WCDO Radio News

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 9-28-23

37-year-old Justin Knapp was found guilty in Broome County Court for Criminal Possession of a Firearm and Tampering with Physical Evidence. On January 14, Knapp possessed an illegal .22 caliber pistol. While investigating an incident in the Town of Lisle, State Police attempted to stop a vehicle in which Knapp was a passenger in Newark Valley. The vehicle refused to stop, and a pursuit began, the car crashed, & Knapp was seen tossing something out of the window. With the help of a canine, troopers recovered the pistol later that day. Knapp faces sentencing at a later date.

The 49th Festival of Bands will be held at the Norwich High School Football Field on October 28th, with 8 field bands performing at the combination performance & fundraiser, Spokesman Paul Musk explains:

(Paul Musk 9-28-23)

Musk said that the bands will then head to the State competition the following day on October 29th at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse. More information is available at nysfbc.org, or by calling Musk at 336-7883.

Daniel Erickson of Greene pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Wednesday morning to Luring a Child and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Erickson he former middle school principal in the Johnson City School District, He is accused of communicating with a Johnson City High School student in an attempt to entice the student to perform sexual acts and attempting to meet her with the intention of having sexual relations with her. Erickson was arrested on July 7th, he resigned his position as principal.

American Red Cross continues to host blood drives, as supplies remain critically low. A drive will be held today from 1 pm. - 6 pm., at the New Lisbon Town Hall, & another will be held from 11:30 am. - 5:30 pm., at the South Kortright Central School, Appointments can be made with the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

At least 3 people were killed in a crash in Newark Valley This Morning. The Tioga County Sheriff’s Office reported that a vehicle traveling along Route 38 struck several pedestrians, at least 1 person was taken by a medial; helicopter to an unidentified trauma center, The Sheriff’s Office will release more information following family notification.

Bassett Healthcare Network will continue to require masks for all people in patient care and public areas of their buildings, including in hospitals, clinics, long-term care and rehabilitation facilities, and school-based health centers. Bassett Officials said that COVID-19 and influenza community transmission rates in Central New York remain high or substantial & the State Department of Health's latest safety guidance continues to affirm the importance of masking as a key infection prevention tool. Bassett's experts in Infection Prevention and other disciplines will continue to monitor community transmission levels and proceed forward with safety measures that are aligned with CDC guidance and in the best interest of our patients and communities.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli today issued a reminder to New Yorkers that not only are contributions to New York’s 529 College Savings Program accounts tax deductible* but now lower fees, higher maximum balances and the elimination of the $25 minimum contribution fees make it easier to save for continuing higher education. Contributions made by December 31st can provide up to $10,000 in state tax deductions on 2017 income tax filings. More information is available at nysaves.org.

State Senator Fred Akshar visited 3 local schools today & & will visit a 4th on Thursday as part of his new district-wide "Akshar All-Star" student recognition program. Each month, Akshar will recognize 3 or 4 local students selected by their school districts in the 52nd Senate District who have shown leadership, compassion, & school spirit. Akshar visited students today at Norwich High School, the DCMO BOCES, Deposit High School and Thursday he will be at the Newark Valley Senior High School.

A large cast of actors from all over the Southern Tier will perform in the Afton Community Theater's production of Shrek The Musical for 3 performances starting tonight at the Afton Central School. Director Brandy Engle comments:

(Brandy Engel)

The shows will be tonight at 7:00 PM, Saturday Night at 7:00 PM, & Sunday Afternoon at 2:00 PM.

A Sidney 5K Walk or Run will be held this Sunday at 1:30 PM, to raise money for the fight against childhood cancer. Sidney Heath Education Teacher Jonathan Yurka explains:

(Jonathan Yurka 10-20-17)

The event will be held between the Sidney High School & Middle school buildings Sunday afternoon with a variety of food & entertainment also scheduled.

Senator Fred Akshar will be hosting 3 more "Face Time With Fred" town hall meetings on Saturday and Monday. Community members are invited to attend the informal meetings to discuss important state and local issues or to watch a live stream and ask questions through Akshar's Facebook Page. The meeting will be held Saturday from 9:30 to 11:00 AM at Aiello's Restaurant, 2677 Main Street in Whitney Point, from 1:00 to 2:30 PM at the Oxford Fire Department, and on Monday, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at 10898 NY State Route 38 in Newark Valley.

Governor Cuomo announced today that water quality issues extend beyond the Grumman Plume on Long Island. Cuomo announced a State Wide Water Quality Rapid Response team to investigate water issues. Cuomo proposed we increase the Environmental Protection Fund to the highest level in history to $300 Million dollars.

The Tioga County Sheriff’s Office responded to a tractor-trailer rollover accident on Dalton Hill Road in Newark Valley Tuesday afternoon. The accident occurred at about 2:40 PM, The operator of the vehicle has been identified as 60-year-old Richard Henry of Bainbridge. Henry was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Delaware valley Humane Society is looking for donations of a few items, for the dogs & cats waiting to be adopted at the facility. Spokesperson Erin Johnson explains:

(Erin Johnson 2-18-16)

More information about the Delaware Valley Humane Society is available at 563-7780

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School District Board of Education will hold a workshop for Board will hold their next regular meeting today. the meeting will begin at 6:30 in the District Conference Room at the High School in Bainbridge.

State Police arrested 27-year-old Joshua Mizell of Johnson City, for menacing and criminal mischief, after a dispute in the Town of Newark Valley. Mizell allegedly waved a knife around, threatened another person & damaged a tire on a car by stabbing it with this knife. Mizell was arraigned and was remanded to the Tioga County Jail in lieu of $500 cash bail or $1,000 property bond.

Governor Cuomo and area leaders announced a Citizens Preparedness corps-training program in Walton tonight at 6:00 PM. The event will be held at the Walton High School auditorium, for those who pre-registered.

Otsego County held its 18th annual Hazardous Waste Collection Day this past weekend. On Friday morning, a satellite event was held at the Unadilla Town Highway garage, where approximately 90 cars dropped of hazardous material. The main event was held on Saturday at the Meadows Office Complex with approximately 390 cars dropping off hazardous materials from estimated 400 households. A total of about 500 households took advantage of the free program.

President Barack Obama will visit Binghamton University today to talk about affordable higher education for the middle class. Yesterday, the President delivered remarks at the University at Buffalo, and Henninger High School in Syracuse. President Obama also made an unscheduled stop on Thursday in Seneca Falls at the Women's Rights National Historic park. Today, the President will participate in a town hall event at Binghamton University, and will deliver remarks at an event at Lackawanna College in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Several fire departments were called Thursday morning to a house fire at 111 Lewis St. in the town of Maine. When the Maine fire department arrived on scene, heavy smoke and fire was showing from every door and window of the home. No one was home at the time of the fire. Fire departments from Glen Aubrey, Endicott, Newark Valley, Union Center, West Corners and Whitney Point also responded to the scene.

Starting at 5 pm today, New York State DOT will be completely closing the Spring Brook Bridge on State Highway 12 between Brisben and Greene. It is expected to be closed through Wednesday, August 28th. During this time State Highway 12 will be completely shut down to all but local and emergency traffic, up to the bridge project. Travelers should use County Road 32 as an alternate means of travel around this area.

There will be a Civil War reenactment at the former schoolhouse in Sidney Center to benefit Greater Maywood Rural Community Services on Saturday. There will be a battle reenactment at 2pm and camp closing at 4pm, also a dinner at 5:30 and a dance with music performed by The Crooked Stove Pipe Band from 7-10pm Saturday night.