WCDO Radio News

A Federal Judge has thrown out bribery and fraud charges against former Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin. Benjamin resigned last April, he still faces records falsification charges.

Governor Kathy Hochul issued a proclamation on Saturday, June 4 to schedule special elections to fill vacancies in the U.S. House of Representatives in the 19th & 23rd Districts. The special elections will be held Tuesday, August 23, on the same day as the New York Congressional Primaries. The 19th District was vacated when Antonio Delgado accepted the position of Lieutenant Governor, replacing Brian Benjamin who was arrested on federal corruption charges, the 23rd was vacated by the resignation of Tom Reed, who was accused of sexual harassment.

A.M. News Thursday 5-26-22

Former area Congressman Antonio Delgado Was sworn in Wednesday as New York’s lieutenant governor, The role was previously held by Brian Benjamin, who resigned following his arrest in April for federal corruption charges, Delgado will also be governor Kathy Hochul’s running mate in this year’s gubernatorial election.

Governor Kathy Hochul convened an emergency meeting with State Police, to discuss additional ways to protect schools, following the latest school mass shooting in Texas on Tuesday. Hochul said that State Police will increase patrols and conduct daily check-ins at schools. Hochul said that since forming the Interstate Gun Task Force, State Police have seized 60% more guns per month than before the Task Force was formed, this year, State Police have seized over 4,100 illegal firearms.

Former Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin will have his court date next January, he is accused of using his political clout to get campaign contributions. Benjamin resigned as lieutenant governor after pleading not guilty on the day of his arrest, he has been replaced by local Congressman Antonio Delgado.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 5-3-22

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that she is appointing local Congressman Antonio Delgado as Lieutenant Governor of New York. Delgado would replace Brian Benjamin, who resigned following an arrest on federal fraud charges, Delgado is expected to be on the ballot with Hochul in the June Primary & on the November General Election ballot if she wins the Democratic Primary.

The Unadilla Drive In will re-open for the season this Friday night under new ownership, Julie Miller and her family will be operating the Drive-in, she told WCDO News what their first features will be:

(Julie Miller 5-3-22)

Miller said that the Drive-In will be open on weekends through the end of the school year & may expand to more nights during the week in the summer months, they are also open to other groups looking to rent the facility, more details are available on their Facebook Page or by calling 369-2000.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 5-3-22

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the launch of Round 12 of the Regional Economic Development Council Initiative, which includes core capital grant and tax-credit funding to be combined with a wide range of programs from 10 state agencies that will provide funding for prospective projects. $150 million in grant funds from Empire State Development will be available to projects on a continuous basis, Applications are available at apps.cio.ny.gov & are due by July 29th.

New York State has updated driver's licenses and state IDs for the first time since 2013. The new look includes enhanced security features & anyone who applied for a new permit, license or non-driver ID card after March 10th will receive the new and improved card. Enhanced features include imprinted lettering and images which can be felt on the card's surface, more information is available at DMV.NY.GOV.

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 4-13-22

Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin submitted his resignation to Governor Kathy Hochul yesterday, after he was arrested following a Federal Investigation. The U.S. Attorney’s office said Benjamin was charged with bribery, honest services wire fraud and falsification of records. Benjamin was accused in an indictment of participating in a scheme to obtain campaign contributions from a real estate developer in exchange for Benjamin’s agreement to use his influence as a state senator to get a $50,000 grant of state funds for a nonprofit organization the developer controlled. Governor Hochul accepted the resignation.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 4-12-22

Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin was arrested today following a Federal Investigation. The U.S. Attorney’s office said Benjamin was charged with bribery, honest services wire fraud and falsification of records.

Governor Kathy Hochul & Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin wrote an op-ed piece in a Downstate news paper this week, they claimed that New York's Bail Reform doesn't need to be repealed, but there are changes needed to the law. Governor Hochul wrote that problems that needs to be addressed include Repeat offenders, those accused of hate crimes, judges should be allowed to set bail; even if the crime would not currently be bail-eligible. The Governor wrote that judges should be able to set bail in all felony cases involving illegal guns, including guns given or sold to minors, & in crimes involving guns, judges should be able to set more restrictive pretrial conditions

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 3-25-22

Tomorrow night, the Community Cultural Center in Downtown Sidney will have a Comedy night performance by Dan Viola, Center Spokesperson Teri Schunk explains:

(Teri Schunk 3-25-22)

Viola has previously performed in the region at the Former Silo Restaurant during their longtime Comedy Night series, Tickets for tomorrow night at $20 & includes a beverage, more information is available at 607-604-4584.

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the Great New York State Fair will return in 2022 as a 13-day event, running from Wednesday, August 24 to Labor Day, Monday, September 5. The return to a 13-day event will allow for greater participation of fairgoers and vendors at not only the New York State Fair, but also at a number of the State's county fairs that had coinciding schedules. The Governor also seeks a Review of Opportunities to improve Youth and Agricultural Programming; Marketing and Promotion for County Fairs; and the State Fair's Smoking Policy.

Governor Kathy Hochul reintroduced New Yorkers to new Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin, who was officially Sworn In today:

(Brian Benjamin 9-9-21)

Benjamin said that Governor Hochul has entrusted him with helping to fight the COVID pandemic & its aftermath, including the dealing of reimbursements to renters & landlords during the shutdown, as well as battling the ongoing opioid epidemic that continues across the state.

The United Way of Delaware and Otsego Counties’ campaign started today with the announcement of the fall campaign goal of $50,000. Executive Director Elizabeth Monaco told WCDO News that last year was a tough year for the chapter due to the COVID 19 pandemic:

(Elizabeth Monaco 9-9-21)

Monaco said that last year, largely due to the pandemic & subsequent shutdown,, the United Way of Delaware & Otsego Counties only raised about $17,000, but they also raised $31,000 in local COVID-19 Relief Funds over the last 18 months, beyond the campaign dollars raised, to assist the community in both the short and long term impacts of the pandemic. . This year's campaign will conclude on December 31st, more information is available at 334-8815 or unitedwaydo.org.

A.M. NEWS Thursday 9-9-21

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that New York will delay the requirement that state employees get vaccinated against COVID 19 or undergo weekly tests to October 12th, which is the same day telecommuting workers are scheduled to return to their offices. Governor Hochul said that Workers in hospitals and nursing homes must get their first dose by September 27th, and employees at home care agencies, hospices and adult care facilities have until October 7th to get the first shot. SUNY and CUNY students are also mandated to show proof of vaccination by Sept. 27 to remain enrolled in classes. Some medical exemptions will be accepted.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 8-26-21

Governor Kathy Hochul has chosen State Senator Brian Benjamin of New York City to be her lieutenant governor, who accepted the position in New York City this afternoon:

(Brian Benjamin 8-26-21)

Benjamin was the senior assistant majority leader in the State Senate, a special election will be held after Labor Day to fill Benjamin's State Senate Seat.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that she will fire individuals who allegedly contributed to a culture that allowed for sexual harassment under former Governor Andrew Cuomo who resigned this week after the the report by Attorney General Letitia James alleged that Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women. Former Cuomo Staffer Melissa DeRosa & Linda Lacewell have already resigned, Governor Hochul said that she would finish assembling her team within 45 days of her inauguration.

The State Department of Transportation announced that State Route 28 near Frank Slawson and Epps roads in the town of Franklin will close September 7th, for a culvert replacement over Knapp Brook. DOT Officials stated that motorists on State Route 28 will be detoured to take state Route 23 to Davenport Center and then take county Highway 10 to Meridale to connect back to state Route 28, the project is expected to be completed on September 22nd.

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Sidney Chamber of Commerce announced their "Halfway to St. Patrick's Day Hooley" event, to be held on Saturday September 25th in downtown Sidney, Chamber President Teri Schunk explains:

(Teri Schunk 8-26-21)

The Chamber is looking for parade participants, they can message the chamber through their Facebook page or email the chamber at office @sidneychamber.org.

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 8-26-21

Governor Kathy Hochul has directed the State Department of Health to institute a universal mask requirement in all public & private schools, as determined necessary at the discretion of the Commissioner. The Department of Health will issue the requirement through regulatory action established by the Public Health and Health Planning Council. Governor Hochul will also pursue options to mandate vaccines for school employees or require weekly testing in the absence of vaccines and will continue to work with the Department of Health and the Legislature on establishing the mandate.

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 8-25-21

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that nearly 12,000 more deaths from COVID-19 than had been publicized announced by the Cuomo administration. New York now reports 55,395 people have died of COVID-19 in New York based on death certificate data submitted to the CDC, up from the roughly 43,400 that the Cuomo administration reported, based only on COVID 19 deaths only in Hospitals & nursing homes.

Governor Kathy Hochul is expected to announce her choice of Lieutenant Governor this week; Hochul has selected State Senator Brian Benjamin of New York City, as her choice for lieutenant governor, according to the Associated Press. An official announcement on the choice of Benjamin is expected Thursday or Friday

Governor Andrew Cuomo issued a last-minute commutation to David Gilbert, who was convicted of 3 murders in the 1981 killings of Nyack Police Sergeant Edward O’Grady, Police Officer Waverly Brown and Brink’s Guard Peter Paige. Law Enforcement officials around the state are calling the Gilbert commutation reprehensible, including Delaware County Sheriff Craig DuMond:

(Sheriff Craig DuMond 8-25-21)

Former Governor Cuomo’s actions will allow David Gilbert to have his case heard by a Parole Board after spending 40 years in Jail, Sheriff DuMond said that the same Parole Board has released 15 cop killers from prison since 2017.

Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has had his Emmy award rescinded, as the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced that in light of the Attorney General's Letitia James's report, and Cuomo's resignation as Governor, His name and any reference to his receiving the award will be eliminated from International Academy materials going forward. Cuomo was awarded an Emmy last year for his daily COVID 19 briefings which were watched by millions around the world as New York State was an early Hot Spot for the virus.