WCDO Radio News

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 1-20-26

Governor Hochul unveiled the Executive Budget proposal this afternoon in Albany with only a .7% increase over last years budget, due to a variety of factors:

(Hochul 1-20-26)

State Budget Director Blake Washington reported that there was a special emphasis on funding for Agriculture:

(Blake Washington 1-20-26)

Lawmakers have until April 1st to get the state budget passed in time for the beginning of the next Fiscal Year.

---

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.

---

The annual Afton Arts & Crafts Festival will be held August 24th & 25th right on Main Street in Afton, Greater Afton Chamber of Commerce Spokesperson Judy Hinman told WCDO News that applications for area artists & crafters who want to participate are easily available:

(Judy Hinman 7-29-24)

The deadline to participate as a vendor is August 9th, More information is also available at aftonartsandcraftsfestival.com

---

Assemblyman Joe Angelino announced that the town and village of Sherburne and the town of Columbus have received $6.9 million in funding through the ConnectALL Municipal Infrastructure Grant Program. This funding will be used to help expand high-quality broadband to more people in the community.

---

The State DEC is encouraging New Yorkers to participate in the State’s annual survey for wild turkeys this summer. Throughout August, participants can record observed dates, locations, sex, and ages of wild turkeys by using an online form at dec.ny.gov.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 7-29-24

Long Time Area State Senator Jim Seward passed Away at the age of 72 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Seward served in the State Senate from 1987 to 2020. Funeral arrangements will be announced shortly.

---

Oneonta Police Department reported that 14 year old Damian Barton, who was reported missing last week, has been located. Barton was reported missing in the Town of Oneonta last Wednesday evening.

---

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

---

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 2-29-24

NYSEG reports that the number of power outages in the WCDO listening area this afternoon was down to around 250, down from about 850 this morning, all attributed to the high winds that came through the region last night. NYSEG crews hopes to have all the power restored shortly.

---

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.

---

State Lawmakers approved the new Congressional redistricting maps on Wednesday in Albany. The maps were said to be very similar to the maps used in the 2022 elections with only a few changes.

---

The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance reminds seniors that, for most localities, the deadline to apply for greater property tax savings through the Enhanced STAR property tax exemption is March 1. Basic STAR exemption recipients who turn 65 this year and meet the eligibility requirements should apply to their assessor for the Enhanced STAR exemption. For more information go to tax.ny.gov.

---

Attorney General Letitia James is leading an investigation into the February 22 AT&T outage that left many customers without service for up to 12 hours nationwide. New Yorkers affected by the service outage are encouraged to file a complaint online at att.com.

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 2-29-24

Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce is holding a follow up meeting tonight as a follow up to the “Re-Unite Bainbridge” meeting of a few years ago, Bainbridge Chamber President John Payne explains:

(John Payne 2-29-24)

Payne said that the meeting will be at 6:00 PM in the Bainbridge Town Hall Theater and the public is invited.

---

Commerce Chenango will host their next Economic Outlook Breakfast today at the Canasawacta Country Club in Norwich. The Keynote Speaker will be NBT"S Chief Investment Officer Ken Entenmann, registration begins at 7:30, the program begins at 8:00 AM.

---

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.

---

Effective immediately, Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown has re-instituted temporary masking requirements per COVID-19 safety guidelines, all patients, visitors, employees, students, and volunteers are now required to wear medical-grade masks across Bassett Medical Center’s facilities in Cooperstown. Masks will be available at all entrances. Currently, the number of COVID-19 cases confirmed among employees at Bassett Medical Center reached the threshold for masking, the requirement will be reassessed in 14 days and lifted as soon as the number of active COVID-19 cases within the facility falls below the established threshold. The Cobleskill Health Center also currently has temporary masking measures.

---

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.

---

Sidney Town Board will be holding their Organization meeting along with the regular Board meeting Thursday January 4th at 7:00 pm.

---

Governor Cuomo announced that an increase in Vaccines will be coming to the state shortly, following confirmation from the Biden Administration today:

(Cuomo 2-2-21)

The state was getting up to 300,000 vaccines, with 7.1 million New Yorkers eligible to get vaccinated. The state Health Department reported that in spite of Monday's snow, over 150,000 people were tested for COVID with 5.47% testing positive.  There were still just over 8000 hospitalized, 1500 in an ICU bed & 1004 on Ventilators; there were 146 deaths from the virus Monday.

---

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%.

---

Residents in the Village of Bainbridge have until the end of the businesses day Wednesday to give Public Comment on the Village Police Department Reform proposal, Bainbridge Mayor Phil Wade told WCDO News that it was largely a successful 7 positive project:

(Phil Wade 2-2-21)

Municipalities with Police Department have until April 1st to submit their approved Police Reforms to the state, or risk State Aid.

---

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.

---

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 1-8-21

Governor Cuomo held a COVID 19 briefing today in Albany, he said that the Hospitals need extra help in ramping up the vaccinations of 1A & 1B workers, starting Monday, they will get that help:

(Cuomo 1-8-21)

The Governor said that there were over 243,000 COVID tests administered Thursday, with over 18,700 positives, 8500 hospitalizations, over 1400 in an ICU & 912 on ventilators, there were 161 deaths Thursday from the virus.

---

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.

---

Governor Cuomo announced that New York has administered approximately 430,000 vaccine doses, New York hospitals had previously jumped from administering an average of 10,000 doses per day to approximately a high of 50,000 per day on Wednesday & Thursday. Hospital staffs are in the first phase for getting the COVID 19 vaccines.

---

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.

---

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli is urging New Yorkers to read the fine print for details about fees and expiration dates, and to spend the gift cards in a timely fashion. If gift cards expire, the money would get turned over to the Office of Unclaimed Funds. New Yorkers should visit osc.state.ny.us to see if they are owed money from unused Gift cards or for other reasons. The state currently has 16 Billion Dollars in unclaimed funds.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 1-8-21

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer is demanding President Donald Trump be removed from office immediately following a violent protest in Washington D.C. Wednesday.

(Schumer 1-8-21)

5 people were killed, many were injured & there were over 50 arrests after rioters supporting President Trump breached the US Capitol building to defy the election results as members of congress validated the electoral votes Wednesday.

---

Governor Cuomo released statistics regarding Wednesday's statewide COVID 19 tests; over 238,000 tests were conducted with over 17,600 positive, which was 7.39% of all tested, there were 8,548 Patient Hospitalizations Statewide with 1,424 Patients in the ICU; & 859 Intubated on ventilators, 197 COVID-19 Deaths were reported Wednesday.

---

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.

---

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 12-7-20

Governor Cuomo held a COVID briefing today, with Dr. Anthony Fauci of the CDC, the governor recapped the state strategy as more small gatherings are expected over the holidays, which is contributing to 70% of the new cases currently:

(Cuomo 12-7-20)

Dr. Fauci said that if people let their guard down & don't follow the CDC guidelines, the surge could hit badly in the New Year:

(Dr. Anthony Fauci 12-7-20)

The state reported that 152000 tests were performed Sunday, with 7302 positive  tests, or about 4.8% of all tested, over 4600 are hospitalized, 872 are in ICU beds & 477 are on ventilators, and another 80 died from the virus Sunday.

---

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.

---

1 person was killed in a 3 vehicle accident Saturday Night on State Route 235 in the town of Coventry.  26 year old Kyle Smith of Afton was attempting to pass a vehicle driven by 20 year old Austin Smith of Harpursville, Kyle Smith attempted to get back into his lane after observing a 3rd vehicle driven by 36 year old Dennis Robinson of Susquehanna Pennsylvania, Kyle Smith lost control, hit Austin Smith's vehicle, which then hit the Robinson Truck.  Austin Smith was pronounced dead at the scene, the investigation is continuing.

---

Governor Cuomo announced that State Police issued 13,887 tickets during this year's Thanksgiving traffic enforcement initiative from Wednesday, November 25th through Sunday, November 29th. State Troopers also arrested 155 people for DWI and investigated 757 crashes, including 3 fatalities. In the Southern Tier, 1096 tickets were issued, 431 tickets for speeding, 9 for DWI, 11 for distracted driving, 172 for child restraint or seat belts violations & 17 for the move over law.

---

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 State Health Department reported that over 205,000 people were tested for COVID Saturday, with over 9700 positive tests.  Patient Hospitalization continue to increase to 4,442, the Number in ICU beds is up to 850, the Number on ventilators increased to 464, there were 56 deaths Saturday.

---

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.

---

The Oxford Academy and Central School District is going remote today through Monday, December 14th, due to positive COVID-19 cases involving a staff member and a high school student.

---

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.

---

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 11-25-20

State health department tested over 173,000 New Yorkers Tuesday, with 6265 testing positive, or 3.6% of all tested.  41 died from the virus Tuesday, the state death toll is 26,482 & 2982 are hospitalized.

---

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.

---

State Police and local law enforcement agencies are participating in a special traffic enforcement initiative to crack down on unsafe driving behaviors during the Thanksgiving holiday, starting today through Sunday.   State Police will supplement regular patrols statewide with fixed sobriety checkpoints, underage drinking enforcement, and the "Operation Hang Up" initiative, which targets distracted drivers by utilizing Concealed Identity patrols. The Governor's Traffic Safety Committee & the STOP-DWI Foundation remind motorists that their "Have a Plan" mobile app is available, locate and call for a taxi or rideshare service.

---

Rockefeller the Owl was released back into the wild early this morning.  The owl made the trip from West Oneonta to New York City on the tree that will be the official Rockefeller Center Christmas tree this year, the owl was found by workers & was turned over to the Ravensbeard Wildlife Center in Saugerties, it is expected to acclimate itself to the local Owl Population.

---

The Norwich City School District Board of Education announced that Scott Ryan will be the next Superintendent of the District; Ryan is expected to take over for Interim Superintendent Diana Bowers in January.

---

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

---

Oneonta City School District announced that they have learned of a 5th staff member COVID 19 positive case & 1 confirmed case in a student. All District schools will go fully remote until Tuesday, January 19th & then return to hybrid instruction on January 19th.  81 students are in quarantine & 27 staff members are also in quarantine.   Meal distribution will continue to take place at the designated meal distribution points on Wednesdays.

---

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 Sidney Central School District has been notified that 3 members of the District have tested positive for COVID-19. The Department of Health Services is conducting and completing the contact tracing. The Health Department will be contacting people impacted by a potential exposure. There will be no change to the instructional model at this time. The district is working in collaboration with local health departments to make sure all necessary procedures are followed.

---

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.

---

State Senator Jen Metzger of the 42nd Senate District, conceded the race to Republican Michael Martucci Tuesday.  There were 30,000 absentee ballots that needed to be counted in that district; the results confirmed Martucci's Election Day lead in the race.

---

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.

---

A.O. Fox Hospital CEO Jeff Joyner announced that the
overnight hours would be cut at the Emergency Room at their Tri-Town Campus in
Sidney; Joyner told WCDO news what that is being done:

(Jeff Joyner 3-4-20)

The change in hours at the emergency room will begin May
1st, Joyner said that they are looking to add more services during the daytime
hours, and new CT equipment will be installed shortly.

---

Helios Care announced that they have received the Mother
Cabrini Health Foundation grant to fund the CHOICES program, which provides
person-centered, in-home care and care coordination. The grant will fund
palliative care for patients who have a chronic disease or face a serious
illness and are frequent visitors to the Emergency Department or admissions to
the hospital.   More information about
Helios Care is available at helioscare.org.

---

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.

---

Governor Cuomo announced Monday evening that he would direct
state health insurers to waive fees related to coronavirus testing in the
state, following increased fears of an outbreak in the U.S.  Cuomo wrote that cost should not be a barrier
for New Yorkers receiving screenings for the coronavirus behind an outbreak
that began in China and has since killed more than 3,000 people worldwide,
infecting tens of thousands more.

---

Nearly $5 million in funding for technology investments
through the State's Smart Schools Bond Act is being awarded to school districts
represented by State Senator Jen Metzger of the 42nd District.  Schools receiving funding from the $2 billion
Smart Schools Bond Act include the Franklin Central School District with
$337,323 for High-Tech Security

---

Sidney Chamber of Commerce will hold their next meeting this
morning.  The meeting will be held at
Trackside Dining starting at 7:45 this morning.

---

CHIPS Money for road repair & similar projects wound up
with a 0% increase from last year, in spite of the winter weather chewing up
the roads again, Assemblyman Cliff Crouch comments:

(Cliff Crouch 4-8-19)

Crouch said that in previous years CHIPS money was increased
following extreme winter weather, Crouch said that while we did not have a
heavy amount of snowfall; Roads are still rough this spring in the Southern
tier:

---

The Raymond Corporation of Greene unveils its new
intralogistics solutions during ProMat 2019 held in Chicago this week.  Several new products & technologies are
being featured; more information about the Raymond Corporation is available at
raymondcorp.com or call 800-235-7200.

---

22nd District Congressman Anthony Brindisi announced that
his April town hall will be held on Wednesday, April 24 at 6:00 p.m. at
Stanford Gibson Primary School in Norwich. The event is free and open to all
members of the community.

---

The Public is invited to attend this year's Sidney’s Arbor
Day Celebration on Friday, April 26th, at the Pavilion at Keith Clark Park on
River Street beginning at 10:00 am.
Music will be provided by the Sidney Elementary Band under the direction
of Amy Hoxie followed by a brief welcome address by Lorrie Roach, Chairperson
of Sidney’s Shade Tree Commission.   The
Tree City Recognition Award and Tree City USA flag recognizing Sidney as a Tree
City for the 23rd Year will be accepted by Mayor Andy Matviak.

---

"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.

---

Nauman Hussein was indicted last week on 40 felony counts
relating to last October's crash of a modified Limousine that crashed in
Schoharie, killing 20 people.  The
indictment charges claim that Hussein put a vehicle on the road that failed its
inspection one month before the accident, and hired the driver who was not licensed
to operate the vehicle. He will be arraigned on the charges on Wednesday.

---

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.

---