WCDO Radio News

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $135 million was made available to help communities across the State affordably undertake critical water and sewer infrastructure improvement projects. Locally, the City of Oneonta will receive $5.3 million in federal grant and low-cost financing for improvements at the wastewater treatment plant.

Election Day is right around the corner & voters will be deciding on important races around the Tri-County Region, Oneonta will have a new Mayor as Mark Drnek is not seeking re-election, Republican Luisa Montanti is running for Mayor:

(Luisa Montanti 10-30-25)

Democrat Dan Butterman is running for Mayor, he said that there are 3 main areas of concern to deal with in Oneonta:

(Dan Butterman 10-30-25)

WCDO urges eligible voters to go to the polls on Tuesday November 4th.

Hartwick College introduced the Baking Innovation Lab Tuesday during a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new site on Dietz Street in Oneonta. Hartwick President James Mullen commented about the new facility:

(James Mullen 10-23-24)

Oneonta Mayor Mark Drnek also commented:

(Mayor Drnek 10-23-24)

The Baking Innovation Lab is part of a Dietz Street development, which includes 64 units of affordable housing. The project received $1,470,000 in funding from the City’s $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award.

The Otsego County Board of Elections announced that Early Voting for the November 5 General Election will begin October 26 through November 3 at the Foothills Performing Arts Center, on Market Street in Oneonta & at The Meadows Office Complex, at 140 County Highway 33W in Cooperstown. Polls will be open from 9 am. to 5 pm. on Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Polls will be open from 12 to 8 pm. on Tuesday and Thursday. Otsego County voters are welcome to vote at either location. For more information, contact the Otsego County Board of Elections at (607) 547-4247.

The State DMV warns customers to be cautious of car sales on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist and similar sites. The advisory comes after a rise in stolen vehicles, including cars with altered ID numbers and forged titles. Investigations revealed that, as of October 15th there were 228 stolen vehicles worth $6.35 million recovered by the DMV, with 149 purchased by victims from these online platforms.

After hundreds of calls to the Oneonta Police Department to respond to various Issues at the Town House Inn on Main Street in Oneonta, City officials have decided to try to shut the motel down, Oneonta Mayor Mark Drnek told WCDO news what they are doing:

(Mayor Mark Drnek 9-8-23)

In recent weeks, Oneonta Police have responded to a shots fired complaint, there was also a fatal overdose there recently, among the 400 incidents reported at the Town House Inn. Mayor Drnek said that the Oneonta Police Department, like many others, is short staffed and can't spend many hours a week responding to the same location repeatedly.

The Greater Oneonta Historical Society will host the 2nd in a series called “Let's Talk Oneonta Baseball” Today from 6:00-8:00 pm at 183 Main Street. Special guest Helen Rees is the daughter of the late Jim Konstanty on Oneonta, who was the National League's Most Valuable Player in 1950 for the Philadelphia Phillies. The Society's Baseball related display continues through September 1. This informal event is free and open to the public, more information, is available at (607) 432-0960.

Oneonta Mayor Mark Drnek announced that a visit to Fox Hospital over the weekend resulted in the finding of a blood clot in his lungs. Drnek said on his Twitter page that he will have a reduced schedule due to the pulmonary Embolism, but still plans on attending regularly scheduled City meetings.

Otsego County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the Oneonta Job Corps on December 10th, where they located a male subject being restrained by security. 20-year-old Richard Polimeni assaulted another man with a barbell weight while working out in the gym, he was arrested for Attempted Assault & Criminal Possession of a Weapon and was being held at the Otsego County Jail pending court action .

The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce's annual State of The State Networking Breakfast will be held this morning at SUNY Oneonta's Morris Hall, from 8:00 to 11:00 AM. Legislators scheduled to participate are Assemblymen Brian Miller & Chris Tague, Oneonta Mayor Mark Drnek, among others.

The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce announced their annual State of The State Networking Breakfast will be held Friday January 20 at SUNY Oneonta's Morris Hall, from 8:00 to 11:00 AM. Legislators scheduled to participate are Assemblymen Brian Miller & Chris Tague, Oneonta Mayor Mark Drnek, among others. Reservations form Otsego County Chamber members are due by January 16th by calling 607-432-4500, extension 2.

Oneonta Mayor Mark Drnek delivered his first State of the City address to the Common Council Tuesday night, he told WCDO News that the main theme of his speech & agenda is "Collaboration":

(Mark Drnek 2-16-22)

Oneonta City meetings returned to in person events this week, with certain restrictions regarding the ongoing COVID 19 issue.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 2-15-22

Oneonta Mayor Mark Drnek announced that the Common Council meeting tonight will be back in the Chambers at Oneonta City Hall. Mayor Drnek will be delivering his first State of the City Address, masks will be required at tonight's meeting, which will also be broadcast at 7:00 PM on YouTube.com/cityofoneonta

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced the results of an audit of the Otsego County Industrial Development Agency regarding the Oneonta Rail Yards Acquisition. The audit stated that the agency did not adequately plan for the 2017 acquisition of the rail yards, which was acquired based on a $6 million to $20 million development plan, but without an interested developer. Auditors found no indication that the board of directors had significant discussions of the pros and cons of developing the property, they then learned that a large-scale timber operation would be the only type of local industry that could profitable at the Rail Yards property.

The City of Oneonta Police Department has arrested 29 year old Elijah Vergari of Oneonta in connection with the NBT bank robbery that occurred at 1 Wall Street in the City of Oneonta on December 29th. An indictment was handed down by a Grand Jury for the arrest of Vergari, Vergari was delivered to the Otsego County Court Monday, he was arraigned for 3rd degree Robbery, Due to the existence of pending felony charges in Delaware County, bail was set for $10,000 cash bail and he was remanded to the custody of the Otsego County Sheriff. The Oneonta Police Department worked in conjunction with the New York State Police Forensic ID unit, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations, and NBT bank security services.

An Oneonta man died in a two-car crash on Route 365 in Westmoreland late Sunday night. The Oneida County Sheriff's Office stated that 20-year-old Joshua Parker of Utica, was driving westbound on Route 365 when he started to have car trouble and put his flashers on while trying to make it to a gas station, Parker's vehicle was hit from behind by 40-year-old Lance Johnson of Oneonta, who was transporting medical test samples to a lab. Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene. Parker was taken to St. Elizabeth Medical Center to be treated for injuries that are not considered to be life-threatening. The investigation is ongoing.

Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce will have their next meeting tomorrow morning at 7:30 am. The meeting will be held in the the back of Bob's Diner. More information about the Bainbridge Chamber is available at 607-967-8700

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 2-14-22

The City of Oneonta is returning to in-person meetings as of Today. City officials said that because the Otsego County's level of COVID-19 transmission remains High, masks are still required in City buildings. Monday's meeting first meeting will be the Parks & Recreation committee at 7:00 PM, Tuesday night's meeting will be the Common Council meeting at 7:00pm, New Oneonta Mayor Mark Drnek will deliver the State of the City address. All Oneonta City meetings will also be available for viewing, in real-time, the City of Oneonta's Youtube page.

The Oneonta Common Council unanimously approved a motion Tuesday, to submit an application for a SAFER grant to help with additional staffing for the Oneonta fire department, Oneonta Mayor Mark Drnek comments:

(Mark Drnek 2-2-22)

Mayor Drnek said that if the grant is approved, the money would be used to hire up to 8 full-time firefighters, then the city would hold a civil service exam on March 19 for prospective firefighters, the application deadline is February 16.

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 2-2-22

Oneonta Police have been investigating the contents of Tyler Lopresti-Castro's Cell Phone as they try to recreate his final steps Thursday morning when he was found by City Employees at the Silas Avenue Bus garage. Oneonta Police are seeking assistance owners of surveillance cameras covering the center-city streets west of East Street, the Chestnut Street or River Street corridors, Winney Hill Road, Oneida Street, Route 205, State Highway 28 to County Highway 48, between midnight to 2:15 am. on January 27th. The public is encouraged to contact the Oneonta Police Department at (607) 432-1111.

Delaware County Public Health will be conducting a COVID-19 vaccination clinic for people 18 and older this Thursday at 97 Main Street, Delhi. Moderna 1st or 2nd doses will only be available from 2:00 to 4:00 PM, for walk-ins only; Moderna boosters will be available from 2:00 to 4:00 PM for those who register at apps2.health.ny.gov, more information is available by calling Delaware County Public Health at 607-832-5200.

Mark Drnek has been sworn in as the new Mayor of Oneonta, Drnek told WCDO News that committee meetings are already underway:

(Mayor Mark Drnek 1-3-22)

Drnek replaces Gary Herzig as Oneonta Mayor, who did not seek re-election last November, Drnek previously served on the Oneonta Common Council.

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 11-3-21

Mark Drnek won the race for Oneonta Mayor Tuesday, he told WCDO news of how the first weeks of his administration will go:

(Mark Drnek 11-3-21)

Drnek said that he has about 8 weeks to transition into the mayor's position, with help from outgoing mayor Gary Herzig.

Brian Doliver was elected Tuesday as the next Mayor of the City of Norwich, he told WCDO News that there a lot of big issues to deal with right from the start:

(Brian Doliver 11-3-21)

Doliver said that he will also reach out to former Norwich Mayors Christine Carnrike & Joe Mauriano, who he served with a member of the Norwich Common Council.

The Greater Oneonta Historical Society is planning an online Auction November 12th, and they will also return with an in person Auction November 19th, as their 2 main Fundraisers this year. Spokesman Bob Brzozowski told WCDO News that they hope to bounce back this year after just doing an online auction last year, due to the pandemic & shutdown:

(Bob Brzozwski 11-3-21)

The online auction can be found at 32auctions.com, the in person auction will be held November 19th at the Quality Inn on State Route 23 in Oneonta, more information about both auctions are available by calling the Greater Oneonta Historical Society at 432-0960.

The Friends of Afton announced the return of Afton’s Annual Christmas Parade, scheduled for Saturday December 4th at 5:00 pm. Floats and vehicles will line up at Corporate Park off Route 7, Walking groups, bicycles, and golf carts will gather at the Afton Edge Apartments.

A.M. News Wednesday 11-3-21

Yesterday was Election Day, The Delaware County Board of Elections did not announce a winner for the Sidney Town Supervisor’s race, between write-in candidates Eric Wilson & Kevin Greene, Officials told WCDO News it will take days or maybe even weeks to count & certify all of the write in votes across all 19 towns from this year's elections, there were 552 write in Votes Tuesday in Sidney Town Supervisors race. The winners for the Sidney Town board were Frank Selleck & Bill Heath, in the Town of Meredith, Town Council winners were John Janiszewski & David Briggs, the Town of Franklin Board seats go to Garret Sitts & Heather Ross, the town of Middletown Supervisor Will be Patrick Davis, the Town of Tompkins Clerk was Michelle Phoenix, in the Town Of Delhi, the supervisor will be Mark Tuttle, the Town Council winners were Margaret Baldwin & Matthew Kryston & the Walton Town Supervisor will be Joseph Cetta. In Chenango County, Sheriff Ernest Cutting was re-elected, The County Clerk winner is Brian Wessels, & the winners for the Norwich City Council are Fred Gee, William Loomis, Tom Revoir & Barry Christopherson. The winners for the Guilford Town Board were Thomas Ives & Matthew Retz, in Otsego County, the Board of Representatives winners were Ed Frazier, Jerry Madsen, Rick Brockway, Margaret Kennedy, Jennifer Mickle, Charles Varney, Keith McCarty, Clark Oliver & Donald Scanlon & the Town of Oneonta Supervisor will be Randall Mowers, while Karen Liddle & Sean Farrell Won the 2 Town of Oneonta Justice seats & Kimberly Fierke & Skylar Thompson Win the 2 Seats on the Oneonta Town Board. The town of Hartwick Supervisor will be Robert O’Brien while Christopher Briggs & Bruce Markussen win the seats on the Town Board. In the Town of Unadilla, the Town Justice winner is Joshua Palmer The Unadilla Town Clerk will be Terry Yoder & the Town Council winners were Ron Reed & Jessica Grow, in the town of Laurens, George Decker, Edwin Winslow were the winners of Town Board Seats. Across New York State, voters rejected the propositions, amending the apportionment and redistricting process, eliminating the 10 day advance voter registration requirement, & authorizing the no excuse absentee balloting. Voters approved the proposition to the Right to clean air, clean water and a healthy environment.

The Town of Oneonta will hold a public budget hearing tonight at 7:00 PM at the town hall in West Oneonta, the town board will also discuss a law to over-ride the State Tax cap.

In The City of Norwich, Residents will be voting for a new Mayor, as Shawn Sastri has declined to seek re-election, Republican candidate Brian Doliver told WCDO News that the drug problem & infrastructure are his top p[priorities if elected:

(Brian Doliver 11-2-21)

Democratic Candidate John Quattrocchi told WCDO News that as a lifelong Norwich resident, change is needed to grow the city:

(John Quattrocchi 11-2-21)

Voting will be held until 9:00 PM.

In the City of Oneonta, Residents will be voting for a new Mayor, as long time Mayor Gary Herzig decided to not seek re-election, Democratic Candidate Mark Drnek told WCDO news that his vision is to add people & jobs to Oneonta:

(Mark Drnek 11-2-21)

Republican Candidate Len Carson told WCDO News that he feels his public service & experience will help him as Mayor:

(Len Carson 11-2-21)

Both Drnek & Carson have been serving as Oneonta City Aldermen, voting will be until 9:00 PM.

Local sales tax collections totaled $5.2 billion in the third quarter (July-September of 2021), up $861 million (20%) from the same period last year and continuing the trend of exceeding pre-pandemic levels, according to a report released today from State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Statewide, every region saw solid growth in sales tax collections during the third quarter compared to the same period last year. Outside of New York City, the July-September period marked the fifth consecutive quarter that county and city sales tax receipts met or exceeded pre-pandemic levels. Statewide local sales tax collections in the third quarter of 2021 grew 8.6% ($409 million) over the pre-pandemic third quarter of 2019.

In CHENANGO COUNTY elections tomorrow, residents are voting for Sheriff between incumbents Ernie Cutting & Democratic Challenger Debra Cubbedge. County voters will also vote for County Clerk between Republican Brian Wessels & Independent Leonard Smith, Norwich City Voters will be voting for Mayor, between Democrat John Quattrocchi & Republican Brian Doliver, there are races for Alderman positions in wards 2 & 4. there are 3 candidates running for 2 seat on the Guilford Town Board between Republican Thomas Ives, Republican Matthew Retz & Libertarian Jennifer Caci

Voters in OTSEGO COUNTY have races for the County Board of Representatives in Districts 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11 & 13; there is a race for Oneonta Mayor between 2 Common Council members: Mark Drnek & Len Carson. In the town of Oneonta, in the Supervisors’ race, Randal Mowers faces Teresa DeSantis, there are 4 people running for 2 town justice positions & 3 people are running for 2 seats on the Town Board. In the Town of Hartwick Supervisor's Race, candidates are Bryan LoRusso & Robert O'Brien & there are 5 candidates for 2 seats on the town council. In Unadilla, Dwight Mott & Joshua Palmer are running for Town Justice, Terry Yoder & Kelly Moore are running for the Unadilla Town Clerk's Position & for the Unadilla Town Council, BARBARA NOLAN, RON REED, JESSICA GROW, & Write In Candidate Sheri Kinsella are running for 2 Seats. For the Laurens Town Board, George Decker, Edwin Winslow & Mark Peterson are running for 2 seats.

The
Oneonta Common Council voted Tuesday night to sell a portion of the Dietz
Street municipal parking lot for the "Lofts on Dietz" Project, which
calls for housing for artists & classrooms for Hartwick College.  About 115 parking spots will be eliminated
for the project, 600 will still remain,

The
Sidney, Bainbridge & Unadilla Chambers of Commerce will hold a Tri-Town
Business Mixer on Wednesday November 13th, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.  The event will be held at 55 Union Street in
Sidney, RSVP's are requested by this Friday at 561-2642.

The
results are in for area elections, for the State Supreme Court 6th district,
the 3 winners are Republicans Chris Baker, Oliver Blaise & Mark
Masler.  In the Sidney Town Clerk's Race,
Sheila Paul wins over incumbent Lisa French.
In Chenango County key races, the Norwich mayor will be Republican Shawn
Sastri, in the Norwich city council races, the winner in Ward 3 is Nancy
Allaire & in Ward 5, David Zieno.
The Town of Coventry Supervisor is Republican Jennifer Boudreau.  Guilford Supervisor George Senek is
re-elected over write in candidate Dan Harrington, in the Guilford Town Council,
Terence Ives & Gilda Ward win over 3 others.  In the Town of Bainbridge Council: Robert
Evans wins, the Town of Norwich Supervisor winner is Stanley Foulds, the Town
of Pharsalia Supervisor is Jeremiah Micklas.
In the Otsego County Board of Representatives races, the winners are, in
district 2: Michele Farwell, District 3:
Rick Brockway, District 14: Jill Basile.
The Laurens Town Supervisor race is won by Republican David Neske,  In the City of Oneonta Common Council races,
the winners are, in Ward 2: Mark Davies, Ward 4: Kaytee Lipari Shue, Ward 5:
Leonard Carson, Jr., Ward 6: Scott Harrington, Ward 8: Mark Drnek.  In the Broome County District Attorney:
Libertarian Michael Korchak leads by a slim margin over Republican Paul
Battisti, with absentee votes yet to be counted.

Bassett
Healthcare Network is hosting a free sports medicine seminar today from 5:00 to
7:00 PM at the FoxCare Center in Oneonta.
Dr. Kristen Herbst and Dr. Matthew Chung will discuss non-surgical
treatment options, as well as different methods to prevent overuse injuries, and
recovery and therapy protocols to help those with limited motion or
restriction.  Registration is available
at 315-273-4802 or visiting BassettSportsInjury.com.