WCDO Radio News

Governor Cuomo announced that the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy has commended the State's program that trains law enforcement officers to administer naloxone, to reverse heroin and opioid overdoses. 1,400 police officers from 54 counties have attended the State's training, and emergency responders have used the naloxone to save the lives of 38 New Yorkers who had overdosed. Governor Cuomo also announced a new public awareness and education campaign featuring a website, combatheroin.ny.gov.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, has awarded $197 million to New York State, to help finance improvements to water projects to protect public health and the environment. The money will be used to upgrade sewage plants and drinking water systems throughout the state. This funding, which is awarded annually, is in addition to the $340 million NY recently received for Hurricane Sandy resiliency projects

New York City will buy homes and businesses in flood zones in the watershed areas. The one-two punch of tropical storms Irene and Lee in 2011 has prompted an additional $70 million of spending by the city to combat flood hazards. City officials said the programs would protect the water while helping the towns that participate. The city agency will earmark at least $15 million, through 2017, to buy vulnerable homes and businesses, including those not eligible under the FEMA flood buyout program. The city also will provide $17 million to the Catskill Watershed Corporation, which implements protection programs, for flood hazard mitigation in those communities.

The U.S. House of Representatives adopted an amendment introduced by area Congressman Chris Gibson that increases funding to combat the heroin epidemic plaguing Upstate New York communities. The amendment to the Fiscal Year 2015 Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Bill increases the account for the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force by $4 million. The Task Force supports multi-jurisdictional investigations to target drug traffickers.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and more than 4,200 national, tribal, and community law enforcement partners will hold another National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day tomorrow.  Americans can take their pills to one of over 5,600 collection sites across the country between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM, the service is free and anonymous. The public can find a nearby collection site by visiting www.dea.gov (http://link.rushprnews.com/c/443/af408235670c694d0adc387d0c51374638b951c789df93ab4aee75a3d160f28c), clicking on the “Got Drugs?” icon, and following the links to a database where they enter their zip code, or they can call 800-882-9539 (tel:800-882-9539).

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office executed a “no knock” search warrant at a residence in the Village of Sherburne and a vehicle parked at the Big M in Sherburne.  The Narcotics Division arrested 31-year-old Dustin Norris of Sherburne, who was found to be in possession of a substantial amount of heroin & cash. The recovered heroin was found in close to proximity to two young children in the vehicle. Several needles, packaging material, and paraphernalia were also located at his residence.  Norris was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. He was arraigned in the Village of Sherburne Court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $50,000 cash bail.  The investigation is ongoing and more arrests are pending.

State officials say New York hunters killed 1,358 black bears during the 2013 hunting season, the second-highest number on record.  Figures released by the DEC show hunters killed a record 636 bears from the Southeastern hunting area and a near record 342 from the Central-Western area. The agency said the high numbers reflect a growing bear population. The DEC released a draft bear management plan for public comment in January. It proposed several changes, including expanding the area open to bear hunting to encompass all of upstate New York.  Go to dec.ny.gov

State environmental regulators remind New Yorkers that residential brush burning is prohibited in towns, with less than 20,000 residents until May 14th, because of increased risk of fires during spring months. The DEC said wildfires can start and spread due to open burning of debris and dried out foliage. The open burning of debris is the largest cause of wildfire in the state. People who violate the regulation are subject to both criminal and civil law enforcement, with a minimum fine of $500 for the first offense. To report environmental law violations call 1-800-TIPP DEC

The Otsego County Sheriff's Dept. arrested 47-year-old Rich Compitello of Worcester after officials seized $35,000 in drugs from his residence.  Compitello was charged with criminal possession of marijuana,  criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal possession of a weapon and unlawfully growing of cannabis by an unlicensed person. Deputies & agents from the Drug Enforcement Agency seized 6 pounds of marijuana, 10 grams of psychedelic mushrooms, a digital electronic scale, a blackjack, a dagger, $1,688 in cash and several loaded high-powered rifles and shotguns. An additional 17 marijuana plants and more than a pound of loose marijuana, as well as a loaded .22-caliber rifle, were seized from a separate building. Compitello was sent to the county jail on $2,500 bail to re-appear February 20th.