WCDO Radio News

The City of Oneonta announced that City Hall would be closed on Monday, New Year's Day. Oneonta City Hall will re-open on Tuesday January 2nd, a Common Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM.

Long time area businessman George McLain announced that he is retiring after 51 years in business & his Bainbridge & Oneonta offices will be under new management next week:

(George McLain 12-29-17)

McLain said that the records of all of his customers will remain in the Bainbridge & Oneonta offices under the new H&R Block ownership.

The 2017 Frostbite 5K will be held this Sunday, at 1:00 PM at the Oneonta YMCA. Race Day Registration & number pick up will be held at the Oneonta Family YMCA between 10:00 am & 12:30 pm, the RACE STARTS AT 1:00 PM on Market Street near The Foothills Performing Arts Center and ends at the Oneonta Family YMCA on Ford Avenue.

The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce will hold their annual "State Of The State" Breakfast on Tuesday Janaury 2nd starting at 8:00 AM. The event will be held at the SUNY Oneonta Morris Hall Otsego Grill, reservations are requested at 432-4500.

Otsego County will be increasing the tip fee rate at the Oneonta and Cooperstown Transfer stations effective January 1st, from $65/ton to $68/ton with a minimum fee of $20 for deliveries up to 588 lbs. More information is available at 547-4225 or otsegocounty.com/depts/sw.

The Oneonta Clerk's office announced that City Hall will be closed on Monday, Christmas Day. The Operations Planning & Evaluation Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday has been cancelled, The Finance/Human Resources Committee will be held Wednesday at 5:00 PM, & on Thursday at 4:00 PM the Examining Board of Plumbers meeting will be held as scheduled. All meetings will be held in the Common Council Chambers on the 2nd floor.

25-year-old Joshua Underwood has notified Otsego County Court that he is planning to withdraw his guilty plea from last month, for the murder of Mark Morrison in his Oneonta Apartment at 229 Main Street on January 1st. Underwood will be assigned a new attorney & he will be back in Otsego County court in January.

State Police & Emergency crews from Sidney & Unadilla responded to a 2-car accident with injuries at Tryons Corners today. The accident occurred at around 12:00 Noon, with front-end damage reported on both vehicles, and at least 2 injuries were reported, one person was taken to Fox HOsiptal in Oneonta, another wwas taken to Wilson Hospital in Johnson City with non-life threatening injuries, the investigation by state police is continuing.

23-year-old Kevin Perry appearing Oneonta Town Court yesterday, & his case will be held over for a Grand Jury. Perry has been charged with 2 counts of 1st degree murder & criminal possession of a weapon, in connection with the fatal shooting of his parents in the family home in the town of Laurens on December 12th. Perry remains held in the Otsego County jail without bail, Grand jury action is expected next Month.

The Oneonta Common Council will hold their next regular meeting tonight. The meeting will begin at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

23-year-old Kevin Perry of Laurens was scheduled to appear in Oneonta Town Court this morning to face a felony hearing. Perry of accused of fatally shooting his parents in their Town of Laurens residence last Tuesday, he remains held without bail in the Otsego county jail pending future court action.

Governor Cuomo today unveiled the 3rd proposal of the 2018 State of the State: to invest $100 million to launch the 3rd round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative which is aimed at transforming communities with a variety of economic development projects. The downtown areas will be selected by the state's Regional Economic Development Councils. Locally, in the 1st round, the City of Oneonta won a $10 million dollar award through the Mohawk Valley Regional Development Council; they are currently in the process of the downtown upgrades funded through that award.

Oneonta City Police have arrested 2 people on drug charges, following their investigating into the death of Daniel Michaels at a frat house earlier this month. 20-year-old Steven Fleming of Levittown was charged with possession of marijuana, 20 year old Luke Spencer of Mineola was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, both are students at the State University in Oneonta, and they shared an apartment at 34 Academy Street, where Michaels was found on December 2nd.

23 Year old Kevin Perry of Laurens has been charged with 1st degree murder & criminal use of a weapon, for allegedly killing his parents in their home on New Road in the town of Laurens last night. The sheriff's office received a call from a relative who found Tim & Solveig Perry dead in their home, The Otsego County Sheriff's department alerted area law enforcement agencies to be on the lookout for Perry's Pickup truck. Schoharie County sheriff’s deputies spotted the Pick Up truck, on I-88, Perry was apprehended following a high-speed chase, & a crash where Perry’s vehicle overturned at Exit 23. Perry was arraigned today in Town of Oneonta court, he was remanded to the Otsego County Jail without bail.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced his office completed audits of several school district around the state, including the Oneonta City School Districts. The Comptrollers report regarding the Oneonta District said that the district ensured the accuracy of compensation and benefits provided to employees. Officials effectively segregated the multiple aspects of the payroll process and provided adequate oversight.

Oneonta Police arrested 20-year-old Julian Vancourt-Weis of Schenectady, on charges of 1st degree attempted murder, 1st degree assault, and criminal possession of a weapon. Oneonta Police responded late Friday night to the report of a domestic dispute at 30 Maple Street, the victim was taken to Albany Medical center with stab wounds to the face, neck, shoulder & arms, she was subsequently released from the Hospital Saturday night. Vancourt-Weis was arraigned & was sent to the Otsego County Jail without bail pending future court action.

The Oneonta Police Department announced that, in anticipation of the snow event predicted for Tomorrow, the City is lifting parking regulations in municipal lots effective at midnight, Tuesday December 12th. Residents are reminded that vehicles are not permitted to be parked on city streets any time there is more than 2 ½” of snowfall.

The City of Oneonta announced the cancellation of 4 meetings this week, due to a lack of agenda items. Cancelled are today's "Operations, Planning & Evaluation Committee meetings, Tuesday's Legislative committee meeting, and the Community Development committee & Planning Commission meetings on Wednesday.

Breakfast with Santa will be held in Oneonta on Sunday morning for area children. The event will start on Sunday at 7:00 AM at the Hampton Inn at 225 River Street in Oneonta.

The Otsego County Health Department has reported that the Oneonta School district has 6 cases of Pertussis, also know as Whooping cough. Parents of students at the Oneonta School have been notified, Pertussis is highly contagious & is usually accompanied by fever, a runny nose & a harsh cough.

Oneonta Police arrested A Milford man for 2nd degree Assault, criminal possession of a weapon & criminal Tampering. 23-year-old Michael VanDeusen was charged following a fight in Oneonta on November 18th, where an unidentified man from Mount Vision suffered a non-life threatening stab wound. VanDeusen was arraigned; he faces action in Oneonta City Court in January.

Destination Oneonta announced that the Oneonta Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held today. The event will be held starting at 5:00 PM through 8:30 PM in Muller Plaza on Main Street. Activites include Horse Drawn wagon rides, & music.

A name change is coming to Tri Town Regional Hospital in Sidney, as the facility is required to have its Emergency Department within 35 miles of an acute care Emergency room, as provided by Fox Hospital in Oneonta. Fox CEO Jeff Joyner explains:

(Jeff Joyner 12-6-17)

The Change takes effect on January first, the facility in Sidney will be known as A.O. Fox Hospital-Tri Town Campus.

The Oneonta Common Council decided at last night’s meeting to prohibit smoking & tobacco use in Muller Plaza & in all city parks. Mayor Herzig will hold a public hearing on the new ordinance at the December 19th meeting before it can be signed into law.

The Oneonta Police Department is investigating the death of State University student Daniel Michaels of Dix Hills Saturday, preliminary reports suggest that a combination of drugs & alcohol led to a cardiac arrest, which led to the death the 18-year-old. Michaels was found passed out at a fraternity at 34 Academy Street in Oneonta early Saturday, he was taken to Fox Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. The full toxicology report is not expected for another 4 weeks, the investigation is ongoing. State University of Oneonta announced that they are offering additional counseling services to students affected by the Michael's death.

Tri Town Regional Hospital in Sidney will have a new name as of January 1st, following the recent decision to have the hospital affiliated with Fox Hospital in Oneonta, rather than Bassett hospital in Cooperstown. State regulations stipulate that a satellite emergency department must be within 35 miles of an acute care facility, Fox is about 23 miles from the Sidney facility. The new name will be A.O. Fox Hospital- Tri Town Regional Campus; services that are available will be unchanged with the new name.

Long time Otsego County Area entrepreneur Eugene Bettiol Sr. passed away at the age of 85. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, December 10 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. at Foothills Performing Arts Center in Oneonta. Contributions may be made to the Foothills Performing Arts Center.

State University at Oneonta officials announced that a freshman at the college died over the weekend. 18-year-old Daniel Michaels of Dix Hills died Saturday evening, details surrounding the death have not yet been released, and a memorial service was held on campus Sunday for Michaels.

The Oneonta Parks & Recreation Committee will hold their next regular meeting today, that meeting will begin at 7:00 PM at the Oneonta Common Council Chambers at City Hall.

The Toys for Tots train will make its annual appearance in Bainbridge Saturday, Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce President John Payne explains:

(John Payne 12-1-17)

The Toys for Tots train is also scheduled to stop in Oneonta at about 1:30 PM Saturday.

The Home for the Holidays Parade Hosted by Destination Oneonta will be held Saturday at 11:00 AM to 12:00 Noon on Main Street in Oneonta. Following the Parade will be the 2nd Annual Gingerbread Jubilee & Gingerbread Contest in the Foothills Performing Arts Center Atrium. The Inaugural Festival of the Trees will be held in the Foothills Production Room.

Destination Oneonta announced that a networking mixer for Tri-County area business owners will be held this morning at 8:30 at the Hampton Inn of Oneonta on River Street. This month’s topic is “How Can Technology Help My Business”.

Destination Oneonta announced that the Tri County business community can attend a networking mixer on Wednesday starting at 8:30 a.m. at the Hampton Inn of Oneonta on River Street. Organizers say this month’s topic is “How Can Technology Help My Business”. Bring your tips, tricks, and technology recommendations and questions to share and discuss along with meet and network with other local business and professional people. More information call 607-433-9000

Governor Cuomo today announced a statewide holiday drive to benefit families in need across New York. Donations of new unwrapped toys, coats and school supplies are being collected to assist community-based organizations during the holiday giving season. The Office of General Services has set up drop-off locations that will be collecting donations from Monday, November 27 through Friday, December 15. Local Drop-off locations are the Binghamton State Office Building, at 44 Hawley Street, The Homer Folks Facility, 28 Hill Street in Oneonta

The Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot for Hospice will be held in Oneonta tomorrow. The race is a fundraiser for Catskill area Hospice, the 5K run or 2.5K walk will begin at the Oneonta Boys & Girls club on River street starting at 9:00 AM, registrations will begin at 7:30 AM.

The Oneonta Common Council will hold their next regular meeting this evening starting at 7:00 PM. The meeting will be held in the Common Council Chamber on the 2nd floor of Oneonta City Hall. The Oneonta clerk's office announced that City Hall would be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on both Thursday & Friday this week.

State Police arrested 46-year-old Richard Talada of Oneonta for the felony DWI, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation, Operating a Motor Vehicle without Interlock Device, and several other traffic violations. The arrest occurred after a traffic stop for a motorist failing to keep right on Ceperly Avenue in Oneonta. Talada refused to submit to a breath test to determine his blood alcohol content, he was arraigned in the town of Oneonta Court and was remanded to the Otsego County Jail with bail set at $1,500 cash bail or $3,000 property bond. His next court date in the town of Oneonta is on December 21, 2017.

A review of the Oneonta Police Department’s actions, following the recent death of a man in custody has been completed by the Oneonta Police Department & the Otsego County District attorney's office. Oneonta Police had a search warrant for a city residence & to perform a strip search of 52-year-old Kenneth Faulkner of New Rochelle, following a lengthy drug investigation. Faulkner resisted the efforts of 4 officers; he swallowed a packet of cocaine, which led to his death several hours after the struggle on November 2nd. The results of the department’s report have been submitted to state officials.

Bassett Healthcare Network is currently holding their annual "Coats for Kids" event. Interested residents can drop off new or gently used children's coats at Bassett Healthcare Network locations or at any First Choice Cleaners before Monday. Coats will be cleaned by First Choice Cleaners, the Distribution of the items will be November 25th from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Bassett Healthcare at 125 Main Street, Oneonta & November 27 to December 1st from 10 AM to 4:00 PM at the Cooperstown Food Pantry, 25 Church Street, Cooperstown. More information is available at 547-3914

The City of Oneonta Engineering Department is asking local residents that it is against the law to dump leaves, snow and debris into in any of the City’s waterways or into the Susquehanna River. Piles of debris and snow could cause blockages in the waterways, which could lead to localized flooding. The department said that area residents should also keep an eye on local catch basins to keep leaves & debris from blocking them.

Joshua Underwood pleaded guilty to 1st degree manslaughter for the death of Mark Morrison on January 1st in Oneonta. Morrison died from blunt force trauma, Underwood then tried to cover up the crime by unsuccessfully setting fire to Morrison’s apartment doorway. Underwood faces Sentencing on December 15th.

Farmers will have two opportunities to drop off used agricultural film plastic for recycling under a special program offered by Otsego County Solid Waste Department, the Otsego County Soil & Water Conservation District, Otsego County Conservation Association, and Casella Waste Solutions. Collection dates are Saturday at the Southern Transfer Station in Oneonta, and Thursday, November 16 at the Northern Transfer Station in Cooperstown, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. both days. More information is available at 282-4087 or occainfo.org/recycling-agricultural-plastics.

Today is the 2nd day of the trial of 64-year-old Ramadan Abdullah of Johnson City, in Broome County Court. Abdullah is accused of stockpiling weapons in various locations in Broome County; he was indicted for 15 counts of criminal possession of a weapon following his arrest in June

The elections results are in for many of the key races in the Tri-County Area: Sidney Town Supervisor Gene Pigford is re-elected, for the 2 Sidney Council seats, the winners are Pete Cordes & Frank Selleck. Walton Supervisor Charles Gregory is re-elected, the Franklin Town Council winners were David Grant & Garret Sitts, Oneonta mayor Gary Herzig is re-elected, Oneonta Town Supervisor Robert Wood is re-elected, Oneonta town council Winners were Patricia Jacob & Randy Mowers, Butternuts town board Winners were Paul Irwin & Scot Lueck, for the Norwich City Council 4th Ward: Linda Kays Biviano wins, Norwich Town Council seats go to Stanley Foulds & Debra Cubbedge, the Otselic Supervisor is Marjorie Davis & Oxford Supervisor, incumbent Lawrence Wilcox wins. The proposition for all state voters: the Constitutional Convention was defeated, Cutting Public Pensions for convicted officials was approved, and allowing expansion of roads & bike paths in the Catskills & Adirondacks is too close to call. Candidates who won their races for seats on the Otsego County Board of Representatives include Ed Frazier, Michele Farwell, Kathleen Clark, Andrew Stammel, Margaret Kennedy, Peter Oberacker, David Bliss, Andrew Marietta, Keith McCarty, Adrienne Martini, Danny Lapin & Lizabeth Shannon.

Bassett Healthcare Network is currently holding their annual "Coats for Kids" event; new or gently used children's coats can be dropped off at Bassett Healthcare Network locations or at any First Choice Cleaners before November 20th. Coats will be cleaned by First Choice Cleaners and the Distribution of the items will be November 25th from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Bassett Healthcare at 125 Main Street, Oneonta & November 27 to December 1st from 10 AM to 4:00 PM at the Cooperstown Food Pantry, 25 Church Street, Cooperstown. More information is available at 547-3914

Today is Election Day, with polls open until 9:00 tonight. All New York voters will decide on 3 propositions on the back of the ballot regarding a constitutional convention, if convicted politicians should lose their pensions, and if forest land in the Adirondacks and Catskills can be used for wider roads or bicycle paths. In Delaware County there are significant races for Town Supervisor in Sidney & Walton, for town board seats in Sidney & Franklin, in Chenango County for town supervisor in the towns of Norwich, Plymouth, Oxford, Smyrna & Otselic, plus Norwich city justice & Norwich city alderman in the 4th ward. In Otsego County, there are races for the Board of Representative's in all districts except the 10th & 11th, where candidates are running unopposed. There are also races for the Town of Oneonta Supervisor & Town Board & Oneonta City Mayor, there are 4 candidates running for 2 seats on the Town of Butternuts board.

A.O. Fox Hospital & Oneonta Job Corps Academy are partnering to bring the Oneonta community its first blood drive competition Wednesday & Thursday with the 1st Annual Donor Dash, to benefit the American Red Cross. Fox Spokesperson Gabby Argo explains:

(Gabby Argo 11-7-17)

Community members are encouraged to participate with employees at both locations, the Fox Hospital blood drive will be on Wednesday, at Fox Care Center. The Oneonta Job Corps Academy blood drive is on Thursday in the gymnasium, both events will be from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Donors can register at redcrossblood.org or 1-800-733-2767.

An Autopsy performed at Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton has determined that Kenneth Faulkner of New Rochelle died from a Cocaine Overdose. Oneonta Police had picked up Faulkner where they had warrants to search Faulkner & an apartment in Oneonta, following a drug investigation. Faulkner struggled with Oneonta Police officers & swallowed a packet believed to contain Cocaine, EMT's brought him to Fox Hospital, and he died a few hours later, after the Police struggle Thursday night. The investigation into the incident is continuing by the Oneonta Police Department & the Otsego County District Attorney's office.

Tomorrow is Election Day, with many local town & city races of importance to be decided by voters. All voters Statewide will decide on propositions, which will be on the back of the ballots, to decide if a constitutional convention should be convened to overhaul state government, if politicians convicted of corruption should lose their pensions, and if forest land in the Adirondacks and Catskills can be used for widened roads and bicycle paths. Key Chenango County races include the Oxford town supervisor’s race between Canice Paliotta vs. incumbent Lawrence Wilcox, the Norwich town council race has 4 candidates for 2 positions, between Debra Cubbedge, Barbara Collins, Stanley Foulds & David law. For the Otselic town supervisor position, Marjorie Davis & John Myers are on the ballot. In Delaware County; For Town of Sidney Supervisor; incumbent Gene Pigford faces Bill Heath, & there are 4 Town board candidates for 2 seats, candidates on the ballot are Pete Cordes, Dan Cristelli, Frank Selleck & John Woodyshek, however Woodyshek announced that he is NOT seeking re-election. in the Town of Franklin Board there are 2 open seats with 3 candidates: Patricia Tyrell, David Grant & Garrett Sitts. In the Walton town supervisor’s race, Charles Gregory faces Bruce Dolph. In Otsego County races of note: there are Board of Representative's races in all districts except the 10th & 11th where 1 candidate each is running unopposed. For Town of Oneonta Supervisor, Republican Mike Butler challenges Incumbent Democrat Robert Wood, for the Oneonta Town Board Incumbents Patricia Jacob and Randy Mowers, are being challenged by Dan Baker, and James McCue. In the city of Oneonta mayor’s race, Incumbent Gary Herzig faces write in candidate Don Scanlon. In the Town of Butternuts there are 4 candidates for 2 seats on the board, they are Scott Lueck, Paul Irwin, Donald Hunt & James Power. Polls will be open from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM Tuesday.

Otsego County Farmers will have 2 opportunities to drop off used agricultural film plastic for recycling under a special program offered by the County Solid Waste Department, the County Soil & Water Conservation District, Otsego County Conservation Association, and Casella Waste Solutions. Collection dates are this Saturday, November 11, at the Southern Transfer Station in Oneonta, and Thursday, November 16 at the Northern Transfer Station in Cooperstown, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. both days. The collection is free, but pre-registration is requested. Registration & more information is available at 282-4087, or occainfo.org/recycling-agricultural-plastics.