WCDO Radio News

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 10-16-20

The Delaware County Board of Elections reminds area voters that Early Voting is available prior to the November 3rd General Election. Early voting for Delaware County registered voters will take place at the Board of Elections Office at 3 Gallant Avenue in Delhi, at various times starting on Saturday October 24th through Sunday November 2nd. The Board of Elections Office is accessible to voters with disabilities; more information is available at 832-5321.

Broome County Family Court Judge Rick Miller has officially been removed from office, following a lengthy investigation for sexual harassment allegations brought on by employees. Miller also failed to accurately report outside income, the state Commission on Judicial Conduct ruled 7 to 2 that he should be removed from office, Miller appealed and the case went to the State Court of Appeals. Miller has been removed as Family Court Judge, he is also barred from being a judge, but he can retain his law license.

State Trooper Timothy Conklin of Troop C has been named as a finalist for the 2019 "Trooper of the Year" by the International Association of Chiefs of Police's Division of State and Provincial Police. Trooper Conklin was honored for his actions at a January, 2019 traffic stop that turned into a shootout in Kirkwood. Trooper Conklin was one of four nominees recognized for their heroic actions. He is representing the North Atlantic region.

The Board of Directors of the Community Foundation for South Central New York is pleased to announce the Racial Justice and Equity Fund at the Community Foundation is now accepting grant inquiries. Amounts to be distributed from the Fund will provide support for projects, programs, and organizations that build community dialogue, increase the capacity of Black-led organizations supporting historically underserved communities, promote racial justice and equity, and fund projects that counteract systemic racism. The Deadline for applications is November 15th; more information is available at donorswhocare.org.

The Circle Drive Alliance Church in Sidney is participating in the Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child "ShoeBox" program, where people can donate items for children in need around the world. Local Spokesperson Marie Cole told WCDO News that they will participate using COVID guidelines starting this weekend:

(Marie Cole 10-16-20)

People can pick up the boxes at various times starting Monday, through Wednesday, after they are returned they can be dropped off at Circle Drive Alliance church where they will be trucked to Charlotte North Carolina for distribution where needed. More information about the programs is available at samaritanspurse.org.

Governor Cuomo announced that over 136,000 COVID 19 tests were conducted Thursday across the state, there were 1707 positives, 918 are hospitalized, 200 are in ICU beds, 97 are on Ventilators, & 10 died from the virus, the state's death toll is 25,628. Over 481,000 have tested positive for the virus since March.

Chenango County Public Health announced their latest COVID 19 numbers today, they report that they are up to 291 cases, with 26 Active Cases, no one is hospitalized, and there are 205 Active Quarantines. Since March there have been 7 deaths 246 Total Recoveries & 32,599 tests have been conducted.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 10-16-20

The State Department of Labor announced that the State's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 12.5% to 9.7% in September. The number of unemployed New York State residents decreased by 302,000, while labor force levels decreased by 362,900.

The Chenango County Health Department will be holding a Drive-Thru Flu vaccination clinic in Norwich on Saturday from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Health Department Director of Patient Services Barbara Ryan explains:

(Barbara Ryan 10-8-20)

Ryan said that interested people must pre-register by calling 337-1660 by the end of today, to receive an appointment time. The cost is $15 for patients over 19 years of age and they ask they people do NOT bring their pets.

The Sidney Chamber of Commerce is having their Fall Festival Downtown tomorrow, Sidney Chamber President Teri Schunk explains:

(Teri Schunk 10-16-20)

Schunk said that all of the vendor slots were filled up to Health Department Guidelines, plus all in attendance must use masks & be socially distanced, more information is available at 561-2642.

State Police and Broome County Sheriff’s Department are investigating the death of an unidentified 47 year old Endicott man who was struck by a train in the Town of Union. The incident occurred at 11:45 AM Thursday near the Hooper Road overpass in Endwell. Police do not suspect foul play, the investigation is continuing.

Delaware County Public Health announced that they had no new positive cases of COVID 19 Thursday. They remain at 137 cases, 8 are active with no one hospitalized, 107 are quarantined, and there have been 8 deaths & 121 recoveries.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 8-27-20

The Broome County Sheriff’s Department announced the arrest of Caleb Casteline of Apalachin for the fatal stabbing of Q-Quan Richardson of Binghamton, at a party in Endwell Wednesday.  Casteline was charged with 2nd degree murder and faces court action on the charge shortly.

The Delhi Village Police Department executed a search warrant on August 21st at 219 Main Street; they seized concentrated cannabis in a variety of forms, as well as LSD, cocaine, marijuana, oxycodone, packaging materials & $1,500 cash from suspected drug sales.  Delhi Police arrested 20-year-old Alana Blaustein of Delhi & 22-year-old Connor Guiseppone of Delhi on a variety of drug charges, both were arraigned in Delhi Town Court where & were released on their own recognizance pending future court action.

State Police responded to a report of a tractor trailer rollover north of the Pennsylvania state line on I-81 at about 11:45 AM Wednesday.  A trooper responded & discovered that the tractor trailer struck the guide rail, continued off the roadway and overturned.  The driver was a 57-year-old male from Quebec who declined hospital treatment, the investigation is ongoing.

State Troopers were dispatched by Broome County 911 to a one-car crash near the intersection of Fox Farm and Reagan Roads in the town of Windsor Wednesday morning.  Troopers discovered that the vehicle went off the roadway and struck a utility pole, the driver was still in the vehicle and unresponsive.  The unidentified driver was pronounced deceased at the scene and an autopsy was ordered.

Former State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver started his prison sentence Wednesday at a federal prison in Otisville, where he will serve 6 1/2 years following a corruption conviction.  Silver left the Assembly in 2015, was convicted a short time later & various appeals & a retrial kept him out of prison.    Silver was convicted twice for administering political favors, as a new inmate, Silver will be tested for COVID-19 and placed in quarantine for 14 days.

Utica Firefighters were called to a massive fire at the former CharlesTown Mall in Utica.    Firefighters from the Utica & surrounding Fire Departments responded at about 1:30 this morning, Utica city officials are advising residents in the eastern sections of the city to remain indoors with their windows shut due to the high winds whipping the smoke & ash around from the blaze.

The State Health Department announced another 791 positive COVID 19 cases on Wednesday statewide after over 83,000 tests were administered.  490 were hospitalized for the virus, 4 deaths were reported, bringing the state death toll to 25,309.

Chenango County Public Health reported that they are still at 223 total cases of COVID 19 since March, with 75 active Quarantines, 1 person is hospitalized, there have been 201 recoveries, 7 deaths & over 21,600 tests have been performed.

The National Transportation Safety Board released documents this week regarding the Prestige Limousine crash in Schoharie on October 6th 2018.  The Board’s Investigators said that The ownership of Prestige Limo took great pain to register the vehicle in a many to avoid safety regulation & twice a year required inspections.  The vehicles brakes failed approaching a t intersection, it crashed into a gas station, killing 2 people in the parking lot & all 18 in the limo.   Nauman Hussain faces 20 charges each for manslaughter & criminally negligent homicide as the operator of Prestige Limousine.

The Otsego County District Attorney’s office announced that Nicolas Meridy of Oneonta has pleaded guilty in a plea bargain arrangement & will serve 22 years to life.  Meridy was arrested along with several others following the murder of Kenneth Robinson in Worcester & the arson fire at Robinson house after the fatal shooting, in October of last year.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies arrested a New York City man Tuesday following a property damage accident on County Highway 26 in the Town of Colchester.  23-year-old Evian Camacho of New York City had a suspended driver’s license, for failure to answer summonses in both Bronx and New York counties and for failure to pay a State DMV driver responsibility assessment.    Camacho was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and moving from a lane unsafely.  Camacho was released and directed to appear in the Town of Colchester Court on a later date.

A variety of severe weather warnings have been issued throughout the region this afternoon, as severe weather pounded the region.  Meteorologist Rich Townsend comments:

(Rich Townsend 8-27-20)

A Tornado watch remains in effect through 7:00 PM throughout the WCDO Listening area .

Otsego County Department of Health is investigating 9 cases of coronavirus reported Wednesday, 5 of the cases are SUNY Oneonta students. The other 4 cases have been associated with a gathering of high school students. All cases are have been investigated and contacts are being notified.  Currently, Otsego County now reports 128 total confirmed cases, with 15 active cases, 1 person is hospitalized.  The Otsego County Health Department is holding another free COVID 19 testing this morning from 9:00 AM to 12:00 NOON at the former "Greenies" site on state route 7 in Otego, This testing site is for Otsego County residents only who preregister by calling 547-4279.

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a 22 year-old Q-Quan of Binghamton, following an investigation into an altercation early Wednesday Morning.  Quan was taken to Lourdes and later Wilson hospital with stab wounds, he apparently was stabbed at a large gathering in the town of Union, The suspect fled the area, and anyone with information should call the Sheriff’s Office at 778-1196.

The Broome County Sheriff's department arrested 25 year old Keenan Johnson of the town of Chenango twice Tuesday.  Johnson reportedly had a dispute with his girlfriend, he was confronted by neighbors & displayed a handgun, he fled the scene, was located by deputies & was charged with Menacing and Criminal Possession of Marijuana before being released on an appearance ticket, he was arrested a short time after his release at the girlfriends residence, fled on a Motorcycle the chase was terminated due to public safety concerns.  Additional charges against Johnson are pending.

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 8-24-20

Governor Cuomo held a COVID 19 update earlier today; he reported that guidance has been issued with regards to the High School Sports season:

(Cuomo 8-24-20)

The governor said that 408 tested positive out of more than 62,000 tests administered statewide on Sunday, giving the state a total of 430,135 total cases since March, hospitalizations were down to 482, the number of patients in an ICU went down to 122, the number of patients on ventilators was down to 54 & 7 people died from the virus Sunday, bringing the state death toll to 25,295.

The Delaware County Sheriff's Department announced that an all-terrain vehicle accident in the Town of Walton early Friday afternoon has claimed the life of a Bronx teenager.   Deputies and Walton Fire & EMS, responded to Cayuga Trail Road in the Town of Walton, their preliminary investigation revealed that the 15-year-old victim lost control of the ATV, ran off the roadway & collided with a tree and was ejected from the vehicle.   The victim was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, he was transported by LifeNet to UHS Delaware Valley Hospital where died of the injuries he sustained in the accident.

Today is the day that Gyms & Fitness Center across the state may begin to re-open with a variety of special restrictions.  Jamey Mullen at the Norwich YMCA told WCDO News that while many of their services have been open all along, their fitness center is not open today & will take some time to be ready:

(Jamey Mullen 8-24-20)

Mullen said that members of the YMCA can get the latest information posted on their Facebook page.

A State Appeals Court decided last week that the evidence used against Casey Callahan in Otsego County Court in 2016 was not overwhelming and they have reversed his murder conviction & a new Trial will be scheduled.  The Otsego County District Attorney's Office argued that Casey Callahan intentionally ran over his wife Elizabeth Callahan on January 19th, 2000 while in the parking lot off of Interstate 86 near the New York Pennsylvania border, he was tried in Otsego County Court as he was accused of concocting the plan in Otsego County.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies arrested 28 year old Corey Bateman of Binghamton following a traffic-stop on State Route 8 in the Town of Sidney Sunday afternoon.  Deputies observed a vehicle towing a camping trailer with improper license plates, it was determined that Bateman had a suspended driver’s license for failure to answer a summons in Broome County and for possession and/or sale of drugs.  Bateman was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, unlicensed operator, improper plates, unregistered trailer, as well as improper brake light; he will appear in the Town of Sidney Court at a later date.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 8-24-20

Governor Cuomo announced that the state had 572 new COVID 19 cases diagnosed Saturday statewide, giving New York over 429,700 cases since March.  There were 472 hospitalized for the virus, 110 were in an ICU, 50 were on ventilators, 5 more deaths were reported, including 1 in Broome County, bringing the state death toll to 25,288.

FEMA has approved New York for a FEMA grant under the Lost Wages Assistance program, which will allow New York to provide $300 per week, on top of their regular unemployment benefit, to those unemployed due to COVID-19. FEMA will work with Governor Cuomo to implement a system to make this funding available.   More information is available at fema.gov/fact-sheet/fema-lost-wages-supplemental-payment-assistance.

Delaware County Public Health received no new positive test result for COVID-19 Friday and no additional recoveries were reported. The known active cases in the County is 4. To date there have been 101 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Delaware County, with 30 people now under mandatory quarantine, 4 people are isolated at home,  6 people have died and 91 have fully recovered.

The Women’s Fund Leadership Committee of the Community Foundation for South Central New York has announced its 2020 grant awards to organizations supporting women and girls in the region. The grants went to DCMO BOCES for scholarships for women to participate in an entrepreneurship program, to Family Planning of South Central New York to support their Access to Women’s Healthcare program, to Mothers and Babies Perinatal Network for the their Perinatal Education and Support for Women in Recovery program, to TruthPharm for the Women’s Motivational Interviewing Support Group & to VoteRunLead for a leadership development program to encourage local women to run for office.   More information is available at donorswhocare.org.