WCDO Radio News

State Police released the names of the people involved in a 2-car Head-On crash in the Town of Columbus Saturday. 27 year old Bradley Prosser of Sherburne was the driver of the first vehicle that crossed into the opposing lane and crashed head on into a 2nd vehicle. Prosser was pronounced dead at the scene, he had a .23 BAC according to the autopsy report. Prosser’s passenger, 26 year old Tasha Carney of Edmeston suffered minor injuries from the crash. The driver of the 2nd vehicle was 46 year old Shannon Donnelly-Travis of Schuyler Lake; she was airlifted to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, for a fractured arm and leg.

State Senator Fred Akshar continued the 2nd year of his "Akshar's All-Stars" student recognition program on Tuesday by recognizing students at 4 school districts. At the Harpursville High School, Akshar recognized senior Colin LaDue for his leadership, dedication and many contributions to his school and community. At the Afton High School, Akshar recognized sophomore Logan Ives for her selfless devotion to charity and giving back to others in need. At Bainbridge-Guilford High School, Akshar recognized senior Tannar Cliffe for his kindness and dependability both in and out of school. At DCMO BOCES in Norwich, Akshar recognized senior Destin Foley for his energy and dedication to both his academic studies and to helping others in the classroom.

Firefighters from Sherburne & 2 other local departments responded to a fire at Crandall's Auto on Blanding Road in Sherburne last night at about 8:30 PM. No injuries were reported, the building was completely destroyed; investigators are trying to determine how that fire started.

The Chenango Arts Council's 2019 Grants for Teachers application deadline has been extended until this Friday, December 21st. The Program provides up to $500 to K-12 teachers in Chenango County who find innovative ways to integrate the arts into the regular school curriculum through projects that are not covered by the school budget. Teachers currently employed by a public or private school in Chenango County are eligible to apply; more information is available at chenangoarts.org/grants/grants-for-teachers. Awards will be made in February 2019.

A Free Christmas Dinner will be available in Sidney this year on Christmas Day at the Sidney Fire Station, organizer Gene Schmidt comments:

(Gene Schmidt 12-19-18)

More information about the free Christmas day Dinner is available at 607-610-4030; this year will be the 6th year that Schmidt & his family have offered the free Christmas dinner.

Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul will tour several area business today. Hochul will Tour Amphenol Aerospace in Sidney this morning at 9:15, Corning Incorporated in Oneonta, at 10:30, and then at 1:30 this afternoon she will tour Chobani in New Berlin.

Otsego County Chamber of Commerce will host the state Mandated Anti-Harassment Policies and Sexual Harassment Training today, from 8:30 to 10:00 AM. New York State mandates ALL employers to adopt a sexual harassment prevention policy as well as to train ALL employees on sexual harassment prevention. The Seminar will be held at the Otsego County Chamber/Otsego Now Offices at 189 Main Street on the 5th floor, in Oneonta.

Governor Cuomo announced his agenda for the 1st 100 days of 2019 on Monday. Among the items on his agenda: adopting a Progressive Tax System, Cut Middle Class Taxes, Protecting Affordable Health Care, Gender Equality, Combat Gun Violence, ensure Clean, Safe Drinking Water, Pass the Child Victims Act & Legalize Adult Use of Recreational Marijuana.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 40 year old Brenna Talbot of Walton for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation 3rd degree following a traffic stop on County Highway 21 in the Town of Franklin. Talbot was additionally charged with unlicensed operator, operating without a headlight. She was released on tickets returnable to Franklin Town Court at a later date.

A Chenango County Grand Jury indicted 39 year old Regina Donovan of Norwich for making a terrorist threat. Donovan is accused of making a threat against a Norwich Middle School employee on March 20th in response to the alleged bullying of her daughter at the Middle School.

The Unatego Central School District announced that the will be soliciting proposals for repurposing the former Otego Elementary School. The community-based Repurposing Committee, & the Unatego Board of Education is inviting developers and others who are interested in purchasing the property, a Request for Proposals is available online at unatego.org or at 988-5038. The Property consists of a 47,800 square foot 2-story building and 4.8 acres of land.

Norwich Police arrested 47-year-old Paul Russell of Norwich on charges of Sexual Abuse, Course of Sexual Contact against a Child, Forcible Touching, for allegedly subjecting a child to sexual contact. Russell was arraigned in Norwich City Court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $20,000 cash bail, he is scheduled to reappear in City Court on Tuesday.

UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital will launch a new education series for women; it will begin Monday at the Bohemian Moon at 103 East Main Street in Norwich. The event will begin at 6:00 PM, the presentation and discussion led by Dr. Phyllis Sheriff-White will follow at 7:00 PM.

The City of Oneonta will be performing maintenance on the upper and middle levels of the parking garage on Monday beginning at 4:00 a.m. The upper level entrance and exit will be open for the duration. All vehicles must be removed from the mid-level no later than 7:00 PM this Sunday. The upper and lower levels of the garage will remain open, and all other municipal parking lots, at Dietz Street, Wall Street & the Westcott Lot will remain open. More information is available at 431-1365.

Graduates of SUNY Oneonta will walk the stage in 3 ceremonies on Saturday: the School of Social Science at 9:00 AM, the School of Arts and Humanities and School of Natural and Mathematical Sciences at 1 PM and the School of Education and Human Ecology and School of Economics and Business at 4:00 PM. Receptions will be held after each on the academic quad.

The Tri Town Theater will be performing "4 Weddings & An Elvis" for 3 performances at the Sidney High School this weekend. Steve Quimby is a veteran actor who performed early in his career with the Late Jack Deuel in the Tri Town Theater, he told WCDO News that he was honored to be asked to direct this play, & he is dedicating his efforts in Jack's memory:

(Steve Quimby 5-11-18)

Performances will be tonight & Saturday Night at 7:30 PM, and a Sunday Matinee at 2:00 PM, Tickets are available at the door.

DCMO BOCES is hosting an educational forum on Thursday at the Sidney Central School District Auditorium, featuring educational consultant Mark Perna. BOCES Superintendent Perry Dewey told WCDO news about this important forum:

(Perry Dewey 4-10-18)

Dewey said that people can register for this event at DCMOBOCES.com; more information is available at 335-1200

Governor Cuomo announced the nation's largest state investment in computer science, as the new state Budget includes a $6 million annual investment in professional development for teachers, paired with the creation of new academic standards for computer science. The program is designed to ensure that every elementary, middle, and high school across the state provides computer science education by 2025.

A New York State Budget Presentation will be presented Today at 12:00 Noon, at The Northeast Classic Car Museum, in Norwich. State Commissioner RoAnn Destito of the State Office of General Services will make the presentation.

The Otsego County Planning Department & New York Department of State are hosting a land use training work at the Milford Central School Auditorium, today from 5:00 to 8:15PM. 2 sessions will be offered covering planning, zoning, and General Municipal Law. The sessions offered in this workshop can qualify to meet the state requirement for members of planning boards and zoning boards of appeals. To register, call the Planning Department at 547-4225 or otsegocountyworkshop.eventbrite.com.

Norwich City Police arrested Regina Donovan on charges of Making a Terroristic Threat against a staff member at the Norwich School District Middle School. Donovan was arraigned & was released on her own recognizance, an order of protection was put in place for the staff member & grand jury action is anticipated in April.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested Morgan Cleveland of Norwich for 1 count of Criminal Contempt, after Cleveland allegedly violated an order of protection that was issued in February by the Town of Norwich Court. Cleveland was arraigned in the Town of Guilford Court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on bail; he will appear in the Town of Norwich Court at a later date.

State Police arrested John Griffioen for Reckless Endangerment & Disorderly Conduct, after troopers discovered that Griffioen deliberately caused a traffic hazard by parking his vehicle in the middle of West Hill Road in the town of Worcester, which almost caused a school bus with 31 passengers to collide with his vehicle. He is accused of approaching the bus and shouting at the bus driver. Griffioen was released on appearance tickets and is due in the town of Worcester Court on March 20th.

Afton Sertoma Club will hold their 15th annual “Goofy Golf” fundraiser tomorrow from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Afton Central School. Prizes will be awarded & money raised will support Afton Sertoma programs.

Chenango County Sheriff’s department arrested 19 year old Johnathon Gemberling of Norwich on a warrant for failure to comply with his conditions following a conviction of Criminal possession of a controlled substance. Gemberling was apprehended following a foot pursuit and was taken into custody; deputies discovered Suboxone and methamphetamine in Gemberling’s possession. Gemberling was charged with 2 counts of Criminal Possession of a controlled substance, resisting arrest and on 2 active warrants, he was remanded to the Chenango County Jail & will appear in Chenango County Court and Town of Norwich court at a later date.