WCDO Radio News

Former Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino is making another attempt to run for the Republican nomination for Governor. Astorino ran for Governor in 2014, losing by a large margin to Andrew Cuomo. Astorino is the 3rd Republican to announce a run for Governor in 2022; the others are Long Island Congressman Lee Zeldin and Lewis County Sheriff Mike Carpinelli.

Governor Cuomo today announced a series of pop up vaccination sites at passenger railroad stations upstate & the state's success at lower COVID rate bodes well for summer activities:

(Cuomo 5-12-21)

The State Health Department reported a 1.1% COVID test positivity rate for Tuesday, with Hospitalization, ICU Patients & patients on Ventilators at the lowest levels since last November.

A.M. NEWS Wednesday 5-12-21

Governor Cuomo today signed legislation extending a moratorium that prevents utility companies from disconnecting utilities to residential households and small businesses that are struggling with their bills due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The moratorium is extended for a period of 180 days after the COVID-19 state of emergency is lifted or 180 days after December 31st.

Former Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino throwing his hat in the ring for the party’s nomination, as he makes another attempt to run for Governor.  Astorino ran for governor in 2014, losing by a large margin to Andrew Cuomo.  Astorino is the 3rd Republican to announce a run for Governor in 2022; the others are Long Island Congressman Lee Zeldin and Lewis County Sheriff Mike Carpinelli.

Governor Cuomo today announced a series of pop up vaccination sites at passenger railroad stations upstate & the state's success at lower COVID rate bodes well for summer activities:

(Cuomo 5-12-21)

The State Health Department reported a 1.1% COVID test positivity rate for Tuesday, with Hospitalization, ICU Patients & patients on Ventilators at the lowest levels since last November.

A.M. NEWS Wednesday 5-12-21

Governor Cuomo today signed legislation extending a moratorium that prevents utility companies from disconnecting utilities to residential households and small businesses that are struggling with their bills due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The moratorium is extended for a period of 180 days after the COVID-19 state of emergency is lifted or 180 days after December 31st.

Taste New York sales continued to increase in 2017, growing to a record $16.1 million, which topped last year's sales totals by $3 million. Taste NY's food and beverage businesses support the State's farmers by using New York grown and produced ingredients in their products. Taste NY is promoting local products at Welcome Centers in the Southern Tier, Mohawk Valley, New York City, Central New York & Long Island. ------------------------------------------

The Otsego County Sheriff’s Department has charged 7 teenagers in connection with the fire that destroyed a railcar on the Leatherstocking Railroad Historical Association siding in Milford last October 3rd. Deputies stated that the teens had entered the railcar over a 2 day period, removed items from the railcar, set off the flair that caused the fire.

The Chenango Industrial Development Agency announced Frontier Railroad Services, completed construction on the Utica mainline project this month, which means that the rail line between Binghamton and Utica is largely restored and close to a return to service. IDA President Steve Craig explains:

(Steve Craig 12-22-16)

Frontier Railroad Service’s work included bridge re-decking, washout repairs, culvert replacements, and a large number of tie replacements.

State Police responded Wednesday to a 2 vehicle fatal collision involving a tractor-trailer and a car, on I-81 in the Town of Virgil. 59-year-old Roger Brooks of Virginia was driving a tractor-trailer; he struck a Toyota Corolla that was stopped in the driving lane, with the lights off, the tractor-trailer overturned off the shoulder of the roadway. The Toyota was driven by 40-year-old Rashida Brown, of Freeport, Long Island; Police said that she ran out of gas. Brown was transported to Cortland Regional Medical Center where she died from her injuries, No tickets have been issued. The investigation is continuing.

State Police in Binghamton are currently investigating 3 incidents where railroad ballast was thrown onto Interstate 88 and the West Service Road, from a railroad overpass in Chenango Bridge. The incidents occurred Saturday between approximately 10:38 & 11:00 AM, 3 vehicles were damaged, no injuries were reported. State Police are requesting anyone with any information on these incidents to call them at 775-1241.

Following last December's Metro-North derailment in the Bronx that killed four passengers, US senator Charles Schumer introduced legislation to put into law, the recommendations of a panel that focused on the railroad's culture of safety, mandating inward and outward facing cameras, increased track inspections and fines for safety violations. The law would apply to Metro-North, Long Island Rail Road, New Jersey Transit, Amtrak and other passenger lines across the country. The bill would boost the Federal Railroad Administration's oversight of the nation's rail systems by authorizing an increase in funding for FRA's safety and operations work.