WCDO Radio News

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, Cortland County DA’s office and State Police announced that former Pharsalia Town Supervisor Dennis Brown was sentenced to serve 2 to 3 years in a state prison. Brown pleaded guilty for 2nd degree Grand Larceny, for stealing $240,000 in public funds, he was ordered to pay $240,000, and he has already paid $125,000.  Brown charged personal items on the town’s credit card to pay for groceries, vacations, clothes, jewelry, home utilities, and work on his property.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli today announced that former Pharsalia Town Supervisor Dennis Brown pleaded guilty to stealing $240,000 in public funds and must now pay full restitution.   Brown pleaded guilty today in Chenango County Court in Norwich to 2nd degree Grand Larceny, he must pay $240,000 in restitution, of which he has already paid $125,000, and faces a potential state prison term at his sentencing on September 17th.

The Chenango Arts Council announced that Opening Receptions Are Back, in the Marea Brown and Raymond Loft Galleries at 5:30 pm.  Local Artist Rainy Collins-Vickers' exhibit of stained glass artwork will be on display now through June 25.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced that Pharsalia Town
Supervisor Dennis Brown faces criminal charges for allegedly stealing more than
$123,000 in town funds, to pay credit card bills and pad his salary an
additional $20,000 a year.  Brown was
charged with 2nd degree Grand Larceny, scheming to defraud, defrauding the
government, corrupting the government and public corruption for allegedly using
the town's credit card for vacations in Myrtle Beach and New York City, fees
for PayPal, Amazon and iTunes, and designer handbags, liquor and cooking
classes, & his home telephone, internet and electric bills.  The Comptroller’s inquiry into Pharsalia
began with an audit in 2018 which led to the criminal investigation.

Numerous crews from Delaware & surrounding counties are searching for 60-year-old Wayne Lamicela of Arkville, who was reported missing while hiking on Tuesday. Lamicela did not return from a day trip at Big Indian Wilderness area in western Ulster County. Lamicela is described as a white man with brown hair, 5'8", about 130 pounds. Forest Rangers say he last wearing a black and gray striped shirt, khaki shorts, a beige ball cap with the words "New Smyrna" written on it, and a black backpack. Delaware County emergency services and Forest Rangers are working with a growing number of volunteers today; they have a command post at the Margaretville Fire Department. Anyone with information on Lamicela's whereabouts is asked to contact the State Forest Rangers, or State Police at Troop C headquarters in Sidney at 561-7400.

The annual Spiedie Fest & Balloon rally will be held at Otsiningo Park in Binghamton today through Sunday. Concerts will feature Dennis DeYoung of Styx fame tonight, Blue Oyster Cult & Eddie Money Saturday, & country acts Kellie Pickler & Sara Evans Sunday. Details & schedules are available at spiediefest.com.

State Troopers in Oneonta arrested 35-year-old Dennis Brown of Richmond, Virginia, for Unlawful Possession of Marijuana. The arrest resulted from a traffic stop on State Route 28 in the Town of Milford; Brown was issued an Appearance Ticket returnable to the Town of Milford Court on August 6th.

State police charged Davenport town supervisor, Dennis Valente with felony operating a motor vehicle with a blood-alcohol content of .08 or more.  Valente was arraigned in Davenport Town Court and was released, pending future court action on June 25th.

Binghamton City police are searching for 37-year-old Levelle Marton of Binghamton on an arrest warrant for 2nd degree strangulation.   Martin is described as black, 5 feet 11 inches tall and 220 pounds with brown eyes and black hair. Anyone with information can contact the Binghamton Police Warrant Division at 772-7044.