WCDO Radio News

Delaware Academy announced that a student tested positive for COVID 19, their middle and high schools moved to fully remote instruction yesterday & again today.  The student was last in attendance on Tuesday, November 24th; Students will be notified today regarding tomorrow's instructional plans.

The Latest vote count in the 22nd Congressional District has now swung back to give Republican Claudia Tenney the lead over incumbent Democrat Anthony Brindisi.  All of the Counties have to certify their vote totals, State Supreme Court Justice Scott DelConte ordered each of the 8 counties in the congressional district to submit a final, unofficial count to the court by yesterday afternoon, the next court action is expected next Monday December 7th, when Judge DelConte is expected to rule on

2000 disputed ballots.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 12-1-20

Governor Cuomo today announced New York's annual statewide holiday donation drive to benefit families in need across the state begins today.  Donations of new unwrapped toys, coats and school supplies are being sought to assist community-based organizations during the holiday giving season.  The Office of General Services has set up drop-off locations across the state through Wednesday, December 16.  COVID-19 protocols will be in place to ensure the safety of those dropping off donations including masks, social distancing, and access to hand sanitizer.  The drop-off locations include the Binghamton State Office Building, 44 Hawley St., Binghamton & the Homer Folks Facility, 28 Hill Street Oneonta.

Otsego County Department of Health reported 19 new COVID cases Monday, bringing them to 1314 total confirmed cases since March.  There are 89 active cases, 4 are hospitalized there have been 8 deaths, 764 cases are linked to SUNY Oneonta & 71 to Hartwick College.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 11-19-20

Otsego County Department of Health is announcing a potential COVID 19 exposure at the Copper Fox at 7 Market Street in Oneonta.  Anyone who spent time at the bar between November 12th through November 17th should monitor for symptoms, if you have developed symptoms, get tested and isolate yourself.  The Copper Fox is closed for a minimum of 7 days and all staff will be tested, more information is available at 547-4231.

Bassett Healthcare Network is tightening visitor restrictions at all of its hospitals and long-term care facilities as COVID-19 cases continue to rise regionally and statewide. Effective Monday, Nov. 23, 2020, only individuals considered essential to the medical care of a patient will be allowed at Bassett Medical Center, Cooperstown; A.O. Fox Hospital, in Sidney & Oneonta; Little Falls Hospital, Cobleskill Regional Hospital, and O’ Connor Hospital in Delhi.   Visitation is also suspended at the Bassett network’s two long-term care facilities and assisted living facilities – A.O. Fox Nursing Home in Oneonta, and Valley Health Services and Valley Residential Services in Herkimer.

The 14th annual Benefit Auction of the Greater Oneonta Historical Society takes place online at 32Auctions.com/GOHSBenefitAuction through Saturday. Society Executive Director Bob Brzozowski comments:

(Bob Brzozowski 11-19-20)

Bidding ends on Saturday November 21 at 5:00 PM, more information is available by email at info@OneontaHistory.org or by calling 432-0960.

People have been captivated by the story of the little owl that was transported to New York City from West Oneonta last week, on the Tree that is being set up for the Christmas holidays in Rockefeller Center.  Susan O'Hanley of the Delaware Otsego Audubon Society told WCDO News that they believe that the owl was on the tree through the whole process & made the trip to the city:

(Susan O'Hanley 11-19-20)

O'Hanley said that many have commented to the Society that the Owl should be brought back to West Oneonta, the Society members feel that the additional travel would be too stressful & that he will assimilate to the Owl population in the Hudson Valley.

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 11-19-20

Otsego County Department of Health reported 18 new COVID cases Wednesday, the number of cases in the county since March is up to 1128, with 58 active cases,  1 hospitalized,  8 deaths,  760 cases are now linked to SUNY Oneonta & 67 at Hartwick College.

Oneonta City School District was made aware of a positive COVID-19 staff member at the Oneonta Middle School, several staff members are close contacts to 2 additional positive COVID cases resulting in quarantines through the Thanksgiving break.  All Oneonta schools will go fully remote beginning today through at least Monday, November 30th.

The Norwich High School and Middle School will have remote instruction today, after the District discovered a positive COVID-19 student case at the high school, and a middle school teacher's family member had tested positive.  The buildings will be closed today for contact tracing and deep cleaning, and they are working with Health officials in order to re-open for in-person instruction on Friday.  The Gibson and Browne Elementary schools will remain open, and will follow the normal schedule.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 11-10-20

Delaware Academy officials announced that their elementary school will go to remote learning until after the Thanksgiving holiday, due to a recent COVID 19 positive test. The infected person was last on the campus on November 5th, the Middle School & High School will continue as previously scheduled.

Otsego County Department of Health reported 8 new cases reported Monday, bringing them up to 1068 total confirmed cases, with 42 active cases, no hospitalizations & 8 deaths. 755 cases are linked to SUNY Oneonta & 63 confirmed cases are in Hartwick College students.

With the Passing of Country Music Legend Jerry Jeff Walker, the idea has resurfaced to memorialize the Oneonta native in his hometown. Previous administrations have liked the idea, but could not appropriate the necessary $20,000 in funding, to put up a bandstand in Muller Plaza, but Long time area broadcaster & performer Doug Decker has started a GoFundMe page to get the necessary funds for the project:

(Doug Decker 10-26-20)

Decker is hoping that some local business owners may come forward as well & help make the Jerry Jeff Walker Bandstand possible.

The Norwich Middle School and District Offices will be closed Today after a positive COVID-19 case was reported. The district's website reported that they are closing the school to allow for contract tracing and deep cleaning.

Otsego County Department of Health announed that they had 19 cases of COVID 19 reported over the weekend, 9 of the cases are college students. The County now has 975 total confirmed cases, with 36 active cases, 1 hospitalization, 7 deaths, 751 cases linked to SUNY Oneonta & 30 confirmed cases in Hartwick College students

Country Music singer songwriter Jerry Jeff Walker, born Ronald Crosby on March 16, 1942 in Oneonta, died on Friday in Austin, Texas, from throat cancer-related complications. Walker is best known for writing the 1968 song "Mr. Bojangles", which was a big hit for the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band .

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies investigated a head-on collision in the Town of Franklin on Wednesday afternoon.  Deputies reported that at about 5:30 PM, they responded with EMT's to the accident on County Highway 21 near Leland Hull Road.  Deputies determined that a vehicle driven by 50 year-old Jeffrey Lewis of Walton crossed over the center line and collided with a vehicle driven by 62 year-old Wayne Knorr of Laurens, causing the Knorr vehicle to overturn several times.  Knorr was taken to Fox Hospital in Oneonta for a head injury; Lewis was taken to Delaware Valley Hospital also for the treatment of a head injury.  Lewis’ driving privileges were revoked as a result of previous alcohol related offense, he was charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, operation of a motor vehicle without an ignition interlock device, failure to keep right and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, he was released to appear in Town of Franklin court at a later date.  Alcohol was not a contributing factor in this accident.

The Oneonta City School District have switched middle and high school students to remote learning yesterday & again today after being notified of a teacher testing positive.  NO student or any faculty/staff member is deemed a “close contact” to the affected teacher, according to a district letter; all elementary buildings will open as normal. Middle & High School students are scheduled to return on the previous hybrid schedule Monday.

Otsego County Department of Health reported 10 new cases of COVID 19 Thursday; they are investigating a cluster of cases that originated at a wedding that has now spread into the community.  Current COVID numbers, they report 952 total confirmed cases, 27 active cases with  2 hospitalizations, they've had 7 deaths,  747 probable and confirmed cases linked to SUNY Oneonta &  Hartwick College reported 2 more cases of COVID-19 have been detected, they have 3 active cases on campus; the total number of cases is 24.

An Oxford Academy Middle School student tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week.  Oxford officials said that based on the hybrid schedule, the student was only in school on October 13, 2020 for part of the school day.  The district has coordinated with the Chenango County Public Health to identify through contact tracing protocols any student or staff member who may be at high risk of exposure.  The Chenango County Public Health has been reaching out to those staff members and parents of students identified to inform them if they need to be placed under mandatory quarantine for precautionary purposes. Due to privacy requirements, The Oxford District cannot give specific information about any individual who has a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19.

Officials gathered in New Berlin to break ground at the site of the new fire house and Chobani Community Center, located on South Main Street in the village.  The fire station will have 6 garage bays, offices and rooms for training and storage and a space for community meetings.  The village received a $150,000 grant from the state, plus donations from Chobani for $650,000 & Preferred Mutual Insurance for $150,000.

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 10-22-20

Otsego County Department of Health reports 5 new cases of COVID 19 Wednesday, and 10 cases reported over the past 5 days, 5 of those cases have been traced back to a recent wedding. Since October 1st The Health Department reports 12 cases related to 2 separate weddings. The County reports 942 total confirmed cases,  19 are active cases with 2 hospitalizations, 7 deaths,  746 probable and confirmed cases linked to SUNY Oneonta & 21 confirmed cases in Hartwick College students

There will be a free milk giveaway on Thursday, starting at 11:00 am, at the Unadilla Elementary School, Unatego Middle/High School and the former Otego Elementary school parking lots, Unatego School District teacher Sandra Bonczkowski told WCDO News how it came about:

(Sandra Bonczkowki 5-6-20)

The milk giveaway is open to anyone, while supplies last Thursday morning.

Congressman Anthony Brindisi announced more than $7 million
in federal funds for housing assistance across Upstate and Central New York.
The grant dollars are administered by HUD & will be dispersed to more than
a dozen organizations across New York.
Brindisi will hold his January town hall today at 5:30 PM, at the Maine
Endwell Middle School; it is free and open to the public.

Members of the State Police held a private remembrance for
the 10 year anniversary of Trooper Jill Mattice’s death at the State Police
Barracks in Oneonta Monday.  A
remembrance was held then laid a wreath in front of the station barracks.  Members of trooper Mattice’s family &
police agencies, including the State Park Police, Otsego County Sheriff’s
Department, Oneonta City Police Department, and The Town of New Berlin Police
attended.  Trooper Mattice was killed in
a crash with a troop car on State Route 23 near Morris in 2010.