WCDO Radio News

On Wednesday Oneonta Police assisted the Otsego County probation Department with items located during a routine visit of a person on probation. Officer confiscated 40 bags of heroin, Packaging materials, Scales & A small quantity of marijuana, police arrested 30 year old Daniel Londner of Oneonta for Criminal possession of a controlled substance, Criminally using of drug paraphernalia and unlawful possession of marijuana, Londner was held pending arraignment in the City of Oneonta Court

After many years as the Chief of the Sidney Police Department, Mike Hood is stepping down next week, to be replaced by 23-year Sidney Police Department veteran Jan Gorshack. Hood Commented about his years as the Sidney Police Chief:

(Mike Hood 10-21-16)

Hood's last official day as Sidney Police Chief is October 28th, he will work part time for the Bainbridge Police Department & the Delaware County Sheriff’s department.

The Chenango County IDA announced significant progress in its Rail Revitalization project, which aims to restore service to the 45 ½ miles of the Utica Mainline track between the Madison and Broome County lines. Frontier Railroad Services of New Stanton, PA is nearing completion of the construction phase of the project, which repaired numerous washouts caused by floods in 2006 and 2011. Chenango County IDA Spokesman Steve Craig comments:

(Steve Craig 10-21-16)

Frontier is working with IDA's engineers at Stone Consulting on the final "punch list" of remaining tasks.

Governor Cuomo announced that the Department of Financial Services has issued guidance to health insurers outlining new insurance coverage requirements for substance abuse treatment. Under the new law, health insurers will be required to cover medication, including naloxone, for detoxification or maintenance treatment of substance use disorders under large group policies. Health insurers will also be required to provide coverage without preauthorization for inpatient substance abuse treatment in facilities that participate in their networks and are certified by the State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services.

Republican Congressional Candidate Claudia Tenney will be speaking at the Bainbridge Town Hall tonight at 6:30 PM. Tenney is the Republican candidate for the Congressional District 22 seat being vacated by Richard Hanna, she is facing Democrat Kim Myers & Independent candidate Martin Babinec. The public is invited to attend.

A Sidney Center man was ticketed Friday morning by Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies acting on complaints received from the Sidney School District regarding vehicles passing stopped school buses on County Highway 23 in the Town of Sidney. 21-year-old Matthew Stafford was issued 2 tickets for passing a stopped school bus on 2 separate occasions; he received 1 ticket for possessing more than one unexpired driver’s license. Stafford was released and ordered to appear in the Town of Sidney Court at a later date to answer those charges. The Delaware County Sheriff's Office reminds the public that it is illegal and very dangerous to pass a stopped school bus when its red lights are flashing, as the bus is picking up or discharging students.

State Police have announced that name of the person killed in an accident in Cortland County last week. 61-year-old Ronald Reed of Cortland crossed into the opposing lane with his vehicle, he struck a tractor-trailer driven by 48-year-old Michael Gross of Norwich. Reed was declared dead at the scene, Gross was transported to Upstate Medical in Syracuse for non-life threatening injuries.

The recent closing of a loan with Rock Valley Spirits brings the total amount invested by the Delaware County Industrial Development Agency in the Towns of Hancock and Deposit through the Millennium Pipeline Community Benefit Fund to $785,800. The IDA has used the Millennium Fund to support 11 businesses and community development projects, matched with nearly $3.9 million of private and public investment in the Towns of Hancock and Deposit, resulting in the establishment of 4 new businesses, and the creation/retention of 73 jobs.

A speed enforcement detail in Bovina Center by Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies led to the arrest of a parolee on a number of vehicle and traffic charges. 29 year old Joseph VanLeuvan of Big Indian was observed speeding, he was pulled over & he driving while unlicensed, & had 11 active suspensions for failing to answer summonses in various courts and his driving privileges had been revoked for several years. VanLuevan was charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle & speeding, He was arraigned in the Town of Delhi Court & he was released in his own recognizance pending action in the Town of Bovina Court at a later date.

The Chenango Arts Council announced a continuation in funding from the New York State Council on the Arts for the 2017 Broome, Chenango & Otsego Decentralization Grant Program. The $129,280 is available to non-profit organizations and artists who partner with an eligible non-profit for cultural initiatives in 2017. Funding is available for grants up to $5,000 each to support Community Arts and Arts Education grants in Broome, Chenango and Otsego counties. More information is available at chenangoarts.org The deadline for 2017 grant application is January 10th 2017.

Closing arguments began earlier today in Broome County Court in the Murder trial of Almond Upton of Florida. Upton was on trial for 1st degree murder for the intentionally running down Trooper Christopher Skinner, while he was conducting an unrelated traffic stop on I-81 in the town of Chenango in May 2014. At the conclusion of closing arguments, the jury will begin deliberations.

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced the arrest and arraignment of 4 former employees of Focus Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Cooperstown, who are accused of leaving a 94-year-old patient left in a recliner with substandard care for 41 hours over the Memorial Day weekend in May. Lorraine Caldwell, of Holland Patent, Amanda Gus of Hartwick, Sarah Schuyler of Mohawk and Donna Gray, of Sidney were charged with Falsifying Business Records, Endangering the Welfare of an Incompetent or Physically Disabled Person & Willful Violation of Health Laws, all 4 were arraigned in Town of Otsego Court & were released on their own recognizance.

The state DOT Announced that sections of state highways 8 & 51 that were damaged by storms & flash Floods, are improved since yesterday. DOT Region 9 Spokesman Dave Hamburg told WCDO News today that Route 8 was opened late yesterday afternoon to alternating traffic controlled by temporary signals. The Route 51 Bridge at County Route 3 between Mt. Upton and Morris was opened to traffic this morning. Both areas are safe for travel and work at both locations continues.

The Progress continues on getting the Utica Mainline railroad running from Binghamton to Utica, through Chenango County, where service was disrupted by the 2006 floods Chenango County IDA Chairman Steve Craig explains:

(Steve Craig 8-3-16)

Craig said that the railroad expects to be serving customers again on that line in about a year.

The Sidney Chamber of Commerce Will is moving out of the Sidney Civic Center & Into New Offices on Main Street in Sidney as of September 1st. Sidney Chamber President Stephanie Taylor explains:

(Stephanie Taylor 8-3-16)

The Sidney Chamber Annual Gold Tournament will be held tomorrow at the Sidney Golf & Country Club, with room for another 1 or teams, also the recently rained out Cruise in has been rescheduled for Friday August 26th, and a Chamber open house at the new Office will be held on September 12th.

State Senator Jim Seward & Assemblyman Bill Magee announced a $1 million grant, with half coming from each legislative house, to help fund the 12-tower Otsego County emergency communication system. The System is expected to be completed later this fall.

DELAWARE COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES Will hold a free rabies clinic today in Franklin. The Clinic will be held at the Franklin Fire Hall, 351 Main Street from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, More information is available at 832-5200 or delawarecountypublichealth.com.

Governor Cuomo today announced DICK'S Sporting Goods will invest $100 million to build a regional distribution facility at the Broome County Corporate Park in the Town of Conklin. DICK'S investment is creating 466 full-time jobs over the next five years in the Southern Tier. Construction on the 650,000-square-foot facility will begin next month and is scheduled for completion in early 2018.

Chenango county fair returns to Norwich August 9th to the 14th, fair spokesperson Mary Weidman told WCDO News about new attractions this year:

(Mary Weidman 7-191-16)

Weidman said that Coleman Brothers would be back with rides on the midway at the Chenango County Fair Grounds, the midway opens each day at 1:00 PM.

The Oneonta Common Council will hold their next regular meeting tonight. The meeting will begin at 7:00 PM at City hall in the Common Council Chambers. The Council will see a presentation from Sandy Mathes at Otsego County IDA regarding the Market Street Project.

The Constitution Pipeline denial by New York State DEC could have severe ramifications to the economy of the Southern Tier. Delaware county IDA Chairman Jim Thompson Commented:

(Jim Thompson 4-28-16)

Constitution pipeline officials stated a desire to appeal the New York State ruling to a federal court.

The Otsego Electric Cooperative announced that attorney Timothy Johnson of Edmeston, will be their new CEO. Johnson formerly served as legal counsel to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

Delaware County Sheriff Deputies responded to a report of a Domestic Dispute Monday on Town Shed Road in the Town of Deposit. Deputies arrested 36-year-old Brian Curtis of Deposit for 3rd degree Assault, Criminal Mischief & 3rd degree Robbery, he was arranged in Town of Deposit Court & he was released on $500 cash bail and is to reappear in the Town of Deposit Court at a later date.

Sidney Flowers and Gifts are expanding their store at 67 Main Street in Sidney and The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce President Ray Pucci assisted with the ribbon cutting this morning, he commented about the explansion & the Sidney business community:

(Ray Pucci 4-28-16)

Sidney Flowers & Gifts will also host the Sidney Chamber's Business After Hours event from 5:00 to 7:00 PM today.

Delaware County Public health will hold a free rabies clinic today at the Pindars Corners Fire department on state route 23. The clinic runs from 5:00 to 7:00 PM today.

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer visited with Oneonta & Otsego county leaders today, vowing to work with them to get the region designated as a “Foreign Trade Zone”:

(Schumer 1-5-16)

Oneonta Mayor Gary Herzig said that Senator Schumer’s is receptive to their idea to get the Oneonta Railyards redevelopment moving in the right direction:

(Herzig 1-5-16)

Plans call for the Otsego County IDA to apply for the proper grants in order to get the Foreign Trade Zone designation, other proposed plans would also help the town of Richfield with their development plans in addition to the Oneonta proposed projects.

U.S Senator Charles Schumer will visit Otsego County today. Schumer is scheduled to meet with Oneonta Mayor Gary Herzig as well as other county leaders to discuss economic development issues. More details are expected to be released this afternoon.

Delaware County Sheriff's Investigators today arrested 28 year old level three sex offender Brandon Reynolds of Walton, for failure to register his internet, e-mail and social media accounts. sex offenders in New York are required to register any and all internet accounts, social media accounts, screen names and e-mail accounts with the Sex Offender Registry. Failure to do so is a Felony. Reynolds is accused of maintaining an e-mail account which he failed to register. Reynolds had been incarcerated at the Delaware County Correctional Facility on a Parole Violation, he will be arraigned on the new charge in the Town of Delhi Court at a later time.

State Police arrested 20 year old Sierra Hendrickson of the town of Maryland for criminal mischief & aggravated harassment. Hendrickson is accused of harassing an employee of Monroe Mufflers in Oneonta at his place of employment & his home uninvited. Her conduct intensified when she allegedly caused $4,000 worth of damage to the vicitms parked car, she was arraigned in the Town of Oneonta court and was remanded to the Otsego County jail in lieu of a $1,000 cash bail or $2,000 property bond. An order of protection was issued against her. Hendrickson’s next court date in the Town of Oneonta is on January 7, 2016.

Officials at the Broome County DMV offices announced the opening of a Mobile DMV service at the Eastern Broome Senior Center in Harpursville. The unit will provide basic DMV services including processing licenses and registration. The Harpursville Mobile DMV will be open Mondays from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Plans also call for another Mobile DMV unit in Windsor on Thursday’s from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. More information is available at gobroomecounty.com/dmv.

State Troopers arrested 33 year old Eric Derrig of Waverly for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance with heroin, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, & numerous Vehicle & Traffic charges following traffic stop on Route 17 in Owego. Derrig was found to be in possession of 643 bags of heroin, $354 in cash and a hypodermic needle. Derrig was arraigned & remanded to the Tioga County Jail without bail.

The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce will hold the annual State of the State Breakfast this morning. The event will begin at 8:00 AM at The Otesaga Resort Hotel of Cooperstown.