WCDO Radio News

The Otsego County Fire Convention gets underway today through Saturday at the American Legion Field on Willow Street, 1st Assistant Chief JR Hurlbert comments:

(JR Hurlburt 7-9-26)

The festivities begin today & run through Saturday night.

The Otego Fire department is hosting a 3 day Otsego County Fire Fighters Convention Thursday through Saturday, G.X. Cramatte is one of the organizer, he told WCDO News that there is something for everyone:

(G.X. Cramatte 7-8-26)

The activities will be held at the American Legion Field on Willow Street in Otego, starting at 12:00 Noon each day.

A fundraiser is scheduled for this Saturday at the Sidney American Legion on Union Street, for 5 year old Rowan DeCocker of Bainbridge, who is battling brain Cancer, co-organizer Brenda Flowers told WCDO News about Rowans's Treatment so far:

(Brenda Flowers 5-28-24)

On Saturday, the Legion Riders will be hosting a ride to raise money at $20.00 a bike starting at 9:00 AM, The rest of the activities get underway at about 11:00 Saturday at the legion with food, bands, a corn hole tournament & about 50 raffle baskets, with proceeds going to help with Rowan's medical expenses.

A.M. NEWS Tuesday 5-28-24

State Police conducted an Underage Drinking Initiative in Otsego and Delaware Counties recently. 11 businesses were checked for compliance, with 1 person charged with Unlawful Sale of Alcohol to a Minor, after selling alcohol to person under the age of 21, at Betty Beavers Fuel Stop on County Road 48 in the town of Otego. The businesses that passed were in Oneonta, Laurens, Hartwick, Milford, Otego, & Davenport. 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.

Otsego County Sheriff's Office aarested 28 year old Joseph Spataro of Otego following a welfare check investigation in the Town of Oneonta. Spataro was chargeedd with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, DWI, Unlicensed Operator, Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs & Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a mtoro vehicle, Spataro is accused of operating a motor vehicle while impaired and in possession of drugs, he was issued an appearance ticket for the Oneonta Town Court on a later date.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 5-22-23

The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office arrested 48 year old Richard Sherman of Guilford following a motor vehicle accident on State Highway 51 in the Town of Morris. Sherman was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated , Speed not reasonable and prudent, Failure to Keep Right among other charges, Sherman will appear in Town of Morris Court on May 22, 2023 at 3:00pm.

A Red Cross Blood Drive will be held in Sidney today. The drive will be held from 1:00 to 6:00 PM at the Sidney American Legion Post 183, at 22 Union Street. To make an appointment, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Residents in Otego have been told that they will need to boil their water before using it, until August 4th.  Crews have been fixing a broken water main that left some residents without water on Wednesday.

State Health Department reported that the state Positivity rate for COVID 19 tests on Wednesday was just fewer than 2.5%, out of more than 103,000 tests conducted.  hospitalization are back up to 611 state wide, patients in ICU beds was at 126, and those on Ventilators are up to 57, an increase of 19 since the beginning of the week.  The Delta variant is what is driving the latest increases, state Health Department officials said that almost all of the COVID deaths now are from that variant, and are not vaccinated.   55.3% of all New Yorkers have completed their vaccine series.

A.M. NEWS Thursday 7-29-21

The American Red Cross continues to experience a severe blood shortage and donors of all blood types, especially type O, Donors can schedule an appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.  Blood drives are being held today in Sidney from 12:00 Noon until 5:00 PM at the American Legion at 22 Union Street another is being held in Laurens at the Fire Department from 1:30 to 6:30 PM.

The
Sidney American Legion will hold a 100 Year Anniversary open House on Saturday
August 17th, spokesman Larry Halbert explains:

(Larry
Halbert 8-7-19)

Halbert
said that the American Legion was first formed in 1919 by US military personnel
stationed in France after World War 1.

State
Police arrested 40 year old Rachel Rose of Otego for Aggravated DWI, with a BAC
of .22%, plus Imprudent Speed and Moving from a Lane Unsafely.  A trooper was dispatched by Otsego County 911
to the area of Country Club Road in the town of Oneonta for a report of a vehicle
off the road.  The trooper located Rose
and her vehicle which was stuck in a drainage ditch.  Rose was processed and released on appearance
tickets returnable to the town of Oneonta court on August 6, 2019.

The Unatego Touchdown Club will be holding a 5K run or Walk in Otego this Saturday. Proceeds raised by the event will benefit Unatego Athletic Programs. The run begins at 3:30 PM at the American Legion on Willow Street in Otego, Pre Registration or more information is available at 725-6315 or at the Unatego Touchdown Club" Facebook Page.

The 2nd Annual Uncle Bear truck Show will be held on Saturday September 22nd at General Clinton Park in Bainbridge, Family Spokesperson Julie Fuller explains:

(Julie Fuller 9-21-18)

Musical acts will include Jason Wicks, Rylee Lum & others, all proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society.

The Unatego Touchdown Club will be holding a 5K run or Walk in otego this Saturday. Proceeds raised by the event will benefit Unatego Athletic Programs. The run begins at 3:30 PM at the American Legion on Willow Street in Otego, Pre Registration or more information is available at 725-6315 or at the Unatego Touchdown Club" Facebook Page..

The American Cancer Society Tri-Town Relay for Life “PAINT THE TOWN PURPLE” event is being held today, and more Relay For Life events are being held in the Tri-County Area in the coming months, Spokesperson Heather Brewster told WCDO News that they need volunteers and they also need donations:

(Heather Brewster 5-18-18)

The Otsego County Relay For Life will be held tomorrow in Milford, The tri Town Relay for Life event at General Clinton Park is Friday June 8th this year.

The 28th Annual Edward Wessels Canoe Regatta will be held tomorrow; it is sponsored by the Sidney Chamber of Commerce. The race will be starting at the Otego boat launch & will conclude in Keith Clark Park in Sidney. Awards and a dinner will be held after the race at the Sidney Elks Club, River Street. The race is considered a warm up for the upcoming General Clinton Canoe Regatta on the Memorial Day Weekend.

The Sidney American Legion will hold their annual "Armed Forces Day" tomorrow, Spokesman Larry Halbert explains;

(Larry Halbert 5-18-18)

The event begins at 12:00 Noon tomorrow.

Delaware County Public Health is holding a “Medical Countermeasures” drill on Tuesday, April 3rd to practice and test the ability to dispense large amounts of medicine in the event of a public health threat such as a disease outbreak or bioterrorism threat to the community. All are welcome to attend the drill. There is no pre-registration required. No medications are actually being dispensed. The event will be held from 10:30am to 12:30pm on April 3rd at the Delhi American Legion Hall, 41 Page Avenue, more information is available at 832-5200

State Police arrested 34 year old Christopher Davis of Otego for Criminal Mischief and Criminal Contempt, after Troopers were called to a residence on State Route 357 in the town of Franklin for a dispute Monday. Troopers determined Davis had violated an order of protection and also damaged property, he was located in Cooperstown where he was arrested. Davis was issued appearance tickets and is due in the town of Franklin Court on March 22, 2018.

The Next Binghamton Regional Train Show this Saturday at the American Legion Hall in Binghamton, show Promoter Jeff Olin of Village Train & Hobby in Windsor explains:

(Jeff Olin 3-8-18)

The show runs from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at 177 Robinson Street in Binghamton.

State Police arrested 48 year old James McAdams of Otego for Criminal Mischief, Troopers were called to the Crossroads Inn in the town of Otego for a dispute, McAdams allegedly broken items in a room at the Inn, he was arrested and remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $1,000 cash or $2,000 bond. He is to appear at the town of Otego Court on March 15th.

Oneonta Police arrested 5 people following a burglary in June. Police arrested 18-year-old Damion Archibald of Otego, 17-year-old Matthew Judd of Oneonta, 16-year-old Rayven Golinski of Otego, plus 2 15 year olds whose names were not being released, on a variety of charges including Burglary, petty Larceny & criminal mischief. The teens are accused of breaking into & damaging Twisted Sisters Glassworks at 72 Roundhouse Road.

The Sidney Alumni Weekend Continues With a Variety Of Activities Saturday & Sunday, Organizer Bryan Innes Explains:

(Bryan Innes 7-14-17)

Tonight's activities include "Ice Breaker" at the American legion tonight featuring the Bruce Beadle Band.

An American Red Cross Blood drive will be held today at the Sidney Elks Lodge from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The Red Cross is in emergency need for blood donations and encourages all eligible donors to donate. Appointments can be made at Red Cross blood.org, at 1-800 red cross or by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

The 55th General Clinton Canoe Regatta begins today with an expended variety of events today. Regatta Chairman John Harmon said that the moved the Catskill Shed Company Dash For Cash to the Friday line-up:

(John Harmon 5-26-17)

Today will also include the "Taste Of The Regatta" with a sampling of local wines, beers & food, plus the Generation gap races & a line up of musical acts headlined by Kaitlyn Jackson of "American Idol" fame.

The “Wall That Heals” has been set up in Neahwa Park in Oneonta & will be available for viewing after the opening ceremony at 6:00 tonight, through Monday afternoon. The Sidney Sons of the American Legion will be providing bus service today & tomorrow for any veterans that want to see The Wall. The first trip is this afternoon at 3:30, the 2nd trip is Saturday morning starting at 10:00AM Both trips will start at the Bainbridge Great American Parking Lot with stops at Sidney American Legion Parking Lot, Unadilla House Parking Lot, the Otego American Legion, more information or reservations are available at 237-4762 or larryhalbert7@gmail.com

The Ed Wessels Canoe regatta was held Saturday, with over 100 Paddlers competing in the 20-Mile Race, which runs from Otego, to Wells Bridge, Back to Otego & then finishing at Keith Clark Park in Sidney. The Men’s’ Pro Race was won by Canadians Steve Lajoie & Guillaume Blaise from Quebec. Blaise won the General Clinton Pro race last year with Matthew Pellerin of Quebec. Lajoie has won the Clinton 7 time with Andy Triebold of Michigan. Saturday’s 2nd place finishers were local paddlers Trevor LeFever & Ben Schlimmer of Oneonta. Saturday’s 1-man Pro winner was Pennsylvania resident Steve Rankinen. The Wessels race is considered a warm-up to this weekend’s 70-mile General Clinton Canoe Regatta Races from Cooperstown to Bainbridge; WCDO will provide complete coverage of the Clinton Races all weekend.

The Wall That Heals will be coming to Oneonta on Thursday May 25 through Monday May 28th, with bus service provided on 2 days of the event, by the Sidney American Legion, spokesman Larry Halbert explains:

(Larry Halbert 5-22-17)

The first trip will be Friday starting @ 3:30 PM. The second day for this bus service is Saturday starting @ 10:00 AM. The bus will be starting in Bainbridge at the Great American parking lot, with stops at the Sidney American Legion, the Unadilla House Parking Lot and the Otego Legion both days. The service is free of charge, but reservations are requested at 237-4762.

The Sidney American Legion at 22 Union Street is selling chicken Dinners on Sunday in appreciation of all military veterans. Spokesman Larry Halbert explains:

(Larry Halbert 5-20-16)

All military veterans will eat for free. Chickens will be sold from 12:00 Noon until all are gone.

The Sidney Chamber Of Commerce will be hosting the Ed Wessels Canoe Regatta this Saturday starting in Otego & ending in Sidney, spokesman Ed Curley explains:

(Ed Curley 5-20-16)

Paddlers from all over are expected to particicpate in teh 3 races in teh coming week, culminating with the General Clinton Canoe Regatta on The Memorial Day Weekend.

The American Red Cross will host a blood drive in Norwich today. The event will be held at the American legion post 189 at 29 Sheldon Street from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Appointments are requested at 1-800-REDCROSS or redcrossblood.org.

The Otsego County Department of Health announced today that a skunk in the town of Otego tested positive for rabies. Otsego County Health Department officials stated that 2 unvaccinated dogs were exposed & will be euthanized, the skunk was shot and the remains were sent to the state lab for testing. A free rabies clinic is scheduled for Otego at the fire department on October 7th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.

An Oneonta woman was listed in fair condition at Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown following an accident on county route 48 in the town of Otego Wednesday.  State Police reported that Annette Lapine of Oneonta lost control of her vehicle while turning a corner and crashed into a telephone pole, no tickets were issued.

Hospice Chenango announces the 2nd Annual “We Honor Veterans” motorcycle ride to benefit Hospice. The ride will take place this Saturday & the money raised will be allocated to provide services to Veterans who reside in Chenango County and opt for Hospice care. The ride and is open to any rider and passenger for a fee of $10.00 per person. Registration will begin at 9:30am at the American Legion Post at 29 Sheldon Street in Norwich.  More information is available about Hospice at hospicechenango.org.

Memorial Day Parades / Services / Activities

Memorial Day Parades / Services / Activites - 2013

Sidney - Parade to form at the Moose Club parking lot on East Main St. at 8:15AM with a brief ceremony in Prospect Hill Cemetary.  A ceremony will be held on the lawn of the Sidney Memorial Public Library.  Guest speaker with will be Sidney Mayor Andy Matviak.

Sidney Center - Parade will form at 10:30AM at the corner of routes 23 & 35.  Proceed to the former site of the Methodist Church for the service and then to the cemetary.

Masonville - Parade will begin at about 12:00pm.  Sidney High School Band to arrive about 11:45am.  Following the parade, there will be a chicken BBQ.

Guilford - Parade line up at 7:30am at the end of School St. moving out at 8:00am.  Ceremony to be held at the park on route 35.

Afton - Parade starting at 10am at the corner of Main st. and Pleasant St.  The Afton VFW Post 3529 will be holding a pancake breakfast from 7a-11a at the VFW on Main. St.

Bainbridge - There will be no parking on Main St. during the parade!  Parade will form at 10am at the Greenlawn Cemetary and start off at 10:30am.  Military services will be held at 10:15 AM.

Unadilla - Services and ceremony to start at 10:30am at the Community House, following by a parade and proceeding to Evergreen Cemetary.

Otego - Parade to form at the American Legion Field at 8am

Oxford - The wreath laying ceremony and rifle salute will be held at St. Joseph's Cemetary.  Following at 9am, the parade will line up at the Oxford American Legion Post #376.  Following the parade and ceremony, there will be a chicken BBQ at 11am.

Gilbertsville - Parade will form in front of the former school on Grove St. at 9am

Franklin - Parade begins at 11am at the American Legion and proceeds to the cemetary.

Oneonta - Parade at 10am followed by the dedication ceremony at Neahwa Park Memorial Walkway at 11am.

Norwich - Parade followed by memorial ceremony at 10:15am in the park.

Delhi - Parade to begin at Courthouse Square and ends at the American Legion at 11am.

Oneonta Troopers arrested 23-Year-old Anthony Stevens of Otego for Criminal Obstructed Breathing, Unlawful Imprisonment, Criminal Mischief and 2nd degree Harassment.  The arrest resulted from a complaint of a domestic incident in Otego,  Stevens was arraigned in the Town of Oneonta Court and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Otego Court tomorrow to answer to the charges.

This Saturday is National Veteran’s Assistance day & Armed Forces Day, and veterans will eat free Saturday at the Sidney American legion.  Spokesman Larry Halbert explains:

(Larry Halbert 5-15-13)

There will be a nominal fee for family members to eat; more information is available at 237-4762 or 563-8031.