WCDO Radio News

State Police arrested 26 year old Clayton Carley & 60 year old Jeffrey Carley of Homer on a variety of charges for Criminal Possession of controlled substances & firearms. In August 2024, State Police responded to a burglary complaint involving the larceny of a dirt bike in Oswego County, last week it was for sale on Facebook Marketplace by Clayton Carley, Investigators interviewed him, he stated the dirt bike had been sold. Troopers executed a search warrant the Carley residence and retrieved handguns, assault weapons, A loaded shotgun, high-capacity ammunition feeding devices, materials for growing & processing cannabis, Cash in excess of $5,000 & A stolen 2024 motorcycle. Both men were processed & were transported to the Cortland County Jail for Centralized Arraignment.

The National Digital Inclusion Alliance named Chenango County as a 2025 Digital Inclusion Trailblazer, recognizing the County’s efforts to close the digital divide, Chenango County Planning Director Shane Butler explains:

(Shane Butler 1-20-26)

Butler said that The Trailblazer program identifies seven categories of current best practices. Each applicant’s materials are verified for accuracy, assessed for community impact, and posted in an interactive map and searchable database on NDIA’s website. More information is available chenangocountyny.gov or digitalinclusion.org.

35 year old Benjamin Keeney of Binghamton, was sentenced today in Broome County Court to 4 years in State Prison following his conviction for Criminal Contempt. Keeney violated an Order of Protection by going to the victim’s home. The investigation was conducted by the Binghamton Police Department.

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 7-29-24

The 2024 Otsego County Fair is set to take place July 30 to August 4. spokesperson Lisa Jackson told WCDO News that there are many new vendors & attractions this year:

(Lisa Jackson 7-11-24)

More Information is available at their website: otsegocountyfair.org or on their Facebook page.

2 more tornado confirmations have been listed in New York State in July. The latest touched down on July 24th in Oswego County and Fulton County, according to the National Weather Service. There have now been 22 tornadoes in New York this month

Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested Sabrina Johnson of Oswego County for 2nd degree Burglary, Attempted Grand Larceny, Criminal Mischief & Conspiracy, last November, the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office Road Patrol Division received a Burglary complaint in New Berlin, the investigation found that Johnson and a co-defendant caused damage while burglarizing a residence, stole items from within the residence, and attempted to steal a car. Johnson was located at the Town of New Berlin Court and was taken into custody without incident, she was arraigned and was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on cash bail, she will return to Town of New Berlin Court at a later date.

Broome County Sheriff's Office arrested 57 year old William MacDowall of Binghamton for Hindering Prosecution and Obstructing Governmental Administration, after hindering police from entering his residence to arrest his son, 25 year old Justin MacDowall, on an active felony bench warrant for Violation of Probation and an active arrest warrant for Strangulation. Justin MacDowall was charged with Resisting Arrest and Obstructing Governmental Administration in addition to the warrants, both men face court action shortly.

Alan Holmes of Binghamton was sentenced as a 2nd time felony offender to Attempted Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in Broome County Court. On June 7, 2021, Holmes was found in possession of approximately 50 grams of fentanyl following a traffic stop in Johnson City stemming from suspected drug activity in Endwell. Holmes admitted to possession with the intent to sell, he was sentenced to 6.5 years in State Prison, followed by 3 years of post-release supervision.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 1-4-24

Broome County Sheriff’s Road Patrol initiated a routine traffic stop Tuesday of a pickup truck on Route 17 West near Exit 71 in Binghamton. The driver, 35 year old Kyle Kasmarcik of Port Crane, was found to have a suspended license. The investigation and towing of the vehicle uncovered a loaded and unregistered 9mm handgun, a digital scale and a small bag of white crystal-like substance, which field tested positive for methamphetamine. Also found in the truck was a separate license plate, which was used on the same vehicle a day prior Kasmarcik was taken into custody and charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia, Aggravated Operation of a Motor Vehicle, along with other similar charges, Kasmarcik was taken to Central Arraignment and remains in custody at the Broome County Sheriff’s Correctional Facility.

State Lawmakers will be heading back to Albany for the 2024 session, local Assemblyman Joe Angelino comments:

(Angelino 1-4-24)

Assemblyman Angelino can be reached in Albany at 518-455-5741, or in Broome County at 607-648-6080.

The Otsego County Department of Health announced that a bat tested positive for rabies in the town of Oneonta today. 1 person was exposed & started post exposure vaccinations, more information about rabies is available at their web page at otsegocounty.com or by calling 607-547-4230.

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 1-4-23

The State Department of Health released a report on food insecurity, Among Adults by County. Food insecurity is characterized by limited or uncertain access to adequate food due to limited economic resources. Among Counties outside of New York City, the highest percentage of adults who experience food insecurity are Herkimer 28.8% and Oswego 26.2%.The full report can be found at health.ny.gov/statistics.

The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services’ Office of Counter Terrorism conducted training exercises at more than 1,100 locations statewide in 2023. Counter terrorism experts from over 80 federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies completed exercises assessing the ability of businesses to recognize and report suspicious activity in nearly every county in the state. More than 6,300 exercises have been conducted across New York since 2016.

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office is currently looking for Dominick Polhamus on an outstanding warrant for Aggravated Family Offense. Polhamous is described as a white male, 5'7" with brown hair and brown eyes, Anyone with information is asked to contact the Broome County Sheriff’s Office at gobroomecounty.com/sheriff/warrants or by calling the Broome County Sheriff’s Office tip line at (607) 778-1196 or Warrants Division at (607) 778-2923 or (607) 778-2933. Thank you.

There has been another delay in finding out who actually won the 22nd Congressional District between recent incumbent Democrat Anthony Brindisi, and the previous Congressional representative, Republican Claudia Tenney.  State Supreme Court Justice Scott Delconte ordered all counties involved in the race to certify their votes this week, however there were problems with Oneida County, yesterday, Brindisi filed a motion for a new recount following differences in vote counts throughout the process since Election Day.

Local government sales tax collections declined by 10 percent overall in 2020, or $1.8 billion, compared to the previous year, according to a report issued today by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. This decline was steeper than the drop during the Great Recession, when local sales tax collections fell 6 percent statewide in 2009 compared to 2008.  DiNapoli’s report also found that County sales tax collections decreased by 0.9 percent outside of New York City, Delaware County had the largest year-over-year increase at 10.7%, followed by Oswego at 10.5% and Westchester at 9.8%.

Chenango County Public Health reported 9 new cases of COVID 19 today, with 147 active cases, 449 quarantined & 21 hospitalized.  They also reported that they received 200 doses of the COVID Vaccine this week; they have administered over 800 doses so far.  County residents should go to the state "Am I Eligible App or go to the am-i-eligible.COVID19vaccine.health.ny.gov website.

Otsego County Health Department reported 1 new death from COVID 19, 12 new cases were reported Monday, and they have 146 active cases & 14 hospitalized.  Otsego County has had 742 new cases since the beginning of the year with 10 deaths; most of those cases have been attributed to holiday social gatherings.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced legislation that would invest billions in public school infrastructure and help cash-strapped school districts safely reopen under CDC guidelines. Gillibrand explained during a ZOOM press conference this afternoon:

(Gillibrand 2-2-21)

The Reopen and Rebuild America’s Schools Act of 2021 would invest more than $100 billion in grant funding to schools with facilities that pose health and safety risks to students and staff, allocate funding for updates to combat the spread of COVID-19, and expand access to reliable, high-speed broadband to continue digital learning.

Delaware County Public Health reported only 4 positive COVID tests Monday out of 197 tested, for about 2% positivity rate.  The County reports 18 hospitalized, 246 quarantined & 101 total active cases.

Chenango County Public Health reported 7 news deaths form COVID-19 Thursday, bringing their death toll to 28, they had 36 new cases reported, bringing the total number of cases to 1393. Chenango County has 190 total cases, 15 are hospitalized, and 452 are quarantined.

The Broome County Health Department continues to see an increase in COVID 19 cases, with more than 1100 new cases since start of the New Year. They are up to 9090 cases and 189 deaths from the virus, 58 of the deaths have come since the end of November. The county has had over 7400 recoveries and they are monitoring over 220 people.

Bainbridge Guilford School Superintendent Tim Ryan is holding a Zoom Meeting with parents today, regarding how the school district is dealing with the uptick in Chenango County COVID cases, he told WCDO News that their hybrid model seems to be working well:

(Tim Ryan 1-8-21)

Ryan said that they have had 4 students recently test positive, 2 of those were remote only students & they did not expose anyone in the school itself.

A new session of Congress is underway but the seat for the New York 22nd District in the House of Representatives remains empty. Oswego County Supreme Court Justice Scott DelConte continues to review challenged ballots, the most recent tally had Republican Claudia Tenney with a slim lead over incumbent Democrat Anthony Brindisi, there will be no Representative in the 22nd district until Judge DelConte renders a final decision on the disputed ballots.

The Sidney Central School District reported 2 new COVID 19 cases, they report 2 middle school students are presumed positive, they have not been on campus since Monday, January 4th. The Delaware County Health officials have conducted an investigation and the contact tracing has been completed. There will be no change to the instructional model at this time.

Delaware County Public Health reported another death from COVID 19, they have had 16 deaths. they had 24 new cases Thursday, with 5 now hospitalized and 237 quarantined.

Otsego County Department of Health reported 25 new cases of COVID Thursday, they have 16 hospitalized and there were 2 more deaths, bringing the County total to 20.

Chenango County Public reported today that they have had 42 new COVID 19 cases since Friday’s report, and 2 more residents died from COVID complications.   The County now has 87 active cases, 405 are quarantined, and 5 are hospitalized.  Chenango County had had 724 total cases since March, with 13 deaths, 618 recoveries & over 47,500 tests conducted.

A traffic stop in the town of Norwich led the to the arrest of a man wanted for stealing a camper from Otsego County in October then abandoning it in Binghamton.   State Police arrested 46 year old Clint Payne of Beaver, Pennsylvania, for Grand Larceny, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance.  On November 20th,  Payne came to the State Police Norwich barracks inquiring about another matter, when he drove off a trooper observed that Payne’s vehicle had multiple vehicle and traffic infractions, he was stopped & the trooper discovered that Payne was wanted for Grand Larceny in Otsego County & he was accused of possessing of methamphetamine.  Payne was processed in Oneonta, the Otsego County Central Arraignment and Processing & Broome County Central Arraignment and Processing.

State Police arrested 26 year old John Flora of Windsor for allegedly burglarizing residences in the town of Windsor. An investigation by State Police BCI arrested Flora at his residence.  He was charged with multiple counts of 2nd degree Burglary & was taken to Broome County Central Arraignment and Processing.

Village of Sidney Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative Committee has had 16 community members appointed, with Village residents, business owners, Religious leaders, Village Board members, Members of the Police Department, Delaware County Public Defender's office  and Delaware County District Attorney John Hubbard.  The committee has reviewed how the Sidney Police Department operates and with public input determines what changes, if any, need to be made.  Sidney mayor Andy Matviak told WCDO News about how they will get public input:

(Andy Matviak 12-7-20)

After the public input in the months of December and January, they will draft a reform and reinvention plan that will be shared with the public, in February the committee will make any needed changes & submit the revised plan to the Village board for approval. In March the approved plan will be submitted to New York State.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 12-7-20

Attorneys for the Claudia Tenney and Anthony Brindisi campaigns filed new motions in State Supreme Court in Oswego regarding the ongoing ballot counts in the 22nd congressional district race.   55 recently-discovered Chenango County early voting ballots & about 2000 other disputed ballots will be ruled on by Justice Scott Delconte in State Supreme Court in Oswego this afternoon.

The Sidney Central School District has been notified that a student has tested positive for COVID-19. This person has not been on campus since Wednesday, December 2nd. The Delaware County Health Department is conducting the investigation and will notify anyone who they feel may have been exposed. The teachers and students impacted by the quarantine have been contacted, as they will transition to a remote learning environment.

The Walton Central School District will learn remotely today and Tuesday, after the Delaware County Health officials notified the district of a positive COVID-19 case involving a staff member, contact tracing will take place the next two days.

Delaware County Public Health announced that they had 13 new COVID 19 cases Sunday, bringing their total to 438 since spring.  There are 87 active cases, 5 are hospitalized & 246 are quarantined.

Otsego County Department of Health announced that they had 14 COVID cases reported Saturday & 22 new cases Sunday.  Otsego County is up to 1418 total confirmed cases, 109 are active cases, 9 are hospitalized, and there have been 8 deaths since March.  Otsego County Department of Health is announcing a potential COVID 19 exposure at the American Legion 60 Main Street Cooperstown, from November 25th through November 30th, should monitor themselves for symptoms and get tested.

Chenango County Public Health continues to see smaller increases in COVID 19 cases; they reported 72 Active Cases, 5 hospitalizations & 410 Quarantines.  Chenango County reported 20 more cases since Monday, they have had 583 Confirmed Cases since March, with 503 Recoveries & over 43,400 Tests have been performed.

Broome County Health Department reported 85 more cases of COVID 19 today; they have had a total of 4937 cases.  They report 116 deaths, 4202 recoveries & about 2900 are being monitored by the department.

Oswego State Supreme Court Justice Scott DelConte has ordered an injunction stopping the review of ballots in the 22nd Congressional District race between Anthony Brindisi & Claudia Tenney.  Judge DelConte stated that any new motions need to be filed by the campaigns’ attorneys by 5:00 p.m. Monday, November 30th; however, the State Board of Elections set a deadline of November 28th for county boards of elections to certify and transmit their election returns to the state.  Tenney was leading Brindisi by about 200 votes when the counting of absentee ballots was stopped.

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 11-25-20

Otsego County Department of Health reported 21 new COVID 19 Cases reported Tuesday, 42 recent cases are linked to the Copper Fox in Oneonta, the department also reports a Potential exposure to COVID at the Red Jug Pub on Friday November 20th, patrons at that time should monitor for symptoms until December 4th.  Currently, Otsego County has had 1236 total confirmed cases, with 115 active cases, 6 hospitalized; there have been 8 deaths since March.  764 cases are linked to SUNY Oneonta & 71 confirmed cases linked to Hartwick College

Delaware County Public Health announced that they had 9 more cases of COVID 19 Tuesday, with 5 hospitalizations, 49 active cases & 222 in quarantine.  Delaware County has had 324 total cases of COVID 19, with 266 recoveries & 9 deaths.

The State Department of Labor released preliminary local area unemployment rates for October, the State’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 9.7% to 9.6%. Locally, Chenango County had 5% unemployment, Delaware County had 5.2% and Otsego County had 5.6% in October.

The Delaware County Board of Supervisors adopted the county budget at their meeting Tuesday, several department heads received pay raises.  The budget has a property tax levy increase of about 1.7%

Governor Cuomo announced that individuals in Buffalo, Oneida
County & Suffolk County tested negative, but 4 more individuals in
Westchester County have tested positive for Coronavirus.  Governor Cuomo reported this afternoon that
the 50 year old Attorney from Westchester County is hospitalized with the
Coronavirus, his wife, 20 year old son & 14 year old Daughter tested
positive & are convalescing at home, the neighbor that drove the attorney
to the hospital also tested positive.
Those at risk include the elderly, those with compromised Immune systems
& those with lung & sinus conditions or chronic diseases.  The Governor also announced that SUNY
students studying in China, Italy, Japan, Iran and South Korea, will have those
studies suspended due to the coronavirus outbreaks in those countries.

Delaware County Sheriff’s
Deputies arrested 20-year-old Michael Scarimbolo of Meredith Tuesday for 2nd
degree harassment.  Scarimbolo is accused
of punching a vehicle window and threatening to physically strike the operator
of the vehicle during a confrontation in the Town of Meredith on February 16th,
he faces court action today in the Town of Meredith Court.

A Missing Vulnerable Adult Alert has been issued for 77 year
old Robert Shield, who suffers from Alzheimer's disease, and is missing from
Oswego County.  Shield is described as
5'8" 145 Pounds with Blond Hair, Blue Eyes; he was driving a 2019 Nissan
Rogue with License Plate Number JEM-1426.
He was last seen Tuesday Afternoon in Pennellville New York, and may be
in the Greater Binghamton area, and may be heading for Myrtle Beach South
Carolina.  Anyone with information is
asked to call 911 or State Police at 315-366-6000.

"Friendly's Restaurants" announced
that they have closed 14 upstate New York restaurants.  Several Broome County locations closed, their
Oneonta location at 377 Main Street is expected to close shortly, and other
locations that are closing are located in Syracuse, Rochester, and Oswego.  The Friendly’s at 561 Harry L Drive in
Johnson will remain open.

State Troopers arrested 21-year-old Kayla Vanderpool from
Adams for Driving while ability impaired by drugs, plus 14 other traffic
citations Thursday after a pursuit through multiple jurisdictions.  State Police were dispatched to a 911 call reporting
a wrong-way driver traveling west in the eastbound lanes of State Route 17 in
the city of Binghamton.   Vanderpool
continued through Vestal, she hit another vehicle, & the pursuit came to a
conclusion in Owego where Vanderpool struck a patrol vehicle and was taken into
custody.  Vanderpool was taken to
Binghamton General Hospital for minor injuries.
The investigation is still on-going.

The Otsego County Health Department announced a free rabies
clinic today in Worcester.  The clinic
will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Worcester Town Barn, more information
is available at 547-4230.

State Police arrested 34 year old Darnell Ney of Port Crane for Criminal Contempt, after Troopers were dispatched to the town of Fenton, where a person with an order of protection against Ney was allegedly contacted by him from the Broome County Jail. Ney was arrested and arraigned in the town of Fenton Court and he was remanded to the Broome County Jail without bail.

The State Department of Health confirmed the presence of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus in mosquitoes in Onondaga and Oswego Counties. EEE is a rare, viral disease spread by mosquitoes that can affect people and horses, people over 50 and younger than 15 are at greatest risk for acquiring the virus. Most people bitten by an infected mosquito will not develop any symptoms, severe cases begin with the sudden onset of headache, high fever, chills and vomiting, approximately a third of patients who develop EEE die, while many patients who survive EEE experience neurologic impairment. There have been no human cases of EEE this year, there is no vaccine. Officials suggest keeping mosquitoes away, by eliminating standing water in yards& using Repellents that contain DEET, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus.

Delaware County Sheriff Deputies responded June 3rd to County Hwy 33 in the Town of Kortright for a report of a personal injury auto accident. The driver, 58 year old Dominick Forte of Harpersfield was transported by Life Net Helicopter to Albany Medical Center for treatment of his injuries. Deputies arrested Forte for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation, DWI, Aggravated DWI, Speed unreasonable and prudent, failure to keep right, no seat belt and unlicensed operator. Forte was released on his own recognizance and will appear in the Town of Kortright Court at a later date.

The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce is having its 32nd Annual Golf Tournament, today at the Oneonta Country Club. Shot gun starts at 10:00a.m. Registration starts at 9:00am.

The Scoville-Meno Family of Dealerships announced the distribution of $10,000 to local charitable agencies. Scoville-Meno Auto Plaza in Owego presented a $2500 check to Tioga Rural Ministry; Scoville-Meno Chevrolet-GMC in Bainbridge presented a $2500 check to Catholic Charities of Chenango County; Scoville-Meno Chrysler-Dodge-Ram-Jeep in Sidney and Scoville-Meno Honda in Oneonta each presented $2500 checks to Catholic Charities of Delaware, Otsego, and Schoharie Counties.

The Public Service Commission today endorsed Entergy Corporation's proposal to sell FitzPatrick Nuclear Power Plant in Oswego County to Exelon Corp. for $110 million. The state has authorized up to $7.6 billion in ratepayer subsidies to keep FitzPatrick and two other nuclear plants operational. Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo says nuclear power is preferable to coal or natural gas as New York transitions to renewable energy. Federal regulators also must also approve the transfer.

State Police arrested 64-year-old Leslie Bisco of Mount Vision for Aggravated DWI, with a B.A.C. result of .31% and other traffic violations. Police responded to the report of a vehicle stopped in the middle of the roadway on State Route 205 in the Town of Laurens. Bisco was arraigned in the Town of Laurens court and was remanded to the Otsego County jail on $1,000 cash bail or $2,000 property bond, pending future court action.

The State Department of Health has been notified of a laboratory confirmed case of mumps at SUNY Oswego and another at SUNY Plattsburgh. The case at SUNY Oswego is likely associated with a mumps outbreak in Long Island, where 45 cases of mumps have been confirmed. The source of the SUNY Plattsburgh case is under investigation. Students, who are susceptible to mumps because they have not been vaccinated because they have religious or medical exemptions, have been told they will be excluded from campus for 26 days after the last possible exposure if they do not get vaccinated. Mumps is a highly contagious viral disease characterized by fever, headache and swelling of the salivary glands. Mumps cannot be treated, however two doses of the MMR vaccine provide the best protection against the disease. More information about the mumps is available at health.ny.gov.

THE OTSEGO COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT IS GIVING AWAY FREE EVERGREEN TREES between 2 to 10 feet high. COUNTY RESIDENTS CAN PICK UP TREES today, tomorrow & as well as Friday September 23rd & Saturday September 24th from 8:00 am to Noon, at the County Highway 11 Town of Laurens “Bone yard”. More information is available at 547-0538 or 547-4225.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 28-year-old Joshua Thomas of New Berlin for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance.  The Narcotics Division conducted a traffic stop in the Village of Oxford Saturday morning, Thomas was found to be in possession of heroin, he was taken into custody and processed & is scheduled to appear in the Village of Oxford Court at a later date.

The Chenango County Sheriff's Office arrested 22-year-old Joshua Wishart and 24-year-old Allen Sorrell of Rome, Sunday.  The 2 are accused of running out of the Norwich Wal-Mart after stealing merchandise. The 2 were apprehended after a brief foot chase, both were found with stolen property, Sorrell was also found with a hypodermic instrument.  Wishart and Sorrell were arraigned in the Town of Norwich Court on charges of conspiracy, resisting arrest & petty larceny, Sorrell was also charged with criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument.  They were sent to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $10,000 cash bail.

Congressman Richard Hanna officially announced he would seek re-election in 2014.  Hanna was elected in 2010; the 22nd District includes all of Chenango, Cortland, Madison and Oneida counties and parts of Broome, Herkimer, Oswego and Tioga counties.

Broome county Sheriff’s department responded to a 1-car crash early this ringing is dead after a car crash in the town of Chenango.  78-year-old Harold Sunshine of Chenango Forks, drove off the roadway at about 6:00 AM this morning, he drove through a yard & into a tree.  Sunshine was found unresponsive in the vehicle, he was pronounced dead at the scene, he might have suffered from a medical emergency while driving.  The investigation is continuing.

State Senator Jim Seward announced plans for his 2ND economic development summit in Otsego County.  Seward is sponsoring the summit in conjunction with the Otsego County Development Corporation, the County industrial Development Agency, the Otsego County Chamber, and Citizens’ Voices. The summit is scheduled for November 14th at the Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center in Oneonta.

4 State University of New York campuses will get more locally grown vegetables under a pilot project called Farm to College. The project is supported by a $99,000 federal agriculture grant to American Farmland Trust. The 4 SUNY campuses are the University of Albany, SUNY New Paltz, SUNY Oswego and SUNY Oneonta.  The grant will help New York farmers get more local produce into the state’s colleges.

State Police arrested 42-Year Old Thomas Ottoson of New Berlin Monday for 2nd degree Harassment.  The arrest resulted from a dispute on County Road 29 in New Berlin, Ottoson was arraigned in Norwich town court and released on his own recognizance, he is scheduled to appear in the New Berlin town court on November 13th.