WCDO Radio News

The US Department of Justice announced the results of Operation Relentless Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track, and arrest child sex predators. The nationwide crackdown resulted in over 205 child victims being located and the arrests of over 293 child sexual abuse offenders, including 6 in the upstate counties. The coordinated effort was executed over the course of 2 weeks by all 56 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in the Department’s Criminal Division, and U.S. Attorneys’ offices around the country. The Department urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of a child through the FBI's tip-line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov.

Gene Schmidt of Unadilla & his family will once again offer a free Christmas Dinner on Christmas Day at the Sidney Elks Lodge from 1:00 to 4:00 PM:

(Gene Schmidt 12-4-25)

Schmidt said that do need some volunteers to help with preparation, serving and cleaning up, Those who would like to volunteer or donate can call Gene at 607-610-4030.

Operation Merry Christmas sign-ups have begun for the 2025 Holiday Season, for children in the Sidney, Bainbridge, Unadilla and Afton areas. Spokesperson Lisa Striegler explains:

(Lisa Striegler 9-22-25)

The sign-up form is available on their Facebook page, the deadline to sign up is October 31st. Business that want to have a tree can also find the details on the Facebook page.

State Police in Troop “C” are hosting a free child car safety checks today, performed by Troopers that are certified technicians, they make sure the child car seat is installed properly and make sure the child is in the right seat. The event will be held today from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Troop C Headquarters in Sidney.

Operation Merry Christmas is underway, & they are starting to take information regarding the needs of children from families that could use a helping hand this year. Spokesperson Valerie McClain explains:

(Valerie McClain 9-28-23)

More information is available at 607-431-8311 or on their Facebook page, toys & clothing for the children that are signed up, will be held in December.

Daniel Erickson of Greene pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Wednesday morning to Luring a Child and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Erickson he former middle school principal in the Johnson City School District, He is accused of communicating with a Johnson City High School student in an attempt to entice the student to perform sexual acts and attempting to meet her with the intention of having sexual relations with her. Erickson was arrested on July 7th, he resigned his position as principal.

Operation Merry Christmas is getting set for another busy year giving away Christmas gifts for children in families that are struggling this year.  Some of the trees are already up in area establishments, Spokesperson Dorene Ireland told WCDO News about the timeline for getting the tags off of the trees & getting the gifts returned back in:

(Dorene Ireland 10-30-20)

The program has been getting gifts to children in the tri town area since 1940.  More information is available by calling 643-6334 or by email to OMCSidney@Gmail.com.

Effective November 1, the New York State Traffic Law requires that ALL back seat passengers  in a motor vehicle be restrained by a safety belt or an appropriate child restraint system.  The new law amends the former law which only required that back seat passengers under the age of 16 be restrained by a seatbelt or an appropriate child restraint system, more information is available dmv.ny.gov.

The Circle Drive Alliance Church in Sidney is participating in the Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child "ShoeBox" program, where people can donate items for children in need around the world. Local Spokesperson Marie Cole told WCDO News that they will participate using COVID guidelines starting this weekend:

(Marie Cole 10-16-20)

People can pick up the boxes at various times starting Monday, through Wednesday, after they are returned they can be dropped off at Circle Drive Alliance church where they will be trucked to Charlotte North Carolina for distribution where needed. More information about the programs is available at samaritanspurse.org.

A Broome County Jury has found
38-year-old Raymond Hansel of North Carolina, guilty of sexually assaulting a
girl in Broome County over a 3-month period.
Hansel was found guilty of predatory sexual assault against a child and
3 counts of 1st-degree rape, for sexual acts with a girl less than 13 years old
in the towns of Union and Conklin.
Hansel could face prison terms of 25 years to life when sentenced at a
later date.

Due to the expected gusty winds &
heavy downpours on Thursday Halloween Day, the Village of Sidney has
rescheduled trick or treating to Saturday November 2nd from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, to
secure the safety of the children.

Operation Merry Christmas is winding
up the first part of their process in the coming days, to gather all of the
information on toy requests & children’s clothing sizes, to be given out to
children of underprivileged families in December.  Spokesperson Dorene Ireland explains:

(Dorene Ireland 10-30-19)

Calls can be made to
643-6334; the giveaway day will be Saturday December 14th in the lobby of the
AO Fox Hospital Tri Town Campus in Sidney.

The Fireman’s
Association of the State of New York announced that New York State is leading
the nation in civilian fire deaths this year.
So far in 2019, there have been 92 civilians that have died in fires
this year that number is expected to increase as the Association statistics
show that winter is the busiest time of the year for home fires.  Officials hope that the numbers decrease in
coming years as more New Yorkers replace the old style battery powered Smoke
Detectors with the new state of the art types with 10 year batteries that do
not need to be replaced annually.

A portion of State Route 8 in Sidney
will be named the Sidney Veterans' Memorial Highway under legislation signed
into law by Governor Cuomo Tuesday.  The
bill was sponsored by State Senator Jim Seward and Assemblyman Cliff Crouch
after the Village of Sidney requested the special highway designation.  A formal sign installation will be scheduled
with State DOT officials at a later date.

Delaware County Public Health
announced that the Local Early Intervention Coordinating Council will hold
their next meeting today from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon in Delhi. The Council is
made up of parents and professionals who consider early intervention issues for
children.  Today's meeting is open to the
public, it will be held in the Delaware County Public Health Conference Room
located at 99 Main Street Delhi.

State Police released the names of the people involved in a 2-car Head-On crash in the Town of Columbus Saturday. 27 year old Bradley Prosser of Sherburne was the driver of the first vehicle that crossed into the opposing lane and crashed head on into a 2nd vehicle. Prosser was pronounced dead at the scene, he had a .23 BAC according to the autopsy report. Prosser’s passenger, 26 year old Tasha Carney of Edmeston suffered minor injuries from the crash. The driver of the 2nd vehicle was 46 year old Shannon Donnelly-Travis of Schuyler Lake; she was airlifted to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, for a fractured arm and leg.

State Senator Fred Akshar continued the 2nd year of his "Akshar's All-Stars" student recognition program on Tuesday by recognizing students at 4 school districts. At the Harpursville High School, Akshar recognized senior Colin LaDue for his leadership, dedication and many contributions to his school and community. At the Afton High School, Akshar recognized sophomore Logan Ives for her selfless devotion to charity and giving back to others in need. At Bainbridge-Guilford High School, Akshar recognized senior Tannar Cliffe for his kindness and dependability both in and out of school. At DCMO BOCES in Norwich, Akshar recognized senior Destin Foley for his energy and dedication to both his academic studies and to helping others in the classroom.

Firefighters from Sherburne & 2 other local departments responded to a fire at Crandall's Auto on Blanding Road in Sherburne last night at about 8:30 PM. No injuries were reported, the building was completely destroyed; investigators are trying to determine how that fire started.

The Chenango Arts Council's 2019 Grants for Teachers application deadline has been extended until this Friday, December 21st. The Program provides up to $500 to K-12 teachers in Chenango County who find innovative ways to integrate the arts into the regular school curriculum through projects that are not covered by the school budget. Teachers currently employed by a public or private school in Chenango County are eligible to apply; more information is available at chenangoarts.org/grants/grants-for-teachers. Awards will be made in February 2019.

A Free Christmas Dinner will be available in Sidney this year on Christmas Day at the Sidney Fire Station, organizer Gene Schmidt comments:

(Gene Schmidt 12-19-18)

More information about the free Christmas day Dinner is available at 607-610-4030; this year will be the 6th year that Schmidt & his family have offered the free Christmas dinner.

Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul will tour several area business today. Hochul will Tour Amphenol Aerospace in Sidney this morning at 9:15, Corning Incorporated in Oneonta, at 10:30, and then at 1:30 this afternoon she will tour Chobani in New Berlin.

Otsego County Chamber of Commerce will host the state Mandated Anti-Harassment Policies and Sexual Harassment Training today, from 8:30 to 10:00 AM. New York State mandates ALL employers to adopt a sexual harassment prevention policy as well as to train ALL employees on sexual harassment prevention. The Seminar will be held at the Otsego County Chamber/Otsego Now Offices at 189 Main Street on the 5th floor, in Oneonta.

Governor Cuomo announced his agenda for the 1st 100 days of 2019 on Monday. Among the items on his agenda: adopting a Progressive Tax System, Cut Middle Class Taxes, Protecting Affordable Health Care, Gender Equality, Combat Gun Violence, ensure Clean, Safe Drinking Water, Pass the Child Victims Act & Legalize Adult Use of Recreational Marijuana.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 40 year old Brenna Talbot of Walton for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation 3rd degree following a traffic stop on County Highway 21 in the Town of Franklin. Talbot was additionally charged with unlicensed operator, operating without a headlight. She was released on tickets returnable to Franklin Town Court at a later date.

Scott and Marianne Ray of Norwich pleaded guilty to 2nd degree assault and endangering in the welfare of a child in Chenango County Court this week. The couple was accused of hitting a child with a hair brush & throwing a child into a wall this summer, they were each sentenced to 6 months in jail followed by 5 years’ probation.

The Delaware County Historical Association will host its inaugural Christmas Fair on Saturday December 8th at their facility 2 miles north of Delhi on state highway 10. From 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. More information is available at 746-3849.

The Capital Region Toys for Tots Foundation today announced its distribution plans for the 2018 holiday season, to deliver thousands of toys and winter coats to children in need throughout Upstate New York. The Toys for Tots Train schedule is December 1st, starting at 10:00 AM at the Binghamton Yard, it will then arrive in Bainbridge at 11:45 AM, then at 1:15 pm at the Gas Avenue Crossing, Oneonta, before heading for Cobleskill & Delanson. The train will continue on Sunday & finish its run in through the Capital region to Rouses Point.

State Police arrested 29 year old Nicholas Reyes of Guilford for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation, Driving While Intoxicated & Refusal to Submit to a Breath Test. Troopers responded to a one car rollover on County Road 38 in the town of Guilford. An investigation revealed that the vehicle Reyes was operating veered over the double yellow lines then back into his lane before going off the roadway, striking a ditch and rolling over. Reyes was transported to Tri-Town Hospital then later Wilson Memorial Hospital for his injuries, he issued appearance tickets to the town of Guilford Court.

28 year old Devan Ellsworth of Norwich appeared in court earlier today, so far he has been charged with 2nd degree Assault & endangering the welfare of a child, in connection with the death of his 1 year old daughter last weekend in Norwich. First responders & Norwich police were called to the Ellsworth apartment on Henry Street in Norwich Sunday for a report of a 1-year-old child with a head injury, the child died Monday after being transferred to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse. Ellsworth is expected to have his case heard by a Grand Jury & charges are expected to be added, he is being held in the Chenango County Jail without bail.

Operation Merry Christmas will be getting started a little earlier this year, with the sign-ups beginning September 1st through October 30th. Spokesperson Dorene Ireland explains:

(Dorene Ireland 8-30-18)

Ireland said that the giveaway day for the presents will be on December 15th at 12 Whitney Way in Bainbridge. More information is available at 643-6334 or 563-8119.

A free Christmas dinner will be offered in Sidney on Christmas day at the Fire House on River Street, organizer gene Schmidt explains:

(Gene Schmidt 12-19-17)

Schmidt said that those wanting to volunteer for the set up on Saturday or serving on Christmas, can contact him by email to KrautGene@yahoo.com this week.

A Broome County Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a vehicle for several NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law violations on Friday on State Route 79 in the Town of Fenton. 28 year old Deanna Olmstead of Windsor was arrested for felony DWI, Aggravated DWI, Aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle driving without an interlock device and several other charges. Olmstead was arraigned in the Town of Fenton Court and remanded to the Broome County Sheriffs Jail pending additional court action.

Governor Cuomo announced the launch of the Paid Family Leave policy, which will be starting January 1st. Those eligible for Paid Family Leave include: Parents during the first 12 months following the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child; Caretakers for a sick spouse, domestic partner, child, stepchild, parent, stepparent, parent-in-law, grandparent or grandchild; Employees with a spouse, child, domestic partner or parent who has been notified of an order of active military service abroad. More information is available at ny.gov/PaidFamilyLeave.

The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce will host the annual Christmas parade Saturday afternoon, followed by several other holiday activities. Bainbridge Chamber President John Payne told WCDO News that those who want to be in the parade should get to Bainbridge by 4:00 PM:

(John Payne 12-9-16)

More information about the Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce is available at 967-8700

The Chenango County Sheriff's Office arrested 28-year-old Justin Harrington of Sherburne, for Sexual Abuse, endangering the welfare of a child, and forcible touching. Harrington allegedly subjected a victim under the age of 13 to sexual contact on multiple occasions. He was arraigned in the Town of Sherburne Court and taken to the Chenango County Jail on $10,000 bail.

The "Selfies with Elfies For Sarah" fundraiser will be held this Saturday from 5:15 to 8:00 PM at the Bainbridge Town Hall. Sarah Richardson has stage 4 Liver Cancer, & is the mother of a 3-year-old boy, organizer Heather Bucalos explains:

(Heather Bucalos 12-9-16)

Bucalos said that there will also be a Christmas raffle basket, a face painter & Bake sale, free activities for the kids, more information is available at Eventbrite.com and search for Selfies with Elfies for Sarah.

The Chenango County Law Enforcement Association will conduct their annual "Shop with a Sheriff" programs Saturday. The Association will assist 30 kids, as Deputies contribute their time and even some funding to buy Christmas gifts. More information is available at 334-2000.

State Senator Jim Seward and Assemblyman Cliff Crouch will be in Delaware County, at 2:00 PM today at the Ouleout Creek Golf Course in North Franklin, for a highway dedication ceremony for fallen Marine Corps Corporal Nicholas Uzenski of Franklin, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2010 during Operation Enduring Freedom. Members of Corporal Uzenski’s family, local elected officials and law enforcement representatives will be on hand for the ceremony.

The Delaware county recycling facility has been in operation fro a full year, accepting a lot more plastic & other items for recycling, according to Delaware County Solid waste Coordinator director Sue McIntyre:

(Sue McIntyre 11-12-15)

McIntyre said that the revenue generated from the #3 to 7 Plastics is marginal, but she said that there is a market for all of the items coming in to the recycling facility, and an added bonus of NOT having those items winding up in the landfill or the comporting facility.

First Night and LEAF will be collaborating with the Oneonta Boys and Girls Club on Saturday, December 12th on their annual FREE Christmas Party with live music, games and activities, snacks and a visit from not only Santa. The Elks Club will be welcoming families to participate in a Hoop Shoot from 10 am until noon and the Christmas Party will run from noon until 2 pm. It will also be a chance to purchase discounted buttons for First Night Oneonta's Spectacular New Year's Eve Celebration.

The first Baptist Church in Sidney will hold their services this Sunday at the Circle Drive Alliance church from 2:00 to 3:30 PM, due to a heating problem. After the church services, members of the church will return to the Baptist Church for packing the "Operation Child" boxes as originally scheduled.

New York outlawed daily fantasy sports websites and FanDuel CEO Nigel Eccles said that they're hoping to work around the decision by New York's Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, that declared daily fantasy sports sites such as FanDuel and DraftKings are illegal gambling operations. Eccles said that their attorney claims that there is a 5-day period allotted in the cease-and-desist letter in which they'll be working to figure out their options. About 10% of the 2 companies business has been from New York.

Next week, several locations in the Delaware County area will serve as collection sites for "Operation Christmas Child". The annual project consists of filling shoeboxes with toys, school supplies and notes of encouragement.   Local Collection Sites will include the Sidney 1st Baptist Church, The New Hope Community Church in Walton, & the Stamford Baptist Church 40 Lake Street. More information is available at samaritanspurse.org.

Detectives and missing-persons bureaus would have an easier time updating the national database on missing children under legislation that could pass the US Senate shortly. The bill would reauthorize the 1974 Runaway and Homeless Youth & Trafficking Prevention Act, it would allow local law enforcement to update records in the National Crime Information Center without getting prior approval from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children or the originating agency. 10,312 children were reported missing in 2013 in upstate New York and the Hudson Valley, and 1,269 of those cases were still active at the end of last year.

Operation Merry Christmas trees will remain up for a only a short time, with cards on their trees in area businesses and locations, participants can remove a card from one of the trees & return the requested item, those items will wind up under the Christmas tree of a child of a struggling family this Christmas.  Program coordinator Ginny Ireland told WCDO News where the trees are located:

(Ginny Ireland 12-5-13)

More information about “Operation Merry Christmas” is available at 967-8119 or 563-8119.

2 families managed to escape a fire this morning at 46 Park Street in Binghamton.  The fire was called in at about 5:45 this morning, firefighters managed to get a women & 2 of her children to safety, who were trapped on the roof.  The building was heavily damaged; no injuries among firefighters were reported.  4 people were taken to area hospitals for treatment; the cause of the fire is under investigation.