16)

Nealis said that Amphenol is not in danger of falling below employment numbers promised to the state, following agreements made with the state for funding to build the new plant on Delaware Avenue following the devastating floods of 2006 & 2011.

Fox Hospital in Oneonta has submitted a Certificate of Need to the NYS Department of Health to combine its labor and delivery services to Bassett Medical Center. Fox CEO Jeff Joyner told WCDO News that the number of childbirths at Fox has dropped significantly:

(Jeff Joyner 4-20-16)

The proposed timeline is January 1, 2017 to allow for a sufficient transition period. Prenatal and post pregnancy care, as well as general women's health services will continue to be available in Oneonta and current maternity patients would still be able to deliver at Fox if they choose to do so. The proposal is part of a larger plan that would also expand orthopedic services at Fox Hospital and focus on a growth strategy designed to sustain Fox Hospital for the long term. The plans are subject to The Department of Health's approval.

The Delaware County Sheriff's Office arrested 2 Village of Deposit residents Tuesday on felony drug possession charges following the execution of a search warrant that led to the seizure of 205 bags of heroin, Xanax tablets and $200 Cash, Investigators charged 45 year old John Coe and 44 year old Debbie Moore, with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance with intent to sell, Coe is expected to face additional charges at a later time relating to the alleged sale of heroin on previous occasions. Coe and Moore were arraigned and were remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $100,000 cash bail pending further court action.

Red flag fire warnings have been issued in several parts of New York State due to dry conditions and rising temperatures, by the DEC. Residential brush burning is prohibited through May 14th, Currently, Red flag warnings have been issued for the entire Hudson Valley, the Catskill Mountain region, plus New York City and Long Island. A red flag warning is a short-term, temporary warning, indicating the presence of a dangerous combination of temperature, wind, relative humidity, fuel or drought conditions which can contribute to new fires or exacerbate existing fires. Open burning of debris is the largest single cause of spring wildfires in the state.

Oneonta Police have charged a Hartwick College student with Assault. 20-year-old Nabill Maiyaki of Mohegan Lake is accused of stabbing an unidentified male victim during an altercation on Elm Street at about 1:00 AM Saturday, he has been charged with 2nd-degree assault & criminal possession of a weapon. The injured male was stabbed in a leg and in the abdomen, and was taken to Fox Hospital with non- life threatening injuries Maiyaki was held being held on bail pending court action

The state unemployment rate was at 4.9% in January, according to the State Labor Department. Locally, Chenango County was t 6% unemployment, Delaware County at 6.7% & Otsego County at 6.1% for January

The Bainbridge Guilford school district Board of education announced that they have chosen current Cherry Valley-Springfield superintendent Tim Ryan of Guilford as their new superintendent. Ryan will replace Don Wheeler starting July 1st.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 20 year old year Dominic Clemente of Northport, on 1 count of criminal possession of marijuana, Deputies accuse Clemente of possessing more than 25 grams of marijuana, he was additionally charged with speeding, for driving at 82 miles per hour in a 55 miles per hour zone. Clemente was released on appearance tickets returnable to Hancock Town Court at a later date.

The Delaware county sheriffs department arrested 2 Walton men on drug charges following the execution of a Search Warrant Friday. Arrested were 29-year-old Cory Costello and 27-year-old Antonio Felice, deputies seized . heroin, prescription controlled substances, hypodermic instruments, marijuana and nearly $500 cash. Felice was also in possession of a Public Assistance Benefit card. Costello and Felice were each charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, more charges are expected. Both were arraigned in the Town of Walton Court & were remanded to the Delaware County Jail, Felice was ordered held on $100,000 cash bail, Costello was held on$50,000 cash bail.

Governor Cuomo announced $74.2 million in grant awards for 6 projects to transform and improve the delivery of health care in Southern Tier. The awards are being made through the Capital Restructuring Financing Program and Essential Health Care Provider Support Program. Locally, the United Health Services Hospitals will receive $14,332,500 for the STRIPPS Information Technology Infrastructure & Delaware Valley Hospital will receive $1,400,000 for the Telemedicine Project in Partnership with UHS.

The Delaware County Department of Economic Development is pleased to announce the acceptance of grant applications for consideration under the County’s recently awarded Agricultural Microenterprise Program. The $200,000 federally-funded Agricultural Microenterprise Program is a continuation of the program which began in 2015 and will continue to focus on two primary components of business development: education and financial assistance.  Applications for grant assistance under this program must be hand-delivered or postmarked by 5:00 pm on April 22, 2016.

State Senator Jim Seward announced the approval of a $21.45 million state grant for A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital in Oneonta. The $21.45 million state grant awarded to A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital through the Essential Health Care Provider Support Program will be utilized to shore up financial concerns and as capital support for the creation of a major joint center.

State Police arrested 23-year-old Nicholas Degristina of Burlington Flats, for DWI & other traffic tickets, after troopers responded to the report of a motor vehicle accident with injuries on Otsego County Route 18 at State Route 80 in the Town of Pittsfield. Degristina is accused of failing to yield the right of way at a stop sign and crashing into a New Berlin Police. The Police Officer was transported to the Chenango Hospital for abrasions to his head and hands. Degristina was not injured; He was issued tickets for Town of Pittsfield Court on February 15th.

The boys tri-valley league basketball committee had an interesting playoff tiebreaker situation on their hands this morning, WCDO Sports Director Nate Lull Explains:

(Nate Lull 2-4-16)

A full schedule of Mac-Tri-Valley & Delaware League Playoff Basketball Games that will be covered by WCDO is posted at WCDOSPORTS.Com.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested a Walton man Thursday following their investigation of an accident on State Highway 10 in the Town of Delhi. 61-year-old Darren Pilch of Walton is accused of driving at an excessive speed when he lost control of his vehicle, which left the roadway and over turned. Pilch was transported to O’Connor Hospital in Delhi, the investigation revealed that Pilch was intoxicated at the time of the accident and had been convicted in February 2015 of Driving with .08% or more Blood Alcohol Concentration. Deputies charged Pilch with 1 count of felony DWI, reckless driving, failure to keep right, moving from lane unsafely, speed not reasonable and prudent and unlawful possession of marihuana. Pilch was arraigned and was remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $1,000 cash bail or $2,000 bond pending a future court appearance.

A Fundraiser Pancake Breakfast for the Delaware Valley Humane Society is being held this Sunday January 24th from 8:30 to 11:00 AM at the Sidney Elks Lodge on River Street. More information is available at 563-7780.