WCDO Radio News

Former Sidney Town Supervisor & Sidney Fire department Chief Joe Maddalone has died. Maddalone died Friday at the O’Connor Hospital in Delhi, He served as Sidney Town Supervisor for 12 years after serving on the town board for many years, and he also served in the Fire department for 50 years. Calling hours at C.H. Landers Funeral chapel will be today from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, funeral services will be held Tuesday at 11:00 AM at the Sacred Heart Church, 15 Liberty St., Sidney.

Congressman Richard Hanna announced yesterday that he would not seek re-election to Congress in 2016.

(Hanna 12-21-15)

The 64-year-old Republican was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2010.

The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce announced that they would hold the annual State of the State Breakfast on Tuesday January 5th. The event will begin at 8:00 AM at The Otesaga Resort Hotel of Cooperstown.

State Police arrested 34-year-old Christopher Carlson of Susquehanna, Pennsylvania for DWI after a traffic stop for speeding at 84 miles per hour on I-88 in the Town of Otego. Carlson was issued tickets returnable in the Town of Otego Court on January 7th.

Governor Cuomo announced that he would use his pardon power to alleviate the barrier of a criminal conviction for people convicted of non-violent crimes committed when they were minors, and who have since lived crime-free for 10 or more years. This action advances the principles from his Raise the Age Campaign, which calls upon New York to join 48 other states in recognizing that 16 and 17 year old children do not belong in the adult court system.

Guilford Town Justice David Daniels has vacated that position following an investigation by the state Commission on Judicial Conduct. Daniels has agreed that after this investigation into incidents while serving as Guilford Town Justice, he has stepped down & he will neither seek nor accept judicial office at any time in the future. Daniels served as town justice since 1995.

Chenango County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 32-year-old Joshua Whaley of Pitcher on an active Arrest Warrant. Deputies arrested Whaley, who was found to be hiding inside a residence, he was located and taken into custody without incident and turned over to the Cortland County Sheriff’s Office.

The Mohawk Valley Regional Development Council, which includes Otsego County, won over 100 million dollars Thursday for assorted projects. Locally, the Oneonta Rail Yards will be completely rebuilt, and developed, plus the Upper Susquehanna Agriculture Center will be built in Oneonta. Other projects include a State Route 205 Corridor Study, an Oneonta Airport Logistics Development Project, The villages of Cooperstown and Milford will identify the feasibility of a rail service connection & the ARC Otsego Community Residential Facilities will use Funds to make improvements to 10 group homes.

Governor Cuomo announced the final report and recommendations of the Common Core Task Force. The Task Force recommends overhauling the current Common Core system and adopting new, locally driven New York State standards in a transparent and open process. The Task Force also recommends that current Common Core aligned tests should not count for students or teachers until the start of 2019-2020 school year to ensure the system is implemented completely and properly to avoid the errors caused by the prior flawed implementation.

A state judge has banned DraftKings and FanDuel from doing business in New York State today. The order was issued today by state Supreme Court Justice Manuel Mendez, after Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said that the 2 companies are violating state gambling laws dating back to the 1890's. The companies unsuccessfully argued that their games are based on skill, Judge Mendez did not agree.

Area Resident Gene Schmidt is coordinating the 3rd Christmas Community Dinner on Christmas Day, which has now been moved back to the Sidney Fire Department's Training Center on River Street. Schmidt said that they still are looking for volunteers & donations:

(Gene Schmidt 12-11-15)

Schmidt can be reached at 610-4030, Donations can be sent by check to the Sidney United Methodist Church, with Community Christmas Dinner on the memo line. Schmidt said that last year they served about 250 dinners on Christmas day.

The Sidney Chamber of Commerce will hold their annual children’s Christmas Party tomorrow. Chamber Spokesperson Kerri Green comments:

(Kerri Green 12-11-15)

Green said that the Chamber would hold their annual Holiday House decorating contest the following weekend.

The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce will hold their annual Christmas parade tomorrow, Bainbridge Chamber President John Payne explains:

(John Payne 12-11-15)

Payne said that there will also be free movies, bake sales & other activities around the Village tomorrow.

The Sidney Center Improvement Group will hold their annual "Holidays in the Hamlet" Christmas celebration in Sidney Center Saturday. Spokesman Mike Sellitti comments:

(Mike Sellitti 12-11-15)

Sellitti also said that they would accept donations of canned goods for area food pantries during Saturday’s event.

Chenango Arts Council will host an open house at their facilities Sunday. The day includes various musical performances as well as tours of their Art Gallery, Pottery and Ceramic Classrooms, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at 27 West Main Street, Norwich. More information is available at 336-ARTS or chenangoarts.org.

Rebuild New York Now is a coalition seeking to raise public awareness about the issues impacting New York State's infrastructure, State Senator Fred Akshar and other local elected officials, members of organized labor, and private local businesses held a press conference at a bridge in disrepair in the town of Chenango & they called on the Legislature and the Governor to include funding parity between New York City & upstate in next year's budget plan. Akshar was joined by Broome County Executive Debbie Preston, & Assembly members Cliff Crouch & Claudia Tenney.

The town of Oneonta planning board completed the required environmental review process & the review of the proposal full-build-out of the remaining acreage at the Oneonta Business Park. The site plan provides for up to 3 buildings, 170 parking spaces & space for warehousing, distribution and small-scale manufacturing.

The State DEC announced that the 2015 regular deer and bear hunting seasons open at sunrise on Saturday, November 21, in New York’s Southern Zone Through sunset on Sunday, December 13. The Southern Zone Regular Season is New York’s most popular hunting season, with participation from about 85 percent of New York’s 550,000 licensed hunters. Officials said that the current deer populations are higher than desired. Following the regular deer and bear seasons in the Southern Zone, late bow hunting and muzzle loading seasons will run from December 14 to December 22.

The Otsego County Medical Reserve Corp is looking for volunteers to sign up & participate, in the event of an emergency. MRC Director Stefan Dunham comments:

(Stefan Dunham 11-18-15)

Dunham said that those interested in volunteering could show up a meeting on December 10th at 3:00 PM at the Meadows Office Building in Cooperstown, more information is available at 547-6477.

The city of Oneonta will have 3 different meeting held today at city hall. At 4:00 PM, the Airport commission will meet in the Common Council Chambers at City hall; the City Planning commission will meet at 7:00 PM, also in the Common Council Chambers. Also the Environmental Board will hold an informal workshop at 7:00 PM that will be held in the basement Conference room

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman filed an enforcement action Tuesday in New York State Supreme Court, seeking a preliminary injunction against DraftKings and FanDuel. The Attorney General's suit details alleged violations of law by DraftKings and FanDuel, as the State Constitution has prohibited bookmaking and other forms of sports gambling since 1894.

State Police arrested 45 year old Ronald Brennan of Oneonta for aggravated DWI with a BAC result of .25%, plus unlawful possession of marihuana and several other traffic violations. This arrest occurred after troopers observed Brennan driving without license plates in the Town of Milford. Brennan is accused of driving and unregistered and uninsured Honda Civic while intoxicated, he was found to unlawfully possess marihuana. Brennan was issued tickets returnable to the Town of Milford court on December 1st.

Delaware County Sheriff's Department Investigators arrested 35 year old Wilber Tyrrell of Hancock Tuesday as a Fugitive From Justice from the State of Pennsylvania. Tyrrell was incarcerated at the Delaware County Correctional Facility on an unrelated charge at the time of his arrest, Tyrrell will be arraigned as a Fugitive From Justice in the Town of Delhi Court at a later time.

Sidney Senior athlete Connor Decker signed her National Letter of Intent yesterday at Sidney High School. Decker will be playing Softball next year at Division-2 Mansfield University in Pennsylvania. Before coming to Sidney, Decker played at Afton High School. Decker says her time at both schools has been key in her success and has helped her get to the next level:

(CONNOR DECKER 11-18-15)

Decker is a 3-sport athlete for the Warriors and will look to help Sidney defend their league Softball title this spring.

Governor Cuomo signed legislation to expedite access to medicinal marijuana for New Yorkers suffering from serious health conditions. Cuomo also announced that he has ordered state health officials to review whether a new, broader medical marijuana program due to begin in January has enough production and dispensing sites to adequately serve the state. 20 sites are scheduled to open early next year. The governor said that the drug would be dispensed to eligible patients as soon as practicable, he also said that the state will abide by standards from the U.S. Justice Department to ensure that New York’s program does not trigger enforcement actions by the federal government.

The Delaware county recycling facility has been in operation fro a full year, accepting a lot more plastic & other items for recycling, according to Delaware County Solid waste Coordinator director Sue McIntyre:

(Sue McIntyre 11-12-15)

McIntyre said that the revenue generated from the #3 to 7 Plastics is marginal, but she said that there is a market for all of the items coming in to the recycling facility, and an added bonus of NOT having those items winding up in the landfill or the comporting facility.

HARTWICK COLLEGE HAS SUSPENDED ITS HEAD FOOTBALL COACH AND 5 UNIDENTIFIED PLAYERS AFTER AN INCIDENT IN A GAME AGAINST ST. JOHN FISHER. WCDO SPORTS DIRECTOR NATE LULL HAS MORE….

(Nate Lull 11-12-15)

(text: HARTWICK HEAD FOOTBALL COACH MARK CARR AND 5 OF HIS PLAYERS ARE BEING PUNISHED AFTER AN INCIDENT IN THE FINAL MOMENTS OF A 41-34 LOSS LAST WEEKEND. HARTWICK OFFICIALS DEEMED THAT ACTIONS BY THE TEAM IN THE CLOSING MOMENTS OF THE GAME WERE CONSIDERED TO BE UNSPORTSMANLIKE. ST. JOHN FISHER COLLEGE WAS LEADING THE GAME AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO RUN OUT THE CLOCK BY TAKING A KNEE BUT ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS HARTWICK PLAYERS MADE HITS ON PLAYERS THAT WERE CONSIDERED UNNECESSARY. THE 2ND HIT ENDED WITH BOTH BENCHES CLEARING ONTO THE FIELD. THE TEAMS WERE QUICKLY SEPARATED. THE EMPIRE 8 LEAGUE SAID THEY SUPPORT THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY HARTWICK ADMINISTRATION. A LARGE GROUP OF HARTWICK ATHLETICS SUPPORTERS PROTESTED THE SCHOOL’S DECISION AND IS HOPING THAT THEIR EFFORTS WILL CHANGE THE MIND OF HARTWICK ADMINISTRATION GOING FORWARD. FOR NOW- THE SUSPENSION WILL HOLD FOR THE HAWKS FINAL GAME OF THE YEAR THIS WEEKEND AGAINST UTICA COLLEGE. FOR WCDO SPORTS I’M NATE LULL)

State Police received a report from a resident in Roxbury, that an X-Acto knife type razor blade was found inside a sealed bag of Sour Skittles which had been obtained while Trick or Treating. The candy was not opened until opened on November 9th; it has been traced back to the purchase point of the CVS Pharmacy in Margaretville. The investigation has not been able to identify the source of the razor blade and parents all over the region are recommended to thoroughly check all candy prior to consumption.

State Police have recently received several reports of telephone callers claiming to be from the IRS that aggressively demand the resident pay money to clear up an outstanding tax debt, or face criminal charges. The public is being advised that the IRS does not make phone calls in this manner, and anyone receiving a telephone call of this nature should check with the local IRS office.

The first Baptist Church in Sidney will hold their services this Sunday at the Circle Drive Alliance church from 2:00 to 3:30 PM, due to a heating problem. After the church services, members of the church will return to the Baptist Church for packing the "Operation Child" boxes as originally scheduled.

New York outlawed daily fantasy sports websites and FanDuel CEO Nigel Eccles said that they're hoping to work around the decision by New York's Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, that declared daily fantasy sports sites such as FanDuel and DraftKings are illegal gambling operations. Eccles said that their attorney claims that there is a 5-day period allotted in the cease-and-desist letter in which they'll be working to figure out their options. About 10% of the 2 companies business has been from New York.

The New York State Office of General Services announced a surplus vehicle, highway equipment, and miscellaneous property auction will be held today in Binghamton, however the previously scheduled auction in Unadilla was cancelled and will not be rescheduled. Items and terms of sale are available at ogs.ny.gov. Today’s auction will begin at 9:30 AM at the DOT at 241 Colesville Road, Binghamton.

A federal appeals court ruled Monday that Governor Cuomo's SAFE Act gun control law that bans assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines doesn't violate the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The Court upheld a lower court's decision striking down the 7-bullet limit for ammunition clips, New York had already agreed to not enforce the 7-bullet limit in the law.

The State Department of Labor today released preliminary local area unemployment rates for September 2015. Between August and September, the State’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 5.1%, Locally, the unemployment rate in Chenango county was down to 4.8%, Delaware county was at 5.2% and Otsego county’s rate was at 4.5%, all down significantly from September of 2014.

Governor Cuomo today announced that more than 2 million people have camped at New York's 66 State Park campgrounds this year, surpassing the previous record set in 2014. As of Columbus Day weekend, 2.008 million people have camped at State Parks in 2015, up from 1.965 million the previous year. Those visitors booked State Park campsites, cabins and cottages for more than 618,000 nights this year. That represents a 4 percent increase over last year’s record of 594,400 overnight stays.

The State Attorney General's office announced a settlement agreement releasing $550 million belonging to New Yorkers that has been trapped in an escrow account during a decade-long dispute between the state and the major tobacco companies. The agreement unlocks the funds, and that have been tied up following the 1998 Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement, which requires the companies to compensate the 52 states and territories for the public-health costs of smoking-related illnesses. half of these funds will go to New York State, one-quarter to New York City, and one-quarter to counties outside the city.

Governor Cuomo today announced that $39.2 million in economic development funding has been approved for 34 projects that are spurring growth and opportunity across the state. The funding, approved by Empire State Development’s Board of Directors, supports projects that are creating 233 new jobs and retaining 1,589 existing New York State jobs – many of which have already been created or retained. This funding will also leverage $338.6 million in private assets and other public funding to support local businesses and projects that are building a strong foundation for future economic growth and job creation.

The Assembly Minority Task Force on Heroin Addiction & Community Response will hold a regional forum today, aimed at identifying problems and weaknesses in current efforts to combat the rampant heroin epidemic. Local Assemblyman Cliff Crouch & other lawmakers will participate from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the SUNY Broome Decker Health Science Center in Room D201. Representatives from rehabilitation and treatment organizations and facilities, law enforcement and criminal justice, and those with firsthand experience dealing with heroin addiction have been invited to attend and provide feedback.

A candidate’s forum will be held in Sidney tonight at the Smart community room at the Sidney Library, featuring Delaware County Family Court Justice Candidates Gary Rosa & Porter Kirkwood, Organizer Amanda Heaney-Smith comments

(Amanda Heaney Smith 10-20-15)

The event will run from 6:30 to about 8:30 & will also feature the 4 candidates running for 2 seats on the Sidney Town Board.

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a SPECIAL Board of Education Meeting tonight in the District Conference room at 7:00 PM to discuss the Superintendent Search.

A man arrested by Delaware County Sheriff's Office Investigators on September 29th on a heroin possession charge was arrested again on Tuesday & charged with 2 additional felony drug charges. 31 year old Sean Dingle of Binghamton and Queens was charged Tuesday with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, with intent to sell & Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance, for allegedly possessing and selling heroin in the Town of Sidney in September. Dingle was arraigned in Town of Sidney Court on the new charges; his previous set $50,000 bail was subsequently raised by Judge Rose, who remanded Dingle to the Delaware County Jail on $250,000 cash bail.

Delaware County Sheriff Deputies arrested 63-year-old Patricia Carlson of Delhi on a bench warrant issued by the Town of Delhi Justice Court for Failing to Appear at her scheduled court date October 9th. Carlson was arraigned at the Town of Delhi Justice Court and remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $20,000 cash bail or $40,000 bond. A felony hearing has been rescheduled for Friday in the Delhi Town Court.

Bassett Healthcare, Delaware County Public Health & Cornell Cooperative Extension's Rural Health Care Alliance will present speaker Mark Fenton tonight at 6:30 PM at SUNY Delhi's Farrell Hall. Bassett spokesperson Amy Beveridge explains:

(Amy Beveridge 10-14-15)

Among the topics Fenton is expected to discuss making comminutes healthier by developing walking & biking trails, how to provide safe routes to schools and the economic, environmental & public health benefits of being active.

The State Attorney General's office will be doing a presentation on "Senior Scams" this afternoon at 2:00 PM at St. James Manor, Oneonta. The event is open to the public. More information is available at 432-4500 extension 207.

Springbrook will host an "Informed Decision Making" workshop today in the Events Room at their Campus on State Route 7 in Oneonta. The main goal of the workshop is to provide training for direct support professionals in understanding how to properly guide the people they support through the decision making process. The workshop is a half-day event from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM and again from 1:30 to 4:30 PM.

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman today announced that his office has obtained an order dissolving Angel’s Gate animal hospice and rehabilitation charity & directing that the charity’s real property be sold with the proceeds to be paid to another charity whose mission is the protection and care of animals. Acting Supreme Court Justice John Lambert ordered the appointment of a receiver to sell the property held in the names of Angel’s Gate, Inc. and Susan Marino in the Town of Meredith. Schneiderman’s Office previously brought a proceeding against Angel’s Gate and Marino to dissolve the corporation because they had failed to file legally required financial reports related to the handling of their charitable funds.  Marino and Angel’s Gate had raised over $3.1 million from donations; Marino mismanaged the funds while continuing to live on the property as her primary residence, without any oversight by an inactive Board of Directors.

State Police at Oneonta arrested 25-year-old Britney Fraser of Oneonta for criminal possession of a controlled substance, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle & possessing a controlled substance in a non-original container. 21-year-old Ashley Harty of Sherburne was also charged with 3 counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, and unlawful possession of marihuana. The arrests occurred after a vehicle stop when Fraser was observed failing to stop for approaching traffic as she drove onto State Route 7 in the Town of Oneonta. Troopers detected the odor of marihuana & a search was conducted, troopers accuse Fraser of possessing half of a narcotic and driving with a suspended license. Harty was found to unlawfully possess marijuana, heroin and cocaine. Fraser and Harty were arraigned at the Town of Oneonta court and both were remanded to the Otsego County jail on $400 cash bail or $800 property bond, pending Town of Oneonta court on November 12th.

State Police at Binghamton arrested 34-year-old Melissa Ipson of Liverpool for criminal possession of a controlled substance, driving while ability impaired by drugs and possessing a controlled substance in a non-original container. This arrest occurred after a trooper observed Ipson appearing disoriented as she sat in her vehicle at a gas pump and then drove to a parking space at the Mirabito on Castle Creek Road in the Town of Barker. An investigation determined that she was driving while impaired by drugs and unlawfully possessed over 2 grams of cathinone bath salts. Ipson was arraigned & was remanded to the Broome County jail without bail set at this time.

The Oneonta Town Board will consider a presentation of a proposed budget for 2016 during a meeting at 6:30 PM today, in The Town Hall in West Oneonta.

The Sidney Fire Department will host their annual Open House tonight at the River Street Fire Station, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. The fire department will have a live burn demonstration, an auto extrication demonstration, aerial ladder rides, the Sidney Police Department will conduct their child-fingerprinting program, & refreshments will be available.

The United Way of Delaware and Otsego Counties, the Oneonta Lion’s Club and Hannaford of Oneonta, will be holding a food drive at the 2015 Oneonta Halloween Parade on Saturday, October 31st at 7:00 PM. All food and monetary donations will be given directly to Opportunities for Otsego and the Salvation Army Food Pantry to help defray the loss that both agencies will incur this year by the Holiday Train not making its annual visit to Oneonta. Volunteers from United Way will be on hand at the Halloween Parade with shopping carts donated by Hannaford to collect non-perishable food items. More information is available at 434-2458. Those who would like to donate prior to the parade can call the United Way at 432-8006.

The Oneonta Department of Public Service announced that flushing of water mains would continue on the low service in the Town of Oneonta, west of West End Avenue, for the next 2 weeks. Water users may experience a temporary change in water color or pressure; more information is available at 432-2100.

New York State Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul continues delegation meetings with elected officials at various health care facilities throughout Puerto Rico to further Governor Cuomo's commitment to assist with the health care crisis. At 4:00 PM the Lieutenant Governor and State Elected Officials Hold a Press Conference with the Puerto Rican Delegation.

Coldwell Banker Timberland Properties will celebrate the grand opening of a new office at 19 Union Street, Sidney with an open house on Wednesday, Oct. 21 from 4:30-7 p.m. The public is invited to stop at Coldwell Bankers’ fifth office, located in the Community Bank Building, to meet the staff and learn more about the region’s largest real estate company. The event will include office tours, refreshments and live music. Jackie and Steve Rose, two of the most well respected real estate professionals in the Sidney area, are managing the new Coldwell Banker Timberland Properties office.

State Police responded to a report of a motorcycle accident on State Route 28 in the Town of Exeter. 86-year-old Herbert Black of Remsen was operating his motorcycle on State Route 28 when he entered a curve in the roadway, he was unable to maintain his lane and struck a street sign & was ejected and suffered serious injuries to his head, neck and chest. Black was transported to Bassett Hospital where he was pronounced deceased, no autopsy would be required.

On Monday October 8th, Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies and State Police responded to a reported bomb threat at the DCMO BOCES, Harrold Campus, in the Town of Masonville. The bomb threat was discovered written on a bathroom wall. The building was evacuated, a search found no explosive devises. Deputies have determined that a 14-year-old male was responsible for making the written threat. The youth and his legal guardian were subsequently issued a juvenile appearance ticket for the Delaware County Probation Department where the juvenile will answer a charge of Filing a False Report in the First Degree.

State Police in Norwich observed a 2007 Hummer traveling on State Route 12 in the Town of North Norwich; the vehicle matched the description of a stolen vehicle from Utica, and had been in a pursuit earlier in Oneida County. Several attempts to stop the driver were made and were stopped for safety reasons as the suspect approached the City of Norwich and then the Village of Greene. Troopers reported that as the vehicle entered Broome County, 2 Tire Deflation Devises were deployed, the front tires were disabled & the suspect continued to the Town of Chenango, and then fled the disabled vehicle and ran into the woods, A search by a State Police & Broome County Sheriff’s K-9 teams led to 17 year old La-Tee Baker of Utica, who was located near Otsinigo Park. Baker was charged with reckless endangerment and criminal possession of stolen property, he was arraigned at the Town of Chenango court and remanded to the Broome County jail with no bail set at this time.

The Oneonta police department special response team is scheduled to work in cooperation with the Greater Plains Elementary School to conduct a school lockdown drill on Thursday. The event will provide the Oneonta SRT Team to train in full gear, and it will give students & faculty a chance to become familiar with evacuation procedures in case of an emergency.

The New York State Office of Information Technology Services is offering a number of resources and activities to help all users learn more about cyber security and how to safeguard themselves from cyber-based threats. The 2015 Cyber Security Toolkit features awareness resources geared to a broad audience, including government, businesses, schools, and the general public. New York ITS is also coordinating a statewide cyber security poster contest for students in grades K through 12 promoting online safety, winners will be featured on the ITS website and entered into a national contest, more information on the poster contest is available at its.ny.gov/eiso.

The Assembly Minority Task Force on Heroin Addiction & Community Response will hold a regional forum aimed at identifying problems and weaknesses in current efforts to combat the rampant heroin epidemic. Local Assemblyman Cliff Crouch & other lawmakers will participate on Tuesday, October 20th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the SUNY Broome Decker Health Science Center in Room D201. Representatives from rehabilitation and treatment organizations and facilities, law enforcement and criminal justice, and those with firsthand experience dealing with heroin addiction (http://americanaddictioncenters.org/heroin-treatment/how-to-help/) have been invited to attend and provide feedback.

The city of Oneonta FTO-CIC committee will hold their next meeting this afternoon at 4:00 this afternoon, the Oneonta Finance/Administration committee will hold their next meeting at 5:00 PM, both meetings will be held at Oneonta city hall.

State Police issued over 10 thousand tickets to drivers statewide over the July 4th holiday weekend, which began on Friday and ended on Monday. State Police were cracking down on drunk drivers as well as other violators. Of the tickets issued, 4,523 were for speeding, 621 for seatbelt and child restraint violations, and 186 for failure to move over and 310 for distracted driving. Troopers arrested 198 people for DWI during the crackdown. They investigated 722 accidents where 198 people were injured and two people were killed.

A federal grand jury has indicted former Tennessee congressional candidate Robert Doggart for allegedly soliciting others in a plan to commit arson & murder at a Muslim community in Hancock. Doggart is accused of recruiting others through Facebook & by phone, to burn buildings and kill members of the community. The U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division is prosecuting Doggart, following the investigation by the FBI, who arrested Doggart in April. Doggart was released on $30,000 bond and is currently subject to home confinement.

Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order No. 147, which appoints the New York State Attorney General as a special prosecutor in matters relating to the deaths of unarmed civilians caused by law enforcement officers.

(Cuomo 7-9-15)

The executive order allows the special prosecutor to review cases where there is a question whether the civilian was armed and dangerous at the time of his or her death. Cuomo said that the Assembly passed a bill this year dealing with the issue, the State Senate did not pass a bill due to small differences of opinion, Cuomo said the he expects a permanent law to be passed in 2016.

The Sidney Emergency Squad has undergone a reorganization recently, and they are planning an open house later this month for local residents. Board of Directors President Ray Baker told WCDO News about the Squad's changes:

(Ray Baker 7-9-15)

The Open House will be held on Saturday July 18th from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Sidney fire Station of River Street.

A group of Parents in the Harpursville Central School district, known as "STOP" has sued the school Board for violating open meeting laws. The lawsuit claims that the board voted to remove one administrator and reassign another in the elementary school, despite a number of parents voicing opposing the plans, the lawsuit also claims that the school board has not maintained the legally required minutes.

A New Siena Institute Poll shows the Upstate New York Residents feel that their economy is still lagging behind the rest of the country. The survey found that 41% claimed that gasoline prices are having a very serious or somewhat serious on their finances, 65% indicate said that the amount spent on groceries is having a very serious or somewhat serious effect on their finances.

Governor Cuomo announced that more than $18 million in economic development funding for 19 projects state wide. In the Southern Tier Region, Corning Diesel will receive $3,000,000 for the purchasing of machinery and equipment to support the company’s facility expansion in Steuben County. The Broome County IDA & Indian Valley Industries, will get $728,500 to acquire a manufacturing facility and to relocate within Broome County. The site of their existing facility is slated to be used for a new Pharmacy School in Johnson City.

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold the re-organizational meeting of the Board of Education tonight. The meeting will be held in the Guilford School Cafeteria at 6:30 PM.

On Friday July 3rd, members of the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office and Village of Hancock Police Department conducted a joint traffic safety check on State Highway 97 in the Village of Hancock that was funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee Police Traffic Services grant. 13 traffic tickets were issued, including 1 for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a motor vehicle & 2 tickets for unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. On the same day Deputies participating in an Aggressive Driving Campaign issued 14 additional tickets for speeding and various other violations of vehicle & traffic law.

Delaware County Sheriff Deputies arrested 41-year-old Michael Carey of Oneonta for 1 count of Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the town of Sidney,  Carey was found to have 11 active suspensions in effect. Carey was arraigned in the Town of Sidney Justice Court, posted bail and is scheduled to reappear on July 25th.

Delaware County Public health will provide a child car seat safety check during the Fair on the Square event at Delaware National Bank of Delhi on Friday July 17th from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at 121 main street. 73% of child car seats are not used or installed correctly, more information if available at 832-5200.

The Cancer Services Program of Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie counties will offer free health screenings to women 40 and older who are uninsured in Delhi today. The Bassett Cancer Institute’s mobile screening coach will be available, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Price Chopper Parking Lot in Delhi. Appointments are available by calling 1-888-345-0225.

The Otsego County sheriff's department reported that State Route 23 in West Oneonta was closed following an early-morning tractor-trailer accident. The tractor trailer was traveling east on state highway 23 when the driver failed to negotiate a curve, causing him to overturn the vehicle, hitting trees, guard rails & a telephone pole, & knocked down utility lines. A deputy’s vehicle also became entangled in the downed wires for about an hour. No injuries were reported, several electric outages were reported, & State highway 23 was closed from West Laurens to the intersection with state highway 205 in Oneonta to allow for NYSEG to put up new poles and wires.

Governor Cuomo continues his push with the "Raise The Age" campaign. New York State is only 1 of 2 states that automatically processes, prosecutes and incarcerates 16- and 17-year-olds as adults. Cuomo said that a Task Force found that youths in Adult jail populations, increases the probability that they will continue in a life of crime after incarceration:

(Cuomo 6-1-15)

Currently, youths who are incarcerated with adults in local jails while awaiting trial, and then matriculated into the greater adult prison population if found guilty, 86% of those youth are incarcerated for non-violent offenses.

Aaron Hicks and Jenna Johnson of Norwich were in serious condition at Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, following a fire at 28 Fair Street in Norwich Friday night. Firefighters responded to the fire at about 10:30 PM Friday, Hicks & Johnson were rescued through a window after being trapped by the fire on the 2nd floor, they were first taken to Chenango Memorial Hospital in Norwich, and they were then airlifted to Syracuse. The fire has been ruled as accidental, and appears to be electrical.

Governor Cuomo announced $3.3 million for re-entry task forces in 19 counties that coordinate and manage services for formerly incarcerated individuals to successfully transition back to their communities. The task forces are designed to reduce recidivism and enhance public safety by supporting community-based programs. The state Division of Criminal Justice Services administers the funding and works in partnership with the non-profit organizations that received the grants, in the Southern Tier, the Broome County Department of Mental Health will receive $101,760.

State Police at Oneonta arrested 49-year-old Seth Clark of Oneonta, for the felony DWI. The arrest occurred after a traffic stop for failing to keep right on Church Street in the City of Oneonta, Clark's charge was a felony because he had a prior DWI conviction within the last 10 years. Clark was issued tickets returnable to the City of Oneonta Court on June 29, 2015.

Oneonta Police Department arrested 18-year-old Ryan Rosario of the Bronx for Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance. The charges stem from an investigation into illegal narcotics trafficking in July of 2014, Rosario is currently being held in the Greene Correctional Facility on unrelated charges.

State Police arrested 56-year-old George Miner of Port Crane, for Sexual Abuse & Endangering the Welfare of a Child. State Troopers received a report of child abuse from the Broome County Child Protective Services, Miner is accused of subjecting a girl less than 14 years old to sexual contact, he will answer to the charges in Town of Fenton Court on May 28th.

The state Assembly passed a bill this week to try to get young adults into continuing the state's farming tradition, local Assemblyman Bill Magee Chairs the Assembly Agriculture committee:

(Magee 5-19-15)

Magee said that he also expects mandate relief & teacher evaluations legislation to be dealt with in the finale month of the legislative session in Albany.

The Attorney General offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, have filed a lawsuit against 4 phony cancer charities. The lawsuit alleges that the Cancer Fund of America, Children’s Cancer Fund of America, Cancer Support Services, and The Breast Cancer Society scammed more than $187 million from unsuspecting donors, including $3 million from New Yorkers since 2008. The Children’s Cancer Fund of America and The Breast Cancer Society have entered into settlements, Litigation is proceeding against the remaining defendants. The proposed settlement include judgments of $137 million and require that 2 of the charities be prohibited from working as not-for-profits.

The State DEC is now accepting public comments through June 29 on 3 regulatory proposals for hunting and trapping of wild turkey, deer and fisher. The changes cover fall turkey hunting seasons in most areas of the state; modifications of antlerless deer hunting seasons in portions of the state, changes to the Deer Management Assistance Program procedures statewide & reduction of the current fisher trapping seasons in northern New York. regulation changes could be in effect this fall Pending review of the public comments, More information is available at dec.ny.gov.

State Senator Jim Seward announced today that legislation known as "The Domestic Violence Protection Act - Brittany's Law" received senate approval for a 5th time. The legislation would establish a statewide violent felony offender registry, which would require offenders to register with the State Department of Criminal Justice Services upon release from prison. Seward said that the bill has never advanced out of committee to the floor of the assembly for consideration.

Governor Cuomo issued an update on this weekend’s transformer fire at Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant in Westchester, as the DEC, State Police & US Coast Guard continuing working at the scene. The DEC and Coast Guard, continue to clean up oil spills, as they evaluate the environmental damage, the DEC anticipates having an estimate of the amount oil recovered from the Hudson River by the end of the week. Some oil burned during the transformer fire or dispersed before containment was in place in the river.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies investigated a two-car accident Saturday on County Highway 21 in the Town of Walton. 48-year-old Kathryn Smith of Franklin was northbound on County Highway 21 when she was side-swiped by a vehicle being driven by 51 year old William Davis of Franklin. Deputies charged Davis with Failure to Keep Right, DWI, & Refusal to Take a Breath Test. Davis was arraigned in the Town of Hamden Court and was remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $500 cash bail pending an appearance in the Walton Town Court on May 27th.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies arrested and charged a Sidney Center man with being a Fugitive from Justice from the State of New Jersey on Monday. Deputies arrested 33 year old Dennis Lafferty Jr., on a Warrant and Bail Forfeiture issued by a New Jersey Superior Court in March 2014. Lafferty was originally charged in New Jersey with Theft, Lafferty, was already incarcerated in the Delaware County Jail on an unrelated charge, he is scheduled to be arraigned in the Town of Delhi Court This morning as a Fugitive from Justice.

The Town of Unadilla will have rolling road closures beginning today at 7:00 AM, crews will be putting down oil & stone on Sheep Pen Road, Kilkenny Road & Rod & Gun Club Road.

The Chenango county Health Department will hold the next free rabies clinic in Bainbridge today. The clinic will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 at the Bainbridge village garage at 1 River Street, for dogs, cats & domesticated ferrets. More information is available at 337-1673 or co.Chenango.ny.us.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced the results of an audit of Delaware County’s usage & disposal of county vehicles. at issue was the random nature that the vehicles were used, stored after hours, and how several vehicles were sold for scrap when they might have brought in additional revenue if sold in traditional fashion, 2 were sold to a Delaware county employee at scrap price & were subsequently sold for his profit. County officials agreed with the report & the recommendations and will implement a stricter county vehicle use & disposal protocol.

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting Today in the Guilford School Cafeteria at 5:45 PM. The business portion of the meeting will start at 7:00 PM.

Governor Cuomo brought the Enough is Enough campaign to Syracuse University, he said that sexual assault & rapes on campus needed to be treated as a crime, by law enforcement and not dealt internally & glossed over as bad publicity:

(Cuomo 5-7-15)

Cuomo also said that the campaign includes a website, ny.gov/EnoughisEnough, and a video featuring students, advocates and elected officials advocating for the passage of the legislation.

Governor Cuomo announced a partnership between New York State and Project Lifesaver International to provide life-saving equipment and training for 50 law enforcement agencies to assist in missing child searches, for children with Autism, Down syndrome or another type of cognitive impairment that puts them at risk for wandering or becoming lost. 596 personal transmitters will be provided to agencies through an agreement between the state Division of Criminal Justice Services and Project Lifesaver. Sheriffs’ offices in the following 21 counties will receive transmitters, including Broome County, sheriffs’ offices that already partner with Project Lifesaver will each receive 11 transmitters to add to their existing supply, including in
Chenango, Delaware, & Otsego counties locally.

The State DMV & the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee announced that May is Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month, to remind motorists to watch for motorcyclists, as more bikes are on the roads with the onset of warmer weather. In 2013, there were more than 5,100 motorcycle crashes in New York State, resulting in 171 fatalities and more than 5,000 injuries. More information can be found at dmv.ny.gov, or safeny.ny.gov.

State & Federal Prosecutors announced that State Assembly member William Scarborough of Queens entered guilty pleas on federal and State public charges stemming for public corruption, wire fraud & theft. He faces up to 20 years in prison on the wire fraud count, 10 years in prison on the count charging theft concerning a program receiving federal funds, and fines of up to $250,000 on each count. SCARBOROUGH also agreed to resign his position as a Member of the State Assembly, pay $54,355 restitution to New York State. Scarborough was accused of misusing travel vouchers for personal gain & misusing his own campaign account.

The Otsego county health department will host another free rabies clinic in Oneonta today. The clinic will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Neahwa Park.

3 Norwich residents were arraigned in Norwich City Court and remanded to the county jail, for allegedly operating a meth lab in a city apartment. Charged were 34-year-old Luis Calixto, 29-year-old Hollianne Fitch and 32-year-old Dorothy Owens for criminal possession of a controlled substance, unlawful manufacturing of methamphetamine, criminal nuisance, criminally using drug paraphernalia & criminal possession of a controlled substance. Police confiscated various chemicals used to make Methamphetamines as well as heroin from 28 Mitchell Street in Norwich earlier this week.

Chenango county sheriffs department arrested an Ocala, Florida resident on a arrest warrant as a fugitive from justice. 36-year-old Brian Copeland wanted for the felony offense of lewd and lascivious molestation of a child, he was located by a deputy at a business in the Town of Norwich and was taken into custody without incident. Copeland was arraigned in the Chenango County Court & he signed a waiver of extradition, to be transported back to Florida. Copeland was remanded to the Chenango County Jail without bail pending extradition back to Florida.

US Postal officials announced that the construction project at the Post Office at 3619 State Route 79 in Harpursville begins today. Officials said that there may be limited interruptions as construction continues; there will be no changes to hours for the postal window service or the lobby. There is also no impact to delivery services made by the Post Office as a result of the work. The work is expected to approximately two weeks.