WCDO Radio News

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 12-11-23

The Town of Oneonta has adjusted the restricted area to the public to properties close to the area around Saturday's explosion & fire at Richards Avenue in Oneonta's West End. Residents within the affected area will be allowed to secure their homes from the outside only, Town of Oneonta Code Enforcement will be on scene with NYSEG to assist residents, the Code Enforcement Office phone number is 607-432-8606. The phone number for town hall is 607-432-2900. A representative from Mobile Crises Assessment Team is at the Oneonta Town Hall today and Wednesday at starting at 10:00 AM for anyone who needs assistance, their phone number is 315-732-6228.

NYSEG is reporting over 3000 customers without power this afternoon, following the heavy wet snow over the region. Crews are working to restore power as quickly as possible. Most of the power outages were in the Middle & Eastern townships in Delaware County.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies responded to motor vehicle complaint in the Town of Davenport November 26th, Deputies learned that a vehicle had been stolen, damaged and return to the owner’s residence. Later that day Sheriff's Deputies located where the vehicle had been involved in a property damage accident. Deputies determined that owner 23-year-old Hector Padilla of Davenport had made a false report and was the operator of the vehicle when it was involved in the accident. Deputies charged Padilla with 2 counts of Criminal Mischief, 1 count of Obstructing Governmental Administration & 1 count of Falsely Reporting an Incident, he was issued appearance tickets for Town of Davenport Court at a later date.

The Jericho Arts Council is now looking for artists to participate in next year's Regatta Row 2024. Spokesperson Rachel Hares explains:

(Rachel Hares 12-11-23)

The chairs will be displayed in Bainbridge from April to Memorial Day Weekend, when they are auctioned off during the General Clinton Canoe Regatta, applications and details are available online at jerichoarts.com, more information is available at 607-643-2211.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 12-11-23

On Saturday at approximately 5:30 pm; The Otsego County 911 Center received multiple 911 calls reporting an explosion and residential structure fire on Richards Avenue in the Town of Oneonta. The Oneonta Fire Department and multiple mutual aid departments responded. Upon arrival, they found multiple structures with severe damage and an active structure fire. Deputies and members of various fire departments assisted residents in the immediate area with a precautionary evacuation. Once the fire was extinguished, 60 year old Desmond Moan was found deceased. A neighboring resident received medical attention for minor injuries sustained during the explosion, the initial investigation determined the cause of the fire at 18 Richards Avenue was a result of human error.

1 person has died as a result of a house fire Friday night at 72 Colfax Avenue in Binghamton, 2 dogs were also killed by the flames. Binghamton Fire fighters arrived at the scene, they found heavy flames coming from 72 Colfax spreading to 74 Colfax Ave. Firefighters removed 1 person from the house, who was transported to a nearby hospital and was pronounced dead. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The Unadilla Fire was dispatched to a possible structure fire in the town of Unadilla on Kilkenny Road, at about 4:15 Saturday afternoon. Additional personnel were called in from Franklin, Wells Bridge, and Sidney Fire departments, it took approximately 25 minutes to get the fire knocked down.

The Tioga County District Attorney’s Office announced that 32 year old Boyd Fenton of Athens, Pennsylvania was arraigned on a 105-count indictment for setting a fire at Tioga Downs that killed 30 horses, destroyed the barn, injured a trainer, he was indicted for arson, assault, burglary, 38 counts of criminal mischief, 30 counts of interference with or injury to domestic animals; 31 counts of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals; aggravated cruelty to animals; bail for Fenton has been set at $25,000 cash, $50,000 property and $250,000 secured bond.

Delaware County Officials are aware of a complaint filed in the Northern District of New York by The Reporter. Officials can not make any comment at this time as the matter is in pending litigation, but officials deny all claims against the County as well as any individual named as a defendant in that matter, and will vigorously defend the action. The County was sued last week by the Reporter, as they claim that the action by the Board of Supervisors to remove The Reporter as the County's official paper for the publishing of legal notices, was in retaliation for coverage of county affairs by the Reporter's staff.

Delaware County District Attorney's Office announced that 44 year old Laura Davis of Big Indian was indicted for Drugged Driving by the Delaware County Grand Jury on December 7th. The Indictment alleges that on March 3rd, Davis was driving in the Village of Walton while her ability to operate that motor vehicle was impaired by a stimulant, she was also charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of a Controlled Substance Outside of its Original Container.

State Senator Joseph Griffo of presented the New York State Senate Empire Awards to a few Chenango County businesses recently. Griffo announced that the awards went to Golden Artist Colors of New Berlin, Preferred Mutual Insurance Company of New Berlin, Service Pharmacy of Sherburne & The Sherburne News.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 11-2-23

State Police at Norwich arrested 37 year old Michael Salamey of Frankfort, in connection with a renovation at home in Chenango County. Salamey was charged with 2 counts of 3rd degree Grand Larceny, Scheming to Defraud & Petty Larceny. Salamey is accused of entering into a contract for $33,000 to complete improvements to a home in the village of Sherburne, he did not finish the work and also stopped communicating with the homeowners. Additionally, Salamey is accused of failing to pay a surveyor & Sub Contractor, he was arraigned in the Norwich City Court and is scheduled to appear at the Sherburne Village Court on November 16, 2023.

The Afton Fairgrounds Speedway is under new management for the 2024 season, Afton Fair Board President Rhonda Barriger told WCDO News that a change was needed:

(Rhonda Barriger 11-2-23)

Barringer said That Thunder Mountain will take over prior to next6 racing season, they have operated a track successfully in Lisle for many decades.

The City of Norwich will add 3 new Police Officers, from the recent class of graduates at the ​The Broome County Law Enforcement Academy. 40 graduates completed the 6 month training course to become deputies or police officers, and will be joining law enforcement agencies around the southern tier, including 2 deputies for the Chenango County Sheriff's Office.

U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro announced his constituent service team will hold mobile office hours Friday from 12:00 noon to 2:00pm at the Town of Oneonta Town Hall in West Oneonta. Constituents will be able to connect with representatives from Rep. Molinaro's office to share comments and resolve issues they are having with federal agencies like the VA, IRS, and Social Security Administration.

A.M. NEWS Thursday 11-2-23

State Police arrested 3 people after a fight at the Lantern Hill trailer park in Oneonta Saturday. An investigation by Troopers at the scene determined that 25 year old La-Tee Baker of Oneonta, 21 year old Bryanna Patterson of Oneonta, and 23 year old Bethany Brown of Delhi, were involved in a fight, both women sustained injuries, Brown was transported to A.O. Fox Hospital. Baker and Patterson were located by Troopers walking along State Highway 23 and were arrested. They were issued appearance tickets to the Oneonta Town Court on November 21, 2023. After release from the hospital, Brown was charged with Assault, she was issued appearance tickets to the Oneonta Town Court on December 5.

45 year old Kellie Sanderson of Walton, appeared in Delaware County Court and was arraigned on a sealed indictment. The 5-count indictment charged Sanderson with 3 counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing, Welfare Fraud & Grand Larceny, for submitting false applications to the Delaware County Department of Social Services on 3 separate occasions reporting incorrect household income to obtain public assistance benefits that she was not entitled to in an amount greater than $3,000. Sanderson pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released, the case is scheduled for a conference on November 13th.

The Sidney Democratic Committee is holding a Meet and Greet for Deirdre Hay, who is running on the Democratic line for NY State Supreme Court Justice for the 6th Judicial District, in the upcoming November 7th general election. Hay will meet with area residents at 6:30 in the Sidney Library Smart Community Room tonight. Hay is running for the seat against Republican candidate Cheryl Insinga. Also, Democratic Sidney Town Board Candidate Kevin Greene will also be participating.

Delaware County Chamber of Commerce EmpowHER Program will be held today in Stamford, Chamber President Ray Pucci explains the purpose of this program:

(Ray Pucci 11-2-23)

The program will be held at Catskills Junction on Railroad Avenue in Stamford, starting with registration and networking at 9:30 am. Pucci said that currently, about half of all Delaware County Businesses are owned by women.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 10-19-23

State Police announced today that they are embarking on a new recruitment campaign. Applications for the State Trooper Entrance Exam will open on October 23rd through March 4th of next year. The last day to take the Trooper Entrance Examination is March 17, 2024. During its most recent recruitment campaign which ended on October 1st, 12,691 individuals applied to take the exam, with a significant increase in applications within the 29 to 34-year-old age range, after Governor Hochul approved a request from the State Police to raise the maximum age to apply to 34, more information is available at joinstatepolice.ny.gov.

The State Department of Labor announced that the number of private sector jobs in New York State increased over the month by 7,500 to 8,261,800 in September. The State's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 3.9% in August to 4.0% in September, the statewide labor force participation rate increased slightly to 61.6% in September 2023, matching its highest level in a decade.

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office announced that Pamela Fox is now in Custody. The Office announced Wednesday that there was an outstanding warrant for Fox's arrest for a Violation of Probation for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a motor vehicle. Fox was apprehended following a tip being forwarded to the Sheriff's Office.

The Delaware County Board of Elections reminds area residents that October 23rd is the Last day to receive application or letter of application for General Election absentee ballot, October 28 is the last day an application can be received by Board of Elections for eligibility to vote in the General Election. & for them to receive a change of address from a registered voter. Early Voting will be held at their office at 97 Main Street, Suite 5, in Delhi from Saturday, October 28 through Sunday, November 5th. More information is available at 607-832-5321, at their Facebook & Instagram pages or at delcony.us.

The Sidney Moose Lodge will host a spaghetti fundraising dinner Saturday from 4:00 to 8:00 PM, for Tracy Ramage and Dave Charles, who lost their home & their dog in a fire on August 30th. In addition to the dinner there will be a 50-50 raffle and basket raffles, more information is available at 563-8791

A.M. NEWS Thursday 10-19-23

State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation arrested 44 year old Erin Walker of Union, for 3rd degree Grand Larceny and Falsifying Business Records. An investigation revealed that Walker embezzled approximately $12,000 from American Window Cleaning Company in the town of Fenton from 2016 to 2022. Walker was arrested and brought to the Broome County Correctional Facility for Central Arraignment.

The Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council will host a public open forum today to solicit feedback and priorities from the community, today at 5:30 at SUNY Delhi. The session will be led by Omar Sanders, who is the regional director of the Southern Tier Regional Council, he will be joined by representatives from River Street Planning and Development of Troy, they will focus on talent attraction and retention. A Zoom link for can be found at regionalcouncils.ny.gov/southern-tier

State Comptroller's office conducted an audit of the South Kortright School District, the audit found that District officials generally ensured claims were adequately supported and properly audited prior to payment, certain purchases lacked necessary supporting documentation. There were issues with Request for Proposals for 7 professional service providers and the insurance provider & 18 claims were approved without documentation. The Auditors recommend that the claims auditor and deputy claims auditor Conduct a thorough and deliberate audit of each claim before authorizing payment.

Another American Red Cross Blood Drive is scheduled in Oneonta today from 12 pm. - 5 pm., at the South side Mall YMCA, Appointments ca be made by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting Crossbreed or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

Visions Federal Credit Union will host a Business After Hours Event today at their Oneonta Branch in the Well Now Plaza on State Route 23. The program runs from 5:00 to 7:00 PM today.