WCDO Radio News

35-year-old Bruice Jeffrey of North Norwich was arrested by Chenango County Sheriff's Deputies Sunday after allegedly stealing more than $130,000 from an elderly person. The arrest followed an investigation into Jeffrey started by a claim from the Chenango County Social Services Department, he is accused of stealing from an elderly person's account for 7 years. Jeffrey was charged with 3 counts of grand larceny and petty larceny, he was released with an appearance ticket and is due back in court at a later date.

Delaware County Sheriff's Office arrested Timothy Taylor of Franklin for Endangering Welfare of a Child and Sexual Misconduct Taylor is accused of performing sexual acts with a 15 year old female in the Town of Hancock. Taylor was processed and issued an appearance ticket to appear before the Hancock Town Court at a later date.

Delaware County Sheriff Craig DuMond announced the graduation of Corporal Jeffrey Clark and his partner "K-9 Edge" from the K-9 Academy. After more than 3 months of training, the class graduated 10 handlers and their K-9 partners as certified in patrol techniques. Corporal Clark and Deputy K-9 Edge are now certified for patrol, with specific training in obedience, tracking individuals, locating discarded or secreted items, criminal apprehension and handler protection.  Corporal Clark and K9 Edge will return to the Academy this fall and further their training and certification in explosives detection.

STATE POLICE at Troop C announced that 1 person was arrested during an Underage Drinking Initiative in Delaware County on Wednesday. Alcohol was sold to a minor at Smiley’s Convenience Store located at West Main Street, Sidney, an appearance ticket was issued to the clerk who sold alcohol to the minor. Several other businesses in Sidney, Walton, Franklin & Delhi were in compliance.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 7-8-22

The Broome County District Attorney Mike Korchak announced that 47 year old Lance Johnson of Binghamton was found guilty on all counts in Broome County Court Thursday, for the fatal shooting of Alison Salisbury of Binghamton and for the shooting of Shannon Brooks of Conklin, on August 7, 2020. Johnson will be sentenced on October 7th.

State Police arrested 6 people, for allegedly possessing guns and illegal magazines that are not compliant with the New York SAFE Act. Troopers initiated a traffic stop on Upper Front Street in the town of Chenango, they arrested 39 year old Jeffrey Everetts of Sayre, Pennsylvania & 32 year old Nephrem Holt of Albany for Criminal Possession of a Weapon, another traffic stop on Upper Front Street in the town of Chenango resulted in the arrest of 4 men from Pennsylvania, 56 year old Robert Applegate II, 31 year old Robert Applegate III, 28 year old Glen Applegate, & 29 year old Trevor Sweigart, All 6 were arraigned and were remanded to the Broome County Jail without bail.

Delaware County Public Health will hold a Free Rabies Vaccination Clinic For dogs, cats and ferrets today from 4:45 to 6:45 PM, at the Franklin Fire Hall. More information is available at 607-832-5200 or delawarecountypublichealth.com.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 5-18-22

State Police at Troop C In Sidney held their annual Memorial day Ceremony today, remembering those who lost their lives in the line of duty, as well as retired troopers who passed away in the last year, Troop C Major Jeffrey VanAuken comments:

(Major VanAuken 5-18-22)

Members of law Enforcement from other branches were also in attendance in Sidney today, guests were treated to their annual Chicken barbecue following the ceremony.

School budgets overwhelmingly passed Tuesday throughout the region & the state. Locally, the Voters in the Sidney Central School District approved the budget by a vote of 157-32, Corbin Curley and Kerri Green were elected to the school Board, At Bainbridge Guilford, the budget passed 220 to 76, Bus purchases passed in Afton, Andes, Bainbridge Guilford, Charlotte Valley, Cooperstown, Deposit, Franklin, Hancock, Laurens, Oneonta, Schenevus, South Kortright & Unadilla Valley. Capital Reserve Fund Propositions passed in Charlotte Valley, Downsville, Franklin, Greene, Hancock, Norwich, Oxford, Sidney, Unadilla Valley & Worcester.

Chenango County Sherriff’s Office Deputies arrested 48 year old Jeffrey Bolster of Sidney after investigating a complaint of 2 horses that were stolen from Guilford.  Good Samaritan’s found the horses & brought them to their home & contacted the Sheriff’s Office, deputies determined that Bolster owned the horses; a Veterinarian determined that the horses were receiving inadequate care and nutrition.   Bolster relinquished custody of the horses after being charged with Overdriving, torturing and injuring animals; failure to provide proper sustenance, & other similar charges, Bolster was issued an appearance ticket for Guilford Town Court at a later date.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli released the latest Municipal Audits, Locally; Otsego County officials adequately assessed the impact of the pandemic on financial operations while developing estimates for revenues and expenditures in their 2021 budget.  DiNapoli's Audit of the East Meredith Fire District stated that the board did not establish adequate controls over cash receipts and disbursements, did not segregate duties or provide oversight to ensure the treasurer accurately recorded transactions.   The Audit of the Franklin-Treadwell Fire District reported that district officials had good controls over disbursements, the board did not always provide adequate oversight of the treasurer's activities & their Board of Fire Commissioners did not properly segregate duties over disbursements that could lead to

inappropriate transactions.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 6-4-21

Delaware County Public Health announced their weekly COVID statistics Thursday.  They had 12 new cases in the last week, with 16 active cases, 3 hospitalized & 23 in quarantine.  Delaware County has had a total of 2397 cases since the pandemic started with 47 deaths & 2334 recoveries.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies investigated a head-on collision in the Town of Franklin on Wednesday afternoon.  Deputies reported that at about 5:30 PM, they responded with EMT's to the accident on County Highway 21 near Leland Hull Road.  Deputies determined that a vehicle driven by 50 year-old Jeffrey Lewis of Walton crossed over the center line and collided with a vehicle driven by 62 year-old Wayne Knorr of Laurens, causing the Knorr vehicle to overturn several times.  Knorr was taken to Fox Hospital in Oneonta for a head injury; Lewis was taken to Delaware Valley Hospital also for the treatment of a head injury.  Lewis’ driving privileges were revoked as a result of previous alcohol related offense, he was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, operation of a motor vehicle without an ignition interlock device, failure to keep right and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, he was released to appear in Town of Franklin court at a later date.  Alcohol was not a contributing factor in this accident.

The murder & arson fire cover-up case of 16 year old Jeffrey Franklin of the town of Guilford, will be featured on the Investigation Discovery Channel tonight at 10:00 PM on the program "The Murder Tapes” Franklin was the disabled teenager killed by his parents Ernest & Heather Franklin, who then tried to cover up the boy's death by setting the family residence on fire, closely echoing the plot of the movie "Manchester By The Sea", the incident occurred back on February 28th 2017.

Delaware County Sheriff Craig DuMond announced the arrest of
7 people on a variety of drug charges Thursday afternoon after the execution of
a search warrant at 37 Union Street in Sidney.
Deputies & Investigators dismantled a large scale Methamphetamine trafficking
operation, they arrested William McLean, Nikita Kingsbury, Trevor Light and an
unidentified 17 year male from Sidney, plus Jeffrey Robinson of Norwich, and Kevin
Mosher & Gina Overbey, who had no known address.  Sheriff Dumond comments:

(Sheriff Craig Dumond 9-6-19)

Sheriff Dumond said that the arrests followed a month long investigation;
all were charged with 2nd degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance
they were arraigned in Delhi Court & were remanded to the Delaware County
Jail without bail pending future court action, additional charges are anticipated
& the investigation is ongoing.
Sidney Village Police assisted at the scene.

State Police are investigating a crash in the town of
Franklin that left 2 teenagers in serious condition.  Troopers were dispatched Thursday afternoon at
about 4:30 PM to Walley Road in the town of Franklin; they located a Chevy
pick-up truck with a 17-year-old male driver and 14-year-old male passenger
crashed into a tree.  The investigation
revealed that speed was a contributing factor when the unidentified 17-year-old
lost control of the vehicle around a curve on Wally Road, spun off the roadway
and into a tree.  Both occupants were
transported by LifeNet to Albany Medical Center.   The accident remains under
investigation.

The 3rd Annual Afton Sidewalk day will be held on Saturday
August 24th, organizers are hoping to get more artists & crafters to
exhibit their wares at this year’s event, spokesperson Amy Spooner explains:

(Amy Spooner 7-16-19)

More information can be found at
the Afton Sidewalk Day Facebook Page, or by calling Amy Spooner at 244-9366, or
Alexis Van Buren at Baristacrats at 743-2401.

Heather Franklin of Guilford was sentenced in Chenango
County Court to 7 to 11 years in state prison on Monday.  Heather & her husband Ernest Franklin
plotted the murder of their 16-year-old adopted special needs son Jeffrey
before setting their house on fire in March 2017 to cover up his murder.
Heather Franklin pleaded guilty earlier this year to manslaughter, arson and
tampering with physical evidence.

Ernest Franklin of Guilford was sentenced in Chenango County
Court Monday, to 21 years to life in state prison, for the murder of his
adopted and disabled teen son Jeffrey, and starting a fire at the family home
to cover it up, in February of 2017.
Franklin planned the murder with his wife, Heather Franklin, who
accepted a guilty plea to manslaughter; she has not been sentenced for her role
in the murder.

The next Delaware County Public Health Free Rabies
Vaccination Clinic for dogs, cats and ferrets will be held today from 5:00 to
7:00 pm at Franklin Fire Hall at 351 Main St. Franklin.   More information is available at 832-5200 or
delawarecountypublichealth.com

Ernest Franklin of Mount Upton is seeking a retrial, after
being found guilty of murdering his special needs stepson Jeffrey, and setting
fire to the family residence to cover up the murder.  Franklin was due to be sentenced in Chenango
County for the murder arson & tampering with physical evidence charges when
the motion for a retrial was filed.
Ernest Franklin's wife Heather pleaded guilty to manslaughter, arson and
evidence tampering for her role in the case.

State Police are warning the public of another phone
scam.  Troopers in Oneonta have received
reports of a phone scam that claims that the recipient's son has been involved
in an accident and in order to keep their loved one out of jail, they must
obtain immediately obtain Google pre-paid cards and give them a code.  Then caller later requests more money.   The scammers try to scare you into
cooperating, resist the urge to give them money.  If you receive a call like this and can’t
make contact with the person who is allegedly injured or in trouble, call 911. as
part of the plea deal, Franklin will receive between 7 and 11 years in prison
with 10 years of probation when she is officially sentenced on June 7th.

Antione Bourbon-Parme, also
known as Anthony Cazzari has been arrested has been charged with 3rd degree
Grand Larceny, for allegedly stealing more than $18,000 by forging checks from
the Cooperstown Food pantry, while serving as one of the Organization’s
directors.  Bourbon-Parme was arraigned
& was remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $10,000 Cash Bail or $20,000
Bond pending court action on April 24th.

34 year old Heather Franklin opted to avoid a trial, &
pleaded guilty to 1st degree manslaughter, 3rd-degree arson, and tampering with
physical evidence, Tuesday in Chenango County Court.  Franklin admitted to planning the murder of
her special needs son Jeffrey in the town of Guilford family home in March of
2017 & planning the burning of the home to hide the evidence of the murder.
as
part of the plea deal, Heather Franklin will spend 7 to 11 years in prison with
10 years of probation when she is officially sentenced on June 7th.  Franklin's
husband Ernest was found guilty last month & will be sentenced in May,

Jury selection began today in Chenango County Court & the trial of Heather Franklin is expected to begin tomorrow.  Franklin is accused of planning the murder of her son Jeffrey Franklin with her Husband Ernest Franklin, and covering up the crime by setting the family house on fire in the town of Guilford in March of 2017.  Ernest Franklin was found guilty by a jury last month for his role in the crime; he faces sentencing at a later date.

The Trial of Heather Franklin will begin on Aprils 1st in Chenango County Court, for the murder of her special needs son Jeffrey in 2017.  Heather & Ernest Franklin were accused of killing the teenager and setting fire to the family home in the town of Guilford, after they had watched "Manchester by the Sea" which contained a similar plot.  Ernest Franklin was convicted on Murder 7 Arson charges last week; he will be sentenced on May 3rd.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 39 year old
LeAnne Taggart of Franklin, for possession of a Dangerous Dog in Violation of
the New York State Agriculture and Markets Law.
The arrest is a result of an investigation into a report of an
aggressive dog in the Town of Sidney. Taggart is scheduled to appear at Sidney
Town Court at a later date to answer the charge.

Chenango County Jury convicted Ernest Franklin of Guilford
for 2nd-degree murder, 3rd-degree arson, and tampering with physical evidence
in connection with the 2017 murder of his 16-year-old adopted son Jeffrey.  The Jury believed that Franklin killed Jeffrey
& set fire to the family home to cover up the murder, his wife Heather’s
trial will be held in Chenango County court later this year.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 31 year-old
Christina Townsend of Port Crane for 3rd degree Grand Larceny &
Scheming to Defraud,  following an
investigation by Sheriff’s Deputies and Broome Developmental Center staff into
on-going thefts from residents by an employee.
Townsend is accused of engaging in an ongoing scheme while employed at a
Franklin residential facility that resulted in the theft of more than $12,000
from developmentally disabled residents.
Townsend was arraigned at the Town of Franklin Court and was released
upon her own recognizance pending future court proceedings

A Delaware County jury acquitted Jeffrey Hitchcock of Sidney
Center Friday, for charges of sexual abuse & endangering the welfare of a
minor.  Hitchcock had been accused of
inappropriately touching an 11 year old female; the jury took a little over 4
hours to find Hitchcock not guilty of the charges.

Chenango Links will host a discussion with Chenango County
Board of elections Commissioners Mary Lou Monahan & Carol Franklin this
evening in Norwich.  The event will be
held at Bohemian Moon at 103 E. Main Street in Norwich, starting at 5:30 PM.

Jury selection is complete & the murder trial of Ernest Franklin
is underway today in Chenango County Court. Franklin & his wife Heather are
accused of murdering the special needs son Jeffrey in the family home &
then setting the house on fire, mimicking the plot of a movie that the Franklin’s
watched called "Manchester By the Sea” Heather Franklin's trial will be
held in Chenango county court later this year.

Jury Selection began Monday in Chenango County Court for the
murder trial of Ernest Franklin.
Franklin & his wife Heather are accused of killing their special
needs son Jeffrey & then setting fire to their town of Guilford Home in
March of 2017, after watching a movie "Manchester By The Sea" which
contained a similar plot.  Heather Franklin
will be tried separately.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 57 year old
Gerald Walke of Franklin Monday on a charge of Felony Driving while intoxicated
following a traffic stop for an obstructed license plate on County Highway 21
in the Town of Walton. Deputies allege the defendant operated a motor vehicle
while in an intoxicated condition and additionally while having a prior
conviction of Driving While Intoxicated. Walke was arraigned in front of Judge
Hall at Walton Village Court, and was remanded to the Delaware County Jail in
lieu of $2,000 bail.

Following previous postponements, Jury selection was
scheduled to begin today in Chenango County Court for the murder trial of
Ernest Franklin of Guilford.  Franklin
and his wife Heather face charges for allegedly murdering their special needs
son Jeffrey in their Town of Guilford Home and then setting fire to the home to
cover up the murder in March of 2017.

The murder and arson trial of Ernest Franklin has been adjourned until November in Chenango County Court.  Jury selection was scheduled to begin Monday in the murder and arson trial of Ernest Franklin.  Franklin and his wife, Heather were indicted on charges of 2nd-degree murder, arson and tampering with physical evidence in the death of their 16 year old son Jeffrey at their town of Guilford home in March of 2017. The Franklins will face separate trials.

State Police arrested 26-year-old Christopher Neumann of Castleton in connection with a collision that injured 2 troopers & 2 tow truck operators early Sunday on Interstate 90. Troopers Brent Karow and Shane Swartz were investigating an unrelated 1-car crash on I-90 in North Greenbush at approximately 5:15 a.m. Sunday, when Neumann's vehicle struck their patrol car, which then hit both troopers and tow truck operator, Jeffrey Waite. Trooper Karow was thrown 70 feet into the median, while Trooper Swartz and Waite were thrown under the tow truck, all 3 were taken to Albany Medical Center, a 2nd Tow Truck employee was hit by flying debris & was treated at the scene. Neumann was charged with 1st degree vehicular assault, DWI and numerous other traffic violations, he was arraigned & was remanded to the Rensselaer County Jail.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 49-year-old Daniel Fisher of Franklin Sunday on charges of Criminal Contempt & Harassment, for allegedly violating an Order of Protection. Fisher was arraigned in the Town of Franklin Court and remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility, pending action in Town of Franklin Court & Delaware County Family Court at a later date to answer the charges.

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.

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 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.

33-year-old Heather Franklin of Guilford has posted bail & has been released from the custody of the Chenango County Correctional facility. Franklin was released on Saturday, her husband Ernest remains in the County jail, both are accused of murder, arson and tampering with physical evidence, following a fire at their town of Guilford residence, where their adopted son Jeffrey was allegedly murdered & a fire was set to cover up the murder on March 1st.

The pending homicide case against Ernest & Heather Franklin of Guilford in Chenango County Court has now received national attention, with the bail hearing transcripts from last week included in “People Magazine” Chenango County District attorney Joseph McBride stated at the hearing that the Franklins allegedly killed their special needs adopted son Jeffrey, and then set the family residence on fire, after watching the movie “Manchester By The Sea” on February 28th, which contained scenes with a murdered child & an arson fire. McBride commented to WCDO News about the case’s timeline:

(Joe McBride 4-13-17)

Bail for Ernest Franklin was set at $250,000 cash or $500,000 bond; Bail for Heather Franklin was set at $125,000 cash or $250,000 bond.

Bail was set in Chenango County Court Friday for Ernest & Heather Franklin of Guilford, they have been charged by a Chenango County Grand Jury with Murder & Arson for allegedly killing their 16 year old son Jeffrey & Setting fire to the family home on State Route 8 on March 1st to cover up the crime. Bail for Ernest Franklin was set at $250,000 cash or $500,000 bond; Bail for Heather Franklin was set at $125,000 cash or $250,000 bond.

State Police are looking for 78-year-old Franklin Carney of Norwich, who was reported missing Thursday. Police said that Carney suffers from dementia, and may be in need of medical attention, he was last see at 1:00 PM Thursday on Aldrich Road in Norwich. Carney is described as a white male, 6 feet 1 inch tall, 172 pounds, with gray hair and gray eyes, he drives a black 2006 Ford Ranger with the New York license plates CHB-2325, he was wearing a black Carhart jacket, blue jeans, white shoes and a baseball cap, he was with his Australian cattle dog. Anybody with information should call State police at 334- 3296 or 911.

Ernest & Heather Franklin of Guilford will be arraigned in Chenango County Court on Friday, they were indicted by a Chenango County Grand jury last week on charges of 2nd degree murder, arson & tampering with physical evidence. The couple is accused of murdering their 16-year-old son Jeffrey & setting fire to the family residence to cover up the murder on march 1st. Both are being held in the Chenango county jail pending Friday’s court action

Ernest & Heather Franklin of Guilford will be arraigned in Chenango County Court on Friday, they were indicted by a Chenango County Grand jury last week on charges of 2nd degree murder, arson & tampering with physical evidence. The couple is accused of murdering their 16-year-old son Jeffrey & setting fire to the family residence to cover up the murder on march 1st. Both are being held in the Chenango county jail pending Friday’s court action