WCDO Radio News

About 350 NYSEG Customers lost power this afternoon, following windy conditions, freezing rain & sleet. Power is expected to be restored in the affected areas in Chenango, Otsego & Broome counties this afternoon.

NYSEG Crews responded to power outages around Chenango County this morning, with over 4700 customers without power, the majority of those were in the City & Town of Norwich, and the issue was attributed to a substation, the Norwich City School District was closed today.

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies announced that individual game tickets for the 2024 campaign will go on sale today, at 9:00 AM. Tickets for all 69 Rumble Ponies Home Games will be on sale online at www.bingrp.com, at 607-722-3866, and in-person at the Mirabito Stadium Administrative Offices.

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 5-28-21

Officials announced the new name of the former NYSEG Stadium on Henry Street in Binghamton to Mirabito Stadium today. Mirabito Energy Products President Joe Mirabito told WCDO News he was approached by Binghamton Binghamton Rumble Ponies owner John Hughes about the Stadium sponsorship earlier this year & they could not pass the opportunity up:

(Joe Mirabito 5-28-21)

Binghamton Rumble Ponies Managing Director J.B. Bayne commented about today's announcement:

(JB Bayne 5-28-21)

Bayne said that NYSEG will continue to support Binghamton Rumble Ponies Baseball in a variety of ways behind the scenes, but from now on, the home of the Binghamton Rumble Ponies will be called "Mirabito Stadium."

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies Home Opener will be tonight at NYSEG Stadium against the Altoona Curve at 6:35 PM, Spokesman Jacob Wilkins said Players on this squad, could become household names in the Major leagues:

(Jacob Wilkins 5-11-21)

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies are teaming up with the Broome County Health Department and City of Binghamton to provide Covid-19 Vaccinations for fans Today through Sunday; Fans that get vaccinated at the Stadium will receive a complimentary ticket to a future Rumble Ponies home game of their choosing.

Broome County executive Jason Garnar announced today that free rapid Covid-19 testing will be offered before the first 6 Binghamton Rumble Ponies home games at NYSEG Stadium, then on May 19th, the guidance changes:

(Jason Garnar 5-7-21)

The first home game is Tuesday, tickets are available at BINGRP.com.

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 5-5-21

Governor Cuomo announced today the loosening of restrictions regarding the New York Mets & New York Yankees In their stadiums starting May 19th, where people vaccinated against COVID can sit in adjacent seats at a game, and those who are not will have to maintain social distancing in the ball parks.  Also, Broadway Theater will re-open in September and will be allowed 100% capacity when they re-open, as the COVID positivity rates & Hospitalizations go down.

(Cuomo 5-5-21)

WCDO Reached out to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies to see if the new guidelines will also apply to NYSEG Stadium, they had not yet been notified if the Major League Ballpark Guidelines will be allowed in the Minor League Ballparks.

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies regular Baseball season gets underway Today on the road against Akron, their home opener at NYSEG Stadium on May 11th against the Altoona Curve, Play by Play announcer Jacob Wilkins told WCDO News that the players are ready to compete again after the pandemic stopped Minor League Baseball & Binghamton fans are happy to have the team back in action in 2021:

(Jacob Wilkins 5-4-21)

Wilkins said that Tickets for the Home Opener on May 11th are available at BINGRP.com.

A.M. NEWS Tuesday 5-4-21

UHS Chenango Memorial’s new virtual Lunchtime Learning series will begin today through ZOOM. 5 specialists from the UHS Rheumatology practice will present on a topic, The 45 minute program through Zoom, will start at 12:15 p.m. Those interested in attending can register by calling 337-4183 or emailing melissa.stagnaro@nyuhs.org.

Norwich City officials announced that State Highway 12 between Oxford and Norwich is closed due to a NYSEG Natural Gas Leak and power line across the roadway. Officials ask motorists to use County Road 32 as an alternate, as Route 12 is expected to be closed for most of the day.

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies regular season gets underway Tomorrow on the road against Akron, their home opener at NYSEG Stadium on May 11th against the Altoona Curve.  Tickets for the Home Opener are available at BINGRP.com.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 5-3-21

The statewide COVID-19 positivity rate dropped to 1.49% Saturday, dropping below 1.5% for the 1st time since October 28 of last year.  The state tested 191,257, with Total Positive of 2,849, Patient Hospitalization dropped to 2,535, the number in an ICU bed dropped to 637, the number of ventilators dropped to 406 there were 33 COVID related deaths Saturday.

Binghamton Rumble Ponies & the New York Mets announced the 2021 coaching staff today.  The manager will be Lorenzo Bundy, who was scheduled to take the reins in 2020, but due to the cancellation of the season, never got the opportunity.  Bundy will be joined by pitching coach, Jonathan Hurst, trainer Kiyoshi Tada, Hitting Coach Bruce Fields and Performance Coach Dylan Cintula.  The Rumble Ponies season starts May 8th,   the home opener at NYSEG Stadium will be on May 11th.

Major League Baseball officially released 2021 schedules for Minor League teams. The Binghamton Rumble Ponies will compete in a 120-game season, which will begin on May 4th, and end on September 19th. All home stands will be six games long, The Rumble Ponies first home stand will begin on May 11th at NYSEG Stadium. The Rumble Ponies will compete in the new Double A Northeast league, against many teams that previously played in the Eastern League.

A.M. NEWS Thursday 2-18-21

Governor Cuomo announced that the COVID-19 7-Day positivity rate has declined for the 40th straight day, to 3.66%. On Tuesday there were 6,574 Patient Hospitalizations, 1,273 Patients in the ICU; 854 on ventilators, & 109 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State. 169,963 were tested Tuesday, there are 12 New UK Strain Cases In New York State

Due to the rising cases of COVID-19 in Broome County the Binghamton Rumble Ponies have decided to postpone "A Night at Rumble Town," originally scheduled for July 31st.  Fans who had already purchased tickets will be receiving an email in the coming days with information on refunds for the event.  As soon as it is safe to host fans at NYSEG Stadium, the Binghamton Rumble Ponies will post information on BINGRP.com along with their Facebook and Twitter pages.

57 year old Robert Bresee of Norwich has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for transporting and possessing child pornography, according to federal prosecutors & the FBI.  Bresee was previously convicted in Chenango County Court of 1st degree Rape, and was sentenced to 15 years’ in prison; he admitted that while on post-release supervision he uploaded child pornography.  Bresee was additional sentenced to another 15-year term of supervised release, & he is designated as a Level 3 Sexually Violent Offender, will be required to continue to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies will host their Bing Bang Boom Fireworks Show tonight at 7:30 p.m. at NYSEG Stadium.  Gates open at 6:00 p.m. with the movie at 7:30 p.m.  Due to COVID-19 restrictions, NYSEG Stadium will be operating at a limited seating capacity; Tickets are on sale at bingrp.com.

Major League Baseball has informed Minor League Baseball that it will not be providing its affiliated Minor League teams with players for the 2020 season, there will not be a Minor League Baseball season in 2020.  The Binghamton Rumble Ponies are currently exploring plans to host other events at NYSEG Stadium this summer, all fans holding tickets for the 2020 Season may call The NYSEG Stadium Box Office to receive a refund Monday through Friday, between the hours of 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies will hold their annual tradition of fireworks at NYSEG Stadium on July 3rd, with July 4th as a rain date.  Gates will open at 6:00 PM and guests will be treated to a free movie at 7:30 PM with fireworks following immediately after. Gates to NYSEG Stadium will open at 6:00 PM, Fans will be allowed to bring in blankets, pillows for comfort, & they will also be allowed to bring in outside food and beverage.   social distancing will be observed, spectators will also be required to wear a face mask, Tickets will be available online at bingrp.com or at 607-722-3866.

The 2020 Eastern League All-Star Game that was scheduled to take place at NYSEG Stadium on July 15th has been cancelled; the Home Run Derby scheduled for July 14th has also been cancelled.  Minor League Baseball officials canceled the game due to the delay of the 2020 Regular Season as an effect of the Coronavirus.  Tickets for the Eastern League All-Star Game and/or Home Run Derby may be exchanged for 2 Regular Season games of equal or lesser value.  Fans wishing to receive a refund may reach out to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies Front Office when the stadium re-opens.

An American Red Cross Blood Drive is scheduled for Sidney Saturday from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Sidney Elks Lodge, at 104 River Street, Sidney.  Blood supplies are critically low & all blood types are needed, appointments are requested at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-red cross.

Binghamton Rumble Ponies owner John Hughes today held a
press conference regarding the potential for Major League Baseball of shutting
down about 1/4 of the minor league teams in the country, including the Rumble
Ponies.  Hughes said that NYSEG Stadium
is greatly improved & fully compliant with existing standards:

(John Hughes 11-19-19)

Hughes said that another factor
in closing down teams is the proximity of the team to the Major League Franchise;
obviously Binghamton is within 200 miles of Citi Field in Queens.  So far no decisions have been made, no
meetings have been held regarding this proposal & the 2020 season will be
played as scheduled.

State Police arrested 2 Pennsylvania residents following a
drug bust in Chenango County that seized thousands of dollars’ worth of
drugs.  28 year old Jordan Melendez and
24 year old Kimberly Rivas were arrested Thursday following the execution of
search warrants at multiple locations in Chenango County.  Police seized 1.5 pounds of Crystal Meth,
pure Fentanyl, 20 pounds of marihuana, 4 handguns, 16 illegally possessed long
guns Scales, Packaging materials & $3,350.00 in cash. Melendez & Rivas
were charged with Criminal possession of a controlled substance & were
arraigned in the Town of Norwich Court and remanded to Chenango County Jail
with no bail. The case remains under investigation, additional charges are
possible.

Major
League Baseball is reportedly ready to propose a plan to eliminate about 1/4 of
the 160 plus Minor league teams, especially short league Single A teams,
according to the Daily News, the Short season Brooklyn Cyclones would be placed
in the Double A Eastern League, thereby eliminating the Binghamton Rumble
Ponies.  Binghamton owner John Hughes
plans to have representation at an upcoming meeting on the subject, showing
that NYSEG Stadium & the team’s location are worthy reasons to keep the team
in Binghamton.

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies Home Opener will be tonight at
NYSEG Stadium, Team Spokesman Eddie Saunders comments:

(Eddie Saunders 4-11-19)

Tickets for tonight's game are available at the NYSEG
Stadium Box Office or online at BINGRP.COM.

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies
Season gets underway today on the road in new Hampshire, their Home Opener will
be Thursday April 11th @ NYSEG Stadium, tickets or more information is available
at bingrp.com.

State Police arrested 35 year old Benjamin Snell of Edmeston
for 2 counts each of Criminal Contempt & Endangering the Welfare of a Child
and 1 count of Unlawful Imprisonment.
Troopers responded to a domestic dispute in the town of Norwich where a
victim reported that Snell got into an argument with the victim in the town of
Edmeston & while inside a vehicle, he committed several traffic offenses
and would not let the victim out of the vehicle, with 2 children in the
vehicle.  Troopers also learned that
there is an Order of Protection for Snell to stay away from the victim; he was
arraigned in the town of Norwich Court where he was remanded to Chenango County
Jail on $2,000 cash bail or $5,000 property bond.

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies season gets underway in New
Hampshire next week on April 4th, and the home opener at NYSEG Stadium Will be
on April 11th, team spokesman Eddie Saunders comments:

(Eddie Saunders 3-27-19)

Saunders said that they believe
it will be advantageous for the interest & attendance for the Big League
Team in New York & for the Binghamton team, to now have their Triple A
Affiliate in Syracuse.

State Police arrested 2 people for Grand Larceny, following
an investigation at Wahl to Wahl Auto in Middlefield, where the business was
missing several catalytic converters.
Employee Shawn Campbell allegedly stole several catalytic converters
over several months, and he is accused of selling them with Jesse
Stefanelli.  Campbell & Stefanelli
were processed and released on an appearance tickets to the town of Middlefield
Court on April 1st.

The Eastern League of Professional Baseball has announced
the league will be changing their playoff format from a full season format to a
split season format. Under the new format the first place team from each
division during both the first and second halves of the season will qualify for
the postseason. This change will go into effect immediately, starting with the
2019 season.  The Rumble Ponies kick off
the 2019 campaign on the road April 4 against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.
Home Opener is scheduled for a 6:35 PM first pitch on Thursday, April 11 at NYSEG
Stadium.

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies announced that individual
tickets for home games at NYSEG stadium are now available.  Tickets can be purchased at BingRP.com, home
games start on April 11th.

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies and United Way of Broome County
are holding a "Soup"er Bowl Can Drive. Fans are encouraged to donate
non-perishable canned goods including soups from January 25th – January 31st at
The Armory Team Store at NYSEG Stadium, which will be donated to the Southern
Tier AIDS Program.  The Armory Team store
will be open Monday through Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM during the duration of the
promotion.

Firefighters from a dozen area companies responded to a blaze on Porter Hollow Road in Port Crane at about 8:00 PM Sunday. Firefighters were on the scene for about 4 ½ hours, No injuries were reported , and the unidentified family of 4 were left homeless.

Sheriff Cutting reports on December 6th, 2018 the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested an inmate for assaulting a Corrections Officer. Members of the Detectives Division arrested Michael J. Perry, age 42 who was incarcerated on a separate charge. It is alleged that Perry assaulted a Corrections Officer in an attempt to get to another inmate within the facility. Perry was processed for Assault in the Second Degree and arraigned in the Town of Norwich Court. He was remanded back to the Chenango County Correctional Facility.

Firefighters from Franklin, Oneonta, West Oneonta, Otego, Sidney, SIdney Center, Treadwell & Wells Bridge responded early this morning to a fire at 161 HODGE ROAD in the town of Franklin. The fire was called in at about 12:10 AM; The home was destroyed in the blaze, the cause of the fire is under investigation.

SFCU announced that James Reynolds will replace Jim Doig as the President & CEO of SFCU shortly, both talked to WCDO News about the change in leadership:

(Reynolds/ Doig 12-10-18)

Doig announced his retirement recently after serving for 22 years as the President & CEO of SFCU.

Lee Smith and Harold Baines have been elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame by the Today’s Game Era Committee, it was announced today on MLB Network. The Today’s Game Era Committee considered a ballot of six former players, 3 former managers and 1 former executive whose contributions to the game were most significant from 1988 through the present. The Today’s Game Era Committee held meetings today in Las Vegas, site of Baseball’s Winter Meetings. Smith and Baines will be joined in the Hall of Fame Class of 2019 by any electees who emerge from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America voting, which will be announced on Tuesday, January 22nd.

Retiring State Senator John Bonacic announced that he will be closing his Delhi Office on Friday December 21st. anyone needing to contact Senator Bonacic can call the Middletown Office at 845-344-3311 until the end of the year. Bonacic decided to retire this year after serving for decades in both the State Assembly & State Senate.

State Police arrested 30 year old Dustin Freeman of Morris after he allegedly threatened a victim with a knife and sexually assaulted the victim in the New Berlin area. Freeman was charged with 1st degree Rape, Criminal Sexual Act and Unlawful Imprisonment, after Troopers located Freeman in the city of Rome, where he fled on foot. He was taken into custody & was transported to Norwich where he was processed and later arraigned in the town of Norwich Court where he was remanded to the Chenango County Jail without bail. An order of protection was also issued by the judge to the victim. The investigation is still on-going.

A Town of Norwich resident was arrested by the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office for Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Harassment. Deputies arrested 61 year old Larry Conant after an incident that occurred on a Norwich Central School bus in the town of Guilford. Conant, was a school bus aid, he allegedly used unnecessary force on a 7 year old child. Conant was released on an appearance ticket for a later date.

A Town of Norwich resident was arrested by the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office for Criminal Contempt. Deputies arrested 20 year old Jeremy Thomas After responding to a complaint at a business in the Town of Norwich it was found that Thomas violated an order of protection. Thomas was processed and released on an appearance ticket. Thomas is to appear in the Town of Norwich Court at a later date.

The American Red Cross is hosting a Blood Drive in Sidney today from 2:30 p.m. - 6:30 pm, at the A.O. Fox Tri-Town Campus. Blood donors of all blood types, especially type O, and platelet donors are urged to make an appointment to donate at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS

Luis Rojas will join the New York Mets Major League coaching staff for the 2019 season, filling the new position of Quality Control Coach. Rojas served as the Binghamton Rumble Ponies manager for two seasons, The Mets have yet to name a replacement for Rojas in Binghamton. The Rumble Ponies will start their 2019 home schedule at NYSEG Stadium on April 11, 2019 against the Erie Sea Wolves.

Over 800 Otsego County residents were without power earlier this morning. About 550 were without power around Cooperstown and the rest were in the Unadilla area. NYSEG reported that all power was restored by the late morning.

State & Local leaders & Binghamton Rumble Ponies President John Hughes announced today a $5.1 million dollar upgrade to NYSEG Stadium. The upgrades include new seats, a series of structural upgrades to the stadium infrastructure, new sod & drainage system for the ball field & 2 new video boards, in left & right field, a sound new system & upgrades to the clubhouse & dugouts and new netting to protect fans in the stands.

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies announced that they had their best season attendance at NYSEG stadium in 25 years, for the just concluded 2018 season. Binghamton welcomed an average of 3,553 fans per opening, they had 3 games ranked in their all-time top 20 best attended, including a franchise-record 7,488 at their game against the Trenton Thunder on July 20. 220,279 fans streamed through the NYSEG Stadium turnstiles through 62 home games. Binghamton opens the 2019 season on Thursday, April 4 in New Hampshire, more information is available at BINGRP.com.

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies are expecting big crowds and an enthusiastic welcome to former Football Player turned Baseball Outfielder Tim Tebow, when the team starts their season tomorrow Night at NYSEG Stadium, Spokesman Eddy Saunders comments:

(Eddie Saunders 4-4-18)

Saunders said that some tickets are still available for the season opener at the NYSEG Stadium box office or online at BINGRP.com.

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies invite fans to their annual Meet the Rumble Ponies Dinner on Tonight at the Holiday Inn in Downtown Binghamton. Tickets are on sale, at the Box Office at NYSEG Stadium. Rumble Ponies players will arrive at 5:30 PM for the “Meet the Rumble Ponies” autograph reception. Dinner will be served at 7:00 PM followed by an interview with returning Rumble Ponies manager Luis Rojas and introductions of the new coaching staff and players. The Rumble Ponies kick off the 2018 season at home on Thursday against the Portland Sea Dogs at 6:35 PM.

The New York Mets & The Binghamton Rumble Ponies made it official today, former NFL player Tim Tebow will start the season in Binghamton. Tebow is slated to make his debut with the Rumble Ponies when they open the 2018 season with a 7-game homestand starting Thursday, April 5 at 6:35 PM at NYSEG Stadium. Tickets can be purchased at BINGRP.com), calling the Box Office at 722-FUNN, or visiting NYSEG Stadium box office during normal business hours.