WCDO Radio News

State Police responded to a 2 vehicle crash Thursday in Franklin. 34 year old Chyanne Allen of Downsville was airlifted to Albany Medical Center where she died from injuries sustained from the crash and from suffering with a brittle bone disease. Troopers responded to an accident on state Route 357 where 25 year old Christopher Delong of Unadilla was backing a delivery van into a driveway when 65 year old Robert Allen of Downsville attempted to avoid the van by veering into the opposite lane, he was unable to avoid the vehicle and a passenger-side collision resulted. Delong and a passenger were not injured. Robert Allen was not injured; 25 year old Savannah Miller was taken to Bassett Medical Center for chest pain.

State Senator Jim Seward announced state grants of $50,000 each for Charlotte Valley, Franklin & Unatego School Districts. Franklin and Unatego will use the grants to assist with general education and classroom needs. Charlotte Valley will use the funds to help with costs associated with a parking lot improvement project to correct drainage problems and enhance safety.

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.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to a one-car roll over with property damage on Case Hill Road in Treadwell on November 6th. Deputies determined that William Rathbun’s vehicle left the roadway, entered into a ditch & rolled over and stuck a utility pole, which caused a minor power outage. Rathbun was ticketed for failure to keep right, speed unreasonable and prudent, & possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle. Rathbun will appear in the Town of Franklin Court at a later date.

Firefighters from several area Departments responded to a fully involved Structure Fire on county road 21 in the town of Franklin Saturday morning. Fire departments from Franklin, Walton, and Treadwell & Sidney responded, the structure was heavily damaged & the investigation by State Police is continuing.

The elections results are in for many of the key races in the Tri-County Area: Sidney Town Supervisor Gene Pigford is re-elected, for the 2 Sidney Council seats, the winners are Pete Cordes & Frank Selleck. Walton Supervisor Charles Gregory is re-elected, the Franklin Town Council winners were David Grant & Garret Sitts, Oneonta mayor Gary Herzig is re-elected, Oneonta Town Supervisor Robert Wood is re-elected, Oneonta town council Winners were Patricia Jacob & Randy Mowers, Butternuts town board Winners were Paul Irwin & Scot Lueck, for the Norwich City Council 4th Ward: Linda Kays Biviano wins, Norwich Town Council seats go to Stanley Foulds & Debra Cubbedge, the Otselic Supervisor is Marjorie Davis & Oxford Supervisor, incumbent Lawrence Wilcox wins. The proposition for all state voters: the Constitutional Convention was defeated, Cutting Public Pensions for convicted officials was approved, and allowing expansion of roads & bike paths in the Catskills & Adirondacks is too close to call. Candidates who won their races for seats on the Otsego County Board of Representatives include Ed Frazier, Michele Farwell, Kathleen Clark, Andrew Stammel, Margaret Kennedy, Peter Oberacker, David Bliss, Andrew Marietta, Keith McCarty, Adrienne Martini, Danny Lapin & Lizabeth Shannon.

Today is Election Day, with polls open until 9:00 tonight. All New York voters will decide on 3 propositions on the back of the ballot regarding a constitutional convention, if convicted politicians should lose their pensions, and if forest land in the Adirondacks and Catskills can be used for wider roads or bicycle paths. In Delaware County there are significant races for Town Supervisor in Sidney & Walton, for town board seats in Sidney & Franklin, in Chenango County for town supervisor in the towns of Norwich, Plymouth, Oxford, Smyrna & Otselic, plus Norwich city justice & Norwich city alderman in the 4th ward. In Otsego County, there are races for the Board of Representative's in all districts except the 10th & 11th, where candidates are running unopposed. There are also races for the Town of Oneonta Supervisor & Town Board & Oneonta City Mayor, there are 4 candidates running for 2 seats on the Town of Butternuts board.

Tomorrow is Election Day, with many local town & city races of importance to be decided by voters. All voters Statewide will decide on propositions, which will be on the back of the ballots, to decide if a constitutional convention should be convened to overhaul state government, if politicians convicted of corruption should lose their pensions, and if forest land in the Adirondacks and Catskills can be used for widened roads and bicycle paths. Key Chenango County races include the Oxford town supervisor’s race between Canice Paliotta vs. incumbent Lawrence Wilcox, the Norwich town council race has 4 candidates for 2 positions, between Debra Cubbedge, Barbara Collins, Stanley Foulds & David law. For the Otselic town supervisor position, Marjorie Davis & John Myers are on the ballot. In Delaware County; For Town of Sidney Supervisor; incumbent Gene Pigford faces Bill Heath, & there are 4 Town board candidates for 2 seats, candidates on the ballot are Pete Cordes, Dan Cristelli, Frank Selleck & John Woodyshek, however Woodyshek announced that he is NOT seeking re-election. in the Town of Franklin Board there are 2 open seats with 3 candidates: Patricia Tyrell, David Grant & Garrett Sitts. In the Walton town supervisor’s race, Charles Gregory faces Bruce Dolph. In Otsego County races of note: there are Board of Representative's races in all districts except the 10th & 11th where 1 candidate each is running unopposed. For Town of Oneonta Supervisor, Republican Mike Butler challenges Incumbent Democrat Robert Wood, for the Oneonta Town Board Incumbents Patricia Jacob and Randy Mowers, are being challenged by Dan Baker, and James McCue. In the city of Oneonta mayor’s race, Incumbent Gary Herzig faces write in candidate Don Scanlon. In the Town of Butternuts there are 4 candidates for 2 seats on the board, they are Scott Lueck, Paul Irwin, Donald Hunt & James Power. Polls will be open from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM Tuesday.

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 forum is being held this evening for Franklin residents with candidates for the Town Council positions. The forum will be held at the Ouleout American Legion Post at 327 Main Street in Franklin beginning at 7:00 PM.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 37-year-old Scott Barnhart of Sidney Center for speeding at 72 miles per hour in a 55 miles an hour zone, plus Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle & operating a motor vehicle without an ignition interlock device. Barnhart was released on appearance tickets for Town of Franklin Court, Deputies reported that after further investigation, 38 year old Leanne Taggart of Sidney Center was arrested for loaning a motor vehicle without an interlock device to a person required to have one & facilitating Aggravated Unlicensed Operation. Taggart was released on appearance tickets and is to appear in Town of Franklin Court on October 26th.

Delaware County Public Health announced that a cat from the town of Franklin tested positive for rabies. The stray cat attacked one person and a dog on September 20th, the individual delayed calling Public Health until September 24th, 2017; the cat was then sent for testing to Wadsworth lab on September 25. The person is receiving rabies Prophylaxis treatment. The dog was up to date on its rabies vaccinations and will receive a booster. The next free rabies clinic will be on October 18, 2017, from 6PM-8PM, at the Delhi Fire Hall, more information is available at 832-5200 or delawarecountypublichealth.com

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.

State Police & Delaware County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 33-year-old Christopher Davis of Otego on a Warrant of Arrest issued by the Town of Franklin Court. Davis was charged with 3rd degree Robbery, Criminal Mischief & Petty Larceny, for allegedly forcefully stealing a cell phone from a victim during a domestic dispute in the Town of Franklin. Davis was arraigned in the Town of Franklin Court and was remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility on $1,000 cash bail pending further court action.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a motor vehicle accident on State Highway 28 in the Town of Franklin. 22-year-old Nicholas Thompson of Garnerville crossed over the opposing lane and drove off the roadway and struck a culvert. Thompson was transported to Fox Hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the accident. Deputies charged Thompson with DWI & Failure to Keep Right. He was issued tickets returnable in Town of Franklin at a later date.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 29-year-old Todd Tripp of East Meredith, for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, following a report of an accident in the Town of Franklin. Tripp was will appear in Town of Franklin Court to answer to the charges at a later date.

Delaware County Public Health announced a Free Rabies Vaccination Clinic For dogs, cats and ferrets today from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, at the Franklin Fire Hall, 351 Main Street. More information about rabies is available at 832-5200 or delawarecountypublichealth.com.

A raccoon tested positive for rabies in the town of Davenport. 2 dogs were exposed to the diseased raccoon when they cornered and killed the animal. The dogs were up to date on their rabies vaccinations and each received a rabies booster. 2 people were also exposed and are receiving rabies post exposure treatment. This is the 3RD animal in Delaware County to test positive for rabies in 2017. Public Health recommends that pet owners take advantage of the free remaining rabies clinics in Delaware County, on August 9th from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, at the Franklin Fire Hall, August 23rd from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Sidney Fire Hall, an October Rabies Clinic will b held in Delhi; the date and time will be announced soon.

Delaware County Public Health announced today that 2 dogs in the Town of Walton came into contact with a raccoon that tested positive for rabies. There was no human exposure reported. 1 of the exposed dog’s rabies vaccinations was not up to date, the owner is working with Delaware County Public Health and Town of Walton officials to ensure the dog will be quarantined for 6 months. The other dog was up to date; it received a booster, and will not need to be quarantined. Public Health recommends that pet owners take advantage of free rabies clinics on Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, at the Delhi Fire Hall, on August 9th from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at the Franklin Fire Hall, or August 23rd from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Sidney Fire Hall.

Delaware County Sheriff Deputies were dispatched Monday afternoon to a 1-car accident on State Highway 206 in the Town of Walton. 34-year-old Christopher Pashley, of Franklin, informed Deputies that his vehicle veered off the right hand shoulder of the roadway and into the ditch when he fell asleep while driving. Deputies charged Pashley, with criminally possessing a hypodermic instrument and a traffic summons for moving from lane unsafely, The Division of Parole was notified, & Pashley was then charged on a Parole Violation Warrant, he was released from Prison in December, 2016 after serving part of a 1-½ year prison sentence for Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance. Pashley was arranged in the Town of Walton Court and was remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility without bail.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 29 year old Alexis Seward of Otego, Saturday for 1 count each of Felony DWI, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, & resisting arrest, following a 1 car accident in Franklin. Seward’s vehicle went off the roadway and into a ditch, the investigation revealed that Seward’s driver’s license was revoked, due to a previous alcohol related charge, Seward then resisted the Deputy’s attempt to arrest her. Seward was remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $5,000 bail or $10,000 bond, pending future Court action.

Commencement exercises for graduating High School Seniors will begin this evening at several area school districts. Graduation ceremonies scheduled for this evening include: CHARLOTTE VALLEY at 6:30, and at 7:00 PM for AFTON, FRANKLIN, UNATEGO, Milford, Morris, & Laurens.  Graduation ceremonies will continue Saturday morning WITH ceremonies for SIDNEY, Delaware academy in Delhi, Harpursville, Norwich, Greene, Walton, Gilbertsville Mount Upton, Oneonta, & the Oxford academy. The Unadilla Valley seniors will graduate starting at 2:00 PM & Bainbridge Guilford seniors will graduate at 7:00 PM. On Sunday, Edmeston seniors will graduate at 1:00 PM

Several area fire departments responded to the call of a structure fire at 123 Main Street in Delhi this morning. Fire fighters from Delhi, Bovina, Franklin, Bloomville & Walton responded to the fire at the O'Neill's Shire pub, earlier this morning. WCDO News will have more details as they become available.

A Delaware County Grand Jury handed down Sealed Indictments last Thursday regarding the illegal sale of prescription drugs. Sheriff's Office Investigators arrested 49-year-old Louis Aulicino of Franklin, for 3 counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance, for allegedly selling Morphine and Oxycodone from his residence between early November 2016, and late January of this year. Sheriff’s Investigators also arrested 46 year old Richard Mattice, of Delhi, on 3 counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance, for allegedly selling Hydrocodone in the Village of Delhi between July, 2016, and late January of this year.

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce will hold a First Friday eat & greet business networking breakfast mixer this morning at the Tulip and Rose Café at 435 Main Street, in Franklin from 8:30 - 10 AM. The featured speaker is Todd Heyn, of the New York State Farm Bureau. More information about the chamber is available at 746-2281 or visit delawarecounty.org.

State Senator Jim Seward announced that community libraries throughout the 51st senatorial district have been awarded a total of nearly $700,000 in public library construction grant funds. Local Libraries receiving funding include Franklin, the Huntington Library in Oneonta, & Kinney Memorial Library in Hartwick.

Delaware County Chamber of Commerce will Celebrate Dairy Month at their next Breakfast this Friday, June 2, from 8:30 to 10:00 am in Franklin. The event will be held at The Tulip and Rose Cafe at 435 Main Street in Franklin, as part of the Chamber's First Friday Eat & Meet Breakfast. Todd Heyn of New York Farm Bureau will be the featured speaker. To RSVP or to sponsor an event call the Chamber at 607-746-2281. Members can also register online at delawarecounty.org.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 25 year old Steven Smith Jr. of Franklin Friday, for DWI, driving while ability impaired by drugs, failure to keep right, making an unsafe lane change, unlawful possession of marijuana, and criminal possession of a controlled substance. The arrest followed a 1-car accident on State Highway 357 in the Town of Franklin. Smith was later released on tickets returnable to Franklin Town Court at a later date.

All area school districts had successful budget votes yesterday, many by a wide margin. Locally, the Franklin School district required a Super Majority Voter Approval; their tax levy increase was slightly above the state cap.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 28-year-old Hasan Siddiqi of Franklin last Wednesday on charges of Operating a motor vehicle without a headlight, failure to keep right, unlicensed operator, and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the 3rd degree. Deputies say this arrest is a result of a traffic stop on State Highway 23 in the Town of Walton. Siddiqi was arraigned in front of Judge Hall at Walton Village Court and was released on his own recognizance.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 25-year-old James Blount of Walton, Friday on charges of failure to keep right, unsafe lane change, unlicensed operator, and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, following an investigation of a 1-car accident in the Town of Franklin. Blount was later released on tickets returnable to Franklin Town Court at a later date.