WCDO Radio News

Governor Cuomo signed an executive order to expedite the freedom of information law appeals process. The order fast-tracks FOIL appeals by requiring that all state agencies file notice of an appeal, settle the record on appeal, and file a brief within 60 days, absent extraordinary circumstances outside agency control. The Governor will introduce legislation in the upcoming session that encompasses the order, while also correcting the serious flaws of 2 Assembly Bills.

State Police arrested 48-year-old George Velten of Guilford for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, after Velten was stopped during a road check on County Route 35 in the Town of Guilford. Velten’s license showed that he had 12 suspensions on 10 different dates, he was arraigned at the Town of Guilford court and remanded to the Chenango County jail on $1,000 cash bail or $2,500 property bond.

90% of New Yorkers say they are somewhat concerned, 60 % say they are very concerned, that another terrorist attack will happen in New York in the near future, according to a new Sienna College poll released today. 63% said they have not changed their lifestyle out of fear of a terrorist attack. By a 52-39 percent margin, voters oppose allowing Syrian refugees to come to the United States at this time. 90% also believe that corruption in Albany is still a serious problem, and by a 3-to-1 margin, voters say new laws are needed to prevent further corruption in state government. 2/3rds also agree with Attorney General Eric Schneiderman that daily fantasy sports games are gambling and illegal in New York.

Delaware County Sheriff Deputies responded to a one-car motor vehicle accident on State Highway 28 in the Town of Meredith. Deputies arrested 28-year-old Benjamin Nobel of Meridale for driving while ability impaired by drugs and unlawful possession of marijuana, plus several traffic summons related to the accident. Nobel was arranged in the Town of Delhi Court and remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $1,000 cash bail. Noble is to re-appear in the Town of Meredith Court at a later date.

State Police arrested 25-year-old Dustin Phillips of Binghamton for criminal possession of a weapon, after troopers responded to assist an Environmental Conservation Officer who was out with three men shooting on state lands in the Town of Kirkwood. An investigation determined that Phillips and two other men where shooting shotguns at targets, Phillips is on parole and also is a convicted felon who cannot legally possess firearms; he faces court action on Tuesday.

Governor Cuomo today announced he would host the 2016 State of the State and Executive Budget Address on Wednesday, January 13 at 12:30 p.m. at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany. New Yorkers wishing to attend should visit the Governor's homepage to register, which is governor.ny.gov.

Former State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and his son Adam were found guilty Friday of 8 counts of bribery, extortion and conspiracy. Dean Skelos was found guilty of using his power as Senate Majority Leader to get no show jobs to his son Adam. The conviction means that Skelos has been removed from the Senate seat that he held onto after resigning as Senate Leader in May.

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer and Governor Cuomo announced a push to prevent known or suspected terrorists from purchasing guns in New York State. Schumer commented at a Press Conference this weekend:

(Schumer 12-14-15)

Schumer said that the request became necessary after legislation in the US Senate did not pass, that would have closed the "Terror Loophole".

First responders were called to 8129 State Route 23 in the town of Davenport yesterday morning at about 10:15 AM for a report of a vehicle that drove into a structure. State police reported that the unidentified driver of the vehicle suffered a medical emergency, swerved off the road, then crossed back across oncoming traffic and hit the house. The driver and a passenger were transported to Fox Hospital in Oneonta; no one was in the house at the time of the accident. The investigation is continuing.

Magic City Music Hall will be coming back to the Southern Tier; they will reopen at a new location at 1240 Front Street in the Northgate Plaza, at the site of a supermarket that closed 3 years ago. Magic City owner Stu Green comments:

(Stu Green 9-16-15)

Magic City Music Hall was forced to leave their former site on Harry L Drive in Johnson City in 2008 due to roofing concerns. WCDO will be giving away tickets for the first magic City Show with REO Speedwagon later this week. Tickets will be available for all shows starting this weekend.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced today his office approved 1,821 contracts valued at $1.9 billion and approved 1.7 million payments worth $8.5 billion in August. His office also rejected 191 contracts and transactions valued at $713 million and nearly 1,600 payments valued at $61.6 million due to fraud, waste or other improprieties. Major Contracts Approved specifically in August were for the State Department of Agriculture and Markets for State Fair expenses, including $2 million paid out for 15 contracts to provide entertainers & $1.4 million for 3 contracts for ambulances, mobile restrooms and bedding/manure removal for livestock.

Governor Cuomo announced today that recent investigations to protect exploited workers in New York State have led to nearly $3.3 million in back wages, damages and settlements for 800 workers. In the upstate counties, State Agriculture Labor Specialists assisted in recovering more than $9,000 in back wages for 23 farm workers who were underpaid. State investigators conducted more than 380 field visits and met with 300 agricultural businesses to offer hiring assistance and educate employers about labor law compliance and available resources. The agency has increased the number of field visits, reduced the number of violations and is protecting workers by helping more businesses comply with the law.

The state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation today announced that $500,000 in grants are now available to help organizations to improve State parks, trails and historic sites. The grants are available for the program will be administered by State Parks and Parks & Trails New York. The program is designed to enhance the preservation, stewardship, interpretation, maintenance and promotion of State parks, trails and state historic sites; as well as promote the tourism and economic development benefits of outdoor recreation through the growth and expansion of a connected statewide network of parks, trails and greenways.

State Police arrested 25 year old Ian Kosciusko of Worcester for sexual abuse. The arrest occurred after troopers were advised of an incident that occurred on September 11, at the Holiday Inn on State Route 23, in the Town of Oneonta. An investigation determined that an employee had unwanted sexual contact with an adult victim, Kosciusko was arraigned and was remanded to the Otsego County Jail in lieu of $2,500 cash bail or $5,000 property bond, An order of protection was issued by the court.

Empire State College will hold public information session about its associate and bachelor's degree programs at its Binghamton location, State Office Building, Room 505, 44 Hawley Street, Binghamton today at 4:30 PM. More information is available at 721-8651.

The New York State Police Academy held their Graduation exercises today for the 203rd class of State Troopers, at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany. State Police Superintendrnt Joseph D'Amico addressed the class:

(DAmico 9-3-15)

Nearly 200 new Troopers were honored for their perseverance and dedication in completing the 203rd session of the Basic School of the New York State Police Academy.

State Police arrested 30-year-old Nathan Tuttle of Deposit for 3rd degree rape and criminal sexual act. The arrest occurred after an investigation determined Tuttle allegedly had sexual contact with a victim under the age of 17. Tuttle was arraigned in the Village of Deposit Court and remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $5,000 cash bail or $10,000 property bond. Tuttle was previously charged last week with 4 counts of Sexual Abuse and 3 counts of endangering the Welfare of a Child relative to an incident involving a different victim. Anyone with information involving Tuttle is asked to call the State Police at 775-1241.

The State DEC announced that the Fall CleanSweepNY program will be held the week of September 28, CleanSweepNY provides an opportunity to ensure proper disposal of unwanted and obsolete pesticides and other chemicals, Pre-registration is required, with a registration deadline of September 18th. This Fall's effort is focused on Delaware, Otsego, and Schoharie counties, among others in the capital region, It is directed at agricultural and non-agricultural professional pesticide applicators, schools and businesses like golf courses, cemeteries and marinas. CleanSweepNY services are not available to homeowners. Pre-registration is required by September 18, at cleansweepny.org or 1-877-SWEEPNY.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies arrested 42 year old Tina Garcia of Walton for Falsely Reporting an Incident. Garcia is accused of falsely reporting the theft of a vehicle owned by Shane Bellows after that vehicle was involved in a hit and run property damage accident on State Highway 10 in the Town of Walton on August 15. Garcia was issued an appearance ticket returnable to the Town of Hamden court on September 21st.

State Police responded to a Delaware County 911 report of a vehicle in the Delaware River, just off Harvard Road in the Town of Hancock. Troopers located a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee, with a New Jersey registration, approximately 50 feet into the river and half submerged in the water. Troopers found a deceased occupant, identified as 37 year old Stephen Maikisch of Somerset, New Jersey. Troopers reported that Maikisch exited State Route 17 at Exit 90 at a high rate of speed, drove through a t-intersection at the end of the ramp, crossed Harvard Road striking a guide rail and several trees. The Jeep traveled about 200 feet from the road before it came to rest in the river. Police said that a toxicology screening would be conducted and the results are pending.

Governor Cuomo honored 27 fallen law enforcement officers from agencies across New York State, including officers who died last year in the line of duty. The names of the 27 officers honored today have been inscribed on the Police Officers' Memorial located on the Empire State Plaza in Albany. Among those added to the memorial were State Trooper Christopher Skinner of Troop C, who was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver on I-81 on May 29th, and Johnson City Police Officer David Smith, who was ambushed while responding to a disturbance call on March 31. The memorial's complete Roll of Honor is posted at criminaljustice.ny.gov.

State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos refused to step down from his leadership position yesterday, despite his arrest on charges of bribery & extortion following a federal investigation. Former Assembly speaker Sheldon Silver resigned his leadership position in January after being arrested for similar offenses, he did not resign from his state assembly seat and remains free on bail.

The State Assembly looks to wrap up the legislative session in the coming weeks; on the agenda is the annual call by the Governor & assembly leadership to raise the minimum wage, as well as the farm labor bill. Area Assemblyman Cliff Crouch said that temporary Migrant labor is hired for the harvesting season, and they should remain exempt from state labor laws do to the different environment for work on farms:

(Crouch 5-6-15)

Crouch has served on the Assembly Farm committee during his tenure and is also the only former farmer serving in the state Assembly.

State Senator Jim Seward honored Patricia Kennedy of Oneonta as the 2015 Senate "Woman of Distinction" from the 51st senate district at the 18th annual senate Women of Distinction ceremony at the Capitol. Kennedy serves as the CEO at Springbrook, which serves over 850 people with developmental disabilities, & employs more than 1,200 individuals.

The state assembly is inching back to normal activity following the recent arrest of Former Speaker Sheldon Silver, and the appointment of Carl Heastie of the Bronx as the new Speaker. Area Assemblyman Pete Lopez said that Silver’s stranglehold on the leadership of the Assembly, and his arrest for alleged corruption shows the need for reform in the state legislature:

(Pete Lopez 2-9-15)

Governor Cuomo stated last week that he will not sign a state budget plan unless a series of ethics reforms are enacted by the legislature, to stop the wave of criminal activities by several recent legislative leaders.

Nearly 230 new Troopers will be honored Tuesday Morning at Graduation Exercises at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, for completing the 202nd session of State Police Academy. Trooper Jin Hong Park of Nyack will be assigned to Troop C in Sidney following the ceremony.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested and charged 23-year-old Peter Minko of Walton Friday for 1 count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance. A search of his vehicle in an April probation visit, found Minko to be in possession of a glassine envelope containing a white powdery substance, the State Police Regional Crime Laboratory late last month identified that substance as Heroin. Minko was issued an appearance ticket returnable in the Delhi Town Court at a later date.

An observance of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will be held this morning at 9:30 in the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany. The public is invited to attend the free program in celebration of the 86th anniversary of Dr. King’s birth. Doors open at 8 a.m. The event is free and open to the public. More information and a live webcast of the event is available online at nyking.org.

State Police arrested 29 year old John Markham Jr. of Greene, for 3 counts of Criminal Mischief, 2 counts of Aggravated Harassment, Reckless Endangerment, Criminal Trespass, Resisting Arrest, and Disorderly Conduct. The charges were from 4 different complaints over the last several weeks in the Towns of Fenton & Barker following reports of damaged private property including windows and a pick up truck, threatening telephone calls, and a road rage incident. Markham was arraigned in the Town of Fenton Court and remanded to the Broome County Jail without bail set at this time.

Governor Cuomo will combine both his State of the State address and the release of his executive budget into one presentation next week on January 21st. The address and release of the 2015-16 executive budget will be presented to a joint session of the legislature on January 21st at 1:30 PM in the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany. Governor Cuomo originally planned to give his State of the State address on January 7th, that was pushed back due to the death of his father, former Governor Mario Cuomo

State Police at Oneonta arrested 23-year-old Jordon Davis of Laurens for the Fleeing an Officer, Reckless Driving, Unlawful Possession of Marihuana and several vehicle and traffic law violations. The arrest occurred after Troopers observed Davis failing to keep right on State Route 205 in Oneonta, when the Troopers activated their emergency lights and sirens, Davis accelerated to over 100 miles an hour and failed to comply with the officers. Troopers located the vehicle parked behind a residence off of State Route 205. Davis was arraigned at the Town of Oneonta Court and released without bail required; he faces court action February 12th.

The State DEC extended the public comment period on the draft permit for the proposed, federally regulated Constitution Pipeline, as well as the upgrade to the Iroquois Wright Compressor station in Schoharie County, by an additional 28 days. Public comments on the proposed project will be accepted through Friday, February 27th at 5:00PM. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission was responsible for conducting an environmental review of the project; they issued a final Environmental Impact Statement in October. People can provide verbal or written comments at the public meetings tonight at 6:00 PM in Oneonta at SUNY Oneonta Lecture Hall IRC #3, or Wednesday night at 6:00 PM in SUNY Cobleskill’s Bouck Hall Theater.

State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced the arrest of James Ferro the former director of the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision’s Special Investigations Unit, over accusations of sexually based harassment of a subordinate employee. Ferro faces 1 count each of Forcible Touching, Official Misconduct, Coercion & Harassment. Ferro is accused of inappropriately touching a subordinate and Community Supervision, at the Department of CorrectionalS in Albany over the course of several years.

Governor Cuomo today announced new efforts to combat human trafficking and provide help to survivors safely re-enter their home community. This crime affects more than 1,000 children in New York each year, and it is estimated that nearly 18,000 people are brought into the United States annually for the same purpose. The Governor also proclaimed January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and unveiled a new poster that lists possible trafficking red flags, plus a free confidential hotline, which is 1-888-373-7888.

Governor Cuomo’s 2015 State of the State Address will be delivered to a joint session of the legislature on January 21st at 1:30PM at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany. Registration for those interested in attending can be filled out at governor.ny.gov/content/2015-state-state-registration; those who had previously registered for the original State of the State date must re-register. The registration period ends Thursday, January 15th at 5:00 PM. In the event that the number of requests exceeds available seating, attendees will be selected by lottery & will be notified of their selection by email by January 20th.

Landowners in favor of hyydrofracking are preparing legal action to reverse the state’s recently enacted ban against the process to drill horizontally for natural gas in the Marcellus shale that under much of the southern tier. Dan Fitzsimmons of the Joint Landowners Coalition of New York sad that the ban was passed due to speculation & false pretenses:

(Dan Fitzsimmons 1-9-15)

Fitzsimmons said that New York also enacted the ban, as new stricter federal laws are about to be passed that would address the activists concerns about the process of hydrofracking.

Additional laws may be needed this year in New York’s state to combat the growing heroin epidemic. Area Assemblyman Cliff Crouch said that police & emergency crews are delivering heroin antidotes to some of the same people two of three times, and more needs to be done to help those kick the habit:

(Cliff Crouch 1-9-15)

A variety of bills addressing the heroin epidemic are expected to be forwarded in the state legislature this year.