WCDO Radio News

The Delaware Valley
Humane Society is teaming up with Staffworks to raise a lot of money next month
to help pay for the Shelter's everyday expenses, Shelter Director Erin Insinga
explains:

(Erin Insinga
11-13-19)

More information on
how to get your donation doubled in December is available by calling the
Delaware Valley Humane Society at 563-7780.

The Delaware County
Chamber of Commerce will co-host the "Hiring Our Heroes Veterans Business
Resource Fair" will be held Thursday in Sidney.  Chamber President Ray Pucci comments:

(Ray Pucci 11-14-19)

The Job Fair will run from 1:00 to 3:30 pm Thursday at the Sidney
American Legion at 22 Union Street in Sidney.
The event is co-sponsored by the State Department of Labor, The Delaware
County Veterans Service Agency as well as the Delaware County Chamber of
Commerce. Also, Community Bank NA announced that they will be on hand donating
Green Light Bulbs, while supplies last, in support of all Veterans.

Commerce Chenango's
5th annual Community Job Fair will be held today at SUNY Morrisville’s Norwich
campus from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM.    The
participating organizations include CDO Workforce, GE Aviation, Hospice and
Palliative Care of Chenango County, NBT Bank/NBT Insurance, The State
Department of Corrections, The State Veterans’ Home at Oxford, Raymond
Corporation, Springbrook & UHS Hospitals.

The legal age of sale
of tobacco products and e-cigarettes in the State of New York will be raised
from 18 to 21 today.  Every day, close to
2,500 youth under 18 try their first cigarette and more than 400 kids become
regular daily smokers.  State lawmakers
believe that New York's new law will greatly reduce the number of high school
students who have easy access to tobacco products, and the State Police will
team up with the State Department of Health to enforce the new law.

Operation Merry
Christmas is continuing to take calls on behalf of under-privileged families in
the local area, so that their children have presents under their Christmas
Trees this year.  Spokesperson Dorene
Ireland told WCDO News that they are accepting names of children beyond the
recent deadline, & more trees are up in more locations this year:

(Dorene Ireland
11-13-19)

Ireland said that the
giveaway day will be Saturday December 14th in the lobby of the AO Fox Hospital
Tri Town Campus in Sidney; more information is available at 643-6334 or
643-6324.

Starting today, November 1st, 2019, New York State law
requires any child under the age of 2 to ride in a rear-facing car seat. Did
you know that many car seats are designed with greater height and weight limits
and can keep a child rear-facing, even beyond age 2? The American Academy of
Pediatrics suggests that the best way to keep your child safe is to keep them
rear-facing for as long as possible.

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce "Hiring Our
Heroes Veterans Business Resource Fair" will be held on November 14 from 1
to 3:30 pm at Sidney American Legion at 22 Union Street.  Delaware County Chamber of Commerce President
Ray Pucci explains:

(Ray Pucci 11-1-19)

The event is sponsored by the State Department of Labor,
Delaware County Veterans Service Agency and the Delaware County Chamber of
Commerce, to register and reserve a table, contact Debbie Bender at 432-4800 extension
101 or email debra.bender@labor.ny.gov.

Daylight Saving Time ends on
Sunday at 2:00 AM, as clocks will be turned back one hour.   The move means that it will get dark an hour
earlier at 5:19 PM Sunday, Standard time will be used through March 8th
2020  when clocks will “spring” forward
an hour to begin Daylight Saving Time.

Last Night’s storms left behind flooding, power outages
& closed roads.  In Chenango County,
State Highway 23 in Pharsalia is expected to be closed for an extended period
of time, Nyseg reported that about 1300 were without power in Otsego County,
about 1700 were out in Delaware County, about
800 in Chenango County and over 1100 in Broome County this afternoon.

The annual meeting of the Delaware County Historical
Association will be held on Sunday, followed by the presentation of DCHA’s
annual Awards of Merit to those individuals who have volunteered their time and
skills to preserve and/or present the history of Delaware County.  The general public is invited at 2:45pm to
hear local historian and author, Bill Birns, give a presentation based on the
life of Congressman John Clarke of Delaware County,    more information is available at 746-3849.

Starting Today, The Otsego County Planning Department &
Solid Waste announced that Televisions, monitors, and commercial grade
electronics will be charged at $12 per unit at the Oneonta Transfer
Station.  All other electronics will
remain free.  Officials said that the
change is to help cover rising recycling costs related to electronics, more
information is available at 547-4256.

The Sidney Center Improvement Group is holding their Crock
Pot Cook-Off & Lucky Day Auction this Saturday at the Fire Station, Group
President Mike Sellitti explains:

(Mike Sellitti 10-31-19)

Sellitti said that the Crock Pot Cook Off is open to the
public; more information about the Sidney Center Improvement Group is available
at scigny.org.

Delaware County Chamber of Commerce Will holds their next
Membership Breakfast today from 8:30 to 10:00 am at The Old School House Inn
& Restaurant on State Highway 206 in Downsville.  More information is available at
delawarecounty.org.

The Binghamton Devils will be starting a new season shortly
at the Floyd L. Maines Broome County Arena.
Team practices are being held this week at the Arena; Single-game
tickets are on sale at Binghamton Devils.com, or at the Arena Box Office.  The Devils will open up the 2019-20 season at
home on Saturday, October 5 at 7:05 p.m. against the Utica Comets.

The Afton Community Theater presents "Matilda the
Musical" this weekend. Erin Wehrli is directing the performances of
"Matilda" this weekend:

(Erin Wehrli 9-24-19)

"Matilda The Musical" will be performed Friday
& Saturday nights at 7:00 PM, with Saturday & Sunday Matinees at 2:00
PM, at the Margery Secrest Theater at the Afton Central School.  Tickets are available at
BrownpaperTickets.com.

The 13th annual O’Connor
Hospital Invitational took place on September 18th at The College Golf Course
at Delhi, raising more than $40,000 to support hospital equipment and building
upgrades.  Numerous area businesses
sponsored the event; those interested in sponsoring for next year can call the
Friends of Bassett Healthcare Network office at 547-4799 or email
sheila.lemaster@bassett.org.

The New York Mets Monday announced
the winners of the 2019 Sterling Awards, emblematic of the top minor league
performers in New York’s farm system. Three of the seven honorees spent at
least part of the season with the Binghamton Rumble Ponies.  Mark Vientos was the Hitter of the Year; LHP
Kevin Smith was named Pitcher of the Year; Andrés Giménez was the Mets’
Defender of the Year; and Sam Haggerty was the system’s top baserunner. Haggerty
was a September call up to New York, he scored his first big league run September
6th against Philadelphia.

The State Labor Department
released local unemployment statistics for the month of August today.  Locally, Chenango County had 3.9% unemployment;
Delaware County had 4.4% and Otsego County 3.8% unemployment in August.

The mural on the side of the Tepco building in Bainbridge
was dedicated Monday night.  Kimberly
Moravcik was tasked with putting a Native American theme on the border of the
mural:

(Kimberly Moravcik 9-23-19)

Christopher Lloyd Wright of Afton was given the task to do
the middle part of the mural, to reflect more of the later day Bainbridge:

(Christopher Lloyd Wright 9-23-19)

The dedication was followed by refreshments at the
refurbished Wilsey Building.

Tuesday's Chenango Memorial Women’s Health talk will focus
on Menopause at tonight’s meeting in Norwich.
Dr. Phyllis Sheriff-White of UHS Women’s Health Center in Norwich &
Certified Nurse Midwife Tina Mann will be the featured speakers at the monthly
at Bohemian Moon, 103 W. Main Street in Norwich, beginning at 6:00 PM.  More information is available at 337-4239.

The number of private sector jobs in New York State grew by
8,900, to 8,280,700 in August according to preliminary figures released today
by the State Department of Labor.  The
State’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.0% for the fourth
consecutive month.   Upstate Counties saw
the unemployment rate go up .1% to 3.8% in August.

The United Way of Delaware & Otsego counties will hold
their "Community Matters Mixer" at Awestruck Ciders in Sidney
today.  The event will be held from 5:30
to 7:30 PM in the Sidney Industrial Park on Winkler Road, more information is
available at 432-8006.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 34-year-old
Joshua Gardepe of East Branch, Wednesday on the charge of endangering the
welfare of a child, following an investigation of a report of child
maltreatment in the Town of Hancock. Gardepe was arraigned at Town of
Colchester Court and was released to appear at Town of Hancock Court at a later
date to answer the charge.

The Bainbridge Chamber of
Commerce Announced That Tomorrow is the last day to vote for the “Business of
the Year”.  The survey can be filled out
at surveymonkey.com.

Governor Cuomo signed legislation extending the statute of
limitations to 20 years for rape in the 2nd degree and to 10 years for rape in
the 3rd degree. The law also extends the statute of limitations to 20 years for
2nd degree criminal sexual act & 2nd degree incest & to 10 years for
3rd degree criminal sexual act.  Prior to
this new law, victims only had 5 years to bring a legal case alleging 2nd &
3rd degree rape or criminal sexual act.

Delaware County Public Health certified Child Passenger
Safety Technicians will be offering free car seat safety checks and education
to parents today from 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm at Little Lambs Children’s Center, 383
Delaware County Highway 11 Oneonta.  The
event is part of National Child Passenger Safety Week, more information is
available at 832-5200.

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of
Education Meeting will be held today in the Guilford Elementary School at 6:30
PM. The business portion of the meeting will start at 7:00 PM.

Governor Cuomo today signed legislation closing the legal
loophole that allows creditors to use New York courts to secure confessions of
judgment and seize the assets of borrowers for cases where the borrower has no
connection to New York. Prior to this new law, creditors were able to exploit
New York laws to freeze and seize a borrower's assets by obtaining a judgment
entered in a court far from where the contested agreement was executed, making
it difficult for a borrower to legally contest the unfair penalty.

The State Division of Budget
announced today that they are approving the State Board of Elections’ plan to
distribute $10 million to county governments to support early voting
implementation.  The State Budget
allocated $24.7 million for assistance with implementing a series of election
law reforms, including early voting. The State Board of Election’s Aid to
Localities Plan can be viewed at nysac.org.

Governor Cuomo announced that temporary lane closures for
road and bridge construction projects on New York State highways will be
suspended now until Tuesday, at 6:00 AM, to accommodate travelers during the
busy Labor Day weekend.  Governor Cuomo
is urging motorists to follow the state's Move Over Law & that state and
local law enforcement will be participating in the statewide "Drive Sober
or Get Pulled Over" enforcement through Monday.

11th Annual Susquehanna Balloon Festival at NEAHWA PARK in
Oneonta will be held today from 5:00 to 9:00 PM & tomorrow from 3:00 to
9:00 PM.  The event features live music,
vendors, entertainment, food, & Balloon Launches beginning at 6:00 pm.  More information is available at 432-2941.

Tuffy's Place Feline Sanctuary off Route 41 North of Afton
is holding a Picnic fundraiser Saturday from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Local vendors
will participate, visitors can tour Tuffy's Place, 100% of raffle proceeds and
food sales will benefit Tuffy's Place.   More
information is available at TuffysPlace.org or at 821-3643.

The West Kortright Centre presents its 14th Annual West
Kortright Fair on Sunday, from 12:00 noon to 6:00 PM; Admission to this event
is by pay-what-you-can donation.
Scheduled activities include live music under the big tent, a rummage
sale and silent auction, directions & additional information is available
at westkc.org.

The Town of Guilford held their latest meeting last night,
and no action was taken regarding the controversial Calpine High Bridge Wind
Farm proposal & the board's adoption of a Renewable Energy Law, Supervisor
George Senek comments:

(George Senek 8-15-19)

Senek said that a Special Town Board meeting is being
scheduled for Wednesday September 4th.

Area native Cassidy Lynn returns to the area from Nashville, to perform at the Delaware County Fair this week, she talked to WCDO News about her return to the area:

(Cassidy Lynn 8-15-19)

Lynn said that she first sang professionally at the Chenango
County Fair at the age of 11, she currently writes & performs in Nashville;
she will perform at the Delaware County Fair Friday from 4:00 to 7:00 PM.

New York State paid more than $100 million in duplicate
payments to managed care organizations for premiums over a more than 4 year
period, according to an audit released today by State Comptroller Tom
DiNapoli.  Auditors found many cases of
people with multiple Client Identification Numbers, with Medicaid making
duplicate payments to those individuals.
DiNapoli recommended that the Department Of Health Review the $102.1
million in improper premium payments identified and make recoveries; Ensure
Local Districts make timely and accurate updates to information and evaluate
the feasibility of creating a control to prevent multiple Client ID Numbers
from being reused in the future. The report is available at
osc.state.ny.us/audits.

The Afton Sidewalk Day will be held on Saturday August 24th,
Greater Afton Area Chamber of Commerce President John Hinman told WCDO News
that they are having a Cruise In during the Sidewalk Day:

(John Hinman 8-15-19)

The full schedule of events is available at
aftonsidewalkday.weebly.com.

The State Department of Labor
announced today that the Statewide Unemployment Rate Remained at 4.0% for the
3rd straight month.  The number of
private sector jobs in New York State grew by 1,800 to 8,200,300 in July; New
York State’s economy has added 1,182,200 private sector jobs over the 1st half
of the year.

Delaware County Public Health has been notified that a raccoon submitted for rabies testing from the Town of Stamford was confirmed positive for rabies. This is the fifth rabid animal confirmed in the County in 2019. The raccoon was reported to have attacked an unvaccinated cat, and chickens. The cat has been humanely euthanized. The remaining rabies 2019 rabies clinics are listed below can and can be viewed at delawarecountypublichealth.com

The Delaware County Fair continues with a host of activities
today, spokesman Jason Craig explains:

(Jason Craig Thursday)

The Delaware County Fair continues through Saturday night at
the Fairgrounds in Walton.

Congressman Anthony Brindisi will hold a pinning ceremony
for area Vietnam Veterans Today at 2:00 pm at the SUNY Broome, West Gymnasium,
If a Veteran served on active duty in the United States Armed Forces at any
time from November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, either overseas or stateside, they
can be honored with a special Department of Defense pin. Veterans should call
607-242-0200 to RSVP with their full name, where they are from, and their
branch of service.

Due to the ongoing blood shortage, Individuals can schedule
an appointment to give blood today in Walton, through Amazon’s Alexa, by using
the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, or calling 1-800-RED
CROSS.  The Walton blood drive will run
from 12:00 to 5:00 PM at the United Presbyterian Church, 58 East Street.

Governor Cuomo signed the Farm Workers Bill Wednesday, which
establishes a Fair Labor Practices Act to protect farm worker rights and ensure
equitable housing and working conditions.

(Cuomo 7-18-19)

The bill grants farm workers overtime pay, a day of rest
each week, disability and Paid Family Leave coverage, unemployment benefits and
other labor protections. The bill will take effect on January 1, 2020.

Broadway in Binghamton announced their lineup of shows
coming to Binghamton for the 2019-2020 seasons, Tina Niles of NAC Entertainment
comments:

(Tina Niles 7-18-19)

Niles said that tickets will also go on sale Monday at 10:00
AM, for the Off Broadway show "The Office; A Musical Parody" based on
the popular TV sitcom starring Steve Carrell.
Tickets for "The Office" and the rest of the announced shows
are available at the Arena Box Office or through Broadway In Binghamton.com.

Organizers of Woodstock 50 have
submitted their 3rd application to have the event held at Vernon Downs in
Oneida County.  Previous applications
were turned down due to the closeness in time of the scheduled event, and for
the lack of planning for law enforcement & first responders to be on hand
to sufficiently handle the demands of a large 3 day music festival.  A previous attempt to hold the festival on
the 50th anniversary of the original Woodstock festival at Watkins Glen
international fell apart last month.

25 year old John Mehne of Florida pleaded not guilty
Wednesday to a Broome County grand jury's indictment.  Mehne was arrested June 4 after he allegedly
crashed a stolen car on I-81, tried to escape by jumping on 2 other vehicles,
fled in to the woods, then Police agencies launched a manhunt.  The grand jury indicted Mehne for Grand
Larceny and Menacing; he was arraigned on the latest charges & was remanded
back to the Broome County Jail.  Another
Grand Jury presentation is expected, as the Broome County District Attorney's
Office continues to work with State Police on additional charges relating to
the series of incidents involving Mehne on June 4th.

The State Office of General Services announced that a
surplus vehicle, highway equipment, and miscellaneous property auction has been
scheduled on Wednesday, July 24th.
Information on specific items and terms of sale is available at
ogs.ny.gov; the auction will begin at 9:30 am at the State Police Troop C
headquarters on State Route 7, between Sidney & Unadilla

Delaware County Public Health will hold a Free Rabies
Vaccination Clinic For dogs, cats and ferrets today from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the
Masonville Fire Hall.  More information
is available at 832-5200 or delawarecountypublichealth.com

The 57th General Clinton Canoe regatta was held
over the Memorial Day Weekend, with over 1000 paddlers from 22 states & 5
Canadian Provinces participating.

In the men’s NYMCRA stock Race, Mike & Wayne Himes of
Otego took 1st place; they spoke with WCDO’s Craig Stevens:

(Himes 5-29-19)

In one of the largest C1 Pro fields Rod McLain from Maine
was able to use high water conditions from Milford down to his advantage to
take 1st place: he talked to WCDO’s Craig Stevens after the race:

(Rod McLain 5-28-19)

Oneonta resident Trevor LeFever took 2nd place in
the C2 Pro class with his partner Ben Schlimmer of Camillus; he discussed what
it is like to race against Canoe Racing Legend Serge Corbin:

(Trevor LeFever 5-29-19)

Complete results of the races are available at
canoeregatta.org.

A Ribbon Cutting ceremony was held at the Sidney Central
School District today along with the Raymond Corporation of Greene, for the
opening of their Raymond welding Center.
Sidney Welding Program Advisor Joseph Waltz told WCDO News about the
full year course

(Joseph Waltz 5-28-19)

Raymond Corporation representative Dan Quiter Jr. told WCDO
News that this program is the first of its kind locally:

(Dan Quiter Jr 5-28-19)

The program was started through the efforts of 6 Sidney
Students and a Raymond Corporation Advisor.

An amended marijuana legalization bill was introduced on
Friday by lawmakers in Albany, which more closely echoes what Governor Cuomo
wanted in the bill earlier this year.
The bill includes the Office of Cannabis Management to regulate
commercial and medical marijuana; it would also expunge the records of those
who have committed marijuana-based offenses in the past.   Opponents to Marijuana legalization site
potential issues with traffic safety and increased links to mental illnesses
such as Schizophrenia & violence.

New York State will not be
funding a housing development with 64 units in Oneonta' 6th Ward.  The RSS development announced their plans
last year, with residents speaking out about the plans to have some people in
the development recovering from substance abuse.  Governor Cuomo recently announced that 6
organizations in The Southern Tier would receive $21.3 million in tax credits
and low-interest loans from the State Homes & Community Renewal’s 2018
Unified Funding applications; the Oneonta RSS project was not included.

The 57th General Clinton canoe regatta was held over the
Memorial Day weekend, with over 1000 pro & Amateur Paddlers from 22 states
& 5 Canadian Provinces participating.

The 2 person pro race was won by Steve Lajoie & Jimmy
Pellerin, who completed the 70 mile course in 7:15:23, they spoke with WCDO’s
Craig Stevens

(Lajoie/Pellerin 5-28)

The Duo beat 2nd place finishers Trevor LeFever of Oneonta
& Ben Schlimmer of Camillus by 2 minutes, but 2nd place wasn’t easy as they
beat out Guillaume Blaise & Samuel Friggone for Quebec by just 1 second,
Schlimmer spoke to Craig Stevens about the close ending:

(Schlimmer 5-28)

62 year old Regatta champion Serge Corbin & his partner
Normand Mainguy finished 4th in the pro race, he talked with WCDO’s Craig
Stevens after the race;

(Serge Corbin 5-28)

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

The Michigan Team of Bruce & Roxanne Barton, Tim
Triebold & Weston Willoughby won the C4 Race with a time of 7:37:45;  Local Paddler Bob Zaveral of Mount Upton
spoke to Craig Stevens after his 4 person team finished 2nd in the C-4 race
yesterday:

(Zaveral 5-28)

Walton father Son team Bill & Lucas Walley won the tough
stock aluminum race by 40 minutes over the 2nd place finishers, Lucas Walley
talked about racing with the heavier canoes to WCDO’s Craig Stevens:

(Lucas Walley 5-28)

Complete results can be found at canoeregatta.org.

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce will host a FREE
workforce development event today aimed at business owners and managers who are
struggling to hire staff or have employees in drug and/or alcohol treatment and
recovery.  Representatives from the
Delaware County Probation Department, Delaware County Drug Treatment Court, CDO
Workforce and the Department of Labor will participate, the session will be
held at 10:00 AM at the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce at 5 1/2 Main
Street, Delhi, more information is available at 746-2281.

Congressman Anthony Brindisi will be hosting a listening
session on rising prescription drug costs in Binghamton Today.  The event will include health care
professionals, seniors, and community leaders, at the Koffman Southern Tier
Incubator at 120 Hawley Street at 11:30 a.m.

The 70 Mile Pro Races will be held on the Susquehanna River
from Cooperstown to Bainbridge on Monday, with races starting at 6:00, 6:30
& 7:30 am, regatta chairman John Harmon explains:

(John Harmon 5-24-19)

WCDO will be broadcasting this weekend about the Canoe Races
& the Activities in General Clinton Park in Bainbridge at FM 101, AM 1490
& Streaming Live at wcdosports.com.

The 8th annual General Clinton Canoe Regatta Hall of Fame
inductees have been announced, committee spokesman Greg Davie explains:

(Greg Davie 4-23-19)

The Annual Induction Ceremony will be held on Regatta
Weekend on Saturday May 25th at 3:00 PM at General Clinton Park in Bainbridge.

Local Artists have decorated Adirondack Chairs, Canoe
Paddles & raised garden planters, which are being auctioned off at the
General Clinton Canoe Regatta grounds on Saturday.  Nancy Kitchen of the Jericho Arts Council
comments:

(Nancy Kitchen 5-24-19)

The Live Art Auction will be held on Saturday at 6:00 PM,
Interested purchasers can bid online at jerichoarts.com/regatta-row-2019.

The 2019 Rolling Antiquers Car show will be held this
Saturday 7 Sunday at the Chenango County Fairgrounds in Norwich.   Saturday, will be the Muscle Car &
Street Rod Show & on Sunday will be the Antique Auto & Classic Car
Show.   More information is available at
334-2907 or at raocc.org

The Appellate Division of state Supreme Court has declared
that farm workers have the same right to unionize as all other workers in New
York State.  State labor laws excluded
farm workers from collective bargaining rights, that was ruled unconstitutional
Thursday.  The New York Farm Bureau said
that they will appeal to the state's highest court, the Court of Appeals.

The 92nd Scripps National
Spelling Bee starting Sunday through next week & for the 3rd year in a row,
Bainbridge resident Melodie Loya will be participating.    Loya placed 18th and 25th in her two
previous years of national competition, and made it to the final 41of last
year’s 516 spellers.  The Scripps
national Spelling Bee will be held Sunday through next Friday at the Gaylord
National Resort & Convention Center in Fort Washington, Maryland.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 5-24-19

State Police and local law enforcement statewide will
increase patrols to combat drunk, impaired and reckless driving throughout
Memorial Day weekend. Troop C Commanding Officer Major Brian Shortall comments:

(Major Shortall 5-24-19)

The STOP-DWI enforcement period runs through Monday night,
Governor Cuomo announced that temporary lane closures for road and bridge
construction projects on New York State highways will be suspended through
Tuesday morning at 6:00 AM, to accommodate increased travel throughout Memorial
Day weekend.

Binghamton Police arrested 19-year-old Jalil Butts of
Binghamton for 2nd-degree attempted murder, in connection with the shooting of
a woman in a car on St. Patrick's Day on Chenango Street. 19-year-old Antonio
Jones of Taftville, Connecticut was arrested last month in connection with the
same shooting, he was charged with attempted murder and assault.

A jury found 26 year old Danielle Agosto of Endicott guilty
Thursday for fracturing the skull of a toddler in her care.  Agosto was found guilty of 2nd-degree assault
and endangering the welfare of a child, she was returned to jail & will be
sentenced June 21.

The State Police held their
annual Memorial Day Ceremony at the Troop C Headquarters in Sidney.  Commanding Officer Major Brian Shortall
commented on the importance of the day:

(Major Brian Shortall 5-22-19)

Members of other law Enforcement
Agencies & families of Troopers Past & Present attended today's
ceremony & Barbecue Luncheon at Troop C.

The General Clinton Canoe
Regatta gets underway Friday Night, starting with the Generation Gap Races,
where Adults & kids participate in canoe races, Regatta Chairman John
Harmon explains:

(John Harmon 5-22-19)

Harmon said that The Scout races
will be held again on Saturday, with Boy & Girls Scouts from all over
coming to the region to compete, followed by the Sprint races on Sunday, and
the Pro 70 miles races on Monday Memorial Day.
WCDO will bring you coverage throughout the weekend at FM 100, AM1490
and streaming at wcdosports.com.

The House of Representatives
passed Freshman Congressman Anthony Brindisi’s 1st bill today. Brindisi's
“Support for Suicide Prevention Coordinators Act” to help prevent veteran
suicide, sailed through the House and is on its way to the Senate.  The bipartisan bill requires the Comptroller
General of the United States to conduct an assessment of the responsibilities,
workload, and vacancy rates of the Department of Veterans Affairs Suicide
Prevention Coordinators.

The State Labor Department of
released preliminary local area unemployment rates for April. The statewide
Unemployment rate was 3.9% in April; the Southern Tier region was at a combined
4.0% even.

1 person is dead and an Otsego County Sheriff’s Deputy was
injured after a pursuit in the village of Richfield Springs and the town of
Springfield Tuesday Afternoon.  State
Police approached a subject in a vehicle who had been accused of threatening a
victim with a knife, the suspect fled from troopers and a pursuit ensued
traveling east on State Route 20.  As the
subject approached the intersection of State Routes 20 and 80, an Otsego County
Sheriff’s Deputy was stationary in his vehicle, monitoring the pursuit with his
emergency lights activated; the suspect crossed into oncoming traffic and
struck the Deputy head-on.  The Deputy
was transported to Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, NY with serious but
non-life threating injuries, the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene by
Otsego County Corner Michael Fox.  The
investigation is on-going.

All area School District budgets were passed by voters
Tuesday in the tri-county region.
Capital projects passed in Afton, Sidney and Unatego.

CDO Workforce & the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce are sponsoring a Job Fair at the SOUTHSIDE MALL today.  The JOB FAIR will run from 1:00 to 3:30PM.  Jobs available with all types of businesses: Retail, Healthcare, Human Services, Manufacturing, and Hospitality, Both Year-Round & Summer Jobs available.

The State Police will hold their Annual Memorial Day
Ceremony today at 11:00 AM at Troop C headquarters in Sidney.  The event is held each year to remember those
who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

Oneonta officials announced that there will be no parking in
the Wall Street parking lot today from 7:00am until 12:00 Noon for parking lot
repairs.   Parking will be available in
other locations; more information is available at 432-2100 or
dpsinfo@oneonta.ny.us

SUNY Delhi will hold its 102nd annual commencement at 10
a.m. Saturday. About 800 students will graduate with certificates and
associate, bachelors, and master's degrees, according to a media release.  The ceremony will be held at the track and
field facility on campus. The latest information will be available on the
college website at www.delhi.edu.

The Fagan Flyers Fly In Breakfast at the Sidney Municipal
Airport will be held this Sunday.  the
event will run from 8:00 AM to 12:00 Noon, there will be plane rides, displays,
craft vendors & demonstrations by LifeNet.

“Help After Loss”
will host the “Halos Memory Run/Walk on Sunday from 12:00 to 6:00 PM at the
Greenlawn Elementary School Track in Bainbridge.  Anyone who has experienced loss can
participate and register at form.jotform.com.
more information is available at helpafterloss.com or call
607-240-1550.  An Event Page is also
available at facebook.com/events

This Sunday,  Delaware County Public Health will be holding
a free Car Seat Safety Event at Delaware Valley Hospital in Walton, from 12:00
Noon until 2:00 PM.  75% of children are
riding in car seat that are not properly installed or do not fit
correctly.   Parents and caregivers can
have their child’s car seat checked at no cost by certified child safety seat
technicians.   This free event will educate
parents and caregivers on proper car seat installation and use. Car seats which
do not meet the Federal Motor Safety Standard may be replaced.  Be sure to bring your child/children to the
event and expectant parents are also welcome.

In April, the number of private sector jobs in New York
State grew by 24,600, or 0.3%, to 8,300,500, a new, all-time high, according to
preliminary figures released by the State Department of Labor. New York’s statewide
unemployment rate was at 3.9% in April.

Chenango County Habitat for Humanity has 2 upcoming
fundraisers.  The 1st is a 2-day Habitat
Yard Sale today from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM & Saturday, from 9:00 AM to 1:00
PM, at 16 North Canal Street in Oxford.
The 2nd fundraiser will be the annual Habitat Yard and Bake Sale on
Friday, May 24th at 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and on Saturday, May 25th from 9:00 AM
to 1:00 PM near Fred's Inn, at 5157 State Highway 12 south of Norwich.  More information is available at 843-6249.

The village of Unadilla will be holding their annual metal
pick-up today between hours of 7:00 am to 3:30 pm.  NO RUBBER, PLASTIC, GLASS, OIL, PAINT OR
OTHER LIQUID WASTE WILL BE PICKED-UP & that includes Freon which would be
in refrigerators, or air conditioners. Metals must be placed at curb by 7:00
am; more information is available at 369-3421.

Destination Oneonta's Fabulous Friday Event will be held
today on Main Street from 5:30 to 8:00 PM.
The event will feature Tom & Doug's Cruise In & Music From Off
the Record.

State Police arrested 62 year
old Renee Rountree of Unadilla for Menacing, Criminal Mischief & Falsely
Reporting an Incident.  Troopers were
dispatched to a residence on Lockwood Hill Road in Unadilla, when troopers
arrived, they learned that Rountree falsely reported the harassment, menaced a
victim and slashed the victim’s tires.
Rountree was arrested and later released on appearance tickets
returnable to the town of Unadilla court on Monday April 22nd.

Delaware County Sheriff’s
Deputies arrested 24-year-old Christopher Shea of Altamont, Wednesday for
Aggravated Unlicensed Operation following a traffic stop on Main Street in the
Village of Delhi. Shea was additionally issued tickets for Unlicensed Operator,
and Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign, he was released on an appearance ticket and
is scheduled to return to the Delhi Town Court at a later date to answer the
charges.

The Grand Oneonta Opry Show will be held this Saturday night
at the Foothills Performing Arts Center in Oneonta, to raise money for Catskill
Area Hospice & Palliative Care.
Alicia Fish of Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative care comments:

(Alicia Fish 4-19-19)

John Thompson of the Driftwoods told WCDO News that his band
will back up several area musical acts at Saturday's show, and he encourages
the local public to come out & support this fundraising effort:

(John Thompson 4-19-19)

More information about the show is available by calling
431-2080; tickets can be purchased at the Foothills Box Office or online at
eventbrite.com.

The annual springtime turkey hunting weekend for young
hunters is this weekend in New York State.
Licensed hunters 12 to 15 years old are eligible for the special 2-day
hunt this weekend; they must have a turkey permit and must be accompanied by a
parent or other adult with written permission from a parent or guardian.  Shooting hours are from a half hour before
sunrise until noon.  The regular spring
turkey season starts on May 1 in upstate New York.

The number of private sector jobs in New York State grew by 18,100,
or 0.2%, to more than 8.2 Million In March, a new, all-time high, according to
the State Department of Labor. New York’s statewide unemployment rate increased
from 3.9% to 4.0%.

Broome County District Attorney Steve Cornwell announced
today that 31 year old Johnnah DeGraw of Deposit has been sentenced to 12 years
in prison plus 5 years post release parole for distributing fentanyl, heroin
and methamphetamines.  DeGraw pleaded
guilty in Broome County Court to drug charges on March 14, Degraw And
26-year-old Marlon Graham of Deposit were arrested last November,   Graham also pleaded guilty and will be
sentenced in May.

The State Budget is expected to get wrapped up quickly as
the Budget deadline is midnight on Monday.
Among the items expected to make it into the final budget plan, the
permanent installation of a 2% Property tax Cap, a ban on plastic grocery bags,
Items that have been removed from the Budget plan, the expansion of the bottle
bill, recreational marijuana & the governors plans to cut the Aid to
Municipalities.

The State Department of Taxation and Finance today reminded
taxpayers that the deadline to submit their personal income tax returns is
Monday, April 15th.  After 3 years of
receiving a few extra days to file because of certain holidays, taxpayers
should be aware that this year Tax Day returns to its traditional date.  New York taxpayers with adjusted gross
household incomes of $66,000 or less in 2018 may take advantage of
user-friendly tax preparation and filing software available at tax.ny.gov.

Super Heroes in Ripped Jeans will be bringing adoptable dogs & cats to the Houndstooth Bakery & Boutique in Sidney Saturday, during a Meet & Greet Bake Sale from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM.  Proceeds from the bake Sale will benefit the Super Heroes in Ripped Jeans Building fund.

The State Health Department
warns New York Residents, and especially outdoor enthusiasts, that there is
expected to be a big increase in the Tick population this summer, and with
that, an increased in Lyme disease.  Dress
in long sleeves and pants and consider tucking pant legs into socks, especially
if you will be walking in tall grass or wooded areas. Also, use a tick
repellant containing DEET, following the manufacturer's instructions.  For prolonged outdoor activities such as
camping, look for clothing and camping gear that is treated with permethrin.

New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced a
win in a comprehensive lawsuit led by New York and 10 states and the District
of Columbia challenging the Department of Labor's Association Health Plan Rule,
which expands the criteria for forming AHPs in order to evade consumer
protections and sabotage the Affordable Care Act. The decision from the United
States District Court for the District of Columbia states that the rule is
"clearly an end-run around the ACA" and "creates absurd
results."

Main Street Goes Blue for colorectal cancer awareness will
be held from today 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Muller Plaza on Main Street in Oneonta.
Included will be light refreshments, giveaways, raffles, health information and
various activities. Eligible individuals 50 and older may sign up for free
take-home colorectal cancer screening kits.
The event is sponsored by the Cancer Services Program of the Central
Region. Call 888-345-0225 or visit www.Bassett.org/CSP for more information,

The number of private sector jobs in New York State grew by
7,900, or 0.1%, to 8,254,400, a new, all-time high, according to preliminary
figures released today by the State Department of Labor.  The statewide unemployment rate was at 3.9%.

Upstate New York casinos authorized to offer sports gambling
could be accepting wagers by Memorial Day weekend, after the state Gaming
Commission posted its rules for sports betting Wednesday, which started the
60-day period during which the public can weigh in on the issue.   After the Public Comment period, sports
wagering would be allowed at the 4 privately owned non-Indian-owned casinos,
including Tioga Downs.

The Out Of the Woodworks Players will be performing their
next Production in early April, Spokesman Will Drew explains:

(Will Drew 3-21-19)

Tickets are already available at
brownpapertickets.com, through the OWP Facebook Page, or at the door.

Governor Andrew Cuomo has issued the city of Norwich and
greater Norwich community to lower the American flag from through Sunday, March
31 to honor Norwich Police Sergeant Timothy Annesi, who died from a chronic
illness Sunday.   Calling hours were held
last night in Norwich.  A funeral service
will be held this morning at 9:30 a.m. at the Broad Street United Methodist
Church.

The Village Of Sidney will be holding an informational
meeting today from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the Sidney Civic Center Board Room
regarding possible implementation of one refuse hauler for all residential
homes in the Village of Sidney. This will be 1st of 2 meetings on this topic,
there will be a discussion of the proposal and residents are encouraged to ask
questions or raise concerns about this subject.

State Police are investigating the circumstances behind the
death of 18 year old Alec Zarkower of Cortlandt Manor in Westchester County, in
his SUNY Delhi Dorm room Monday.
Zarkower was a freshman residing in the O'Connor Hall, Students were
told that there was no imminent danger & classes were held as
scheduled.  An Autopsy on Zarkower is
scheduled for today.

The State Burn Ban goes into effect this Saturday March 16th
through May 14th.   DEC officials stated
that that ban does NOT ban all burning, it bans burning of Brush.   Exceptions include small Campfires,   Small cooking fires, Ceremonial or
celebratory bonfires are allowed. More Information is available at dec.ny.gov.

Binghamton Police Department responded to a report of a
vehicle collision with 2 pedestrians yesterday afternoon at about 3:25, on
Beethoven Street near Lincoln Avenue.
The police determined that a Jeep Wrangler left the roadway and struck
female teenagers; 16 and 19 years of age, they were taken to Wilson Hospital
The driver of the vehicle 33 year old Kevin Wilcox of Harpursville, he was
charged with Vehicular Assault & Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs,
he was arraigned this morning & was remanded to the Broome County Jail.

The 2019 Relay For Life of Chenango County Kickoff event
will be held today at 6:00 pm at the Community Room, at the Norwich YMCA.  The event is open to the public, Light
refreshments will also be served! The Chenango Relay For Life will be held at
East Main Street Park in Norwich, on Saturday, July 20th at 4:00 PM.

The State Department of Labor
today released preliminary local area unemployment rates for January.  The State’s area unemployment increased to
4.6% in January 2019, after remaining below 4% for several months at the end of
last year.  Locally, Chenango County's
Unemployment rate was 5.5%, Delaware county was at 5.6% & Otsego County at
5.4% for January.

37 year old Marlon Graham of Deposit pleaded guilty in Broome County Court Friday to possessing methamphetamine & fentanyl.   Graham pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance, for selling those substances in Deposit & Kirkwood; Sentencing is scheduled for May 10

The Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park announced that Phillip
Ginter is the new Executive Director, effective March 25th.   Binghamton Zoo members and visitors will be
able to meet Ginter on Grand Opening Day, April 20th and Members Only Night,
April 27th.   The Binghamton Zoo will be
open on the weekends only from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM starting March 16th, weather
permitting.  The official 2019 events
calendar is available at rossparkzoo.com.

Binghamton Police arrested 23 year old Kyle Adkins of
Binghamton on a 2nd degree Robbery charge.
Police reported that on Wednesday afternoon 2 masked men entered 56 Pine
Street in the city, Police were called Officers apprehended Adkins, another
suspect fled on foot & is still at large.
Police said that no shots were fired during the burglary, no injuries
occurred, the investigation is continuing.

The Center for Agricultural Development and Entrepreneurship
and SUNY Cobleskill will offer a free legal workshop On Wednesday, March 6th
from 7:00 to 9:00 PM in Oneonta, for farms and food businesses on the important
topic of succession planning. The workshop is part of a 2019 Farm and Food
Business Incubator Workshop series covering essential topics in business
planning and management, it will be held at the Center’s Oneonta office
location at 189 Main Street, 5th Floor, More Information or registration is
available at 433-2545.

Today, the New York State Association of Counties urged
Governor Cuomo and the State Legislature to make modifications to the proposed
expansion of the Returnable Container Act, which would add a deposit to sports
drinks, energy drinks, fruit and vegetable beverages, and ready-to-drink
coffees and teas.  The Association claims
that the proposal harms recycling programs that are already being threatened by
global recycling market volatility, instead they urge the State to add a
deposit to additional glass beverage containers, including wine and liquor
bottles, hard cider bottles, and non-alcoholic glass beverage containers as
Glass causes problems in the municipal recycling stream because it breaks and
contaminates other recyclables. Placing a deposit on these containers would
increase glass recycling, reduce municipal recycling costs, and reduce glass
contamination.

NY State of Health released
county-level enrollment statistics showing that overall enrollment increased in
each of New York’s 62 counties. Total enrollment in the Marketplace is now over
4.7 million people, reflecting an increase of more than 435,000 people from
2018.  NY State of Health focused
increased marketing and outreach efforts in areas with higher uninsured rates,
which contributed to enrollment gains across all program types. Counties with
the Highest Percentage Increase in Combined Qualified Health Plan &
Essential Plan Enrollment between 2018 and 2019 included Broome County with a
12% increase & Delaware County with a 10% increase.

Governor Cuomo today announced that the New York State
Department of Labor has been awarded up to $5.59 million in federal grants to
help provide new skills to workers, including new entrants to the workforce,
who have been or are being impacted by the opioid crisis. Additionally, the funds
will be used for workforce development in professions that address or prevent
problems related to opioids across the state, such as addiction treatment
service providers, pain management and therapy service providers, and mental
health treatment providers. The initiative complements ongoing efforts
by the state Health Department and the Office of Alcoholism and Substance
Abuse services to train peers in recovery to work with hospitals, assisting individuals
with substance use disorder in accessing treatment.

Delaware County Sheriff’s
Deputies arrested 28-year-old Michael Lor of Schenectady, for DWI, failure to keep
right and moving from a lane unsafely, after a traffic stop in the Town of
Middletown.  Lor was released & will
appear in the Town of Middletown Court at a later date.

A HEALTHCARE JOB FAIR will be held at the FOXCARE Center in
Oneonta, tomorrow from 11:00 am to 2:00 PM.
Participants include Bassett Healthcare, Family Planning of South
Central NY, UHS Hospitals, The ARC of Delaware County, The ARC of Otsego
County, AO Fox Hospital, Pathfinder Village & the State Veteran’s Home in
Oxford.

The Binghamton Devils announced that they have partnered
with USA Hockey & the Southern Tier Hockey Association to host a "try
hockey free day" on February 23RD At the Broome County Arena.  Parents can register their children for one
of 2 time slots on the 23rd, by calling the devils office at 722-7367, more
information is also available at binghamtondevils.com

Visitors can travel back in time Saturday as the Rogers
Environmental Education Center in Sherburne hosts a demonstration of ice
harvesting on Cunningham Ice Pond.  The
event runs from 2:30 and 3:30 pm, it is free and open to the public.

The Bainbridge Town Hall Theatre & Gallery will Present
Blue grass musical act Remington Ryde, who will perform there Saturday night at
7:00 PM.  Tickets can be reserved at
288-3882.

Broome County District Attorney Steve Cornwell announced
that a murder indictment was unsealed Friday against 24 year old Akeem Daniels,
who is accused of shooting 27-year-old Daequan Dickerson on September 16th in a
drive-by shooting in Binghamton.  Daniels
pleaded not guilty to 2nd degree Murder & criminal possession of a weapon,
he is being held pending future court action.

The State labor Department announced that the state's
Private Sector Job Count rose to an all-time high of 8,243,000.   The statewide unemployment rate was
unchanged at 3.9% in December, the lowest level on record since statistics were
recorded in 1976.

Broome County Sheriff’s Deputies
responded to the report of an altercation at a restaurant parking lot in the
Town of Chenango, where 2 people met for a transaction of an item listed in a
classified ad.  The buyer allegedly used
a fake $100 bill for the purchase, an argument ensued, the buyer allegedly
pushed the victim to the ground and attempted to drive away with the property,
the victim was dragged by the car for a short distance.  Deputies later arrested 27 year old
Christopher Warren of Binghamton for robbery, criminal mischief, criminal
possession of stolen property among several felony charges; he faces court
action at a later date.

Governor Cuomo directed state agencies to provide support
for federal workers impacted by the federal government shutdown, which is the
longest in U.S. history. The Governor called for the State Labor Department to
provide increased support to workers seeking unemployment insurance benefits
and the State's Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance to help those
working without pay apply for and obtain public assistance benefits.   The Governor has also directed the
Department of Labor to work with the federal unions to make sure their members
are made aware of these benefits.  More
information about temporary or part-time job opportunities is available at
1-888-469-7365, or labor.ny.gov.

Oneonta City officials remind vehicle owners that with the
snowy forecast, motorists must remember that there is no parking on city
streets after 2 1/2” of snow.  The City
of Oneonta Code Enforcement Office would like to remind property owners that
snow and ice shall be removed from the sidewalk in front of their property by
9:00 am each day, if ice cannot be removed from the sidewalk, and then it will
be permissible to be treated with ice melt, sand or other similar materials.