WCDO Radio News

Emergency crews & DEC officials have responded to a CSX Train derailment in The Mohawk valley this morning, where 2 dozen cars fell off the tracks, spilling loads on adjacent State Route 5 at around 8:00 this morning.  2 people were injured; State routes 5 & 10 will be closed for a couple of days for the clean up.  Amtrak announced that they would have to make schedules changes away from the affected line, more information is available at the Amtrak website or at 1-800-USA-RAIL.

State lawmakers voted to exempt retired police from restrictions from the New York SAFE ACT, on large-capacity magazines and guns classified as assault weapons.  The legislation passed Friday, the exemption would apply to officers who bought or were issued restricted weapons in the course of their duties and who retired in good standing.  The new law stipulates that the officers would still have to re-qualify for right after they retire and they are still required to register those guns.

NYSEG officials announced that they are taking measures to prepare for a summer of hot temperatures.  NYSEG accelerated reliability practices including Vegetation management, comprehensive maintenance, visual and infrared inspections of equipment, Helicopter patrols of key facilities and high-tech inspections and testing of substation equipment.  Information of how to keep electricity use down in the hot summer months is available at nyseg.com/UsageAndSafety (http://www.nyseg.com/UsageAndSafety/usingenergywisely/default.html).

Teen drug use continues to be problematic with new drugs like synthetic marijuana, bath salts, & “Mollies” joining substances like heroin, prescription pain pills, stimulants, cocaine & stronger grades of marijuana in the last year.  Dave Ramsey is the Executive Director of the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council of Delaware County; he mentions some of the changed behaviors that teens may exhibit when they experiment with these drugs:

(Dave Ramsey 6-27-13)

The Drug Enforcement Administration announced 150 arrests yesterday of those who were involved in trafficking bath salts and synthetic marijuana here, DEA officials said that the added problem is that the money from the sale of these drugs goes to the Middle East and the often goes to suspected terrorists groups.

NYSERDA is offering grants for projects that will stimulate environmentally friendly, sustainable economic growth consistent with the Regional Sustainability and REDC plans. This funding is available through Phase II of the Cleaner, Greener Communities Program. Funding Categories include Streamlined Permitting, Comprehensive Planning, & Capital Projects.   Applicants must include a scope of work, budget, and project timeline with application, which is due August 12th.

Hospice Chenango announces the 2nd Annual “We Honor Veterans” motorcycle ride to benefit Hospice. The ride will take place on August 10th, the money raised will be allocated to provide services to Veterans who reside in Chenango County and opt for Hospice care. The ride and is open to any rider and passenger for a fee of $10.00 per person. Registration will begin at 9:30am at the American Legion Post at 29 Sheldon Street in Norwich.  More information is available about Hospice at hospicechenango.org.

Fire destroyed Upturn Industries at 2 Whitney Way in Bainbridge this morning.  The fire was reported at around 6:00 AM, crews from Bainbridge, Afton, Sidney, Masonville & Unadilla and several other departments responded, the cause of the fire is under investigation.  Upturn manufactured aerospace components at the site, employing 30 people.

The state assembly is looking into ways to try to stop the continuing problem of state government leadership breaking the laws that they have implemented.  Area assemblyman Cliff Crouch comments:

(Crouch 5-30-13)

State senate leaders Joe Bruno, Pedro Espada, Hiram Monseratte, Malcolm Smith and John Sampson have all been investigated, arrested or prosecuted for crimes that were allegedly committed while in office, the Smith & Sampson cases are the most recent, both men face court action shortly.

The Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council of Delaware County has included forms online for “Pledges” that parents of teenagers can use to try to get a handle on under aged drinking.  Council executive director Dave Ramsey explains:

(Dave Ramsey 5-30-13)

Ramsey said that both pledges are available through the council’s “Facebook” page, also the latest information about alcohol & drug abuse can be found on the council website: adaconline.org.

State Police in Oneonta arrested 22-year-old Erin Grant of Oneonta for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. The arrest resulted from a complaint in Oneonta; Grant was issued an Appearance Ticket returnable in the Town of Oneonta Court on June 4th.

Governor Cuomo addressed 192 new members of the State Police at the 199th session graduation ceremony from the State Police Academy. The new troopers will report for field duty on June 3rd or July 8th, then for 10 weeks the new troopers will be evaluated under a field-training program supervised by senior Field Training Officers, about 35 recruits will be reporting to TROOP C in SIDNEY.

The Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task Force arrested 3 people on drug charges in Binghamton, Investigators discovered that “Jamell Shannon” had given them a false name; he has now been identified as 29-year-old Jamell Fisher.   Fisher is wanted in Connecticut for 1st degree Assault, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Criminal Use of Firearm, Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm & 1st degree Reckless Endangerment in connection with an October 2011 shooting.    Fisher was charged as a Fugitive from Justice, False Personation, and 2nd degree Forgery, he was arraigned in the City of Binghamton Court and was remanded to the custody of the Broome County Sheriff’s Correctional Facility pending future court action.

State police & Chenango county emergency crews responded to a tractor-trailer accident on state route 8 in south New Berlin, at around 6:20 this morning.  The road was closed off through the afternoon for the clean up & accident reconstruction, traffic was rerouted to Chenango county route 18.

April is alcohol & drug abuse aware ness month, and Delaware count6y officials are trying to combat the persistent problem of underage drinking, and the parental thought that alcohol is not dangerous and is a “Right of passage”.  Dave Ramsey of the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council of Delaware County said that Parents can make a pledge & change that perception:

(Dave Ramsey 4-17-13)

Ramsey said that the council will help parents & comminutes with starting more positive ways to stop underage drinking, information is available at 746-8300 of at adaconline.org

34-year-old Jaella Davis of Binghamton has been charged with 1st degree assault, following a domestic dispute.  Davis is accused of stabbing her boyfriend, he was brought to Lourdes Hospital where he was treated for a stab wound that was not life threatening.  Davis face arraignment today in Binghamton city court.

Lawmakers in Albany are now working on campaign finance reform proposals, designed to open up the process to everyone who wants to run for public office.  Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver comments:

(Silver 4-17-13)

The state assembly & state senate are both back to work this week, they are also expected to deal with tightening up ethics reforms after the recent string of arrests of 4 state lawmakers from New York City.

Delaware county public health announced a Free Rabies Vaccination Clinic For dogs, cats, and ferrets at Davenport Fire Hall has been rescheduled for tonight at the Stamford Highway Garage on Railroad Avenue tonight from 6:00 PM to 8:00 Pm.  More information about rabies vaccinations is available at 832-5200 or at delawarecountypublichealth.com

State officials are alerting residents to potential scams that purport to be for the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing on Monday.  Officials remind new Yorkers to only Contribute to known and verifiable charities, who can be researched through the Department of State Division of Consumer Protection, the State Attorney General, the IRS and the Better Business Bureau. Legitimate charities are listed at oag.state.ny.us or through Guidestar (http://www.guidestar.org/), American Institute of Philanthropy (http://www.charitywatch.org/), and Charity Navigator (http://www.charitynavigator.org/).

NYSEG has begun inspecting wooden transmission poles in their Binghamton Division for decay and other damage. These poles are the first of nearly 19,000 wooden transmission and distribution poles that will be inspected across the NYSEG service area this year, all in an effort to help head off potential problems that could lead to power interruptions. Oneonta Division inspections will occur over the summer months.

Multiple area fire departments responded this morning to a structure fire at 348 Chestnut Street in Oneonta.  The fire was reported at around 9:30 AM with fire fighters called in from as far away as Sidney.  The fire was brought under control in about 1 hour; the cause of the fire is under investigation.

The Chenango county sheriffs department, Norwich city police and from the US Marshals, apprehended Shawn Fowlston in a room at the Sherburne Motel last night.  Fowlston was wanted on 2 warrants for forcible touching and harassment.  Fowlston had been released on parole on Monday following a recent conviction for 3rd degree rape; the alleged incident occurred on Tuesday, Fowlston faces action in Norwich city court today.

There have been alarming changes in the drugs used illegally in Delaware County in the last year, with the comeback of one drug particularly troublesome, according to Delaware county sheriff Tom Mills:

(Sheriff Tom Mills 4-4-13)

Mills said that strong Marijuana is also a problem, leading many to gateway into heroin.  Another problem is prescription medications making there way out of the medicine cabinet & into the black market, according to Dave Ramsey of the Delaware county Alcohol & drug Abuse council:

(Dave Ramsey 4-4-13)

Those who have questions about heroin, prescription pain medications or other abused substances can call the council at 746-8300.

The Chenango county sheriffs department arrested 27-year-old Brad Perry of Plymouth for unlawful possession of marijuana, & 22-year-old Todd Williams for failure to appear.  The arrests followed a traffic stop in oxford Monday; Perry was issued an appearance ticket for oxford court at a later date.  Williams was taken into custody and was transferred over to the Norwich City Police Department for failing to appear in court to answer to a charge of disorderly conduct.

New York State Assemblyman Eric Stevenson of the Bronx & 4 others have been arrested by the FBI on Bribery, Conspiracy & other charges.  Another state assembly member is unidentified, but was listed in a sealed indictment and is cooperating with authorities in the corruption probe.   Stevenson is accused of receiving $19,000 in cash from 3 businessmen seeking preferential treatment for their businesses.

State Troopers arrested 21-year-old Michael Nodine of Sidney for Criminal Possession of Marihuana and Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs. The arrest was the result of a traffic stop for failing to obey the "Move Over Law" in Oneonta, Nodine was released on an Appearance Ticket returnable to the Town of Oneonta Court on April 23rd.

Spring Valley Mayor Noramie Jasmin (http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/04/02/sen-malcolm-smith-arrested-in-alleged-plot-to-rig-nyc-mayors-race/) was charged Tuesday with mail fraud as part of the corruption case involving former State senator Majority Leader Malcolm Smith.  Jasmin is accused of voting to approve a development in exchange for receiving a secret part ownership of the land where the development would be built.  Spring Valley Deputy Mayor Joseph Desmaret has also been charged with mail fraud, all 6 involved in the Malcolm Smith case face court action on April 23rd.

The New York State Office of General Services announced that surplus vehicle auctions will be held on May 23rd at 9:30 at the DOT facility at 241 Colesville road in Binghamton and SUNY Binghamton.  More information is available at ogs.ny.gov (mailto:ogs.ny.gov), or at  (518) 457-6335.

New York state passed “Social Host” laws a few years ago, that made it illegal for parents to host parties where underage alcoholic drinking in their homes.  Dave Ramsey of the Delaware county alcohol & drug abuse council explains the law, as part of the recognition of April as “Alcohol Awareness Month”:

(Dave Ramsey 4-2-13)

Ramsey said that brain research in recent years shows that the brain does not reach its peak until around age 25, and the entering of alcohol to the brain prior to the age leads to cognitive difficulties and the stunting of an individual reaching their full potential.  More information is available by calling the council at 746-8300.

State Troopers arrested 45-year-old Edward Ladd of Binghamton for Driving While Intoxicated with a BAC of .16%, twice the legal limit. The arrest followed a traffic stop on Interstate 88 for Failure to Move Over for an Emergency Vehicle; Ladd was issued tickets returnable to the Town of Fenton Court on April 18th.

State Troopers arrested 51-year-old Eve Pierson of Cooperstown for Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs. The arrest resulted from a 911 complaint of an erratic operator on State Route 28 in Milford; Pierson was issued tickets returnable to the Town of Milford Court on April 16th.

NYSEG reminds contractors and customers to call Dig Safely New York at 811 to have underground facilities marked before beginning any excavation work. Every year, there are dozens of incidents of third-party damage of NYSEG’s underground natural gas and electric facilities. These incidents can put people’s lives in danger, are costly and can interrupt essential utility service.  More information is available at 1-800-962-7962 or at www.digsafelynewyork.com (http://www.digsafelynewyork.com/).

Delaware County Deputies arrested 24-year-old Kyle Alverson of Delhi for 3rd degree Criminal Mischief, following an incident on Glen Burnie Rd in the town of Delhi, Alverson released on an appearance for April 9th, in the Town of Delhi Court.

Binghamton police arrested 31-year-old Bryan Coole of Binghamton following traffic stop.  Police confiscated 20 bags of heroin from Coole’s car during the traffic stop, he was charged with 3rd degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and is scheduled to be arraigned the City of Binghamton Court.

Democratic State Senator Malcolm Smith of Queens, New York City Councilman Dan Halloran and Republican County Chairmen Joseph Savino of the Bronx and Vincent Tabone of queens, were arrested today by the FBI, for allegedly hatching a scheme to allow smith to run for New York City mayor under the less populated republican line.  Smith Is accused of arranging for a real estate developer to fund bribes, and Halloran is accused of negotiating the payments to be $40,000, the developer was actually an undercover officer.  More arrested are anticipated shortly.  Smith previously served as the state senate majority leader, he scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon in Westchester County.

Law enforcement officials in Delaware county, and all surrounding counties, have seen a turn in the abuse of substances like alcohol, to prescription pain killer and heroin in the last 1 to 2 years.  Dave Ramsey of the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council of Delaware County explains:

(Dave Ramsey 2-27-13)

Ramsey said emergency rooms are also seeing an increase in the combining of these substances leading to overdoses; his office can be contacted for help or interventions at 746-8300, or at adaconline.org.

Delhi village officials will host a public information meeting tonight regarding a potential natural gas distribution franchise within the village. The meeting will be held at 7:00 PM at the Delhi Fire Hall.  Leatherstocking Gas Company LLC will give a presentation, as they seek franchises from the village and town to distribute natural gas from the proposed Constitution Pipeline.

State Troopers in Norwich arrested 17-year-old Joseph Jackson of Oxford, for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Marihuana. The arrest resulted from a traffic stop on State Route 220, in Preston; Jackson was issued an Appearance Ticket returnable to the Town of Preston Court on March 5th.

The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance announced that New Yorkers can now check their eligibility and apply for certain benefits in 8 languages at myBenefits.ny.gov.  Governor Cuomo issued Executive Order in 2011 requiring that "vital documents" be translated into the "six most common non-English languages spoken by individuals in the State.   So far over 330,000 SNAP applications have been submitted via myBenefits.ny.gov.

Delaware County Deputies investigated a one-car fatal motor vehicle accident on County Hwy 2 in the Town of Andes Saturday.  58 year old Karen Lane of Warwick was traveling North on County Hwy 2 when her vehicle left the roadway and overturned several times, ejecting Lane from the vehicle.  Lane was not wearing a seatbelt; she was pronounced Lane dead at the scene.

Over the last 4 to 5 years, there has been a dramatic turn by teens from alcohol abuse, to additional abuses of heroin and prescription pain pills.  Dave Ramsey of the Alcohol & drug abuse council of Delaware County said that a real danger exists when teens begin combining these drugs:

(Dave Ramsey 2-4-13

Ramsey said that his office performs interventions, more information about that is available by calling the council at 746-8300, additional information about drug & alcohol abuse is available on their website at adaconline.org.

Organizers of the Delaware county fair announced the lineup today for entertainment at this year’s fair in Walton.   The Delaware County Fair Board announced that country music act Montgomery Gentry would return, on Saturday, August 18th.  Also on the bill will be country music acts Aaron Kelly and Lindsey Erin.

State DEC Commissioner Joe Martens addressed a joint session of the legislature in Albany this morning, regarding the future of Hydraulic fracturing in the Marcellus Shale in this region of the southern tier of the state.  Martens was expecting questions about the finding of the DEC regarding health issues, water & air concerns with regards to natural gas drilling.  The state moratorium on drilling has been in place for 4 ½ years, in that time the DEC has addressed thousands of comments from those both for & against the continuation of hydraulic fracturing.

There will be no Crappie Derby in Whitney Point again this year.   Organizers have cancelled the event because the ice is not thick enough for the 2nd straight year.  Broome County Department of Parks and Recreation officials measured the ice this morning and found out that there was only 8 inches of Ice, not enough for the event to be held safely.

Commerce Chenango and NBT Bank will host the 2013 Annual Economic Forecast Breakfast featuring keynote speaker Binghamton University president Harvey Stenger; the breakfast will take place on February 13th at The Silo Restaurant in Greene on February 13th.   Stenger will share an overview of the University and his efforts to enhance economic development in the Southern Tier. Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. Chamber members may attend for $25.00 and non-members for $35.00; more information is available at 334-1400.

Police and hospitals are noticing an increase in the abuse of prescription painkillers at an alarming increase.  Dave Ramsey of the Alcohol & drug abuse council of Delaware county comments:

(Dave Ramsey 1-4-13)

New York state passed legislation last year to begin the “I-Stop” program, where prescriptions are sent electronically to pharmacies where databases can track the prescribing and dispensing of controlled prescription drugs to patients, in order to stop suspected abuse or diversion and provide doctors and pharmacists with real-time information on a patients’ prescription drug history, & who might be “doctor shopping”.

The Tri-Town Theater is looking to unearth local talent, with their “First Saturday” open Mike nights starting tomorrow in Sidney.  Spokesperson Andrea Whiteside explains:

(Andrea Whiteside 1-4-13)

The First Saturday Coffee House nights will be held at the new location for the Tri Town Theater at the former Masonic Temple on Union Street in Sidney, more information is available at 563-8690.

Republican Assemblyman Pete Lopez will be sworn in as the representative for the new 102nd Assembly District. The ceremony will be held at the Schoharie County Courthouse in the Village of Schoharie at 6:00 p.m. tonight.

The Chenango county sheriff’s department arrested 19-year-old Justin Pezzino of Greene for Unlawful Possession of Marihuana.   Pezzino was charged following a traffic stop in the Town of Greene, he was given an appearance ticket for the Town of Greene Court at a later date.

The Delaware County Sheriffs Office arrested Michael Janitz of Oneonta, on a New York State Parole Warrant.  Janitz was remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility to await further proceedings from New York State Division of Parole.

The Chenango county sheriffs department arrested 26-year-old Diana Essig of Coventry on an active Arrest Warrant out of the Town of Bainbridge Court for 2nd degree forgery & Petty Larceny.  Deputies arrested Essig after she was released from the Chenango County Correctional Facility on unrelated charges; she was arraigned at the Town of Bainbridge Court & was remanded back to the Chenango County Jail on $1,000 cash bail.  She is to reappear in the Town of Bainbridge Court at a later date.

The Sidney town board has called a special meeting for Thursday January 10th at 7:00 PM in the Sidney civic center board room.  The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the draft moratorium on gas drilling, it will be distributed to board members, if it is acceptable to the majority of the board, it will be sent to Delaware county for a general municipal law review.