WCDO Radio News

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 8-21-25

37 Year Old Devin LaValley of Burlington, 29 year old Melissa McDougal of Altmar, 33 year old Grace Balthazor of Elmira and 43 year old Roxanne Clark of Bristol, Vermont, appeared in US District Court, charging them with child exploitation offenses. LaValley & the others are accused of video recording the sexual abuse of 2 minor children, which were released to the internet, LaValley distributed some of the depictions he created with McDougal and Balthazor to Clark online. All 4 were arraigned on the charges & are being held pending additional court action. The conspiracy and sexual exploitation charges carry a term of between 15 and 30 years in federal prison, the receipt and distribution of child pornography each carry a term 5 and 20 years in prison, each charge carries a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years to life, all would be required to register as sex offenders upon their release from prison.

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 36 year old Joseph Clary of Oneonta, for Sex Offender Failure to Update Change of Address. Clary was released from the Elmira Correctional Facility, he was to report to the Otsego County Department of Social Services to secure temporary housing which would provide an address that would be listed on his State registry. After 10 days, Clary failed to notify or report to the DSS, the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office or his parole officer, he was located Tuesday in Oneonta by parole officers and taken in to custody, he was taken to the Otsego County Correctional Facility for arraignment. .

The Sidney Alumni Hall Of Fame Induction ceremony will be held this weekend, spokesman Greg Davie Told WCDO news who is going in this year:

(Greg Davie 10-10-23)

The inductees will be recognized at Halftime at this Friday's Sidney Football game & the Induction ceremony will be Saturday starting at 5:00 PM at the Sidney Elks Lodge.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 10-10-23

State Police and Emergency crews responded to a crash on I-88 eastbound in Colesville between exits 5 and 6 yesterday afternoon. An investigation revealed that a pick-up truck was pulling vehicles on a trailer, the operator lost control and rolled the vehicles, blocking both lanes. Some traffic was able to pass on the shoulder before the Interstate was shut down and travelers were re-routed off exit 5 to State Highway 7 then back on to I-88 at exit 6. The operator was a 51-year-old male of Elmira, He was treated on scene but did not wish to be transported to a hospital.

Family Planning of South Central New York was awarded a $1.2 million dollar grant over 5 years for the Personal Responsibility Education Program. The New York State Department of Health funded initiative works to delay sexual activity, increase condom and contraceptive use, reduce teen pregnancy, and ensure adolescents have access to comprehensive reproductive medical care services. Learn more about Family Planning of South Central New York by visiting fpscny.org.

The Binghamton Black Bears announced an agreement to play at the Visions Veterans Memorial Arena through the 2026 season, The Black Bears set a Federal Prospects Hockey League record in attendance with 107,000 fans over the course of the 2022-2023 season. The Black Bears will open up the 2023-2024 season on October 13 against the Elmira.

The Binghamton Black Bears Hockey Team of the Federal Prospects Hockey League, will begin their new season Tonight at the Visions Veterans Memorial Arena in Binghamton against Elmira. Team Announcer Brooks Hill said that the team is looking to improve on last year's accomplishments:

(Brooks Hill 10-14-22)

Tickets are available on their website: binghamtonblackbears.com/tickets, or by calling 607-722-7367.

Bassett Healthcare Network received its first allocation of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine this week and vaccinated staff that works in direct patient care areas. All 5 hospitals in the network, received their initial allotment of the Moderna vaccine just ahead of Christmas, some Bassett staff traveled to Utica and Elmira to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Those who received the Pfizer vaccine will be vaccinated again 21 days later, staff who receives the Moderna vaccine will get a second dose 28 days later.

State Police arrested 3 men last week after they were spotted on I-81 in a stolen vehicle.  A Zone Sergeant observed the vehicle and attempted to initiate a traffic stop in Kirkwood.  The operator of the vehicle failed to comply and sped off and crashed in a wooded area, witnesses reported men running from the vehicle to State Route 11.  The 1st suspect was taken into custody in a wooded area, he was identified as 23 year old Christopher White of Brooklyn, and he was transported to Wilson Hospital for evaluation and later released back to the custody of troopers. Police located the driver of the vehicle, 27 year old Naquan McMaster of Brooklyn in Kirkwood; he was also treated at Wilson Hospital for an injury & was turned over the custody of Police.  Binghamton police located the 3rd male, 18 year old Konnor Scharborough of Elmira.  All 3 were charged with Criminal Possession of Stolen Property & were processed at Broome County Central Arraignment and Processing.

Early Thursday morning at about 4:35 AM, State Police responded to the report of an overturned refuse trailer on State Route 17 in the town of Deposit.  Troopers located the truck blocking both westbound lanes.  Police said that the truck traveled off the roadway and into a ditch, tipped on its side and lost all of its contents.  The operator of the truck was 57 year old Danny Robertshaw of Elmira; he was taken to Wilson Hospital in Johnson City for an evaluation. No other vehicles were involved and no one else was injured.  The State DOT and a DEC Spill Response team responded to the scene.

THERE WILL A PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL TEAM PLAYING IN ONEONTA STARTING THIS FALL, WCDO SPORTS DIRECTOR NATE LULL HAS THE STORY:

(Nate Lull 6-28-18)

THE OCTANE WILL HAVE THEIR OPENING GAME ON OCTOBER 27TH AGAINST THE ELMIRA EAGLES. MORE INFORMATION ABOUT A HOME VENUE AND THE ROSTER WILL BE RELEASED SOON.

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office’s arrested 2 County Jail inmates on prison contraband and drug charges, they have obtained an arrest warrant for a 3rd inmate that is in jail at the Elmira Correctional Facility. Correction officers seized Suboxone during a jail search, which was alleged smuggled into the jail by 33 year old Chad Ostrander of Grand Gorge, it was later distributed to inmate Randy Condon Jr. of Sidney & Justin Crandall of Sidney. Ostrander and Crandall have been charged with Promoting Prison Contraband, Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance & Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, they were arraigned, Ostrander & Crandall were sent back to the Delaware County Jail, Condon was returned to the custody of the State Department of Corrections and will be arraigned on a later date.

The New York State Department of Health is warning of a potential measles outbreak at several locations. The department reported that an international traveler from Europe who has been confirmed to have measles visited multiple places in Elmira, Dansville, & Niagara Falls, potentially exposing others to measles on April 30, May 1, and May 2. The health department Officials said anyone with symptoms like muscle pain, fever, or fatigue should see a doctor immediately.

The Broome County District Attorney, the State Commissioner of Taxation and Finance and State Police announced a large scale bust of untaxed tobacco products which resulted in 14 arrests. 13 people from Broome County and one person from Elmira were arrested in a bust of shops selling untaxed cigarettes. State Police made the arrests Thursday evening, in simultaneous sweeps of 11 convenience stores, more charges are anticipated.

On Friday, The Broome County Sheriff’s department responded to a Motel in the town of Dickinson following a call for a medical emergency of a patient who stopped breathing an adjacent room. Deputies found 30 year old Brett Seymour unresponsive, administered Narcan, eventually EMS responded & declared that Seymour was deceased. In the room, Police found crack, cocaine, heroin; they arrested Rayshawn Thompson of Binghamton, Nicole Mills of Windsor, & Tessa Rivera of Elmira on a variety of charges. The Broome County Sheriff’s department has set up a tip line at 778-1196.

American Airlines announced that they would discontinue service from both the Greater Binghamton & Elmira Corning Regional airports in February. Service to and from Philadelphia will be discontinued at both airports on February 15th, 25 positions will be lost with that change.

State Police responded to a head on collision on State Route 17 in the town of Nichols 90 year old John McCarthy of Elmira was driving the wrong way on 17 after leaving the Nichols rest area, he crashed into a vehicle driven by 65 year old Sandra Spaeth of Rome Pennsylvania. She was transported to Packer Hospital for non-life threatening injuries. McCarthy was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The Broome County Sheriff's Office is actively looking for a 16-year-old run away. Deputies responded to the Children's Home of Wyoming Conference in the Town of Fenton, where Mia Rosado took a bus to the Elmira, area - but could still be in the Broome County area. Anyone with information can contact the Sheriff's Office at 778-1911. Mia is 16 years old; light skinned Hispanic, brown hair & eyes, 5'5'' tall, 130 lbs. Mia was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt.

26-year-old Michael Golotty of Elmira, pleaded guilty to 3rd degree arson in Chenango County Court, for the fire that destroyed storage units in Norwich last November, which housed donations for Toys for Tots.  Gulotty was sentenced to 5 to 10 years in state prison, as well as restitution to the victims to be paid in installments after his release.

A collection of Southern Tier labor unions, landowners and business groups are uniting to form a pro-fracking group. Southern Tier Residents for Economic Independence launched with 6 groups from the Binghamton and Elmira areas joining up, including the Joint Landowners Coalition of New York and the local carpenters union.  Some of the same unions, and the landowner group, were part of a group called Clean Growth Now, which launched a pro-fracking coalition in late 2011. Health Commissioner Nirav Shah has given no indication when his work may be completed on a heath effects study on Hydrofracking.

Many questions will have to be answered next year, following a proposal to close facilities that cater to mental health issues, in Binghamton, Elmira & the north country.  State Senator Tom Libous of Binghamton comments:

(Libous 12-18-13)

Libous said that if necessary, he has legislation, co-sponsored by Cliff Crouch in the Assembly, to call for a freeze on the closing of mental health facilities until 2015, if these questions can not be adequately answered.

Local lawmakers have met with Governor Cuomo’s staff and members of the state health department, regarding plans to close mental health facilities in Binghamton, Elmira & across the North Country, and move all of those patients to get care in Syracuse.  Assemblyman Cliff Crouch told WCDO News that better plans need to be formulated:

(Cliff Crouch 12-4-13)

Crouch said that he is also co-sponsoring a bill in the assembly that State Senator Tom Libous has forwarded in the Senate, to freeze mental health facilities closings for 2 years, in order to formulate a better plan that simply closing facilities and passing the problem into local hospital and jails.

State Senator Tom Libous held a press conference in Binghamton today, he mentioned that he has discussed with Governor Cuomo his concerns about the proposal to close mental health facilities in Binghamton and Elmira, that would force some people to far away locations around the state, and force sex offenders into local group homes:

(Libous 11-18-13)

Libous said that he is also planning legislation to call for a freeze of the closing of mental health facilities until 2015 in order to come up with alternative plans.

50-year-old Anthony Palladino of Oneonta was arrested for allegedly attacking a fellow inmate at the Otsego county jail last week.  Palladino was charged with felony assault and issued an appearance ticket in the Middlefield court.  Palladino was transferred to the jail in Elmira for felony drug convictions; he could face another 15 years to life in jail on the new charges if convicted.

A house fire claimed four lives on Elmira's south side Friday night.  The Elmira Fire Department responded to a structure fire in the 100 block of Morrow Street, where four people, ages 17, 10, 7 and 5 were located inside the home and were transported to local hospitals for treatment. All four lated died from injuries sustained in the fire. Close to 200 family and friends held a candlelight vigil for them Saturday night.

AM NEWS 7-11-13

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that 54 million has been awarded to 20 recipients to finance large scale solar energy projects across New York State. The new projects will add 64 megawatts to the state’s solar capacity and will make New York the leader in solar energy generation. The closest sites to the Southern Tier are Cornell University in Ithaca and SUNY Cortland. For more information on this plan, visit ny-sun.ny.gov

New York officials plan to overhaul the state’s psychiatric services over the next four years by consolidating 24 inpatient hospitals statewide into 15 regional centers and establishing more than two dozen outpatient service hubs. The consolidation plan, released by the Office of Mental Health on Wednesday, also includes closing psychiatric hospitals in Elmira and Binghamton in 2014. The plan is expected to save $20 million the first year. The state spends about $6.6 billion, including federal funds, annually on mental health treatment.

A Binghamton man was charged with felony second-degree strangulation following a dispute on Willow Street with a family member, according to Johnson City police. 33 year old Kareem A. Davis is accused of threatening to kill a woman, and then grabbing her by the neck and choking her, causing her to pass out. Davis was arraigned in village court and sent to the Broome County jail.

Many activites for the entire family are happening in around our area. The Afton Fair and Agricultural Expo opens today at 9am at the Afton Fairgrounds with animal exhibits, floral judging, harness racing, a children's bicycle drawing and the K Bar F Rodeo at 7:30pm this evening. Admission is only $1 per person with children 5 and under free. The Fair continues through Sunday and the complete schedule can be found online at The Afton Fair Dot Com. Also, Unadilla will have their Free Summer Concert for this week, tonight from 6:30-8pm on the Community House Lawn. Montebank Brothers will provide the entertainment, and bring a dish to pass and your own table service, as there will be a community picnic starting at 5:30pm. For dessert The Unadilla Chamber of Commerce will hold a strawberry social during the concert. In case of rain, the concert will be held in the firehouse on Clifton St. Plus, The Chenango County Blues Fest Summer series kicks off tonight in Norwich with New Riders of the Purple Sage taking the stage at 7pm in East Side Park. The series continues weekly on Thursday nights through August 1st. The complete schedule for the series can be found at chenangobluesfest.org.

The supply of types O positive and O negative blood at the American Red Cross is at very low levels. Eligible donors with type O blood are asked to donate blood today at a Blood Drive at Guernsey Memorial Library in Norwich, at 3 Court Street, from 9:00 to 2:00 pm. Appointments can be made at 1-800-RedCross or redcrossblood.org.
Commerce Chenango will hold their next networking luncheon today at Lewis’s restaurant in Sherburne. Registration begins at 11:30, more information is available at 334-1402.

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold the Re-Organizational Board of Education Meeting today in the Guilford School Cafeteria at 6:30 PM. The business portion of the meeting will start at 7:30 PM.

The incidence of confirmed rabies cases of raccoons in the tri county area continues. Pet owners are reminded that your pets must be vaccinated. Free rabies clinics are taking place next week at the Coventry Town Garage on Tuesday, July 16th from 5:30 to 6:30pm, Wednesday the 17th at the Morris Fire Department from 6 to 8pm and Thursday, July 18th at the New Berlin Fire Station from 7 to 8:30pm. The clinics are for dogs, cats and ferrets.
State regulators are looking for feedback on proposed changes to freshwater fishing rules. The DEC has identified potential changes based on discussions with anglers, biologists, and fisheries managers. Now the DEC is seeking additional angler feedback. Many changes under consideration would eliminate special regulations that didn’t achieve their intended purpose. Highlights include increasing year-round trout fishing opportunities at specific streams and establishing catch-and-release fishing at a few additional streams. To view the potential changes and provide input, go to dec.ny.gov

State Police investigated a fatal motor vehicle collision, which occurred on Sunday afternoon on State Route 366 in the Town of Dryden.   Troopers reported that 20-year-old Victoria Howell of Groton lost control of her vehicle and entered the eastbound lane, striking a vehicle operated by 48-year-old James Caywood of Elmira.    Ms. Howell was transported to Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca where she died from her injuries,  Caywood was not injured in the collision.  No charges have been filed.

State troopers in Binghamton arrested 40-year-old James Kennerup of Kirkwood and 42-year-old Terry McNerney of Windsor, for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and Criminal Possession of a Hypodermic Needle.  The arrests resulted from a suspicious vehicle parked on Fairview Drive in Windsor.  Troopers reported that McNerney had an outstanding warrant from the City of Elmira and Kennerup had and outstanding warrant from the Broome County Sheriff Department.  Both were issued Appearance Tickets returnable to the Town of Windsor Court on January 16th, McNerney was turned over to the City of Elmira Police and Kennerup was turned over to the Broome County Sheriff Department.