WCDO Radio News

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 7-23-25

State Police arrested 62 year old Kenneth Friedlander of Oneonta for Reckless Endangerment, Criminal Mischief, Menacing and Resisting Arrest, after Troopers were dispatched to Oneida Village Mobile Home Park in the town of Oneonta. Friedlander is accused of attempting to set a trailer on fire with a paper bag that he set on fire, and threatening to kill people, he barricaded himself in a bedroom, when the Troopers made contact with him, he charged at the Troopers with a pair of scissors, he continued to resist arrest, even after a taser was deployed but was ultimately placed in handcuffs. Friedlander was processed and was transported to the Otsego County Jail for Central Arraignment.

On Tuesday the Broome County Sheriff’s Strategic Response Group executed a search warrant on Hickory Street in the Town of Triangle, they seized Methamphetamine, Fentanyl, narcotic Pills, over $40,000 in cash, plus Scales and Packaging Materials. 22 year old Kalysa Drury of Binghamton and 62 year old Randy Glezen of the Town of Triangle were each charged with multiple counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance & Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia, both were arraigned remain in custody at the Broome County Correctional Facility. The total street value of narcotics is estimated at about $7,000.

A Golf Tournament will be held on August 17th at the Afton Golf Course, to raise money for the Oneonta Soccer Club's youth teams, spokesman Jon Philby explains:

(Jon Philby 7-23-25)

More information is available at the Oneonta Soccer Club Facebook page or email to jonathan.philby@Oneontasoccerclub .org.

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 7-23-25

The autopsy of Melina Frattolin was performed Monday, the preliminary results are that the 9 year old died from Asphyxia due to drowning & Homicide. State Police are asking for the public's help in gathering additional video evidence or eyewitness accounts of the Toyota Prius driven by 45 year old Luciano Frattolin as they traveled from July 11, until July 19, on the I-87 Northway between Exits 28 through exit 20 during the evening hours of July 19, the evidence can be sent by email to crimetip@troopers.ny.gov. Luciano Frattolin was arrested and charged with Murder and Concealment of a Human Corpse, he is being held in the Essex County Jail.

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 7-21-25

Chenango County Sheriff's Office arrested 39 year old Thomas Kopech of Norwich Friday on an active Arrest Warrant from Town of Plymouth Court from an incident on May 31st, where Kopech allegedly broke into a residence in the Town of Plymouth and assaulted the victims inside the home. Kopech then fled the scene before Deputies responded which resulted in the warrant of arrest. Kopech was arrested without incident and arraigned & was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $10,000 cash bail. Kopec is to appear in court on a later date. Kopech was charged with Burglary, Criminal Mischief, Aggravated Criminal Contempt, Aggravated Sexual Abuse, Criminal Obstruction of Breath/Blood Circulation & Unlawful Imprisonment.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies arrested 27 year old Derek Mead of Walton for with 1 count each of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Criminal Obstruction of Breathing, Assault and Unlawful Imprisonment, following the investigation into a domestic dispute last Tuesday in the Village of Walton. Mead is accused of being involved in a physical domestic dispute with another person while a child was present. Mead was processed and was turned over to Delaware County Correctional Facility to await Arraignment.

State Police will have 3 Car Seat Safety Checks this week, Technicians will be in Whitney Point Tuesday from 4 pm. – 7 pm. at 2612 Liberty Street, on Wednesday, from 4 pm. 7 pm. & Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00 at the Broome County Fair, at the Whitney Point Fairgrounds. Technicians will make sure the child is fitted in the correct type of seat, that it is installed correctly, more information is available at (607)591-7604.

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,

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.

The Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 61 year old Ann Herberger of Gilbertsville following a traffic stop on July 17th in the Town of Butternuts. Herberger was charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a vehicle, Operating a Motor Vehicle while Registration is Suspended, & Operating Motor Vehicle without Insurance. Deputies discovered that Herberger was operating a motor vehicle while her driver's license & the Vehicle's Registration was suspended. She will appear in the Town of Butternuts at a later date.

President Biden approved Governor Hochul's request for a Major Disaster Declaration to provide federal assistance to communities impacted by flooding from heavy rainstorms across much of Upstate New York. The declaration releases critical federal assistance to support recovery and reconstruction efforts in Clinton, Dutchess, Essex, Hamilton, Ontario, Orange, Putnam and Rockland counties. These counties now have access to financial support for debris removal, emergency protective measures and repairs to public buildings and infrastructure.

The Otsego County Sheriff's Office released the identity of the man found deceased in Fox Hospital Oneonta Bathroom in May. 32 year old Michael Morton of West Winfield died of a drug overdose sometime between May 30th and May 31. The autopsy found fentanyl, oxycodone, and several other substances.

The Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 49 year old Zachary Fuller of Worcester on an arrest warrant issued out of the Town of Worcester Court. Fuller was charged with Grand Larceny, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle & Criminal Contempt, after Deputies investigated the report of a stolen vehicle in April, a warrant was issued, Fuller was later arrested by State Police during a separate incident, he was remanded to the Otsego County Correctional Facility to court action.

Otsego County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to Cooperstown Elementary School Monday afternoon following the report of a bomb threat. A note was spotted on a tree in Hartwick claiming that there was a bomb in the Cooperstown Elementary school, the building was evacuated, the K9 Unit was brought in & no credible threat was found. The investigation is continuing.

Sidney Federal Credit Union announced that they have exceeded $800 Million in assets and stands more than 65,000 members strong. SFCU recently expanded its field of membership to Hamilton, Essex, Cortland and Onondaga counties. It currently operates 10 branch locations across parts of 14 counties in upstate New York. More information is available at sfcuonline.org.

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 12-21-22

The Otsego County Department of Health announced that there has been 435 positive flu cases since October, last year there were 242 total cases. This season's flu is causing illness in children, with 19.1% of reported cases in 0-5 year olds, 24.8% in 6-10 year olds, 19.1% in 11-18 year olds, 19.1% in 19-50 year olds and 13.8% in 51 and older. Officials urge county residents to get vaccinated, more information is available at 607-547-4230.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 4-21-22

Chenango County Emergency Services & NYSEG will distribute bottled water & dry ice this afternoon, according to Coordinator Matt Beckwith:

(Matt Beckwith 4-21-22)

Beckwith said that any distributions tomorrow will depend on how quickly NYSEG gets power restored to Chenango County Residents.

The Otsego County Department of Emergency Services announced that Dry ice and bottled water will be available for pick up this evening at the Unadilla fire station and the West Exeter fire station from 6 PM – 9 PM or while supplies last. They also announced that the Emergency shelter at the Armory in will cease operations tomorrow, at 12 Noon. The Clark’s Sports Center will remain open until further notice. Edmeston Central School will be open this evening from 5:00M – 9 PM for Edmeston residents to come and get warm, get a hot meal and a hot shower.

SFCU announced that they have expanded its field of membership to an additional 4 counties, they are Onondaga, Cortland, Essex and Hamilton counties. SFCU Vice President of Sales & Marketing Andrew Smith told WCDO News how this happened:

(Andrew Smith 4-21-22)

Smith said that people in the 4 Counties can take advantage of SFCU Memberships immediately, future locations of new facilities have not yet been determined, more information on SFCU can be found at www.sfcuonline.org.

40 organizations in the region were awarded grants totaling $287,684 from the Community Foundation for South Central New York. Funded Organizations included museums, theater groups, libraries, human service agencies, animal welfare organizations, chambers of commerce, food banks, housing programs, and public safety agencies and other nonprofits, municipalities, and school districts. More information about the Foundation can be found on its website at www.donorswhocare.org.

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 4-21-22

Attorney General Letitia James distributed the 1st round of payments from the opioid settlements to the Southern Tier. In 2022, the Southern Tier will receive a total of $4.8 million, from the $1.5 billion settlement Attorney General James secured with the manufacturers and distributors of opioids for prevention efforts. Later this year, the Southern Tier will receive additional payments from the settlements with Endo Health Solutions, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, and Allergan. Locally Broome County receives $1.6 Million dollars, Chenango County, $308,000, Delaware County: $327,000.

Delaware County Sheriff Craig DuMond awarded Deputy Samantha Acuna with the Sheriff’s Superstar Award for meritorious service while in the performance of duty. On April 8th, Deputy Acuna was dispatched to a “routine” welfare check following a call to 911 with an “open line”. Upon gaining entrance to the residence, Deputy Acuna found a male victim suffering from an apparent stroke, rendered first aid and immediately called for medical assistance, and likely saved the victim’s life.

NYSEG reports that thousands are still without power this morning across the region. Broome County had more than 15,000 customers without power, Chenango County over 9,600, Delaware County over 5300, Otsego County with more than 6300, earlier today.

Chenango County Public Health reported 2 more COVID 19 deaths today, bringing their total up to 39.  The County reports 179 Active Cases, 512 Quarantines & 17 Hospitalizations.

The State Health Department reported Additional cases of the UK variant have been identified throughout New York State. The new cases have been found in Long Island, New York City, Westchester, Saratoga, Tompkins, Niagara, Onondaga, Essex and Warren Counties, bringing the statewide total to 42 known cases.

The Delaware County Board of Supervisors approved of the purchase of property to begin the construction of new Department of Public Works facilities.  Delaware County Public Works Commissioner Sue McIntyre comments:

(Sue McIntyre 1-28-21)

McIntyre said that the projects will be going out for bid shortly; she said that the existing Page Avenue structure in Delhi is beyond the point of repair at a reasonable cost to County Taxpayers.

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 1-28-21

Chenango County Public Health administered 615 doses of Moderna vaccine; they began with the first eligible groups, which included doctors, nurses, as well as law enforcement, fire personnel, EMS & adult care facilities.  Clinics were also held at the Broad Street Methodist Church & Bartle’s Pharmacy in Oxford.

The Sidney Central School District reported 2 positive COVID-19 cases, 1 teacher and 1 Kindergarten student have tested positive. The last time the student was on campus was Wednesday, January 20th.  The Delaware County Health Department has conducted an investigation and the contact tracing has been completed. There will be no change to the instructional model at this time. The exposure has been minimized in this case

Delaware County Public Health reported 15 new COVID cases Wednesday; they report 20 hospitalizations, 163 active cases & 329 quarantined.

Otsego County Health Department reported 20 new COVID cases Wednesday, with 17 hospitalized & 1 new death reported.  The County has had 9 deaths since January 1st & 28 since last spring.

NOON NEWS UPDATE-FUGITIVES 6-11-15

State Police continue to search for escaped Clinton Correctional Facility inmates Richard Matt and David Sweat. The focus of the ground search today is a heavily wooded area off State Route 374, east of Dannemora. Search teams are following up on a lead that was developed late Wednesday. More than 500 law enforcement personnel, along with K9 and aviation units, The State Police are being assisted by the FBI, U.S. Marshals, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, Department of Environmental Conservation, Forest Rangers, Clinton and Essex County Sheriff Departments, and the Plattsburgh Police Department.

State Police continue to investigate leads in the search for David Sweat & Richard Matt, who escaped Saturday from the Clinton Correctional Facility. Leads continue to be generated along the Clinton and Essex County border and Members of law enforcement will be going door to door in and around the surrounding area and checking homes and seasonal residences. The State Police have deployed more than 440 corrections and law enforcement officers are involved in the region.

Another Delaware County free rabies clinic will be held today for dogs, cats & domesticated ferrets. The clinic will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Walton Highway Garage at State Highway 10.

The State Police, Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, the DEC, Forest Rangers, U.S. Marshals, and the FBI have teamed up to conduct grid searches in Clinton County & into the North Country, to locate fugitives David Sweat and Richard Matt. Police concentrated their efforts this afternoon in Willsboro New York in Essex County; law enforcement in the Southern tier is also keeping up the search, as Sweat has ties to Broome County. Anyone with information should call 911, local law enforcement agencies, or State Police at 1-800 GIVETIP.

The Adult Amber alert activated yesterday was cancelled, as the elderly Otsego county man was located safely in southeast Pennsylvania. 79-year-old George Holbert of Edmeston was located in Carbon County Pennsylvania Monday night; he was brought to a local hospital for evaluation. The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office began a search Monday, following a report from family that Holbert was missing from his residence on Dutch Valley Road in the Town of Edmeston since Sunday. Holbert drove to Pennsylvania, the sheriff’s office was contacted as Holbert suffers from the early onset of dementia, & takes numerous medications, which he left home.

Delaware County Deputies arrested and charged 42-year-old Kirell Lakhman of Holbrook, New York Monday, he was charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation for traveling on State Highway 10 in the Town of Hamden while his license was suspended, he was arraigned in the Town of Hamden Court and released on his own recognize to re-appear on July 13th. Lakhman was arrested Again on Monday by Deputies on an Arrest Warrant issued by the Village of Walton Court, he was turned over to the Village of Walton Police Department for processing and arraignment.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that $71 million is now available through New York State Homes & Community Renewal for shovel-ready projects to build affordable housing units across the state. Of the new $5 million allocated for Community Investment Fund awards, 60% percent will be allocated to projects in urban areas of New York State, and the remaining 40% will be allocated to projects in rural areas of the State. Governor Cuomo also announced that FEMA has approved New York’s request for an extension for ongoing Public Assistance outreach in counties affected by the late June/early July flooding this summer. FEMA initially granted the Governor’s request for Public Assistance eligibility for Allegany, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Franklin, Herkimer, Madison, Montgomery, Niagara, Oneida, Otsego, and Warren counties on July 12th and later amended the list by adding Broome, Chautauqua, Clinton and Essex counties on July 26th. Public Assistance is for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities.

The City of Norwich will be closing Cole Drive today for paving. No traffic will be permitted on Cole Drive for the better part of the day. Also, Starting at 5 pm on Friday, New York State DOT will be completely closing the Spring Brook Bridge on State Highway 12 between Brisben and Greene. It is expected to be closed through Wednesday, August 28th. During this time State Highway 12 will be completely shut down to all but local and emergency traffic, up to the bridge project. Travelers should use County Road 32 as an alternate means of travel around this area.

The race has been set for the Office of Otsego County Treasurer this November. Representatives for Republican Edward Keator Jr., the Treasurer for the Village of Cooperstown, and acting County Treasurer Henry “Russ” Bachman, an independent running with support from the Democratic Party, said the two hopefuls have collected the needed number of signatures to be placed on the November ballot. County Treasurer Dan Crowell will also be on the ballot because he did not announce his plans to leave office at the end of the current year until after it was too late to have his name scrubbed from the ballot. Crowell is currently on active duty with the U.S. Army. Bachman will be listed as the candidate for the Otsego First party, while Keator, who stepped into the race after Crowell signaled he would not seek re-election, is running as the candidate for Common Cents. Meanwhile, three candidates will be seeking two Oneonta town justice seats. Dawn Oliver will run on the independent Citizens for Oneonta line and on the Democratic Party line. Also running will be Sean Farrell, a Republican who previously announced his candidacy, and incumbent Bruce Smith, a Republican who has served four terms. Two Oneonta town justices will be elected in November.

A new hiking trail along the Pepacton Reservoir is set to open next week just outside the village of Andes. The Shavertown trail is 5.2 miles long, with the trailhead located near the kayak/canoe storage area off of County Route 1, six miles south of Andes. The trail will officially open next Friday, August 30th.

MOHAWK VALLEY FLOOD ASSISTANCE

NYS FLOOD HELPLINE: 1-888-769-7243

ROAD CLOSURES:
HERKIMER COUNTY:
· Rt 5 between Manheim Road at Bitelman Road, closed in both directions due to a mud slide

· Rt 5 in Town of Little Falls, at Gun Club Road, alternating traffic due to a mud slide
· NY 168 in Mohawk between Columbia St/Rt 28 and Rt 167
· NY 169 in the Town of Herkimer, between Kelly Road and West End Road
· NY 51 between Ilion and Cedarville
· NY 5S East Main Street
· NY 80 in the Town of Stark, between the Otsego County Line and NY 5S
· In Fairfield - Lynch Road
· In Frankfort - Main Street, Avery Street, Southside Road, Widrick Road
· German Flats - Lower End Elizabeth Road, Putts Hill
· Herkimer - South Main at Steele, Folts Road
· Schuyler - SR 5
· Rt 5S - Water over Mucky Rum and Dyke Road
· Shells Bush Road - Mudslide
· Higby Road and Coop Hill Road - Washed Out
· Rt 28 Water over rod at Schader Hill
· Dyke Road
· Rt 51 at Steel Creek
· SR 169 at Middleville
· Brockway at Higby
· Fords Bush and Fire Hill

MADISON COUNTY:

· NY 365A in the City of Oneida, between Genesee St/ NY 5 and NY 365.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY:

· Abbott St in the Town of Fort Plain, is open and closed at various time due to road work
· NY 80 in the Town of Fort Plain, between Abbott St and Pumpkin Hook Rd (Otsego County)
· NY 5S/NY 80 in the Village of Fort Plain, at Main Street
· NY 5, between NY 10 and NY 334 is closed due to train derailment.

ONEIDA COUNTY:

· NY 12B in the Town of Franklin/Deansboro, between Rt 233/Harding Rd and Rt 315.

ESSEX COUNTY:

· Rt 9 closed from Rt 73 to Rt 9N between North Hudson and Elizabethtown.

CORTLAND COUNTY:

· Rt 41 (Main Street) is closed in both directions (NB/SB) between South Street and Elm Street in the Village of McGraw
· US Rt 11 is closed in both directions (NB/SB) between Rt 41 and Ridge Road in the Town of Cortlandville

CHENANGO COUNTY:

· Rt 12B (North Main Street) (NB/SB) is closed between Howard Road and Rt 12 due to flooding.
· Rt 12 (North Main Street) is closed in both directions (NB/SB) between Rt 12B and Rt 80 (West State Street) in the Town of Sherburne.

DOT is also reporting the following bridge closures: Montgomery Co., NY 80, Town of Minden and the Town of Fort Plain - US 20 to Herkimer-Otsego County Line, closed due to possible undermining of bridge. Herkimer Co., NY 168, Columbia Street/NY 28 to NY 167/Paines Hollow, closed due to possible undermining of bridge and NY 169, Eatonville Road to North Creek Road, closed due to possible undermining of bridge.

POWER OUTAGES:
National Grid is reporting the following electrical customers are without power associated with the flooding in the Mohawk Valley and Northeast Regions:

· FORT PLAIN: 248 electric meters are off or pulled from service. The company has turned back on 101 meters, with the remaining 121 reported as condemned or require additional work required. The remaining inspections are being performed where access is available.
· HERKIMER: 154 electric meters are off or pulled from service. The company has turned back on 45 meters, with the remaining 109 reported as condemned or require additional work required.
· UTICA, ROME, ONEIDA: 434 electric meters are off or pulled from service. The company has turned back on 50 meters, with the remaining 384 reported as condemned or require additional work required.

Number of customers without gas service associated with the flooding in the Mohawk Valley and Northeast Regions:

· Fort Plain: 187
· Herkimer: 117
· Mohawk: 179
· Ilion: 66
· Utica/Rome/Oneida: 369

TO CONTACT YOUR UTILITY COMPANY:

· CENTRAL HUDSON: 1-845-452-2700 OR 800-527-2714 OR GO TO WWW.CENTRALHUDSON.COM [1]
· NATIONAL GRID (UPSTATE ELECTRICITY): 1-800-867-5222
· NATIONAL GRID (UPSTATE GAS): 1-800-642-4272
· NYSEG (ELECTRICITY): 1-800-572-1131, OR GO TO WWW.NYSEG.COM [2]
· NYSEG (GAS): 1-800-572-1121
· RG&E (ELECTRICITY): 1-800-743-1701, OR GO TO WWW.RGE.COM [3]
· RG&E (GAS): 1-800-743-1702

Utilities can provide customers with storm and safety information or customers can call the Department's Call Center for information. THE PSC HELP LINE CAN BE REACHED BY CALLING 1-800-342-3377.

SHELTERS:
RED CROSS HELP LINE: 1-315-705-5293 [4]

Three shelters are currently open for displaced residents, or anyone in need of meals, water, and clean-up kits, among other tools for those affected by flooding.

· Oneida Family YMCA at 701 Seneca St., Oneida
· First United Methodist Church, 127 N. Prospect St., Herkimer
· Jorgensen Center at Mohawk Valley Community College, 1101 Sherman Drive, Utica

In addition, the Salvation Army has mobilized in HERKIMER COUNTY to distribute emergency supplies and meals, along with hundreds of clean-up kits.