WCDO Radio News

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 7-16-26
State DEC & State Department of Health issued an updated Air Quality Health Advisory for fine particulate matter for Today, due to the statewide impact of smoke from wildfires in Canada. New Yorkers may see visible smoke and hazy skies across the state and spikes in smoke-related pollution. The updated advisory for the Eastern Lake Ontario, Central New York and Western New York regions are forecast to reach Very Unhealthy status, through midnight tonight. More information regarding the Canadian wildfire smoke can be found at airnow.gov.

The Sidney Alumni Weekend will be held from Friday through Sunday with a variety of events, according to Alumni President Bryan Innes:

(Bryan Innes 7-16-26)

The full schedule of events can be found at sidneyalumni.org.

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 7-16-26
Governor Hochul announced that the AIR QUALITY ADVISORY has been expanded to the entire State, as the Smoke From Canadian Wildfires and High Temperatures are Creating Unhealthy Air Conditions Across the State. New Yorkers Should Avoid Spending Time Outdoors if Possible; Sensitive Groups Should Take Particular Caution, More Than 100,000 N95-Style Masks are Available to Counties Statewide. New Yorkers Can Sign Up for Weather and Emergency Alerts by Texting 333111. New Yorkers should also continue to monitor the Air Quality Index at airnow.gov.

Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 47 year old Michelle Brown for Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Harassment. Deputies responded to New Berlin for a reported dispute, Brown allegedly subjected a juvenile victim to unwanted physical contact. Brown was released on an appearance ticket to appear in the Town of New Berlin Court at a later date.

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 5-22-26

State Police at Troop C in Sidney held their annual Memorial Service, a day to remember those who served, especially those who gave their lives in the line of duty, Troop C Commanding Officer Major Lucas Shuta Comments:

(Lucas Shuta 5-22-26)

Major Shuta also reminded motorists that there will be extra traffic on the roads this Memorial Day Weekend, and there will be extra patrols making sure every arrives to their destinations safely:

(Major Shuta MDAY Patrols)

State Police and other Law Enforcement agencies will be looking for intoxicated drivers, distracted drivers, and those violating the state's Move Over Laws, Construction will be suspended during the Memorial day Weekend, except in the case of an emergency.

This Saturday, New Berlin is hosting its First Annual Village Crawl, which is a Community Cleanup Day and emergency stabilization kickoff at the historic Harris-White House also known as the "Pink Palace" at 5050 State Highway 8, New Berlin, the event will run Saturday, from 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 5-22-26

General Clinton Canoe Regatta gets underway today through Sunday with attractions at General Clinton Park, according to co-chairman Mike Kaufman:

(Mike Kaufman 5-22-26)

Each day features a variety of canoe races for all ages, culminating with the 70 mile races from Cooperstown to Bainbridge Sunday. The Full Schedule is available at canoeregatta.org.

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 3-30-26

Chenango County Sheriff's Office arrested 47 year old Jason Nichols of New Berlin Friday for Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated and Aggravated Unlicensed Operator and several other charges. Deputies responded to State Highway 23 in the Town of New Berlin for a 2 car motor vehicle accident, Nichols who had a revoked New York driver's license, while intoxicated, he transported to the Chenango County Sheriff's Office, was processed & was released to a sober third party and is to appear in the Town of New Berlin Court at a later date.

Another Virtual Foster Care Informational Session with Foster Care Home Finder Meryl Juster will be held online Tuesday evening, Juster told WCDO News how to get the link for the video conference call, and if people are interested in pursuing it further, there is an online course that starts next week:

(Meryl Juster 3-30-26)

Juster said that those interested in the session should Register by sending an email to MJuster@chowc.org, or call 607-765-9059, more information is also available through The Children’s Home Facebook page or at chowc.org

The Sparkle Closet Project & the Sidney High School Student Council is hosting a clothing drive Tuesday through Thursday, with Collection Bins at the Elementary & High School entrance. Project Coordinator Victoria Gregory told WCDO News that they are focused of finding formal wear for area students who may not be able to afford it, but would still like to attend the prom:

(Victoria Gregory 3-30-26)

The Sparkle Closet Project has a Facebook page, or you can call or text Gregory at 607-226-3309 if you have items to donate or if you would like more information.

The New York State Fair announced some of the acts that will be playing at the fair, which will run from August 26th to September 7th this year. Among the acts announced today are ZZ Top, Quiet Riot, Melissa Etheridge, Trace Adkins & The Commodores, All concerts are included with fair admission, Fair tickets will go on sale later this summer.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 3-30-26

Binghamton Police announced the recovery of the body of a man that was reported missing for several weeks. The body of 38 year-old Colyn Williams has been recovered from the banks of the Susquehanna River in Vestal. Vestal Police investigating Williams death, the cause of death does not appear to be criminal, the investigation is ongoing.

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 2-6-26

Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar commented today on Wednesday night’s "shots fired" investigation in the Town of Dickinson:

(Akshar 2-6-26)

Akshar said that the 4 people were trying to leave the area in an Uber and were taken into custody, and All four were arraigned and remanded to the Broome County Correctional Facility on $1,000 bail, they all posted bail and have been released. The Port Dickinson Police Department and the Broome County Sheriff's Office teamed up on the arrests and investigation.

Chenango County Sheriff's Office arrested 49 year old Adam Lund of Columbus on an Arrest Warrant issued by the Town of New Berlin Court for Sex Offender Failure to Notify Law Enforcement of Address Change. Lund was taken into custody without incident and arraigned in the Town of Columbus Court. Lund was released on his own recognizance and will appear in the Town of New Berlin Court on a later date.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 2-6-26

51 year old Shane Johnson of Grand Gorge was sentenced to 6 months in jail to be followed by 5 years of felony probation supervision for his conviction of Grand Larceny. On February 13, 2025, State Police responded to Mountainside Creamery in the Town of Roxbury regarding a report that several items had been stolen. Troopers discovered that the items had been sold for scrap by Johnson, he later admitted to stealing the items valued at over $3,000, Johnson was remanded to the Delaware County Correction Facility to begin serving his sentence, If he violates the terms of probation, he faces the possibility of being re-sentenced to 2 and 1/3 to 7 years in state prison.

Local Film-makers Joe Stillman & Jeri Wachter will be showing 5 of their Documentaries on uniquely American Stories today & Saturday at Foothills in Oneonta, Joe Stillman told WCDO News about the films:

(Joe Stillman 2-2-26)

The films include the Jimmy Massey Story, about a former Marine speaking out on abuses during the Iraq War, another about former US Attorney General Ramsey Clark, another about poverty in Agriculture, another about COVID 19’s after effect on Americans & the 5th about 500 years of history being rediscovered in South Texas. Jeri Wachter said that Veterans can attend free:

(Jeri Wachter 2-2-26)

Tickets & More information is available at important films media.com, the films will be run from 2:00 PM through 10:00 PM both days.

P.M. NEWS Tuesday 1-13-26

Governor Hochul delivered her State of The State Address to a joint session of the Legislature in Albany this afternoon, outlining an agenda for New York in the next 12 months:

(Hochul 1-13-26)

Among the agenda items, Affordability, Child Care, Crime, Religious freedoms, reforming the state's environmental review, nuclear power, AI protections, and protecting New Yorkers from aggressive ICE Patrols.

Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 42 year old Adam Lee Church of New Berlin following an investigation into a reported domestic incident. Chenango County Deputies determined Church had left the location prior to patrol arrival, they located the victim and transported them to a secure location at the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office to obtain a detailed statement. Deputies later located and arrested Adam Lee Church, for Rape, Unlawful imprisonment, Criminal Obstruction of Breathing or Blood Circulation, plus Harassment, Church was arraigned and was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $10,000 cash bail, a temporary Order of Protection was also issued. Church is scheduled to appear in the Town of New Berlin Court at a later date.

Scammers are impersonating Broome County Sheriff’s detectives and deputies to solicit money and gift cards from unsuspecting victims. Residents are reminded not to provide credit card or other payment information over the phone to anyone claiming to be law enforcement. Residents were falsely informed that their children had been arrested and required bail money paid electronically, that they missed their court appearances and were threatened with warrants for arrest or thousands of dollars in fines. Residents are urged to terminate the call and not share any credit card information over the phone. Broome County Sheriff’s Office will never ask for credit card information or any form of payment over the phone, If you received a scam phone call, contact the Sheriff’s Office at 607-778-1911.

A.M. NEWS Tuesday 1-13-26

GOVERNOR HOCHUL will deliver the 2026 STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS this afternoon at 1:00 PM before a joint session of the legislature. The speech will be delivered at the Hart Theatre at The Egg in Albany.

State Police issued a total of 47,711 tickets over the Christmas and New Year’s holiday, as part of the “Drive High Get a DUI” national campaign. The initiative targeted impaired and reckless drivers, began on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, and ended Thursday, January 1, 2026. State Police arrested 767 people for DWI and investigated 6,244 accidents, including 13 fatal accidents. In Troop C, Troopers issued over 3500 tickets, including 49 DWI arrests, 1073 for speeding, 81 for distracted driving, 152 g\for seat belts violations & 66 for the Move Over law.

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 1-9-26

Delaware County Public Health Services, in collaboration with local hospital partners, released of the 2025-2030 Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan, Delaware County Public Health Program Manager Heather Warner explains:

(Heather Warner 1-9-26)

Warner said that nearly a third of the County residents are age 65 plus, A copy of the 2025-2030 Community Health Assessment & Community Health Improvement program can be found at the Delaware County Public Health website delcony.us

Governor Kathy Hochul announced New York is investing more than $68 million to assist nearly 1,300 low-to-moderate income households across the state. The grants awarded through New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) provide individuals and families, including older adults and veterans, financial support to make accessibility upgrades, complete emergency repairs, replace manufactured homes, and receive rental assistance, as well as down payment assistance when purchasing a first home, awards by Region and Housing Units Impacted for the Southern Tier includes $12,775,091 for 191 homes, A list of the awards can be found at hcr.ny.gov/funding-awards.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 1-9-26

State Police responded Thursday afternoon to a crash involving an Amish buggy and a pick-up truck on County Highway 13 in the town of Pittsfield. An investigation at the scene determined that a pick-up truck operated by 26 year old Thomas Aitken of Morris struck the horse and buggy traveling in the same direction on the shoulder of the roadway. The buggy was occupied by 4 children, A 12-year-old female of New Berlin suffered injuries and was transported to Bassett Hospital, 3 other children, were evaluated at the scene but were not transported. The horse sustained fatal injuries, Aitken did not report any injuries and was issued a citation.

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 1-7-26

State Department of Transportation announced that major construction is complete on the $4 million roundabout project at The intersection of James F. Lettis Highway, Main Street & Maple Street in downtown Oneonta. The $4 million project began in the summer of 2025 and was funded through the Department's Highway Safety Improvement Program. It is the first of two projects in the City and Town of Oneonta, with a second project tentatively scheduled for the 2026 construction season to upgrade sidewalks and enhance the flow of traffic along State Routes 23 and 28 near the southern end of the Lettis Highway. In the coming weeks, some final touches will be added to the roundabout.

The United Way of Mid-Rural New York's Annual Campaign exceeded their goal of $562,900, Executive Director Elizabeth Monaco explains:

(Elizabeth Monaco 1-7-26)

The money raised will go to 41 local organizations & 11 initiatives in the 4 counties that the United Way of Mid Rural New York Covers.

Governor Kathy Hochul unveiled proposals to strengthen New York’s gun laws by cracking down on 3D-printed and illegal firearms. The new legislation would establish criminal penalties for the manufacture of 3D-printed firearms and order minimum safety standards for 3D printer manufacturers to block the production of firearms and firearm components. The legislation would also require gun manufacturers to design their pistols so they cannot be modified into illegal machine guns, and require police departments and sheriffs’ offices to report recoveries of all 3D printed guns to the state.

The New Berlin Police Department & local firefighters responded to an accident on State Highway 23 near Sheff Road, where the vehicle caught on fire. The New Berlin Police Department reported that the road was closed in both directions following the accident, shortly before noon today, motorists were detoured around the site, more information will be released in the near future.

.

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 1-7-25

The New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation is investigating a fatal crash that occurred Tuesday afternoon at approximately 1:45 pm., Troopers were dispatched to a two-vehicle collision on State Route 79 near Still Road in Harpursville. The preliminary investigation reveals that a 17-year-old male from Whitney Point was operating a pick-up truck when he collided with a Town of Colesville dump truck, The 17-year-old was transported to Wilson Hospital and was later pronounced deceased. The 20-year-old operator of the dump truck did not report any injuries. The investigation is on-going. More will be released when it is available.

A former Broome-Tioga BOCES employee is facing charges after an investigation into inappropriate conduct with a BOCES student. On November 12, the Broome County Sheriff’s Office received a referral from the New York State Child Abuse Hotline regarding inappropriate conduct between a juvenile student and a member of the Broome-Tioga BOCES faculty. 51 year old Evan Thorson of Endicott was charged with Child Endangerment and Official Misconduct, a warrant & an Order of Protection was issued by the Town of Dickinson Court. Thorson turned himself in and was processed on Monday. Thorson was no longer employed by BroomeTioga BOCES.

The State Department of Health has confirmed that the State's childhood vaccination policies remain unchanged despite recent federal revisions to immunization recommendations. The Department confirmed that there will be no changes to vaccine access, insurance coverage or the federal Vaccines for Children program, which provides vaccines at no cost to eligible children. Health care providers in New York State are advised to continue their "evidence-based immunization practices." State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald. "There was no new science, safety data or discovery presented by the federal government."