WCDO Radio News

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 9-5-25

Delaware County District Attorney Shawn Smith announced an 8 count indictment has been filed against 54 year old Joseph Bellows of Downsville, from the crash that occurred in Hancock on July 17th, that resulted in the death by electrocution of East Branch Assistant Fire Chief Jason McGlone. Bellows was charged with Speeding, Driving While Intoxicated, Using a Cell Phone while Driving, Criminal Mischief, Vehicular Manslaughter and 2nd degree Manslaughter. DA Smith said that the most serious charge of 2nd degree Manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of 5 to 15 years in jail if Bellows is convicted.

The next Comedy Night will be held Saturday night at the Community Cultural Center in Sidney, with a special guest in the Gallery before the show, according to spokesperson Tracy Marcellus explains:

(Tracy Marcellus 9-5-25)

There will also be Comedians from North Country Stand Up Comedy Saturday Night, according to spokesperson Amy Williams:

(Amy Williams 9-5-25)

Doors open at 7:00 PM, tickets are available at the door or at mikaelgregg.com.

A.M. NEWS Friday 9-5-25

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 42 year old Christopher Romain of Edmeston and 41 year old Kristin Natterer of Edmeston, following an Animal Cruelty investigation. Romain was charged with 1 count of Torturing/Injuring/Failure to Provide Sustenance to Animals, while Natterer faces 11 counts. The Investigation revealed that the pair were housing numerous emaciated dogs at the residence The dogs were seized and the defendants were taken in to custody, were processed and issued Appearance Tickets returnable to the Town of Edmeston Court at a later date. All of the animals were turned over to the Susquehanna SPCA where they are currently receiving medical attention.

Sidney Federal Credit Union broke ground on its first Syracuse-area branch at 8062 Brewerton Road in Cicero, SFCU Spokesman Andrew Smith explains:

(Andrew Smith 7-20-23)

Principle Design Engineering based in Norwich are the architects of the build, Construction will begin as soon as permits are approved by the town of Cicero and plans are to complete the project by late 2023 or early 2024. Membership currently stands more than 67,000 strong and assets total more than $865 million.

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 7-20-23

Fire fighters from Sidney, Unadilla, Bainbridge, Masonville & Trout Creek, responded to the report of a Tractor Trailer fire at about 4:30 this morning on I-88 in Sidney. I-88 Eastbound was closed down for firefighting & clean up, The driver was not injured, the tractor was carrying a load of wood pellets, no injuries among fire fighters were reported.

State Department of Transportation is advising motorists that traffic along a portion of State Route 80, approximately four miles north of the Village of Cooperstown will be reduced to one lane with alternating traffic controlled by temporary signals until further notice. The road sustained heavy damage from last weekend's storms. Crews hope to have the situation repaired before this weekend's influx of travelers to Cooperstown for the Hall of Fame Induction weekend.

Sidney Federal Credit Union announced that they have exceeded $800 Million in assets and stands more than 65,000 members strong. SFCU recently expanded its field of membership to Hamilton, Essex, Cortland and Onondaga counties. It currently operates 10 branch locations across parts of 14 counties in upstate New York. More information is available at sfcuonline.org.

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 12-21-22

The Otsego County Department of Health announced that there has been 435 positive flu cases since October, last year there were 242 total cases. This season's flu is causing illness in children, with 19.1% of reported cases in 0-5 year olds, 24.8% in 6-10 year olds, 19.1% in 11-18 year olds, 19.1% in 19-50 year olds and 13.8% in 51 and older. Officials urge county residents to get vaccinated, more information is available at 607-547-4230.

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced more than $102 million awarded to 64 projects through the Restore New York Communities Initiative. The Southern Tier was awarded more than $15.7 Million in support of 8 projects, including in the Village of Endicott with $6 Million for the IBM North Street Demolition Project: almost $3 Million Dollars for the City of Binghamton for the development of vacant site into a multi-story building with 102 rental units & $1.8 million dollars for the Town of Roxbury for the Inn at Kirkside, to re-purpose the historic site into a hotel/restaurant with an integrated educational program.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli released his annual report regarding municipalities in fiscal stress. DiNapoli said that the city of Poughkeepsie was the only one with Significant Fiscal Stress, North Tonawanda was in Moderate Fiscal Stress, 5 were listed as susceptible to fiscal stress, none of the area towns, villages or counties made the list this year.

Catholic Charities of Sidney and other local organizations will hold another Community Partnership Mass Food Distribution this Friday morning at the Sidney Fire Station on River Street. Catholic Charities spokesperson Penny McKnight told WCDO News that they need volunteers to assist on that day:

(Penny McKnight 9-27-22)

McKnight reminds those wishing to attend to not arrive before 11:00 AM, and to stay in their vehicles in order to have an efficient distribution.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 9-27-22

The National Weather Service investigators revealed that a tornado moved through the Walton area on Sunday September 25th. The tornado moved through between 6:38 and 6:41 pm. Tornado damage was located along Walton Mountain Road where trees fell in a convergent pattern, damage was also reported on Route 10 to an auto repair shop and the west branch of the Delaware River along South River Road. The Weather Service measured the tornado’s winds at EF0 to EF1.

Firefighters from Norwich, North Norwich, Plymouth & Sherburne responded to a structure fire at 145 Morgan Acres north of the City of Norwich Monday morning. Norwich Fire Chief Jan Papelino told WCDO News that a neighbor removed a dog, firefighters kept the fire from spreading further into the structure, which sustained sufficient damage, the investigation is continuing.

The Sidney Memorial Public Library announced that they will be permanently closing the Sidney Center Branch Library shortly, Sidney Library Director Beth Paine explains:

(Beth Paine 7-11-22)

The final date for the Sidney Center Library will be August 31st, materials will be moved to the Masonville branch.

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.

Delaware County Sheriff Deputies’ responded to a physical domestic dispute on Dry Brook Rd in the Town of Tompkins in August, upon completion of the investigation 65 year old Gerald Brundege of Tompkins was arrested for Harassment, 53 year old Mary Brundege of North Branch, NY was arrested for Harassment, she was released on a Criminal Summons. 64 year old Erpherd Brundege was arrested on an Arrest Warrant issued by the Town of Tompkins Court for Harassment, Reckless Endangerment & Assault; he was arraigned in the Village of Walton Court and released on his own recognizances. All parties are to appear in the Town of Tompkins Court at a later date to answer the said charges.

Delaware County Sheriff Deputies arrested 36-year-old Harold Wilson of North Branch for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a motor vehicle. Wilson was observed traveling on State Highway 206 in the Town of Colchester at a high rate of speed where he was stopped, Deputies determined that Wilson was driving with 13 active suspensions, he was arraigned in the Town of Colchester Court, he was remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $750 cash bail or $2,500 secured bond.

Maiorano & Associates held a grand opening & Ribbon Cutting at the new location at 7 Main Street in Sidney Friday. CEO Serafino Maiorano commented about moving a branch of his financial services business to Sidney:

(Serafino Maiorano 1-30-17)

Maiorano & associates also has an office in Brooklyn, their local office number if 604-4351, their website is at Maiorano and associates.com.

The Harm Reduction Work Group is coordinating today's Medication Take Back Event. Residents are asked to remove outdated or unused prescription medications from their homes for safe disposal. Today's event will be held from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon at the North Norwich Town Hall located on County Road 23. The program is in collaboration with The Chenango County Sheriff's Office and The Norwich City Police Department.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 22-year-old Michael Beckwith of New Berlin for 2nd degree Harassment & Resisting Arrest. Beckwith is accused of making several threats towards arresting Deputies & for resisting arrest. Beckwith was arraigned in the Town of North Norwich Court and was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $500 cash bail. Beckwith is to reappear in court at a later date to answer to his charges.

Commerce Chenango will hold a “Meet the Candidates” session on October 27th, As part of the SFCU Business After Hours event. The session will be held at the SFCU Norwich branch, at County Road 32 & State Highway 23, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, among those confirmed to attend are State Senate candidates Fred Akshar & Barbara Fiala, along with several local Norwich and Chenango County candidates.

Tioga Downs in Nichols received the news from the State Gaming Facility Location Board, to go ahead with plans to expend for a full-scale casino, The board denied their bid last year, and gave the Southern Tier Casino license to the Lago resort about 85 miles north of the region. Groundbreaking on the expanded casino facilities is expected to be announced shortly.

The State DEC today urged outdoor adventurers to suspend exploration of caves and mine sites that serve as homes for bat hibernations. Human disturbances are harmful to the state’s bat population since the arrival of the disease known as white-nose syndrome, which has killed more than 90% of hibernating bats in New York. Officials warned that if you encounter hibernating bats while underground, leave the area as quickly and quietly as possible. 2 species of bats are currently protected under federal and state endangered species law, including the northern long-eared bat, which was prevalent in New York, but the current population for this formerly common bat is approximately 1% of its previous size.

Commerce Chenango will hold a “Meet the Candidates” session on October 27th. As part of the SFCU Business After Hours event. The session will be held at the SFCU Norwich branch, at County Road 32 & State Highway 23, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, among those confirmed to attend are State Senate candidates Fred Akshar & Barbara Fiala, among several local Norwich and Chenango County candidates. RSVP are requested by October 23rd at 334-1402 or johara@chenangony.org

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 36-year-old Steven Keller of North Branch for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the Town of Hamden. Keeler is accused of driving with a suspended license due, with an insurance lapse & also operating a vehicle with a loud exhaust. Keller was arraigned and was remanded to the Delaware County Jail in lieu of $500 bail.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division arrested 44-year-old Shannon Hunter of Oxford and 45 year old William Miller of Gilbertsville. Deputies stopped a vehicle just off of State Hwy 12 in the Town of North Norwich, Shannon Hunter was found to be in possession of heroin and drug paraphernalia, the driver, William Miller was found to be in possession of Hydrocodone pills and drug paraphernalia. Hunter was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell, Miller was charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance, both were arraigned in the Town of North Norwich Court and remanded to the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office on $5,000 cash bail.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies are investigating a late August hit and run accident that has resulted in the closure of the Corbett Bridge spanning the East Branch of the Delaware River in the Town of Colchester. A DOT supervisor discovered recent structural damage to the bridge located at the intersection of Corbett Road and New York State Route 30, a Subsequent inspection by engineers determined that the structural integrity of the bridge was compromised as a result of the accident and the bridge was immediately closed to all traffic. Officials anticipate the bridge will remain closed for an extended period of time for appropriate repairs, they believe the structure was struck by a large vehicle, anyone with information should contact Deputy Christopher Erwin at 287-4756.

Fire investigators have determined that it was a lightning strike that hit the Sidney Federal Credit Union Main branch in Sidney. Vice President of Marketing Keith May told WCDO News that he came to work there at about 6:00 This morning, & the Sidney Fire Department was summoned about an hour later:

(Keith May 7-20-15)

May said that the Sidney branch had only minimal damage, teh clean up is underway & the State of the art insulation in the new building smoldered for several hours since the lightning strike at about 10:00 Sunday night, traditional insulation would have likely burst into flames quicker.

A State Department of Corrections employee has been charged with 2nd degree attempted murder in Norwich. Norwich Police arrested 33-year-old Wayne Spratley Sunday morning, following a call about a person displaying a weapon in the area of a North Broad Street business. A Norwich Police Officer responded and heard gunshots near Lackawanna Avenue, where the officer found the victim who appeared to be shot in the stomach, the victim was taken to University Hospital in Syracuse & was listed in critical condition. Spratley was arraigned in Chenango County Court and was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $50,000 bail, additional charges against Spratley are pending & the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Norwich Police at 334-1212, or the Norwich Police Department’s TIPS Line at336-8477, or at npdtips.com.

The Chenango County Health Department will hold another free rabies clinic today. The clinic will be held at the Greene fire station at 8 North Canal Street from 5:00 to 6:00 PM.

"Fireworks Over The Fairgrounds" will be held on July 4th at the Chenango county fairgrounds in Norwich, Terry Potter of Millennia Entertainment comments:

(TERRY POTTER 6-18-15)

Tickets are available at Hummel's in Norwich, Video Entertainment Plus in Sidney, The Artist’s Palette in Norwich & the New Berlin branch of NBT Bank, or at brownpapertickets.com.

AM NEWS 7-9-13

Gov. Andrew Cuomo will consider calling the state Legislature back to Albany if the federal government does not quickly dispatch relief funds to the severely flooded parts of upstate. Persistent rain in recent weeks caused rivers and streams throughout the state to overflow, flooding counties throughout the Albany area, central New York, the Southern Tier and the North Country. During a briefing on the damage in Herkimer County on Sunday, Cuomo said he would push for President Obama to declare the flooded sites “disaster areas,” which would allow for the distribution of emergency federal funds. If the federal government does not respond, he will convene a special session.

New York Senator Charles Schumer announced Monday that New York State will be a participant in the USDA Greek Yogurt Pilot Program. The USDA released a solicitation to purchase Greek yogurt for delivery to participating schools in the upcoming School Year. Schools in New York, Tennessee, Idaho, and Arizona will be participating in the program. Bids are due on July 22 and the FSA expects to evaluate the bids and make awards by the end of July.

State Senator Jim Seward Announced a 250 Thousand dollar state grant for medical equipment and to help complete renovations at A.O. Fox Hospital in Oneonta. The grant will assist in the purchase of wall mounted computers and scanners to be used in single occupance patient rooms.

The Village of Bainbridge Planning Board will hold a special meeting Wednesday night to consider a site plan review for 2-4 Whitney Way in Bainbridge, the location where a fire recently destroyed the Upturn Industries building. The Meeting will be held at 7pm inside the Bainbridge Village Clerk's Office. The meeting is open to the public.

The New York State Department of Transportation will hold a public information meeting to discuss the replacement of the State Route 30 and 206 bridge over the East Branch Delaware River in the town of Colchester. The meeting will take place at the Downsville Fire Station this Wednesday at 7pm. The DOT said the bridge was constructed in 1953 and is nearing the end of it's service life.

The Binghamton Zoo will have an ice cream safari this Saturday July 13th. Five station will be positioned around the zoo with 5 different ice cream flavors. All of the zoo's animals will be on display including animal spotlights. For more information, go to Ross Park Zoo dot com.

The next Free Rabies Vaccination Clinic for dogs, cats, and ferrets in Delaware County, will be held today at the Deposit Town Clerk building at 3 Elm Street. The clinic will run from 6:00PM-8:00PM, more information is available at 832-5200 or at delawarecountypublichealth.com

On Friday evening, July 19th at 9:00 pm The Shire Pub in Delhi will be hosting a fundraiser for Habitat of Delaware County. Members of Habitat for Humanity of Delaware County are planning for a building project in the Delhi area. Additional information regarding Habitat for Humanity of Delaware County is available by accessing delawarecountyhabitat.org or at 746-9987.