WCDO Radio News

This year, the Sidney Hometown Day Parade & the annual Memorial Day parade will be combined into 1 big parade on Memorial Day, Anna Bank of SFCU explains:

(Anna Banks 4-24-26)

The parade route this year will be from Steiner Road, to Main Street, to River Street, ending at the Sidney Veterans Memorial Park on River Street.

The Chenango County Historical Society and the Chenango County Historian’s Office will commemorate “National Historic Marker Day” today with a plaque unveiling made possible by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation’s National Register Signage Grant Program. Historical Society Executive Director Jessica Moquin explains:

(Jessica Moquin 4-24-26)

This year’s plaque unveiling will be held at 10 a.m. this morning at 72 South Broad Street in Norwich, more information is available at (607) 337–1845.

The Oxford Village Tree Board will be holding its 33rd “Tree City USA” and Arbor Day Celebration on Saturday, at 9 am at the LaFayette Park bandstand. Plans include a proclamation, Tree City USA flag and plaque presentation, and a giveaway of seedling trees and shrubs.

The Oxford Village Tree Board will be holding its 32nd “Tree City USA” and Arbor Day Celebration on Saturday, starting at 9 am., at LaFayette Park. The Tree City flag and plaque presentation will be part of the festivities, & there will be a giveaway of trees and shrubs.

Celebrate Earth Day by planting native wildflowers at Rogers Center, On Saturday, the public is invited to plant an assortment of seeds which will expand pollinator habitat around the Rogers Center Three Sisters Garden. The planting will begin at 10:30 am until 12 noon across the street from the visitor parking lot, There will be educational material available for each flower variety in the pollinator mix.

A.M. NEWS Friday 4-25-25

Delaware County Sheriff’s Office responded last May to a motor vehicle roll over accident in Harpersfield. 25-year-old Isaiah Caballero of Oneonta, lost control of the vehicle, it left the roadway and struck a tree, 25 year old Nyheim Golden-Williams was killed in the crash. Deputies located cocaine & a loaded pistol that did not have a serial number. Caballero was arrested at the Ulster Correctional Facility Tuesday, he was charged with Criminal Possession of a controlled substance, Criminal Possession of a weapon and Vehicular Manslaughter, he was arraigned and was remanded back to the Ulster Correctional facility on $20,000 cash bail or $40,000 bond. Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies also arrested 21-year-old Alexis Lotterman of Walton for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Criminal Possession of a Weapon, she was a passenger in the vehicle and was also in possession of the narcotics and firearm, she was arraigned and remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility on $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 secured bond.

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 4-26-24

Sidney Police Department received report of an armed robbery Friday Afternoon at about 1:35 PM at Smiley's at 17 West Main Street. The suspect displayed a Handgun, demanded cash, he was wearing a black and purple wig, blue Oneonta YellowJackets hooded sweatshirt and pink slippers. The suspect left went hrough yards, left behind the disguises and left in a Silver Subaru parked on Adams Street, & left the village. The suspect is a bald or balding, heavy set white male over 6 feet tall. Sidney Police were assisted by STate Police & Delaware County Deputies, Anyone with any information should contact the Sidney Police Department at 607 561-2301, more information is available at the Village of Sidney Police Department Facebook page.

The Oxford Village Tree Board will be holding its 31st "Tree City USA" and Arbor Day Celebration on Saturday, starting at 9 am., at Lafayette Park. The Tree City USA flag and plaque presentation will be held along with a giveaway of seedling trees and shrubs.

NYSEG is reporting additional success in getting power back on following yesterday's high winds knocking down tree limbs & power lines, area counties are back on, crews have shifted efforts to Sullivan County where about 1200 were without power this afternoon.

Delaware County Board of Elections reminds are voters that the Presidential Primary will be held on Tuesday, April 2 at your usual polling site from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Early Voting by Mail or Absentee ballot applications can be made through the state Board of Elections website at elections.ny.gov/request-ballot & Early Voting at Delaware County Board of Elections, will be from Saturday, March 23 to Saturday, March 30th. More information is available at 607-832-5321

The Food & Drug Administration announced that some types of ground cinnamon products sold at discount stores are being recalled because of elevated levels of lead. The Cinnamon in questions locally was available at stores like Dollar Tree and Family Dollar, under the Supreme Tradition name, sold by Greenbriar International, of Chesapeake, Virginia, the cinnamon can be returned to the stores for a refund, or should be disposed of, the cinnamon with lead has been pulled from the shelves at the stores in question.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 3-12-24

Guilford Firefighters with assistance from other area departments responded to a report of a basement fire at 427 Ives Settlement Road, which was called in at about 4:30 PM Monday. The basement fire was knocked down quickly, Guilford received assistance from Bainbridge, Sidney & Oxford fire Departments.

This Sunday & Sunday May 7th will be the 1st "Gilbertsville Hullabaloo" with a variety of sales & activities planned, according to co-organizer Tracie Owen Martinetti:

(Tracie Owen Martinetti 4-28-23)

Martinetti & Gina Gardner have organized the event, which they hope to make into an annual tradition, The event will take place from 10 am. to 3 pm. inside 5 Commercial Street, the site of the former Gilbertsville Value Way and bookstore. All money received for vendor fees will be remitted to Gilbertsville’s Village Improvement Society.

The Oxford Village Tree Board will be holding its 30th “Tree City USA” and Arbor Day Celebration on Saturday, at 9 am. at the LaFayette Park bandstand. Plans include a proclamation, Tree City USA flag and plaque presentation, and a giveaway of seedling trees and shrubs.

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office is currently looking for Alyssa Hutchinson on an outstanding warrant and they are asking the residents of Broome County for assistance. Hutchinson was last known to frequent the School Street area of Susquehanna Pennsylvania, she is described as a white female, 5'6", 250 pounds, with brown hair & brown eyes, Anyone with information can submit tips at gobroomecounty.com or call (607) 778-1196.

A hunter died Saturday after falling from a tree stand in Vega. 71 year old Fernando Paparatti of Harrison was climbing up to his tree stand when he fell 12 feet, his son found him hours later after he failed to return. Roxbury & Margaretville EMT's responded, Paparatti was pronounced dead at the scene by the coroner's office.

A.M. NEWS Tuesday 11-22-22

42 year old Kory Minshall of South Otselic was arrested following a vehicle pursuit. Cortland County Sheriff’s deputies attempted to arrest Minshall on an active arrest warrant, he took off in a vehicle from Norwich to Oxford & back to Norwich, where his vehicle became disabled, he then fled on foot & was taken into custody. Minshall was charged with Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer, Obstructing Governmental Administration, Reckless Endangerment, Criminal Mischief, Tampering with Physical Evidence, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, plus the original An Arrest Warrant. Minshall was arraigned and remanded to the Chenango County Jail on bail. He is set to appear in the Town of Norwich Court, Town of Oxford Court, and the Village of Oxford Court to face numerous charges.

The New York Cannabis Control Board issued the first 36 dispensary licenses this week, a total of 175 will eventually be issued, that is stalled as a court ruling earlier this month prevents the board from issuing licenses, following a lawsuit that claims that the state is violating interstate commerce laws by issuing the licenses to only New York State Businesses.

Hartwick College is sponsoring the "Hawks Town Fever" street fair in Oneonta this Saturday, from 1:00 to 5:00 PM On Main Street between Chestnut Street and Ford Avenue. The event will include carnival games, zip lines, live music, food trucks, The event is free and open to the public.

The Oxford Village Tree Board will be holding its 35th "Tree City USA" Arbor Day Celebration on Saturday at 9:00 am at the LaFayette Park bandstand. Plans include a proclamation, Tree City USA flag presentation, and a giveaway of seedling evergreen trees and a variety of seedling shrubs. More information is available at treeboard.oxfordny.com or (607) 843-2512.

A State DEC patrol caught 30 teenagers holding a party with alcohol on Friday, April 22, at the Charles Baker State Forest in Sherburne. The group included teens ranging in age from 15 to 19 years old, including an unidentified 18-year-old from Norwich, who allegedly had 3 cases of beer, who was charged with underage possession of alcohol in a State Forest.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 4-29-22

The HALos Board of Directors announced their Open House at their facility at 146 Main Street in Afton tomorrow, Spokesperson Joyce Humphrey comments:

(Joyce Humphrey 4-26-22)

More information about HALos is available by calling (607) 639-4256.

The Broome County District Attorney’s Office announced 29 year old Corey Carney of Conklin was sentenced to serve 7 years in prison for attempted burglary. On October 14th 2021, Carney unlawfully entered an apartment on Louisa Street in Binghamton with two other males and attempted to steal property. Carney is also facing 5 years of post-release supervision.

Now that the Christmas holiday is over, people will start removing their trees, decorations and getting rid of the wrapping paper from their gifts, Tyson Robb of Delaware County Solid Waste Management explains:

(Tyson Robb 12-27-21)

More information is available at co.delaware.ny.us/departments.

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 41 year old Brian Boore of Worcester following a traffic stop in the Town of Worcester. Boore was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance following a traffic stop on Main Street Worcester, Boore was a passenger in the vehicle and was found to be in possession of a small quantity of heroin and methamphetamine, he was an appearance ticket returnable to the Worcester Town Court at a later date.

The Village of Oxford has received $50,000 for tree planting from the DEC, the Village Tree Board will coordinate the planting of 175 street and park trees during the spring and fall of 2022 with guidance from the NYS DEC and a local certified tree expert. The grant was awarded in celebration of Arbor Day as part of a $1.18 million award to communities across the state to inventory, plant, and maintain public trees.

Chenango County Emergency
Services Responded to a number of reports for flooded roads following heavy
downpours last night & earlier this morning.  Flooded roads were reported at Butler &
State Streets in Oxford, there was washout damage to the grounds at the Oxford
School Playground, & flooding on North Broad Street in Norwich, in
Smithville at North End Road, & Chenango County Road 2 as well as County
Roads 7 & 10 in Pharsalia, County Road 7 in McDonough.  Officials remind motorists to turn around
& seek an alternate route if they encounter a road covered with water, and
to alert authorities.

Delaware County Sheriff’s
Deputies arrested 51-year-old Diane Dedominicis of Treadwell Tuesday for
Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a motor vehicle, following a traffic stop on
Griswold Street in the Village of Walton.
Dedominicis was additionally charged with Speeding, Unlicensed Operator,
and she was released on tickets returnable to Walton Village Court at a later
date.

The Oneonta Department of Public Service will be planting a
new tree on Main Street, in front of the Yellow Deli, Today. Work will begin
around 9:30 AM and is expected to be completed within 2 hours.  During the work, flaggers will maintain
one-way traffic on Main Street; more information is available at 432-2100.

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of
Education Meeting on Today in the District Conference Room at the Jr-Sr High
School at 6:30 PM. The business portion of the meeting will start at 7:00 PM.

State Police responded to a one-car fatal motor vehicle
accident on Odell Lake Road near Peters Road in the town of Harpersfield at
approximately 10:55 last night.  The only
occupant, the driver of a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado was confirmed deceased by
emergency responders.  An investigation
reveals that the driver traveled off the roadway for an unknown reason and into
a large tree.  The roadway was closed for
approximately four hours. The investigation continues.

Firefighters from Guilford, Oxford, Coventry &
Bainbridge responded to a fire this afternoon at 874 Shapley Road in the town
of Guilford.  The house was fully involved
when Firefighters arrived, WCDO News will have more details as they become
available.

Jeff Idelson will retire as Baseball Hall of Fame president
after the July 21 induction, According to Hall Board Chairman Jane Forbes Clark
Monday.  The Hall of Fame’s Board of
Directors has established a committee, headed by Clark and including Idelson, which
will identify the Museum’s 7th President.
Idelson was named President of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and
Museum in 2008. He had served in a variety of capacities since 1994.

UHS Chenango Memorial will launch their 2019 Women’s Health
Series tonight in Norwich.  Janice
Minutti is a dietitian at UHS Chenango Memorial, She will give a presentation
on Healthy Habits on Tuesday, January 29 at Bohemian Moon, 103 East Main Street
in Norwich, doors will open at 6:00 PM, and the presentation will start at 7:00
PM.

The Oneonta Common Council will hear a presentation tonight
at their regular 7:00 PM meeting, by representatives of the New York Power
Authority and Guth DeConzo Consulting Engineers concerning a proposal for the
City to acquire all of the more than 1,000 street lights throughout the
community that currently are owned by NYSEG and, after being purchased by the
City, change over the street light system using new LED fixtures.  This proposal is part of the State-sponsored
“Smart Street Light NY” program for greater energy efficiency.

The Delaware County Sheriff’s department announced that a man, who crashed his ATV in the town of Hamden Saturday, has died from his injuries. 30 year old Michael Armstrong of Roxbury had crashed his ATV into a tree; he was not wearing a helmet & sustained head injuries and was eventually taken to Basset Hospital in Cooperstown where he succumbed to the injuries Sunday night. A passenger on the Armstrong ATV was wearing a helmet & suffered only minor injuries, 2 others were injured when they crashed into the damaged Armstrong ATV. Deputies believe that alcohol was involved & the investigation is continuing.

Rehabilitation work on the Route 12 Bridge over Fly Meadow Creek in the Town of Oxford is underway. The $1.1 million project will replace the deck and perform additional structural work to improve the overall condition of the bridge. Work on the bridge is expected to be completed by the end of November 2018.

The Unadilla Town Board will be holding a Special Board Meeting today at 6:30 PM. The board will be making an appointment for the position of Special Police Officer for the Town of Unadilla, the meeting will be held at the Unadilla Town Hall on State Route 7.

The Northeast Classic Car Museum at 24 Rexford Street, Norwich, is opening a new exhibit on Saturday, “Trucks at Work” will be on display through April 2019, it is full of larger trucks, including a fuel truck, US Army truck, dump truck and 2 wreckers, from 1908-1985. The exhibit opens to the public on Saturday at 9:00 AM; more Information is available at 334-2886 or classiccarmuseum.org.

Oneonta's May Fabulous Friday event is being held this evening, scheduled events include a Tom & Doug's Cruise-In on Main Street, music from The Mopar Cams; will be playing at the same time, the event runs through 8:30 PM.

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 National Weather Service surveyed an area of storm damage from Monday's Storm, in Chenango County. Damage to trees was found near Oxford, the damage became more concentrated along Lyon Brook Road northeast of Oxford, where numerous trees were uprooted and snapped near Pratt Road. The tree damage pattern indicated either straight-line winds, indicating a microburst or a series of microbursts as opposed to a tornado. Structural damage included a large tree destroying a garage on Lyon Brook Road, and a peeled roof and a large tree on a house along Pratt road.

State Police arrested 38-year-old Joseph Wilms of Unadilla, for DWI, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation, Criminal Mischief & other traffic violations, after troopers responded to a report of an erratic driver on the Unadilla Community Field. Wilms is accused of driving on the field, causing damage to the grass, and then driving away, he was located in his driveway on Sperry Street; the arrest was a felony because Wilms has 2 prior DWI convictions. Wilms was arraigned in the Town of Unadilla Court and was remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $2,500 cash bail or $5,000 property bond, pending court action Friday.

A large wind turbine is being moved today down State Highway 12 from the North Norwich rest area to the Oxford rest area. This will cause major traffic delays, particularly in the City of Norwich, to get the load over the Canasawacta Creek Bridge around the lunch hour. Motorists are encouraged to avoid State Highway 12 if possible. You can use County Road 32/East River Road as an alternate.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 24 year old Francisco Rodriguez of Hancock Monday, on charges of Aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, failure to keep right, and unsafe lane change. Deputies say this arrest is a result of a traffic stop on East Front Street in the Village of Hancock. Rodriguez was arraigned in front of Judge Buckley at Hancock Village Court and was remanded to the Delaware County Jail in lieu of $1,000 bail.

State Senator Fred Akshar and YES Safe Choices will honor 645 YES Leaders from Broome, Tioga and Chenango Counties at a special end-of-year Leaders Change Lives Recognition Reception at The McKinley on the Huron Campus at 1701 North Street in Endicott. Akshar will also award three Jill Kavanagh Memorial Scholarships to 3 YES Leaders.

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting today in the Guilford Elementary School Cafeteria at 6:30 PM. The business portion of the meeting will start at 7:00 PM.

The Bainbridge Street Art Fest will be held Saturday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 pm along Main Street. Jericho Arts Council Spokesperson Nancy Kitchen explains:

(Nancy Kitchen 4-28-17)

The event features Free food, street musicians, raffles, as well as the Adirondack Canoe Paddle Chairs & Game Tables designed by area artists, that will be featured in Bainbridge prior to an auction on Saturday May 27th during the General Clinton Canoe regatta. More information is available at Jerichoarts.com.

The Oxford Village Tree Board will be holding its 31st annual "Tree City USA" Arbor Day Celebration on Saturday, starting at 9:00 AM at the LaFayette Park bandstand. The Oxford Village Tree Board encourages families and individuals to attend.

The Otsego County Conservation Association’s annual “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” Garage Sale will be held on Saturday and Sunday, April 29 and 30 in the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market building at 101 Main Street (in Pioneer Alley), Cooperstown. Sale hours are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on both days. Unsold items will be available for free on Monday, May 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information on OCCA, or to donate, visit www.occainfo.org.

The Sidney Shade Tree Commission held their annual Arbor Day Ceremony this morning at the pavilion at Keith Clark Park. Village Spokesman John Redente comments:

(John Redente 4-28-17)

A tree was planted near the playground, in honor of long time Sidney merchant & Shade Tree Commission member, Elwin Van Valkenburgh. Sidney has once again earned the designation as a "Tree City USA".

Sidney will hold its annual Arbor Day Celebration today at the Walking Trail Pavilion beginning at 11:00. A tree dedication planting will be part of the Arbor Day activities. A limited number of White Birch Saplings will be given out as well as an opportunity to speak with members of Sidney's Shade Tree Commission and an area conservationist and forester.

The Otsego County Conservation Association will hold its annual “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” Garage Sale on Saturday, April 30 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m and Sunday, May 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m in the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market building at 101 Main Street (in Pioneer Alley), Cooperstown. More information is available at 547-4488.

The Oxford Village Tree Board will be holding its 13th annual ” Tree City USA” Arbor Day Celebration Saturday starting at 9 a.m. at the Lafayette Park Bandstand. Prize presentations will be made to 3 Oxford Academy 5th grade Arbor Day poster contest winners, and there will be a giveaway of 100 seedling trees and, new this year, a variety of 125 seedling shrubs. Oxford was recently named “Tree City USA” for its 23rd year in a row. For more information contact the Oxford Village Hall: (607) 843-2512, or email: vgoxford@stny.rr.com.

The Tri-County Chapter of New York State Women Incorporated is sponsoring an AMBA scholarship fundraiser on Saturday, from 6:30 AM to 10:00 AM, at the Fellowship Hall of the United Church of Oxford located at 16 Fort Hill. The AMBA Wellness Clinic offers doctor-ordered blood tests for a reasonable price. Scholarship awards are given annually to students in the Sidney Central School District, Unatego Central School District, Bainbridge-Guilford Central School and Norwich High School. Young women attending the NYS Women, Inc.’s annual Youth Leadership Conference have also been sponsored. More information is available at 1-800-234-8888 today from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM

Unadilla’s ‘The Village Green” Group, in partnership with Unadilla 1st United Methodist Church, has scheduled a Community Workday & Tree Planting Ceremony Saturday, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the United Methodist Church and Parsonage, on Main St in Unadilla. The Workday will wrap up with a Fruit Tree Planting Ceremony to be held at 2:00 pm; Lunch, snacks and hot drinks will be provided.

A fundraiser for the Delaware Valley Humane Society will be held this Sunday at the Houndstooth Bakery & Boutique on Main Street in Sidney, where area pet owners can have pictures of their pets professionally taken for the holidays. The event will run from 10:00 until 2:00 PM, more information is available at 563-7780 or 563-2275.

The American Red Cross continues to look for all types of blood for donation, with another blood drive in Oxford tomorrow. Those interested in donating can download the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donors can now use the Blood Donor App to access their donor card and view vital signs from previous donations. The Oxford blood drive will be Saturday from 7:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the American Legion Post 376, at 17 South Washington Street.

The new Magic City Music Hall will continue with concerts in the coming days & weeks, at their new 1240 Front Street Location. Magic City Owner Stu Green Comments:

(Stu Green 11-13-15)

More information is available at themagiccitymusichall.com.

The Bainbridge-Guilford Board of Education will hold a public forum on December 1st at 5:30 PM in the District Conference room to discuss the current Superintendent Search. Alan Pole, who is an Education Consultant, will be leading the discussion. More information is available at 967-6321.

Today is Primary Day in New York State, for those who want to decide on a candidate to represent their political party in the November elections. In Delaware County, The Democratic Party will hold Primaries for Town of Middletown Supervisor between Patrick Davis & Marjorie Miller. The Republican Party will hold a Primary for the Harpersfield Town Supervisors position between current Delaware County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jim Eisel and Edward Pick & In the Town of Walton for Town Supervisor, the race is between Charles Gregory & Bruce Dolph. In Chenango County, primary races of interest include the republican primary for District Attorney between incumbent Joe McBride and Zachary Wentworth. In the city of Norwich, there is a Republican Primary for Mayor between Incumbent Joe Mauirano & Christine Carnrike.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission is conducting its quarterly business meeting today at 9:00 AM at the Double Tree by Hilton at 225 Water Street in Binghamton,. The meeting is open to the public.

The Board of Directors of The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce meet this morning at 9:00 AM at the Barnyard Swing Mini golf and Family Fun Center in Milford, to announce the 16th Annual Small Business of the Year award & the Breakthrough Business of the Year. The award winners will be honored at the Chamber’s Small Business Banquet that will be held on Thursday, October 15th at The Otesaga Resort Hotel in Cooperstown.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division arrested 44-year-old Shannon Hunter of Oxford and 45 year old William Miller of Gilbertsville. Deputies stopped a vehicle just off of State Hwy 12 in the Town of North Norwich, Shannon Hunter was found to be in possession of heroin and drug paraphernalia, the driver, William Miller was found to be in possession of Hydrocodone pills and drug paraphernalia. Hunter was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell, Miller was charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance, both were arraigned in the Town of North Norwich Court and remanded to the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office on $5,000 cash bail.

The Village of Sidney will held their 23rd annual Sidney Arbor Day program this morning at Bill Ray field, with the dedication of a tree in honor of Bill Ray, Sidney Mayor Andy Matviak commented:

(Andy Matviak 4-24-15)

A Crimson King tree was planted on the 3rd base side of Bill Ray field this morning, the dedication was attended by members of Bill's family, the Sidney Shade tree Commission & the state DEC.

The Oxford Village Tree Board will be holding its 22nd annual "Tree City USA" Arbor Day Celebration on Saturday, at 9 a.m., at the LaFayette Park bandstand. Plans include an award ceremony beginning with a proclamation; The National Arbor Day Foundation named Oxford a “Tree City USA”, for its twenty-second year in a row.

The Otsego County Conservation Association will hold its annual “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” Garage Sale on Saturday and Sunday, April 25 and 26 in the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market building at 101 Main Street (in Pioneer Alley), Cooperstown. More information is available at 547-4488.

Fire at a storage unit in Norwich this morning, destroyed items that were stored there by the Chenango Toys for Tots program.  About $8,000 worth of toys were destroyed, according to Toys for Tots spokesman Roger Barnhart, who suggested that the best way to help them at this late stage is with monetary donations:

(Roger Barnhart 11-29-13)

Several fire departments responded to the blaze, damage was reported as extensive, but did not affect all 42 units at the site. No injuries among fire fighters have been reported.  The addresses to mail donations again: 107 Crest Drive, Bainbridge 13733 or 1-11 Lee Avenue, Norwich 13815.  Checks and Toy Donations will also be accepted starting Monday between 9:00 AM & 5:00 PM, at WCDO at 75 Main Street in Sidney.

Tomorrow is “Small Business Saturday” across the country, where people are encouraged to do holiday shopping at their locally owned merchants.  Steve Craig of Commerce Chenango explains:

(Steve Craig 11-29-13)

Commerce Chenango will have refreshments for shoppers in downtown Norwich tomorrow, for those who bring a receipt from an area business,  to the New Commerce Chenango location at 15 South Broad Street, between 10:00AM until 2:00PM Saturday.

New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced that his office completed an audit of the Afton Fire District.  The audit found that fire district controls are not adequate to ensure that financial activity is properly recorded and reported, and that district moneys are safeguarded. Auditors found the treasurer does not present the board with budget-to-actual reports for expenditures on a monthly basis. Also, the board is not reviewing monthly bank statements or bank reconciliation.

Oxford Village Mayor Terry Stark will participate in the annual Oxford Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, Sunday at 5:00 PM at Lafayette Park.  The event will feature music, refreshments.