WCDO Radio News

The Otego Fire Department is hosting The Otsego County Fire Fighters Convention this Thursday through Saturday with a variety of events, G.X. Cramatte is one of the organizers, he told WCDO News about Thursday's schedule;

(G.X. Cramatte 7-6-26)

The events continue at the site on fair Street in Otego Friday & Saturday from 12:00 noon each day into the evening hours, with Fireworks on Saturday night.

The Place in Norwich has signed a contract with the Chenango County Department of Social Services to run the Summer Youth Employment Program, a program of New York State's Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. The Place will receive funds to make this program possible for Chenango County youth. The program runs today through July 31st, providing youth ages 14 to 20 years of age, from eligible households with valuable work experience and a paycheck. For more information, call 607-336-9696 x106 or x103.

P.M. NEWS Tuesday 1-6-26

Delaware County Deputies responded last July to an investigation in Town of Middletown involving a child, where it was determined that 36-year-old Ariel Devers of Middletown, had endangered the welfare of a child, in September an arrest warrant was issued for Devers by the Town of Middletown Court. On December 30th,Deputies were notified by the Delhi Police Department that Devers was in Delhi, they located, arrested and charged Devers on the warrant, Devers was turned over to the Delaware County Correctional Facility for arraignment.

Otsego County Office of Emergency Services reported that the Garrattsville Fire Department and nearby departments responded to a structure fire at 436 Texas Road in New Lisbon. The house was fully involved, & was a total loss, several cats & a guinea pig were believed to have died in the blaze. One tanker responding to the blaze rolled onto its side in adverse weather conditions, no injuries at the fire or the accident were reported. The cause of the fire is being investigated.

The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office arrested 45 year old Derek Jordan of Milford, 45 year old Keith Blush of Milford & 30 year old Ashley Goble of Milford, on a variety of drug & weapons charges, following an investigation by the Sheriff’s Office and the Otsego County Probation Department. On October 9th, Otsego County probation Officers & Deputies conducted a traffic stop on Derek Jordan, who was taken in to custody on traffic offenses, During a search of Jordan’s residence, Blush and Goble were inside the residence, they were wanted by State Police and the New Hartford Police Departments on warrants. Officers observed a firearm, drugs and drug paraphernalia, Jordan and Blush were processed and turned over to the Otsego County Correctional Facility for arraignment, Goble was issued an Appearance Ticket to the Town of Milford Court, and she was turned over to New Hartford Police Officers. The investigation is on-going and additional charges are pending.

The New York State Department of Health today released a new report showing a continued decline in tobacco use among high school students across the state. The report, shows that 1 in 6 Youth Still Use Tobacco, the lowest since tracking began in 2000. Cigarette smoking remains low, with just over 2% of students reporting current use, E-cigarette use has declined sharply to about 13%, however, Nicotine pouch use is rising, doubling from 1.5% to 3.0% since 2022.

A.M. NEWS Thursday 10-23-25

Governor Kathy Hochul & State Police Superintendent Steven James honored 238 new State Troopers as they graduated Wednesday from the 217th session of the Basic School of the New York State Police Academy. The ceremony was held at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany. Today’s graduation increases the State Police ranks to approximately 5,110 sworn members, about 60 of the new troopers were assigned to Troop C in Sidney.

On October 16 at 10:48 p.m., Otsego County requested Forest Ranger assistance in the search for a hunter reported missing by his spouse. The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office, Otsego County Emergency Services, Garratsville Fire Department, Laurens Fire Department, New York State Police, and New York State Park Police and staff all joined the search efforts in Gilbert Lake State Park. Otsego County Sheriff’s Deputy’s located the 67-year-old from Remsen deceased in a tree stand. Rangers used a rope system to help extricate the subject and turned them over to the county coroner, the cause of death has not been released.

State Forest Rangers assisted with Vestal Police and emergency crews in the Town of Vestal on October 15th in the search for a 86-year-old Janice Short, who was reported missing the previous afternoon. Short was known to go for walks on Tracy Creek Road. Vestal Police used a drone with heat detection capability and deployed a K9 unit with negative results. Rangers assigned linear searches of the roads and Tracy Creek, a neighbor found Short behind his house calling for help, after she had fallen into a bush, hurt her back, and saw the lights from searchers, but wasn’t strong enough or loud enough for them to hear. Rangers and Vestal Fire Department members carried the subject, she was checked out & was returned to family.

Sidney Police Department responded to a domestic dispute Saturday at a residence on West Main Street, where a man was destroying property. Officers located 45 year old Arthur Cotten in the garage, he began dousing the floor and the garage with gasoline, Officers attempted to stop him, he was able to ignite the gas can with a lighter, Officers were able to physically restrain Cotten and pull him and themselves away from the fire, which was quickly extinguished. Cotten was charged with Aggravated family offense, Reckless endangerment, Attempted Arson, Criminal possession of a weapon, Attempted Assault, Criminal mischief, Resisting arrest, Menacing and Obstruction of governmental administration, Cotten was arraigned at the Delaware County Central Arraignment court where he was released on $1000 cash bail to appear back in court at a later date.

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 10-7-24

Otsego County Sheriff's office arrested 33 year old Schuyler Schmidt of Garratsville following an investigation of a structure fire in the Town of New Lisbon. Schmidt was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Arson, Criminal Mischief in connection with a structure fire of a garage owned by a relative, multiple area Fire Departments responded, investigators located approximately thirteen vehicles & Machinery sustained significant damage or had become a total loss. Upon Arrested, Schmidt allegedly possessed methamphetamine, he was held at the Otsego County Correctional Facility pending arraignment.

The Chenango County Planning Department has scheduled an Open House for County Members to examine the County's draft 2050 Vision Plan, County Planning Director Shane Butler explains:

(Shane Butler 10-7-24)

The Open House will be held on October 16th from 5:30 to 7:00 PM at the Commerce Chenango Office at 15 South Broad Street in Norwich, more information is available at chenangocounty2050.com.

59 year old Dolores Barse, also known as Dolores Hurlburt of Sidney appeared in Delaware County Court last week & pleaded guilty to Welfare Fraud, she is accused of providing false information while applying for SNAP and HEAP benefits, she claimed to have no income despite being employed. Barse improperly received $14,203 in public benefits that she was not entitled to, she will be ordered to pay the money back to the Delaware County Department of Social Services.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 11-30-21

Fire Investigators in Chenango County are continuing their investigation into what started the fire that Destroyed the Silo Restaurant in Greene early Sunday Morning, Silo Owner Gary Kurz told WCDO News what he was told so far:

(Gary Kurz 11-30-21)

Kurz told WCDO News that he was ready to sign papers this week to turn the ownership of the restaurant over; instead he will talk with his insurance company & also try to help the 35 employees at the SIlo, who now find themselves unemployed.

Local car dealers have been having issues with people stealing Catalytic Coverters off of the bottom of the cars they have for sale, Sidney Police Chief Eric Oliver comments about the recent crimes & what local residents can do:

(Sidney Police Chief Eric Oliver 11-30-21)

Chief Oliver said that while some of the dealerships are technically out of their jurisdiction, they still patrol that area, and they work cooperatively with the State Police & local Sheriff's Departments if an issue arises.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 11-30-21

Delaware County Public Health continues to see a high positivity rate of COVID 19, 12.08% of all tested Saturday through Monday have the virus, there were 76 new cases, there are 202 active cases, 14 hospitalized & 218 quarantined. 53.2 of Delaware County Residents are fully vaccinated, 80% of the positive cases are unvaccinated.

The American Red Cross urges eligible blood donors to give blood at their next community blood drive. 2 Blood Drives are being held locally today, one at the Garrattsville Fire Department from 1:00 to 6:00 PM, & another at the Sidney Elks Lodge on River Street from 2:00 to 6:00 PM, Appointments can be made with the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 9-13-21

State Police have arrested 7 people linked to a crime spree across 4 local counties.  In July, State Police arrested Christopher Youngs of the town of Maryland & John Clark of Morris in connection with multiple burglaries in Otsego, Delaware, Chenango and Madison counties.  State Police Investigators have lodged additional charges against Youngs and Clark, & they have also arrested 32 year old Joseph Santiago of Burlington Flats, 32 year old Charles Hall of Edmeston, 23 year old Kayla Van Pelt of Edmeston, 59 year old Henry Schmidt of Garratsville, 56 year old Samuel Madero of Morris, All 7 have been linked to over 40 cases between the State Police, local Sheriff’s departments and local police departments.  More charges are likely as investigators continue to work through the open cases.

Otsego County businesses and residents affected by severe storms and flooding on July 16 to the 19th may apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration; the declaration includes Otsego County and the adjacent counties of Chenango, Delaware, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Montgomery and Schoharie Counties. The SBA will open a Disaster Loan Outreach Center on Tuesday, at 12:00 noon at the Morris Fire Department at 117 East Main Street in Morris, until 6:00 PM.  Additional hours will be Monday to Friday, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM & on Saturday, September 18th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.  Representatives will be available through Friday September 24th.  More information is available at 800-659-2955 or by emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.

The State Department of Transportation is advising motorists that State Route 51 will be closed just north of Walters Road in the Town of New Lisbon, today through October 4th, for a culvert replacement.  Motorists should follow posted detours utilizing County Routes 12, 14 and 16. All properties along State Route 51 will remain accessible to local traffic between the diversions and the closure.  Up-to-date travel information is available by calling 511, visit 511NY.org or download the free 511NY mobile app.

The Murder trial of Joshua Underwood will begin on December 4th in Otsego County Court. Underwood is accused of killing 52 year Mark Morrison of Oneonta on January 1st at Underwood's Main Street Oneonta Apartment, and initially trying to cover up the fire by starting a fire that did not spread. Underwood has been held in the Otsego County jail on $100,000 bail since turning himself into police shortly after Morrison’s death.

The Otsego County Sheriff’s Department responded to the report of a motorcycle & pickup truck crash Saturday afternoon on State Route 80 in the Town of Edmeston. 47 year old Sean Dill of Garratsville was pronounced dead at the scene after being struck by a pickup truck driven by 25 year old Matthew Anderson of Elmsford. Anderson allegedly made a left hand turn onto County Route 49, into the path of Dill’s motorcycle. Dill took evasive action, causing him to be ejected and be struck by the vehicle. Elmsford was issues a traffic ticket for failure to yield the right of way while making a left hand turn. The investigation is continuing.

The Broome County District Attorney's office announced that a Broome County Grand Jury handed up a 16-count indictment for 64 year old Ramadan Abdullah of Johnson City. Abdullah was indicted on 15 counts of criminal possession of a weapon, & Petty larceny, police seized numerous weapons from a storage unit & other proerties belonging to Abdullah last month, including pistols, assault rifles, thousands of rounds of ammo, several firearm parts and flak jackets. Abdullah was sent back to the Broome County Jail pending future court action.

State Police announced the death of Trooper Joel Davis, who responded to a call of shots fired during a domestic dispute in the town of Theresa in Jefferson County Sunday night. While approaching the residence, Trooper Davis was shot once and killed. 32-year old Justin Walters, surrendered to other State Troopers without incident. Walters is an active duty Army infantryman who is stationed at Fort Drum, Police said that his wife, 27-year old Nichole Walters was also found deceased at the scene. The incident remains under investigation.

The Delaware County Department of Public Works announced that they will begin Oil & Stone operations on many county roads Today. Affected roads include county routes 41, 8, 36, 37, 3, 6 & 18 in that order. Oil & stone work will then continue in southern portions of the county on County Routes 17, 67, 20, 27 & 22, the project should take about 3 weeks to complete, weather permitting.

A combined effort by local and regional emergency preparedness officials helped the 2017 Gus Macker Basketball Tournament run safely. More than 7,000 spectators watched 330 teams play in the 22nd annual double-elimination competition, sponsored by the Norwich Family YMCA. The City/County Emergency Operations Center was staffed with Responders from the Norwich Police Department, Norwich Fire Department, Norwich Emergency Management, Chenango County Bureau of Fire and the Southern Tier Regional Incident Management Team. Beside minor medical concerns, the players and fans enjoyed a problem-free event.

Fire fighters from New Berlin, Norwich North Norwich Sherburne, Edmeston Garrettsville & Mount Upton responded to a fire at the Ken Tuttle Jr. farm on Balcom road early Wednesday morning. Fire investigators believe that the fire started due to an electrical short. Livestock was removed, no injurious were reported.

The State Department of Health has been notified of a laboratory confirmed case of mumps at SUNY Oswego and another at SUNY Plattsburgh. The case at SUNY Oswego is likely associated with a mumps outbreak in Long Island, where 45 cases of mumps have been confirmed. The source of the SUNY Plattsburgh case is under investigation. Students, who are susceptible to mumps because they have not been vaccinated because they have religious or medical exemptions, have been told they will be excluded from campus for 26 days after the last possible exposure if they do not get vaccinated. Mumps is a highly contagious viral disease characterized by fever, headache and swelling of the salivary glands. Mumps cannot be treated, however two doses of the MMR vaccine provide the best protection against the disease. More information about the mumps is available at health.ny.gov.

The Southern Tier Chapter of the American Red Cross and Preferred Mutual will be hosting a Home Fire Preparedness canvassing event in Norwich. American Red Cross staff and Preferred Mutual volunteers will be visiting residents on Conkey Avenue, Sheldon Street, and Canasawacta Street, installing free smoke detectors for those homes in need. The event will be this Saturday, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, starting at the Norwich Fire Department at 31 East Main Street.

THE OTSEGO COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT IS GIVING AWAY FREE EVERGREEN TREES between 2 to 10 feet high. COUNTY RESIDENTS CAN PICK UP TREES today, tomorrow & as well as Friday September 23rd & Saturday September 24th from 8:00 am to Noon, at the County Highway 11 Town of Laurens “Bone yard”. More information is available at 547-0538 or 547-4225.