WCDO Radio News

THE SIDNEY FOOTBALL TEAM WILL PLAY HARPURSVILLE-AFTON ON SATURDAY IN THE SECTION-4, CLASS-D SEMIFINALS, FOLLOWING A HEARING TODAY APPROVING THE ELIGIBILITY STATUS OF ONE OF HARPURSVILLE AFTON PLAYERS.   WCDO SPORTS WILL HAVE THE HARPURSVILLE AFTON -SIDNEY FOOTBALL GAME FROM TY COBB STADIUM AT UNION ENDICOTT AT 3:00 PM SATURDAY.

Governor Cuomo today announced that 39 businesses have joined START-UP NY and will expand in or locate to New York State through the tax-free program associated with colleges and universities across the state. The 39 have committed to create 817 new jobs and invest more than $30 million over the next 5 years. Locally at Binghamton University, 140 new jobs will be created through i3 Assemblies; a new manufacturing company that offers that produces electronic components medical diagnostic/imaging devices, cutting-edge space exploration and satellite technology; The Company will invest $8.2 million.

The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce's annual dinner will be held Saturday night at the Sundown Golf Course in Guilford. This year's Citizen of the Year is John Payne, and the business of the year if Nana's Keepsakes. Local Assemblyman Cliff Crouch will be the guest Speaker.

There are only a few more days to notify the "Operation Merry Christmas" staff about specific gifts for underprivileged children in our area. Coordinator Ginny Ireland said that the tags on the Christmas Trees would be in area stores shortly:

(Ginny Ireland 10-28-16)

Ireland said that the give away day on December 10th would be in a new location at 44 Grand Street in Sidney.

Magic City Music Hall announced today that Saturday evening’s concert with Rusted Root would be the venue’s final show. Over the past year the Music Hall has produced more than 2 dozen major concerts, including by REO Speedwagon, Kansas, and Third Eye Blind, among others. Ticket refunds for shows with Chase Rice and Josh Turner remain available at the place of purchase, including the Magic City Music Hall Box Office, as are refunds for any other previously postponed or cancelled concerts. The Music Hall Box Office will be open for refunds through 6:00 PM on Monday, after that, refunds may be obtained by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Magic City, P.O. Box 462, Endicott.

THE SIDNEY FOOTBALL TEAM IS SET TO FACE HARPURSVILLE-AFTON ON SATURDAY IN THE SECTION-4, CLASS-D SEMIFINALS. BUT BEFORE THE GAME CAN BE PLAYED A HEARING WILL BE HELD TODAY TO DETERMINE IF THE HORNETS ARE STILL ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GAME. WCDO SPORTS DIRECTOR NATE LULL HAS THE DETAILS...

(NATE LULL 10-28-16)

WCDO SPORTS WILL HAVE MORE INFORMATION AFTER THE HEARING IS COMPLETED & A RULING AS BEEN ISSUED.

The Delaware County Board of Elections reminds county voters that they will be open extra hours tomorrow & Saturday November 5th from 9:00 AM until Noon for absentee voting. More information is available at 832-5321

The Norwich Pumpkin Festival is preparing to celebrate their 18th year of FREE family fun and entertainment today & tomorrow. Activities are scheduled in East and West Parks in downtown Norwich with live music, street performers, contests, food & craft vendors and fireworks. More information is available at norwichpumpkinfestival.com.

A blood drive will be held in Afton Saturday morning, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 Noon, at the Afton United Methodist Church, at 34 Spring Street. Appointments can be made through the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

On Wednesday Oneonta Police assisted the Otsego County probation Department with items located during a routine visit of a person on probation. Officer confiscated 40 bags of heroin, Packaging materials, Scales & A small quantity of marijuana, police arrested 30 year old Daniel Londner of Oneonta for Criminal possession of a controlled substance, Criminally using of drug paraphernalia and unlawful possession of marijuana, Londner was held pending arraignment in the City of Oneonta Court

After many years as the Chief of the Sidney Police Department, Mike Hood is stepping down next week, to be replaced by 23-year Sidney Police Department veteran Jan Gorshack. Hood Commented about his years as the Sidney Police Chief:

(Mike Hood 10-21-16)

Hood's last official day as Sidney Police Chief is October 28th, he will work part time for the Bainbridge Police Department & the Delaware County Sheriff’s department.

The Maine-Endwell Little League World Series team will be honored at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown this weekend. The Maine-Endwell team was the champions of Little League World Series in August, Team members and coaches will visit the Hall of Fame on Sunday, for a special 1:00 PM ceremony hosted by Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson.

From September 2015 to September 2016, New York State's private sector job count climbed by 115,100, or 1.5 percent, according to preliminary figures released today by the New York State Department of Labor. In September 2016, the state's private sector job count fell by 4,400. Since the beginning of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's administration, New York State's economy has added 839,500 private sector jobs and experienced employment growth in 58 of the past 69 months. In September 2016, the statewide unemployment rate increased from 4.8% to 5.0%, which was equal to the comparable U.S. unemployment rate of 5.0%.

Another Blood drive will be held in West Oneonta today from 2:00 to 6:00 PM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, at 107 Balmoral Drive. To make an appointment to donate blood, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Sportsfield Specialties has completed a recent expansion to their manufacturing facility in Delhi. The company is inviting the public to their Open House Saturday, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM it will include tours, demonstrations, family activities, and complimentary refreshments.

The Sidney American Legion is hosting a fundraiser Saturday for Camp Hope Veterans Outreach. Spokesman Larry Halbert explains:

(Larry Halbert 10-21-16)

The fundraiser will be held at the Sidney American Legion at 22 Union Street, Sidney from 1:00 until 5:00 PM, they are asking for donations of services, products and gift certificates to auction or a monetary donation, in order to buy property & start The Camp Hope facility.

The Jericho Arts Council will feature the bluegrass music of "Zink & Company Saturday night. Spokesman Phillip Wade comments:

(Phillip Wade 10-21-16)

ZINK & COMPANY will perform at the Town Hall Theatre on Main Street in Bainbridge beginning at 7:00 PM

The Village of Sidney Police Department is collecting unused & unwanted medications at a "Take Back" event Saturday. Offer Jan Gorshack explains:

(Jan Gorshack 10-21-16)

Gorshack said that they can NOT collect needles & sharps at the event, but can take prescription & over the counter medications, preferably in their original containers.

The Bainbridge Rotary Club is hosting its 4th Annual Fall Festival & Pie Run 5K on Saturday, at 10:00 a.m. with our Pie Run; a fun 5K walk/run around General Clinton Park. Participants are encouraged to come in their best Halloween costume and winners are rewarded with a homemade pie. Registration for the 5K and pie contest is available at Bainbridge-NY-Rotary.com.

Governor Cuomo today announced that non-essential lane closures for road and bridge construction projects on State highways will be suspended today until Tuesday Morning at 6:00 AM to accommodate travelers during the Labor Day holiday weekend. The Governor’s construction suspension seeks to make it easier for motorists to travel with minimized traffic congestion and travel delays due to road and bridge work. Some work may continue behind permanent concrete barriers or for emergency repairs.

The 2016 Little League World Series Champion Maine-Endwell team will be honored in a ceremony on Saturday at 6:30 PM prior to the Binghamton Mets game against the Erie Sea Wolves. The 11 players, along with manager Scott Rush and his coaching staff will be recognized for their 24-0 season that finished with the championship last Sunday. Fans can purchase tickets for the B-Mets upcoming season-closing homestand at the NYSEG Stadium box office, by calling 723-METS or by visiting BMETS.COM.

The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce will host "Bainbridge Days" today & tomorrow, Chamber spokesperson June White comments:

(June White 9-2-16)

Events will be located around the Village, in the Downtown Bainbridge business District, as well as the parking lot behind Bob's Diner.

The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood to help ensure a readily available blood supply for emergencies. Donations decline around summer holidays like Labor Day. Appointments can be made by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS. A blood drive will be held tomorrow from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Main Street Baptist Church Briggs Hall, 333 Main Street in Oneonta

The West Kortright Centre presents its 11th Annual Fair on Sunday, from 12:00 Noon until 6:00 PM. Spokesperson Charlene Sugihara explains:

(Charlene Sugihara 9-2-16)

Admission is $5.00 per person and children under 10 are free. The West Kortright Centre is located at 49 West Kortright Church Road in East Meredith; more information is available at 278-5454 or westkc.org.

Binghamton Police charged 27-year-old Nicholas Chappell of Binghamton with 2nd -degree murder & attempted 2nd degree murder for the fatal shooting at 1 Mozart Street Wednesday morning. Chappell is accused of fatally shooting 23-year-old David Sanborn of Whitney Point & injuring 26-year-old Jordan Doolittle of Windsor. The investigation is ongoing.

Delaware County Public Health announced that a raccoon has tested positive for Rabies in the town of Middletown. The Raccoon was sent to the State Rabies Lab for testing, the positive test results were received Wednesday. Officials said that there was 1 domestic animal and 1 human exposure; they are coordinating the Rabies Post Exposure Prophylaxis treatment that the adult will be receiving. The animal has been placed in quarantine for 6 months due to a short lapse in rabies vaccination status. The next scheduled rabies clinic is: Delhi Fire Station on October 19th, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. More information is available at 832-5200 or delawarecountypublichealth.com.

Governor Cuomo announced that the sales and use tax exemption for feminine hygiene products sold in New York State is in effect. Feminine hygiene products have been taxable since the state sales tax was first instituted in 1965, even as a wide variety of other goods, such as dietary and family planning products, have been exempt.

The Susquehanna Balloon Glow Festival will be held in Oneonta this weekend. Activities begin this evening at 5:00 PM and will continue Saturday & Sunday. The full schedule of events is available at the Balloon Glow Fest Facebook page.

Calling hours for Sidney native & US Army Veteran Adam Petzack of Great Falls Montana will be held at C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel on Main Street in Sidney today from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. A memorial mass will begin at 1:00 pm at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, on Liberty Street in Sidney with military honors following. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Adam's memory either monetary or air miles to healinghero.org. A gathering at of family & friends will follow at Vincent's on Main Street in Afton will follow the services.

The New York Lottery’s Yolanda Vega today presented an over-sized check worth $5 million to 70-year-old William Villecco of Harpursville at Wegman’s in Johnson City today. Villecco chose to receive his prize in a single lump sum payment totaling $4.2 Million Dollars.

State Police & Delaware County EMS updated the information on Wednesday Night’s explosion at 3949 State Route 206 in Masonville. At 9:26 pm, Delaware 911 received a call of a house explosion at the Kela Charles, Masonville fire units responded to find the home completed destroyed by an apparent explosion and heavily involved with fire. Mutual aid assistance was received from Trout Creek, Sidney, Sidney Center, Bainbridge, & Franklin. 29-year-old Kerry Vaccaro was outside of the residence at the time of the explosion, she was transported to Wilson Memorial Hospital in Johnson City. 31-year-old Shayne Charles was in the basement, he was eventually airlifted to the burn unit at Upstate Medical in Syracuse. 53-year-old Kela Charles refused medical treatment for her injuries. The cause of the explosion has been determined to be accidental in nature and caused when Shayne Charles attempted to ignite a propane hot water heater in the basement.

Jermaine Bagnall-Graham of Sherburne officially filed petition signatures to appear on the Democratic and Women’s Equality Party lines, in the race for the 51st State Senate District. Bagnall-Graham is seeking to unseat Republican Jim Seward, who has held a seat in the Senate since 1986. Bagnall-Graham has officials started a website for the campaign at jermaine. today, & a Facebook page, Facebook.com/jermaineforsenate.

The Music of The City of the Hills festival will be held to benefit the Oneonta Soccer Club. the music-festival will be running from 9:00 am to 6:30 pm with Food, vendors, refreshments and the music of Mike Herman, Country Express, Just Throw Money & SUNDOWN at the Wright Soccer Complex in Oneonta.

The village of Morris will conduct its 36th annual community-wide Yard Sale Day on Saturday, July 16. The event will feature dozens of family sales, food tents, and vendors in the village park. Shop early for the best bargains.

Sidney Alumni weekend continues tonight through Sunday, Sidney Alumni spokesman Greg Davie commented about Saturday & Sunday’s scheduled activities:

(Greg Davie 7-15-16)

The full line up is available at sidneyalumni.org.

The Annual Chenango County Republican Party "Lobsterfest" will be held this Sunday in Norwich, republican committee spokesman Tom Morrone explains:

(Tom Morrone 7-15-16)

More information is available at 226-3271.

Unatego Alumni Association will hold their first annual weekend, with a variety of events, starting tonight at the Long River Inn, and continuing on Saturday & Sunday. Association Spokesperson Judy Pitel said that they are trying to raise money for scholarships & to acknowledge outstanding alumni:

(Judy Pitel 7-15-16)

More Information is available at 435-3053.

State Police arrested 55 year old Cal Harris of Spencer, for 4th degree stalking. The arrest occurred after an investigation determined Harris had verbally threatened an off duty New York State Police member and his family while standing in front of the member’s residence in the Town of Oneonta. Harris was located and arrested shortly after leaving the member’s residence. Harris was arraigned in Town of Oneonta court & was released on his own recognizance pending further court proceedings. At arraignment, an Order of Protection directing Harris to refrain from having any contact with the victim or his family, & Harris was ordered to surrender all firearms in his possession. Harris was recently aquitted at his 4th murder trial, which was held in Schoharie County Court, he was convicted twice before for killing his wife Michelle in 2001.

Governor Cuomo announced the final report and recommendations from the Heroin and Opioids Task Force's plan to combat the state's crisis. among the 25 recommendation: Remove insurance barriers to inpatient treatment by eliminating prior approval for admission, Mandate that insurers use an objective, state-approved criteria when making coverage determinations for treatment, Increase the number of treatment beds and program slots for substance abuse disorder, Mandate prescribers to complete ongoing education on pain management, palliative care, and addiction, Limit opiate prescriptions for acute pain from 30-days to no more than a 7-day supply, with certain exceptions & Mandate that pharmacists educate consumers on the risks associated with prescription opioids.

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a lead that was called in Thursday of a suspicious vehicle parked on Zion Hill Road near the Steam Mill State Forest in Masonville. Arthur Gehr’s Chevy Silverado pick-up truck was located parked on the side of the roadway locked. Gehr was not located anywhere near or around the vehicle. State Police & Deposit Police were called in to assist, State Police are conducting the current investigation & search effort in Delaware County. Gehr is 61 years of age and was last seen on Saturday June 4th at his residence on Barton Ave in the Town of Union. He last spoke with his employer on Sunday afternoon. He suffers from depression and has medical conditions & he may be in the Deposit area. Anyone with information is asked to call The Broome County Sheriff’s Office at 778-1911 or the Sheriff’s tip line at 778-1196.

The Village of New Berlin will be celebrating their Bicentennial on later today & all day Saturday, New Berlin Mayor Terry Potter explains:

(Terry Potter 6-9-16)

Potter said that a video with a full line up of events has been posted on the New Berlin New York Village Bicentennial Celebration Facebook page; it has also been shared on the WCDO Facebook page.

The 8th Otsego Lakes Festival will be held on Saturday, June 11 from noon to 5 p.m. at Lakefront Park in Cooperstown. Activities for kids will include the Cooperstown Art Association’s fish painting station, interactive science displays with SUNY Oneonta’s Biological Field Station, and a “juried” art contest. Refreshments will be for sale on site.

The State DOT announced that construction work for the Prospect Mountain construction project would require lane closures in Binghamton today 9:00 AM to 12:oo Noon. Traffic will be reduced to one lane for concrete median barrier removal at State Route 17 eastbound between Exit 70 & 72, & State Route 17 westbound between Exit 72 & 71. Motorists are advised to be alert for slow moving traffic and sudden stops.

On Saturday, from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, Chenango County Airport Day will be held at the Eaton Airport in Norwich. The day starts with a Fly-In breakfast starting at 8:00 am. The Buffalo Heritage Squadron will be bringing the SNJ-4, a World War II era trainer jet. The EAA will also be providing free rides to children ages 8 to 17 as part of the Young Eagles program.

The American Red Cross will hold another blood drive today in Cooperstown from 12:30 to 6:30 PM at Bassett Hall. Appointments can be made through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, at redcrossblood.org or at 1-800-RED CROSS.

An Operation Kidsafe Free Child Safety Event is being held at Country Club Nissan in Oneonta for 2 more days this week; the program was started 15 years ago, Operation Kidsafe founder Mark Bott explains:

(Mark Bott 6-10-16)

More information about this week's Oneonta event is available at CountryClubNissan.com, or at the Country Club Nissan Face book page. KIDSAFE Hours are 10:00 am to 6:00 pm today & on Saturday 10:00 am to 4:00pm.