WCDO Radio News

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 12-23-24

Some Wintry weather should be affecting the region tonight into tomorrow, local Meteorologist Rich Townsend explains:

(Rich Townsend 12-23-24)

We'll have the rest of the WCDO Tri-County Forecast at the end of this news cast.

State Police responded responded Friday to State Route 34 in the town of Barton for a head-on collision with injuries. A preliminary investigation at the scene revealed that a Toyota Highlander driven by 42 year old Janesa Lorenzo of the Bronx crossed into the opposite lane of travel and struck a Chevy Silverado pick-up truck head-on, driven by 68 year old Gary Sinsabaugh of Athens, Pennsylvania Sinsabaugh was pronounced dead at the scene. Janesa Lorenzo was transported to Packer in critical condition. Front Seat passenger, 56-year-old Delroy Christie from the Bronx was taken to Packer Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. Rear seat passenger, 41 year old Carlos Lorenzo from the Bronx, was pronounced deceased on scene, another Rear seat passenger was 38 year old Sabrina Surita of New Jersey succumbed to her injuries at Packer Hospital. The investigation is on-going.

The Chenango Arts Council has been awarded at $40,000 Grant from the New York State Council on the Arts. The State Council has awarded $82 million this year to 509 artists and 1,497 organizations across the state.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 12-23-24

Otsego County District Attorney's Office announced the sentencing of Jamesan Conville of Pennsylvania. Conville was charged with reckless endangerment for driving off with an Otsego County Deputy partially inside of his car and dragged the deputy 300 feet. The deputy conducted a traffic stop on I-88 in the Town of Milford after Conville was clocked at about 100 miles an hour. Conville is expected to serve between 1 to 4 years in state prison.

Friends of Recovery Dedicated to Others celebrated the re-opening of its new recovery center, “The Turning Point of Delaware County” on Friday. The new facility provides a new and improved space for people struggling with substance abuse and addiction. The building additionally has a private entrance to keep confidentiality for patients going to the downtown Delhi location.

P.M. NEWS Monday 11-7-22

Tomorrow is Election day, New Yorkers Statewide will be voting candidates to send to Washington, in the U.S. Senate seat currently occupied by Charles Schumer, he faces competition from Republican Joe Pinion & 3rd party candidate Diane Sare. Locally, voters in the 19th Congressional District will be choosing between a Republican Mark Molinaro of Duchess County, and Democrat Josh Riley of Tompkins county. Molinaro told WCDO News of his priorities:

(Marc Molinaro 11-7-22)

Riley told WCDO News about his position on some of the major issues:

(Josh Riley 11-7-22)

Polling places are open 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM

New York Voters are also going to be deciding on candidates to send to Albany tomorrow, for Governor, incumbent Democrat Kathy Hochul faces Republican Lee Zeldin; for Attorney General incumbent Democrat Letitia James seeks re-election against Republican Michael Henry & for State Comptroller, incumbent Democrat Tom DiNapoli faces a challenge from Republican Paul Rodriguez.

In Delaware County, there is an election for County Judge between current District Attorney John Hubbard on the Republican line & for the Democrats, Andrew Van Buren. Hubbard told WCDO News that one of the changes he would like to enact, if elected, would be better communication between the County & Local Courts:

(John Hubbard 11-7-22)

Van Buren told WCDO News that people should be aware that the judge will have to follow the rule of law, whether they approve of the law or not:

(Andrew Van Buren 11-7-22)

The winner replaces Richard Northrup, who has decided to retire after many years of service on the bench & in the District Attorney's office.

Voters in the town of Sidney will fill a seat on the town board, between Republican Paul Muratore & Democrat Kevin Greene. Muratore told WCDO News that he has been serving on the board & feels like he accomplished a lot in a short time:

(Paul Muratore 11-7-22)

Democrat Kevin Greene told WCDO News that he is running for town Board to fulfill potential he sees in the town of Sidney:

(Kevin Greene 11-7-22)

The seat is for one year only, and will be up for election again in November of 2023.

Local Area Voters will be deciding on who they should send to Albany in the State Senate & State Assembly. In 51st State Senate District, Incumbent Peter Oberacker faces Democratic Challenger Eric Ball. In State Assembly District 121, incumbent Republican Joe Angelino is unopposed. The new 101st District covers Otego, Laurens, Morris, & Franklin locally, the candidates are Democrat Matthew Mackey & Republican Brian Maher, in the new 122nd District, covering Oneonta, Milford, Hartwick, Burlington, & New Lisbon locally, Democrat Dan Butterman, Republican Brian Miller & Working Families Party candidate Colton Mennig are running for the seat.

Broome County officials are investigating the death of an inmate in the Broome County Jail on Friday. 30 year-old Mitchell Lindow of Binghamton was being held on a murder charge when he was found deceased by Corrections officers conducting a head count, an autopsy was conducted Friday, no cause of death was determined.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 11-7-22

State Police announced that 9 people were arrested & drugs were seized after search warrants were executed at Budget Inn Motel on Route 23 Southside in the town of Oneonta Thursday & Friday. Items seized included methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, crack cocaine, ecstasy, Suboxone strips & Packaging materials and scales, The investigation is on-going.

the Internal Revenue Service reports that some New Yorkers may be getting a 2nd stimulus check from the IRS. More than 9 million people may qualify to receive stimulus payments and tax credits, these are people who did not file a tax return because their income was too low. the deadline to file for the additional stimulus money is November 17th.

The Houston Astros won the 2022 World Series, artifacts from the team are coming to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Among the items donated, the Bat used by Yordan Álvarez in Game 6 when he hit a go-ahead 3-run home run, a Jersey worn in Game 2 and wristbands worn in Game 6 by Astros manager Dusty Baker, a Ball thrown by Cristian Javier in Game 4 and signed by all 4 pitchers who combined on just the second World Series no-hitter.

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 4-8-22

State Police and multiple fire departments responded to I-81 in Homer for a report of a tractor trailer on fire. An investigation on scene determined that the operator of the tractor trailer, a 45-year-old man from Trenton, New Jersey was operating a tractor trailer belonging to Granger Enterprises, for an unknown reason, he went off the roadway, struck trees and the vehicle became engulfed in flames. The man was later located deceased in the cab.

The 3rd meeting of the Norwich Downtown Revitalization Initiative Local Planning Committee will be held virtually on Tuesday, at 3:00 PM. Commerce Chenango CEO & President Kerri Green told WCDO News about the meeting:

(Kerri Green 4-8-22)

Norwich received a $10 Million Dollar award, for projects to upgrade Downtown Norwich, some of the projects could get underway later this year.

North Country Comedy returns to Sidney This weekend with 3 comedians Saturday Night at the American Legion on Union Street. A Prime Rib Dinner is being offered before the show, tickets for Andy McDermott, Bill Lake & Cody Montayne are available at northcountrycomedy.com.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 4-8-22

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced an agreement on a budget in the Fiscal Year 2023. The State's reserves will increase to 15% of State Operating Funds by 2025, the budget will include Tax relief for middle-class New Yorkers and small businesses; it will suspending fuel taxes, authorize the sale of to-go alcoholic beverages; & included investments in pandemic recovery funding, infrastructure & a record investment in clean energy. The total budget is currently estimated at approximately $220 billion.

Fire Companies responded this morning to a structure fire at 22 Main Street in Laurens. Laurens Fire Fighters are receiving mutual aid from Mount Vision, West Laurens, Morris, Milford, Volunteers from the Southern Tier Chapter of the American Red Cross provided immediate emergency aid to 2 adults after a fire in Laurens, this morning.

Governor Cuomo signed legislation
prohibiting consumer reporting agencies and lenders from using the credit
scores of people in a consumer's social network to determine that individual's
credit worthiness.  The US General
Accounting Office has estimated that some 75 percent of credit scores are wrong
based on incorrect information collected by credit bureaus and attached to
individual credit scores.  This new law
will prevent credit agencies from using this data to determine an individual's
credit score, this law goes into effect immediately.

The Delaware County Chamber of
Commerce will hold their next networking breakfast on December 6th from 8:30 to
10:00 am at the Feather & Stone Restaurant at 38 West Street in
Walton.   Registration is available at
delawarecounty.org.  The featured speaker
for this event is Senator Jen Metzger elected to the New York State Senate in
2018 to represent the 42nd District,

The U.S. Department of Agriculture
says thousands of pounds of salad products are being recalled due to a possible
E. coli contamination.   Missa Bay from
Swedesboro, New Jersey is recalling more than 75,000 pounds of salad products
sold between October 14th & 16th in 22 states,
including New York.  The Maryland
Department of Health tested an unopened salad product with chicken and the
lettuce came back positive for a strain of E. coli bacteria, which can result
in diarrhea and vomiting.

Commerce Chenango announced that NBT
Bank is hosting the Business After Hours on Tuesday, December 3rd from 5:00 to
7:00 PM at 52 South Broad Street, Norwich.
Attendees are being asked to support either Toys for Tots by bringing a
new, unwrapped toy or a non-perishable food item for the Catholic Charities
Food Pantry.  RSVP's are requested by
Tuesday November 26, 2019 at 334-1400.

There were 2,290 cases of lung injury
linked to vaping as of November 20, according to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention.  Vaping injuries
have been reported in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the
US Virgin Islands, the CDC also reports 47 confirmed deaths in 25 states and
the District of Columbia, 2 deaths have occurred in New York State.

Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul will
Tour The Raymond Corporation's Warehouse and Distribution Operations this
morning in Greene at 10:30.  Hochul will
also visit the ONC BOCES Mechatronics/Robotics Program in Milford at 12:00
Noon.

Norwich Pharmaceuticals has committed
$20,000 toward a new emergency room and walk-in center at UHS Chenango Memorial
Hospital in Norwich.  More information
about the campaign is available at 337-4183 or by email at
melissa.stagnaro@nyuhs.org.

Measles
continues to spread in New York State with cases occurring in New York City,
Westchester County, Orange County, Sullivan County, and Rockland County.
Outbreaks are also occurring in the states of New Jersey, California,
Washington, and Michigan and several foreign countries. There have been no
cases of measles in Delaware County to date.
For additional information you can check the CDC’s website for
up-to-date outbreak information cdc.gov/measles/cases-outbreaks.html

The City of
Norwich Spring Cleanup of yard debris will be coming soon.   City officials stated that clear bags must
be used; Brush must be tied with string; branches and no longer than 6' or
3" inches in diameter. Debris must be placed between the sidewalk and the
curb. Pickup occurs in May, exact dates will be released shortly.

As New York
State Leaders consider making the recreational use of Marijuana legal across
the state, the New York Sheriff's Association, and other law enforcement
agencies are against that idea.  Delaware
County Sheriff Craig Dumond commented on what happened in Colorado after they
became the first state to legalize recreational marijuana:

(Sheriff
Dumond 4-12-19)

A study by
the American Journal of Psychiatry showed that people who use marijuana are 3
times more likely to use opioids; another study showed an increase in Psychosis
and schizophrenia among daily users, and states with recreational marijuana saw
a jump in murders & Aggravated Assaults attributed to its use.

The 14th
annual Otsego County Conservation Association Earth Festival will take place on
tomorrow from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Milford Central School.  The Earth Festival will be featuring
exhibits, workshops, vendors, food and entertainment.  More information is available at
occainfo.org.

The National Baseball Hall Of Fame & Museum will celebrate the Boston Red Sox’s 2018 World Series championship through Autumn Glory, the annual tribute to the World Series Champions in Cooperstown. The exhibit is now open, it features artifacts from the Red Sox, including a bat used by World Series MVP Steve Pearce, A jersey worn by David Price, Game-worn glasses used by Joe Kelly, a Hoodie worn by Red Sox manager Alex Cora in Game 5 & a Helmet worn by Brock Holt. The Autumn Glory display will be up through the conclusion of the 2019 Major League Baseball postseason.

The State DEC is continuing with their investigation into the shooting deaths of 8 deer & the injury of a 9th one, in Otsego County last week in the town of Milford. So far, no arrests have been made.

Sidney town officials announced that there will be a public open house at the new Town Facilities at 44 Grand Street in the village of Sidney this Saturday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Tours of the Sidney Historical Society Museum will also be held, all are welcome to attend.

Attorney General Barbara Underwood released the annual "Pennies for Charity: Where Your Money Goes; Fundraising by Professional Fundraisers" report, which found that nearly 1/3rd of charitable donations ended up in the pockets of professional fundraisers. In 2017, more than $1.18 billion was raised in New York State through 964 fundraising campaigns conducted by professional fundraisers on behalf of charities. The report and the searchable Pennies for Charity database containing the underlying data is posted at www.CharitiesNYS.com.

State Police arrested 43-year-old Stacey Juhl of Portlandville for Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance & other traffic violations. A trooper observed a vehicle with a loud exhaust, as it weaving across road markings on State Route 28 in the town of Milford. Juhl is accused of driving while impaired by drugs, she was found to unlawfully possess an oxycodone pill. Juhl was transported to Fox Hospital where she consented to a test of her blood for drugs. The lab results are still pending. Juhl was issued tickets that are returnable to the Milford town Court on February 27, 2018.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum will be honoring the 2017 World Series champion Houston Astros, as part of their Autumn Glory exhibit, which opens tomorrow and features artifacts, photographs and other items detailing the Astros’ first-ever World Series title. Artifacts include a Glove used by Astros third baseman Alex Bregman, a jersey worn by Astros pitcher Francisco Liriano, a Cap worn by Game 7 winning pitcher Charlie Morton, a jersey worn in Game 6 by Justin Verlander & various other in game items from the Astros as well as the National League Champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Delaware County Industrial Development Agency announced that a $50,000 low interest loan has been granted to the owners of the O'Neill's Shire Pub in Delhi, to assist in the restoration. The tavern suffered damage in a fire last June that was attributed to the spontaneous combustion of cleaning towels in the kitchen. The restoration is also being helped by an $85,000 grant from the State Office of Community Renewal. The tavern employs over 20 people.

Otsego County Sheriff's deputies arrested 26-year-old Kyle Bouck of Milford, after he allegedly had a violent outburst at the Mirabito Gas Station in the town of Hartwick. Bouck is accused of vandalizing displays inside the store when the clerk refused to sell him cigarettes without an ID. Bouck was charged with disorderly conduct & will appear in Town of Hartwick Court on February 28th.

Governor Cuomo today announced a 30-day budget amendment will be advanced to prohibit the so-called gay and trans panic defenses from being used in New York State to blame LGBTQ people for the violence committed against them. The current gay and trans panic defenses allow those responsible for violent crimes against LGBTQ people to receive a lesser sentence, and in some cases, even avoid being convicted, by placing the blame on a victim's actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

New York's system of state parks, historic sites, campgrounds, and trails welcomed 71.5 million estimated visitors in 2017, which represents an overall increase of 23% or 13.6 million visitors since 2011. State Parks saw an increase from 70.6 million to 71.5 million in 2017, since the inception of the New York Parks 2020 program, more than 700 improvement projects have been completed or are underway.

Today is Election Day, with polls open until 9:00 tonight. All New York voters will decide on 3 propositions on the back of the ballot regarding a constitutional convention, if convicted politicians should lose their pensions, and if forest land in the Adirondacks and Catskills can be used for wider roads or bicycle paths. In Delaware County there are significant races for Town Supervisor in Sidney & Walton, for town board seats in Sidney & Franklin, in Chenango County for town supervisor in the towns of Norwich, Plymouth, Oxford, Smyrna & Otselic, plus Norwich city justice & Norwich city alderman in the 4th ward. In Otsego County, there are races for the Board of Representative's in all districts except the 10th & 11th, where candidates are running unopposed. There are also races for the Town of Oneonta Supervisor & Town Board & Oneonta City Mayor, there are 4 candidates running for 2 seats on the Town of Butternuts board.

An Autopsy performed at Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton has determined that Kenneth Faulkner of New Rochelle died from a Cocaine Overdose. Oneonta Police had picked up Faulkner where they had warrants to search Faulkner & an apartment in Oneonta, following a drug investigation. Faulkner struggled with Oneonta Police officers & swallowed a packet believed to contain Cocaine, EMT's brought him to Fox Hospital, and he died a few hours later, after the Police struggle Thursday night. The investigation into the incident is continuing by the Oneonta Police Department & the Otsego County District Attorney's office.

Delaware County Sheriff Deputies arrested 43-year-old Scott Burgess of New Jersey, for allegedly speeding on State Highway 268 in the Town of Hancock. Deputies accuse Burgess of driving while intoxicated, with a child as a passenger. Burgess was charged with Aggravated DWI & Endangering the Welfare of a Child, he was arraigned in the Town of Colchester Court & was remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility on $2,500 cash bail or $5,000 secured bond.

State Police arrested 75-year-old John Skerkis of Texas for DWI, and other traffic violations, after troopers responded to an accident on Main Street in Milford. Troopers accused Skerkis of being intoxicated when he drove into a ditch; he refused to submit to a breath test to determine his blood alcohol content. Skerkis was arraigned in the Town of Milford Court and was remanded to the Otsego County Jail in lieu of $3,000 cash bail or $6,000 property bond. His next court date is on November 7, 2017.

Broome County District Attorney Steve Cornwell announced that Crime in Broome County has decreased since 2015. 2 years ago, Broome County had the highest crime rate of all 62 counties in New York State, it is now ranked 6th. Crime in the county decreased by 16%, according to the Department of Criminal Justice Statistics. The DCJS counts index crimes - murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft.

A.O. Fox Memorial Hospital announced the appointment of 5 new members to their Board of Directors. Joining the Board is Noel Goodspeed of Sidney, who is the Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at SFCU, Jeffrey Lord who is Vice President at Community Bank, N.A, Scott H. McLean of Sidney, who is the owner and President of Tieco-Unadilla Corporation in Unadilla, is business administrator at C.H. Landers, Funeral Chapel, Luisa Montanti who is the Property Manager of the Southside Mall, and Oneonta City School Superintendent Joseph Yelich.

The Binghamton Devils have released their schedule for the 2017-18 season. The Devils begin at home on Saturday, October 7, at 7:05 p.m. against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and will play 38 home games at Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena. The Binghamton Devils will host their Logo/Jersey Unveil & Open House on Saturday, July 29, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena. More information is available at binghamtondevils.com or 722-7367.

State Police arrested 20-year-old Gerald Althiser Jr. of Springfield Center for intentionally starting fires in two campers. During the investigation, Althiser admitted to setting numerous fires, including the March 12th fire that destroyed the Milford United Methodist Church. Althiser was arrested for 3rd & 5th degree Arson; he was arraigned in the Town of Hartwick Court and remanded to the Otsego County Jail. The investigation is continuing with the assistance of the Otsego County Fire Investigators.

A public meeting will be held this evening regarding the Proposed new Delaware County Public Works Facility. The event will be held at 7:00 PM at the Delaware Academy in Delhi. Delaware County Public Works Commissioner Wayne Reynolds and members of the public works committee will discuss the proposal.

Governor Cuomo today announced that the New York State Police issued more than 14,000 tickets as a result of increased enforcement efforts this Thanksgiving weekend. Troopers issued a total of 14,468 tickets during the Thanksgiving campaign, including 5,910 for speeding, 715 for distracted driving, and made a total of 218 DWI arrests.

State Police arrested 23 year old Jeffrey Bieber of Milford for 3rd degree assault & criminal obstruction of breathing, after a domestic dispute complaint that occurred in the Town of Milford. Bieber is accused of physically assaulting an ex-girlfriend and choking her during an argument. Bieber was arraigned and was released pending court action on January 1st.

Governor Cuomo today announced the designation of 11 new Brownfield Opportunity Areas in communities across New York State. The program helps participants develop revitalization strategies focused on returning dormant and blighted areas into productive communities of economic growth and development. Projects in these areas will be given priority status for grants and the project developers may access additional Brownfield Cleanup Program tax credit incentives. in the Southern Tier, the Endicott Johnson Industrial Spine in Binghamton & Johnson City, with 17 potential brownfield sites near UHS Memeorial Hospital & near the desiognated area of the future Binghamton University School of Pharmacy, gets a $155,000 grant. The Brandywine Corridor in Binghamton contains a 100-acre area with 18 brownfield sites, a $1 75,500 BOA Program grant will go toward that project

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum's Autumn Glory exhibit opens tomorrow. the Museum will celebrate the Royals' 2015 World Series title & Artifacts donated by the Royals will be featured in the exhibit. Among the items will be a Jersey worn by Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer in Game 5, a Glove used by Royals catcher and World Series Most Valuable Player Salvador Perez, Spikes worn throughout the Series by Royals center fielder Lorenzo Cain , Road cap worn by Royals closer Wade Davis, a Bat used by Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas, & a Bat used by Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar.

FEMA announced that federal disaster aid has been made available to New York to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by severe storms and flooding on June 28th to July 4th.  The President's action makes federal funding available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms and flooding in several counties, including Chenango, Delaware, & Otsego counties.

Police in Chenango County reported that 33-year-old Jeremy Edmonds of Milford New Jersey was killed in an ATV accident Saturday night on Brown Road in the town of Sherburne.  Police reports said that 25 year old Mark Brong of High Bridge New Jersey lost control of the ATV, both Brong & Edmonds were ejected, Brong was in critical condition in a Utica area hospital, Edmonds as pronounced dead at the scene.  The investigation is ongoing.

Governor Cuomo announced that 486 drivers had been ticketed by State Police for distracted during the July 4th weekend.  The number of accidents in the U.S. caused by cell phone use has tripled over the past seven years. In New York State alone there was a 143% increase in cellphone-related accidents between 2005 and 2011.  Governor Cuomo has also directed the DMV to strengthen penalties for distracted driving by raising the number of points issued against a driver's license for distracted driving has increased from two to five.

Motorists are advised that Prospect Mountain construction work will affect many Binghamton city streets between at 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily today to Friday.  Motorists can expect disruptions on Mygatt Street between Prospect Street and LaGrange Street, As well as Front Street between Prospect Street and Bevier Street & Prospect Street in the vicinity of the new Prospect Connector & on Chenango Street between Moffatt & Sturges.  Up-to-date travel information is available by calling 511 or by visiting 511NY.org.