WCDO Radio News

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 1-24-25

A Delaware County Grand Jury returned a 2-count indictment against 36 year old Benjamin Combes of New Lisbon, for Course of Sexual Conduct Against a Child, & Predator Sexual Assault against a child. Combes is accused of engaging in acts of sexual conduct against a child less than 13 years old, he faces up to 25 years in prison and 20 years of post-release supervision, Combes is currently incarcerated in Otsego County for unrelated charges. He is scheduled to be transported to Delaware County Court for arraignment on January 28th. .

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office was made aware of a scam that has been circulating, where someone claims to be working with the Sheriff’s Office and asking for money for missing court dates. Sheriff Cutting announced that members of the Sheriff’s Office do not call asking for money regarding criminal matters, and anyone with further questions can call the Sheriff's Office at 607-334-2000

Governor Hochul is proposing $8 million dollars in her executive budget to strengthen security at the Northern Border by adding more state troopers:

(Hochul 1-24-25)

There have been increased numbers of illegal Immigrants crossing the norther border with Canada coming from Mexico & Central American Countries, and they are suspected of sneaking in illicit drugs, after crackdowns at the Southern Border.

22 school districts were designated in some level of fiscal stress under State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli's Fiscal Stress Monitoring System for the school year ending this June, up from 16 districts in fiscal stress last year. The low number of districts with stress designations largely reflects recent increases in state and federal aid, there were no districts within the WCDO listening on the list this year.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 1-24-25

State Police executed a search warrant at a property on Mudge King Road in the town of North Norwich Wednesday night as part of an investigation into possible animal neglect. Over 4 dozen animals were removed, including 30 horses, all animals were all in need of medical care & were taken to various animal rescue locations around the region, Police located multiple deceased animals on the property. The landowners are cooperating with State Police, who were assisted by the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office, Chenango County Office of Emergency Management, the Susquehanna SPCA, Chenango County SPCA, and numerous animal care professionals and advocates. The investigation is on-going.

The Environmental Facilities Corporation Board of Directors approved $273 million in financial assistance for water infrastructure improvement projects across New York State. Locally, Funding was approved for the City of Norwich for $4 million in grant and interest-free financing for the planning, design, and construction of wastewater treatment plant upgrades, the Village of Sherburne receives $3.7 million grant for the planning, design, and construction of wastewater treatment plant upgrades.

The State DEC announced $342,500 in grants were awarded to 17 municipalities across the state to purchase or lease zero-emission light- and medium-duty fleet vehicles as part of the Municipal Zero-Emission Vehicle Rebate Program. The 2024 round of the program is making 17 awards to municipalities, Recipients of the 2024 rebate awards include the City of Binghamton, with $15,000 for 3 battery electric vehicles & the Town of Oneonta, with $7,500 for one battery electric vehicle.

Various Law Enforcement Officials in Broome County joined with the Lindsey family, to express their opposition to the potential parole of James Wales, the convicted murderer of 12-year-old Cheri Lindsey in 1984. Wales was convicted for rape and murder, he has been denied parole 5 times since becoming eligible in 2017, he is scheduled for consideration by the New York State Parole Board.

The Oneonta Rotary & the Otsego County Department of Health announced the installation of 5 new Narcan Boxes throughout the county as part of its ongoing efforts to combat the opioid epidemic. The vending machines are located in Cherry Valley, Edmeston, Cooperstown, and Richfield Springs, the Oneonta Narcan Box is located at the Elm Park Methodist Church.

The Otsego County Health Department has reported that the Oneonta School district has 6 cases of Pertussis, also know as Whooping cough. Parents of students at the Oneonta School have been notified, Pertussis is highly contagious & is usually accompanied by fever, a runny nose & a harsh cough.

Oneonta Police arrested A Milford man for 2nd degree Assault, criminal possession of a weapon & criminal Tampering. 23-year-old Michael VanDeusen was charged following a fight in Oneonta on November 18th, where an unidentified man from Mount Vision suffered a non-life threatening stab wound. VanDeusen was arraigned; he faces action in Oneonta City Court in January.

The Afton Central School District has appointed Timothy McNamara as the new Superintendent of Schools. McNamara has accepted the position; the Afton School board is expected to act on McNamara's appointment at their meeting this evening.

Governor Cuomo announced nearly $6.5 million in grants to 55 state-approved anti-sexual assault crisis and prevention programs operated by hospitals, non-profit organizations and governmental agencies statewide. The grants will help fund local crisis hotlines and direct services for sexual assault victims, such as crisis counseling, advocacy and trauma therapy, and support prevention and education in schools, on college campuses and in communities. A complete list of the funded programs is available at governor.ny.gov/sites.

Resorts World Catskills announced that the new casino in Monticello is expecting to add 1400 jobs once they are open for business. The company is holding job fairs in Sullivan & Orange Counties, the casino is one several new casino's opening in the Upstate Counties, after the state amended their laws to allow for the casino's to open.

NY State of Health announced enrollment in Qualified Health Plans and the Essential Plan have reached nearly 900,000, outpacing last year by 13%. Open Enrollment in a Qualified Health Plans continues through January 31st, but consumers need to enroll by December 15th, 2017 for coverage beginning January 1st, 2018. Consumers can enroll in a health plan Online at nystateofhealth.ny.gov, by calling 1-855-355-5777.

Environmental Advocates of New York released an update to its 2016 report Tapped Out: New York's Clean Water in Peril. The new analysis published by the DEC as required by the Sewage Pollution Right to Know Act, shows that from May 2013 to July 2017, a total of 10,687 overflows were reported, translating into over 3.8 billion gallons of sewage being discharged into waterways. Statistics indicates more work is needed to help municipalities fully comply with the Act and more funding is needed for municipalities to address aging infrastructure.

Governor Cuomo today announced $2 million is available through round 3 of the Climate Resilient Farming grant program to help farms reduce their operational impact on the environment and better prepare for, and recover quickly from severe weather events. $2.9 million has been provided to 37 farms across the State to implement critical projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote energy savings, mitigate water and soil quality concerns, and increase on-farm resiliency to climate change. The Request for Proposals for the grant program is located under Funding Opportunities at agriculture.ny.gov; Proposals are due by February 26, 2018.

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting today in the District Conference Room of the Jr-Sr High School at 6:30 PM. The business portion of the meeting will start at 7:00 PM.

Tuesday's Amber Alert in Western New York was cancelled, as 12 year old McKenzie Wilson of Lyndon was found safe, and 18 year old Joshua Monette & 16 year old John Harvey were charged with unlawful imprisonment, criminal possession of a weapon, grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property, Monette was also charged with endangering the welfare of a child. The 2 are accused of kidnapping 12-year-old McKenzie Wilson from her home early Tuesday Morning & left in a stolen Pick Up Truck. Wilson was found safe in Farmersville Tuesday night.

The "Wall That Heals" will be traveling through the area today, and will be set up in Neahwa Park in Oneonta through the Memorial Day weekend. Organizer Gene Schmidt said that the wall would be traveling along State Route 7 tomorrow:

(Gene Schmidt 5-24-17)

Schmidt said that the wall should be leaving Harpursville at around 10:00 AM, the set up of the Wall in Oneonta will take several hours to complete, the wall will be on display through about 4:00 PM Memorial Day.

Officials with the General Clinton Canoe Regatta are looking to participants to several events coming up this weekend, Regatta Chairman John Harmon explains:

(John Harmon 5-24-17)

Harmon said that the number for soccer teams to sign up through VIP Payroll is 967-5627.

Officials with The Spiedie Fest in Binghamton announced that Dennis DeYoung & the music of Styx, Blue Oyster Cult and Eddie Money will headline this year's Spiedie Fest and Balloon Rally. The festival will be held August 4th through the 6th this year, at Otsiningo Park in Binghamton.

A new Sienna College poll finds Governor Cuomo is at his highest approval rating in 3 years. 61% of voters now say they view him favorably overall, and just over half 51% like the job he’s doing in office. Sienna officials said that Cuomo's rise in popularity has steadily increased since President Trump’s inauguration on January 20th. The governor rated positively for higher education and human rights, but Cuomo needs to work on taxes, infrastructure and the economy.

The Relay For Life of Tri-Town was closed early due to inclement weather on May 6th; organizers announced that the luminaria & closing ceremonies are being scheduled as a separate event, at General Clinton Park on Wednesday, May 31st from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be served, those who would like to eat should RSVP to Kmoore@sidneyfcu.org. Officials also said that any new names that participants would like to be read In Memory can be emailed to MPalmatier@sidneyfcu.org.

The New York State of Health announced the launch of the New York State Provider & Health Plan Look-Up, which is an online tool to research provider networks and health plans. Consumers shopping for health insurance can search for their preferred health care providers, including doctors and hospitals; to see which health plans have those providers in their network. More information is available at pndslookup.health.ny.gov.

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce is teaming up with several organizations to hold a job fair on June 20th at SUNY Delhi. Chamber President Ray Pucci told WCDO News that employers are looking to expand, and many people are looking for work:

(Ray Pucci 5-22-17)

Employers looking to participate in the Job Fair can call the County Chamber at 746-2281, the fair will be held on June 20th at SUNY Delhi's Farrell Hall from 1:00 to 4:00 PM.

The State Department of Labor released preliminary local area unemployment rates for April, the State’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.3%. Locally, Chenango County's rate was 5%, Delaware County 5.4% & Otsego County 4.7%

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum will pay tribute to Homer Simpson and the “Homer at the Bat” episode of FOX’s THE SIMPSONS on Saturday, during Hall of Fame Classic Weekend, Events will include the “induction” of Homer Simpson into the Hall of Fame, and the first 4,500 fans in attendance at the Classic will receive a rally towel featuring original artwork of Homer Simpson wearing a Hall of Fame baseball uniform. Tickets are available at 1-877-726-9028 or at www.baseballhall.org.

The Environmental Advocates of New York are making a push today in Albany to make clean air & clean water a Constitutional Right. The group cites recent drinking water contamination in Hoosick Falls & on Long Island, plus ongoing air quality concerns in arguing for stronger protections across the state.

The State Senate Task Force on heroin & Opioid Addiction have issued a 4-part plan to combat the crisis in New York State. The plans call for increasing prevention efforts by trying to limit prescriptions for the legal medications from Doctors, opioid education to prescribed patients & Establishing a Narcan kit registry. The plan also calls for increased penalties for existing & new laws dealing with the sale of controlled substances. This year’s state budget commitment of $166 million for heroin and opioid crisis, treatment, outpatient, and residential services, was increased by another $25 million follow the report from the Senate task Force.

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer introduced a bill to expand Brady background checks. Schumer introduced Brady Bill 2 after more than 2,000 advocates flooded his office Monday morning with phone calls. Senator Schumer's original Brady Bill has prevented more than 2.6 million gun sales to domestic abusers, violent felons, and people with dangerous mental illnesses; the new bill will expand background checks to all gun sales.

The SIdney Chamber Of Commerce will be hosting the Ed Wessells Canoe Regatta this saturday starting in Otego & ending in Sidney, spokesman Ed Curley exoplains:

(Ed Curley 5-18-16)

The Wessells Regatta will be the first of three canoe races between Saturday May 21st & the Memorial day weekend, with the Pine ridge Grocery Dash for Cash on Wednesday night, May 25th, and the General Clintonm Canoe Regatta on The Memorial Day Weekend.

The brand name Time Warner Cable will soon disappear, as Charter Communications announced that they will phase out Time Warner Cable’s name as a result of its $55.1 billion acquisition of the company. Charter Officials announced that the Time Warner aquiisition along with that of Bright House Networks, will both be combined under the “Spectrum” brand name.

The State DOT will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, May 24, regarding plans to rehabilitate a bridge on State Route 28 in the town of Milford. The meeting will be held at Milford Central School, at 7:00 PM. The bridge was built in 1985 and carries State Route 28 over State Route 7 and the Norfolk Southern Railroad Freight Main Line. Construction is anticipated to begin in the 2017 construction season. More information is available at 721-8191.

Meeting Management Associates of Sherburne, will be hosting their 2016 charity golf tournament on Friday, July 15th, at Mountain Top Golf Course in Sherburne. The tournament is benefiting Comfort Zone Camp, a children’s therapeutic bereavement camp program. Additional information is available at comfortzonecamp.org or 674-2666.

Governor Cuomo announced $1 million in funding to expand access to addiction treatment services and family supports in the Southern Tier, and other locations to connect patients in Emergency Departments to appropriate treatment and support programs. In the Southern Tier, $250,000 was awarded to Addiction Center of Broome County in Binghamton, for those in need in Broome and neighboring Counties, starting June 1st. The Addiction Care Center can be reached at 723-7308.

Commerce Chenango & NBT Bank presents the Hawaiian themed “Soiree in The Park” in East Park in downtown Norwich tonight. The Members only segment will take place from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. An award will be presented to Friends of Rogers Environmental Education Center in Sherburne who operate the former Rogers Education Center. entertainment starts at 7:00 PM and with The Lightkeepers. More information is available at chenangony.org

Another Red Cross Blood Drive will be held today in Greene, from 12:30 to 5:30 PM at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, 1180 State Highway 206. Those who wish to make an appointment can download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

The Afton Central School Board of Education meeting that was scheduled for Thursday has been changed to today. The meeting will begin at 7:00 PM in the boardroom.

Syracuse University’s efforts to connect with Alumni & Sport team fans comes to NYSEG Stadium tonight. The 'No Huddle Tour' will have new SU Football coach Dino Babers and Basketball coach Jim Boeheim participating in a Meet and Greet with fans on the right field line in the stadium beginning at 5:30 pm, prior to tonight’s Binghamton Meets game..

The New York State Office of General Services have 2 surplus vehicle auctions scheduled locally. Auctions will be held this morning at 9:30, at the DOT location at 241 Colesville Road, Binghamton & on Tuesday, June 14 at 9:30 at the State Police Troop C headquarters on State Route 7, between Sidney & Unadilla. More information is available at nysstore.com or at (518) 457-6335.

State Troopers arrested 41-year-old Gary Hackett of Guilford for Felony Driving While Intoxicated and Felony Aggravated Unlicensed Operation. The arrest occurred following a traffic law stop for speeding on County Route 36 in Guilford, troopers determined that Hackett was intoxicated and also had a suspended driver license.   Hackett was arraigned in the Town of Guilford Court and remanded to the Chenango County Jail on $1,000 cash bail.

State agencies were late 87% of the time in approving contracts with not-for-profit providers last year, according to a report by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. This is an increase from 2012, when 78% were approved late. The Comptroller’s report recommends that state agencies Make prompt contracting a priority to reduce costs to the state and not-for-profits; Pay prompt contracting interest with the first payment due after the start of a late contract; and Re-align contract start dates to reflect the time required for the procurement process. The report can be viewed at osc.state.ny.us.

The state Assembly voted to ban hydraulic fracturing for natural gas for three years, but that’s as far as the bill is likely to go. Yesterday's 89-34 vote in favor of the ban on fracking could be symbolic, since the Senate isn’t expected to consider the legislation before lawmakers adjourn later this week. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said there’s no reason to rush a decision on fracking before its effects on health and the environment are better understood. New York has had a moratorium on fracking since an environmental review was launched in 2008.

Governor Cuomo announced an agreement with legislative leaders on a bill that will cut requirements on microbreweries & farm breweries, and rolling back restrictions regarding the marketing of craft products.   New York Brewers association President David Katlowski state that there is a movement among New York farmers to plant barley & hops again:

(David Katlowski 6-17-14)

The new legislation to help farm breweries & microbreweries is a result of the State's 2nd Wine, Beer, Spirits, and Cider Summit, held this past April.

State Police arrested 28-year-old Cory Nabinger of Harpursville for Driving While Intoxicated, following a motor vehicle accident on Tunnel Road in Fenton.  An investigation determined that Nabinger was intoxicated when he crashed; He refused to submit to a breath test & was issued tickets returnable to the Town of Fenton Court on July 10th.

Lower wage employees from across the state are in Albany today to call on state lawmakers to raise New York's minimum wage. Supporters of the raise want to see the wage increase from $8 per hour to $10.10 per hour. The advocates are also calling for the minimum wage in New York City be raised to $13.13 per hour, and allow future increases based on inflation. It's unclear if lawmakers will vote on an increase.

The Amphenol Building Project in Sidney is progressing on schedule.  Amphenol Project Manager Tom Czernicki explains:

(Tom Czernicki 2-18-14)

Czernicki said that they were able to get a roof on the new structure before the winter hit, so this rough winter did not slow them down.  There are currently over 150 people working on the Amphenol project on Delaware Avenue.

The increased use of heroin continues to be a major problem locally and throughout the state, as emergency rooms continue to see increasing numbers of overdoses.  Dave Ramsey of the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council of Delaware County told WCDO News that the I-stop Program has cut down on people “Doctor Shopping” for painkillers; the next option for addicts has become heroin:

(Dave Ramsey 2-18-14)

Ramsey said that those who have a heroin problem, or who has a loved one with that addiction, they can contact ADAC at 746-8300.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 59-year-old David Mokay of Meridale on 1 count of endangering the Welfare of a Child and 1 count of Criminal Obstruction of Breathing or Circulation following a Domestic Incident.  Mokay was arraigned in Town of Meredith Court and was remanded to Delaware County Correctional Facility on $1,500 cash bail or $3,000 bail bond. Mokay is to reappear at Meredith Court on March 5th.

A new Quinnipiac University poll shows that 88% Of the 1,488 New York voters surveyed, support the legalization of marijuana for medicinal use, only 9% were opposed. The legalization of marijuana for recreational use was supported 57-39%. The poll was conducted between February 6th & February 10th, with a margin of error of +/-2.5 percentage points.

New York transportation officials are setting up public hearings to discuss options for high-speed passenger rail service between New York City and Niagara Falls has been the long time goal of industry leaders, elected officials and transit advocates.  The public meetings will be held between March 4th and 14th in Albany, Syracuse, Buffalo, Rochester, Utica & Poughkeepsie.

Governor Cuomo announced that all 112 New York Works accelerated bridge projects have been completed and open to motorists.  The opening of the Western Gateway Bridge in Schenectady County marks the final finished project, the program allotted $212 million to address bridge replacement or rehabilitation on 112 bridges,  $687 million was allocated for 9 projects that were delayed due to budget constraints. More than 2,000 miles of pavement were replaced in 2012 as part of the program.

Environmental, health and consumer advocacy groups are pushing back against plans by the Cuomo administration to restructure how pesticides are tracked. 38 groups protested a proposal that rolls back a requirement that commercial applicators report where pesticides are used. It would replace that with a new reporting requirement that collects pesticide data at the point of sale. Environmental Advocates say the changes impede the public’s right-to-know about the use of toxic chemicals. DEC Commissioner Joe Martens said the intent is to make the data more usable and accessible.

Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, the Department of Agriculture and Markets in conjunction with the Department of Environmental Conservation is launching the Dairy Acceleration Program (DAP) and making available $1 million in funding to help dairy farmers develop individualized business and environmental plans. To be eligible for DAP a dairy cattle farm must have complete financial records. Preference will be given to farms with under 300 cows. DAP funding will cover 80 percent of a project’s cost. Payments may include: up to $5,000 per farm to write a business plan or develop a combination of a business and facility growth plan; and up to $4,500 to update an existing Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) or $6,000 to develop a new one. Other legislation recently approved by the governor supports farmers in their efforts to reduce their energy bills with the installation of clean energy projects such as solar and fuel cells. Specifically, legislation approved by Governor Cuomo increases from 25 kilowatts to 100 kilowatts the maximum electricity generation for the solar electric systems eligible for net metering without the need to move them to a commercial meter.

Gov. Cuomo will greet President Obama in Buffalo on Thursday as the president kicks off a two-day tour through New York and Pennsylvania to talk about jobs and the middle class. Cuomo will send Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy to the New York State Fair on Thursday, the first day of the fair. Cuomo said he will also visit the fair later during its 12-day run. Traditionally, the governor opens the fair on the first day, which is also known as "Governor's Day." Gov. Cuomo will avoid a potentially dicey political conflict by not joining President Obama to other parts of upstate New York roiled over the state's ban on hydraulic fracturing for natural gas. Obama supports the technology. Parts of central New York and the Southern Tier are on the gas-rich Marcellus Shale formation, where energy companies want to drill. Obama's two-day bus tour will begin Thursday and hit the University at Buffalo, followed by stops in Syracuse, Binghamton and northeastern Pennsylvania. The governor has postponed a decision on whether to allow fracking in New York. Cuomo says he's waiting for a study by state health department.

New York state lost more personal income from people leaving the state in the 2000s than any other state. The Tax Foundation calculated that New York had a net loss of $45.6 billion in personal income from 2000 to 2010. The foundation tracks moves of people within and between states. States that gained the most income in the last decade are Florida, Arizona and Texas.

The state Senate Finance Committee have scheduled five statewide public hearings on how New York’s tax policies can be changed to reduce the burden on taxpayers and to help businesses create more jobs. Public hearings are scheduled for Albany, Syracuse, Buffalo, Mineola and New York City. The Business Council of New York State; National Federation of Independent Business; Unshackle Upstate; the State Economic Development Council; The Tax Foundation and New York Farm Bureau will participate.

A Chenango County man was arrested for selling cocaine in the town of Oneonta in January. 37 year Michael John Hunt of West Edmeston is charged with third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance. Hunt was arrested after an investigation by deputies with assistance from Oneonta Police. Hunt was arraigned in Otsego County Court and sent to Otsego jail on $20,000 bail.

The Village of Bainbridge Board of Trustees will hold a public hearing tonight at 6:30 in the Village Clerk’s Office, 33 West Main St., Bainbridge. The purpose of the public hearing will be to receive comments, concerning the submission of an application, to the State Office of Community Renewal, for funding under the federal Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program for 2013. The public is welcome.

Advocates of a bill to legalize sparklers in New York have released polling data that shows two thirds of voters surveyed support the measure. The poll was done by the United States Fireworks Safety Commission. The bill, which passed both the Senate and Assembly, and is in a holding pattern until it’s sent to Gov. Cuomo for review, would legalize the sale of sparklers near New Year’s and the Fourth of July in New York State.

Lyme disease is about 10 times more common than previously reported. The CDC said as many as 300,000 Americans are diagnosed with Lyme disease each year. It's a bacteria transmitted through the bites of infected deer ticks. Symptoms include a fever, headache and fatigue and sometimes a rash that looks like a bull's-eye centered on the tick bite. Most people recover with antibiotics. If left untreated, the infection can cause arthritis and more severe problems. The majority of Lyme disease reports have come from the northeast, including New York. For more information go to cdc.gov

The Otsego County Conservation Association is seeking nominations for it's annual "Conservationist of the Year" award. The award is given to individuals, organizations or businesses that have made a positive difference in environmental protection, preservation or education in Otsego County. Nominations must be submitted by October 4th. To obtain a nomination form, call 547-4488 or email admin@occa info dot org.