WCDO Radio News

Camp Forget Me Not is a camp for children from Helios Care, to help them deal with their grief from the loss of a loved one, program organizer Inda Fitch comments:

(Inda Fitch 7-9-26)

Children can get signed up for the July 23rd class at the Townsend Elementary School in Walton, by calling 607-432-5525 by July 16th, more information is available at Helioscare.org.

State Police arrested 20 year old Isaiah Owens-Chamorro of Oneonta, for Criminal Mischief, after Troopers were dispatched to Thetford’s Auto Shop on Keith Street in the town of Oneonta. Owens-Chamorro’s vehicle had been impounded & was being stored there, he requested permission to retrieve personal belongings, instead, he drove the vehicle from the property without paying the tow bill and damaged a gate while leaving the premises. A trooper observed the vehicle on State Route 23 and conducted a traffic stop, Owens-Chamorro was taken into custody, and the vehicle was towed back to Thetford’s. Owens-Chamorro was processed and issued an appearance ticket to the Oneonta Town Court on August 4th.

The Village of Sidney announced that the Village Clerk’s office will be open starting Monday, they will operate out of the Former DMV office in the Sidney Civic Center until ceiling repairs are completed in the regular clerk’s office.

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 7-9-26

47 year old Neil Wesley was sentenced to 25 years in prison for receipt and possession of child pornography in US District Court. As part of his guilty plea, Wesley admitted he had been previously convicted of rape in New York in 2001, he also admitted that from at least December 2024 through February 2025 he received and distributed child pornography & he possessed over 200 images and 18 videos of child pornography. In addition to the 25-year imprisonment term, United States District Judge Anthony J. Brindisi imposed 15 years of supervised release, forfeiture and directed restitution to victims of the offense.

60 year old Robert Scott of Binghamton, was indicted in US District Court on a charge of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and crack cocaine. According to the indictment, on October 30, 2025, Scott possessed with the intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 28 grams or more of crack cocaine. Scott was also on federal probation at the time of the offense. The charge filed against Scott carries a minimum sentence of 5 years in prison and a maximum sentence of up to 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000,000, and a period of supervised release of at least 4 years and up to life, if convicted.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 6-30-26

With extreme heat forecast in the Tri-County Region over the next few days, Cooling stations will be open at various location, in Delaware County, cooling stations will be at the Sidney Memorial Public Library, the Andes Public Library, other locations may be announced, In Chenango County, designated emergency cooling centers include the Guernsey Memorial Library at 3 Court Street, in Norwich, the Sherburne Public Library, more information may be available from the Chenango County Clerk's Office. IN Otsego County, cooling centers include the Southside Mall, The Foxcare Center as well as the greater Plains & Wilber Pools in Oneonta or the Clark Sport Center in Cooperstown, more information is available at the State Department of Health

35 Year old Ciera Washington of the Bronx pleaded guilty in US District Court to conspiracy to commit health care fraud and aggravated identity theft. Washington admitted that from April 2023 through October 2024, she worked with 2 others to steal the personal information of Medicaid beneficiaries and use that information to fraudulently obtain prescription medications from pharmacies throughout New York State & the Northeastern States, which caused a loss of nearly $4 million to the Medicaid program and tens of thousands of dollars to pharmacies. Washington agreed to forfeit over $400,000 in proceeds from her crimes and to consent to an order of restitution for the losses they caused. Washington faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment on the fraud count and a mandatory term of 2 years on the aggravated identity theft count, which must run consecutively, when sentenced in October in Federal Court, She also faces a term of supervised release of up to 3 years.

A community-wide conversation about housing insecurity and homelessness will take center stage in Norwich next month, as leaders come together to host A Conference on Housing and Belonging. The event will take place from 9:30 am. to 2 pm. on Friday, July 17 in the Norwich High School Auditorium. The conference is free and open to the public. Registration is recommended but not required. For more information or to register, contact AnnMarie Smith, Assistant Director of Housing Services, Catholic Charities of Chenango County at (607) 334-8244, ext. 242, or via email at amsmith@ccofcc.com.

Keiko Howard is an artist and painter from Sidney Center who is painting a mural on the Liberty Street Side of 7 Stones in downtown Sidney, She told WCDO News that she was commissioned to paint the mural after completing a small 1 on the side of Sidney Flowers & Gifts:

(Keiko Howard 5-28-26)

Howard said that she is going to paint an indoor mural at the Community Cultural Center in Sidney after the completion of the current work, she is also looking to recruit other area artists to try to have painting & murals in village business district in the region.

The 218th Session of the New York State Police Basic School held their graduation today at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center. 175 Troopers graduated, 23 are training in Troop C, 8 are local from the Troop C area. The new Troopers will be starting May 30 and will be with a Field Training Officer for 10 weeks before getting their official permanent station assignment. The list of the graduates can be found at troopers.ny.gov.

State Police arrested 52 year old Jonathan Menhennett of Oneonta after a dispute at a residence in the town of Oneonta. Menhennett allegedly menaced a victim & made threats with 2 knives, the victim sustained injuries but did not wish to be transported to a hospital. Menhennett was charged with 2 counts of Menacing, Criminal Possession of a Weapon, he was processed & was transported to the Otsego County Jail for Centralized Arraignment.

State Police arrested 47 year old Brendan Murphy of Oneonta after he violated an Order of Protection & was charged with Criminal Contempt. Troopers responded to a report of a violation of an Order of Protection in Oneonta, the victim, who is a protected party, was invited inside Murphy's residence, a verbal argument turned physical, the victim left, called 911 & was transported to A.O. Fox Hospital for treatment. Murphy had a previous conviction for Criminal Contempt, elevating his charges to a felony. Murphy was processed & turned over to the Otsego County Jail for Arraignment

School budgets will be voted on state wide today, as well as Board of Education in school bus purchases in some cases. Check with you local school district website or Facebook page for the times & locations for voting.

The State DOT invites members of the public to view and discuss project plans and construction for the South-side Oneonta Safety and Mobility Improvement Project for State routes 23 and State Route 28. The improvements include extended turning lanes, addition sidewalks, full repaving, and updated pavement markings. The open house will be today at the South-side Community Room at 5006 State Highway 23 in Oneonta, 2 sessions will be held, 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00 to 6:00 PM, Construction is expected to start in June and continue through fall of 2027.

New Yorkers will vote on School Budgets in New York State Tuesday, as well as Board of Education seats, school bus purchases or other ancillary costs associated with education. Sidney Superintendent Eben Bullock told WCDO News about their 35.5 Million Dollar Budget with 0% tax levy increase:

(Eben Bullock 5-18-26)

Voting will be at the Sidney High School from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Bainbridge Guilford Superintendent Tim Ryan told WCDO News that they had to deal with a $1 Million dollar gap before sending the proposal to voters:

(TIM RYAN 5-18-26)

The BG total budget is 26.9 Million dollars, the Tax Levy Increase is 1.59% Voting will be at the Greenlawn & Guilford Elementary school buildings. In the Unatego School District, Dr. Dave Richards told WCDO about their budget:

(Dr Dave Richards -18-26)

Voting for Unatego area residents will be from 12:00 to 8:00 PM at the Jr. Sr. High school.

The Chenango County Historical Society, Madison County Historian’s Office, and Columbus Public House are partnering for the fourth annual “History Where You Eat” – Chenango County edition. Chenango County Historical Society Executive Director Jessica Moquin explains:

(Jessica Moquin 5-18-26)

People can visit the Columbus Public House today for International Museum Day om State Route 80, Two seatings will be offered, with the first at 4:30 pm. and the second at 6:30 pm. Reservations are required by calling (607) 847-8422.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 5-18-26

State Police arrested 40 year old Michael Sodomora of Richmondville for Reckless Endangerment, following a crash on May 12th. Troopers responded to Lowe’s on State Highway 23 in Oneonta for a report of a vehicle that struck the building. An investigation determined that Sodomora traveled through the Lowe’s parking lot at high rate of speed before striking the entrance of the building, traveling several feet inside and damaging a cash register counter and multiple shelves of merchandise. Sodomora and a 63-year-old female passenger from Pennsylvania were not injured, Sodomora was processed & turned over to the Otsego County Jail for arraignment.

The Oneonta Town Board has approved a 1 year moratorium to stop new data centers or cryptocurrency mining. The moratorium affects plans by Eco-Yotta from building a data center on County Road 9 in the Town of Oneonta, the plan requires State Approval to be implemented.

Regatta Row will be set up for another week in the Bainbridge Business District, the canoe paddle Adirondack chairs will be brought to the General Clinton Canoe Regatta grounds next Friday & they will be auctioned off at 4:00 PM Saturday May 23rd in the Chamber of Commerce tent at General Clinton park during the canoe regatta. The auctions will start online at 32auctions.com.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 5-15-26

Hartwick College will confer degrees to approximately 220 students during its 94th Commencement ceremony, which begins at 10 am. Saturday, on Elmore Field. For more information, visit hartwick.edu, the event will also be live streamed on the Hartwick College You Tube Channel.

The Mid-York Concert Band will hold their annual Spring Concert in Norwich Sunday, band director Doug Ernst explains:

(Doug Ernst 5-15-26)

The Mid-York Concert Band is celebrating its 42nd year, the next performance is Sunday, at 2:00 PM in the Norwich High School Auditorium, and they will hold a Christmas program later in the holiday season.

2 more American Red Cross Blood Drives are being held today 1 in Margaretville from 1:30 pm. - 5:30 pm., at the Fire Department, another in Deposit from 8 am. - 1 pm., at the Deposit Central School, make appointments at RedCrossBlood.org, by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 5-7-26

The Binghamton Police Department & the Broome County District Attorney’s Office announced that after the death of 45 year old Peter Bennedum Friday at an area Hospital, the investigation is now being handled as a homicide. The 4 juveniles were previously charged with Attempted Murder in the 2nd degree, the charges have been amended to 2nd degree Murder, they are housed at a juvenile detention facility and are scheduled to appear in Broome County Court at a later date to be arraigned on the new charge. Additionally, the 13-year-old suspect was located and arrested at an address in Whitney Point, and has also been charged with 2nd degree Murder and was also sent to a juvenile detention facility in Syracuse, New York. This matter remains an ongoing investigation, Anyone with information is asked to contact the Binghamton Police Detective Bureau by phone at 607-772-7080.

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 55 year old Donald Lane for Resisting Arrest, Obstructing Governmental Administration, Bail Jumping as well as on 2 Warrants, Lane was located by a Deputy in Oneonta, he had failed to appear in court for sentencing on previous felony charges, he failed to comply with verbal commands and attempted to flee on foot, he was apprehended & physically resisted arrest. Lane was then turned over to the Otsego County Correctional Facility to await arraignment, he was remanded to the Otsego County Correctional facility without bail.

Norwich City Police arrested 21 year old Brayden Pollock of Plymouth along with a Juvenile, in connection to the damage at Angelino Fields on Borden Avenue on May 2nd. Norwich Police determine that both individuals came in separate vehicles & damaged property, amounting to about $2,500 in damages. Both were charged with Criminal Mischief, Pollock was issued an appearance ticket for Norwich City Court, the juvenile was ordered to return to Youth Court at a later date.

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 5-7-26

State Police arrested 19 year old Derick Danielsen of Laurens after a couple driving in Laurens saw Danielsen follow them in his vehicle into the town of Oneonta, they reported that Danielson was pointing a handgun at their vehicle. The couple drove to the State Police Barracks in Oneonta to report the incident. Troopers located Danielson and his vehicle in Laurens, Troopers seized cocaine, ecstasy, oxycodone pills, Xanax, fentanyl, 150 THC vape cartridges, cash & a number of loaded weapons, he was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Criminal Possession of a Weapon, and Menacing, he was processed & then transported to the Otsego County Jail for Arraignment.

2 American Red Cross Blood Drives are being held today, one in Garrattsville from 1:30 pm. - 5:30 pm., at the New Lisbon Town Hall, another in Sidney from 11 am. - 4 pm., at the Sidney High School, Book a time to give blood or platelets by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

Otsego County School Districts Plastic Film Recycling challenge ends today, after Otsego County Students collected & turned in plastics like grocery bags, bread bags & bubble wrap to get them out of the waste stream, Kyle King of the Otsego County Solid waste Department explains:

(Kyle King 4-17-26)

King said that in recent years, the challenge has successfully recycled tons of the plastic film items, with the winning district getting the ice cream event each year of the contest.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 4-17-26

This Weekend, Fire Departments around the state will be participating in the annual "Recruit New York" Campaign, in order to add to their ranks, local organizer Roger Barnhart explains:

(Roger Barnhart 4-17-26)

Departments participating locally include; PORT CRANE, PLYMOUTH, ANDES, TROUT CREEK, HARTWICK, MILFORD, MOUNT VISION, UNADILLA, & WEST ONEONTA, To find out what day & times local Fire Departments are participating, go to fireinyou.org/recruitny.

Butternut Valley Alliance, Morris Rotary, and Morris Central School are partnering for an Earth Day community clean-up and creek-side planting day on Saturday, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 in the village of Morris. Participants will meet at the Morris Central School parking lot to spread out in groups to pick up debris along the roads in Morris and plant milkweed provided by Upper Susquehanna Coalition along the Butternut and Calhoun creeks. For more information, visit butternutvalleyalliance.org

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 4-8-26

The State Legislature approved of another 7 day extension for the new State budget, it was passed today and will keep the State government running until April 14. The State budget was originally due April 1st, 2 extension have been put in place, the budget has been late for the last 5 years. Sticking points included school aid, car insurance reforms, adjustments to the state's climate laws and changes to Tier 6 pension rules.

27 year old Delos Thurston of Clinton, pleaded guilty on Tuesday in US District Court to money order fraud. Thurston admitted that between April 2025 and January 2026, while he was employed as the Postmaster of the Morrisville Post Office, he fraudulently issued 179 money orders for his own benefit without paying for them, in the amount of $118,088.19 from the United States. Thurston is scheduled for sentencing on August 6, he faces a maximum term of 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years.

A.O. Fox Hospital is hosting a blood drive with the American Red Cross today, from Noon to 5:00 PM, at the Levine Conference Room at 1 Norton Avenue in Oneonta, Appointments are available by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS, visiting redcrossblood.org, or using the American Red Cross Blood Donor App.

Greater Opportunities of Broome and Chenango County has been awarded $9 million in grant funding for a new 20-unit residential housing project in Norwich. The development will be located at the former Flanagan Field on Plymouth Street, $8 million from the State Homes and Community Renewal Home-ARP and $1 million from a Chenango County Infrastructure Grant. The project calls for a 20-unit residential development that will be ADA compliant, Greater Opportunities will enter into a purchase agreement with the Norwich City School District to acquire the land after a survey is performed.

The Oneonta Town Board will hold a Public Hearing on April 8th regarding Plans to build an artificial intelligence data center at 359 County Road 9, which were put on hold following a 1 year moratorium on the project. Town Residents submitted a petition with over 700 signatures opposing the project by Eco-Yotta.

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 2-16-26

The Walton Police Department & the Delaware County District Attorney's Office announced the arrested of Walton High School teacher Eric Scofield for dissemination of indecent materials to Minors. 2 counts of a Sexually motivated felony, 7 counts of tampering with physical evidence & 5 counts of official misconduct, following a complaint that Scofield was engaging in improper communications with students. Scofield was brought to the Delaware County Correctional facility pending arraignment on the charges.

There are now 3 candidates running for the New York’s 51st State Senate seat, as incumbent Republican Peter Oberacker decided to run for Congress. The 3 candidates are Democrat Michelle Frazier of Delhi, Current Republican Assemblyman Chris Tague and Sullivan County Republican Terry Bernardo, The district covers Sullivan County, Delaware, Schoharie, and Otsego counties, along with parts of Broome, Chenango, and Ulster counties.

Oneonta Fire Department responded to a fire at 57 Maple Street Saturday morning, 1st floor residents and visitors were able to leave the house safely, the 2nd floor apartments were under construction, the 1st floor apartment suffered water damage from fire operations, The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, Mutual aid was provided by Otego, West Oneonta and Franklin fire departments. no injuries were reported.

State Police at Troop C responded to a school bus crash on its side in the town of Truxton this morning. A bus from the Homer Central School District had 11 elementary school aged students on the bus, the school bus driver and a school bus aide. Troopers & Local EMS responded, 2 seven year old & an 9 year old were taken to an area hospital, 2 with head injuries and 1 with a hand injury, several other reported minor injuries & were treated at the scene & released, other students were transferred to another bus and transported to the Homer School District.

Oneonta Officials announced that there was a water main break this morning at Carson Road, City crews are working to isolate the break. There will a temporary water outage until repairs are complete. Once a repair is completed, water users may experience a change in water color and/or pressure. More information for affected city residents can be obtained by calling the Department of Public Works at (607) 432-2100

An American Red Cross Blood Drive is being held today from 9 am. - 2 pm., at the Unatego Junior Senior High School, book an appointment by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS

The latest Sienna Institute Polling has Governor Kathy Hochul holding a commanding lead over Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, 54-28%. Among registered Democrats, Hochul has an overwhelming 64-11% lead over Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado. 6 of the Governors proposals received 58-68% support, including eliminating state income tax on the first $25,000 earned in tips, ensuring immigration enforcement targeting those in the country illegally, cannot occur in sensitive locations such as schools, hospitals, & places of worship, increasing childcare funding & providing $30 million in payments to farmers to offset what Hochul calls rising costs due to tariffs (59-17%).

Delaware County District Attorney Shawn Smith announced that 62 year old Amber Sines of Sidney pleaded guilty in the Village of Sidney Court to Driving While Intoxicated, Sines was sentenced yesterday to 60 days in jail to be followed by 3 years of probation supervision, her license was revoked, and she will be required to install an ignition interlock device in any vehicle she owns or operates if she re-obtains the privilege to drive. Sines was arrested last March by State Police after observing a vehicle sitting stationery at the intersection of State Highway 8 and Delaware Avenue in the Village of Sidney, the vehicle had an expired registration and inspection and she failed Standardized Field Sobriety Tests at the scene and was placed into custody.

With the cold weather forecasted for this upcoming weekend, the Friends of Rogers Winter Living Celebration is RESCHEDULED and moving to February 14th from 11AM-3PM. The Rogers Center is located in Sherburne, more information is available at friendsofrogers.org.

A.M. NEWS Tuesday 2-3-26

The DCMO BOCES Board of Education proposed capital building project plan will be voted on today until 8:00 PM, by residents of all of the school districts associated with the Pole Campus in Norwich & the Harrold Campus in Trout Creek, and they will also vote on the purchase of the former Masonville Elementary School to house programs for students. BOCES District Superintendent Michael Rullo told WCDO News of the main reasons for the projects:

(Michael Rullo 11-4-25)

Rullo said that the BOCES buildings are over more than 50 years old, with the most recent renovations approved in 2005. The projects would start in March of 2027 and conclude in 2028, if approved by voters today.

On January 31st, State Police conducted an Underage Drinking Detail in Otsego County, all 14 business were in compliance, NONE of the locations checked sold alcohol to a person under that age of 21. The detailed focused on Otsego County Businesses in Oneonta, Schenevus & Worcester, 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 (if asked).

Chobani announced that they awarded $400,000 in grants to 40 nonprofit groups through the eighth annual Community Impact Fund. The grants will go to organizations in Central New York, Idaho, Philadelphia and Muskegon Michigan. Locally, the Afton Central Schools will use the funds to build a greenhouse for agricultural education and to supply fresh produce for the FFA Food Pantry. The Food Bank of Central New York will support its Senior Grocery Program, the Norwich City School District will expand its backpack program, the Oneonta Middle School will provide grocery gift cards to families throughout the year, and the Cooperstown Food Pantry will use its grant to offer year-round farmers market vouchers, SNAP matching and CSA shares from regional farms.

2 American Red Cross Blood Drives are being held today, 1 in ONEONTA from 11:30 am. - 4:30 pm., at the Quality Inn, State Highway 23, another will be in Margaretville from 8:30 am. - 1:30 pm., at the Margaretville Central School, to make appointments, use the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS.