WCDO Radio News

The City of Oneonta is accepting applications for a firefighter civil service exam to be held on January 10, 2026. The application deadline is December 10, Applications can be submitted in person or by mail to the Oneonta Civil Service Commission at City Hall at 258 Main Street and the starting salary for 2026 hires is $52,000. More information is available at oneonta.ny.us.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 11-4-25

Today is Election Day, with several important local races in the Tri County Region:

The Town of Sidney has several key races this year, Incumbents Town Supervisor Eric Wilson faces a challenge from Giffen Ott, 5 candidates are seeking 2 seats on the Sidney Town Board, Incumbents Bill Heath & Frank Selleck are seeking re-election, they face challengers Andrew Hinkley, Richard DeCola & Jesse Wakeman. The Sidney Town Justice position race feature incumbents Greg McCann against challenger Jennifer Ruling

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There are Town Supervisor races locally, in Guilford it is a rematch between incumbent Sue McIntyre against Gilda Ward, in Unadilla George Denys faces a late challenge from Write In Candidate Ed Gross, in the town of Colchester, the candidates are Robert Hafele & Arthur Merrill, in the town of Oneonta, the candidates are William Rivera Jr. & Brett Holleran

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The Cities of Norwich and Oneonta will have new Mayors, in Norwich the candidates are Robert Jeffrey & Jason Miller, in Oneonta the candidates are Luisa Montanti & Dan Butterman

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In the race for Delaware County Treasurer, Ronda Williams faces Carli Pinner.

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Polls are open from 6am to 9pm today, more information is available at your County Board of Elections Website.

State Police responded to I-88 in Afton for a crash involving a Department of Transportation vehicle and a pick-up truck. Troopers learned that a crew of 7 DOT workers were completing pothole repairs along the east bound lanes of I-88, an attenuator truck in the right lane warned drivers that there was roadwork ahead and that the right lane was closed, while a second attenuator truck was in the vicinity of the crew members. A Pick-up truck pulling an enclosed trailer with picnic tables crashed into rear of the second attenuator truck, The DOT worker that was operating the attenuator and the 20-year-old operator of the pick-up truck were both transported to Wilson Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Both eastbound lanes were closed during the removal of the vehicles. Troopers were assisted by Afton Fire, Bainbridge Fire, Sidney Ambulance.

Many local races are on the ballot for Election day tomorrow, in the Town of Sidney, 5 people are running for 2 seats on the town Board, Incumbents Bill Heath & Frank Selleck are looking to keep their spots on the Board, first, Bill Heath:

(Bill Heath 11-3-25)

Frank Selleck wants to continue on the board, to continue his tenure:

(Frank Selleck 11-3-25)

Republican Andy Hinkley feels that the Town of Sidney has not shared in prosperity in many years:

(Andy Hinkley 11-3-25)

Former Marine Rich DeCola told WCDO that he feels that collaboration between the Town & Village of Sidney has been lacking:

(Rich DeCola 11-3-25)

Jesse Wakeman is a young businessman who feels that partisan politics has prevented Sidney from moving forward in recruiting business and building housing:

(Jesse Wakeman 11-3-25)

Also, Giffen Ott is challenging Incumbent Eric Wilson for Sidney Town Supervisor.

Hospice & Palliative Care of Chenango County is holding their annual Light Up A Life Ornament sale, Spokesperson Sarah Green explains:

(Sarah Green 11-3-25)

The Annual Light Up A Life Ceremony will be held this year on December 3rd at the Jewish Center of Norwich at 72 South Broad Street.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 11-3-25

60 year old Ann Affolder of Binghamton, was arrested after she struck multiple trick-or-treaters with her vehicle on Halloween in the Town of Chenango on South Morningside Drive. Deputies & 1st responders found the vehicle with an adult male still trapped underneath, 1st responders were able to successfully extricate the victim, 4 victims were injured, 3 were transported to Wilson Hospital. The investigation revealed that Affolder was backing out of a driveway when the vehicle accelerated onto the street and struck 4 people, Affolder was charged with Vehicular Assault, Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs, & Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance for Methamphetamines, she was remanded to the Broome County Correctional Facility without bail.

Tuesday is Election day for a number of important local races, in Sidney Giffen Ott is challenging incumbent Eric Wilson for Sidney Town Supervisor:

(Giffen Ott 10-31-25)

Eric Wilson Told WCDO news about the accomplishments of he Sidney Town Boar while he has been Supervisor.

(Eric Wilson 10-31-25)

Also, there are 5 candidates for 2 seats on the Sidney Town Board, with incumbents Bill Heath & Frank Selleck running for re-election against challengers Andrew Hinkley,

Richard DeCola & Jesse Wakeman.

41 year old Robert Wilson was sentenced in Broome County Court to 8 years in State Prison followed by 3 years of post-release supervision for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and Criminal Possession of a Weapon. Last July, the Broome County Special Investigations Unit executed a narcotics search warrant in Binghamton, officers seized methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, packaging materials, a digital scale, and $7,796 cash from suspected drug sales.

Chenango County Sheriff's Office arrested Jesse Moore of North Norwich for Criminal Mischief, Harassment, & Assault, for allegedly injuring 2 people during an altercation on February 3rd. Moore was arraigned and remanded to the Chenango County Jail.

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fentanyl overdose that occurred at the jail last Friday. The unidentified 34-year-old inmate was found by a correctional officer, 1st aid was administered, the inmate was taken to Wilson Regional Medical Center for further medical attention. The investigation into the incident is continuing.

State Police arrested 31year old Jesse Sklenarik of Oneonta, for Attempted Petty Larceny, after a trooper was dispatched to a report of a larceny in progress at Certified Auto. When the trooper arrived, an employee was holding down Sklenarik after he allegedly attempted to cut the catalytic converter off a vehicle on their property. Sklenarik was released on an appearance ticket to the Oneonta Town Court on October 18th.

The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office arrested 2 people on a
variety of drug charges after a search warrant was executed in the town of
Worcester.  Deputies arrested 30 year old
Jesse Wilson & 29 year old Samone Van Buren, they seized crack cocaine,
suboxone, marijuana, $2,000 in cash, drug paraphernalia,   and Wilson and VanBuren were arraigned in
the Town of Worcester Court and sent to the Otsego County Jail on $25,000 cash
or $50,000 bond pending court action on September 3rd.

Delaware County District Attorney’s Investigators arrested Jesse Wilson and Samone VanBuren, both of Davenport for one count each of Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Criminally Possessing a Hypodermic Instrument. Wilson & VanBuren were issued appearance tickets returnable to the Davenport Town Court at a later date.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s department investigated a 1-vehicle accident on county road 2 in the town of Greene, at about 11:45 Tuesday morning.  24-year-old Jesse Ehlers of Greene left the pavement while operating a Jeep Cherokee, he struck an embankment & a tree.  Ehlers & his passenger, 19 year old Makayla Heisler of Greene were not wearing seatbelts & were ejected from the vehicle, and suffered serious head and back injuries.  Both were transported to Wilson memorial hospital in Johnson city, the cause of the accident was from unsafe speed for the curve in the road and road conditions.