WCDO Radio News

Springbrook in Oneonta will hold their Holiday Open House and Community Art Show today, at their new facility at the former Saint Mary’s School on Route 7 in Oneonta’s East End.  The event runs from 1:00 to 7:00 PM today & it is free & open to the public.  Activities include an informational meeting about Consolidated Supports & Services for people with disabilities; there will be tours of the facility, with staff available to answer questions, more information is available at Springbrookny.org or at 286-7171 extension 370.

The Bainbridge Guilford Central School Board of education will hold their next meeting today, in the district conference room at 6:30 PM.  The business portion of the meeting will begin at 7:00.

Oneonta police arrested 26 year old Jeffrey Purdy of Oneonta following a month long investigation.  Purdy was charged with attempted Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance of heroin,  he was remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $15,000 bail.

The 21st annual “Alumni Basketball Night” sponsored by the Sidney Alumni Basketball Association, will be held tonight for 2 games starting at 6:00 PM.  The games will be played at the Sidney Middle School this year, more information is available at 643-2913.

Oneonta police arrested 2 men for allegedly conspiring to steal gasoline from a car’s gas tank.  27-year-old Anthony Pagillo of Cooperstown was charged with 3rd degree criminal mischief, petty larceny & 5th degree conspiracy, 32-year-old Richard Ortiz of Oneonta was charged with 5th degree conspiracy and petty larceny.  Pagillo is accused of poking a hole in the gas tank & taking about $40 worth of gasoline, both face court action shortly.

New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced that his office completed an audit of the Afton Fire District.  The audit found that fire district controls are not adequate to ensure that financial activity is properly recorded and reported, and that district moneys are safeguarded. Auditors found the treasurer does not present the board with budget-to-actual reports for expenditures on a monthly basis. Also, the board is not reviewing monthly bank statements or bank reconciliation.

State police at Oneonta arrested 50-year-old Michael Hinckley of Treadwell for aggravated DWI with a reportable BAC result of .19%. The arrest resulted from a vehicle stop for using a cell phone on Main Street in Oneonta; Hinckley was released with tickets returnable to the Oneonta city court on November 20th.

The Delaware County Sheriff's Office has proposed a partnership with county school districts to operate Sheriff Sub-Stations inside school buildings. Delaware County Undersheriff Craig Dumond explains:

(Undersheriff Craig Dumond 11-11-13)

Dumond said that each Deputy will be provided a building access pass and keys to enable immediate access to the facility 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Stamford & Deposit already have substation offices up & running, 3 other district are considering the proposal.

Oneonta city police arrested 53-year-old Rebecca Gartung of Oneonta on a charge of felony 2nd degree assault. Gartung is accused of getting into an altercation Wednesday morning with an unidentified 43 year old woman near Muller Plaza, and swinging a bag of bottle at her, one broken bottle resulted in a leg contusion, the woman was treated at Fox hospital.

State Senator Jim Seward & Assemblyman Cliff Crouch have both commented against New York State Education Commissioner Dr. John King’s  decision to cancel public forums on the implementation of the ‘Common Core’ learning platform and new state testing assessments.  Crouch said that he hosted an Education Summit at Chenango Valley High School that featured a panel of administration and education professionals and the topics of discussion included the Annual Professional Performance Reviews, Common Core, state testing, and how unfunded mandates take the focus off  of educating students.

It's been almost 20 years since Bresee's in Oneonta closed. Developers said at the building's ribbon cutting yesterday that the new space will feature 12 new apartments ranging from 650 to more than 2,000 square feet. The upper floor apartments will also feature rooftop decks. The more than $6 million project received $2.2 million in funding from the state's Restore New York grant program. New retail space has already begun opening up and residents will be able to move into the apartments in March

Jury selection is completed for the murder trial of a Virginia man charged with killing the Clymer School District Superintendent Keith Reed Jr.  Anthony Taglianetti is charged with 2nd degree murder for the fatal shooting of Reed, who previously served as a principal at the Sherburne Earlville school district.   Taglianetti is accused of driving to Clymer, New York in September 2012 and shooting Reed outside his home, he was arrested in Virginia a week after the shooting.

The Central New York Coalition for Life will present the New York State Right To Life Convention in Oneonta Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, at the Holiday Inn on route 23.  Information or Registration for the event is available at nysrighttolife.org or at 518-434-1293.

State Police at Oneonta are investigating a grand larceny at the Mirabito Convenience Store at State Route 23, Oneonta.  Police stated that on Monday at 5:40 a.m., a lone black male entered the store and grabbed an undetermined amount of cash from the cash drawer when it was opened by the cashier.  The suspect then left the store through the front entrance door and fled the scene on foot in an easterly direction.  There were no weapons displayed or threatened.  He is described as a black male, wearing jeans and a dark colored jacket.  Anyone with information is asked to contact the State Police at 432-3211.

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting today in the District Conference Room at 6:30 PM. The business portion of the meeting will start at 7:30 PM.

Otsego county sheriffs Deputies arrested 29-year-old Brandon Empie of Milford for allegedly threatening to kill Otsego county judge John Lambert  & burn his house down.  The sheriff’s department Criminal Investigation Division investigated and consulted with the district attorney's office, Empie was arrested Tuesday on charges of making a terrorist threat, he was arraigned in Town of Milford court & he was remanded to the Otsego county Jail on $10,000 bail.

The Sidney Central Schools announced the start of their after school enrichment program on October 22nd.  The model for this program is similar to the model used for the summer camps.  Programs such as Robotics, Math & Music, Guitar Lessons, Zumba, and many others, for students in grades 1through 8.  The programs will run in 5-week increments and change each session, hours are from 2:55 to 4:10 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  More information is available at the Sidney Elementary School  at 561-7701.

State Police arrested 34-year-old Megan Holbrook of Laurens for driving while intoxicated. The arrest followed an investigation of an accident on Wilber Lake Road in Oneonta, Holbrook was issued tickets returnable to the town of Oneonta court on November 5th.

A motion to disqualify the Chenango County District Attorney from prosecuting the murder case against Ganesh Ramsaran of New Berlin woman has been denied. The motion would have required the appointment of a special prosecutor from outside the district attorney’s office, due to an alleged conflict of interest with the defendant.  Chenango county judge Frank Revoir denied the motion.   Ramsaran has been charged with 2nd degree murder in connection with the murder of his wife Jennifer late last year, she had been reported missing by her husband, her body was found several months later in a wooded area in the town of Pharsalia.

State Police at Oneonta arrested 29-year-old David Sparaco of Oneonta for Criminal Possession of Stolen Property.  The arrest resulted from a complaint originating at Searle’s Garage in Davenport, who reported that several brake rotors & a radiator from a 1958 Mercury was stolen.   Sparaco was arrested at Otsego Auto Crushers in Oneonta, when he tried to sell the stolen property as scrap metal.  Sparaco faces future court action on the charges.

Governor Cuomo announced the launch of  “Every Student Present,” Tuesday, which is a public awareness campaign to help school leadership, parents, and communities promote school attendance. The campaign is focused on creating engaging school environments, using data to identify chronically absent students, and exploring ways to provide support that can help students  and families.   More information is available at everystudentpresent.org or governor.ny.gov.

State Police at Oneonta arrested 28-year-old Timmie Clarkson of Oneonta for 2nd degree Strangulation, Aggravated Harassment, & Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance.  The arrest resulted from an investigation of a dispute on Elmwood Avenue in Oneonta, where Clarkson is accused of choking the victim until she lost consciousness and after he left the residence, he continued to call the victim and threaten her.  Clarkson was arrested, he was found to be in possession of narcotics. Clarkson was arraigned at the Town of Oneonta Court and remanded to the Otsego County Jail in lieu of $5,000 cash bail.

Those who were thinking of working to get their GED need to act quickly, before the tests change next year.  June White of the Adult Continuing Education Program at Afton Central school district explains:

(June White)

White said their department is offering GED classes in several locations around the tri-county area.  For more information call 639-2811.

President Barack Obama will travel through New York and Pennsylvania today and tomorrow on a two-day bus tour to talk about affordable higher education for the middle class. Today the President will deliver remarks at the University at Buffalo, and Henninger High School in Syracuse. Tomorrow on Friday, the President will participate in a town hall event at Binghamton University, and will deliver remarks at an event at Lackawanna College in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

The race has been set for the Office of Otsego County Treasurer this November. Representatives for Republican Edward Keator Jr., the Treasurer for the Village of Cooperstown, and acting County Treasurer Henry “Russ” Bachman, an independent running with support from the Democratic Party, said the two hopefuls have collected the needed number of signatures to be placed on the November ballot. County Treasurer Dan Crowell will also be on the ballot because he did not announce his plans to leave office at the end of the current year until after it was too late to have his name scrubbed from the ballot. Crowell is currently on active duty with the U.S. Army. Bachman will be listed as the candidate for the Otsego First party, while Keator, who stepped into the race after Crowell signaled he would not seek re-election, is running as the candidate for Common Cents. Meanwhile, three candidates will be seeking two Oneonta town justice seats. Dawn Oliver will run on the independent Citizens for Oneonta line and on the Democratic Party line. Also running will be Sean Farrell, a Republican who previously announced his candidacy, and incumbent Bruce Smith, a Republican who has served four terms. Two Oneonta town justices will be elected in November.

The Bainbridge-Guilford School Board will hold a special meeting this evening at 6:30pm in the district conference room. They will move into executive session to discuss several personnel items and they may convene in open session to approve the items.

A Chenango County man was arrested for selling cocaine in the town of Oneonta in January. 37 year Michael John Hunt of West Edmeston is charged with third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance. Hunt was arrested after an investigation by deputies with assistance from Oneonta Police. Hunt was arraigned in Otsego County Court and sent to Otsego jail on $20,000 bail.

The Bainbridge-Guilford School Board will hold a special meeting on Thursday, August 22nd at 6:30pm in the district conference room. They will move into executive session to discuss several personnel items and they may convene in open session to approve the items.

Springbrook will host a career fair on Wednesday, August 21st from 3:00 to 7:00 pm at their Oneonta offices at 5588 State Route 7.   Attendees are encouraged to apply online at springbrookny.org prior to interviewing at the career fair, according to Recruitment Specialist Nate Furman:

(Nate Furman 8-12-13)

Furman said that the new positions would include the new Sidney Facility that has just opened, as well as the Oxford facility opening in September, and the existing Oneonta, Milford  & Norwich facilities.

The Sidney central school district Athletic department has scheduled a parent-athlete meeting for Tuesday at 6:00 pm in the Sidney High School Auditorium.   Sidney Athletic Director Chris Haynes explains:

(Chris Haynes 8-12-13)

Haynes said that the program would be about 90 minutes; the program comes prior to the start of the JV and Varsity sports next week on August 19th.

State Police arrested 2 subjects following a reported burglary to the South Kortright Central School on July 6th.  Troopers responded to the school alarm, 2 male subjects were seen fleeing into a wooded area.  17 year old Chandler Gual & 17 year old Kenneth Adams of Hobart were charged with 3rd degree Burglary, for allegedly stealing a computer, they were arraigned and were released on their own recognizance, they face court action on July 23rd.

Governor Cuomo announced that $2.75 million has been awarded under New York's College Access Challenge Grant Program to help low-income students across the State enter and complete college. The services will be offered largely through community-based, not-for-profit organizations and will assist 24,655 students and families statewide.   Binghamton City School District will conduct five tours with 20 low-income students on each trip. Students will visit several schools, including SUNY colleges in Oneonta & Delhi among others.  Information is available at HESC.ny.gov/CACG.

A man indicted by an Otsego County Grand jury on drug charges, has been arrested in Utica & has been returned to local authorities, Anthony Palladino is accused of selling crack cocaine in Oneonta last summer, he was located in Utica after a warrant was issued for his arrest.  Otsego County investigators arrested Palladino at the Utica Police Department; he was arraigned and was remanded to the Otsego County jail on $20,000 bail pending future court action.

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State police arrested 47-year-old Vince Mellor of Oneonta for charged with unlawful possession of marijuana & criminal sale of LSD with intent to sell.  Also charged was 27-year-old Matthew Bates of Sparrowbush, for criminal possession of a controlled substance, & unlawful possession of marijuana, both face court action shortly.

Oneonta Police have arrested 23-year-old Kevin Baker of Oneonta on charges of 2nd degree burglary, criminal tampering and petty larceny, for allegedly burglarizing a Main Street Apartment.  Baker is accused of causing damage and stealing a cell phone and video games, he is faces court action shortly.

Children in the tri-county area can still sign up for the Sidney central school district summer camps that are continuing through the next several weeks.  Sidney Athletic director Chris Haynes explains:

(Chris Haynes)

Haynes said that breakfasts and lunches are provided, registrations are available at sidneycsd.org.

44-year-old Samuel Parrotti of Lisle was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 5 years in federal prison, for 4-area bank Robberies last year.  Parrotti admitted that he stole more than $37,000 in 4 separate heists in Binghamton, Whitney Point, Scranton & Sayre in July & August of last year.

State Troopers in Oneonta arrested 35-year-old Dennis Brown of Richmond, Virginia, for Unlawful Possession of Marijuana. The arrest resulted from a traffic stop on State Route 28 in the Town of Milford; Brown was issued an Appearance Ticket returnable to the Town of Milford Court on August 6th.

Assemblyman Cliff Crouch will hold his 3rd forum on the New York Safe Act this Saturday; he discussed the likelihood of any more changes coming to the new law this year:

(Crouch 7-16-13)

Crouch will be joined by Delaware County sheriff Tom Mills and others at the event Saturday at the Walton High School.

The Oneonta common council will hold their next regular meeting tonight.  The meeting gets underway at 7:00 PM in the 2nd floor council chambers at Oneonta City Hall.

The nonprofit Disabled American Veterans Mobile Service Office will be visiting various communities around the state in the coming weeks, to provide the counseling and claim filing assistance.  The Mobile Service Office is free to all veterans and their families; it will be in Oneonta today from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at DAV Oneonta Chapter at 279 Chestnut Street.

Family Planning of South Central New York will mark National HIV Testing Day by offering free anonymous rapid HIV testing and counseling today at 4 area location.  Spokesperson Ingrid Husisian explains:

(Ingrid Husisian 6-27-13)

The testing will be available from Noon to 4:00 PM at 37 Pleasant Street, Sidney, 37 Dietz Street, Oneonta, The Eaton Center, Suite 208, in Norwich and at 117 Hawley Street, Binghamton.  More information is available at fpscny.org or at 723-8306.

Oneonta homeowner Frank Monaco will discuss the Home Performance with Energy Star Program today at 12 Shepherd Avenue in Oneonta.  Monaco will be joined at 11:00 am, by Oneonta Mayor Richard Miller, Assemblyman Bill Magee, area contractors, and Oneonta common council members regarding the program’s benefits to local property owners and contractors.  Interested participants will be able to sign up for the program at the event.

Assemblyman Cliff Crouch will be hosting a roundtable Education Summit this evening at 6:00 pm at the Chenango Valley High School. The roundtable will include Chenango Valley School District Interim Superintendent David Gill, New York State Regent James Tallon, area teachers and parents.  Topics will include Professional Performance Reviews, Common Core, state testing, and how unfunded mandates.

State police responded to a 2-vehicle accident with 9 injuries at around 7:30 this morning in Madison County.  Reports said that a Department of Transportation dump truck hit a Sherburne Earlville school district van, after the district vehicle went through a stop sign in Smithfield.  Troopers reported that the school van was carrying 6 teachers to Syracuse, the DOT Truck had 3 passengers, both vehicles went off the road & both overturned.   All 9 were taken to area hospitals, the investigation is continuing.

The Chenango county sheriffs department arrested an unidentified 16-year-old female from Guilford on a charge of 2nd degree harassment.  The juvenile was arrested after an investigation into a fight on a school bus where the suspect struck the victim in the head and face several times.  The juvenile will appear in the Town of Guilford Court at a later date.

Oneonta homeowner Frank Monaco will discuss the Home Performance with Energy Star® Program tomorrow at 12 Shepherd Avenue in Oneonta.  Monaco will be joined tomorrow at 11:00 am, by Oneonta Mayor Richard Miller, Assemblyman Bill Magee, area contractors, and Oneonta common council members regarding the program’s benefits to local property owners and contractors.  Interested participants will be able to sign up for the program at the event.

Commencement exercises continue Saturday& Sunday for tri-county area schools.  On Saturday at 10:00, the Sidney school district graduation will begin at 10:00 am at the Transportation center, attendees will park in the high school parking lot & shuttle buses will be available.  Other graduations include Harpursville at 10:00 AM in the gymnasium, Greene at 10:00 AM in the high school gym, other 10:00 AM graduations include Norwich, Delhi & Walton.  Oneonta graduation exercises will begin at 10:45 AM, Oxford Academy at 11:00 AM; Gilbertsville Mount Upton has their graduation at 1:30, the Unadilla Valley 2:00 PM and Saturday evening, the Bainbridge Guilford exercises will begin at 7:00 Pm on the front lawn or multi-purpose room if there is foul weather.   On Sunday the graduation exercises for the Edmeston district will begin at 1:00 PM.

State Senator Jim Seward announced that community libraries throughout the 51st senatorial district have been awarded a total of nearly $350,000 in public library construction grant funds. The Sidney Memorial Public Library will receive $36,600, for a project will include upgrading ramp access to include handicapped access to the library Community Room entrance and adding automatic door openers to library front doors.

State Police at Oneonta arrested 34 year old Jessica Bartholomew, of Chino Hills, California for Driving While Intoxicated with a BAC result of .17%. The arrest resulted from an investigation into a suspicious vehicle in the Wendy’s Parking lot, on State Highway 23 in Oneonta, Bartholomew was issued tickets returnable in the Town of Oneonta Court on July 9th.

State police & Walton Police have arrested 28-year-old Jennifer Morris of East Branch, for 12 count each of falsely reporting an incident and 2nd degree aggravated harassment. Morris was arrested following the investigation into threats posted on Facebook toward the Walton Central School District. Morris was arraigned in the Village of Walton court & was remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $10,000 bail.

Oneonta police arrested 3 city residents on drug possession charges Tuesday.  Charged were 37-year-old Terell Hardy, 20-year-old Jose Gonzalez and 21-year-old David Kohls, all of Oneonta, for 3rd degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.  Oneonta Police made the arrests after responding to a reported fight at 40 Maple Street; police confiscated a large quantity of drugs, about $3,000 cash, and a firearm.  All 3 were arraigned in Oneonta city court and were remanded to the Otsego County Jail on bail pending future court action.

A concert celebrating the 100th Birthday for local legendary performer Al Gallodoro, will be held tonight at the B-Side Ballroom and Supper Club at 1 Clinton Plaza in Oneonta.  A number of musicians who played with or admired Gallodoro’s career & talent will perform, a portion of the proceeds for this evening’s concert will be donated to the AL GALLODORO MUSIC MEMORIAL FUND. More information about Gallodoro is available at algallodoro.com; information about tonight’s concert is available at 432-2053.

The New York State Board for Historic Preservation recommended the addition of 17 properties, to the National Registers of Historic Places.  The STATE REVIEW BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS included the Sidney Historic District, which encompasses archeological sites where prehistoric peoples congregated on the Susquehanna River at the confluence with the Unadilla River and also the buildings reflecting Sidney’s development from an agricultural center to the arrival of two railroad lines in the 1860s and 1870s.  Also chosen was the Hartwick Historic District, & the Old Hartwick Village Cemetery in Otsego County.

The Cornell Cooperative Extension’s 29th Annual Food & Fitness Conference will be held at the Foxcare Center Conference Room in Oneonta from 2:00 to 4:30 pm today.  A representative from the State Education Department will discuss changes to the School Breakfast Program.

State Troopers in Oneonta arrested 37-year-old Nathaniel Young of Franklin for 2nd degree Criminal Mischief and 3rd degree Menacing. The arrest resulted from a dispute on State Route 23 in Oneonta; Young was arraigned in the Town of Oneonta Court and released on $750 cash bail.

The Walton Central School District & The Walton police state police & the Delaware county sheriffs department continue to work together following another threat to students posted on Facebook this week.  No actual incidents have occurred at the district after any of the threats against Walton elementary school students.  Security has been beefed up, and the investigation is continuing.

The Sidney central school district is holding their summer camp program again this summer, with registrations now going on through the school website.  Sidney superintendent Bill Christensen comments:

(Bill Christensen 6-5-13)

The Open House regarding the summer camp program is tonight at 6:00 in the Sidney high school auditorium, the summer camps are open for students outside of the Sidney district.

School district budget votes will be held today throughout the state, with many of the districts also voting on school board seats.  Most of the area school district are proposing budgets that come in at or under the state’s 2% Property tax cap. Locally, Bainbridge Guilford, Charlotte Valley, Franklin, Laurens, Milford, Norwich, Oneonta, & Walton are asking residents to pass budgets With tax levy increases of more than 2% above last year.

The Oneonta common council will hold their next regular meeting today at city hall.  The meeting will begin at 7:00 PM in the 2nd floor common council chambers.

School district budget votes will be held tomorrow throughout the state, with many of the districts also voting on school board seats.  Most of the area school district are proposing budgets that come in at or under the state’s 2% tax cap. Locally, Afton, Charlotte Valley, Edmeston, Franklin, Laurens, Milford, Norwich, Oxford Unadilla Valley, Unatego & Walton are asking residents to pass budgets with total spending  more than 2% above last year.

State Police at Oneonta arrested 20-year-old John Rundblad Jr., of Worcester for Driving While Intoxicated with a BAC result of .13%. The arrest resulted from a traffic accident in Westford; Rundblad was issued tickets returnable to the Town of Westford Court on June 4th.

Police in Delhi & Walton are investigating alleged threats to the Delhi & Walton school districts Friday there was no actual incidents based on the Internet posted threats, both schools remained on lockdown, and police presence was beefed up at dismissal times. Franklin also went on lockdown for a short period at dismissal time, to insure the students’ safety, even though they were not mentioned specifically in the Internet threats.  The investigations are continuing.

A rally against the proposed CONSTITUTION Pipeline is scheduled in downtown Oneonta later today.  The rally will be in front of Foothills Performing Arts Center on Market Street in Oneonta at 5:00pm. The rally is in response to the Paradigm Liaison Services meeting inside Foothills for local government and business leaders.

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting today in the Guilford Cafeteria to discuss district business. The business portion of the meeting will start at 7:30 PM.

Lawmakers wrapped up the state budget on time, and Governor Cuomo vetoed more spending out of the plan last week.  Area assemblyman Bill Magee said that the agriculture fared well in the budget:

(Bill Magee 4-16-13)

Magee represents the new 121st assembly district, which includes part of Otsego County, including the city of Oneonta; he chairs the assembly agriculture committee.

State troopers in Oneonta arrested 25 year old Eric Dorsey of Sidney for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th following a traffic stop on Interstate 88 in the Town of Otego.  Dorsey was released with an Appearance Ticket to appear in the Town of Otego Court on April 25th.

The Oneonta common council will hold their next regular meeting tonight at 7:00 PM.  Prior to tonight’s meeting, the trailblazer award reception will be held at the Oneonta middle school cafeteria, where Charlotte McKane and Sarah Patterson will be honored by the city Commission on Community Relations and Human Rights.  The common council meeting will also be held at the middle School cafeteria.

Hartwick College announced that they will host an Open House program on May 4th geared toward current high school juniors who are interested in becoming part of Hartwick's Class of 2018.  The Open House will be on May 4th, it will provide opportunities to learn more about Hartwick's campus, academic (http://www.hartwick.edu/academics) and extracurricular offerings, to meet with Hartwick staff, tour the campus and learn about the 3 year degree program instituted a couple of years ago.  Those who wish to sign up can do so at hartwick.edu

The Oneonta planning commission meeting for this week has been cancelled, after a review by Delaware Engineering of the controversial Hillside Commons development found the application to be incomplete.  Engineers requested information regarding fire equipment access, environmental studies and property access before any plans would be submitted to the Planning commission.

Commerce Chenango Is Hosting THEIR NEXT “business After Hours Event today.  The event will be held at the NORWICH CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.  Members of the chamber are encouraged to attend, and enter through the front doors on Midland Drive

The state senate finished up their work on the state budget plan Wednesday, area state senator Jim Seward said that he was pleases with the school aid increases:

(Seward 3-28-13)

Seward also approved of the budgets ability to continue to control state spending, cut taxes, & send money to municipalities for road & bridge projects.

Walton Central School agriculture education teacher Tina Miner-James is being recognized this afternoon as 1 of the top 6 Outstanding Agricultural Teachers in the U.S. by receiving a complimentary 2-year lease on new 2013 Toyota Tundra.  A Toyota representative will recognize James during a special assembly at the Walton Central School this afternoon.

Jazz musician Branford Marsalis will perform at the Foothills Performing arts center in Oneonta April 7th, with local performers also involved in the show.  Foothills Spokesman Huemac Garcia explains:

(Huemac Garcia 3-28-13)

Tickets are on sale at FoothillsPAC.org or by calling 431-2080.

State Troopers at Sidney arrested 31-year-old Larry Miller of Oneonta, for Driving While Intoxicated.  The arrest resulted from a traffic stop on State Route 7 in the Village of Unadilla; Ellis was issued tickets and released pending further Court action in the Town of Unadilla Court on April 22nd.

The Bainbridge-Guilford Board of Education will hold a special meeting tonight in the District Conference room at 6:00 PM. The Board will move into Executive Session to discuss the potential staffing implications of the increased state aid.

Governor Andrew Cuomo detailed an agreement to guarantee every school district has a permanent teacher and principal evaluation system in place by June 1st.   Last year, Governor Cuomo established a new statewide evaluation system based on multiple measures of performance including student achievement and rigorous classroom observations. The new law will ensure 100% compliance.

The state Department of Transportation plans a paving project on Oneonta’s Southside and on a portion of Main Street this year, DOT Region 9 Spokesman Dave Hamburg explains:

(Dave Hamburg 3-26-13)

Hamburg said that the work is scheduled for nighttime hours to ease congestion; Construction is expected to start in early June & be completed in about 45 days.

The Oneonta zoning board of appeals meeting for tonight has been cancelled.  City officials reported that a lack of quorum was the reason for the cancellation, the next zoning board meeting is scheduled of April 22nd.

Catskill area hospice has lined up another big-name act to be part of their fundraising celebrity party this summer.  Bob Escher of Catskill area hospice gave WCDO News the details:

(Bob Escher 3-25-13)

Escher said that this year’s show would be held at the Wright Soccer campus in Oneonta, on July 1st, the tickets go on sale April 12th at 9:00 AM.

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a special Board of Education Meeting today in the District Conference Room. The meeting will begin at 6:00 PM. Also, the Bainbridge-Guilford District is holding a public forum in the High School Auditorium at 7:00PM to discuss the 2013-2014-school budget.  School administrators and Board of Education members will be present to address questions and concerns.

The Unatego school district was forced to change tonight’s performance of the 15th annual student & faculty variety show to Friday march 15th at the junior senior high school in wells bridge.  Tickets for tonight’s postponed show will be honored at tomorrow nights show or at the show on march 15th.  Money raised is going to help 3 area families with large medical expenses.

A local broadband expansion project will receive state funds through the Connect NY Broadband Grant Program.  The Otsego County Wireless Network project will get $558,940 to bring wireless broadband to the county’s 24 towns, 9 villages and the city of Oneonta.  The connection will serve approximately 28,000 households, 4,500 businesses and 300 community anchor institution locations.

The Cooperstown Art Association will have their opening reception tonight with a new exhibit and the re-opening of the Artist Sales Gallery from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. The Congressional Art Competition for Otsego County High School Students will be on display in Gallery A through March 29th.   The Cooperstown Art Association galleries are located at 22 Main Street Cooperstown; more information is available at 547-9777 or at cooperstownart.com.

Members of the Bainbridge-Guilford Board of Education will hold a special meeting on this afternoon.  The meeting will be held in the District Conference room at 5:30 PM to discuss a personnel issue.

State Police at Oneonta arrested 56-year-old Joseph Desilva of Laurens for Driving While Intoxicated with a BAC result of .17%.   Desilva was issued tickets returnable to the Town of Laurens Court on March 14th.

The Oneonta department of public service will be performing hydrant flow tests on Blodgett drive, Farone drive & Carson road after 9:00 PM Tonight.  Residents in those areas may experience a change in watercolor or pressure, which will only be a temporary occurrence according to department officials.  Anyone with questions can call 432-6465.

Friday night & Saturday night students & staff and the Unatego school district will put on their 15th annual variety show at the middle & high school building in Wells Bridge.  Staff member Judy Pitel explains:

(Judy Pitel)

The shows will begin at 7:00 each night, on Friday night the Unatego Interact club will hold a spaghetti dinner from 4:00 to 6:30 PM in the high school cafeteria; money raised will be donated to the Unadilla food bank.  Tickets will be available at 988-5098.

Governor Cuomo is urging the USDA to choose New York State to implement the strained Greek yogurt pilot program.  In January, the USDA announced that it would begin a pilot program to test the cost-effectiveness of including Greek yogurt in school meal programs. The state has become the nation’s leader in strained Greek yogurt production with plants such as Chobani, the plants have more than doubled in number and production, and milk production grew by nearly 850 million pounds. The USDA pilot program would be part of the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, which provides meals in public and private schools.