WCDO Radio News

New York Secretary of State Walter Mosley announced the groundbreaking of a $8.3 million boutique hotel in Norwich as part of the City’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative . The Principle Hotel will have 61 rooms and feature a rooftop lounge, restaurant and event room, The 12,000 square-foot property at 14-16 South Broad Street, was once part of the SUNY Morrisville campus. In addition to the hotel, other DRI projects in Norwich include the Rehabilitation of the Unguentine Building, Improve East and West parks: Upgrade the Martin W. Kappel Theater, Enhance the American Avenue Streetscape & Rehabilitate the Heritage Building.

The New York State Department of Health today released a new report showing a continued decline in tobacco use among high school students across the state. The report, shows that 1 in 6 Youth Still Use Tobacco, the lowest since tracking began in 2000. Cigarette smoking remains low, with just over 2% of students reporting current use, E-cigarette use has declined sharply to about 13%, however, Nicotine pouch use is rising, doubling from 1.5% to 3.0% since 2022.

A.M. NEWS Thursday 10-23-25

Governor Kathy Hochul & State Police Superintendent Steven James honored 238 new State Troopers as they graduated Wednesday from the 217th session of the Basic School of the New York State Police Academy. The ceremony was held at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany. Today’s graduation increases the State Police ranks to approximately 5,110 sworn members, about 60 of the new troopers were assigned to Troop C in Sidney.

On October 16 at 10:48 p.m., Otsego County requested Forest Ranger assistance in the search for a hunter reported missing by his spouse. The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office, Otsego County Emergency Services, Garratsville Fire Department, Laurens Fire Department, New York State Police, and New York State Park Police and staff all joined the search efforts in Gilbert Lake State Park. Otsego County Sheriff’s Deputy’s located the 67-year-old from Remsen deceased in a tree stand. Rangers used a rope system to help extricate the subject and turned them over to the county coroner, the cause of death has not been released.

The Delaware County Business Alliance will recognize several businesses and groups for their service to the county’s business community at its 2025 Business Awards celebration on August 20 at Stonewall Estate in DeLancey. Alliance President Ray Pucci told WCDO News about this year's winners:

(Ray Pucci 7-21-25)

Tickets for the dinner event are $95 per person. Reservations are required and may be made under the Events column at DelawareCounty.org.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 7-21-25

Warren County 911 received a call from 45 year old Luciano Frattolin of Canada, reporting his 9-year-old daughter Melina Frattolin was missing, with a possible abduction, in Lake George. As the case progressed, law enforcement identified inconsistencies in the father’s account of events and the timeline he provided. The girl was found dead in Ticonderoga, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office has turned the investigation over to State Police. Luciano Frattolin, has been arrested and is currently being held at the Essex County Jail, Luciano Frattolin, the father of Melina Frattolin, was charged with second-degree murder and concealing of a corpse, The investigation is ongoing,

State Police are investigating the accidental death of a East Branch Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Jason McGlone Thursday night, who was responding to a report of a vehicle that had struck a utility pole on State Highway 30 in the town of Hancock. A preliminary investigation determined that a low-hanging electrical wire was in contact with the top of the fire truck, when Assistant Chief McGlone exited the vehicle and made contact with the metal door and the ground, he was electrocuted and was pronounced deceased. The original crash involved a pickup truck operated by 54 year old Joseph Bellows of Downsville that veered off the roadway, struck a guardrail and utility pole. He was transported to Delaware Valley Hospital, he was charged with Driving While Intoxicated & was issued appearance tickets for Hancock Town Court on September 8th, 2025. The investigation into the firefighter’s death remains ongoing.

Sidney EMS & State Police responded to a motor vehicle accident on Delaware County Route 4 in Sidney, initial reports suggested that a vehicle rolled off the roadway with 3 possible injuries Sunday at about 5:40 PM Sunday, injured occupants were taken to area hospitals for the treatment of injuries, the cause of the crash is under investigation, The Operator was identified as 20 year old Kadance Maus of Walton.

Chenango County Sherriff’s Office Deputies arrested 48 year old Jeffrey Bolster of Sidney after investigating a complaint of 2 horses that were stolen from Guilford.  Good Samaritan’s found the horses & brought them to their home & contacted the Sheriff’s Office, deputies determined that Bolster owned the horses; a Veterinarian determined that the horses were receiving inadequate care and nutrition.   Bolster relinquished custody of the horses after being charged with Overdriving, torturing and injuring animals; failure to provide proper sustenance, & other similar charges, Bolster was issued an appearance ticket for Guilford Town Court at a later date.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli released the latest Municipal Audits, Locally; Otsego County officials adequately assessed the impact of the pandemic on financial operations while developing estimates for revenues and expenditures in their 2021 budget.  DiNapoli's Audit of the East Meredith Fire District stated that the board did not establish adequate controls over cash receipts and disbursements, did not segregate duties or provide oversight to ensure the treasurer accurately recorded transactions.   The Audit of the Franklin-Treadwell Fire District reported that district officials had good controls over disbursements, the board did not always provide adequate oversight of the treasurer's activities & their Board of Fire Commissioners did not properly segregate duties over disbursements that could lead to

inappropriate transactions.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 6-4-21

Delaware County Public Health announced their weekly COVID statistics Thursday.  They had 12 new cases in the last week, with 16 active cases, 3 hospitalized & 23 in quarantine.  Delaware County has had a total of 2397 cases since the pandemic started with 47 deaths & 2334 recoveries.

The Afton Open Air Market will take place Saturday, from 9:00 AM to  3:00 PM  with free parking in the Suburban Propane Parking Lot.  50 local merchants are participating, there will be horse drawn carriage rides around Afton Lake, and a can & bottle drive to benefit the Afton area not for profit organization "HALos"

The Delhi Village Police Department responded Saturday to a report of a 44-year-old female who was unconscious and not breathing at an Elm Street residence in the Village of Delhi.  Police determined that her symptoms were consistent with an opioid overdose, they administered Narcan, EMT, arrived & transported her by ambulance to the O’Connor Hospital.  On May 25th, Delhi Village Police responded to a report of a man who had collapsed in his home on Bridge Street, police found a 69-year-old male who was exhibiting signs of an opioid overdose, & discovered that the man had recently used heroin. Officers administered Narcan and remained on scene with the patient until relieved by EMS.  Police believe that the 2 incidents were not related.

Delaware County Sheriff’s
Deputies and Delhi Fire Department and Emergency Squad responded Monday Evening
to a reported tractor-trailer accident at the intersection of County Highway 2
and East Terry Clove Road in the Town of Delhi. 35 year-old David Stanton of
Oneonta was the operator of the tractor trailer loaded with logs; it
jack-knifed on the slush covered roadway and partially rolled onto its side as
Stanton attempted a left turn.  Stanton
was not injured in the accident, but the highway remained closed for several
hours for the cleanup.

State Police and the Otsego County Sheriff’s Department were
dispatched to a report of a pedestrian struck by a tractor trailer with a dump
trailer Wednesday at approximately 1:44 p.m., on County Road 22 in Schuyler
Lake.    An initial investigation reveals
that the tractor trailer with the dump trailer was traveling on County Road 22
when 47 year old Clarence Travis of Exeter stepped into the path & was
struck.  Travis was taken to a Utica Hospital
& succumbed to his injuries, the driver of the tractor trailer was not
injured, and the incident remains under investigation.

The Sidney Town Clerk’s office announced that they will be
closed to the public next week due to the ongoing COVID-19 concerns.  Town Clerk Sheila Paul announced that 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 at 44 Grand Street.  More
information is available at 561-2334, 237-6394 or by Email:
Clerk@townofsidney.com

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released the new East
Sidney Lake Master Plan to serve as a guiding document for decision making at
the lake for the next 15 to 25 years.
The Plan includes land use classifications that govern the way land is
managed and used as well as outdoor recreation to meet the needs of the
public.    The final Master Plan, previous
master plans and additional information can be found on the project website
nab.usace.army.

The City of Norwich has appointed Lorraine Keckeisen as
their new Grants Coordinator; she will identify potential Federal, State,
County and private grant funds to address the needs of the City of
Norwich.  Keckeisen is a member of the
Sidney Rotary Club & She leads the Tri-Town Coalition on Substance Abuse
Prevention.

The Sidney Central School District and Village of Sidney
will co-sponsor an American Red Cross Citizen Preparedness Corps training this
evening, Sidney Village Mayor Andy Matviak urges area residents to attend:

(Andy Matviak 10-10-19)

The training session will run from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at the
Sidney Central School auditorium. There is no cost to attend, No RSVP is
necessary, but residents are encouraged to arrive early.

Funding is available for qualified households located within 250 feet of the Goodyear Lake Shoreline, for septic system improvements; more information is available by calling the Otsego County Planning Department at 547-4225.

The Delaware County Department of public Works announced
that several roads that had temporary weight limits have had those limits
lifted.  The roads include County route 7
from State Route 30 to the Sullivan County Line, County Route 23 from County
Route 21 to Sidney Center, County Route 26 from State Route 10 to Downsville,
County Route 35 from Sidney Center to state route 206 in Masonville, &
County Route 67 from Route 10 to the village of Hancock.  The Limits are still in existence for County
Route 10 from State Route 28 to County Route 12 & County Route 16 from
State Route 10 to Treadwell.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will hold a public meeting
today to review submit feedback and comment on the draft East Sidney Lake
Master Plan and draft Environmental Assessment.   The public meeting will be held from 6 to 9
p.m. at the Sidney Town Clerk Building, at 44 Grand St., Sidney. The format of
the meeting will include an open house discussion with project team members
from 6 to 7 p.m. A formal project presentation and question and answer session
will begin at 7 p.m. followed by another open house discussion from 8 to 9
p.m.  More information about the plan may
be found at nab.usace.army.mil/ESL-Master-Plan-Revision.

On April 1, a new law will go into effect that bans the sale
of smoke alarms with removable batteries within New York State.   Under the new law, the only battery-powered
smoke alarms permitted to be sold in New York are those equipped with
sealed-in, non-removable batteries capable of powering the device for at least
10 years.

Super Heroes in Ripped Jeans will be bringing adoptable dogs & cats to the Houndstooth Bakery & Boutique in Sidney Saturday, during a Meet & Greet Bake Sale from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.  Proceeds from the bake Sale will benefit the Super Heroes in Ripped Jeans Building fund.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will hold a public meeting
on April 3 to review, submit feedback and comment on the draft East Sidney Lake
Master Plan and draft Environmental Assessment.
The meeting will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Sidney Town Clerk
Building, at 44 Grand St., Sidney, the meeting will include an open house
discussion with project team members from 6 to 7 p.m. A formal project
presentation and question and answer session will begin at 7 p.m. followed by
another open house discussion from 8 to 9 p.m.
All updates regarding the Master Plan revision, public meeting
information and ways to submit comments or questions may be found at
nab.usace.army.mil/ESL-Master-Plan-Revision/

New York State’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 3.9% in November 2018, reaching its lowest level since these records began in 1976, according to preliminary figures released today by the State Department of Labor. The number of unemployed New Yorkers fell in November, from 387,500 to 379,400, its lowest level since August 1988. In addition, New York State’s private sector job count rose by 5,200, or 0.1%, to 8,231,100 in November 2018, a new, all-time high.

New York's population continues to decline faster than any other state, according to new statistics released by the U.S. Census Bureau. The report found New York was just 1 of 9 states to see a decrease in population, losing an estimated 48,510 residents between July 1, 2017, and July 1, 2018. Illinois saw the second largest population loss, followed by West Virginia, Louisiana, Hawaii, Mississippi, Alaska, Connecticut and Wyoming. New York's over 19.4 million populations is the 4th highest behind California, Texas and Florida.

Attorney General Barbara Underwood today announced the settlement of a lawsuit against FedEx that will distribute $2 million to an estimated 500 qualifying drivers who delivered packages. The Attorney General’s office filed the lawsuit back in October 2010, alleging that the drivers had been unlawfully misclassified as independent contractors and was, in fact, employees. The Attorney General's action sought restitution for violations of New York Labor Law, including unpaid overtime and unlawful deductions from wages. Qualifying drivers will be sent notice by the claims administrator and be required to submit a claim form in order to qualify for payment from the settlement fund.

State Police arrested 3 people for DWI after a 1 car crash in the town of Smyrna last Sunday. Troopers were dispatched to State Highway 80 in the town of Smyrna, when they arrived they found an unoccupied vehicle they observed another vehicle parked next to the vehicle that had crashed but it took off as soon as troopers approached. Troopers caught up to that vehicle & they accuse the driver, 43 year old Raymond Haitian Jr of Georgetown of driving while Intoxicated. The investigation revealed that 34 year old Kyle Dulian of Tonawanda was operating the original vehicle that had crashed and was also one of the occupants in Haitian's vehicle. Dulian was arrested for DWI. While troopers were still on scene, 34 year old Alicia Martin of Georgetown arrived looking for her friend, she was also arrested for DWI. All 3 will appear in court in January to answer to the charges.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District is in the process of updating the Master Plan for the East Sidney Lake Project. THE Army Core of Engineers is preparing an environmental assessment in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to assess the impact of the Master Plan Revision to the human and natural environment. A public review meeting will be held after the initial public comment period, ending January 11, 2019, to allow opportunity for the public to submit ideas, comments, and feedback on the Draft Master Plan and Draft Environmental Assessment, the public meeting is planned for some time in April 2019. All updates regarding the Master Plan Update and public meetings may be found at nab.usace.army.mil/ESL-Master-Plan-Revision/.

Afton area businesses & The Afton Girl Scouts are teaming up this holiday season to put together Military care Packages for soldiers overseas. Scout leader Lora Vanderheide explains;

(Lora Vanderheide 12-20-18)

Vanderheide said that the collections will be accepted through December 24th & will be shipped out the following week. More information is available at 639-1700.

The Oneonta Department of Public Service will be replacing a water main valve located on Ann Street today, starting at 8:00 AM, Water outages will begin at 9:00 AM. Residents on Ann Street, West Ann, Meckley Ave, Baker Street, and Wilcox Ave will be without water for the duration of the project. River Street residents from Meckley to Wilcox Ave will also experience a water outage during work. Parking on the street will not be permitted, and the street will be closed to traffic for the duration of work. More information is available at 432-2100.

State Police at Sidney arrested 44 year old Thomas Hewitt of Worcester for Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs, it was also discovered he had an active warrant in Cobleskill. A trooper observed Hewitt operating at a high rate of speed on State Route 8 in Sidney, the vehicle was stopped, Hewitt was arrested and arraigned in the town of Sidney Court. He was turned over to the Cobleskill Police Department to answer to the charges on the warrant. His next court date in the town of Sidney Court is August 23rd.

State Police investigated an accident Thursday night at county roads 21 & 23 in the town of Walton. A vehicle operated by an unidentified 18 year old female from Lake City Florida, was traveling north on Route 21 when she began to enter Route 23 but then she swerved to stay on Route 21 and she struck an SUV driven by 26 year old Briar Jeffrey Lee Holt of Rock Hill, South Carolina; which was southbound on Route 21, The driver of the first vehicle was ticketed for failure to keep right, she complained of ankle and chest pain & was taken to Delaware Valley Hospital. A 17 year old female passenger in the 1st vehicle had multiple facial lacerations and contusions, & was also taken to Delaware Valley Hospital, and 18 year old male passenger from Sidney Center, who was also in the 1st vehicle, suffered a broken leg and chest pain he was airlifted to Wilson Memorial hospital in Johnson City. 2 people in the Holt SUV were uninjured.

State Police arrested 58 year old Harold Reid of Mount Upton for Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs and 2 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance. A trooper was dispatched to a report of a male behaving strangely in his vehicle at the Mirabito on East River Road in Bainbridge, Reid is accused of possessing heroin and suboxone, and he was released on appearance tickets for town of Bainbridge Court on August 16th.

State Police arrested 45 year old Gregory Croft of Sidney for DWI with a BAC of .17%, and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation. Troopers observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed on State Highway 23 in Oneonta, a traffic stop was initiated and Croft was arrested and released on appearance tickets returnable to the town of Oneonta Court today.

Delaware county sheriff’s department arrested 31-year-old Jennifer Morris of East Branch Wednesday for falsely reporting an incident and a violation of parole. Deputies responded to a Monday morning 911 call where a female reported being held against her will by 2 men in East Branch. Deputies and Troopers determined that the occupants had not called 911 and that no crime was being committed. The 911 call originated from an telephone number associated with more than one thousand 911 hang-up calls to the Delaware County 911 Center since May. The State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Parole Officers arrested Morris for violating the terms of parole from her earlier conviction for Falsely Reporting an Incident, for making on-line threats against Walton school children through social media. Morris was arraigned & was remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $5000 cash bail or $10,000 bond; she will remain held without bail on the Parole Violation Detainer Warrant.

State Police at Sidney arrested 38-year-old Damion Hoag of Fallsburg for 1st degree Sex Abuse, & Endangering the Welfare of a Child, following an investigation into allegations that Hoag was having sexual contact with a person less than 11 years of age in the Town of Butternuts. Hoag was arraigned in the Town of Oneonta court and was remanded to the Otsego County jail in lieu of $5,000 cash bail or $10,000 property bond. His next court date is on August 25th.

Otsego County Conservation Association will be holding a highway cleanup along State Route 80 tomorrow from 9:00 to 11:00 AM. The cleanup is part of New York State’s Adopt-A-Highway program, Volunteers will meet at OCCA’s office at Mohican Farm, at the corner of Route 80 and Allen Lake Road, and will collect trash along a two-mile stretch of the road. Bags, water, and safety equipment are provided. Participants should wear long pants and sturdy shoes, and bring sunscreen. More information is available at 547-4488,

The State DEC unveiled new regulations concerning deer and bear hunting, to increase opportunities for junior hunters to take bears, rescind an antlerless-only rule from 2015 in portions of southeastern New York and the Lake Plains, reduce antlerless harvests in two management units in the western Adirondacks, and clarify when special season tags may be used by bow and muzzleloader hunters. The new bear hunting regulation now includes the taking of bears in the youth firearms hunt over Columbus Day weekend that was previously a deer-only event.

The Sidney Department of public Works announced that Pearl Street East from James Street to Prospect Street would be closed today. Crews will be replacing Storm Pipe; the work will be performed from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM.

Governor Cuomo today announced that 8,132 dangerous drivers have been kept off the road during the last three years as result of tough regulations implemented in 2012. Since the measures went into effect three years ago, the DMV has permanently denied licenses to: 1,792 people for accumulating 5 or more alcohol or drug-related driving convictions in their lifetime. 2,515 people for having three or four alcohol or drug-related driving convictions in the last 25 years, plus at least one other serious driving offense during that period. The DMV has denied licenses to 3,825 drivers for an additional five years after revocation due to three or four alcohol or drug-related convictions but no serious driving offense in the last 25 years.

About 150 Sidney Village Residents attended last weeks meeting with village officials regarding plans to move people out of the River Street flood prone area, or to elevate their homes. Mayor Andy Matviak explains:

(Andy Matviak 9-29-15)

Those who would like to set up a meeting with village officials about their options can call 561-2324.

Emergency Crews from Unadilla responded this morning to a 1-vehicle rollover accident. The accident occurred East of exit 11 in the eastbound lane of I-88, officials said that it was only a property damage accident, with no injuries reported. Traffic was slowed through the area for the clean up & investigation.

State Police arrested 36-year-old Rose Gibson of Herkimer for 2nd degree burglary & false personation. The arrest occurred after troopers responded to a report of a suspicious woman inside a home on Lake Street in the Town of Cooperstown; Gibson is accused of entering the unoccupied home without permission, consuming an alcoholic drink then sleeping on the sofa. After being discovered by a worker she then walked away, when troopers located her, she gave a false name and date of birth. Gibson was arraigned and was remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $2,500 cash bail or $5,000 bond.

State Police investigated a 1-Car fatal motor vehicle accident on Afton Lake Road at around 2:20 AM Sunday.  The investigation revealed that 22-year-old Ryan Lewis of Harpursville lost control of his vehicle while negotiating a curve; he struck a tree with the passenger side. 24 year old Joelyn Sines of Harpursville was a front seat passenger, she was pronounced dead at the scene, 22 year old Mitchell Birch of Afton and 22 year old Caleb Gregory of Afton, were both transported to Wilson hospital in Johnson City, Lewis has been charged with 2nd Vehicular Manslaughter and Driving While Intoxicated, he was transported to Wilson hospital, he faces action in Town of Afton Court at a later date.  The investigation is continuing.

State Police at Sidney arrested 21-year-old Gregory Castro of Binghamton, for Unlawful Possession of Marihuana. The arrest resulted from a traffic stop in Sidney; Castro was issued an Appearance Ticket returnable in the Town of Sidney Court on March 14th.

Delaware county sheriff's department Investigators arrested 31 year old Richard Dostis, of Walton for failure to register his e-mail account information to law enforcement within 10 days, as required of a level 3 sex offender in new York.  Dostis maintained at least 1 e-mail account, which he failed to register with authorities, he was charged with 1 count of Failure to Register and/or Verify an Address or Status Change, and he will be arraigned in the Town of Delhi Court at a later time.

The Delaware County Sheriffs Office responded to a one car motor vehicle accident Sunday on County Highway 22 / East Brook Road in the Town of Hamden. 52-year-old Anthony Triarsi of Yonkers left the roadway and struck a utility pole.  Triarsi was not injured; he was issued a traffic summons for the unsafe tires.

Sidney village police arrested 44-year-old Kevin Duvall of Sidney, on a charge of 2nd degree placing a false bomb or hazardous substance.  Duvall was charged after a report to police of a pipe bomb in a desk at Duvall’s residence, which was not active, and was dismantled by authorities and turned over to village police.  Duvall was arraigned and was remanded to the custody of the Delaware county sheriff’s department on $5,000 bail pending future court action, the investigation is continuing.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 27-year-old Joseph Naccarato of Ballston Lake for Driving While Intoxicated, Failure to Keep Right, and Speed not Reasonable and prudent, following a 1-car accident on Scotch Mountain Road in the Town of Delhi.  Naccarato was driving too fast for road conditions and left the roadway and overturned, he was transported to O’Connor Hospital where he was treated and released, he was arraigned in Delhi Town Court and released on his own recognizance & will return to court at a later date.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies investigated a one-car motor vehicle accident on Catskill Turnpike Road in the Town of Meredith.  27-year-old Elyse Perkins of Batavia was traveling east when she failed to negotiate a curve in the road, lost control and overturned.  There were no injuries and no tickets were issued.