WCDO Radio News

Congressman Marc Molinaro announced his constituent service team will hold mobile office hours from 12:00 noon to 2:00pm on Wednesday, December 20 at the Town of Oneonta Town Hall. This comes after a home exploded in Oneonta, killing 1 person, injuring others, and damaging neighboring homes. Constituents will be able to connect with representatives from Congressman Molinaro's office to get assistance with issues they are facing.

Broome County Sheriff’s Office Patrols, State DOT and volunteer firefighters responded to a tractor trailer fire on I-81 southbound between Exit 7 & Exit 6 in the Town of Chenango early Thursday morning, traffic was diverted to 1 lane for the clean up & investigation, the trailer contained frozen food, no tickets were announced & no injuries were reported.

Hospice & Palliative Care of Chenango County announced that they have extended their '100 for HOPE' Raffle. Tickets are $100 each, Prizes are $1500 cash, $1000 cash or a Quilt from Sew Sewcial. The drawing will be December 29, 2023.Call 607-334-3556.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 12-15-23

An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held in Franklin today from 12:30 pm. - 5:30 pm., at the Franklin Fire Department. Appointments can be made with the Red Cross App, at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-redcross.

The Otsego County Sheriff's Office will participate in the next Shop with a Cop event tomorrow. 36 children were selected by area school district to participate, they will shop with Deputies, officers from the Cooperstown & Oneonta Police Departments & SUNY Oneonta Police tomorrow.

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 12-11-23

The Town of Oneonta has adjusted the restricted area to the public to properties close to the area around Saturday's explosion & fire at Richards Avenue in Oneonta's West End. Residents within the affected area will be allowed to secure their homes from the outside only, Town of Oneonta Code Enforcement will be on scene with NYSEG to assist residents, the Code Enforcement Office phone number is 607-432-8606. The phone number for town hall is 607-432-2900. A representative from Mobile Crises Assessment Team is at the Oneonta Town Hall today and Wednesday at starting at 10:00 AM for anyone who needs assistance, their phone number is 315-732-6228.

NYSEG is reporting over 3000 customers without power this afternoon, following the heavy wet snow over the region. Crews are working to restore power as quickly as possible. Most of the power outages were in the Middle & Eastern townships in Delaware County.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies responded to motor vehicle complaint in the Town of Davenport November 26th, Deputies learned that a vehicle had been stolen, damaged and return to the owner’s residence. Later that day Sheriff's Deputies located where the vehicle had been involved in a property damage accident. Deputies determined that owner 23-year-old Hector Padilla of Davenport had made a false report and was the operator of the vehicle when it was involved in the accident. Deputies charged Padilla with 2 counts of Criminal Mischief, 1 count of Obstructing Governmental Administration & 1 count of Falsely Reporting an Incident, he was issued appearance tickets for Town of Davenport Court at a later date.

The Jericho Arts Council is now looking for artists to participate in next year's Regatta Row 2024. Spokesperson Rachel Hares explains:

(Rachel Hares 12-11-23)

The chairs will be displayed in Bainbridge from April to Memorial Day Weekend, when they are auctioned off during the General Clinton Canoe Regatta, applications and details are available online at jerichoarts.com, more information is available at 607-643-2211.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 12-11-23

On Saturday at approximately 5:30 pm; The Otsego County 911 Center received multiple 911 calls reporting an explosion and residential structure fire on Richards Avenue in the Town of Oneonta. The Oneonta Fire Department and multiple mutual aid departments responded. Upon arrival, they found multiple structures with severe damage and an active structure fire. Deputies and members of various fire departments assisted residents in the immediate area with a precautionary evacuation. Once the fire was extinguished, 60 year old Desmond Moan was found deceased. A neighboring resident received medical attention for minor injuries sustained during the explosion, the initial investigation determined the cause of the fire at 18 Richards Avenue was a result of human error.

The Unadilla Fire was dispatched to a possible structure fire in the town of Unadilla on Kilkenny Road, at about 4:15 Saturday afternoon. Additional personnel were called in from Franklin, Wells Bridge, and Sidney Fire departments, it took approximately 25 minutes to get the fire knocked down.

21 year old Patrick Dai of Pittsford, and Cornell University, was arrested Tuesday on a federal criminal complaint charging him with posting threats to kill or injure another using interstate communications. Dai is accused of posting messages to the Cornell section of an online discussion site, where he allegedly called for the deaths of Jewish people and a post threatening to shoot up 104 west, which is a Cornell University kosher dining hall located next to the Cornell Jewish Center. The charge filed against Dai carries a maximum term of 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. Dai is being held at the Broome County Correctional Facility pending court action in a federal court in Syracuse.

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office is currently looking for Zacheriah Jones-McCombs on an outstanding warrant for Robbery. Jones-McCombs is described as a white male, 5'11", 175 pounds, with brown hair & blue eyes & was last known to frequent the Mary Street area of the City of Binghamton. Anyone with information should submit Tips to gobroomecounty.com/sheriff/warrants or by calling the Broome County Sheriff’s Office tip line at (607) 778-1196.

A.M. NEWS Wednesday 11-1-23

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office released the name of the victim killed in a fatal motor vehicle accident on Monday. 17 year old Makai Wilkinson of Harpursville was driving a pickup truck with 2 passengers on Welton Street in the Town of Colesville when the vehicle left the roadway and collided with a tree. The two passengers were transported Wilson Hospital, one for minor injuries and the other for serious injuries, but Wilkinson was pronounced dead at the scene. This is an ongoing investigation.

30 year old Terrence Mewborn pleaded guilty to 1 count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon, in Delaware County Court. On July 2, 2022, Deputies responded to a motor vehicle accident with a rollover in the Town of Franklin, several of the passengers were injured and required hospitalization. Deputies found narcotics, drug paraphernalia, and a semi-automatic handgun, Mewborn was charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon, along with several other criminal charges, he entered a plea of guilty, he admitted the handgun was his, and that he did not have a pistol permit, it is anticipated that Mewborn will be sentenced to 2 to 4 years in state prison.

Chenango County Sheriff's Office arrested 33 year old Brandon Cullipher Of Plymouth On May 31, for DWI, Driving with a .08% BAC or Greater, and Aggravated DWI for driving while a child under the age of 16 is in a motor vehicle. Cullipher was observed driving a vehicle with no affixed inspection sticker on the windshield, he is also accused of driving the vehicle with an open container, with passengers under the age of 16. Cullipher was taken into custody, processed and released on an appearance ticket, to appear in the Town of North Norwich Court at a later date.

The Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 35 year old Alicia Klein of Cooperstown, following an investigation of an accident on May 27th in the Town of Milford. Klein was charged with DWI, Refusal to take a breath test, speed not reasonable & prudent, among other charges, Klein was issued appearance tickets returnable to the Town of Milford Court at a later date.

Delaware County Public Health will have free Rabies Vaccination Clinics today for dogs, cats and ferrets from 5:30 to 7:30PM at the Franklin Fire Hall, and another at the Walton Town Highway Garage from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, more information is available at 607-832-5200 or at delawarecountypublichealth.com.

Broome County Sheriff's Office is partnering with the Southern Tier chapter of the American Red Cross for a Blood Drive today at the Sheriff's Office in honor of the late Broome County Deputy Kevin Tarsia, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. on July 4th, 2002, Deputy Tarsia was killed in the line of duty during an encounter with suspects from a firearms burglary at Grange Hall Park in Kirkwood. Appointments can be scheduled at redcrossblood.org.

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 6-7-23

The Smoke & Haze from the Quebec Wildfires are continuing today, and may even worsen throughout the day, local meteorologist Rich Townsend explains:

(Townsend 6-7-23)

State Officials are urging New Yorkers to not perform any strenuous exercise outside, those with asthma or Heart Disease should try to stay indoors in air conditioning is possible.

The Broome County District Attorney’s Office announced that 34 year old Bayso Vannavongso pleaded guilty to 3 counts of criminal possession of a weapon, he admitted that on July 26, 2022, he illegally possessed a loaded .38 revolver, a 12-gauge sawed-off shotgun and a semi-automatic rifle, in the Town of Binghamton. Police responded to the Vestal Hills Country Club in the Town of Binghamton to a report of a man shot with a crossbow. Vannavongsa was shot by Carson Vanco after a dispute, where Vannavongsa fired shots at Vanco from the revolver but missed, he recovered from being shot with the arrow.

Tickets are still available for the raffle of a 1967 Ford Mustang Convertible, from the Northeast Classic Car Museum. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit the operation of the museum in Norwich, more information is available at classiccarmuseum.org, the winner of the mustang will be unveiled on October 11th.

A.M. NEWS Wednesday 6-7-23

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce & The Franklin Stage Company are hosting a Business After Hours event tonight at the theater in Franklin, Artistic Director Patricia Buckley comments:

(Patricia Buckley 6-7-23)

The event begins at 5:00, the next play "Good People" will begin June 30th, more information is available at franklinstagecompany.org.

Delaware County Public Health will hold a free Rabies Vaccination Clinic for dogs, cats and ferrets today from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at the Arkville Fire Hall. More information is available at 607-832-5200 or delawarecountypublichealth.com.

Bainbridge’s Regatta Row Art Exhibition will have Adirondack style canoe paddle chairs and 5 child size chairs along with student painted mini paddles made by local artists. Jericho Arts Council Spokesperson Rachel Hares explains:

(Rachel Hares 4-25-23)

The chairs will be on display tomorrow at the Bainbridge Town Hall, at 15 North Main Street, those who would like to View & bid on all the art online can do so starting Saturday at jerichoarts.com and Regatta Row Facebook page, prior to the auction in May.

Delaware County Sheriff's office arrested 61 year old Fredrick Hallstead of McDonough for Criminal Mischief and Harassment. Deputies responded on March 12th, in the Town of Walton for a Domestic Incident in progress, where Hallstead is accused of making physical contact with a female victim, in an effort to prevent her from calling 911. Deputies subsequently located Hallstead recently and issued a summons to appear at Town of Walton Court at a later date.

Delaware County Sheriff's office arrested 31 year old Kyle Oakley of South Kortright for Criminal Mischief & Burglary. Deputies were dispatched to a Burglary Report in the Town of Stamford, between the dates of February 23rd and March 8th, someone had forced entry into a residence and intentionally damaged property, Deputies recovered evidence which was sent to the State Police Crime Lab for analysis, Deputies later received a positive DNA match with Oakley, an arrest warrant was issued & Oakley was located & was taken into custody last week, Oakley was arraigned in the Town of Middletown Court where he was remanded to the Delaware County Jail in lieu of $5,000 cash or $10,000 in secured bond.

The Delaware County Department of Public Works will be closing County Route 16 in the Town of Delhi to through traffic beginning at 7:00 This morning to replace a culvert pipe between the two intersections with Fleming Road. On Wednesday, the road will be closed in the Town of Franklin between the northern intersection with Fleming Road and Douglas Hall Road. The traveling public should seek alternate routes.

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 4-14-23

Fire Fighters from Franklin, Sidney Center & Wells Bridge responded to a Franklin barn & brush fire. Thursday afternoon at about 3:45 PM. Firefighters were at the scene until about 8:30 PM, no injuries were reported.

The Town Of Guilford will hold a special Board meeting Tuesday at 6:00 PM at the Town Hall on Marble Road. The meeting will be informational featuring representatives from Invenergy & Northland Power, Town of Guilford residents are urged to attend the meeting.

The Delaware County District Attorney's Office announced that 50 year old Brett Conklin of Walton was convicted for DWI In Tompkins Town Court. Conklin was arrested last November after a 1 vehicle crash, where registered a BAC of .14. Conklin was ordered to pay $900 in fees and fines, he was sentenced to a 1 year conditional discharge, he must install an ignition interlock device on any vehicle he owns & he must attend a victims impact panel & an impaired Drivers program.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 4-14-23

3 individuals are facing 16 felony charges after being apprehended by Broome County Sheriff’s Deputies following the theft of a vehicle and trailer in the Town of Binghamton. On Tuesday, Deputies responded to the reported theft of a truck & trailer containing a zero turn lawn mower on Mill Street in the Town of Binghamton, the truck’s owner had security cameras, & a tracking device, where the vehicle was located at Phillips Way in the Town of Binghamton, the 3 suspects, fled on foot into a creek. Deputies arrested 30 year old Heather Brewer of Endicott, 38 year old Joseph Schultz & 35 year old Ryan White of Endicott on a variety of charges including Grand Larceny, Criminal Possession of stolen Property, & Conspiracy, Schultze was found to have outstanding warrants for Grand Larceny, resisting arrest, identity theft and drug charges in the State of Pennsylvania and violating parole in Albany.

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 2-24-23

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 46 year old Sallie Cherry of Texas following an investigation in the Town of Hartwick on February 19th. Cherry was charged with Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Certain Ammunition Feeding Devices, Cherry was released on an Appearance Ticket returnable to the Hartwick Town Court at a later date.

The Jericho Arts Council announced that the Kevin Prater Band will perform Saturday Night at the Bainbridge Town Hall theater. Doors open at 6 pm and all performances are open seating. Tickets are available at the door or reserve a ticket by calling 607-288-3882. For further information or to see future events visit www.jerichoarts.com.

A Red Cross Blood Drive is being held in Oneonta this afternoon, the drive will be on until 6:00 PM at the Quality Inn, on State Highway 23. Appointments can be made with the Red Cross Blood Donor App, at  RedCrossBlood.org, or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 2-24-23

Chenango County Sheriff's Office arrested 43 year old Hayes Cutting Jr of Bainbridge, for 2nd degree assault, Tampering with Physical Evidence, unlawfully fleeing a police officer and resisting arrest, following the investigation into the assault of Norwich Police Officer with a motor vehicle on Monday in Norwich, while attempting to take Cutting into custody on an active warrant. State Police responded to the Town of Oneonta after a tip that Cutting was there, Cutting was found hiding in the ceiling of a building, he was held at the Chenango County Correctional Facility on a State Parole Warrant and will appear in the Town of Norwich Court for the new charges. The passenger in Cutting's vehicle, Jesse Dann, had an unrelated warrant out for his arrest and was taken into custody.

The Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task Force, and local Police agencies, arrested 32 year old Cody Dickson of the Town of Maine man on 17 charges. The Task Force executed a search warrant at 383 Kolb Road, they seized over $10,000 in methamphetamine, plus weapons, high capacity magazines and ammunition. Dickson was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance & Criminal Possession of a Weapon, plus Criminal Possession of Stolen Property & Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia, Dickson faces court action shortly.

Walton Fire Department responded Sunday afternoon to a structure fire at 3664 East Brook Road. Firefighters found that the garage was fully engulfed, and had spread to a nearby house mutual aid was requested from Delhi, Franklin, and Treadwell firefighters, The occupants escaped, 1 cat died from the blaze. Walton Firefighters returned Monday morning to extinguish hot spots. The house and garage were a total loss. A pellet stove is believed to have started the fire, which has been ruled as accidental.

The Tri-County Seniors will hold an Open House today at their new location in the AO Fox Tri-Town Campus building at 43 Pearl Street in Sidney. The Open House runs from 3:00 - 5:00 pm, more information is available at the Tri-County Senior Center Facebook Page.