WCDO Radio News

The Mount Upton Water District is conducting a lead service line inspection, to find out if residents have lead pipes bringing water into their homes, Guilford Town Supervisor Sue McIntyre explains:

(Sue McIntyre 5-13-24)

McIntyre said that this is a national push to find out about lead water pipes, following issues with lead pipes in Flint Michigan, More local information is available at guilfordny.com.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 2-28-23

Delaware County District Attorney's office announced that 36 year old Thomas Wright, Jr., 31 year old Antonio Escobar-Boria and 28 year old Alexa Tefft, all of Sidney were indicted by the Delaware County Grand Jury last week on an 8 Count indictment. Wright is charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance for allegedly possessing methamphetamine with the intent to sell, at 62 East Main Street in the Village of Sidney on September 14th 2022. All 3 defendants were accused of Reckless Endangerment and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, for allegedly permitting a 2-year-old child to be in close proximity to the drugs located at 62 East Main Street.

The Village of Sidney is continuing with their Water Improvement project, Village Mayor Andy Matviak said that the installation of Water Meters will begin shortly:

(Andy Matviak 2-28-23)

Matviak said that currently crews are working on running new lines under the Susquehanna River into the village to bring water from a new water source into the village, as the village is looking to remove the long standing Manganese problem out of the water supply.

The Chenango County Weekly Wastewater Surveillance Data Report showed an increase in COVID 19 levels over the past 2 weeks, which changes the county's detection level to "HIGH". County Health Officials recommend that people should wear a mask indoors in public and on public transportation, Get Tested if you have symptoms, more information is available by contacting the Chenango County Health Department at (607) 337-1660.

State Police were dispatched Saturday to assist Cherry Valley Fire with a hiker who had fallen from a waterfall down about 150-feet into a gorge. 1st responders hiked about a mile through a wooded area to locate the 32-year-old woman from Troy, she was pulled to safety and was airlifted to Albany Medical Center, where she was treated & released.

Broome County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to a 2-car accident on I-86 in the Town of Windsor. During the investigation, 39 year old Michael Morgan of Queens, failed a field sobriety test & was charged with operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs. Morgan was processed and released on tickets returnable to the Town of Windsor Court.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 9-6-22

Firefighters from Bainbridge, Guilford, Mount Upton, Masonville, Coventry, Franklin, Trout Creek, Afton and Sidney all responded to a structure fire at the Auto Plus Store at 4 Front Street Monday Night at about 9:00 PM. Investigators are trying to determine how the fire started, the store was closed when the fire broke out, no injuries among fire fighters were reported.

The Town of Guilford announced that a repair to the water tank will begin today for customers of the Mt. Upton Water District. The repairs are expected to take 1 week to complete, back up tanks are in place & no disruption of service is anticipated, but water conservation measures are encouraged., more information is available at 607-895-9966.

The Gilbertsville Mount Upton School District held their Open House & opened up their new Bassett Healthcare Network Health Center & on-campus apparel store Last Night. Among those in attendance were retired State Senator Jim Seward, Current State Senator Peter Oberacker, & Bassett Healthcare Network President and CEO Dr. Tommy Ibrahim. The GMU School district returns for classes on Thursday.

Former area Congressional candidate and army veteran Kyle Van De Water has been found dead by Poughkeepsie police, the 41-year-old was found in a Poughkeepsie Cemetery. Van De Water lost to Congressman Antonio Delgado in the 2020 election in the 19th Congressional District last year, the investigation is ongoing.

P.M. NEWS Monday 6-7-21

Governor Cuomo announced today that New York will be lifting COVID restrictions when we hit 70% vaccinations for the adult population, & that could happen very soon:

(Cuomo 1)

The Governor Also said that mask restriction in schools will be changing, if individual school Districts want to do so:

(Cuomo 2)

The Governor said that the change in school district mask wearing will tie into the guidelines at summer camps when they re-open this year.

State Police & local emergency squads responded Saturday afternoon at about 2:15 PM, to a multiple vehicle crash on State Route 7 near the Meadow Crest Park in the Town of Unadilla.  Police stated that a Chevy driven by Michael Tucker of Sidney, was traveling west bound on State Route 7, a Volkswagen Beatle was facing eastbound, driven by Jeanmarie Doelger of Bainbridge, had stopped to make a turn into a driveway when 3 motorcycles driven by Emma Stebbins of Bainbridge, Kory Bennet of Bainbridge & Ralph Bennet of Mount Upton struck the rear of the Doelger vehicle, Ralph Bennet's Motorcycle struck Tucker's Chevy & Tucker then hit a mail box.   Doelger was transported to AO Fox Hospital Tri- Town campus in Sidney, Stebbins was airlifted to Wilson Hospital, Bennett and Tucker were taken to Fox Hospital, Ralph Bennett was transported to Wilson Hospital.

Blueox Corporation announced the sale of their Blueox Neighborhood Market convenience store chain to Stewart’s Shops based in Saratoga Springs, today. Blueox Corporation had 11 local convenience stores for over 35 years. The sale to Stewarts is expected to close in September.  Blueox will continue to operate their energy business, delivering fuel oil, kerosene and propane and will continue to service and replace energy equipment including furnaces, boilers, and hot water heaters.

Sidney Fire Department was alerted Friday evening of 2 kayakers stuck in debris under an overpass along the Unadilla River.   Fire Department Members acted quickly and launched the rescue boat to access the stranded kayakers, who had already been in the water 20 to 30 minutes prior to the 9-1-1 call being placed. The Kayakers were transported to an area facility.

Democrat Rick Shaw of Downsville is running for the 122nd State Assembly District that is being vacated this year with the retirement of long time Assemblyman Cliff Crouch.  Shaw told WCDO News about his background & what he hopes to accomplish if he is elected to the Assembly:

(Rick Shaw 8-11-20)

Shaw faces Republican Joe Angelino of Norwich, who beat out 3 other Republican candidates by a large margin in the June 23rd Primary.

Bassett Healthcare Network announced the opening of a new school-based health center at Gilbertsville-Mount Upton Central School, serving pre-K through 12th grade students in that district.  This is Bassett’s 21st school-based health center, the program has been funded through a grant and money secured by State Senator Jim Seward, as well as by the Clark Foundation.   More information is available at 844-255-7242.

Catholic Charities at the Sidney Civic Center announced today that they have extended the registration period for their free backpack & school Supplies promotion for Sidney Central School District Students.  The deadline has been extended through Friday August 21st; more information is available at 604-4071.

Delaware County received no new positive test results for COVID-19, the known active cases in the County is 0. To date there have been 96 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 with 12 people under mandatory quarantine, 6 people have died and 90 have fully recovered.

Village of Bainbridge water users may experience periods of water interruption today, between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM.  Crews will be working on water lines during this time and water may become discolored.  Running the faucet should alleviate roily or brown water.  More information is available at 967-7373.

Governor Cuomo today announced
that $10 million will be awarded to 18 municipalities statewide to continue the
state's initiative to replace residential drinking water lead service lines
through the State Department of Health's Lead Service Line Replacement Program.  The City of Norwich will get $528,750 in this
round of funding.

State Police at Norwich arrested 44 year old Ilia Ithier of
Norwich for DWI, after trooper responded to the report of a 1vehicle accident
at State Highway 12 and Warn Pond Road in the town of Oxford.   Ithier had a BAC of .15%,  Ithier was processed and released on
appearance tickets returnable to the town of Oxford court on July 29th.

19th District Congressman Antonio Delgado will be holding
town hall meetings across his district, the 1st Town hall will be held Saturday
at the Roots Brewing Company at 175 Main Street Oneonta, from 5:00 to 6:00 PM,
the Delaware County event will be held on Thursday, August 1 at Awestruck
Ciders at 8 Winkler Road in Sidney from 6:30 to 7:30 PM.

The 8th Annual "Mount Upton Community Days" will
be held Saturday from 10:00 AM TO 3:00 PM at the Mount Upton Park.  Scheduled activities include a chicken
barbecue, plus vendors, crafts, a Bounce House, ANIMAL ADVENTURE & TOWN
WIDE GARAGE SALES.

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.

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.

State Primary Elections will be held September 13th; Polls will be open from noon to 9:00 PM. The Delaware County Board of Elections reminds voters the registered Democrats will vote for candidates for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and State Senator in the 42nd District & Town of Middletown Council. Delaware County Republicans will vote for a 122nd Assembly candidate, Reform Party voters will decide on candidates for Attorney General & 42nd District State Senator. More information is available at 832-5321.

The Water System Staff in the Mount Upton Water District was notified Tuesday afternoon of a loss of pressure, which may increase the risk of contamination. The Health Department is advising district residents to boil water before drinking or using for food preparation. The repair has been made, and the Water District expects that the Boil Water notice could be cancelled later today after testing.

Chenango County District Attorney Joe McBride announced that 34 year old Tobias Rundstrom-Wooding pleaded guilty this morning in Chenango County Court to 2nd degree murder and 1st degree rape.

(McBride 6-22-18)

Rundstrom-Wooding & James Brower were both charged in connection with the rape & murder of 11 year old Jacelyn O'Connor in their town of Norwich residence on July 30th of 2017. Rundstrom-Wooding will be sentenced on August 13th to 20 years to life in prison.

Graduation Exercises for area high School Seniors will begin this evening, and continue through Sunday afternoon locally. Tonight at 6:30; seniors will graduate from Afton, Charlotte Valley, & Windsor. Commencement exercises scheduled for 7:00 PM tonight will be held at Deposit, Franklin, Hancock, Laurens, Milford, Morris, Oneonta, & Unatego. Saturday Morning Graduations will be held in Sidney, Delaware Academy, Gilbertsville Mount Upton, Greene, Harpursville, Oxford, Norwich, Sherburne Earlville, Saturday afternoon Unadilla Valley seniors will graduate, Saturday night, the Bainbridge Guilford district seniors will graduate & on Sunday Edmeston seniors will graduate.

The State Legislature has passed the Drug Take Back Act. The bill creates a statewide pharmaceutical take-back program and holds drug companies accountable for proper disposal, it also aims at protecting New York's water supplies from improper drug disposal. The bill was passed by the State Senate in their final days of the 2018 session, it passed in the Assembly several weeks earlier, and it now goes to Governor Cuomo for consideration.

Law Enforcement Agencies in Otsego County have responded to a reported Bank Robbery at the NBT Bank Branch at 1 West Street in Edmeston at about 11:30 this morning. The Edmeston Central School District & Pathfinder Village were locked down and State Police & Otsego County Sheriff's deputies have been investigating. WCDO Will have more information as it becomes available.

Congressman Chris Gibson announced the passage in the House of an amendment he authored in support of former Navy and Marine Corps personnel and other Veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange during their service aboard vessels off the coast of Vietnam and now have serious illnesses that are directly connected to that exposure. The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act ensures those Veterans is granted presumptive coverage for Agent Orange exposure. The House bill introduced by Congressman Gibson has 320 cosponsors from both parties, while the Senate version introduced by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has 41 bipartisan cosponsors.

The 2016 Ed Wessels Canoe Regatta was held; Saturday with impressive finishes from local paddlers, who are training for this weekend’s General Clinton 70- miler. The Wessels Chairman Ed Curley told WCDO News of the most exciting finish of a 1 second photo finish in the pro class:

(Ed Curley 5-23-16)

Other top finishers included Bob & Ryan Zaveral of Mount Upton winning the Men’s Under 50 Amateur class. Mike Bachman of Bainbridge & Rich Hall of Gilbertville taking the C-2 Stock class & Dale Persons of Bainbridge & Melissa Swislosky of Mount Upton winning the mixed C-2 Pro class. WCDO Will have full coverage of Wednesday’s new Pine Ridge Grocery Dash for Cash Race and The General Clinton Canoe regatta this weekend.

The New York State DOT announced that construction work for the Prospect Mountain construction project will be performed and will require lane closures in the City of Binghamton. Beginning tomorrow, through Thursday, from 9 AM to 3:00 PM, I-81northbound/State Route 17 westbound will be reduced to 1 lane between Exit 3 and 4S for the removal of concrete barrier. The right two lanes will be closed. On Thursday, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, I-81 northbound/State Route 17 westbound Exit 4S will be closed temporarily for the removal of concrete barrier. A signed detour will be in place directing motorists around the ramp closure. All work will be performed weather permitting.

Supporters came from all over to show their support for the residents of Islamberg in the town of Tompkins, as a group of Bikers known as the "American Bikers United Against Jihad" planned a rally, against the Muslim group who have been targeted in certain media as being a terrorist training ground. Julia Reischel of the Watershed Post was at yesterday's rally; she told WCDO News that the rally was a lot smaller than expected:

(Julia Reischel 5-16-16)

Reischel said that state Troopers & Delaware County Sheriff’s deputies were on hand to insure the safety of the community & the supporters. Islamberg had also been targeted by Robert Doggart of Tennessee, who vowed to get a militia together to burn down the community and kill the residents; he was arrested earlier this year by the FBI for making terrorist threats.

Tomorrow is school budget vote day across the state. Locally, 2 area school districts managed to lower the tax levy slightly; they were the Milford & Afton School Districts. School that have the tax levy unchanged from last year are Walton, Delhi, Charlotte VALLEY, Deposit, Oxford Academy, Laurens, Gilbertsville Mount Upton, & Morris. Slight increases in the tax levy were in Unatego, Bainbridge Guilford, Oneonta, increases of 1% or more are proposed in the Unadilla VALLEY & Norwich Districts, 2% or more were proposed in Sidney, Greene & Franklin and more than 3% increases were proposed in Harpursville & Windsor. State officials said that the tax cap for the tri-county region was tabulated at roughly 1%.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Voting for the BG school district residents on the Budget & for the School Board seats will be held in the Bainbridge & Guilford town Halls this year. Voting will be from 12:00 Noon until 9:00 PM.

Oneonta City Officials announced that crews will be milling & paving Water Street & Chestnut Street Extension today & tomorrow. There will be no on street parking, all vehicles must be removed by 6:00 AM, and remaining vehicles will be towed away. More information is available at 432-6465.