WCDO Radio News

Officials at the Utica School of commerce announced that the vast majority of classes at the Oneonta Branch and Sidney Site would be suspended for the Spring Semester. All current students and re-entering students will be able to continue their programs at the Utica Campus with transportation provided by the college through Oneonta Bus Lines. The college will continue to maintain the Elm Street Oneonta facilities for student support functions, with the Learning Center -Library relocating there, and computers will be available for student use, 3 days per week. The USC Board of trustees sited a decline in enrollment and recent parking changes in Oneonta for the changes.

Governor Cuomo announced steps taken in New York State's "Reforming the Energy Vision" strategy to spur clean energy innovation and investment, improve customer choice and protect the environment. 5 new reforms will enable further growth of the clean energy industry and modernize how utilities operate, The 5 steps taken by the Public Service Commission follow through on the State's efforts to transform the energy system, details are available at governor.ny.gov

The Delaware County Sheriff's office announced the availability of text message notification as an enhancement to the New York Sheriffs' Victim Hotline known as "VINE". The hotline allows crime victims to learn the custody status of an offender 24-7 by 1-888-VINE-4-NY, the VINEMobile app, the Sheriffs Mobile Patrol App or at VineLink.com.

The Delaware County Broadband Initiative was awarded $2.9 million in matching New York State grant funding by the Southern Tier Economic Development Council following Governor Cuomo’s annual Regional Council Awards Ceremony on Thursday. The DCBI project will extend broadband services to the un-served residents and businesses, with over 210 miles of fiber optic facilities passing 1800 un-served and underserved households, businesses, and institutions in several towns in Delaware County. Additional information willl be posted at mtctelcom.com, delhitel.com, & dce.coop.

Manufacturing activity in New York State contracted for the first time in nearly 2 years. The New York Feds Empire state general business conditions index fell to –3.58 in December, falling to negative territory for the first time since January 2013. The new orders index tumbled –1.97 to 9.14 in November, the pace of growth in employment fell slightly with the index of the number of employees falling t 8.33 from 8.51. The survey of manufacturing plants in the state is 1 of the earliest monthly guideposts to U.S. factory conditions.

There has been a dramatic decline in the number of deaths in New York caused by AIDS. The state Health department recorded the number of AIDS related deaths were down by ¾’s from 1997 to 2012, when the number had dropped to 749. The decline is attributed to greater awareness on how the disease is spread and also powerful drug treatments for those diagnosed with the illness.

Only 2 in 5 New York state high-school students are ready for college-level work, according to College Board test results. Of the 154,809 members of the Class of 2014, who took the Scholastic Aptitude Test, only 60,611 students, or 39.2 percent, met the SAT’s benchmark for college and career readiness. Overall, New York trails the national average, in which 42.6 percent made the grade.

A public hearing about the proposed closure of the Broome County Mental Health Clinic is set for 6:00 tonight, at the Broome County Public Library at 185 Court Street in Binghamton.   The recent budget proposal from Broome County Executive Debbie Preston aims to cut more than 20 mental health positions at the clinic, the county legislature’s finance committee has set a public hearing on the mental health office’s budget (http://www.pressconnects.com/story/news/local/2014/09/24/buzz-comment-broomes-budget/16160557/) on October 22nd at 4:30 at the 6th floor legislative conference room of the County Office Building at 60 Hawley Street in Binghamton.

Governor Cuomo today launched new “GLOBAL NY” initiatives – including a $35 million Development Fund and trade missions to Mexico, Canada, Italy, China, and Israel – to help create new jobs in New York and attract international business investment to New York. The new initiatives include $35 million to help small- and medium-sized New York companies tap into global markets to grow their exports and create new jobs. For more information go to governor.ny.gov.

The 17th annual state Fallen Firefighters Memorial Ceremony, which honored nine firefighters who died in the line of duty, was held today at the Empire State Plaza in Albany. The memorial, dedicated in 1998, has 2,390 names on its wall, with the addition of this year's nine firefighters killed in the line of duty. To read the list of names go to memorial.fire-hero.com

State Senator James Seward announced $273,000 in state grants for local schools. The funding included $38,000 to support Milford Central School’s Career Opportunities in Rural Education Initiative. Seward also announced $25,000 general assistance grants for Charlotte Valley, Cooperstown, Franklin, Laurens, Margaretville and Morris Central Schools. The CORE program is designed to assist local schools and provide rural students with additional academic opportunities to help them compete with their metropolitan counterparts.

An information session for young people interested in the Young Entrepreneurs Academy will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. today at Hartwick College in Oneonta. The program, presented through the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce, guides middle and high school students through launching and running a business or social movement. Sessions will begin Nov. 4 and continue through May.   For more information call the chamber at 432-4500.

State University of New York Empire State College will hold public information sessions about its associate and bachelor’s degree programs at its Binghamton location today. The session will be in the State Office Building, Room 505 at 44 Hawley Street, Binghamton today at 4:30 PM. More information is available at 721-8651.

Otsego County Sheriff, The state DEA, the Otsego County DA's office, & Oneonta Police arrested 22-year-old Nicholas Michael Torres of Mohegan Lake, following a 4-year investigation into heroin and oxycodone powder trafficking in and around Otsego County.  Torres allegedly distributed narcotics that were stolen from Covidien Pharmaceuticals in Hobart plant, he was taken into custody in Carmel, he was arraigned and was remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $25,000 bail returnable in the Town of Oneonta Court on August 21st

State Troopers arrested 19-year-old Victoria Niedbalec of Laurens for 3rd degree Assault. The arrest was the result of a dispute that occurred at a residence in Laurens, Niedbalec was arraigned in the Town of Laurens Court and remanded to the Otsego County Correctional Facility on $250 cash bail. An order of protection was issued by the town court against the suspect.

The Chenango County Sheriff's department arrested 25-year-old Christopher Bonno of New Berlin for Criminal Possession of Stolen Property. Bonno is accused of being in possession of a DeWALT Jig Saw, which was reported stolen on an earlier date from a parked vehicle in the Village of New Berlin. Bonno faces court action at a later date.

While voters in the Southern Tier support casino development, the majority of residents would not frequent a new gambling parlor once it's up and running, according to a Time Warner Cable News/Siena College poll. Southern Tier voters support casino development, 45 to 36%, 57% of the same voters said they would not likely frequent their region's casino. The Gaming Commission said the casino applicants would make presentations in front of the Gaming Facility Location Board on Sept. 8th and 9th in Albany. Public hearings are scheduled for Sept. 22 to 24th.

The state Education Department has produced a preliminary parents bill of rights on the use and security of student data. Lawmakers in April required the bill of rights, the appointment of a chief privacy officer and other changes to protect student data, after there was a statewide backlash against the Education Department's plans, to share identifiable student data with inBloom. The law forced New York to pull out of the inBloom project, which closed shortly thereafter.

Empire State Development has approved SUNY Broome Community College's plan for the START-UP NY economic development initiative, which establishes tax-free business areas around college campuses. The college plans to offer information sessions about the initiative, more information is available at 778-5012.

SUNY Oneonta has made Forbes magazine's ranking of America's Top Colleges. The State University College at Oneonta was ranked 167th in the Northeast and 520th overall on the annual list. Factors taken into consideration were student satisfaction, post-graduate success, student debt, graduation rate and academic success.

Up to $300 million has been made available through the State's NY Rising Housing Recovery Program, to support home elevations for 6,575 homeowners. Individuals eligible for funding experienced damage to their homes as a result of Super storm Sandy, Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. The Optional Home Elevation and Mitigation Initiative is being offered, in addition to other housing recovery assistance that has been made available through NY Rising. More information is available at stormrecovery.ny.gov.

State University of New York Empire State College will hold public information session today about its associate and bachelor’s degree programs. The session will be held at the Binghamton location at the State Office Building, Room 505, 44 Hawley Street, at 4:30 PM.   More information is available at 721-8651.

State Troopers arrested 36-year-old Donald Moshier of Whitney Point for Criminal Obstruction of Breathing.  The arrest followed an investigation by Troopers to a dispute at a residence on State Route 206 in Triangle.   Moshier alleged choked the victim during an argument, he was arraigned in the Town of Triangle Court and released, he faces court action on March 20, and an order of protection was filed against Moshier.

State Police arrested 24-year-old Brett Gladstone of Walton for Felony DWI.  The arrest occurred after Police investigated a 1-car personal injury accident on State Route 206 & County Route 27 in the town of Tompkins.   Gladstone was intoxicated when he crashed his pick up truck into a tree off of the road; He refused to submit to a breath test.  Gladstone was arraigned in the Town of Tompkins Court and remanded to the Delaware County Jail in lieu of $5,000 cash bail.

Empire State College will hold public information sessions about their associate and bachelor’s degree programs today.  The sessions will be held at the Binghamton location, at the State Office Building, Room 505, 44 Hawley Street in Binghamton, beginning at 4:30 PM.  More information is available at esc.edu or 721-8651.

Governor Cuomo announced that Brad Paisley will kick off the Grandstand concert series at the State Fair on Thursday, August 21st .  Tickets will go on sale at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, March 29th

at the State Fair Box Office and through etix.com (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_xafOYAQqlZZ5AeFMP85KoTDgDC0nNff_g1Tvj1SN-6WnbWuDDQRsVQmoAfQJlxGeGkQ3LIPPPUz7p7_kbm9STVDHHD6lDh12vxjNpnctgyz5Cps1mQA_seYyodfyGpa30Alag6gcGx04BKqeoVkjghXNdH3TBWws0KTHmaakn8WuzTR2edjpwXMO6_ZgFux3XZi_JUMlFdSl_pLYuqXjlrkrFQ509xDigUYx5o2lY1nfcFq3zODBw==&c=PsFqXfKEwQihbkcFTss5SIIgEo0M_KrE_Wh_aFQVNWv7pxj615uftA==&ch=gmp5PBkqRBkOyZacA9XAdgPuBHPNqwAIMLRQZH6iUy8qiT2WYsQD1A==).

Delhi Police responded to the Sunoco gas station in the Village of Delhi Friday for a reported robbery.  Police had a description of the vehicle leaving the scene, it was located by state troopers in Stamford, who gave chase & apprehended 41-year-old Jamel Wilson of Hobart.  Wilson was charged with Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs, & Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, he was turned over to Delhi Police & was charged with 3rd degree Robbery, Petty Larceny, and 2nd degree Harassment. Wilson was arraigned in the Town of Delhi Court and remanded to the Delaware County Jail in lieu of $15,000 cash bail.

The Broome County Sheriff’s department responded to a 2-vehicle accident on I-81 Northbound lanes near the Chenango Bridge exit early this morning.  Preliminary reports are that a tractor-trailer carrying a milk tanker crossed the median & hit another vehicle, shortly before 6 a.m. Monday.  The tractor trailer landed on its side, spilling milk onto the roadway & median, the unidentified driver was extricated from the vehicle & the driver of was taken o an area hospital, the driver of the car was also taken from the scene & was brought to an area hospital.  The State DOT had to close 1 lane of traffic for the clean up, the investigation is continuing.

Governor Cuomo announced Empire State Development has approved more than $9 million in New York State Broadband Grants to support 5 projects to expand broadband access to y 33,000 households, 4,500 businesses and 55 institutions across Upstate counties.   During this approval round, Time Warner Cable, will receive approximately $5.3 million to expand services.  Local projects receiving funding the Otsego County Wireless Network for $558,940.

State tax collections through the first 10 months of the state’s fiscal year increased 4.2% from last year, but were below projections due to the timing of Personal Income Tax payments, according to the January 2014 cash report by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. Tax collections of $58.3 billion through January 31st were $2.4 billion higher than last year, but $413.3 million below projections in the Executive Budget proposal.

Governor Cuomo said he would sign a bill, if it passes the legislature, to allow state financial aid programs to cover college tuition costs for kids of illegal immigrants. The governor previously has said he supports a federal DREAM Act, but had not taken a position on a state version. While the Assembly intends to pass the measure again this week, it is unlikely there are enough votes in the Senate to send it to Cuomo's desk

State attorney General Eric Schneiderman said the Homeowner Protection Program has worked with 23,760 New Yorkers in the past 15 months, resulting in 6,660 approved and pending loan modifications. Since October 2012, it has helped fund 36 legal aid groups, and 56 housing counseling agencies, to help struggling homeowners avoid foreclosure. Schneiderman has recently proposed legislation to require lenders take responsibility for properties, abandoned by mortgage holders behind on payments, instead of waiting until the foreclosure process is complete. There are now more than 15,000 "zombie properties" statewide, with about 1,000 in the Southern Tier.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission found the Constitution natural gas pipeline project could have numerous impacts on the environment during construction and operation. The Constitution Pipeline would span Broome, Chenango, Delaware and Schoharie counties, it would deliver natural gas from Susquehanna County Pennsylvania to markets in New York and New England.  The commission released its Draft Environmental Impact Statement, it outlined additional mitigation measures that would be  needed to minimize or avoid potential impacts on water bodies, wetlands, and wildlife. After the final environmental impact statement is issued, commissioners will take the recommendations under consideration when deciding project approvals

New York will add a bonus license plate and other perks to its lifetime hunting and fishing licenses and offer new lifetime state parks passes. The cost of a lifetime hunting license is about $535. A lifetime fishing license is about $460 and a lifetime pass to state parks would cost $750. The permits come with decorative fishing and hunting "I love New York" state license plates, which will help the state advertise the outdoors. Tourism is $100 billion industry and the fifth-largest employer in the state.

Governor Cuomo said applications are being accepted for the Empire State Fellows, a program that allows individuals to serve in high-level administration positions within the Executive Branch. Candidates selected will be appointed to a position that best suits their skills and experience, and will work alongside senior administration officials.  The program hopes to recruit qualified professionals, college graduates and interns to serve in state government. To apply, email a cover letter, resume, personal statement and two letters of recommendation to fellows@exec.ny.gov.

State Senator Jim Seward has been named to 4 state senate budget sub-committees which will review the governor’s budget proposal and offer recommendations for modifications.  Seward will serve on the education, general government/local assistance, health, and higher education & arts sub-committees.  budget information can be accessed on Senator Seward’s website, senatorjimseward.com.

Oneonta City Court was sealed off and evacuated Monday morning after a suspicious powder substance arrived in an envelope.  Police, fire department,  New York court officers and postal inspectors all arrived on the scene, the substance was not hazardous and the court opened up a short time later.

New York plans to have its medical marijuana program functioning within a year, according to State health commissioner Dr. Nirav Shah, who testified at a legislative budget hearing.  Governor  Cuomo's plan would allow 20 hospitals to prescribe marijuana to chronically ill patients, on a limited basis.

State University of New York Empire State College will hold public information session about their associate and bachelor’s degree programs at the State Office Building 44 Hawley Street in  Binghamton today at 4:30 PM.  More information is available at 721-8651.