WCDO Radio News

The Four County Library System Bookmobile is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Bookmobile, which has traveled across the rural areas of Broome, Chenango, Delaware & Otsego Counties, Spokesperson Sarah Reid told WCDO news why the program has kept going for 6 decades:

(Sarah Reid 5-24-23)

Reid said that they are planning some special events to coincide with the Bookmobile anniversary this summer, more information is available at the 4 County Library System Facebook page.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies responded Friday to a 2 car motor vehicle accident with injuries on State Highway 206 in the Town of Tompkins. After further investigation, deputies identified the one of the drivers of the vehicle as 66 year-old Terence Gebler of Walton, whose driver’s license was suspended. Deputies arrested Gebler for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle and Failure to turn in license to DMV, & Failure to yield while entering an intersection, Gebler was released and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Tompkins Court at a later date.

A.M. NEWS Wednesday 5-24-23

The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce will hold their Annual Awards Dinner tonight at 5:30pm at the SUNY Oneonta Alumni Field House. This year's award winners are: Geoffrey Doyle of Foothills Performing Arts Center for the Eugene Bettiol Jr. Distinguished Citizen Award, Connie Herzig for the Volunteer of the Year Award, Dan Buttermann - Leadership Otsego Distinguished Alumni Award, & Casella Waste Systems for the Business of the Year Award & Creekside Industries for the Breakthrough Business of the Year Award.

Delaware County Public Health Services will be conducting a Mpox vaccination clinic today, from 1pm-3pm at 99 Main St., Delhi. It takes two vaccinations for the best protection; a follow up clinic will be scheduled in June. To find out more about Mpox and to register for the clinic go to delawarecountypublichealth.com or call Delaware Public Health Services at 607-832-5200.

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 4-26-23

State Police & other Law Enforcement Agencies are reminding New Yorkers to follow the "Move Over" law, which requires drivers to change lanes away from emergency responders, tow trucks & police vehicles responding to emergencies on the state's highway. The message was announced again after a driver slammed into the back an a van assisting a motorist in the Hudson valley, flipping another vehicle into the air, there were no injuries according to DMV officials. The Move Over Law has been in effect since 2012 in New York State.

The Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 26 year old Tiger Gould of Unadilla following a warrant investigation for the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office. Gould was charged with Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance, he was found to be in possession of methamphetamine, he was issued an appearance ticket in the Town of Unadilla Court at a later date, he was turned over to Chenango County Sheriff’s Office on the Bench Warrant.

The Broome County District Attorney Mike Korchak announced that Kyle Babola of Johnson City pleaded guilty for killing Scott Groover with a machete in 2021. Babola took a plea deal of 20 years to life before the trial could start, the maximum sentence could have been 25 years to life in prison.

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce announced that potential public transportation options for Delaware County will be the topic of a presentation on May 16 at 11:00 am in the Meeting Room of the Delaware County Business Center at 5 ½ Main Street in Delhi. The Chamber has been working with County and State officials, private transportation operators, healthcare and human service organizations, regional employers, and national transportation associations on a 7-month study of public transit options. The team from VIA Mobility will present recommendations that may lead to transportation options for Delaware County residents, employees, and visitors, more information is available at DelawareCounty.org.

A.M. NEWS Wednesday 4-26-23

Commerce Chenango will host "Preventing Targeted Violence to Keep Communities Safe" at the Colonia Theatre, on South Broad Street, Norwich today. Commerce Chenango President & CEO Sal Testani told WCDO News that his brother, Joseph Testani, who is a retired FBI agent will provide training to Commerce Chenango Members:

(Sal Testani 4-26-23)

Testani said that the Registration for the event will begin at 10:00 AM, with the presentation starting at 11:00 AM.

3 blood drives are being conducted around the Otsego County today. 1 drive will be held from 12 pm. - 5 pm.,at the State University in Oneonta, in the Hunt College Union, another drive will be held from 8:30 am. - 1:30 pm., at the Neonatal High School, & another drive will be in Cooperstown from 12:30 pm. - 5:30 pm., St Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 31 Elm Street. To make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

The State Labor Department released preliminary local area unemployment rates for March. The State's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 4.2% in February to 4.1% in March. Locally, Chenango County had 3.5%, Delaware County 3.9% and Otsego County 3.8% unemploment in March.

P.M. NEWS Thursday 3-16-23

Delaware County Sheriff's office arrested 2 people following an investigation of a motor vehicle accident. On Monday night, Deputies responded to a 1 car motor vehicle accident with injuries on State Highway 206, near Davis Road in the Town of Walton. 1 vehicle left the roadway, struck a tree, Deputies made contact with the driver, 41-year-old Christine Falsetta of Sidney, she was charged with Driving while ability impaired by drugs, Aggravated Unlicensed Operator and Moving from a lane unsafely, Falsetta was released on tickets returnable to the Town of Walton Court at a later date. Falsetta was released to a third party identified as 49-year-old Shawn Smith of Sidney, a check of Smith’s driver’s license revealed his was suspended, Smith was charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle as well as Failing to turn in his License to DMV and Unlicensed Operator, he was released on the uniformed traffic tickets and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Walton Court at a later date.

Broome County District Attorney’s Office announced that 19 year old Savon Turrell of Binghamton, pleaded guilty in Broome County Court to Criminal Possession of a Weapon. Turrell admitted that on May 3, 2022, he illegally possessed a loaded 45 caliber pistol. Binghamton Police responded to a report of shots fired with the suspects leaving the scene in a light-colored Dodge Caliber. Police tracked the vehicle to a house on Oak Street. Turrell was located & was arrested, no one was injured in the shooting. Turrell will be sentenced to 3 ½ years in New York State prison followed by 3 years post release supervision on May 19th.

Acting Delaware County District Attorney Shawn Smith announced that he will run for District Attorney this November. Smith became acting DA when previous District Attorney John Hubbard ran for and won the race for Delaware County judge in November. Smith is seeking the Republican Party nomination, he already has the endorsement from the County Conservative Party.

The Firefighters Association of the State of New York announced that their annual RECRUIT NY event will be held shortly across the state. Volunteer fire departments will open their doors to residents Saturday, April 22nd and Sunday, April 23rd, as part of the 14th annual RecruitNY weekend, to try to increase the numbers of firefighters. Individuals looking to find out if their fire department is participating in RecruitNY, can visit recruitny.org/participation-area.

A.M. NEWS Thursday 3-16-23

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 29 year old Bret VanValkenburg of Bainbridge following a Burglary Investigation in the Town of Laurens. Vanvalkenburgh was charged with 2nd degree Burglary & 3rd degree Grand Larceny, VanValkenburgh allegedly entered an occupied residence on June 29th 2021 and stole a set of car keys, & stole the victim’s Chevrolet Trax, which was found abandoned in the Village of Sidney. An Otsego County Grand Jury indicted Vanvalkenburgh, who was being held in the Delaware County jail on an unrelated charge, he was arraigned in Otsego County Court this week & bail was set at $1,000 cash bail or $10,000 bond and he was returned to the Delaware County Correctional Facility.

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 19 year old Jeffrey Bullis following a complaint in the Village of Unadilla. Bullis was charged with Harassment & Trespassing on February 27th. Bullis was arraigned and released & will appear in the Town of Unadilla Court on a later date.

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office is currently looking for Jason Delong, on an outstanding warrant. Delong is a white male, 5' 11", 175 pounds with hazel eyes & brown hair, Tips may be submitted electronically using the Broome County Sheriff’s Office website gobroomecounty.com/sheriff/warrants or by telephone at (607) 778-1196.

Delaware County District Attorney's Office announced that 41 year old Clifton Kirk of Summit, pleaded guilty in Delaware County Court to Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs. Kirk was operating a motor vehicle in excess of the speed limit on I-88 in Sidney on October 23rd 2021, Kirk was indicted by the Delaware County Grand Jury, he appeared in County Court Monday and pleaded guilty. The anticipated sentence will also require that the defendant’s license be revoked for 12 months, and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine, $300 surcharge, $125 crime victim fee, and a $50 DNA fee.

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 27 year old Brandon Morse of Edmeston twice on February 7th. Morse was charged with Possession of a Forged Instrument, 3rd degree Grand Larceny & 2 counts of Petty larceny, following an investigation in to a report a stolen check that was cashed in the amount of $3,500 at a local bank, he allegedly stole the check from a business and conspired with others to cash the check. Morse is also accused of stealing the sign for the same local business which was later recovered. Morse was arrested also for Aggravated Harassment following an investigation in to a report of threatening messages being sent to another person, containing threats of harm to the victim and a family member. Morse is being held in the Otsego County Correctional Facility pending future court action in Towns of Burlington & Town of Edmeston Court

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies observed a vehicle traveling on State Highway 28 in the Town of Delhi, crossing over the double yellow line’s multiple times, they conducted a traffic stop, they identified the driver as 30-year-old Carmine Yonnone of Delhi, whose driver’s license was suspended. Yonnone was charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle and Failing to Turn in License to DMV, Moving from a lane unsafely, Unauthorized Sticker and Possession of an open alcoholic Container within a motor vehicle, he will appear in the Town of Delhi Court at a later date.

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office arrested 23 year old Steven Osei of Binghamton for 3rd degree Grand Larceny & other related charges for allegedly getting cash by depositing fraudulent checks at an ATM. Osei was processed & issued an appearance ticket for Town of Dickinson Court at a later date.

A.M. NEWS Thursday 2-9-23

The Susquehanna Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will host a Community Cat Forum Today at 4:00 PM at the Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, 24 Market Street in Oneonta. Susquehanna SPCA Executive Director Stacie Haynes told WCDO News that the event is to address the issues of Feral cats in large numbers in many area communities:

(Stacie Haynes 2-9-23)

Haynes said that this event is free and open to the public.

On December 30th, Delaware County Sheriff Deputies, received a complaint of a possible animal abuse/neglect involving several dogs, in the Town of Davenport. Deputies arrested 47 year old Doreen Biasi & 24 year old Ashley Biasi for Overdriving, torturing and injuring animals; failure to provide proper sustenance, both were released on appearance tickets for Town of Davenport Court at a later date.

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 2-8-23

Broome County District Attorney Mike Korchak announced that Kristopher Duncan of Plattsburgh was Sentenced To Prison In Broome County Court this week. Duncan was sentenced to 4 years in State prison followed by 5 years post release supervision after pleading guilty to Attempted Criminal Possession of a Weapon. Duncan possessed an illegal loaded firearm which he discharged in a room at the Comfort Inn on Upper Front Street in the Town of Dickinson, no one was injured. Duncan has a prior felony conviction for Criminal Contempt in 2017,

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the first of the Conditional Adult-Use Cannabis Retail Dispensary licenses in the Southern Tier will open in Binghamton. The opening of the store advances New York State's Seeding Opportunity Initiative, The planning board in Binghamton gave its final approval this week, The Cannabis dispensary opening in Binghamton - Just Breathe at 75 Court Street - will be owned and operated by a partnership between an experienced local entrepreneur, Damien Cornwell, and the Non-Profit Broome County Urban League.

The State DMV announced that the annual inspection stickers will be changing. DMV officials stated that the new print-on-demand vehicle inspection certificates will be phased in, it will add enhanced security by adding vehicle-specific information directly onto the inspection sticker. The change over will be completed by the end of 2023, but drivers with the previous inspections will continue to be allowed to have them through 2024.

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 63 year old Stanley Eddy of Gansevoort following a traffic stop in the Town of Milford on January 31, 2023. Eddy was charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle while Registration is Suspended, he was issued a Uniform Traffic Ticket returnable to the Town of Milford Court at a later date.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced $1,162,978 to 2 local homeless housing and services organizations. In New York, HUD awarded a total of $2,042,599.  The Binghamton, Town of Union, Otsego, Chenango, Delaware, Cortland, and Tioga Counties Continuum of Care received $716,456 for Opportunities for Otsego and $446,522 for Catholic Charities of Chenango County.

It was a Basketball Homecoming for Hancock resident Laycee Drake at Binghamton University, Drake plays for The University of Maryland Baltimore County Retrievers, they took on the Lady Bearcats in Binghamton last night, WCDO Sports Director Nate Lull said that drake received tremendous local support last night:

(Nate Lull 2-2-23)

Drake graduated from Hancock on 2021 and finished her High School Career with over 1800 points, she scored 11 point last night, but Binghamton won the game 80-70.

On Saturday night, Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies conducted a traffic stop in the Town of Colchester, Deputies identified the driver of the vehicle as 44-year-old Tyrece Williams of Syracuse, who's vehicle registration was suspended, due to an Insurance Lapse. Williams was charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Suspended/Revoked Registration, Aggravated Unlicensed Operator, Failing to turn in license plates into DMV, among other charges, Williams was released and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Colchester Court at a later date.

About a dozen people were arrested at a protest at the Johnson City Wegman's Parking lot last night. People were protesting the police brutality cases of Tyre Nichols in Memphis & the Hamail Waddell keeling incident by Binghamton Police January 1st. Police from the Johnson City, Binghamton and Endicott Police departments, as well as the Broome County sheriffs Deputies and State Troopers responded.

P.M. NEWS Thursday 1-5-23

A community vigil will be held tonight in remembrance of 13-year-old Brennan Loveless, who was killed while riding his bicycle near his home Sunday afternoon. The vigil will be held at 7:00 pm. on the track of Harpursville High School and all are welcome to attend. A memorial service for Loveless will be held at the Osterhoudt-Madden Funeral Home on Maple Street in Harpursville on Friday, January 13th at 1, with calling hours from 11 to 1. 34 year old Bradley Law is being held in the Broome County Jail for striking Loveless with his pick up truck & fleeing the scene, he's been charged with criminally negligent homicide and leaving the scene of a fatal motor vehicle accident.

The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce announced their annual State of The State Networking Breakfast will be held Friday January 20 at SUNY Oneonta's Morris Hall, from 8:00 to 11:00 AM. Legislators scheduled to participate are Assemblymen Brian Miller & Chris Tague, Oneonta Mayor Mark Drnek, among others. Reservations form Otsego County Chamber members are due by January 16th by calling 607-432-4500, extension 2.

The Chenango United Way and the United Way of Delaware and Otsego Counties announced that, the two organizations have officially combined as of January 1st, as the United Way of Mid Rural New York, Incorporated.  Campaign dollars that are raised in each county will stay in that county, the Executive Director will be Elizabeth Monaco, who has been the Executive Director of the Chenango United Way. The Chenango United Way also affiliated with the United Way of Madison County last year, that merger process will finalize in April 2023, the Madison United Way will combine under the United Way of Mid Rural New York name. More information is available at 607-334-8815

A.M. NEWS Thursday 1-5-23

Delaware County Sheriff's Office arrested of 41 year-old Travis Kinch of Downsville, for driving with a suspended Driver’s license. On Monday Deputies observed a vehicle traveling on State Highway 30 in the Town of Colchester with an expired inspection. Upon conducting a traffic stop, A check of Kinch’s driver’s license revealed that his driving privileges were suspended in the State of New York. Kinch was charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Unlicensed Operator, Uninspected Motor Vehicle and Failure to notify DMV of an address change, Kinch was released and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Colchester Court at a later date.

31-year-old Kimberly Olsen of Edmeston has been arrested following an animal cruelty investigation by the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office. Olsen allegedly mistreated several animals and was charged with 3 counts of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals; failure to provide proper sustenance & 3 counts of abandonment of animal, Olsen was released on appearance tickets returnable to the Town of Edmeston Court at a later date.

The Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 45 year old Matthew Brady of Delhi following an investigation of abuse in the Town of Milford. Brady was charged with Endangering the Welfare of an Incompetent or Physically Disabled Person, Endangering the Welfare of a Child & Harassment, following an investigation into an incident that occurred on November 2nd 2022 at Springbrook in the Town of Milford. Brady was unable to be located and a warrant for arrest was issued through the Town of Milford Court, he turned himself in and was released on an appearance ticket for the Town of Milford Court at a later date.