WCDO Radio News

A new report by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli details how small businesses generate nearly $1 trillion in sales and revenues with more than 3.7 million employees at over 422,000 establishments in 2023,comprising 98.9% of all businesses in the state. New York ranked 4th among states in the number of small businesses and 3rd behind California and Florida for its share of small businesses, Over 80% of all New York businesses had fewer than 10 workers. Small businesses employed 3.7 million people, close to 45% of the state’s jobs, earning an average of $60,579 in annual pay in 2023.

A.M. NEWS Tuesday 3-17-26

State Police arrested 2 people and a third person was picked up on an arrest warrant following a traffic stop in the town of Oneonta Saturday. Troopers near Motel 88 in the city of Oneonta observed suspicious activity in the parking lot and initiated a traffic stop. The driver, 45 year old Ashley Darran of Unadilla, was charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle While Impaired by Drugs, a passenger, 40 year old Barbara Walley of Walton was found in possession of suspected illegal drugs and brass knuckles & was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and Criminal Possession of a Weapon, a man who had exited the vehicle was found to have an active warrant with the City of Norwich Police Department and was returned to the City of Norwich to answer to his charges. Darran and Walley were issued appearance tickets to the Oneonta Town Court on April 21, 2026.

After hundreds of calls to the Oneonta Police Department to respond to various Issues at the Town House Inn on Main Street in Oneonta, City officials have decided to try to shut the motel down, Oneonta Mayor Mark Drnek told WCDO news what they are doing:

(Mayor Mark Drnek 9-8-23)

In recent weeks, Oneonta Police have responded to a shots fired complaint, there was also a fatal overdose there recently, among the 400 incidents reported at the Town House Inn. Mayor Drnek said that the Oneonta Police Department, like many others, is short staffed and can't spend many hours a week responding to the same location repeatedly.

The Broome County District Attorney’s Office announced that 39 year old Richard Lance of Kirkwood, was sentenced to 1 to 3 years in State prison after entering a plea of guilty to Failure to Comply with the New York State Sex Offender Registration Act. During August of 2022, Lance reported to law enforcement that he was residing at an address in the Village of Johnson City, while he was actually residing at the Dell Motel on Upper Court Street. Lance was convicted of a 3rd degree Rape in 2008 in Broome County.

The Jericho Arts Council will bring back David Davis & The Warrior River Boys this Saturday night at the Bainbridge Town Hall Theater, spokesman Phil Wade explains:

(Phil Wade 3-24-23)

Reservations can be made at 607-288-3882, tickets can also be purchased at the door prior to the show.

A.M. NEWS Friday 3-24-23

Delaware County District Attorney's Office announced that 24 year old Patrick Combs of Grand Gorge pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny and Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs, in Delaware County Court. Combs stole over $3,000.00 from the Roxbury Country Store, also, on January 15th, he operated a motor vehicle on State Highway 30, while impaired by drugs. Combs will be sentenced to 1-3 years in state prison for his conviction of Grand Larceny & 364 days in jail for driving while his ability was impaired by drugs, the sentences will run concurrently.

State Attorney General Letitia James released a list today of the top complaints her office has received in 2022. Over 5200 complaints were received regarding price gouging defective merchandise & poor customer service at retail establishments, over 3,000 were landlord or tenants complaints. over 2800 were about credit, banking & mortgage issues, over 2700 complaints were about consumer services organizations like COVID testing facilities, dry cleaners, restaurants or movers, and over 2500 for automobile sales & service.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 3-7-23

The Broome County District Attorney's office announced that 53 year old Robert Randolph of Endicott was sentenced after pleading guilty to felony Criminal Possession of a Controlled substance. Randolph was caught with large quantities of methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl when police raided his motel room in Endicott in August of 2021, he was on parole from a previous conviction for selling methamphetamine. Randolph was sentenced to 5 years in state prison followed by 2 years of post-release supervision.

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 1-16-23

The State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Units are participating in a national effort to call attention to human trafficking. Members are educating Commercial Drivers about human trafficking, and providing a card that contains the number for the National Human Trafficking Hot-line, which is 888-373-7888.

Broome County Sheriff’s Deputies responded last Tuesday to a domestic incident at the Knights Inn in the Town of Union and arrested 60 year old Samuel Stukes of Endicott. Stukes was in violation of an order of protection and was wanted by the Binghamton Police Department. Deputies heard a disturbance coming from the rear of the motel building at the same address, 43 year old Keith Johnson of Endicott was found engaging in a physical fight a 15-year-old child, he resisted arrest, tried to fight with deputies and was tased and subdued. Johnson was charged with 5 counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, & 1 count each of Obstruction, Resisting Arrest & Harassment. Both Stukes and Johnson were taken into custody.

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 Broome County District Attorney's Office announced that 45 year old Chad Jackson of Binghamton was sentenced to 7 years in State Prison followed by 5 years of post release supervision in Broome County Court. Jackson was found guilty in May of 2nd degree Burglary for breaking into a motel room in March of 2020, and stealing property.

More than 80 people were displaced last weekend at a Norwich, after money from the Family Enrichment that paid for them to stay in a Super 8 motel, ran out. Many of the people have mental health issues, drug addictions or are registered sex offenders, The City of Norwich & Chenango County have a short-term housing plans for those displaced, a meeting of City officials was called over the weekend to finding other temporary options for those displaced.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 5-12-22

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 31 year old Steven Barrows of Sidney on burglary & Grand Larceny charges, after stopping a suspected stolen vehicle from the Town of Otego. Barrows was located driving the vehicle in the Town of Oneonta, he was taken into custody at the Super 8 Motel by Deputies and State Troopers, Barrows was arraigned and was remanded to the Otsego County Correctional Facility. The investigation is on-going and additional charges are expected.

The Broome County District Attorney’s Office announced that 45 year old Chad Jackson of Binghamton, was found guilty of 2nd degree burglary, On March 28, 2020, Jackson broke into a room at the Del Motel on Upper Court Street in Kirkwood and stole items from a person inside. He is facing up to 15 years in prison and faces sentencing August 8th.

The Jericho Arts Council presents the Roy Orbison Tribute "Only The Lonely" Saturday, @ 7:00 pm at the Bainbridge Town Hall Theater. Doors open at 6:00 pm, Tickets will be available at the door or reserve ahead of time at 607-288-3882. This Saturday The Fine Arts Show will be featured in the gallery. Check jerichoarts.com for a listing of future events.

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 1-7-22

Oneonta Fire Department responded to a fire at the Motel 88 on Chestnut Street Thursday afternoon.  The fire was started in an unoccupied room, 2 adjacent rooms suffered damage, it was knocked down in less than an hour, no injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Firefighters from Oneonta, Franklin & other surrounding communities responded this afternoon to a fire at the Motel 88 at 340 Chestnut Street in Oneonta. The fire was under control in a little more than an hour, the cause of the fire is under investigation.

A.M. NEWS Thursday 1-6-22

State Police took 29 year old Anthony Masi into custody Wednesday afternoon on an arrest warrant for 1st Degree Assault. The warrant stems from a serious assault that occurred in Oneonta after Masi allegedly attacked a victim with a machete-type knife at the Budget Inn on State Route 23 on December 30th, the investigation is continuing.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 6-17-21

Police in Cobleskill arrested 53 year old Raymond George for 1st degree manslaughter, for allegedly driving his vehicle into the Colonial Motel Tuesday, killing fellow Motel resident James Williams, following an argument.  Police reported that 2 dogs were also killed in the incident, 11 people were displaced due to the structural damage to the building.  George was arrested shortly after the incident nearby, Police determined that Williams had been sitting on a bench outside his room with his dogs, when he was struck; he was trapped in the wreckage and was pronounced dead at the scene. George was arraigned and ordered held without bail.  State Police, Schoharie County Sheriff's Department, the Schoharie County District Attorney’s Office and state corrections officials assisted with the investigation.

The mobile screening coach will be in Oneonta at Damaschke Field in Neahwa Park Today, from 1:00 to 7:00 pm For "Pink in the Ballpark Night" with the Oneonta Outlaws to provide No Cost mammograms and Pap tests to women 40 and over.  More information or appointments can be made by calling the Cancer Services Program at 1-888-345-0225.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 4-22-21

Firefighters from Sidney, Wells Bridge & Unadilla responded, at about 8:30 this morning to the report of a structure fire at the County Motel on State Route 7.  The fire was largely contained to the a room at the east end of the motel structure & was under control by about 9:30, the investigation into the cause of the fire is continuing, 1 person was taken to the hospital for treatment, Sidney Fire Fighters also had to respond to a Chimney Fire this morning on Pleasant Street.

State Police are looking to connect unclaimed items with their rightful owners.  Last August, the items were discovered in possession of individuals that were arrested at a motel in Oneonta, Troopers believe that the items were taken from storage units, sheds or possibly vehicles last summer in the Oneonta area.  The items include jewelry, electronics, tools and household items.   State Police are inviting anyone who believes they may have items taken to stop by the barracks at 199 Oneida Street; Oneonta on Wednesday, February 3rd between 1:00 & 3:00 PM, more information is available at 432-3211.

Former WCDO personality Wayne Robert
King has passed away at the age of 62.
King had the 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM shift from the mid 80's to the late
90’s; he had been operating the Country Motel on State Route 7 in recent
years.  Funeral arrangements are being
handled by CH Landers Funeral Home.

State Police at Norwich are looking for tips in locating
26-year-old Amber Garrison of Smyrna, who was last seen at the Super 8 motel in
Norwich on August 9th, she has not had any contact with family since July
19th.  Garrison is a white female, 5'
7"; she may be driving a red 2012 Chevy Traverse with NY license Plates
HXK-6632.  Anyone with information is
asked to call State Police at Troop C in Sidney at 561-7400.

State Police arrested Edward Gagliano for DWI, after
Troopers observed Gagliano with no operating tail lights while on I-88 in the
town of Bainbridge.  Gagliano was
released on appearance tickets returnable to the town of Bainbridge on
September 3rd, he was then turned over to a sober third party.

Chenango Sheriff’s department arrested 50 year old Randolph
Browning of Virginia for Criminal Sexual Act, Possessing a Sexual Performance
by a Child, Possessing an Obscene Sexual Performance by a Child, and
Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
Detectives arrested Browning Jr. following a complaint of an older man
looking for a room at a local Motel to bring a female victim under the age of
16. Detectives found that Browning had sexual contact with a child less than 16
years old and also possessed child pornography.
Browning is currently being held at the Chenango County Correctional
Facility on other charges and is awaiting his court date.

2 Norwich residents were arrested by the Chenango County
Sheriff’s Office for Criminal Trespass, Theft of Services, Criminal Possession
of a Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Marihuana.  Deputies arrested 32 year old Scott Russell
& 22 year old Brooklyn Stout after a complaint from the Norwich Inn, both
are accused of using a stolen motel key to enter one of the motel rooms, they
stayed the night and did not pay for the room.
While in custody, a search uncovered Marihuana & a controlled
substance, both were released on appearance tickets for the Town of Norwich
court at a later date.

25 year old Cody Franciscovich has been charged with 1st
degree murder, in connection with the death of his 8 month old daughter Ruby
last weekend.   Franciscovich was
arraigned this morning in Town of Tioga Court,
State Troopers responding to a report of a missing baby  Sunday morning at the Deep Well Motel, they
found Franciscovich naked near the motel, he eventually directed Troopers to a
pond where the baby was found.  She was
pronounced dead at Wilson Hospital.
Franciscovich was returned to the Tioga County Jail without bail pending
a felony hearing on Friday.

Appointments are filling up & volunteers are still
needed for the upcoming Greater Chenango Cares Event.  Chenango United Way Spokesperson Elizabeth
Monaco explains:

(Elizabeth Monaco 6-12-19)

Monaco said that those wishing to volunteer to assist at the
event can call the Chenango United Way at 334-8815, The Greater Chenango Cares
event will be held at the Norwich High School July 11th through 20th.

Governor Cuomo reminded New
Yorkers today that state investigators will again crack down on underage
drinking and the use of fake IDs to purchase alcohol at summer concerts and at
bars this season. Investigators from the DMV, State Liquor Authority, State
Parks Police and local law enforcement will conduct enforcement sweeps at
venues across the state as part of the Operation Prevent campaign.  In April and May, investigators issued 139
tickets,   Patrons under the age of 21
found to be using fake IDs to buy alcohol can be ticketed and risk having their
license revoked for a minimum of 90 days or up to 1 year.

State Police have arrested 25-year-old Cody Franciscovich of
Owego for 1st degree murder in connection with the death of his 8-month-old
daughter Ruby.  Tioga County 911 received
a call to check the welfare of Ruby Sunday Morning, near the Deep Well Motel on
Route 17C in the town of Tioga.
Responding troopers located the infant in a pond after interviewing Cody
Franciscovich,  she was taken to Wilson
Hospital in Johnson City where she was pronounced deceased.  Cody Franciscovich was arraigned and remanded
to the Tioga County Jail on no bail.  He
is set to appear in the town of Tioga court tomorrow.

An elderly Oneonta resident, who was reported missing in January,
has been found safe.  67 year old Chester
Kucharski was reported missing after leaving Bassett Hospital in January,  Oneonta Police reported that Kucharski
checked into the Super 8 Motel on Oneonta's Southside, the clerk contacted
Police.   Kucharski was last seen on a
camera leaving Bassett Hospital on January 25th, he was referred to as a
vulnerable adult.  Kucharski told police
that he had gone to New Jersey & had no idea that he was the target of a
search.

3 men were arraigned in federal court Wednesday on charges
connected to the bank robbery at the M&T Bank branch in North Greenbush
Tuesday morning.  Christopher Cohn and
Ulysses Walls were both charged with bank robbery offenses. A third man,
Quardel Valentine, was charged with conspiracy. 1 bank teller was grazed by a
bullet in the arm, as the 3 assailants fired their weapons upon leaving the
M&T bank, descriptions of the getaway car led police to a nearby motel
where the 3 were arrested.

The Sidney Super 8 is holding a winter clothing drive for children, Super 8 General Manager Vesna Hoblitz explains:

(Vesna Hoblitz 11-12-18)

All of the items collected these items will be distributed at VEP on Main Street Sidney after the Jolly Holly Days Parade on November 30th at 7:00 PM. More information is available at 563-8880 of be email super8sidney@gmail.com.

Delaware County Sheriff Deputies responded to a 911 call of a domestic dispute April 29th at the East Branch Motel in Hancock. Deputies were notified that the victim had escaped from the suspect and was now locked in another room of the motel, she was removed from the scene and transported to Delaware Valley Hospital where she was treated for her injuries and later released. Deputies found 31 year old Donald Ostrander of Deposit in a wooded area, he was charged with Burglary, Strangulation, Criminal Possession of a Weapon, Menacing, Unlawful imprisonment, Criminal mischief & assault, he was arraigned & was remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility on $10,000 cash bail pending further court action.

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office received a tip that a subject wanted on multiple warrants was staying at a motel in the Town of Dickinson. Deputies attempted to make contact, when the suspect apparently left through a window & observed 27 year old Daniel Santacroce driving out of the parking lot at a high rate of speed. He was taken into custody in Binghamton. Santacroce was found to be in unlawful possession of prescription pills, he did not possess a valid driver’s license as his driving privileges were suspended. Santacroce was wanted on Arrest Warrants from Johnson City & Vestal; he was arraigned and was remanded to the Broome County Jail on $10,000 cash bail.

State police have cancelled an adult Amber Alert, as the elderly missing person has been located. 92 year old Beverly Cleveland was in good health at a motel in Owego& & she has been turned over to family members. Cleveland was reported missing over the weekend from the Town of Caroline in Tompkins County, she reportedly became disoriented while driving to her home in Trumansburg.

The Bassett Mobile Screening Coach is coming to Sidney today. The screenings will be offered from 9a-2:30p at the Great American in Sidney and on Tuesday, December 5th from 9a-3p at the Bassett Healthcare Clinic in Walton. More information is available at 1-888-345-0225.

A raid at Motel 88 in Oneonta netted Police 70 bags of heroin and crack cocaine, 33 year old Jason Chase of Cortland, was arrested for 2 counts of Criminal Possession of a controlled substance following a no knock search warrant.  Police discovered that Chase had 2 arrest warrants for Criminal Sale of a Controlled substance, and was also wanted by the New York State Division of Corrections and Community Supervision. Oneonta Police were assisted by City of Norwich Police Department, Chenango County Sheriff’s Department and the State Division of Corrections and Community Supervision.

The Cancer Services Program of Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie will offer free health screenings to women 40 or older who are uninsured/underinsured, in partnership with Bassett Healthcare. The screenings will be offered at the Great American Food Store at 90 Main Street in Unadilla on Today, from 9:00am to 3:00pm. Call toll-free 1 -888-345-0225 for your appointment.

Cal Harris has filed papers in federal court in Syracuse today, against Tioga County officials for malicious prosecution and civil rights violations. Harris was twice convicted for murdering his estranged wife Michelle in 2001 he won appeals each time, the 3rd murder trial was moved to Schoharie County, that jury was deadlocked, and in trial Number 4, Harris was freed from Jail. Harris' lawsuit targets former Tioga County District Attorney Gerald Keene, who prosecuting the murder case twice, and got convictions against Harris, plus Police detectives that worked the case, & people who testified against him, they are expected to respond to the suit in Federal court later this year.

The National Weather Service announced a Tornado watch for most of the WCDO Listening area through 9:00 tonight. The National Weather service defines a Tornado Watch when Tornadoes are deemed possible by the Storm Prediction Center;  where conditions are favorable for the possible creation of a Tornado. We'll have the full Tri-County Forecast right after this newscast.