WCDO Radio News

A trial date has been set for April 4th in Chenango County Court for 57 year old John Guzy, who is accused of fatally shooting 26 year old Derek Prindle of Afton and shooting & wounding his father Derek S. Prindle on State Route 7 in Bainbridge on October 27th in 2014. Guzy has waived his right to a jury trial; the presiding judge will decide his fate.

Governor Cuomo is inviting New Yorkers to an Open House at the Executive Mansion on Sunday, March 27th to celebrate Easter Sunday. Visitors and their families will be welcome to tour the Executive Mansion, meet the Governor, and participate in an inaugural Easter egg hunt. All adults over the age of 16 wishing to attend must have a ticket. Individuals who receive tickets will be allowed to bring 1 guest and any underage children from their household. The registration period takes place at governor.ny.gov until Friday, March 18th at 5:00 PM. The Open House will be held from 1:30PM to 3:30PM on March 27th.

19-year-old Jonathan Garcia pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges in Broome County Court today. Garcia was charged with 2 counts of 2nd degree murder, 2 counts of robbery and 1 count of criminal possession of a weapon for the shooting death of Jamaal Moses in Binghamton on February 14th. Garcia was apprehended in Florida & was returned to New York, he was remanded to the Broome County Jail without bail.

Delaware County Sheriff Deputies conducted a traffic stop on State Highway 268 in the Town of Tompkins, they arrested 36 year old Thomas Evans of Walton for speeding, improper passing, aggravated unlicensed operation, & Criminal Possession of controlled substance. Evans was arranged and was remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $500 cash bail pending court action in the Town of Tompkins Court at a later date.

State Police arrested 46-year-old Ronald Sanford of Middletown for criminal mischief. The arrest occurred after troopers were advised of a domestic dispute that occurred on March 11, in the Town of Middletown. During a verbal argument, the victim attempted to get into her car and driveway, Sanford allegedly grabbed a large rock and threw it at her car twice, causing over $4000 damage. Sanford was issued a ticket returnable to the Town of Middletown court on March 16, 2016.

Delaware County Sheriff Tom Mills announced that the Sunday Fundraiser at Danny's Restaurant in Walton netted nearly $30,000 for the K-9 program. The K-9 unit has become increasingly important as the county battles the ongoing drug problem. Sheriff Mills stated that the money raised would be used for the continuance of the K9 unit & the upkeep for "Ozzie"

Village elections will be held tomorrow, with some races of local interest. In Bainbridge, Phillip Wade & Steven Eisenberg are running, as Chick Darling has decided to step aside & pursue a village trustee position. Others running for village trustee positions in Bainbridge are Timothy Mayes, Edward Gorton & Erik Barnard. In Unadilla, Christopher Winkler, Paul Baldwin & Jeff Jones are running for 2 trustee positions, Dave Welch is running unopposed for Mayor. In Sidney, Thomas Ford is running unopposed for a village trustee position.

Governor Cuomo announced $26 million is now available through the Farmland Protection Implementation Grant program to help farmers protect valuable and at-risk farmland. The  Grant program is part of the Environmental Protection Fund, which Governor Cuomo's 2016 Executive Budget proposal has more than doubled, to $300 million. Municipalities, counties, soil and water conservation districts and land trusts are eligible to apply at agriculture.ny.gov/RFPS.html.

State Police have announced a 2nd arrest in connection with the April 2015 kidnapping of KyLea Fortner and her sister Shaeleen Fitch-Fortner. the teens were found last week at 327 Torrance Avenue, Vestal, at the home of 29 year old Amanda Hellman, who was charged with 2nd degree kidnapping. on Friday, the girls mother, 36 Year old Cindy Fortner of Homer was also charged with 2nd degree Kidnapping, she was arraigned and was remanded to the Broome County Jail without bail. Anyone with information is requested to contact 775-1241. The investigation is continuing.

The Home Performance with Energy Star Program of New York is holding an open house for area residents and business owners next week in Afton. Spokesperson Solvei Blue explains:

(Solvei Blue)

Blue said that property owners should bring their several months of electric bills and should know the square footage of their house or business, the open house will be next Wednesday, from 6:00 pm until 7:30 pm, refreshments will be provided. More information is available at 723-0110 or upgradeupstate.org/SouthernTier.

The Bainbridge Great American store re-opened under new ownership, after a being closed for a few weeks for renovations. Lisa Page is one of the 3 new owners of the store:

(Lisa Page)

Page, Tim Harmon and Ed Gorton purchased the store; they re-opened on this past Monday.

The Delaware Valley Humane Society is asking for a few donations, as the weather has turned colder. The shelter is looking for donations of old bedding to keep the animals warm, as well as canned or dry dog & cat food, at the shelter on east Main Street in Sidney.

The Otsego County Board of Representatives passed their 2013 budget plan Wednesday in Cooperstown. County residents will see a 1.97% tax increase, just under the state 2% Cap. 8 county positions will be eliminated from the health department, highway department & office for the aging. The Otsego county budget goes into effect January 1st.

Residents of Norwich and the American Red Cross will join together for a “Communities That Care” blood drive on Friday, December 7TH from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Howard Johnson at 75 North Broad Street. The Red Cross is encouraging all eligible donors to make an appointment to donate blood by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by visiting redcrossblood.org.

MacDonald Hose of the Sidney fire department will hold their annual food drive Saturday in Sidney. The food drive will run from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Sidney Price Chopper store, canned & Dry goods will be accepted for local distribution

State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced a settlement with insurer Excellus Bluecross Blueshield, which will require that they pay out refunds to patients and health care providers who overpaid due to improper accounting of deductibles. Excellus has so far made repayments totaling $3.1 million dollars, they had reported accounting errors affecting 12,000 customers processed after Sept. 1st. 2011, software glitches have been repaired.

Delaware County Solid Waste Management announced that their center in Walton would be closed Christmas day and New Year’s Day in the coming weeks. After the Christmas holiday, the center will accept trees, boxes & wrapping paper for recycling, at the solid waste center on state route 10 in Walton. More information is available at 865-5805.