WCDO Radio News

The State Health Department reminds people that there are "Cooling Centers” set up around the state where people can go to get out of the heat, in Norwich, the YMCA is a cooling center, call 607-316-8277, in Delaware County, all Libraries are participating, and in Otsego County, pools are available at the Greater Plains school in Oneonta, the Otego town pool, plus the Wilber Pool and Worcester Pool, plus the SUNY Oneonta A.J. Read Science Discovery Center & The Family Service Association on Chestnut Street.

Bassett Healthcare Network and the Oneonta Family YMCA announced they are extending their lease agreement at FoxCare Center in Oneonta for another 3 years for the Y Specialty Fitness. Bassett Director of Public Relations Gabby Argo said that the partnership is the classic "Win Win" situation:

(Gabby Argo 4-29-25)

Gym membership at the FoxCare Center location has increased since June 2023, A.O. Fox Hospital continues to operate outpatient cardiac, physical, occupational, and pulmonary rehabilitation services within the same space. More information is available at the Bassett Healthcare Network Facebook page.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 4-29-25

Delaware County District Attorney Shawn Smith announced the indictments against 3 people in the case of a disabled child who consumed methamphetamine, where 3 adults were present. Indicted were 70 year old Sam Tessora, 29 year old Eric Ferguson & 39 year old Tanya Carson, all from Masonville for Reckless Endangerment & Endangering the Welfare of an Incompetent or Disabled Child, the child was airlifted to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse for treatment after he was found unresponsive. The indictment accuses the defendants of acting with depraved indifference to human life which created a grave risk to the child, on March 7th in Masonville, all 3 could face up to 7 years in prison, they face arraignment on the indictment charges shortly.

Governor Hochul announced an agreement with legislative leaders on the State Budget, which includes tax breaks for working class families, reduces the Payroll Mobility Tax for small businesses and fixes the discovery laws to reduce the number of cases being thrown out on technicalities:

(Hochul 4-29-25)

The State Senate & Assembly are expected to pass the budget bills in the coming days, the total Budget is $254 billion.

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 4-14-25

The New York State Budget is 14 days late, and budget extenders have been implemented to pay state employees and keep state programs functioning. Assemblyman Joe Angelino said that the hold-up is one that has come up many times over the last 3 decades in Albany:

(Joe Angelino 4-14-25)

Angelino said that the big sticking point is the reforms to the state's discovery laws, which involves including late evidence being turned in from District Attorney's to Defense attorneys prior to a trial, the Governor wants some reform, much of the legislature does not.

Utica University has announced its commencement speaker for the undergraduate ceremony in 2025 will be Hamdi Ulukaya, the founder and CEO of Chobani, Ulukaya will receive the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Utica University, he emigrated from his native Turkey in 1994 to the US, he purchased a closed factory in Edmeston in 2007 with a small business loan, Chobani became he biggest seller of Greek Yogurt in the world by 2012. The undergraduate ceremony is set for May 9th at The Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.

28 year old Erin Hubbell of Margaretville pleaded guilty to violating the terms and conditions of her conditional discharge, she was sentenced to the maximum sentence of 364 days in the Delaware County Jail. On March 17, 2024, Erin Hubbell, & 3 other individuals, were arrested after a traffic stop of their vehicle and a search uncovered fentanyl, she pleaded guilty to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, as part of her plea bargain she agreed to seek help for drug addiction and refrain from further violations, however, Hubbell was stopped by State Police On January 8th, a search of the vehicle led to the discovery of Cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin & other narcotics, she was arrested & still faces unrelated felony drug charges. The Delaware County District Attorney’s Office filed a request to declare her delinquent on the terms of her conditional discharge, leading to the latest sentence.

The Chenango County Historical Society is hosting the inaugural “Be My Neighbor” Day from 10 am. until noon Friday. “Be My Neighbor” Day is based on the principles of Fred Rogers, the host of the famous "Mr. Rogers Neighborhood" program on PBS for many years, Historical Society Executive Director Jessica Moquin comments:

(Jessica Moquin 3-13-25)

Moquin said that Guest organizations will include Chenango County 4-H Youth Development, Friends of Rogers Environmental Education Center, and The Place. Visit ChenangoHistorical.org for more details about this and other museum programs.

Tickets go on sale tomorrow for a fundraising concert for the Oneonta Boys & Girls Club on August 23rd at the 6th ward Booster Club field at 4:00 PM. Tickets are available at eventbrite.com, the show features headliners Train, along with with Edwin McCain & Graham Barham. The show is a fundraiser for the Oneonta Boys & Girls Club at 70 River Street.

A.M. NEWS Thursday 3-13-25

State Troopers are out in full force with the St. Patricks's Day celebrations coming up this weekend. The STOP-DWI campaign runs through next Tuesday, with St. Patrick's Day on Monday this year. In 2024, the troopers ran their St. Patrick's Day campaign resulted in over 5,500 tickets, they arrested 132 for DWI infractions and they also investigated 199 crashes during that weekend.

The Foothills Performing Arts Center in Oneonta has a full schedule of events coming up, including the "Step Crew" in March, spokesman Geoff Doyle explains:

(Geoff Doyle 1-30-25)

Tickets for that show are available online only, at foothillspac.org.

Governor Kathy Hochul and Senator Charles Schumer today announced the opening of The Center for Discovery’s Children’s Specialty Hospital in Rock Hill, in Sullivan County. The facility is dedicated to supporting children and adolescents with complex disabilities, including autism, through specialized short-term inpatient care. The new hospital will create 400+ jobs, more information is available at tcfd.org.

An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held in Oneonta today from 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., at the Quality Inn, State Highway 23, another will be held in Delhi from 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., at the SUNY Delhi Farrell Student & Community Center, donors are asked to book a time by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.