WCDO Radio News

The "Pawstruck" fundraiser for Delaware Valley Humane Society will be this Sunday at Awestruck Ciders in the Sidney Industrial Park, with a variety of activities to raise money, WCDO"s Grace Benkovitz is one of the organizers of the event:

(Grace 12-3-25)

Also, a new fundraising program has been instituted called "Shelter Saviors" where 6 area businesses will match donations for the shelter in December & that will include this Sunday's Pawstruck fundraiser.

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 12-3-25

State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald declared that influenza is now prevalent in New York State, health care personnel who have not received this year’s flu vaccine MUST wear masks in areas where patients may be present. The Department has a total of 17,783 positive flu cases, Outside of New York City, week-over-week flu cases are up 114%, to 3,619. Hospitalizations doubled to 413 across the State. Current influenza information is available at health.ny.gov.

There will be 2 American Red Cross Blood Drives in Oneonta today, from 12:00 to 5:00 PM at Fox Hospital & at the SUNY Oneonta Hunt Union, Appointments are available and walk-ins are welcome. Appointments may be made by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS, visiting www.redcrossblood.org, or using the American Red Cross Blood Donor App.

Governor Hochul announced that $25 million has been awarded to help New York’s farmers support agricultural water quality conservation projects. Locally, $300,375 was awarded to the Chenango County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with a farm in the Upper Susquehanna River Watershed, $1,534,136 was awarded to the Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation District to work with 3 farms in the Delaware River Watershed and Upper Susquehanna River Watershed.

Mirabito Cares announced that they will once again conduct their "Round Up" fundraising campaign shortly at their 112 Mirabito Convenience Stores, as they partner with the American Cancer Society, spokesperson Marissa Sweeney explains:

(Marissa Sweeney 9-29-25)

Last year's campaign helped provide 702 patients with over 10,000 nights at Hope Lodge, over 1,000 rides to treatment appointments, Over $1.3 million in cost savings for local patients.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 9-29-25

A Delaware County Grand Jury returned an 8 Count Indictment against 61 year old Edward Batka of Fleischmanns, for several counts of 1st degree Rape, plus Aggravated Sexual Abuse, Unlawful Imprisonment, Unlawful Dealing with a Child on Friday. Batka was arraigned in Delaware County Court, Due to the severity of the offenses, the District Attorney’s Office requested that Batka be remanded without bail.

Mohawk Valley Gives, the annual one-day on-line fundraiser, was a big success for Otsego County Non-Profit Organizations this year, according to Executive Director Jeff Katz of the Community Foundation of Otsego County:

(Jeff Katz 9-29-25)

Katz said that the Community Foundation of Otsego County grants $300 to each nonprofit that participates in the annual fundraiser and offers prizes for a variety of accomplishments during Mohawk Valley Gives, including greatest number of new donors, greatest number of donors, most successful environmental organization and others. More information is available by email: contact@cfotsego.org, or by calling 607-286-3750.

Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown has begun the next phase of its project to construct a childcare center on the hospital’s campus, which is expected to be completed in spring 2026. The facility will be called the Harrison House Childcare Center in honor of Dr. Francis Harrison, an internist who joined Bassett in 1928, The new facility will be at 1 Beaver Street & it will have space for 58 children, plus 15 additional spots for sick care. The center will employ around 18 staff members.

UHS Delaware Valley Hospital has been awarded a $20 million grant through the State Department of Health. The Hospital recently announced plans to build a 4-story addition & the grant will support that expansion. The new building will house primary medical care services, specialty services, physical, occupational & speech therapy and a laboratory, The Medical Neighborhood Project is expected to begin shortly, with the anticipated completion by the end of 2027.

Delaware County Office for the Aging will present " Name that Scam" an interactive, and informative presentation from the Elder Abuse Center at Lifespan of Greater Rochester. The event will be held on September 25th at 10 am. at the Delaware County Sheriff's Department at 280 Phoebe Lane, Delhi, RSVP's are requested at 607-832-5750.

A.M. NEWS Wednesday 8-27-25

State Police and the Broome County Sheriff’s Department responded to a residential fire at a home on Broad Street in the town of Chenango, A 26-year-old female resident had been able to get herself and two children, ages five and two, out of the home, but was unable to get to a one-year-old due to the heavy thick smoke. Troopers and Sheriff’s Deputies were able to get in through a window and get the one-year-old out of the home. The child was transported to Upstate Medical Center and passed away from the injuries sustained in the fire. Troopers are working with Broome County Fire Investigators to determine the cause of the fire.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies arrested 27 year old Derek Mead of Walton for with 1 count each of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Criminal Obstruction of Breathing, Assault and Unlawful Imprisonment, following the investigation into a domestic dispute last Tuesday in the Village of Walton. Mead is accused of being involved in a physical domestic dispute with another person while a child was present. Mead was processed and was turned over to Delaware County Correctional Facility to await Arraignment.

The Delaware County Business Alliance will recognize several businesses and groups for their service to the county’s business community at its 2025 Business Awards celebration on August 20 at Stonewall Estate in DeLancey. Alliance President Ray Pucci told WCDO News about this year's winners:

(Ray Pucci 7-21-25)

Tickets for the dinner event are $95 per person. Reservations are required and may be made under the Events column at DelawareCounty.org.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 7-21-25

Warren County 911 received a call from 45 year old Luciano Frattolin of Canada, reporting his 9-year-old daughter Melina Frattolin was missing, with a possible abduction, in Lake George. As the case progressed, law enforcement identified inconsistencies in the father’s account of events and the timeline he provided. The girl was found dead in Ticonderoga, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office has turned the investigation over to State Police. Luciano Frattolin, has been arrested and is currently being held at the Essex County Jail, Luciano Frattolin, the father of Melina Frattolin, was charged with second-degree murder and concealing of a corpse, The investigation is ongoing,

State Police are investigating the accidental death of a East Branch Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Jason McGlone Thursday night, who was responding to a report of a vehicle that had struck a utility pole on State Highway 30 in the town of Hancock. A preliminary investigation determined that a low-hanging electrical wire was in contact with the top of the fire truck, when Assistant Chief McGlone exited the vehicle and made contact with the metal door and the ground, he was electrocuted and was pronounced deceased. The original crash involved a pickup truck operated by 54 year old Joseph Bellows of Downsville that veered off the roadway, struck a guardrail and utility pole. He was transported to Delaware Valley Hospital, he was charged with Driving While Intoxicated & was issued appearance tickets for Hancock Town Court on September 8th, 2025. The investigation into the firefighter’s death remains ongoing.

Sidney EMS & State Police responded to a motor vehicle accident on Delaware County Route 4 in Sidney, initial reports suggested that a vehicle rolled off the roadway with 3 possible injuries Sunday at about 5:40 PM Sunday, injured occupants were taken to area hospitals for the treatment of injuries, the cause of the crash is under investigation, The Operator was identified as 20 year old Kadance Maus of Walton.

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 7-7-25

State Police were dispatched on July 4th to Ridge Runner Road in Hancock for a report of an accident with fireworks. A preliminary investigation at the scene indicates that 2 males were on a pontoon boat on Somerset Lake setting off fireworks when numerous fireworks apparently ignited at the same time causing an explosion. One male was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and the other male succumbed to his injuries on the scene.

An Ad-Hoc organization has been formed call the "Butternut Valley Neighbors", they will be holding a meeting this Thursday at the Morris Fire Hall regarding concerns that area resident may have regarding Federal budget cuts for various programs, spokesperson Andrea Hull explains:

(Andrea Hull 7-7-25)

The meeting at the Morris Fire House Thursday will begin at 6:30 PM, more information is available at 202-531-7393.

West Colesville Fire Chief James Sitek suffered a medical emergency while responding to the fire, Friday Morning in Conklin. Sitek was transported to Wilson Hospital where he was pronounced deceased, he served as the West Colesville Fire Chief for 3 years. The Case is currently under investigation by the Broome County Fire Investigation Office, the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control, and the Broome County Sheriff’s Office.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies responded recently to a report of a trespass in progress in the Village of Walton, with a physical altercation had occurred while in the presence of a child, and personal property belonging to multiple individuals had been damaged throughout the incident. Deputies arrested and charged both 34-year-old Charles Boecke and 27-year-old Siara Mettler for Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Criminal Mischief, they were both processed and released on appearance tickets returnable to the Village of Walton court at a later date.

There will be a Village Election for registered voters in the Village of Oxford Tuesday from 12:00 noon to 9:00 PM at the Oxford Fire Station, on Main Street. Offices on the ballot are Mayor & 2 seats for Trustee. Area Primary races will be decided on June 24th, check your county board of elections website for more details.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 6-13-25

45 year old Cruz Garcia of Fleischmanns pleaded guilty in Delaware County court Tuesday to Strangulation, he is now clear to be deported. Garcia initiated a violent encounter against a female victim in 2023, a 3 count Indictment was returned for Strangulation, Unlawful Imprisonment, and 1st degree Rape, the victim was transported to a hospital because of the injuries sustained. Garcia has been incarcerated since his arrest for this incident, , which occurred while Garcia was released on separate unrelated felony charges of DWI in Orange County, plus Garcia lacked legal status in the United States and was wanted by Immigration, on a 3rd unrelated conviction, Garcia will be deported & a sentence of time served was deemed appropriate.

The Butternut Valley Alliance will hold their 5th annual "On the Trail of Art" Festival on June 14th & 15th, event coordinator Jenny Riffle explains:

(Jenny Riffle 6-13-25)

People can register at butternutvalleyalliance.org, the hours for the event will be from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Saturday & 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Sunday.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 5-15-25

33 year old Drew J. Garnier of Masonville was sentenced to a total of 30 years in prison to be followed by 15 years of post-release supervision for the killing of his pregnant wife Samantha and assaulting his 2 daughters. Garnier admitted to repeatedly stabbing his wife and children in their home on Houck Road in the Town of Masonville on September 4, 2024. Samantha and her unborn daughter died as a result of the stabbing. The children suffered significant injuries. Garnier pleaded guilty to 1st degree Manslaughter, and 2 counts of 1st degree Assault in March in Delaware County Court.

Delaware County sheriff's office provided an update regarding the head on collision on State Highway 206 in the Town of Walton Tuesday, where 1 of the vehicles went over an embankment. 3 of the occupants escaped from their vehicles, 1 was trapped. A vehicle operated by 68-year-old Steven Wilson of Irvington, crossed over the double yellow line and collided head on with an SUV operated by 19-year-old Lauren Winans-Houck of Roscoe, her SUV exited the roadway and traveled over the embankment. A passenger of the SUV was transported to Delaware Valley Hospital and was released. Winans-Houck was transported to Wilson Hospital in Binghamton for treatment of injuries and leg fractures, Wilson, and his passenger were air-lifted to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, the passenger was treated for fractures & was released, Wilson remains in critical condition due to multiple fractures and internal injuries. The crash remains under investigation.

The Cullman Child Development Center will continue this year with their Summer series locally with events designed to be educational for area children, this year they added an old fashioned Soapbox Derby race to be held in July in Unadilla, Cullman Director Amy Williams explains:

(Amy Williams 5-15-25)

Corbin Curley is on the Summer Series Planning board & he told WCDO that he will be building a derby car with his son for the Derby Day:

(Corbin Curley 5-15-25)

The event will be held Sunday July 13th on Clifton Street in Unadilla, more information is available at ccdcderby.com.

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 5-15-25

The Binghamton Police Department announced the identification of the victim from the stabbing at the Salvation Army on Tuesday as 57 year old Kevin Ray of Endicott. Michael Brutvan was charged with 2nd degree murder for the death of Ray, police responded at about 5:15 PM to a report of a stabbing at the Salvation Army, Ray with stab wounds to his shoulder and neck and succumbed to his injuries at an area hospital..

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 5-14-25

4 people were injured in a 2 car crash on State Highway 206 near Bear Spring Mountain Tuesday at about 4:00 PM. Walton Fire and EMS were dispatched they found 2 vehicles with heavy front-end damage, 1 went over the guardrail and down the embankment, 2 patients were transported to Delaware Valley Hospital, 2 others were airlifted to trauma centers by LifeNet helicopters. The road was closed for several hours last night for accident reconstruction & clean up.

State Police arrested 31 year old Pierce Tobin of Oneonta for 2nd degree Assault following a violent incident at the Homer Folks Facility. On May 9th, Troopers, SUNY University Police, and the Oneonta Town Constable responded to a report of an assault, An investigation revealed that Tobin became aggressive after being informed by a staff member that he was not permitted to smoke. Tobin punched the staff member in the face and bit off a portion of the victim’s ear. The victim was treated at A.O. Fox Hospital. Tobin was taken into custody at the scene and was arraigned & was remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $5,000 cash/credit or $10,000 bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday, The investigation remains ongoing.

A.M. NEWS Wednesday 5-14-25

On May 1st, 22 year old Seth Ostrander of Unadilla was arrested and charged with 2nd degree Attempted Murder and Criminal Use of a Firearm. State Police & Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a report of a domestic disturbance on State Highway 8 in the town of Masonville, Troopers determined that a verbal argument had escalated into a physical altercation during which Ostrander discharged a shotgun in the direction of another individual. The victim was not struck by the gunfire and declined further medical treatment at the scene. Ostrander was taken into custody and arraigned at Delaware County Centralized Arraignment. The investigation is ongoing.

Binghamton Police responded to the Salvation Army at 131 Washington Street yesterday afternoon, Officers found a 57-year-old male suffering from stab wounds, the man was taken to an area hospital and was pronounced dead. 37-year-old Michael Brutvan allegedly entered the building and stabbed the victim several times & fled the scene, but was located & arrested. Brutvan has been charged with 2nd-degree murder, the investigation is continuing.

The Delaware County Board of Supervisors announced today that the next board meeting, scheduled for today at 1:00 PM at the Charles Cook County Office Building, has been canceled.

Walton Fire and EMS Responded Tuesday Night at about 7:00 PM to a tractor trailer rollover approximately 2 miles North of the Village on State Highway 10. A fully loaded milk tanker carrying 38,000 pounds of milk had collided with guardrails and rolled onto its side, a NYSEG pole was broken and live wires were on the ground initially preventing responders from getting to the incident and driver. NYSEG responded and cleared the lives wires allowing safe access to the scene. The driver extricated himself from the cab of the truck through a window with assistance from a nearby homeowner, he was assessed by Walton EMS and transported to Delaware Valley Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Traffic on State Highway 10 was diverted while the scene was cleared, the State DOT, DEC spill response, Delaware County Sheriffs Office and Delhi Fire Department assisted, the road reopened to all traffic and All units were back in service at 11:45 pm

An American Red Cross Blood Drive is being held in Oneonta today at the AO FOX HOSPITAL a 1 Norton Avenue, from 12:00 NOON TO 5:30PM. Appointments can be made with the blood donor app, at redcrossblood.org, or 1-800-redcross.