WCDO Radio News

On Wednesday Oneonta Police assisted the Otsego County probation Department with items located during a routine visit of a person on probation. Officer confiscated 40 bags of heroin, Packaging materials, Scales & A small quantity of marijuana, police arrested 30 year old Daniel Londner of Oneonta for Criminal possession of a controlled substance, Criminally using of drug paraphernalia and unlawful possession of marijuana, Londner was held pending arraignment in the City of Oneonta Court

After many years as the Chief of the Sidney Police Department, Mike Hood is stepping down next week, to be replaced by 23-year Sidney Police Department veteran Jan Gorshack. Hood Commented about his years as the Sidney Police Chief:

(Mike Hood 10-21-16)

Hood's last official day as Sidney Police Chief is October 28th, he will work part time for the Bainbridge Police Department & the Delaware County Sheriff’s department.

The Chenango County IDA announced significant progress in its Rail Revitalization project, which aims to restore service to the 45 ½ miles of the Utica Mainline track between the Madison and Broome County lines. Frontier Railroad Services of New Stanton, PA is nearing completion of the construction phase of the project, which repaired numerous washouts caused by floods in 2006 and 2011. Chenango County IDA Spokesman Steve Craig comments:

(Steve Craig 10-21-16)

Frontier is working with IDA's engineers at Stone Consulting on the final "punch list" of remaining tasks.

The Maine-Endwell Little League World Series team will be honored at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown this weekend. The Maine-Endwell team was the champions of Little League World Series in August, Team members and coaches will visit the Hall of Fame on Sunday, for a special 1:00 PM ceremony hosted by Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers at The Amphenol Corporation of Sidney will be voting on a new contract tomorrow. Union members will receive & review the contract proposal tomorrow morning, and then vote at the Sidney High School Gym. The Union & Amphenol negotiate a new deal every 3 years.

From September 2015 to September 2016, New York State's private sector job count climbed by 115,100, or 1.5 percent, according to preliminary figures released today by the New York State Department of Labor. In September 2016, the state's private sector job count fell by 4,400. Since the beginning of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's administration, New York State's economy has added 839,500 private sector jobs and experienced employment growth in 58 of the past 69 months. In September 2016, the statewide unemployment rate increased from 4.8% to 5.0%, which was equal to the comparable U.S. unemployment rate of 5.0%.

Governor Cuomo announced $1 million in funding is available to assist new and early-stage farmers through the State New Farmers Grant Fund. The Fund will provide grants of up to $50,000 to assist with up to 50% of eligible project costs, with the remaining 50% matched by the recipient. This year, the program has eliminated the 150 acres or fewer requirements and is now accepting farm applicants of all sizes. The application and guidelines are available online at http://esd.ny.gov. The deadline for submission is January 27th.

Governor Cuomo announced that the Department of Financial Services has issued guidance to health insurers outlining new insurance coverage requirements for substance abuse treatment. Under the new law, health insurers will be required to cover medication, including naloxone, for detoxification or maintenance treatment of substance use disorders under large group policies. Health insurers will also be required to provide coverage without preauthorization for inpatient substance abuse treatment in facilities that participate in their networks and are certified by the State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services.

Another Blood drive will be held in West Oneonta today from 2:00 to 6:00 PM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, at 107 Balmoral Drive. To make an appointment to donate blood, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Sportsfield Specialties has completed a recent expansion to their manufacturing facility in Delhi. The company is inviting the public to their Open House Saturday, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM it will include tours, demonstrations, family activities, and complimentary refreshments.

The Sidney American Legion is hosting a fundraiser Saturday for Camp Hope Veterans Outreach. Spokesman Larry Halbert explains:

(Larry Halbert 10-21-16)

The fundraiser will be held at the Sidney American Legion at 22 Union Street, Sidney from 1:00 until 5:00 PM, they are asking for donations of services, products and gift certificates to auction or a monetary donation, in order to buy property & start The Camp Hope facility.

The Jericho Arts Council will feature the bluegrass music of "Zink & Company Saturday night. Spokesman Phillip Wade comments:

(Phillip Wade 10-21-16)

ZINK & COMPANY will perform at the Town Hall Theatre on Main Street in Bainbridge beginning at 7:00 PM

The Village of Sidney Police Department is collecting unused & unwanted medications at a "Take Back" event Saturday. Offer Jan Gorshack explains:

(Jan Gorshack 10-21-16)

Gorshack said that they can NOT collect needles & sharps at the event, but can take prescription & over the counter medications, preferably in their original containers.

The Bainbridge Rotary Club is hosting its 4th Annual Fall Festival & Pie Run 5K on Saturday, at 10:00 a.m. with our Pie Run; a fun 5K walk/run around General Clinton Park. Participants are encouraged to come in their best Halloween costume and winners are rewarded with a homemade pie. Registration for the 5K and pie contest is available at Bainbridge-NY-Rotary.com.

Republican Congressional Candidate Claudia Tenney will be speaking at the Bainbridge Town Hall tonight at 6:30 PM. Tenney is the Republican candidate for the Congressional District 22 seat being vacated by Richard Hanna, she is facing Democrat Kim Myers & Independent candidate Martin Babinec. The public is invited to attend.

Maine Endwell Little League is headed to the USA Finals in Williamsport, after defeating a team from Bowling Green Kentucky yesterday in the latest action of the Little League World Series. The Binghamton Mets announced that NYSEG Stadium would host the Official Watch Party for the Championship Game on Saturday at 3:30pm on the stadiums big screen. Parking will be free and there will be no admission charges. Limited concessions options will be available. Maine Endwell's team will play the winner of today's Tennessee Kentucky match up in Saturday's game.

The New York State Fair began its 12-day run today as Governor Cuomo assisted in opening up the fair again this year.   The fairgrounds have undergone a $50 million makeover that includes a new main gate, a larger midway and a new camping area for recreational vehicles.   Last year, more than 900,000 people visited the fair.

Governor Cuomo signed legislation to curb the power of independent expenditure campaigns unleashed by the 2010 Supreme Court case Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission. The legislation strengthen disclosure requirements for political consultants and lobbyists who provide services to sitting elected officials or candidates for elected office by requiring them to register with the state and reveal their clients.

The Oneonta Job Corps Academy announced that their annual baseball game would be held today at Damasche Field in Oneonta. Oneonta Job Corps Students and Staff versus The family resource Network will play today, the gates will open at 6:30pm, the game Starts at 7:00 pm followed by fireworks at around 8:45pm. The game is free and open to the public.

A Town of Greene resident was arrested by the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office for Criminal Mischief & Harassment following a Domestic Dispute in the Town of Greene. Deputies arrested 56-year-old Joshua Browning who allegedly intentionally pushed the victim and prevented the victim from call 911 by damaging a phone. Browning was arraigned in the Town of Greene court and released on his own recognizance. Browning is to reappear in the Town of Greene Court at a later date.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 31-year-old Courtney Otte of Walton for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree. Deputies allege the defendant operated a motor vehicle in a northerly direction on State Highway 10 in the Town of Walton while having an active suspension on her license for failure to answer a summons. Otte was additionally charged with unlicensed operation, operating a motor vehicle with an out headlight, and was released on traffic tickets returnable to Walton Town Court at a later date.

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce will hold its 16th annual Business Links golf tournament on Wednesday, September 14, at the Stamford Golf Course. Registration begins at 11:00 am, and the four-person captain and crew tourney will begin with a shotgun start at noon.   Registration & More information is available by calling the Chamber at 746-2281.

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting on Today in the District Conference Room at 6:30 PM. The business portion of the meeting will start at 7:00 PM.

Governor Cuomo announced a coordinated effort by several state agencies and institutions to prevent underage drinking on college campuses as the fall semester begins. The State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, the State Liquor Authority, the DMV, and State Police are aligning resources to prevent underage drinking on campuses, More than 1,800 college students die from alcohol-related injuries, 696,000 college students are assaulted by another student that has been drinking, 97,000 college students experience alcohol-related sexual assault.

The American Red Cross urges blood donors to give in the final weeks of summer to help overcome a critical summer blood shortage. Donors of all blood types are urgently needed, A blood drive will be held today in Norwich from 1:00 to 6:00 PM at the Norwich VFW Post 2782, 61-63 East Main Street. . Appointments to give blood can be scheduled by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

A Town of Plymouth resident was arrested by the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office on a Fugitive of Justice complaint for active Bench Warrant out of the Cleveland County Court in the State of Oklahoma. Deputies arrested 37-year-old Michael Lee Hall on the Fugitive of Justice complaint Hall was taken into custody and taken to the Town of Norwich Court. Hall was remanded to the custody of the Chenango County Correctional Facility with no bail. He is to reappear in the Chenango County Court at a later date.

Sidney village crews will continue milling today. Motorists should note that there would be traffic delays on West Main Street between east Main and Chestnut streets, as well as Dewitt drive.

The Sidney Civic Center Has Been sold to 2+4 management of East Syracuse for $364,000, with the closing coming in October. Mayor Andy Matviak explains:

(Andy Matviak 7-22-16)

Matviak said that construction would start on the 2nd & 3rd floors after the closing; 2+4 Management is the same developer behind the Sherwood Heights project.

Governor Cuomo today signed legislation that eliminates sales tax on feminine hygiene products. The bill exempts these products from all local and State sales tax, Feminine hygiene products have been taxable since the state sales tax was first instituted in 1965, even as a wide variety of other goods, such as dietary and family planning products, have been exempt. The new exemption is expected to save women purchasing tampons, and other similar products, an estimated $10 million a year.

Governor Cuomo today signed legislation expanding New York State's "Move-Over" Law to volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers. The measure requires drivers to slow down and move over a lane when approaching a vehicle with flashing blue or green lights that are operated by volunteer firefighters or ambulance workers involved in a roadside emergency. Previously, the “Move-Over” law only applied to drivers approaching stopped police, emergency or hazard vehicles with flashing red and white or amber lights.

Magic City Music Hall in Binghamton was advised Thursday evening that a member of Quiet Riot, who were scheduled to appear Saturday night, was hospitalized yesterday afternoon, necessitating cancellation of the band's upcoming show. Magic City Officials are working with management to reschedule the show, in the meantime; Quiet Riot Tickets may be redeemed for a credit towards any other announced concert at Magic City, including Ace Frehley on Saturday September 24th or for a refund. Magic City has also just announced that Sister Hazel will perform there on September 9th; tickets go on sale on Saturday July 30th.

The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services awarded $1 million in funding to support 25 new treatment beds to provide care for New Yorkers with substance use disorders. The funding was awarded to Tompkins County addiction treatment services provider Cayuga Addiction Recovery Services for the creation of a new 25-bed adult residential treatment facility. The residential treatment facility in Trumansburg will offer a full spectrum of addiction treatment services to residents including counseling, life-skills training and after-discharge support.

The 1st annual Pound 4 Paws fundraising event will be held in Oxford Saturday night. A variety of sporting competitions will be held, sponsored by the Pound Gym in Norwich, proceeds will go to the Delaware Valley Humane society, the event starts at 7:00 PM Saturday at 207 Tamarac Road in Oxford.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame's 2016 Induction Ceremony will Ken Griffey Jr.& Mike Piazza, beginning at 1:30 PM Sunday at the Clark Sports Center. Hall of Fame Weekend will also feature the Saturday Awards Presentation, when Ford C. Frick Award winner Graham McNamee and J.G. Taylor Spink Award winner Dan Shaughnessy will each be honored. On Saturday in Cooperstown, will be the Parade of Legends down main Street, and on Monday, Piazza & Griffey will participate in the Legends of the Game Roundtable discussion.

On Saturday, the Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce will host the Bainbridge Summer Fest with a variety of event & a showcase the new sound system for use during village and town events. Spokesperson June White Comments

(June White 7-22-16)

White said that at 7:00 pm, one of Payne's Cranes would drop 400 golf balls on the lawn next to the Methodist Church. There will be prizes for the Golf balls that are closest to the hole; tickets can be purchased at Hometown Hardware, Highway 7 Bar and Grill, B&W Wines and Liquors LLC, Nana's Keepsakes, New Image Hair Care, Newbauer's Construction and Bainbridge House Bed and Breakfast. Also, at 8:00 pm "Footloose" will be featured as The Movie in the park.

Governor Cuomo signed legislation that requires guidelines for end of life notices and visitation rights regarding incapacitated individuals subject of legal guardianship proceedings. The bill requires the court order appointing a guardian to oversee the care of an incapacitated person to identify all individuals who are entitled to notice of a person's death, funeral and burial arrangements.

State Senator Fred Akshar of Colesville announced his official candidacy for reelection at his First Annual "Spiedies with the Senator" event at Chenango Valley State Park. Akshar was elected in a special election last year to finish up the term, following the conviction of the late Senator Tom Libous.

The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services announced a new, multi-year program to train counseling professionals to better enable them to deliver treatment for those with gambling addictions. Many individuals seek private practitioners for help to address problem gambling and this new training program ensures that private practitioners are knowledgeable about problem gambling and will increase access to treatment and support services. New Yorkers struggling with problem gambling, can find help and hope by calling the State’s HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY .

Governor Cuomo today announced New York state parks, historic sites and campgrounds hosted another successful season, with 65.3 million estimated visits in 2015. Park attendance increased 5% from 2014 to 2015, it was boosted by a variety of factors, including national exposure for Letchworth and Watkins Glen State Parks, which were ranked first and third best state parks in the nation by USA Today; and favorable weather throughout the summer and late into the fall.

The 2015 New York hunting season proved to be one of the safest on record and yielded the first year without a hunting-related shooting fatality since the 1950s, The DEC reported only 23 hunting incidents, the third lowest number on record, with 10 incidents self-inflicted and 13 two-party incidents. 2015 also continued the trend of declining incidents with New York's hunting-related shooting incident rate, declining almost 80% since the 1960s.

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman joined the Federal Trade Commission, the other 49 states, and the District of Columbia in announcing the successful conclusion of the largest multistate charity fraud action to date. 2 nationwide sham cancer charities are being dissolved and their president is banned from profiting from any charity fundraising in the future. Cancer Fund of America and Cancer Support Services and their leader, James Reynolds, claimed to help cancer patients, but instead, the majority of donations benefited the operators, their families and friends, and employee fundraisers. The complaint was filed in May 2015, targeting 4 sham charities run by Reynolds, which bilked more than $187 million from donors, including nearly $3 million in New York State.

The deadline to apply for scholarships for Sidney High School Seniors is this Sunday, Tracy Young is part of the Sidney Dollars for Scholars program:

(Tracy Young 3-30-16)

The Website to make the profiles & apply for scholarships is scholarshipamerica.org.

Practices will start this Friday at I-88 Speedway in Afton, for the upcoming racing season, track spokesperson Denise Paige explains:

(Denise Paige 3-30-16)

Paige said that the racing season begins April 15th and runs through the weekend of October 8th & 9th.

The state learned that hundreds of faulty bolts were discovered within the reactor at the Indian Point Unit 2 Plant, the latest in a series of incidents that raise concerns about the management, maintenance and equipment standards at the plant. Governor Cuomo stated that there was no immediate danger to public health and safety, but the Governor said that he believes that the plant should NOT be re-licensed.

New York State’s unemployment rate dropped 1/10th to 4.8% in February. Locally, Chenango County's rate was 5.8%, Delaware County at 6.5% and Otsego County at 5.6%.

A federal jury on Tuesday convicted 25-year-old Antonio Ballard of Binghamton, for engaging in a sex trafficking and prostitution business involving minors. Ballard faces sentencing on July 27th.

Former New York state Assembly speaker Sheldon Silver was disbarred Tuesday by the Appellate Division of the state Supreme Court in Manhattan. Silver was convicted for abusing his power while serving as Speaker of the State Assembly from 1994 until last year. He faces sentencing in a couple of weeks.

The Otsego County Sheriffs department arrested 20-year-old Eric Ferguson Jr of Oneonta for allegedly selling narcotics and marijuana to undercover officers at the Oneonta Wal-mart parking lot. Ferguson was charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance, the investigation continued and Officers arrested his father, 43 year old Eric Ferguson Sr. & 45 year old Linda Lee Clow, of Oneonta for allegedly supplying the narcotics to his son to sell. Ferguson Sr. was charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance, Clow was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance. All 3 were arraigned & were remanded to the Otsego County Jail on bail pending future court action.

New York State is moving into the forefront for the future push toward using renewable energy sources. Governor Cuomo discussed that at a recent forum in Albany:

(Cuomo 2-23-16)

141 clean technology companies have been supported and through the Governor’s Cleantech Business Incubator initiative, which has attracted more than $215 million in private capital and created 980 jobs at businesses statewide.

State Police arrested 42-year-old Daniel Mowers of Delhi for Felony DWI, 12 counts of Felony Leandra’s Law, and 13 counts of endangering the Welfare of a Child. Troopers accuse Mowers of driving a Gilboa School bus while intoxicated after a phone call from a concerned parent whose child reported to the parent that the bus was being operated erratically. Mowers was arraigned & was remanded to the Schoharie County Jail on $15,000 cash bail or $30,000 bond, pending court action Thursday

The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services today announced a new webinar series aimed at educating prescribers about responsible prescribing of opioid medications. The four-part webinar series runs today through March 10th. More information is available at combatheroin.ny.gov or 1-877-8-HOPENY.

Governor Cuomo announced a plan to protect residential and small commercial consumers from unfair business practices in the retail energy service industry following a review by the State Public Service Commission. The review found that multiple energy services companies were overcharging for electric and gas service, as well as failing to deliver on promises for savings and clean energy. Today's actions will both enhance consumer protections and ensure that violators of the regulations will not continue operating in the State.

The body of 53-year-old Carolyn Weeks of Newfield was found Friday morning near her car on a remote stretch of road in Tompkins County, according to the State Police. There was no indication of foul play, but the investigation into the cause of death is continuing. Weeks was last seen Feb. 9 leaving work around 3 p.m. at Titus Towers in Ithaca. Snowmobilers found Weeks' car late Thursday, and her body was found about 150 yards from her car Friday morning.

State Senator Jim Seward announced that the Joint Senate Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction will be at SUNY College in the Hunt Union Ballroom today. Seward is a member of the task Force; they will be getting input regarding the heroin epidemic, from 12:00 Noon until 2:00 PM. The roundtable forum is one of several being conducted around the state to solicit input and develop recommendations for legislative action.

The Delaware County Sheriff's Office is seeking 64-year-old Leon Squires, Jr., formerly of Walton, on an outstanding Arrest Warrant issued by Delaware County Court in December 2015. Leon Squires was last observed in the Hancock, and northeast Pennsylvania, in late December. Squires is described as being approximately 5’7”, 165 pounds, with blue eyes and gray hair. Anyone with information can call (607) 832-5555 or 1-888-914-9111. All calls will be kept confidential.

Sidney Chamber of Commerce will hold their next Business After Hours Event today at the Super 8 Hotel. The program will run from 5:00 to 7:00.

The City of Oneonta Police Department Detective Division & State Police BCI arrested 18-year-old Duquan Davis of Oneonta for 1st degree Robbery, 1st degree Burglary, Criminal use of a Firearm, 2nd degree Assault & Menacing, following an investigation into an incident in January. Details have not yet been released and the investigation is still ongoing.

The State Liquor Authority issued suspensions to Legends Filling Station at 84 Main Street and Choice Ultra Lounge at 3-5 Market Street, both in Oneonta. State officials received complaints of alcohol being served to under aged patrons; both were shut down on Saturday. Both establishments were fined $3000 last year for similar complaints.

The Oxford Police Department is continuing with a multi-step program to try to get help for those with heroin or Opioid addictions, rather than put them in jail for a short period, release them and repeat the cycle of dependency. Oxford Police Chief Richard Nolan Comments:

(Oxford Police Chief Richard Nolan 2-3-16)

Chief Nolan said that they do have grant money coming to set aside an area for this aspect of the program; on February 13th they will hold another Narcan training session for first responders.

State Lawmakers are looking at the Education portion of Governor Cuomo's Executive Budget Proposal. Area Assemblyman Pete Lopez said that a key portion of the education equation, is to get the teacher evaluation portion right:

(Lopez 2-3-16)

Lawmakers are looking at getting the budget completed for the begining of the state's fiscal year, which is April 1st.

State Police at Oneonta arrested 47-year-old Donald Reutter of the town of Maryland, for felony DWI, Reutter was observed weaving while driving on State Route 7 in the Town of Oneonta. The arrest is a felony due to a prior conviction for DWI within the last 10 years. Reutter was arraigned in the Town of Oneonta court and was remanded to the Otsego County jail. His next court date in the Town of Oneonta is on February 25, 2016.

Governor Cuomo today launched a new web-based service that will help connect New Yorkers struggling with addiction to treatment. The State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services' Bed Availability Dashboard application collects the information from treatment providers daily and makes it available in real-time on the agency's website. More information is available at 1-877-8-HOPENY, or Text HOPENY or Visit oasas.ny.gov/accesshelp

Oneonta Police investigated a burglary at 73 Center Street Monday night, following an investigation, the resident, 27 year old Alexander Coffran was charged with Criminal Possession of a controlled substance & criminal possession of marijuana, after 9.6 lbs of marijuana was recovered as police investigated the robbery call from that address. $300 worth of concentrated cannabis and $2,377 in cash was seized. The investigation into the burglary is ongoing.

Governor Cuomo today launched the Municipal Restructuring Fund, a $25 million program to assist local government and school officials with developing projects that will lead to property tax reductions. Projects will be ranked by metrics that include potential impact across local governments, service delivery areas and municipal functions, and have potential for long-term property tax savings. Local governments interested in partnering with the Department of State, should contact the Division of Local Government Services, at 518-473-3355

The town of Guilford is currently seeking candidates to fill openings on their planning board, board of assessment review, & the Mount Upton Park committee. Those interested should call the Guilford Town Clerk’s office at 895-9966; the deadline of applications is today.