WCDO Radio News

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%.
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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.