WCDO Radio News

The Bassett Hospital Network will begin to perform elective outpatient surgeries & non-urgent outpatient procedures that had topped with the Governor's executive order in March, when the state faced the potential of not having g enough hospital beds to treat Coronavirus Patients.  In Otsego County, they have not had a positive test in over a week, and will proceed with caution, according to President & CEO of Bassett Healthcare Network Dr. William Streck:

(Streck 5-12-20)

President of Bassett Medical Center Dr. William LaCates also commented:

(LaCates 5-12-20)

The loss of revenue from all of the postponed elective surgeries was a major hit to the Bassett Health care systems bottom line according to Dr. Streck, which he said will take some time to get back to previous levels.

The Sidney, Afton, Bainbridge & Unadilla Chambers of Commerce & My Home Gym are co-sponsoring the fundraising Wipe Out Covid-19 Virtual 5K Walk/Run, on May 23rd to May 30th.  Sidney Chamber President Teri Schunk explains:

(Teri Schunk 5-12-20)

Schunk said that the virtual 5K can be run or walked from any location; People can register at runsignup.com/MyHomeGym2020 or call 320-4024 for more information.

Bassett Healthcare announced that their network is gearing
up to take on the Coronavirus issue, which is something that is larger than
anything they have dealt with before according to Dr. William Streck:

(Dr. William Streck 3-16-20

Bassett Hospital has launched a hotline for people who have
questions or concerns about Coronavirus.
The number is 547-5555; it will provide patients with up-to-date
information 24/7 on the Coronavirus and tell patients what to do if they are
concerned they are showing symptoms.

The Town of Unadilla announced that they are closing the
Town Hall until further notice due to the Coronavirus situation.  All court session are cancelled, any court
payments can be made online, can be mailed or put in the drop box outside, Dog
License & Handicapped applications can be mailed, the date for Dog
Enumeration will be extended until the end of Aprils, and Tax payments may be
mailed or put in the drop box. More information is available at 369-4922 or by
email: unadillaclerk@stny.rr.com

The Sidney Town Clerk's office announced that they will be
closed to the public for 2 weeks due to the ongoing COVID-19 concerns.  Town Clerk Sheila Paul announced that she
will continue to work, all payments, dog licenses, handicap placard
applications, and any other services needed from the Town Clerk’s Office may be
sent by mail or left in the drop box at the Town Office.  More information is available at 561-2334,
237-6394 or by Email: Clerk@townofsidney.com

The State DEC announced that the
statewide ban prohibiting residential brush burning begins today and runs
through May 14th, as conditions for wildfires are heightened in
springtime.  When temperatures are warmer
and the past fall's debris and leaves dry out, wildfires can start and spread
easily and be further fueled by winds and a lack of green vegetation.  More information is available at dec.ny.gov.

State Police CNET officers & Oneonta Police Department executed a search warrant at 5357 State Route 7 in Oneonta's East End. Police arrested 35 year old Benjamin Bockus of Oneonta for multiple counts of Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance, plus Criminal Possession of Marihuana, Criminal Nuisance and 2 counts of Criminally using Drug Paraphernalia. Police seized approximately 48 grams of cocaine, approximately 300 grams of psychedelic mushrooms, concentrated cannabis, 2.5 pounds of marihuana, 3 digital scales, cellular phones, drug packaging material and $7,985.00 in cash. Bockus was arraigned in the Town of Oneonta Court and remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $25,000 cash bail or $50,000 bond.

State Police at Troop C have released the results of their crackdown on impaired drivers over the St. Patrick’s Day weekend. 11 impaired driving arrests were reported by Troop C, while statewide, there were 217 impaired driving arrests in New York State on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Bassett Healthcare Network announced that William Streck will return to the organization to assume the role of President and CEO, following the decision by current CEO Vance Brown to step down effective April 20th, , to pursue opportunities outside of Bassett. Streck served as Bassett’s President & CEO from 1984 to 2014, he then joined the Healthcare Association of New York State as Chief Medical and Health Systems Innovation Officer. Streck will also be tasked with developing a long-term leadership strategy for Bassett Healthcare Network. Last fall, William LeCates, was appointed acting president of Bassett Medical Center and will be president of Bassett Medical Center when the network CEO transition is completed.

State Police arrested 25 year old Chad Darwesh of Schenectady for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia, Unlawful Possession of Marihuana and Controlled Substances in Non-Original Container and several traffic infractions. Troopers observed Darwesh speeding on Interstate 88 in Otego, A passenger 30 year old Michael Horton of Schenectady, was charged with Unlawful Possession of Marihuana. Darwesh was arraigned in the town of Otego Court and remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $1,000 cash bail or $2,000 bond.

Oneonta Mayor Gary Herzig will deliver the annual State of The City Address tonight at 7:00 PM, during the Oneonta Common Council meeting. Prior to the annual address at 6:15, Mayor Herzig will present the annual Trailblazer Awards in the City Hall Lobby.

Delaware County Sheriff Deputy’s arrested 48 year old Michael Wright of Walton for DWI & Aggravated Unlicensed Operation, after deputies observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed in the Town of Tompkins. Wright is also accused of driving with a revoked license; he was arraigned in the Town of Hamden Court & was remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $500 cash bail. Wright is to re-appear in the Town of Tompkins Court at a later date.

Unadilla’s ‘The Village Green” Group, in partnership with Unadilla 1st United Methodist Church, has scheduled a Community Workday & Tree Planting Ceremony Saturday, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the United Methodist Church and Parsonage, on Main St in Unadilla. The Workday will wrap up with a Fruit Tree Planting Ceremony to be held at 2:00 pm; Lunch, snacks and hot drinks will be provided.

A fundraiser for the Delaware Valley Humane Society will be held this Sunday at the Houndstooth Bakery & Boutique on Main Street in Sidney, where area pet owners can have pictures of their pets professionally taken for the holidays. The event will run from 10:00 until 2:00 PM, more information is available at 563-7780 or 563-2275.

The American Red Cross continues to look for all types of blood for donation, with another blood drive in Oxford tomorrow. Those interested in donating can download the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donors can now use the Blood Donor App to access their donor card and view vital signs from previous donations. The Oxford blood drive will be Saturday from 7:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the American Legion Post 376, at 17 South Washington Street.

Bassett Healthcare Network has moved its Edmeston practice, known as the Dr. William Streck Health Center, to Pathfinder Village. An Open House will be held today, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, the new health center is located just east of Pathfinder Village on a new access road, Turner Lane, at State Route 80. The new 3,800 square foot Streck Health Center has 4 exam rooms,

State Police arrested 31-year-old Dax Marshall of Oneonta for aggravated driving while intoxicated with a B.A.C. result of .18%, more than twice the legal limit. This arrest occurred after a traffic stop for speeding on East End Avenue in the City of Oneonta. Marshall was issued tickets for City of Oneonta court.

Pathfinder Village of Edmeston, announced that a Donor & press event for the new $1.2 million Dr. William Streck Community Health Center would be held on Friday November 6th from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. The new 3,800 square foot Health Center is just east of Pathfinder Village, off of State Route 80, Pathfinder Village will lease the new facility to Bassett Healthcare Network, which will oversee medical operations. The new health center replaces an older, smaller clinic in Edmeston, and is expected to offer expanded access to healthcare services to area residents.

State Police arrested 30-year-old Todd Hamilton of Unadilla for menacing, criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a controlled substance, 35-year-old Nathan Diamond of Unadilla and 33-year-old Jodi Babcock of Sidney for criminal possession of a controlled substance on Thursday. Troopers responded to report of a two men fighting in a car in Preston. Hamilton was driving, he allegedly tried to stab Diamond with a knife, and Babcock called 911. The 3 were found to be in possession of heroin, they were arraigned in Town of Oxford court and were remanded to the Chenango County jail on bail pending court action Tuesday.

State Police arrested 19-year-old Daniel Dumond of Milford for DWI & unauthorized use of a vehicle. The arrest occurred after troopers responded to a single car accident on Upper Dutch Hill Road in the Town of Milford. Dumond was driving while intoxicated when he rolled the vehicle, he was driving the 2004 Pontiac Grand Am without permission from the owner. Dumond was issued tickets returnable to the Town of Milford court on November 3rd.

The Delaware County Sheriff's Office and State Police arrested 32-year-old Erin Harrington of Unadilla, on charges of forgery & petty larceny. Harrington is accused of stealing money from the Sidney Youth Football Program following a recent fundraising event. Harrington is further accused of then trying to cover up her theft by creating a fictitious document purporting to be from the Sheriff's Office to try to convince officials that the money had been stolen from the Harrington residence during a burglary that did not happen. Harrington was also issued traffic tickets charging her with operating an uninsured motor vehicle with a suspended registration. Harrington was and released on recognizance pending a future appearance in the Town of Sidney Court.

Pathfinder Village of Edmeston, announced that a Donor & press event for the new $1.2 million Dr. William Streck Community Health Center would be held on Friday November 6th from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. The new 3,800 sq. ft. Streck Health Center is just east of Pathfinder Village, off of NYS Route 80, Pathfinder Village will lease the new facility to Bassett Healthcare Network, which will oversee medical operations. The new health center replaces an older, smaller clinic in Edmeston, and is expected to offer expanded access to healthcare services to area residents.

The public is invited to join the Bassett Healthcare Network in saluting Dr. William Streck today. 3 receptions will be held today on the Bassett Medical Center terrace in Cooperstown from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.; noon to 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.  Dr. Streck will retire from Bassett July 1st.

The Sidney Police Department advises that the following parking restrictions and street closings will be in effect for the Hometown Day Parade Saturday.  No Parking rules in effect on Main Street and River Street from 7:00 AM to the conclusion of the parade.  Streets closed to traffic will be at 10:00 AM, Circle Drive from Fox Street to West Main Street, at 11:30 Main Street at State Route 7, West Main Street from Loomis Drive to Main Street, East Main Street from Beale to Main Street & River Street from Colegrove to Main Street.

State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said he wants lawmakers to accelerate increases to the minimum wage and pass the Dream Act before adjourning their session next month. Silver said he doesn't want to wait until next year to pass the Dream Act, which would extend state financial aid to students in the country illegally. Silver also supports raising the $8-per-hour minimum age to $9 at the end of this year, with automatic increases tied to inflation. Currently, the wage is set to go to $9 at the end of 2015. Silver said he also supports implementing a broad public financing law for statewide campaigns

The Pathfinder Village Board of Directors announces plans to build a new $1.2 million community healthcare center in Edmeston.   Last month, the Pathfinder board approved building a 3,800 sq. ft. facility, named as the “DR. WILLIAM F. STRECK COMMUNITY HEALTH CLINIC” it will be located on State Route 80; it was named to recognize Dr. Streck's contributions   during his tenure with Bassett Healthcare and Pathfinder Village. Construction is expected to begin in May 2015. More information is available at pathfindervillage.org.

14 people were taken into custody in Broome County Wednesday on a variety of drug trafficking charges.  Arraignments began in US District court in Binghamton yesterday, Federal Prosecutors announced that all of those taken into custody were members of the Bloods Street Gang, & were known as "MacBallers."  Prosecutors accuse the arrested as being part of a large drug trafficking ring that operated out of New York City and into the Southern tier, distributing large quantities of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana since 2009.

The Otsego County sheriff’s department arrested 24-year-old Kristen Rudnitsky of Oneonta for allegedly stealing & selling a vehicle last year.  The investigation alleges that Rudnitsky forged the owner’s name on DMV documents and sold the vehicle to a Binghamton resident.  Rudnitsky was already in the Otsego County Jail on drug charges, she was arraigned in town of Oneonta Court & was returned to the County Jail, faces action on the new charges in April.

Bassett Healthcare Network announced that Dr. Vance Brown or Portland Maine has been selected as President and Chief Executive Officer, starting July 1st.  Dr. Brown will replace Doctor William Streck, who is retiring this year after 30 years at Bassett.  Dr. Brown comes to Bassett from Maine Health in Portland, where he has been Chief Medical Officer since 2008.

State Police arrested 31-year-old Jason Barnhart of Bloomville on charges of DWI & reckless driving.  Barnhart is accused of driving while intoxicated on state route 10 through Delaware county, at speeds around 100 miles an hour, and for throwing a beer can out of his vehicle.  Barnhart will appear in Kortright town court on April 15th to answer the charges.