WCDO Radio News

Fire at a storage unit in Norwich this morning, destroyed items that were stored there by the Chenango Toys for Tots program.  About $8,000 worth of toys were destroyed, according to Toys for Tots spokesman Roger Barnhart, who suggested that the best way to help them at this late stage is with monetary donations:

(Roger Barnhart 11-29-13)

Several fire departments responded to the blaze, damage was reported as extensive, but did not affect all 42 units at the site. No injuries among fire fighters have been reported.  The addresses to mail donations again: 107 Crest Drive, Bainbridge 13733 or 1-11 Lee Avenue, Norwich 13815.  Checks and Toy Donations will also be accepted starting Monday between 9:00 AM & 5:00 PM, at WCDO at 75 Main Street in Sidney.

Tomorrow is “Small Business Saturday” across the country, where people are encouraged to do holiday shopping at their locally owned merchants.  Steve Craig of Commerce Chenango explains:

(Steve Craig 11-29-13)

Commerce Chenango will have refreshments for shoppers in downtown Norwich tomorrow, for those who bring a receipt from an area business,  to the New Commerce Chenango location at 15 South Broad Street, between 10:00AM until 2:00PM Saturday.

The 21st annual “Alumni Basketball Night” sponsored by the Sidney Alumni Basketball Association, will be held tonight for 2 games starting at 6:00 PM.  The games will be played at the Sidney Middle School this year, more information is available at 643-2913.

State Police in Norwich report that a body of a deceased male was located submerged in the Unadilla River in the Town of Butternuts, about 2 miles south of South New Berlin. The discovery followed the search by State Police, New Berlin Police, State Forrest Rangers, Chenango County Sheriff’s Deputies and Civilian volunteers, searching for 45 year old Daniel Reimers of New Berlin, who was last seen on November 7th. The investigation is continuing.

State Education Commissioner John King will visit Binghamton Monday to discuss the Common Core with community members.  The forum is scheduled for 6:00 to 8:00 PM at West Middle School. The forum will be hosted by state Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo and moderated by the League of Women Voters, Assemblyman Cliff Crouch will also be serving on the panel.

Anthony Taglianetti was found guilty of 2nd degree Friday in Chautauqua County Court, for the murder of Keith Reed, who was the superintendent of the Clymer Central school District. Reed was gunned down outside his home in Mayfield in September of 2012; he previously served as a principal in the Sherburne Earlville district. Taglianetti faces sentencing on February 2nd.

Chenango county sheriff's deputies arrested 42 year old Rudolph Rodriquez for DWI, Driving with BAC of .08 or higher, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Speeding, Refusal to Submit to a Breath Screening test, and Consumption of an Alcoholic Beverage in a Motor Vehicle, following a traffic stop in the Town of Norwich. Rodriquez was found to be operating the motor vehicle in an intoxicated state, and while having his driving privileges suspended. Rodriquez was taken into custody without incident, processed, and released to a sober third party. Rodriquez is scheduled to appear in the Town of Norwich Court at a later date.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 2 Town of North Norwich residents on charges of Petty Larceny, 6th degree Conspiracy, Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Trespass. Charged were 30-year-old Tamara Shoales and 35-year-old Quinn Brown for allegedly entering private property owned by Chenango County Asphalt in the Town of Norwich on Friday, and stealing scrap metal. The pair was also accompanied by their 3-year-old child. Shoales and Brown were issued appearance tickets and are scheduled to appear in the Town of Norwich Court at a later date.

Now that New York voters have approved legalizing casino gaming, Lt. Governor Robert Duffy predicts specific projects will be selected by the middle of next year. The governor will name a selection committee to screen proposals. Duffy said once that is done soon, he would expect actual projects would be given the green light.

The Norwich School District will conduct an “early dismissal drill” today, consistent with the District’s Emergency and Disaster Management Plan and Regulations of the Commissioner of Education.  High School/Middle School will be dismissed at 1:55 p.m.  Perry Browne will be dismissed at 2:45 p.m.  Stanford Gibson will be dismissed at 3:00 p.m.   Latchkey will not be available today, parents should plan for alternative childcare arrangements this afternoon.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate an armed robbery at the Kwik Fill convenience store on State Route 12 in the Town of Norwich Sunday evening.  The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 6 feet tall, with a medium build. He was wearing a black hoodie, light colored jeans, and dark colored sneakers, he disguised his face with a white bandana or ski mask. Deputies believe the suspect had a vehicle parked in the North Plaza.  The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who was in the area of to call at 334 2000. A picture from the store surveillance camera can be accessed at the Chenango county sheriff’s facebook page.

Students looking to become teachers through State University of New York colleges and universities will face higher admission requirements under a resolution approved by the SUNY Board of Trustees. By the 2015-16 school year, prospective teachers must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and take a high-level exam, such as the GRE, to be accepted into a teaching program at a SUNY graduate school. For undergraduate programs, a student must have graduated within the 30th percentile of their class. The change was a recommendation from the New NY Education Reform Commission, which was created by Governor Cuomo last year to recommend ways to improve the state’s education system.

Delaware County Deputies investigated a car vs. skate boarder accident in the Town of Middletown.  42-year-old Jessica Koester of Middletown was driving on Glen Acres Road when 19-year-old Rolando Martinez of Montauk was traveling in a northerly direction on his skateboard.  Koester swerved in an attempt to avoid hitting Rolando Martinez but was unable to do so as Rolando was in the middle of the road.  Rolando was transported to Albany Medical Center by Life-Net helicopter where he was listed in serious but stable condition.

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.

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.

The Saint Bartholomew Italian Feast Day Celebration Will be held Friday August 23rd through Sunday the 25th Behind Msgr. Festa Parish Center in Norwich. The Celebration Starts Friday at 5:00 PM with a Car Cruise-In. Saturday will feature Free Entertainment with a DJ, plus the Eddie Caputo Run/Walk at 10:30am, followed by Face Painting, The Donna Frech Dancers, & on Sunday at 11:00am, the Free Will Offering Breakfast Brunch Under the Pavilion behind the Parish Center.

President Barack Obama will travel through New York and Pennsylvania today and tomorrow on a two-day bus tour to talk about affordable higher education for the middle class. Today the President will deliver remarks at the University at Buffalo, and Henninger High School in Syracuse. Tomorrow on Friday, 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.

The City of Norwich will be closing Cole Drive today for paving. No traffic will be permitted on Cole Drive for the better part of the day. Also, Starting at 5 pm on Friday, 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.

The Bainbridge-Guilford School Board will hold a special meeting this evening at 6:30pm in the district conference room. They will move into executive session to discuss several personnel items and they may convene in open session to approve the items.

The Oneonta common council will hold their next regular meeting tonight at 7:00 PM.  Prior to tonight’s meeting, the trailblazer award reception will be held at the Oneonta middle school cafeteria, where Charlotte McKane and Sarah Patterson will be honored by the city Commission on Community Relations and Human Rights.  The common council meeting will also be held at the middle School cafeteria.

Hartwick College announced that they will host an Open House program on May 4th geared toward current high school juniors who are interested in becoming part of Hartwick's Class of 2018.  The Open House will be on May 4th, it will provide opportunities to learn more about Hartwick's campus, academic (http://www.hartwick.edu/academics) and extracurricular offerings, to meet with Hartwick staff, tour the campus and learn about the 3 year degree program instituted a couple of years ago.  Those who wish to sign up can do so at hartwick.edu

State police in Norwich arrested 24-year-old Justin McLain of Smithville, for 4th degree Criminal Mischief. The arrest resulted from an investigation into a disturbance on Scribner Lane in Smithville; McLain was issued an Appearance Ticket returnable in the Town of Smithville Court on April 23rd.

Governor Cuomo has called for changing of retirement costs for schools & municipalities in his executive budget proposal, Assemblyman Cliff Crouch comments:

(Cliff Crouch 2-6-13)

Schools districts and municipalities would have to opt into the program to take advantage of the estimated savings; Crouch said that the numbers would be looked at again in 5 years to see if the savings can continue.

The City of Norwich Youth Bureau is selling tickets for a special night of hockey on Friday evening, February 15th.  The Binghamton Senators will play the Syracuse Crunch at the Broome County Veteran’s Arena; Tickets are on sale now at the Youth Bureau office in the Norwich City Hall for $15 each.  A portion of the local ticket sales will help support youth programs in Norwich.

The Sidney school district will be conducting a review and practice of their emergency management plan tomorrow.  The review will include a lockdown & lockout drill, beginning at 8:30 AM in the elementary & middle school and 9:35 in the high school.   Normal schedules will continue following the drills.