WCDO Radio News

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 4-19-24

The United States Department of Justice announced that 54 year old David VanHousen of Newark Valley was sentenced to 13 years in prison for possessing child porn. VanHousen previously pleaded guilty to the crime and admitted while civilly committed at the Central New York Psychiatric Center, following several sex offenses and child pornography-related convictions, he possessed numerous images and videos of child pornography on a contraband cell phone. VanHousen was convicted in 2001 for sexual misconduct and rape in the third degree and transportation of child pornography in federal court. VanHousen will also serve a life term of supervised release following his release from prison, and he must register as a sex offender.

State Police issued 18,375 tickets statewide during the ‘Spring Safe Driving’ enforcement, from April 9th to April 14th. State Police focused on speeding, aggressive driving, distracted driving and the Move Over law. Statewide, Troopers issued over 6800 tickets for Speeding, almost 1100 for distracted driving, 337 for the Move Over Law, In Troop C, Troopers issued 1120 tickets during the enforcement period.

The Explore Chenango Outdoor Challenge kick off event will be held tomorrow at the Rogers Center in Sherburne. The event will be held from 11:00 am to 3:00 PM, , more information is available through the Chenango County Health Department or the County Planning Department.

The Helios Care fundraiser Daffodil Jazz Brunch will be held tomorrow at the home of Tom Morgan & Erna McReynolds in Franklin from 11:00 AM to 3:00 P.M. Every dollar raised by the event will go to help the patients & families served by the programs at Helios Care.

An American Red Cross Blood Drive is being held today in Oneonta from 12 pm. - 6 pm., at the Elm Park Methodist Church, 401 Chestnut St., appointments can be made at RedCrossBlood.org, 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 1-20-23

The Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task Force arrested 26 year old Taykwann Browne of Brooklyn on Wednesday, he was wanted by the New York City Police Department on a homicide charge. Officers spotted Brown operating a motor vehicle in Binghamton, he attempted to flee at a high rate of speed, he was involved in a motor vehicle accident a short time later. Brown fled the accident scene on foot & he was taken into custody a short time later. Police seized a loaded handgun, fentanyl, drug paraphernalia, Brown was charged with Attempted Assault, Reckless Endangerment, 2 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, 2 counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon plus Obstruction of Governmental Administration, Resisting Arrest & Criminal Trespass.

19th Congressional District Representative Marc Molinaro will host swearing-in ceremonies in Broome County and Ulster County Saturday. The Broome County Ceremony will be held at 11:00 AM at the Kilmer Mansion at 9 Riverside Drive, the Oath will be administered by Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar, the 2nd ceremony will be in Saugerties at 4:00 PM Saturday, he will be sworn in there by former area Congressman Chris Gibson.

The Rogers Center’s Board of Directors has hired David Carson to lead the environmental education center as the new executive director. Carson is a Central New York Native, the public is invited to meet Carson and the entire staff at Rogers’ annual Winter Living Celebration, Sunday from 11 am to 3 pm.

The American Red Cross is hosting a Blood Drive in Norwich this afternoon at the Broad Street Methodist Church from 12:30 PM to 5:30 PM. Appointments to donate blood are available at RedCrossblood.org; with the Red Cross Blood Donor app or at 1-800- Red Cross.

The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce's annual State of The State Networking Breakfast will be held this morning at SUNY Oneonta's Morris Hall, from 8:00 to 11:00 AM. Legislators scheduled to participate are Assemblymen Brian Miller & Chris Tague, Oneonta Mayor Mark Drnek, among others.

State Police are warning residents of a phone scam, where someone will call claiming to represent the State Police and ask for donations. State Police said that they do not seek donations from the public, and is you receive such a call, do not give any personal information, and simply hang up.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 12-12-22

State Police arrested 22 year old Brian Christman of Fort Plain, for Vehicular Manslaughter and Driving While Intoxicated. Back on July 23rd, State Police responded to a fatal one-vehicle crash on Shacktown Mountain Road in the town of Pittsfield. The passenger of the vehicle 22 year old Payton Stirone of Mount Vision was pronounced deceased at the scene, Christman was driving at the time of the crash & was transported to Basset Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

The Rogers Center’s Board of Directors has hired David Carson to lead the environmental education center as the new executive director. Carson is a Central New York Native who is returning to the area with his family, The public is invited to meet Carson and the entire staff at Rogers’ annual Winter Living Celebration, from 11 am to 3 pm on January 22, 2023.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 9-1-22

Broome County Sheriff David Harder has appealed the State Supreme Court’s Decision to force the county correctional facility to resume in-person visitation. A recent State Supreme Court ruling stated that the Broome County Correctional Facility must allow visitors to be able to see their jailed friends and family beginning on September 5th, as COVID did not have the same threat of transmission level as it did in the beginning. Visitation was suspended in March 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic began closing down businesses, schools, government offices and organization worldwide & virtual visitation was permitted at the Broome County Facility.

Commerce Chenango will hold their next Business After Hours Event today. The event will run from 5:00 to 6:30 pm at the Friends of Rogers Environmental Education Center on State Route 80 in Sherburne.

The State Department of Health announced that more than 1600 people in 1 week have been hospitalized with flu symptoms, the highest number registered since 2004, with the biggest increases reported in Central New York & in the Capital Region. The state Health Department stated that Adults aged 65 years and older, people with certain chronic medical conditions, young children and pregnant women are among those at highest risk for serious influenza complications, which may require hospitalization and could result in death. Officials strongly suggest that New Yorkers get their flu shots as soon as possible.

A ceremony will be held later today for the Unatego Hall of Distinction Induction Ceremony. Unatego Superintendent Dave Richards explains:

(Dave Richards 1-19-18)

The recipients met with students throughout the day today, a reception will begin in the High School Cafeteria at 5:30, Dr. Prendergast, & Karen Moore Barbour will be inducted in the High School gym between the JV and Varsity Basketball games at about 7:00 PM. The public is welcome to attend.

State Police arrested 37-year-old Alexander Rogers of Otego, for Criminal Mischief. A State Parole Officer advised troopers that Rogers had intentionally damage his GPS monitoring ankle bracelet while attempting to remove it. Rogers was issued a ticket returnable to the town of Otego Court on January 25, he was turned over to the custody of the parole officers.

55-year-old David Schaffer of Pharsalia was arrested by the Chenango County Sheriff's Department for Sexual Abuse, Forcible Touching & Endangering the welfare of a child. Shaffer is accused of performing sexual acts with a child under the age of 13 in Pharsalia; Shaffer was arraigned in Village of Smyrna Court and will reappear in court at a later date.

Senator Fred Akshar, Binghamton Mayor Rich David and the Southern Tier AIDS Program will host a "Shed the Meds" prescription turn-in event at the Binghamton Fire Department Training Center at 1 Belden Street in Binghamton tomorrow from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Residents can dispose of their old prescription pills to prevent those meds from falling into the wrong hands. Those attending are asked to avoid to bringing bottles of liquids for disposal. A free Narcan training session will also be held at 1:00 PM, pre-registration is required at Akshar.NYSenate.Gov.

The Friends of Rogers announced a Family Fishing day for tomorrow from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Rogers Environmental Education Center on State Route 80 in Sherburne. More information is available at 607 674-4733.

The Chenango County District Attorney's office announced that 42 year old Melissa Crispell pleaded not guilty to 2 counts of 2nd degree murder, in connection with the death of 58-year-old David Green of Oxford at Green's home. Jeremy Coates pleaded not guilty to 1st degree murder in connection with Green's death, both are being held at the Chenango County Jail.

Chenango County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested a Town of Plymouth man for 3rd degree assault and 2 counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Cameron Rogers was charged following an investigation into a domestic dispute in the Town of Plymouth. Rogers is accused of causing injuries to an unidentified female victim with 2 children present. Rogers was arraigned in the Town of Norwich Court where he was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $1,000 cash bail/$5,000 bond.

State Senator Jim Seward unveiled a collaborative initiative to help dispose of unused prescription medication. 10,000 Deterra™ drug deactivation pouches donated by Mallinckrodt will be available, free of charge, at several area locations; the pouch-based systems deactivate prescription drugs and render chemical compounds safe for landfills. The pouches are also biodegradable, the donation was made to LEAF Council on Alcoholism and Addictions with Bassett Healthcare Network assisting, and the pouches are now available at the LEAF Council at 80 Water Street, Oneonta; Oneonta Fox Care Center Pharmacy, & Bassett Medical Center Pharmacy in Cooperstown. Additional locations and distribution opportunities will be added in the future.

Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee and entrepreneur Floyd Little will speak at Oxford Academy High School tonight at 7:00 pm. This event is free and open to the public. Little will speak about “How to Think Like an Entrepreneur.” He will be joined by Mary Branham, President of Pivotel, and Dr. David Rogers, President of Morrisville State College.

Governor Cuomo released details last night in Malone, regarding the escape of David Sweat & Richard Matt from the Clinton County Correctional Facility in early June.

(Cuomo PM)

Matt was killed by Police Friday, Police caught Sweat last night, he is being treated in an Albany area hospital for 2 gunshot wounds. On June 27, 2015, an autopsy was conducted on the remains of Richard Matt at Albany Medical Center. The autopsy on Matt determined the cause of death to be severe skull fractures and brain injuries due to gunshot wounds to the head, Toxicology results are pending.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation today officially prohibited high-volume hydraulic fracturing in New York State by issuing its formal Findings Statement, completing the state’s 7-year review of this activity. The DEC claims that after their research and examination, Fracking may pose significant adverse impacts to land, air, water, natural resources and potential significant public health impacts that cannot be adequately mitigated.  Hyrdo-fracking was allowed in certain portions of the state from 1979 through 2008, a copy of their "Findings Statement" is available at dec.ny.gov.

State Police confirmed that 31 year old Yishori Hamata, also known as Tyrell Rogers of Morris was found Sunday, in good health, A missing person investigation began June 18, when Hamata's abandoned car was found in New Berlin, More details are expected to be released & the investigation is continuing.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli released 2 audits revealing more than $70 million in questionable Medicaid claims and payments. DiNapoli’s auditors found the state reimbursed providers for excessive services, including 41 dental exams for one patient over three years and identified about a dozen providers that should have been kicked out of the system for wrongdoing. DiNapoli recommended the Department of Health review the overpayments identified and make recoveries, strengthen controls over claims processing to prevent improper payments for excessive services; and review the duplicate Medicaid payments identified and recover, as appropriate. DOH officials generally agreed with the recommendations, but indicated that certain findings were outdated because actions have already been taken to address system shortcomings.

Governor Cuomo announced the availability of free summer meals sites throughout the state to provide children from low-income households with fresh, healthy food when schools are out of session. about 360,000 children received free summer meals in New York in 2014, an increase of 9% from 2013. Children ages 18 and under, and disabled young adults over 18 who are enrolled in school programs for persons with disabilities, can receive the meals & snacks at the summer meals sites, a list of sites can be found at 1-800-522-5006 or visit summermealsny.org.

The Broome County Sheriff’s department arrested 2 Chenango county residents, for allegedly using heroin in Otsiningo Park Saturday, following a complaint from a citizen.  21 year old Michael Verry of Greene was charged with 2 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, & 1 count each of Obstructing Governmental Administration & Resisting Arrest, 24 year old Amber Halko of Oxford was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, and criminal possession of a Hypodermic instrument.  Police confiscated drug paraphernalia, several packages of heroin, hypodermic needles, & controlled prescription drugs, Verry was arraigned & was remanded to the Broome County Jail on bail, and Halko was released on an appearance ticket.

The Delaware County District Attorney's office announced the arrest of 40-year-old David Rogers of Sidney Center, for 1 count each of Forcible Touching & Endangering the welfare of a child.  Rogers is a Level 1 sex offender, he was arraigned in the Town of Sidney Court and sent to the Delaware County Correctional Facility in lieu of $5,000 cash bail & he will reappear in the Town of Sidney Court at a later date.  The Village of Sidney Police Department assisted in the investigation.

The Delaware County Community Services Board seeks proposals For Mental Health Department consolidation.  Interested parties are invited to submit proposals for the consolidation of the Adult Mental Health Clinic, Children and Family Services and Alcohol & Drug Abuse Services to be located at 1 rental location of at least 10,000 sq. feet.  Interested parties may contact Cynthia Heaney, at the Delaware County Mental Health Department at 865-6522 for proposal and submission requirements.