WCDO Radio News

State Senator Jim Seward joined community, labor and business leaders to announce the launch of New Yorkers for Affordable Energy, which supports increasing access to natural gas for manufacturing facilities, power production, transportation, and other purposes to support New York's economy and quality of life:

(Seward 5-2-17)

Seward said that the Coalition partners includes the Otsego County IDA, Manufacturers Association of the Southern Tier, The Business Council of New York State, more information can be found at www.affordableenergyny.com.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said that she is ruling out a run for president in 2020, as she is focused on running for re-election for her US Senate seat in 2018. Gillibrand had to speak on the subject again yesterday in the North Country; she gave the same answer as she has since the beginning of the year, when reporters suggested that she could be a viable Democratic Party candidate for the Presidential race in 2020.

The annual Big Wheels Golf Tournament, held at the Delhi College Golf Course, will take place on Friday, May 12th. The event serves as a primary fundraiser for programs and services which provide assistance to Delaware County senior citizens. More information or to request an entry form please contact the Delaware County Office for the Aging at 607-832-5750.

NYSEG reports power outages throughout the region from last night's powerful storm, with crews working to restore power as quickly as possible. A state of emergency was declared in Broome County by County Executive Jason Garnar; Broome County had over 13,000 customers without power this afternoon, Chenango County had over 5100 without power, Delaware County had over 1600 & Otsego County had over 2300 without power.

Plans are continuing to get regular Rail service back to Chenango County soon. Chenango County IDA President Steve Craig comments:

(Steve Craig 4-10-17)

The section of the Utica Mainline through Chenango County has been closed since the 2006 floods wiped out major portion of track bed, the recent trial run of an engine showed that the track itself is ready to receive regular freight traffic.

Otsego Now announced today that their newly created local development corporation, “Oneonta Rail Yards” has closed on approximately 80 acres of land surrounding the rail yards in the City of Oneonta. Otsego Now plans to move aggressively towards shovel-ready status for any and all of the developable land, and will initiate environmental reviews of the property immediately. Otsego Now’s purchase of the rail yards property is tied to the kickoff of an update of the City’s comprehensive plan and downtown revitalization plans.

The annual Big Wheels Golf Tournament, held at the Delhi College Golf Course on Friday, May 12th. The event serves as a primary fundraiser for programs and services, which provide assistance to Delaware County senior citizens. The field is limited to a maximum of 104 players; Entry forms with check must be received by April 30th. More information is available at the Delaware County Office for the Aging at 607-832-5750.

Bail was set in Chenango County Court Friday for Ernest & Heather Franklin of Guilford, they have been charged by a Chenango County Grand Jury with Murder & Arson for allegedly killing their 16 year old son Jeffrey & Setting fire to the family home on State Route 8 on March 1st to cover up the crime. Bail for Ernest Franklin was set at $250,000 cash or $500,000 bond; Bail for Heather Franklin was set at $125,000 cash or $250,000 bond.

Chenango County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Matthew Maclaury of Oxford for aggravated driving while intoxicated and DWI after a report of a 2-car accident on County Road 32 in the Town of Norwich it was found that Maclaury went off the roadway and struck a parked vehicle & that Maclaury was driving with a blood alcohol content of .18 or higher. Maclaury will appear in the Town of Norwich Court at a later date.

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced the guilty plea of 44 year old Darin Cox of Johnson City, who is the owner and operator of Broome Taxi, for his fraudulent actions in obtaining over $3,000 from the Medicaid system by operating his business without the licensing necessary to operate a taxicab in Broome County. Cox pleaded guilty to 1 count of Grand Larceny, he faces a sentence of up to 7 years in prison.

The Otsego County IDA will hold a public hearing this morning on the State Eminent Domain Procedure Law at 11:00 AM at their offices at 189 Main Street, Oneonta. The purpose of the hearing is to outline and/or describe the proposed acquisition by the Agency of the parcels commonly known as the Ford Block at Market Street in Oneonta.