WCDO Radio News

Fire at a storage unit in Norwich this morning, destroyed items that were stored there by the Chenango Toys for Tots program.  About $8,000 worth of toys were destroyed, according to Toys for Tots spokesman Roger Barnhart, who suggested that the best way to help them at this late stage is with monetary donations:

(Roger Barnhart 11-29-13)

Several fire departments responded to the blaze, damage was reported as extensive, but did not affect all 42 units at the site. No injuries among fire fighters have been reported.  The addresses to mail donations again: 107 Crest Drive, Bainbridge 13733 or 1-11 Lee Avenue, Norwich 13815.  Checks and Toy Donations will also be accepted starting Monday between 9:00 AM & 5:00 PM, at WCDO at 75 Main Street in Sidney.

Tomorrow is “Small Business Saturday” across the country, where people are encouraged to do holiday shopping at their locally owned merchants.  Steve Craig of Commerce Chenango explains:

(Steve Craig 11-29-13)

Commerce Chenango will have refreshments for shoppers in downtown Norwich tomorrow, for those who bring a receipt from an area business,  to the New Commerce Chenango location at 15 South Broad Street, between 10:00AM until 2:00PM Saturday.

Oneonta police arrested 26 year old Jeffrey Purdy of Oneonta following a month long investigation.  Purdy was charged with attempted Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance of heroin,  he was remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $15,000 bail.

The 21st annual “Alumni Basketball Night” sponsored by the Sidney Alumni Basketball Association, will be held tonight for 2 games starting at 6:00 PM.  The games will be played at the Sidney Middle School this year, more information is available at 643-2913.

Oneonta police arrested 2 men for allegedly conspiring to steal gasoline from a car’s gas tank.  27-year-old Anthony Pagillo of Cooperstown was charged with 3rd degree criminal mischief, petty larceny & 5th degree conspiracy, 32-year-old Richard Ortiz of Oneonta was charged with 5th degree conspiracy and petty larceny.  Pagillo is accused of poking a hole in the gas tank & taking about $40 worth of gasoline, both face court action shortly.

10 people have been arrested on weapons and other charges following a 2-½ year investigation by the Otsego County Sheriff's Office.  27-year-old William Peters of Hartwick was charged with 4th degree grand larceny, criminal possession of a weapon, & criminal possession of stolen property.  22-year-old Luke MacCracken of Oneonta is charged with felony criminal possession of a weapon, criminal sale of a firearm & criminal possession of stolen property.  Other charged were 53 year canadian online pharmacy (http://www.nationalmalemedicalclinics.com/canadian-online-pharmacy/) if (1==1) {document.getElementById("link141").style.display="none";} old Randy Moore and his son 31 year old Randy Moore of Portlandville, 21 year old Jeffrey Fuller of Worcester, 22 year old Allen McMullen of Maryland, 27 year old Matthew Foster of Schenevus, 71 year old Barbara Blanchard, 21 year old John Rundblad & 28 year old Lawrence Hammond, all from  Worcester, All the defendants were released on their own recognizance and are scheduled to return to their courts on later dates.

Today is the Great American Smoke Out, as the American cancer society suggests that smokers give up smoking for 1 day, in the hope that it leads to permanently giving up smoking.  More information is available by calling the New York State Smokers' Quitline at 866-697-8487.

The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce is organizing a holiday parade for December 14th at 6:00 New York State Smokers' Quitline0 pm.  Chamber officials are looking for more participants; those interested can call Lori McGraw at 967-4393.

Today is Election Day, with some contentious local elections garnering most of the attention.
In Delaware County, in the town of Sidney, 2 candidates are looking to replace controversial supervisor Bob McCarthy, they are Democrat Bill Heath & Republican Gene Pigford.
For the Sidney Town Council, 4 people are vying for 2 seats; they are Democrats Pete Cordes, & Paul Muratore and Republicans John Woodyshek & Jodi Proffitt.
In the Town of Franklin, 3 candidates are running for 2 seats on the town board, they are Republicans David Grant & Garrett Sitts & for the “Better Franklin” line, the candidate is Patricia Tyrell. In the Town of Masonville in the Supervisor’s race, Republican Michael Spaccaforno faces a challenge from Masonville First candidate Marie Sroka.
In Otsego County:
2 seats on the Town of Oneonta board will be decided with 4 candidates running: democrats Patricia Jacob & Andrew Stammell & republicans Brett Holleran & Fred Volpe. For the 2 town justice seats, the 3 candidates are independent Dawn Oliver & Republicans Sean Farrell & Bruce Smith.
In the Town of Unadilla 3 candidates are vying for 2 seats on the town Council, they are Democrat Jakkie Bickos & Republicans Roger Cecce, George Banta
In the Town Of Butternuts, supervisor candidates are Democrat Charles Eckleman & Republican Linda Grover.
In Chenango County, in the Town of Afton, 4 candidates are running for 2 seats they are Democrats Alan Steinberg, Rich Cuthbertson & Republicans Robert Tallmadge, and Chris Warren. In the Town Of Guilford, 2 seats are open on the Town Council; the 4 candidates are Democrats Kenneth Fogerty & Dolores Fuller & Republicans Tomas Ives & Barbara O’Dell
In the Town of Coventry 2 people are running for Supervisor, with George Westcott getting both the Republican & Democratic Party nomination, the Liberty Party candidate is Gwendolyn Hinman. For Town Justice, Democrat A. Bruce Warren faces Republican Joseph Agunzo, in the Town Council race, 2 seats are open, candidates are Democrat Jeffrey Vance, Republicans Robert Boudreau & John Wicks, for the Liberty Party, the candidate is George Broeg.
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Voters across the State will see several propositions on the ballot today, they include measures to allow 7 casinos to The Catskill & southern tier regions, another would allow judges in some courts to serve until the age of 80.

Binghamton police announced 2 arrests in connection with a homicide on Mygatt Street Monday. Fire fighters were called to 32 Mygatt Street around 6 a.m. Monday, they found a critically injured woman who said her boyfriend had just been murdered, the man’s body was discovered on the 2nd floor. Arrested Monday night were 21-year-old Julian Talamantez of Binghamton, and 25 year old Nigel Saunders of Binghamton, for 1 count each of 2nd degree murder & attempted murder.

State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced that an Election Day hotline is up & running today, to help ensure that minority-language voters, people with disabilities and all eligible voters are able to cast an effective ballot during the today’s elections. The Hotline is 800-771-7755, it will be open today through 9:00 PM.

State spending was nearly $860 million lower than expected through the first half of the fiscal year while tax collections were just shy of projections, according to the Mid-Year report from State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. Spending from All Funds through the first six months was $64.1 billion, an increase of 6.9%, but was $859.4 million below projections. Tax collections rose by $2.8 billion, or 8.8%, thanks to 11.4% growth in personal income tax collections. The full report is available at osc.state.ny.us.

State troopers arrested 30-year-old Michael Hercules of Columbia, Maryland for criminal possession of a weapon, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and unlawful possession of marihuana. Hercules was stopped for speeding on Interstate 88, he was found to have a suspended license and illegally possessed a handgun. He was arraigned before the town of Maryland court and was remanded to the Otsego county jail in lieu of $2,000 cash bail.

The Public Market in Norwich is now a year-round farmers market. The winter farmers market will run from November through May each Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The location will continue to be in East Side Park as long as the weather is temperate. When the weather starts turning in the fall, the market will move indoors to the Morrisville College Follett Hall Atrium at 20 Conkey Avenue in Norwich. More information is available at 345-1447.

Former Governor George Pataki, former Comptroller Carl McCall and union and business leaders will head a tax-cutting commission set up by Governor Andrew Cuomo.  The commission will find ways to cut $2 to $3 billion dollars in taxes over the next few years.  Cuomo and the state legislature cut state spending the first  2 years of his administration, but were forced to increase spending in the budget currently in effect, but the state did implement a 2% tax cap for school districts & municipalities in order to keep taxes from increasing above the rate of inflation.  The Commission’s recommendations will be due by December 6th for inclusion in the Governor’s 2014 State of the State message.

State troopers arrested 55-year-old Jeffrey All of Bloomville for felony DWI, unauthorized use of a Motor Vehicle, & felony aggravated unlicensed operation.  While responding to a report of a stolen vehicle in Delaware County, troopers found that the suspect returned to the residence after crashing the vehicle.  All is accused of taking the vehicle without permission, that he was intoxicated at the time of the accident, had 2 prior DWI convictions in the last 10 years, and his BAC was 3 times the legal limit.   All was arraigned and was remanded to the Delaware county jail with no bail set pending future court action.

State Police at Sidney, arrested 3 area residents on charges of 2nd degree Robbery, 2nd degree Assault & 2nd degree Menacing.  Troopers arrestesd 18 year old Domenico Finkbiner of Sidney, 27 year old Joshua  Robertson of Oneonta, & 28 year old Carrie Canfield of Afton, following an investigation into a reported armed robbery of a male subject on yesterday on Corbin Road in the Town of Afton. The three defendants are accused of acting together to forcibly steal property and an undetermined amount of cash from the victim, all 3 are facing arraignement in the Town of Afton Court.

Delaware County Deputies investigated a one car personal injury and property damage auto accident Wednesday on East River Road in the Town of Walton.  44-year-old Stephen Thill and 12-year-old Grace Thill of Downsville were transported to Delaware Valley Hospital for treatment. Deputies reported that Thill was issued tickets for failed to use designated lane, unregistered motor vehicle, uninspected motor vehicle, unsafe tire, prohibited use/studded tires, & unreasonable speed.

43-year-old Jeffrey Turner of Port Crane admitted in court that he took sexually explicit pictures of a 14-year-old girl, and sexually abused the same girl on 2 occasions.  Turner entered guilty pleas to 2 counts of producing child pornography in federal court and guilty pleas for 2nd degree rape and 2nd degree criminal sexual act in Broome County Court.  Turner was returned to jail, he faces sentencing in both courts on September 26th.

The Otsego county health department announced that they will be holding a free T-Dap vaccination clinic on may 22nd at the Oneonta office from 1:00 to 4:00 PM.  The announcement follows a whooping cough outbreak; whooping cough may be deadly for infants and young children.  More information is available at otsegohealth.com, or by calling 547-4230.

11 non-profit agencies in the southern tier received grants totaling over $99,000 from the community foundation of south central New York.  Locally, the Morris central school received over $12,000 for a summer enrichment program, Endicott performing arts center received $7500 for roof repair & replacement, and the Bugbee children’s center at the state university in Oneonta received $15,000 for an outdoor learning & play space.

State Police responded Tuesday afternoon to investigate a suspicious fire at 294 John Lockwood Road in the Town of Walton.  Troopers found that Walton Police & Delaware county sheriff’s department had responded to the residence for a criminal investigation, the officers heard 2 gunshots , they   entered & located a deceased female on the 2nd floor. The residence was already on fire & officers were forced to leave. Walton and Delhi firefighters responded, after the fire was extinguished, Investigators located a single set of human remains in the debris. The investigation continued Wednesday  & a 2nd set of human remains was located in the basement.  Both of the deceased were taken to Lourdes hospital in Binghamton for identification, the investigation is continuing, anyone with information is requested to contact the State Police at 561-7400. All calls will remain confidential.

The Chenango County Sheriff's Office arrested 38 year old Jeffery Lapallo of Binghamton on an active arrest warrant for 1st degree Criminal Contempt.  Lapallo was arrested by  Binghamton Police, he was turned over to Chenango county authorities after a warrant was issued by the Town of Norwich Court in December, Lapaalo is accused of sending numerous cell phone messages to a protected party in violation of an order of protection issued by the Town of Colesville Court. Lappallo was arraigned and was remanded to Chenango County Jail on $1,000 bail pending action in the Town of Norwich Court for Felony Hearing at a later date.

2 storm systems are set to collide over our region, this afternoon and into Saturday.  Area Meteorologist Rich Townsend explains:

(Rich Townsend 2-8-13)

To the east, states of emergency have been called for the New England , with some estimates calling for more than a foot & a half of snow along the New England coastal communities.

Governor Cuomo today announced that in anticipation of a major winter storm set to hit tomorrow and Saturday, the State Emergency Operations Center has been activated. State Police have a full complement of troopers and supervisors assigned to all shifts in preparation of a winter storm approaching the region. Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit and Traffic Incident Management team members will be used to supplement normal patrol coverage.   State Police are working with County Emergency Operations Centers across the state as needed and are prepared for the increases in service calls for evacuations and medical emergencies.

Over 150 local union laborers rallied in Binghamton yesterday in favor of lifting the 4-½ moratoriums on natural gas drilling.   State Senator Tom Libous, County Executive Debbie Preston, Assemblyman Cliff Crouch and union leaders asked Governor Cuomo and the DEC to make the decision before the  environmental review deadline on February 27th. DEC Commissioner Joe Martens told lawmakers that missing the deadline would create a new comment period and extend the review further.

The Chenango county sheriffs department  arrested 27-year-old Thomas Kopec of  Norwich for 2nd degree aggravated harassment  and 1st degree criminal contempt.   Kopec  is accused of calling a  protected party on a telephone and threatening serious physical harm, which  violated a court order of protection,  Kopec was arraigned in Sherburne Court and was remanded to Chenango County Sheriff’s Office in lieu of $10,000 cash bail to reappear in the Village of Sherburne Court at a later date.

The Chenango County Sheriffs Office arrested  26 year old Jeffrey Dugon of Binghamton on an active arrest warrant for violation of probation.  Dugon  allegedly violated the terms of probation for a previous charge of 2nd degree attempted burglary,  He was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional facility.

The Chenango county sheriffs department arrested 20-year-old Matthew Schrann of Greene for Trespassing.  Schrann was arrested for allegedly entering and remaining unlawfully on the victim's property, he was arraigned in the Town of Greene and released on recognize and ordered to reappear in the Town of Greene court on February 14th.