WCDO Radio News

The Friends of Afton announced the return of Afton’s Annual Christmas Parade, scheduled for Saturday December 4th at 5:00 pm. Floats and vehicles will line up at Corporate Park off Route 7, Walking groups, bicycles, and golf carts will gather at the Afton Edge Apartments.

A.M. News Wednesday 11-3-21

Yesterday was Election Day, The Delaware County Board of Elections did not announce a winner for the Sidney Town Supervisor’s race, between write-in candidates Eric Wilson & Kevin Greene, Officials told WCDO News it will take days or maybe even weeks to count & certify all of the write in votes across all 19 towns from this year's elections, there were 552 write in Votes Tuesday in Sidney Town Supervisors race. The winners for the Sidney Town board were Frank Selleck & Bill Heath, in the Town of Meredith, Town Council winners were John Janiszewski & David Briggs, the Town of Franklin Board seats go to Garret Sitts & Heather Ross, the town of Middletown Supervisor Will be Patrick Davis, the Town of Tompkins Clerk was Michelle Phoenix, in the Town Of Delhi, the supervisor will be Mark Tuttle, the Town Council winners were Margaret Baldwin & Matthew Kryston & the Walton Town Supervisor will be Joseph Cetta. In Chenango County, Sheriff Ernest Cutting was re-elected, The County Clerk winner is Brian Wessels, & the winners for the Norwich City Council are Fred Gee, William Loomis, Tom Revoir & Barry Christopherson. The winners for the Guilford Town Board were Thomas Ives & Matthew Retz, in Otsego County, the Board of Representatives winners were Ed Frazier, Jerry Madsen, Rick Brockway, Margaret Kennedy, Jennifer Mickle, Charles Varney, Keith McCarty, Clark Oliver & Donald Scanlon & the Town of Oneonta Supervisor will be Randall Mowers, while Karen Liddle & Sean Farrell Won the 2 Town of Oneonta Justice seats & Kimberly Fierke & Skylar Thompson Win the 2 Seats on the Oneonta Town Board. The town of Hartwick Supervisor will be Robert O’Brien while Christopher Briggs & Bruce Markussen win the seats on the Town Board. In the Town of Unadilla, the Town Justice winner is Joshua Palmer The Unadilla Town Clerk will be Terry Yoder & the Town Council winners were Ron Reed & Jessica Grow, in the town of Laurens, George Decker, Edwin Winslow were the winners of Town Board Seats. Across New York State, voters rejected the propositions, amending the apportionment and redistricting process, eliminating the 10 day advance voter registration requirement, & authorizing the no excuse absentee balloting. Voters approved the proposition to the Right to clean air, clean water and a healthy environment.

In Delaware County Elections of interest on Election day, in the Town of Meredith, 2 seats are open on the town board; the candidates are Democrat John Janiszewski, Democrat Michael Morgenfruh & Republican David Briggs. In the Town of FRANKLIN, there are 4 candidates for 2 seats on the town board; Garret Sitts, Heather Ross, George Coulter & John O'Connor. In the TOWN OF MIDDLETOWN, Democrat Todd Pascarella & Republican Patrick Davis are running for Town Supervisor. In the town of DELHI; 4 PEOPLE Running for 2 seats on the board, for FRANKLIN TOWN COUNCIL there are 4 Candidates for 2 seats and in Walton, Lillian Brown & Joseph Cetta are running for Town Supervisor.

The murder & arson fire cover-up case of 16 year old Jeffrey Franklin of the town of Guilford, will be featured on the Investigation Discovery Channel tonight at 10:00 PM on the program "The Murder Tapes” Franklin was the disabled teenager killed by his parents Ernest & Heather Franklin, who then tried to cover up the boy's death by setting the family residence on fire, closely echoing the plot of the movie "Manchester By The Sea", the incident occurred back on February 28th 2017.

The 3rd Annual Afton Sidewalk day will be held on Saturday
August 24th, organizers are hoping to get more artists & crafters to
exhibit their wares at this year’s event, spokesperson Amy Spooner explains:

(Amy Spooner 7-16-19)

More information can be found at
the Afton Sidewalk Day Facebook Page, or by calling Amy Spooner at 244-9366, or
Alexis Van Buren at Baristacrats at 743-2401.

Heather Franklin of Guilford was sentenced in Chenango
County Court to 7 to 11 years in state prison on Monday.  Heather & her husband Ernest Franklin
plotted the murder of their 16-year-old adopted special needs son Jeffrey
before setting their house on fire in March 2017 to cover up his murder.
Heather Franklin pleaded guilty earlier this year to manslaughter, arson and
tampering with physical evidence.

Ernest Franklin of Guilford was sentenced in Chenango County
Court Monday, to 21 years to life in state prison, for the murder of his
adopted and disabled teen son Jeffrey, and starting a fire at the family home
to cover it up, in February of 2017.
Franklin planned the murder with his wife, Heather Franklin, who
accepted a guilty plea to manslaughter; she has not been sentenced for her role
in the murder.

The next Delaware County Public Health Free Rabies
Vaccination Clinic for dogs, cats and ferrets will be held today from 5:00 to
7:00 pm at Franklin Fire Hall at 351 Main St. Franklin.   More information is available at 832-5200 or
delawarecountypublichealth.com

Ernest Franklin of Mount Upton is seeking a retrial, after
being found guilty of murdering his special needs stepson Jeffrey, and setting
fire to the family residence to cover up the murder.  Franklin was due to be sentenced in Chenango
County for the murder arson & tampering with physical evidence charges when
the motion for a retrial was filed.
Ernest Franklin's wife Heather pleaded guilty to manslaughter, arson and
evidence tampering for her role in the case.

State Police are warning the public of another phone
scam.  Troopers in Oneonta have received
reports of a phone scam that claims that the recipient's son has been involved
in an accident and in order to keep their loved one out of jail, they must
obtain immediately obtain Google pre-paid cards and give them a code.  Then caller later requests more money.   The scammers try to scare you into
cooperating, resist the urge to give them money.  If you receive a call like this and can’t
make contact with the person who is allegedly injured or in trouble, call 911. as
part of the plea deal, Franklin will receive between 7 and 11 years in prison
with 10 years of probation when she is officially sentenced on June 7th.

Antione Bourbon-Parme, also
known as Anthony Cazzari has been arrested has been charged with 3rd degree
Grand Larceny, for allegedly stealing more than $18,000 by forging checks from
the Cooperstown Food pantry, while serving as one of the Organization’s
directors.  Bourbon-Parme was arraigned
& was remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $10,000 Cash Bail or $20,000
Bond pending court action on April 24th.

34 year old Heather Franklin opted to avoid a trial, &
pleaded guilty to 1st degree manslaughter, 3rd-degree arson, and tampering with
physical evidence, Tuesday in Chenango County Court.  Franklin admitted to planning the murder of
her special needs son Jeffrey in the town of Guilford family home in March of
2017 & planning the burning of the home to hide the evidence of the murder.
as
part of the plea deal, Heather Franklin will spend 7 to 11 years in prison with
10 years of probation when she is officially sentenced on June 7th.  Franklin's
husband Ernest was found guilty last month & will be sentenced in May,

Jury selection began today in Chenango County Court & the trial of Heather Franklin is expected to begin tomorrow.  Franklin is accused of planning the murder of her son Jeffrey Franklin with her Husband Ernest Franklin, and covering up the crime by setting the family house on fire in the town of Guilford in March of 2017.  Ernest Franklin was found guilty by a jury last month for his role in the crime; he faces sentencing at a later date.

The Trial of Heather Franklin will begin on Aprils 1st in Chenango County Court, for the murder of her special needs son Jeffrey in 2017.  Heather & Ernest Franklin were accused of killing the teenager and setting fire to the family home in the town of Guilford, after they had watched "Manchester by the Sea" which contained a similar plot.  Ernest Franklin was convicted on Murder 7 Arson charges last week; he will be sentenced on May 3rd.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 39 year old
LeAnne Taggart of Franklin, for possession of a Dangerous Dog in Violation of
the New York State Agriculture and Markets Law.
The arrest is a result of an investigation into a report of an
aggressive dog in the Town of Sidney. Taggart is scheduled to appear at Sidney
Town Court at a later date to answer the charge.

Chenango County Jury convicted Ernest Franklin of Guilford
for 2nd-degree murder, 3rd-degree arson, and tampering with physical evidence
in connection with the 2017 murder of his 16-year-old adopted son Jeffrey.  The Jury believed that Franklin killed Jeffrey
& set fire to the family home to cover up the murder, his wife Heather’s
trial will be held in Chenango County court later this year.

Final arguments were being delivered today in Chenango
County Court in the Ernest Franklin murder trial.  Franklin is accused of killing his special
needs son & setting the family home on fire in the town of Guilford in 2017,
watching the movie "Manchester by the Sea" with his wife, which
featured a similar plot.  Heather
Franklin will be tried separately at a later date, also in Chenango County
Court.

Jury selection is complete & the murder trial of Ernest Franklin
is underway today in Chenango County Court. Franklin & his wife Heather are
accused of murdering the special needs son Jeffrey in the family home &
then setting the house on fire, mimicking the plot of a movie that the Franklin’s
watched called "Manchester By the Sea” Heather Franklin's trial will be
held in Chenango county court later this year.

Jury Selection began Monday in Chenango County Court for the
murder trial of Ernest Franklin.
Franklin & his wife Heather are accused of killing their special
needs son Jeffrey & then setting fire to their town of Guilford Home in
March of 2017, after watching a movie "Manchester By The Sea" which
contained a similar plot.  Heather Franklin
will be tried separately.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 57 year old
Gerald Walke of Franklin Monday on a charge of Felony Driving while intoxicated
following a traffic stop for an obstructed license plate on County Highway 21
in the Town of Walton. Deputies allege the defendant operated a motor vehicle
while in an intoxicated condition and additionally while having a prior
conviction of Driving While Intoxicated. Walke was arraigned in front of Judge
Hall at Walton Village Court, and was remanded to the Delaware County Jail in
lieu of $2,000 bail.

Following previous postponements, Jury selection was
scheduled to begin today in Chenango County Court for the murder trial of
Ernest Franklin of Guilford.  Franklin
and his wife Heather face charges for allegedly murdering their special needs
son Jeffrey in their Town of Guilford Home and then setting fire to the home to
cover up the murder in March of 2017.

The Trial for Ernest Franklin of Guilford has been delayed again, until early next year. Franklin & his wife Heather are accused of killing their developmentally disabled son & setting fire to their house to cover up the murder in the town of Guilford in March of 2017. Ernest Franklin is being held without bail pending the start of his trial; Heather Franklin was released on bail.

The murder and arson trial of Ernest Franklin has been adjourned until November in Chenango County Court.  Jury selection was scheduled to begin Monday in the murder and arson trial of Ernest Franklin.  Franklin and his wife, Heather were indicted on charges of 2nd-degree murder, arson and tampering with physical evidence in the death of their 16 year old son Jeffrey at their town of Guilford home in March of 2017. The Franklins will face separate trials.

Chenango County Court Judge Frank Revoir made only a mild adjustment to the bail of Ernest Franklin of Guilford this week. Franklin's cash bail remained the same at $125,000, bond was reduced from $250,000 to $200,000 Thursday, Franklin is accused of planning the murder of his special needs son Jeffrey Franklin & setting fire to the family home to cover up the murder. Heather Franklin is currently out on bail; both will be tried separately next year, according to Chenango County DA Joe McBride.

The Attorney for 35-year-old Ernest Franklin of Guilford is requesting another bail reduction for his client, in Chenango County Court. Ernest Franklin is accused of acting with his wife Heather, to murder their 16 year old special needs son Jeffrey & then set fire to the family home to cover up the crime. Heather Franklin posted bail earlier this year & was released, Chenango County Judge Frank Revoir will have his decision on Ernest Franklin Bail lowering request later this week. The Franklins will be tried separately in Chenango County Court early next year.

Heather Franklin was back in Chenango County Court Friday, she is facing charges along with her husband Ernest Franklin, for allegedly killing their adopted son Jeffrey on March 1st, and setting their home on fire to cover up the murder. The Franklins will be tried separately, in early 2018.

A Pre-Trial Hearing was held in Chenango County Court today, regarding the murder & arson trial of Ernest Franklin of Guilford, who along with his wife Heather are accused of killing their son Jeffrey & setting the family residence on fire to cover it up. A Pre-Trial Hearing for Heather Franklin has not been scheduled, Chenango County District Attorney Joseph McBride has stated that the 2 will be tried separately, The Trial is expected to begin next year.

33-year-old Heather Franklin of Guilford has posted bail & has been released from the custody of the Chenango County Correctional facility. Franklin was released on Saturday, her husband Ernest remains in the County jail, both are accused of murder, arson and tampering with physical evidence, following a fire at their town of Guilford residence, where their adopted son Jeffrey was allegedly murdered & a fire was set to cover up the murder on March 1st.

The pending homicide case against Ernest & Heather Franklin of Guilford in Chenango County Court has now received national attention, with the bail hearing transcripts from last week included in “People Magazine” Chenango County District attorney Joseph McBride stated at the hearing that the Franklins allegedly killed their special needs adopted son Jeffrey, and then set the family residence on fire, after watching the movie “Manchester By The Sea” on February 28th, which contained scenes with a murdered child & an arson fire. McBride commented to WCDO News about the case’s timeline:

(Joe McBride 4-13-17)

Bail for Ernest Franklin was set at $250,000 cash or $500,000 bond; Bail for Heather Franklin was set at $125,000 cash or $250,000 bond.

Bail was set in Chenango County Court Friday for Ernest & Heather Franklin of Guilford, they have been charged by a Chenango County Grand Jury with Murder & Arson for allegedly killing their 16 year old son Jeffrey & Setting fire to the family home on State Route 8 on March 1st to cover up the crime. Bail for Ernest Franklin was set at $250,000 cash or $500,000 bond; Bail for Heather Franklin was set at $125,000 cash or $250,000 bond.

State Police are looking for 78-year-old Franklin Carney of Norwich, who was reported missing Thursday. Police said that Carney suffers from dementia, and may be in need of medical attention, he was last see at 1:00 PM Thursday on Aldrich Road in Norwich. Carney is described as a white male, 6 feet 1 inch tall, 172 pounds, with gray hair and gray eyes, he drives a black 2006 Ford Ranger with the New York license plates CHB-2325, he was wearing a black Carhart jacket, blue jeans, white shoes and a baseball cap, he was with his Australian cattle dog. Anybody with information should call State police at 334- 3296 or 911.

Ernest & Heather Franklin of Guilford will be arraigned in Chenango County Court on Friday, they were indicted by a Chenango County Grand jury last week on charges of 2nd degree murder, arson & tampering with physical evidence. The couple is accused of murdering their 16-year-old son Jeffrey & setting fire to the family residence to cover up the murder on march 1st. Both are being held in the Chenango county jail pending Friday’s court action

Ernest & Heather Franklin of Guilford will be arraigned in Chenango County Court on Friday, they were indicted by a Chenango County Grand jury last week on charges of 2nd degree murder, arson & tampering with physical evidence. The couple is accused of murdering their 16-year-old son Jeffrey & setting fire to the family residence to cover up the murder on march 1st. Both are being held in the Chenango county jail pending Friday’s court action

Chenango County District Attorney Joseph McBride and Chenango County Sheriff Ernest Cutting reported that Ernest Franklin and Heather Franklin were indicted on Friday, by a Chenango County Grand Jury on charges of: 2nd degree Murder, 3rd degree Arson and Tampering with Physical Evidence, in connection with a fire at their residence on State Route 8 in the town of Guilford on March 1st. It was determined at autopsy that their adopted son, Jeffrey, was deceased prior to the fire. Investigators believe the fire was set to cover up the murder. Both defendants will be arraigned on the indictment in Chenango County Court at a later date.

Chenango County Sheriff Ernest Cutting reported the arrest of 2 parents in connection with the death of 16-year-old Jeffrey Franklin on March 1st in the Town of Guilford. The Sheriff’s Office arrested 35-year-old Ernest Franklin & 33 year old Heather Franklin following the investigation of a fire at their residence on state Route 8. The autopsy showed that the fire did not cause Jeffrey’s death, and that he was deceased prior to the fire, investigators believe the fire was set to cover up the murder of Jeffrey. Both parents are charged with 2nd degree Murder, Arson and Tampering with Physical Evidence. The investigation is continuing and further charges may be filed.