WCDO Radio News

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 12-19-24

50 year old Kevin Harrington of Oneonta was sentenced to serve a 3-year term of federal probation and ordered to pay over $150,000.00 in restitution to his former employer, for his previous guilty plea to 2 counts of mail fraud. Harrington admitted that while he was the executive director at First Community Care of Bassett, he submitted fraudulent expense reports seeking reimbursement for the purchase of CPAP machines that were not purchased. Harrington was ordered to serve six months of home confinement and was fined $5,500.00.

64 year old Douglas Webb admitted in Chenango County Court to offering a false instrument for filing with the intent to defraud, he admitted to misleading Sherburne Earlville school officials on an application, where Webb allegedly did not disclose a 1987 conviction. Webb was originally indicted for offering a false instrument for filing with the intent to defraud, falsifying business records, plus 3 counts of forcible touching, and 3 counts of endangering the welfare of a child, while serving a bus driver for the district.

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 12-19-24

50 year old Andras Kasuba of Brooklyn pleaded guilty to DWI & Aggravated Vehicular Assault, in Delaware County Court, on March 18, 2023, the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office responded to a motor vehicle crash on Highway 26, Kasuba was the driver of one of the vehicles. 3 individuals needed extraction due to serious physical injuries sustained in the accident, Kasuba was intoxicated at the time of the collision and had caused the crash, he had a blood alcohol content of 2.5 times the legal limit. Kasuba was remanded to the custody of the Delaware County Sheriff pending sentencing at a later date..

New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald today declared that influenza is now prevalent in New York State, with a total of 23,313 positive flu cases across 60 counties in New York have been reported this season to date. Outside of New York City, week-over-week lab-confirmed flu cases are up 75%, rising from 2,058 cases in the previous week to 3,603. Hospitalizations due to influenza climbed by 48%, up from 270 in the previous week to 399 across the State. More information is available at nyshc.health.ny.gov.

The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce will hold their annual Membership Meeting & Awards Ceremony on November 14th. Several County businesses will receive awards at the event, which will be held at the Foothills Performing Arts Center Atrium on Market Street in Oneonta.

Local government sales tax collections totaled $5.98 billion in the 3rd quarter of 2024, an increase of 1.4%, or $82.7 million, according to State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. 8 of the 10 regions in the state, saw collections rise. Aggregate growth in third quarter collections for the counties and cities outside of New York City was 1.5%, year over year, it was the largest increase so far this year.

Delaware Academy Central School District at Delhi will again be hosting area veterans for a special Veterans Day breakfast event on Thursday, November 8. Veterans and their families are invited to attend the event, beginning with a breakfast at 8:15 am, followed by an assembly and special program in the high school auditorium at 9:00 am. Veterans who are interested in attending are asked to RSVP by calling the high school office, 607-746-1308.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 9-19-24

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that $2.3 billion in tax relief will go to nearly 3 million New Yorkers under the State’s School Tax Relief program. More than 2 million New Yorkers have already received their STAR tax relief and nearly 1 million more will receive their benefits in the coming weeks. Additional Information is available at ny.gov/STAR

Oneonta City Officials announced that On Sunday, beginning at approximately 8:00 am and continuing until approximately 4:00 pm, NYSEG crews will be shutting off electrical service to businesses and apartments on Main Street, Water Street, and Market Street. NYSEG will be contacting people in the affected areas by phone. For more information, call the Department of Public Works at 432-2100.

Emergency crews responded to an accident on I-88 yesterday afternoon at about 1:00 PM, between Oneonta and Otego. A tractor trailer went off of the road & tipped over onto its side, the driver was not injured.

The Gilbertsville-Mt. Upton Alumni Association is planning the 4th Annual Fall Scholarship Fundraiser for Friday and Saturday, at the Hidden Springs Brewhouse, Norwich. There will be food & live music, The Alumni Association awards up to four scholarships annually for a graduating GMU senior to help with college or technical school expenses. More information is available by calling 607-888-1459.

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 9-19-24

A social Media Threat against the Sidney & Walton Central School District was posted on Instagram and Facebook, Sidney Superintendent Eben Bullock told WCDO News that 4 were quickly identified, placed into a safe space & their parents were contacted, they also coordinated with the Sidney Police Department. Sidney Police stated that there was no credible information or evidence to support the threat being real & they remained at the school until dismissal, they are back at the Sidney District again today. Sidney Police are asking anyone with information to contact them at 607- 561-2301.

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 29 year old Antonio Almovdovar of Oneonta on multiple charges for Assaulting and throwing feces on Correction Officers. Almovdovar was charged with Assault, Aggravated Harassment of an Employee by an Inmate, on September 17th Almovdovar ignored lawful commands by corrections officers to cease his actions, he became combative and during a struggle, a corrections officer sustained an injury that required medical treatment at Bassett Hospital, the following morning, he began to again become disorderly and proceeded to throw bodily fluids on to another corrections officer, After consulting with the Otsego County District Attorney’s Office, a bail recommendation of $10,000 cash, $10,000 credit card and $100,000 surety bond was requested.

Congressman Marc Molinaro's constituent service team is holding mobile office hours from 11:00am to 1:00pm today, at the Norwich City Hall, constituents can connect with representatives Molinaro's office to resolve issues they are having with federal agencies like the VA, IRS, and Social Security Administration.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 5-28-24

The Otsego County Office of Emergency Services announced that 29 year old Michael Bredin on the Town of Maryland, has been charged with 2nd degree Arson by the State Police & Otsego County District Attorney's Office. On March 31st, the Schenevus Fire Department, along with Oneonta City Firefighters, responded to a blaze at an apartment house on State Route 7, the fire was quickly knocked down, and investigators determined that the fire was deliberately set. Bredin was arraigned Friday & faces court action at a later date.

A.M. NEWS Tuesday 5-28-24

State Police conducted an Underage Drinking Initiative in Otsego and Delaware Counties recently. 11 businesses were checked for compliance, with 1 person charged with Unlawful Sale of Alcohol to a Minor, after selling alcohol to person under the age of 21, at Betty Beavers Fuel Stop on County Road 48 in the town of Otego. The businesses that passed were in Oneonta, Laurens, Hartwick, Milford, Otego, & Davenport. During these investigations, businesses are checked utilizing a Trooper in plain clothes and one or several underage operatives who cannot lie about their age or provide a false date of birth.

The Sidney High School Flood Monitoring Team will be giving a special presentation for the public in the Smart Community Room at the Sidney Memorial Public Library Today at 6:00PM. Rich Townsend was a Science Teacher at Sidney at the start of the program in 2007, & is still guiding the program, he told WCDO about the presentation:

(Rich Townsend 5-28-24)

Townsend said anyone interested in donating to the project should email: rtownsend@sidneycsd.org. The presentation this evening is free & open to the public.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 5-21-24

School district across the state are putting up their budget proposals today for public approval, many district also have School Board Seats, capital projects & School Bus Propositions up for public vote. More information is available at most school district websites for locations & duration for the voting public.

The Sidney High School Flood Monitoring Team will be giving a special presentation for the public in the Smart Community Room at the Sidney Memorial Public Library on Tuesday, May 28th at 6PM. Rich Townsend was a Science Teacher at Sidney at the start of the program in 2007, & is still guiding the program, he told WCDO about donations that they have received recently & what the money will be used for:

(Rich Townsend 5-21-24)

Townsend said that the students have given several presentations about the flood monitoring program. Anyone interested in donating to the project should email: rtownsend@sidneycsd.org. The presentation on the 28th is free & open to the public.

A.M. NEWS Tuesday 5-21-24

Delaware County Sheriff's Office arrested 25 year old Sean Gillespie of Delhi on a bench warrant for failing to appear in court to answer to a drug related charge, issued out of the Town of Delhi. On May 9th, Deputies were contacted by the City Oneonta Police Department, who advised that they who had taken Gillespie into custody, he was turned over to central arraignment processing at the Delaware County Jail to await arraignment.

FRIENDS OF THE UPPER DELAWARE RIVER & the New York City Department of Environmental Protection will hold a meeting today regarding the Delaware Aqueduct Shutdown scheduled for October 1st. The meeting will be today at 10:00 AM until 12:00 Noon at 158 East Front Street, Hancock.

The Tri Town Theatre will present the musical "Rent" this weekend at the Sidney High School Auditorium, about a group of people in New York City in the 80's, cast member Yana King visited with WCDO this morning & talked about the show:

(Yana King 5-1-24)

Tickets are available at tritowntheatre.com, the shows will be Friday & Saturday night at 7:30 PM with a Sunday Matinee at 2:00 PM.

A.O. Fox Hospital's FoxCare Center is hosting a blood drive with the American Red Cross today, from 12:00 Noon to 5:00 PM, in Conference Room 1 at FoxCare Center in Oneonta. Another Blood Drive is being held at the Gilbertsville-Mount Upton School District, from 2:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Appointments are available and walk-ins are welcome. Appointments may be made by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS, visiting redcrossblood.org, or using the American Red Cross Blood Donor App.

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 46 year old Jeremy Stimpson of Oneonta for Bail Jumping and on 2 Bench Warrants. Stimpson repeatedly failed to appear for court appearances for criminal cases in the Town of Otego and Town of Milford Courts, both courts issued bench warrants, Stimpson was located in the City of Oneonta by deputies and members of the Oneonta Police Department, he was processed and remanded to the Otsego County Correctional Facility on $1,500 cash, $1,500 credit card, or $10,500 bond bail recommendations.

14 individuals were arrested on charges ranging from graffiti, stealing a law enforcement body camera and disorderly conduct to obstruction and resisting arrest at the 4th annual “Smoke Weed Outside the Binghamton Police Station” event in downtown Binghamton. On Saturday, members of the Broome County Sheriff’s Office assisted Binghamton Police Department in ensuring a safe public gathering on Hawley Street in front of Government Plaza. Some attendees began scrawling graffiti, blocking the flow of traffic on Hawley Street, Police began arresting participants for Obstructing Government Administration, disorderly conduct, petty larceny for stealing a law enforcement body camera and resisting arrest, all were processed and released on appearance tickets for the City of Binghamton Court.

Oneida County District Attorney's office & State Police announced that former Utica School Superintendent Bruce Karam was sentenced to pay $11,549 back to the Utica school district for the resources improperly diverted, he was ordered to serve 5 years probation and perform 250 hours of community service, he was also ordered to pay $150,000 by May 17, representing a reduction in his pension earnings from the date of his crime until his termination.

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 2-23-24

Craig Ross Jr. pleaded guilty Wednesday to 1st-degree kidnapping and predatory sexual assault of a child, according to the Saratoga County district attorney, and faces 47 years to life in prison. Ross abducted 9 year old Charlotte Sena on September 30th from Moreau Lake State Park, as she was riding her bicycle while picnicking with her family, she disappeared and a search led to Ross 2 days later when state police troopers and an FBI SWAT team stormed a camper Ross was staying in. Rescuers found the girl alive in a cabinet. The guilty plea comes prior to a trial that was scheduled in April, Ross will be sentenced on April 17.

Tri Town Theatre will perform the Tony award winning comedy, GOD OF CARNAGE, starting tonight in Sidney, George Wells of Tri-Town Theater told WCDO about this 2009 comedy:

(George Wells 2-15-24)

Tickets for TriTown Theatre's production of "God Of Carnage" are on sale at TritownTheatre.com and will also be available at the door. The Shows are tonight & tomorrow night at 7:30PM and a Sunday Matinee at 2:00 PM at the Sidney High School auditorium, more information is also available on their Facebook page.

Karim Dobson of Johnson City pleaded guilty as a second felony offender to Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in Broome County Court. On October 17, Dobson was found in possession of more than 4 ounces of fentanyl following a traffic stop on I-81 in the Town of Kirkwood. Dobson admitted to possession with the intent to sell, he is due back for sentencing on May 12, where he is expected to be sentenced to 6 years in State Prison, followed by 3 years of post-release supervision.

A Red Cross Blood drive is being held in Oneonta today from 1:00 to 6:00 PM at the Quality Inn, on State Route 23. Appointments to give blood can be made at RedCrossBlood.org, with the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

The Broome County Sheriff’s Department is currently attempting to locate 36 year old Nathan Pixley of Binghamton regarding the pending charges of Domestic Harassment, Strangulation, Criminal Mischief, Violation of Court Stay Away Order, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child stemming from an incident that occurred in the Town of Fenton on January 2nd. Pixley is known to operate a Gray Toyota Corolla 4-door sedan, license plate NY-KWD-3285 and is last known to frequent the Burr Avenue area of the City of Binghamton. Pixley is described as a White Male, 6'1" 160 pounds with brown hear & brown eyes, anyone with information on the location of Nathan Pixley, please contact the Broome County Sheriff’s Department at 607-778-1191.

The Southside Mall will be adding a couple of major retailers to their location in the coming months, Mall General Manager Luisa Montanti explains:

(Luisa Montanti 1-3-24)

Montanti said that the mall is almost at 100% capacity & they will continue with various special events through the year, more information is available at shopsouthsidemall.com or on their Facebook page.

Chobani announced that they are paying the debt for about 1,300 families who owed money for school breakfast and lunch. Chobani has donated $32,000 to eliminate school lunch debt across 11 school districts where their workforce resides, local districts where the school lunch debt was paid off include Cooperstown, Morris, Laurens, Edmeston and Schenevus.