WCDO Radio News

State Troopers reported that 28 year old Mark McGraw died in a logging accident in the town of Hancock on Tuesday morning. Troopers said McGraw died of a broken neck, he had been working by himself felling trees at about 9:40 Tuesday Morning when a tree fell and he was pinned.

Governor Cuomo announced State assistance for storm recovery efforts to communities in 17 counties that were impacted by flooding of June 26th to July 10th in 2013 and Winter Storm Nemo in February 2013. The State will relieve local governments of their entire required share of FEMA Public Assistance Program costs to minimize the financial impact on local taxpayers. The counties eligible for State assistance include Broome, Chenango, Delaware & Otsego Counties.

The sentencing of convicted murderer Ganesh Ramsaran of South New Berlin has been scheduled for October 31st in Chenango County Court. Ramsaran was convicted last Tuesday of 2nd degree murder in connection with the December 2012 killing of his wife, Jennifer. Ramsaran could face 25 years to life in state prison.

State Police and other law enforcement agencies gave to chase on I-81 for a man wanted for a double homicide in Greene County.  Early reports state that the suspect is dead; following a chase that reached speeds of more than 140 MPH through Broome and Cortland counties, the unidentified suspect hit a stop strip and went off side of road. I-81 Northbound lanes between exits 9 and 10 were closed off & a detour was established for traffic, as the investigation continues, more details are expected to be released later today.

The Chenango County Sheriff's Office executed a "no knock" search warrant at 386 Neff Hill Road in the Town of Bainbridge, following a lengthy narcotics investigation. Investigators arrested 33-year-old Amber Chesebro & 33-year-old Manuel Thillet, on charges of 1st degree Criminal Nuisance & Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia. The Narcotics Division recovered cash, drug paraphernalia & financial documents on large money transfers. Chesebro & Thillet were arraigned in the Town of Bainbridge Court, Chesebro was remanded to the Chenango county Jail on $2500 cash bail, Thillet was remanded on $10,000 cash bail. The investigation is ongoing and further charges are pending.

The ribbon cutting for the Sherwood Landing project in Sidney was held this morning, the project is 32 rental units that have already filled up with residents who were put out by the flooding in recent years. Sidney Village Mayor Andy Matviak comments:

(Andy Matviak 7-15-14)

Sidney economic development director John Redente also commented:

(John Redente 7-15-14)

The project is located in the former Sherwood Height section; it's the first phase of many projects reshaping the village of Sidney following the floods of 2006 & 2011.

Graduation ceremonies will begin tonight for high school seniors in the WCDO listening area.  Tonight’s ceremonies begin at 6:30 for Charlotte Valley & Winsdor High School seniors, 7:00 PM graduations exercises will be held for seniors in Afton, Unatego, Franklin, Deposit, Laurens, Milford & Morris.

This morning Governor Cuomo will be in Broome County, to sign legislation combating the state's heroin epidemic. Governor Cuomo will sign the Legislation at Binghamton University at the ITC Center, at 10:30 AM.

The proposed “Dream Act”, that would have allowed the children of illegal aliens to access financial aid to college, doesn’t have enough support to make it to the Governors desk. Assemblyman Cliff Crouch explains:

(Crouch 6-16-14)

This year’s legislative session is scheduled to end this Thursday.

Today’s rainy forecast will move the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s 75thAnniversary Celebration Ceremony indoors to the Hall of Fame Gallery, featuring Hall of Famers Phil Niekro and Cal Ripken, at 11:00 AM. The event will be open to those purchasing a Museum admission, it was previously scheduled to be held on the front steps, with portions of Main Street closed, it will remain open to vehicle traffic.  Today’s Ceremony will mark the 75th birthday of the Museum, which opened its doors on June 12th 1939, as an estimated crowd of 12,000 fans packed Main Street to witness the Ceremony.

Sidney Village Police department arrested 6 people following a lengthy narcotics investigation. Charged were 37-year-old Richard Swislosky of Sidney, 30-year-old Stacey Dibble of Bainbridge, 56-year-old Bradley Winner of Mount Upton, 44-year-old Louella Schoener & 31 year old Rebecca Schoener of Greene and Mary Cutting of Unadilla on a variety of drug charges. All were arraigned in Delaware county court & were remanded to the Delaware county jail without bail pending future court action.

GENERAL CLINTON CANOE REGATTA 2014

Nearly 1000 paddlers participated in the 4 day General Clinton Canoe Regatta over the Memorial Day weekend:

(Listen to regatta audio in the General Clinton Canoe Regatta Audio Vault, located here) (http://wcdoradio.com/canoe-regatta-audio-vault.html)

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The world famous 70-mile endurance races from Cooperstown to Bainbridge were held yesterday, including the new 4-person category. Bruce Barton of Michigan told WCDO’s Craig Stevens about paddling with all those partners:

(Regatta news 2014 Bruce Barton)

Barton & his team beat the 2nd place finishers by over 14 minutes.   This year’s 1 man pro race was won by Canadian paddler Steve Lajoie, he talked about yesterday’s hot conditions:

(Regatta news 2014 Lajwa)

Lajoie also won the 2 person pro race 6 times with Michigan’s Andy Triebold, Triebold & his new partner Daniel Frigon placed 3rd in this year’s 2 person pro race.

The 3rd murder trial for Calvin Harris will begin September 15th in Schoharie County Court.   Harris was convicted twice in Tioga County Court for the murder of his wife Michelle in September 2001, both convictions were overturned on appeal. The 3rd trial has been moved out of Tioga into Schoharie county court at the request of Harris’s attorney. Michelle Harris’s body has never been found.

35-year-old Mark Alimar of Guilford was indicted by a Chenango County Grand Jury for the 2nd time in recent months, the latest charge was for intimidating a witness.  Alimar was indicted in February for robbery, burglary and unlawful imprisonment, in connection with a December 31st incident where he was accused of forcibly entering a home, stealing a cell phone and pointing a gun at the victim.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office executed a “no knock” search warrant at 219 Kelly Rd in the Town of Columbus early this morning.  The Narcotics Division arrested 24-year-old Kody Weidman for Criminal Nuisance, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, & Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia.  The Sheriff’s Office recovered cocaine and a digital scale during the execution of the search warrant. Weidman is currently a New York State Parole following a previous drug offense.  Weidman was arraigned in the Town of Columbus Court and remanded to the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office on $5,000 cash bail. He is also being held on a New York State Parole Warrant.  Norwich Police, New Berlin Police and State Parole division assisted with the investigation.

State Police arrested 4 people in connection with a home invasion burglary at 16 Bradley Hill Road in the Town of Oxford, in the early morning hours of December 30th 2013.  Charged were 31-year-old COREY CLARK of Norwich, 35-year-old MARK ALEMAR of Guilford, 25-year-old JUSTIN TOWNSEND of Bainbridge, and 25-year-old JAYSON VANVALKENBURG of New Berlin, on a variety of charges including 1st degree burglary & unlawful imprisonment.    All four were arraigned and are currently incarcerated in the Chenango County Jail awaiting future court appearances.