WCDO Radio News

The Chenango County Historical Society and the Chenango County Historian’s Office are hosting the “America’s Potluck & Turtle Island Festival” from 4–8 pm. on July 5 at the Chenango County Fairgrounds. Historical Society Executive Director Jessica Moquin told WCDO what people can expect to see:

(Jessica Moquin 7-3-26)

The event is part of the local commemorations of America250, made possible by the NY 250 Commission, the Community Foundation for South Central New York and UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital.

Days 3 and 4 of the 4 day Oneonta 250 celebration continues Saturday & Sunday; On Saturday, the traditional Hometown Fourth events will be held, Hill City Celebrations Board Chairman Sean Lewis comments:

(Sean Lewis 7-3-26)

Lewis said that More information is at hometown4th.com.

The weekend concludes from 1 to 5 pm. Sunday, July 5 with Huntington Park’s Festival Under the Big Tent, a re-creation of a Redpath Chautauqua event that took place in 1914 in Huntington Park. Huntington Library Director Alex Benjamin explains:

(Alex Benjamin 7-3-26)

America 250 Oneonta events are supported by the City of Oneonta, as well as local businesses, more information is available by visiting Facebook: Oneonta250.

On Saturday, July 4 The Unadilla Time Capsule on the Community House front lawn, will be opened up after a parade, Jill Sholtes was 1 of the 4th Graders in 1976 who participated in the planning the Time Capsule, and is 1 of Saturday;s organizers, told WCDO about the Capsule:

(Jill Sholtes 7-3-26)

Sholtes said that 23 of the 1976 4th Graders will be there Saturday, after the parade from the Unatego Elementary School to the Community House, The Time Capsule will be opened at 12:00 Noon. A new Tricentennial time capsule for 2076 is being organized by the Rotary Club of Unadilla. Anyone is invited to contribute an item to be opened on July 4, 2076.

The City of Oneonta Planning Commission unanimously approved the site plan for Solstice Commons, a housing project proposed by Rehabilitation Support Services. The development would be built on a 6.4-acre plot at 164 River Street, consisting of a 3-story building, the Units are designated for households earning between 30% and 70% of the area median income, with about half of the units intended for individuals living with mental illness issues. The Planning Commission determined that the project will have no adverse environmental impact.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 2-26-26

Area Congressman Josh Riley participated in a hearing of the Public Service Commission last week where he cross-examined NYSEG executives and demanded answers about why the utility monopoly is demanding Upstate New Yorkers pay higher bills while sending millions in profits to its foreign parent company. Riley has co-sponsored a bill to take on Utility Companies like NYSEG:

(Josh Riley 2-26-26)

Riley said that NYSEG executives confirmed for the first time they authorized a $450 million dividend to Iberdrola; their parent corporation in Spain, they were already preparing to request a rate increase of more than $500 million, which would increase New Yorkers Monthly bills by about $35 dollars a month. The Public Service Commission is expected to rule on the NYSEG rate request shortly.

The Chenango County Historical Society has been selected to receive strategic planning assistance through the Documentary Heritage and Preservation Services for New York Planning & Assessment Services, after they developed a streamlined process to guide organizations in the development of a 3-year strategic plan, visit ChenangoHistorical.org for more details about this and other museum programs.

The Future for Oneonta Foundation announced the appointment of Gary Herzig as the new Chair of the Board of Directors, along with the addition of Kim Muller and John Nader to the Board. Herzig, Muller & Nader are all former Mayors of the City of Oneonta, the Future for Oneonta Foundation remains committed to investing in programs and projects that create lasting impact. For more information, visit www.futureforoneonta.org

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 2-26-26

Vestal Police responded Wednesday to a report of an individual experiencing a mental health crisis in the area of 581 Sequoia Lane, officers encountered an individual who was in possession of a knife and threatening self-harm. During the course of the interaction, officers made numerous requests for the individual to drop the knife. The individual ignored commands and threw a television at officers & raised the knife and advanced toward an officer. Despite the continued de-escalation efforts, shots were fired and the individual was struck. The individual was transported to Wilson Medical Center. No officers were injured during the incident. State Police will conduct an independent investigation into the circumstance surrounding the shooting. State Police announced that the individual was identified as 38 year old Eslam Ahmed Hegazy of Vestal, he has succumbed to his injuries.

State ethics regulators have asked State Attorney General Letitia James to investigate who may have illegally leaked information about a closed-door vote to Governor Cuomo’s office in 2019. The Joint Commission on Public Ethics, or JCOPE, voted to refer the matter to Attorney General James for a criminal investigation, if she accepts the referral, they would attempt to figure out who provided Cuomo's office with legally protected information from the ethics panel regarding a complaint against Cuomo's former top aide, Joseph Percoco.

An American Red Cross Blood drive will be held at the Sidney Fire department Training center on River Street today from 11:00 to 4:00 PM. A Blood drive is also being held today at the Elm Park Methodist Church on Chestnut Street in Oneonta from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and a blood drive is also being held in Norwich today at the Broad Street Methodist Church from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Registration is available at redcrossblood.org.

Delaware County's Board of Elections has received funding from a grant to change their system thanks. The Board is planning to create more access with a new early voting site at an undetermined location & they are working on securing a Technology Innovation and Election Resource Grant to purchase an absentee ballot scanner and additional software.

The COVID testing center at SUNY Oneonta administered its 10,000th pool test for COVID since opening January 18th, in preparation for the spring semester.   The positivity rate has fallen from .74 percent in late January to .19 percent last Friday.  Following mandatory pre-testing before the start of the spring semester, SUNY Oneonta students who come to campus have been required to test weekly, as have campus employees. To ensure social distancing and accommodate high volume safety, the college set up a testing center in the largest space on campus, at the Alumni Field House.

Oneonta Mayor Gary Herzig released a statement today that he will not seek re-election in the next election in November.  Herzig has been mayor of Oneonta since 2015, prior to that he served as the vice chair of the Oneonta Planning Commission and the chair of the Oneonta Board of Assessment and Review.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 2-23-21

Oneonta Fire Department responded to a fire on Shaffer Avenue last night at about 7:00 PM.  2 occupants escaped without injuries, there was smoke damage inside, and fire damage to one wall, the investigation is continuing.

The Oneonta Common Council will hold a special meeting on
Monday September 30th at 6:00 PM at City Hall.
The meeting has been called in order to discuss the council's guideline
for the City Staff's preparation for the city's 2020 budget.

The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce announced their 2019
Workforce Summit will be held on Thursday, October 10th  at Morris Hall at SUNY Oneonta starting with
9:00 AM.    The Chamber of looking for
Educators, Students, Workforce and Economic Developers, Community Leaders,
Human Resource Specialists, Employers, and Industry Partners to come together
to improve the overall quality of the region's workforce.  More information is available by email to
kathryn@otsegocc.com

.

New York State is the 1st state
to implement a ban on the sale of flavored e-cigarettes and nicotine e-liquids,
following a vote on emergency regulations by the Public Health and Health
Planning Council. The ban is the latest in a series of actions to combat the
increase in young people using vape products, after e-cigarette companies
marketed flavors that are intended to get children addicted to nicotine.  The Department of Health will provide
retailers with an approximate two-week grace period before conducting visits to
enforce the flavoring ban beginning on Monday, October 4th.

State Senator Jim Seward joined members of the senate and
assembly for a public hearing on rural broadband expansion in Albany Tuesday.  Senator Seward's district lacks high-speed
broadband, yesterday’s public hearing featured testimony from state agencies
including the New York State Broadband Program Office and the Public Service
Commission, local government officials, school leaders, rural electric
cooperative associations, and business representatives.

The state Department of Public Service announced a proposed
agreement with Charter-Spectrum that would allow the company to remain in
business in New York State.    Charter
would expand broadband service to 145,000 businesses and residences in upstate
New York by Sept. 30, 2021; they would provide $12 million for broadband
expansion, primarily for unserved and underserved properties.   A 60-day public comment period would follow;
any agreement must be approved by the Public Service Commission.

The City of Oneonta announced that starting at 9:00 PM Tonight;
Main Street will be closed to all traffic, as crews will be installing a new
water service at 221 Main Street.  Main
Street will be closed from Chestnut Street to Elm Street; pavement restoration
is expected to occur Tuesday night.

The Otsego Local Government Training Workshop will be held
at the Meadows Office Complex in Cooperstown.
The Comprehensive Planning session will be held from 5:00 to 6:00 PM,
the Community Design Tools session will be from 6:45 to 8:15 PM.  More information is available at 547-4225.

The State Education Department needs to improve its efforts
to ensure school districts are following state requirements for school safety
planning, according to an audit released by State Comptroller Tom
DiNapoli.  The audit found that the Department
did not do enough to make certain that the requirements under the Safe Schools
Against Violence in Education Act were being met by school districts, many of
the districts could not demonstrate they had adopted annual safety plans, held
public hearings on the plans, or appointed required personnel to safety teams
or trained employees on the plans.

State DEC Officials remind New
Yorkers that there is a burn ban in the state through May 14.  Officials stated that open burning of
household trash releases dangerous compounds including arsenic, carbon
monoxide, formaldehyde, and lead, into the air, & that open burning is also
the single greatest cause of wildfires in New York, a few have already been
reported in the Mohawk Valley Region.
More information is available at dec.ny.gov/chemical.

State Police arrested 54 year old William Davis of Franklin
for DWI, after a trooper was dispatched to State Highway 357 in the town of
Sidney for a 1-car rollover.  The trooper
located Davis’s vehicle down an earth embankment and on its roof.  Davis was uncooperative with the trooper’s
investigation and did not want to be seen by EMS even though he had blood on
his face and hands,  He arrested &
arraigned in the town of Sidney Court and remanded to the Delaware County Jail
on $1,000 cash bail or $2,000 bond.  His
next court date in the town of Sidney is Thursday, He will also to appear at a
DMV refusal hearing on May 3, 2019 in the city of Oneonta.

The State DEC and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
have scheduled a meeting in Hancock, today from 6:00 to 7:00 PM to update the
public on the ongoing 3-Year Joint Fisheries Investigation Plan for the Upper
Delaware River Tailwaters. The meeting will be held at Hancock High School, 67
Education Lane in Hancock.

The Public Service Commission granted Charter Spectrum another extension to come up with a plan on how they plan to leave the state. The Commission ruled in July that Charter Spectrum failed its agreement to expand its network to rural areas, Spectrum had 60 days to come up with a 6-month exit plan, Spectrum now has until November 26th to file for a rehearing and until December 24th to file an exit plan.

The Otsego County Planning department & Otsego Rural Housing Assistance teamed up recently to get answers from Otsego County Residents regarding their housing situation. County Planning Director Karen Sullivan explains:

(Karen Sullivan 10-19-18)

Sullivan said that the results of the survey were similar to years past, they can be accessed currently at otsegoruralhousing .org or, soon, at the Otsego County website.

The Sidney-Oneonta Area chapter of the Disabled American Veterans needs volunteer drivers to bring vets to the Albany VA Hospital. Program Spokesman Ernest Thompson told WCDO News that volunteers would need to visit the Albany VA Hospital to become certified to volunteer:

(Ernest Thompson 10-19-18)

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer driver for the disabled American Veterans can call Thompson at 764-8134 or Michael Alvin at 988-9330.

Governor Cuomo announced that more than $3.4 million in projects in the Southern Tier are expected to begin this fall to help flood-prone communities plan and prepare for extreme weather events as they continue to recover from Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. The funding is part of more than $41.1 million in NY Rising Community Reconstruction projects slated to get underway across the state this fall. The 3 Broome County projects were identified by NY Rising Community Reconstruction Planning Committee members as priorities for their neighborhoods and are among hundreds across the state funded by the Governor's Office of Storm Recovery NY Rising Community Reconstruction Program.

State Police arrested 30-year-old Paige Shaul of Oneonta on charges of 3rd degree Grand Larceny & filing a false instrument with intent to defraud, in connection with an incident on January 8th. Shaul faces court action at a later date.

2 committees will be meeting at Oneonta City Hall today. The Airport Commission will hold their meeting at 4:00 PM; the Planning commission will hold their meeting at 7:00 PM. Both meetings will be held in the Common Council Chambers at Oneonta City Hall.

Oneonta Police arrested 20-year-old Julian Vancourt-Weis of Schenectady, on charges of 1st degree attempted murder, 1st degree assault, and criminal possession of a weapon. Oneonta Police responded late Friday night to the report of a domestic dispute at 30 Maple Street, the victim was taken to Albany Medical center with stab wounds to the face, neck, shoulder & arms, she was subsequently released from the Hospital Saturday night. Vancourt-Weis was arraigned & was sent to the Otsego County Jail without bail pending future court action.

The Oneonta Police Department announced that, in anticipation of the snow event predicted for Tomorrow, the City is lifting parking regulations in municipal lots effective at midnight, Tuesday December 12th. Residents are reminded that vehicles are not permitted to be parked on city streets any time there is more than 2 ½” of snowfall.

The City of Oneonta announced the cancellation of 4 meetings this week, due to a lack of agenda items. Cancelled are today's "Operations, Planning & Evaluation Committee meetings, Tuesday's Legislative committee meeting, and the Community Development committee & Planning Commission meetings on Wednesday.

The Broome County District Attorney, the State Commissioner of Taxation and Finance and State Police announced a large scale bust of untaxed tobacco products which resulted in 14 arrests. 13 people from Broome County and one person from Elmira were arrested in a bust of shops selling untaxed cigarettes. State Police made the arrests Thursday evening, in simultaneous sweeps of 11 convenience stores, more charges are anticipated.

The Oneonta Common Council voted in favor of begin the process of demolishing the Grandstand Area of Damaschke field, which was partially condemned & rusting badly. The Grandstand area of the stadium was built in 1939; the top level was condemned earlier this year. The city will seek grants through the REDC process to replace the structure; the bleachers will be used to accommodate fans for Oneonta Outlaws games this season.

The Oneonta Airport Commission will hold their next regular meeting this afternoon. The meeting will begin at 4:00 PM in the Common Council Chambers at City Hall. Tonight's Planning Commission meeting has been cancelled.

Standard & Poor Global ratings has raised the City of Oneonta's Long Term rating to AA-, on the city's general obligation debt. The ratings review was issued in anticipation of the city's issuance of 4.2 Million Dollars in general obligation bonds next month. The improved rating will mean lower long-term interest rates & lower costs to taxpayers over the life of the bonds.

The next meeting of the City of Oneonta's Planning Commission will be tonight at City Hall. The meeting begins at 7:00 PM in the Common Council Chambers on the 2nd floor.

The Oneonta city planning commission meeting scheduled for November 16th has been cancelled. The next regular meeting will be held on December 21st in the Common Council chambers at Oneonta City Hall at 7:00 PM.

Crowds gathered at the Eichler residence on Country Club Road in Oneonta this morning to witness a 94-foot Norwegian Spruce tree being removed; it will become the 2nd tallest Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree ever. The tree was removed this morning; it will be transported to New York City, where the set up will begin Saturday. The tree will be lit up as part of a nationwide broadcast on November 30th.

The Oneonta city planning commission meeting scheduled for November 16th has been cancelled. The next regular meeting will be held on December 21st in the Common Council chambers at Oneonta City Hall at 7:00 PM.

A rally in support of the Sioux at Standing Rock of North Dakota is being held this afternoon in the Muller Plaza in Oneonta from 5:30 to 8:00 PM. The Sioux are at odds with a plan to have the Dakota Access Pipeline run through land that they consider sacred. More information is available at the "Stand with Standing Rock" Facebook page.

The meeting of the Oneonta Planning commission originally scheduled for today has been cancelled. The next meeting has been scheduled for November 16th in the Common Council Chambers at City Hall.

The City of Oneonta will be crack sealing the Dietz Street parking lot and several other city streets beginning tomorrow morning. The work will begin at 7:00 AM, and signage & flaggers will guide traffic through the affected streets. More information is available at 432-2100. In the event of a rain out, the work will proceed the following day.

Governor Cuomo signed legislation to curb the power of independent expenditure campaigns unleashed by the 2010 Supreme Court case Citizens United vs. Federal Election Commission. The legislation strengthen disclosure requirements for political consultants and lobbyists who provide services to sitting elected officials or candidates for elected office by requiring them to register with the state and reveal their clients.

The Oneonta Job Corps Academy announced that their annual baseball game would be held today at Damasche Field in Oneonta. Oneonta Job Corps Students and Staff versus The family resource Network will play today, the gates will open at 6:30pm, the game Starts at 7:00 pm followed by fireworks at around 8:45pm. The game is free and open to the public.

The Greater Maywood Society has been attempting to sell the firmer Sidney Center School, but they are planning a special community event to open up time capsules Saturday. Spokesman Mike Sellitti explains:

(Mike Sellitti 8-27-16)

The event is open to the public; it will also feature music, a barbecue, as well as displays & memorabilia from the Greater Maywood Society & the Sidney Alumni Association. The event runs from 4:00 to 7:00 PM Saturday at the former Sidney Center School.

Fire fighters from several area departments responded this morning to a structure fire on Main Street in Delhi. The fire began at about 6:30 this morning in the kitchen of Village Pizzeria at 106 Main Street, it eventually spread to an adjacent antiques store. Main Street has been closed off & the Delaware County Courthouse has cancelled all activity today due to a loss of electrical power. Delaware County Emergency Services department reported that fire fighters from Manpower and Apparatus from Delhi, Andes, Bloomville, Bovina, Franklin, Margaretville, Meridale, Oneonta, Pindars Corners, Sidney, Walton, & Wells Bridge responded, 1 firefighter fell on stairs & suffered minor injuries.

Otsego County will be holding its annual Household Hazardous Waste Event for Small Businesses on Friday September 9th from 2:00 PM TO 4:00 PM at the Meadows Office Complex County Highway 33W in Cooperstown. Otsego County small businesses should call the County Planning Department to register, or obtain more information, at 547-4225 Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Registration ends September 2nd

The City of Oneonta Civil Service commission will hold their next meeting this afternoon. The meeting will be held in the common council chambers at city hall beginning at 4:30 PM.

The City of Oneonta announced that due to utility work at the Housing Visions Project at Columbia & west Street, traffic would be detoured today, Monday & Tuesday; Detour signs will be set up to direct traffic away from the scheduled work.

The Oneonta Department of public Service will continue flushing water mains on the low service in the downtown region next week. Flushing will occur between 11:00 PM & 5:30 AM from Monday August 22nd through Thursday the 25th. Water users may notice low pressure or a change in water color, more information is available at 432-2100.

The next Otsego county free rabies clinic will be held today, in Oneonta. The clinic will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Neahwa Park for dogs & cats that are at least 3 months old.

The Oneonta city clerk's office announces that the airport commission & the planning Commission meetings originally scheduled for today have been cancelled, the next meetings for both commissions will be on September 21st at city hall.

The City of Oneonta & The Oneonta Municipal Airport Commission announced their 50th Anniversary Celebration would be held next month. The Celebration will be held on Saturday September 17th from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Airport at 391 Airport road.

The City of Oneonta will be blanket patching Church Street from High Street to Franklin Street, And Ford Avenue from Main Street to Walnut Street starting today through next Tuesday. There will be no on street parking, all vehicles must be moved by 6:00 AM each day, or they will be towed at the owner’s expense. More information is available at 432-2100.

An Interfaith Candlelight Vigil will be held tonight in Oneonta, in support of the Orlando Florida Shooting Victims. The vigil will begin at 7:00 PM in Muller Plaza on Main Street, the event is being hosted by the Unitarian Universalist Society of Oneonta, The 1st Methodist Church, the Oneonta NAACP & the city Of Oneonta Commission on Community Relations & Human Rights.

The State Public Service Commission adopted a 3-year electric and gas rate plans for NYSEG & Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation. Effective July 1 of this year through April 30, 2019, typical residential electric customers in NYSEG’s service territory will see a monthly delivery charge increase of approximately $2.20 in the first year with increases of $1.76 and $1.79, respectively, in the second and third years. Under the company’s proposal, in rate year one, typical residential customers would have experienced an increase in delivery charges of $8.79 per month. Typical residential gas customers in NYSEG’s service territory will see a monthly delivery charge increase of approximately $1.35, $4.01, and $4.21 in rate year one, two and three, respectively.

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman reminded New Yorkers of common scams that occur during the summer, targeting consumers embarking on home improvement projects or planning family vacations. The Attorney General urged New Yorkers to notify his office If they have been targeted or victimized by these scams, through the Consumer Complaint Hotline at 1-800- 771-7755 or online at ag.ny.gov.

Constitution Pipeline Company has appealed the State DEC’s refusal to grant the company’s request for a Section 401 Water Quality Certification under the Clean Water Act. The appeal was filed with the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, they contend that the refusal is arbitrary and capricious and constitutes an impermissible challenge to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, which was issued in December 2014. The company also filed an action with the U.S. District Court seeking a declaration that the State of New York’s authority to exercise permitting jurisdiction over certain other environmental matters is preempted by federal law.

The Bainbridge Village Planning Board Meeting originally scheduled for yesterday, has been rescheduled for Monday May 23rd at 7:00 pm. The meeting will be held in the Bainbridge Village Clerk's office at 33 West Main Street & is open to the pubic.

State Police responded to a Delaware County 911 report of a motor vehicle accident on West Kortright Church Road in the Town of Kortright, Monday at around 5:45 PM. Troopers determined that 58 year old Michael Berry of East Meredith, lost control of his pickup truck, he left the roadway, struck a culvert, & overturned. Berry was transported to Fox Hospital in Oneonta where he was pronounced deceased from internal injuries. The investigation is ongoing.

The Oneonta Common Council will hold their next regular meeting this evening. The meeting will begin at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers on the 2nd floor of Oneonta City Hall & is open to the public.

State Police at Oneonta arrested 50-year-old Lisa Morse of Oneonta on 9 counts of petty larceny. The investigation determined that over the past 3 weeks, Morse allegedly stole property on 9 different occasions from the Oneonta Wal-Mart, totaling over $480. Morse was issued a ticket returnable to the Town of Oneonta Court on January 26th.

Today’s Oneonta Airport commission meeting at 4:00 PM has been cancelled. The city clerk’s office also reminds the public that the Planning commission meeting will not be meeting today; it had been cancelled since a January 11th announcement.

The town of Oneonta planning board completed the required environmental review process & the review of the proposal full-build-out of the remaining acreage at the Oneonta Business Park. The site plan provides for up to 3 buildings, 170 parking spaces & space for warehousing, distribution and small-scale manufacturing.

The city of Oneonta will have 3 different meeting held today at city hall. At 4:00 PM, the Airport commission will meet in the Common Council Chambers at City hall; the City Planning commission will meet at 7:00 PM, also in the Common Council Chambers. Also the Environmental Board will hold an informal workshop at 7:00 PM that will be held in the basement Conference room

State Police arrested 45 year old Ronald Brennan of Oneonta for aggravated DWI with a BAC result of .25%, plus unlawful possession of marihuana and several other traffic violations. This arrest occurred after troopers observed Brennan driving without license plates in the Town of Milford. Brennan is accused of driving and unregistered and uninsured Honda Civic while intoxicated, he was found to unlawfully possess marihuana. Brennan was issued tickets returnable to the Town of Milford court on December 1st.

The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood to help ensure a sufficient blood supply throughout the holiday season. Donors with all blood types are needed, and especially those with types O negative, B negative, A negative and AB. All those who come to donate a blood drive will be held in Oneonta from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Country Club Auto Group, 55 oneida street, appointments can be made with the Red Cross Blood Donor App from app stores, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

The Oneonta city department of public service has completed the flushing of water mains in the city's west end. Officials announced that the final phase of low service flushing would begin next week in the 6th ward, starting on Monday & lasting several weeks. Water may be discolored or pressure may be low during the flushing, more information is available at 432-2100.

The Oneonta planning commission will hold their next regular meeting this evening. The meeting will begin at 7:00 PM in the Common Council Chambers on the 2nd floor of Oneonta City Hall.

The Cancer Services Program of Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie counties will offer free health screenings to women 40 and older who are uninsured or underinsured. The Bassett Coach will be available from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Family Planning of Walton, 130 North Street. Appointments are requested at 1-888-345-0225.

Former Tennessee Congressional Candidate Robert Doggart pleaded Not Guilty Tuesday in federal court, for allegedly planning to attack Islamberg in the town of Hancock. Doggart is accused of planning murder & arson at the Muslim hamlet & recruiting others by Facebook & by phone to carry out the plan. Doggart was arrested by the FBI in April, & could face 10 years in prison if convicted.

A Meeting will be held tonight in Oneonta where Federal Energy Regulatory Commission staff will conduct a scoping meeting for the Northeast Energy Direct Project, from the Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company. All interested parties are invited to attend and present comments tonight at the Foothills Performing Arts Center beginning at 7:00 PM. The Tennessee Gas Pipeline project calls for a 2nd pipeline to come through the southern tier along the I-88 corridor; more information is available through FERC at 202-502-6088.

Oneonta Police Department responded to Luther Street for a reported violation of an order of protection. 32-year-old Keion Pierre of Oneonta is accused of violating an order of protection, Pierre fled the scene on foot with the officer giving chase, but he was taken into custody after a brief struggle. Pierre was found to be in possession of 24 Baggies of heroin, 3.9 grams of crack cocaine, plus marihuana and drug paraphernalia. Pierre was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Criminal Contempt, Resisting Arrest, Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia & Unlawful Possession of Marihuana, he was held pending arraignment at the City of Oneonta Court.

The Oneonta Planning commission will hold their next meeting tonight, on the agenda is a proposal for demolishing 31 Clinton Street, the meeting will begin at 7:00 PM in the Oneonta City Hall Common Council Chambers.

The Greater Chenango Cares Event is continuing at the Norwich High School, with a variety of "no cost" medical services. Chenango County Planning Department Spokesperson Rena Doing comments:

(Rena Doing 7-14-15)

Dental appointments must be made at 337-1643, veterinary services were booked up in advance, there may be limited slots open, and more information is available at 334-9724, extension 6. The program will run through July 22nd.

Federal officials have scheduled hearings on the 2nd natural gas pipeline proposal through the Southern Tier. The sessions hosted by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will begin at 7:00 PM Thursday at the Foothills Performing Arts Center in Oneonta, & at the Days Inn in Schoharie. Kinder Morgan proposes constructing a pipeline along the same corridor as the recently approved Constitution Pipeline, to move gas from Pennsylvania into New England. The Kinder Morgan Pipeline still needs approval from FERC.

State Police at Oneonta arrested 46 year old Nicholas Mihalik of Davenport for 3rd degree Assault. The arrest resulted from a complaint at a residence in the Town of Kortright, Mihalik was arraigned and remanded to the Delaware County Jail on bail.

State Police arrested 52-year-old Katrina Diamond of Otego for Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated with a reportable BAC result of .21%.  The arrest was made for failing to keep right on State Route 7 in Oneonta, Diamond was found to be driving while intoxicated and with an open bottle of vodka in the vehicle.  She was issued tickets returnable to the Town of Oneonta Court on March 4th.

Members of Habitat for Humanity of Delaware County are planning to undertake a building renovation project in Delhi this summer.    Currently the organization is looking for volunteers and volunteer organizations to assist with all components of the build.   The existing structure is on 3 acres along Spring Valley Road, it was donated to the local Habitat Board last year and is in need of an addition to accommodate the average needs of a family.  More information is available at 746-9987 or by email at: habitatdelawarecounty@gmail.com.

The State Public Service Commission will develop a review process for future transmission projects that can be built within existing utility or State-owned rights-of-way.  The plan stems from Governor Cuomo’s call in his State of the State address, to make upgrades to aging infrastructure, and address congestion problems that cost electric customers hundreds of millions of dollars in excess electricity costs. Upgrading the system to reduce congestion could enhance system flexibility and efficiency, reduce environmental and health impacts and promote lower cost generation in upstate areas

The 2nd Otsego County Economic Development Summit will be held today at the Foothills Performing Arts Center in Oneonta from 7:00 AM to Noon.  State Senator Jim Seward hosts the event in cooperation with the Otsego County IDA, Otsego County Development Corporation, Otsego County Chamber of Commerce and Citizens’ Voice. Time Warner Cable subscribers in the Oneonta area will be able to view the summit on local cable channel 23.  A live webcast link will be available on Senator Seward’s website, senatorjimseward.com.

The New York Department of State today announced more than $2 million in Appalachian Regional Commission grant awards to 15 regional economic development projects in the Southern Tier. This year's Recipients include the Southern Tier East Regional Planning and Development Board, Broome County: Southern Tier Regional Farmers Market & the Southern Tier Network Marketing.

State Troopers arrested 31-year-old Douglas Dungy of Oneonta for 2nd degree Aggravated Unlicensed Operation. The arrest resulted from a traffic stop on County Route 22, in Richfield Springs; Dungy was issued tickets and released for a later court date.

The Otsego county health department announced that they would be holding a free T-Dap vaccination clinic today at the Oneonta office from 1:00 to 4:00 PM.  The announcement follows a recent whooping cough outbreak; more information is available at otsegohealth.com, or by calling 547-4230.

The Oneonta city planning commission will meet today, to continue its review of the long environmental assessment form submitted by Newman Development Corporation, regarding their proposed Hillside Commons student housing development.  The meeting will be held in the common council chambers on the 2nd floor of Oneonta city hall at 7:00 PM.  More information is available at 432-6450.