WCDO Radio News

Firefighters from a dozen area companies responded to a blaze on Porter Hollow Road in Port Crane at about 8:00 PM Sunday. Firefighters were on the scene for about 4 ½ hours, No injuries were reported , and the unidentified family of 4 were left homeless.

Sheriff Cutting reports on December 6th, 2018 the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested an inmate for assaulting a Corrections Officer. Members of the Detectives Division arrested Michael J. Perry, age 42 who was incarcerated on a separate charge. It is alleged that Perry assaulted a Corrections Officer in an attempt to get to another inmate within the facility. Perry was processed for Assault in the Second Degree and arraigned in the Town of Norwich Court. He was remanded back to the Chenango County Correctional Facility.

Firefighters from Franklin, Oneonta, West Oneonta, Otego, Sidney, SIdney Center, Treadwell & Wells Bridge responded early this morning to a fire at 161 HODGE ROAD in the town of Franklin. The fire was called in at about 12:10 AM; The home was destroyed in the blaze, the cause of the fire is under investigation.

SFCU announced that James Reynolds will replace Jim Doig as the President & CEO of SFCU shortly, both talked to WCDO News about the change in leadership:

(Reynolds/ Doig 12-10-18)

Doig announced his retirement recently after serving for 22 years as the President & CEO of SFCU.

Lee Smith and Harold Baines have been elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame by the Today’s Game Era Committee, it was announced today on MLB Network. The Today’s Game Era Committee considered a ballot of six former players, 3 former managers and 1 former executive whose contributions to the game were most significant from 1988 through the present. The Today’s Game Era Committee held meetings today in Las Vegas, site of Baseball’s Winter Meetings. Smith and Baines will be joined in the Hall of Fame Class of 2019 by any electees who emerge from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America voting, which will be announced on Tuesday, January 22nd.

Retiring State Senator John Bonacic announced that he will be closing his Delhi Office on Friday December 21st. anyone needing to contact Senator Bonacic can call the Middletown Office at 845-344-3311 until the end of the year. Bonacic decided to retire this year after serving for decades in both the State Assembly & State Senate.

State Police arrested 30 year old Dustin Freeman of Morris after he allegedly threatened a victim with a knife and sexually assaulted the victim in the New Berlin area. Freeman was charged with 1st degree Rape, Criminal Sexual Act and Unlawful Imprisonment, after Troopers located Freeman in the city of Rome, where he fled on foot. He was taken into custody & was transported to Norwich where he was processed and later arraigned in the town of Norwich Court where he was remanded to the Chenango County Jail without bail. An order of protection was also issued by the judge to the victim. The investigation is still on-going.

A Town of Norwich resident was arrested by the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office for Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Harassment. Deputies arrested 61 year old Larry Conant after an incident that occurred on a Norwich Central School bus in the town of Guilford. Conant, was a school bus aid, he allegedly used unnecessary force on a 7 year old child. Conant was released on an appearance ticket for a later date.

A Town of Norwich resident was arrested by the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office for Criminal Contempt. Deputies arrested 20 year old Jeremy Thomas After responding to a complaint at a business in the Town of Norwich it was found that Thomas violated an order of protection. Thomas was processed and released on an appearance ticket. Thomas is to appear in the Town of Norwich Court at a later date.

The American Red Cross is hosting a Blood Drive in Sidney today from 2:30 p.m. - 6:30 pm, at the A.O. Fox Tri-Town Campus. Blood donors of all blood types, especially type O, and platelet donors are urged to make an appointment to donate at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS

Luis Rojas will join the New York Mets Major League coaching staff for the 2019 season, filling the new position of Quality Control Coach. Rojas served as the Binghamton Rumble Ponies manager for two seasons, The Mets have yet to name a replacement for Rojas in Binghamton. The Rumble Ponies will start their 2019 home schedule at NYSEG Stadium on April 11, 2019 against the Erie Sea Wolves.

State Police arrested 38 year old Anthony Forte of Otego for Felony Driving While Intoxicated and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation. Troopers were dispatched to Taco Bell in the town of Oneonta for a suspected drunk driver. Forte had a BAC of .16%, twice the legal limit, he was arraigned in the town of Oneonta Court & his next court appearance is November 13th.

Fire Fighters from Otego, Wells Bridge, Franklin & West Oneonta responded last night to the report of a structure fire on County Road 7 in Otego. All of the occupants escaped without injury, fire investigators are trying to determine what started the fire.

The Otsego County Health Department will hold the next Rabies Vaccination clinic tonight in Otego. The clinic will be held at the Otego Fire Department from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. More information is available at 547-4230.

Fire Investigators are trying to determine what started a fire in a trailer at the Sidney Unadilla Trailer Park on State Route 7 Thursday afternoon. The fire was called in at about 1:00 PM Thursday, the 1st trailer was fully involved when fire fighters arrived, 3 occupants escaped without injury, a neighboring trailer suffered some minor damage. Fire fighters from Unadilla, Sidney, Otego & Wells Bridge responded, no injuries were reported.

state Police at Oneonta arrested 46 year old Tracy Neves of Otego for DWI & Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Troopers initiated a traffic stop following the report of a driver acting suspiciously in the town of Oneonta, Neves was intoxicated and in possession of hydrocodone pills, he was arrested and arraigned in the town of Oneonta Court, he was released on his own recognizance and scheduled to reappear on October 18th.

The Unatego Touchdown Club will be holding a 5K run or Walk in Otego this Saturday. Proceeds raised by the event will benefit Unatego Athletic Programs. The run begins at 3:30 PM at the American Legion on Willow Street in Otego, Pre Registration or more information is available at 725-6315 or at the Unatego Touchdown Club" Facebook Page.

The Unatego Touchdown Club will be holding a 5K run or Walk in otego this Saturday. Proceeds raised by the event will benefit Unatego Athletic Programs. The run begins at 3:30 PM at the American Legion on Willow Street in Otego, Pre Registration or more information is available at 725-6315 or at the Unatego Touchdown Club" Facebook Page..

Legendary local canoeist Al Camp of Otego passed away at the age of 89, Camp was one of the originators of the New York Marathon Canoe racing Association, he won the 1969 General Clinton Canoe Regatta pro Race with Jim Root, and he was an original 700 mile club member & finishing 18 times. Camp also started Camp Paddles & Canoes and designed the original bent shaft wooden paddle; he also raced in Quebec, Michigan, and other races around the country & was inducted in 2013 into the General Clinton Canoe Regatta Hall Of Fame, and at that time, he told WCDO about the importance of family & friendship:

(Al Camp)

Calling hours will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m., today, at the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, 14 Grand Street in Oneonta.

State Police at Oneonta arrested 34 year old Rhett Mortland of Otego for Criminal Contempt, after a trooper was dispatched to a residence in Otego for a trespassing complaint. The trooper learned Mortland was issued an order of protection to stay away from the property the previous day; Mortland was arraigned in the town of Laurens Court. He was remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $1,000 cash bail or $3,000 bond.

The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive in Otego today at the Otego Methodist Church at 10 Church Street, the Blood Drive will be held from 2:00 to 6:00 PM , appointments can be made with the Red Cross Blood Donor App, at 1-800-red cross or REDCROSSBLOOD.ORG.

Fire fighters from several area companies responded to a structure fire at 89 Ford Avenue yesterday in Oneonta. Firefighters from Oneonta, Worcester, Franklin, Sidney & Otego responded, early reports suggested that the resident returned home to discover the fire, 1 dog died inside, the investigation is ongoing.

The Unatego School Board has decided to sell the former Otego Elementary School building, to AgZeit LLC, at last night's special board meeting. Unatego Superintendent Dave Richards comments:

(Dave Richards 8-7-18)

The board approved the vote by a 4 to 2 margin, AgZeit plans to use the building for an indoor organic agriculture program.

State Police arrested 37 year old Jarred Cutting of Masonville for Driving While Intoxicated and felony Aggravated Unlicensed Operation, after a trooper was dispatched to the area of Route 991J in Otego. Cutting was located and arrested, he was arraigned in the town of Hartwick Court and remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $2,500 cash bail or $5,000 bond, he will appear in the town of Otego Court today.

The Unatego School Board will meet tonight at 7:00 PM to award the winning bid out of 3 existing bids to take over the former Otego Elementary school building. Unatego Superintednet Dave Richards said that 2+4 Management pulled their proposal:

(Dave Richards 8-6-18)

The 3 exisitng proposals include Kildonan School, with plans for a school for Dyslexic children, LPP Management with plans for senior housing & Offices, and AgZeit with plans for indoor agriculture.

The Unatego School Board conducted a public meeting last night regarding the 4 bids to take over the former Otego Elementary school building. Unatego Superintendent Dr. Dave Richards explains:

(Dave Richards 7-31-18)

The 4 proposal include Kildonan School, with plans for a school for Dyslexic children, LPP Management with plans for senior housing & Offices, 2+4 Management with plans for 36 senior apartments, and AgZeit with plans for indoor agriculture.

The Unatego Board of Education will hold a Public Hearing tonight to solicit community feedback on the 3 proposals for the former Otego School Building, superintendent Dave Richards explains:

(Dave Richards 7-30-18)

The meeting tonight will start at 5:30 in the High School Auditorium, the 3 proposals are available at unatego.org or at the Unatego District Office.

3 proposals were received by the Unatego School District for the sale of the former Otego Elementary School. Superintendent Dr. Dave Richards explains:

(Dave Richards 7-10-18)

Dr. Richards said that the proposals received were from the Kildonan School of Amenia, to turn the building into a school for Dyslexic children, from LPP Management for a mixed use facility & 2+4 Management for senior apartments.

State Police arrested 60 year old Abraham Colon of Kenneth City, Florida for DWI with a BAC of .15. Troopers observed Colon speeding on Interstate 88 in the town of Otego, he was arrested for DWI & several other violations, He was arraigned in the town of Laurens Court & was remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $1,000 cash bail or $2,000 bond.

State Police arrested 24 year old Demario Reed of Guilford for DWI with a reported B.A.C of .17%. Troopers were dispatched to a one car crash into a guiderail on State Highway 7 in the town of Otego, where Reed was arrested; he was released and will appear in the town of Otego Court on June 21st.

State Police announced that 63 year old Wilson Perez of Otego has been located Sunday morning and in New Jersey & was in good health. Perez was reported missing from his residence on Lower Green Street in Otego Friday afternoon, he reportedly suffers from dementia & was new to the area.

The 56th General Clinton Canoe Regatta was held over the Memorial Day weekend with over 1,000 paddlers participating. The popular 70 mile 2 person race was a close one, the team of Andy Triebold & Steve Lajoie won their 8th race by beating 2nd place finishers Serge Corbin & Guillaume Blaise by a little under 5 minutes, but the real excitement was the sprint to the finish for the 2nd place position, where Corbin & Blaise beat local pros Trever LeFever & Ben Schlimmer of Oneonta by 3 seconds. WCDO’s Craig Stevens spoke with challenging the 28 time Regatta Champ:

(Regatta18 –LeFever-Schlimmer)

There were 52 teams in this year’s 70 Mile C2 pro race Monday.
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The 56th General Clinton Canoe Regatta was held over the Memorial Day weekend with over 1,000 paddlers participating. The popular 70 mile 2 person race was a close one, the team of Andy Triebold & Steve Lajoie won their 8th race by beating 2nd place finishers Serge Corbin & Guillaume Blaise by a little under 5 minutes, Serge Corbin joked with WCDO’s Craig Stevens after the race:

(Regatta18-Corbin 2)

Corbin & Blaise outsprinted the local team of Trevor LeFever & Ben Schlimmer coming in 2nd place by just 3 seconds. There were 52 Pro Teams in the C2 pro race this year.
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In the competitive men’s NYMCRA Stock race, Local Paddlers Rob Birdsall & Todd LeFever took 1st place honors, beating the 2nd place team by over 11 minutes, Birdsall commented on the race:

(Regatta 18-Birdsall)

Jeff Newman of Unadilla & Scott Jordan of Otego took 3rd place, Newman talked about the Competition:

(Regatta18-Newman)

Over 1000 paddlers participated over the 4 day weekend of the General Clinton Canoe Regatta.

The 56th General Clinton Canoe Regatta was held this past Memorial Day Weekend; which featured the famous 70 mile races from Cooperstown to Bainbridge on Monday. In the 4 person class, the Michigan team of Bruce & Roxanne Barton, Tim Triebold & Jeff Kolka edged out the 2nd place team of Jeff Shultis, Bob Zaveral, Larry Harrison & Bob Wisse by just 15 seconds, Bruce Barton talked about the tough race:

(Regatta18-Barton)

This is the 2nd time the Michigan paddlers took 1st place in the 4 person race, Bob Zaveral commented on the tight race:

(Regatta18-Zaveral)

Both teams finished in just over 8 hours
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In Monday’s 70 mile 2 person pro race, Andy Triebold & Steve Lajoie from Quebec took 1st place for the 8th time together, beating 2nd place finishers Serge Corbin & Guillaume Blaise by just under 5 minutes. WCDO’s Craig Stevens spoke with Triebold about beating the 28-time winner Serge Corbin:

(Regatta18- Triebold)

The 61 year old Corbin said that he pleased with the 2nd place finish:

(Regatta18 Corbin)

Corbin & Blaise squeaked out 2nd place by just 3 seconds over Oneonta paddlers Trevor LeFever & Ben Schlimmer. This year’s 2 person pro race had 52 teams.
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In the 2 person pro race, Andy Triebold of Michigan & Steve Lajoie from Quebec, won for their 8th time together, Lajoie talked to WCDO’s Craig Stevens about their chemistry:

(Regatta18 –Lajoie)

The pair finished the race in 7:30:11, just under 5 minute ahead of 28 time winner Serge Corbin & partner Guillaume Blaise of Quebec; this was Corbin’s 30th Clinton race.
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Pro-paddler Mike Packard from Otego competed in the C1 pro race Monday, he told WCDO’s Craig Stevens that he ran into some rough spots during the race:

(Regatta18-Packard)

Packard finished 5th in the C1 Pro race. This Year’s Regatta attracted over 1000 paddlers from 24 states 7 3 Canadian Provinces, and continues to be North America’s longest 1 day flatwater river race.
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6 people were inducted into the General Clinton Canoe Regatta Hall of Fame Saturday in Bainbridge, including 25 year scout coordinator Eileen Tallmadge of Afton; she told WCDO how she initially became involved:

(Regatta18-Tallmadge)

This year’s Hall Of Fame class included Clarence “Tete” Pearsall, for his contributions to the event & the park, as well as paddlers Steve Collier of Cooperstown, Al Shaver Sr. of Maryland New York, Nick Lyesiek of Massachusetts & Blair Buckholtz of Wellsville New York.

The Unatego Central School District announced that the will be soliciting proposals for repurposing the former Otego Elementary School. The community-based Repurposing Committee, & the Unatego Board of Education is inviting developers and others who are interested in purchasing the property, a Request for Proposals is available online at unatego.org or at 988-5038. The Property consists of a 47,800 square foot 2-story building and 4.8 acres of land.

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.

55 Year Old John Morrissette of Otego was arrested by the Otsego County Sheriff's department for several charges; including felony DWI aggravated operating a motor vehicle with 0.18 percent BAC, following a traffic stop on Chestnut Street in Oneonta Sunday. Morrissette faces action in Town of Oneonta court on May 8th

THE UPPER SUSQUEHANNA PEDDLERS & PADDLERS CLUB HOSTED THEIR SPRING CANOE RACE SATURDAY, FROM THE ROUTE 205 BRIDGE IN ONEONTA TO THE FISHING ACCESS IN OTEGO. IT’S THE 1st LOCAL RACE OF THE SEASON AS PADDLERS PREPARE FOR THE GENERAL CLINTON CANOE REGATTA. SEVERAL LOCAL PADDLERS HAD GREAT SHOWINGS, TREVOR LEFEVER AND BEN SCHLIMMER WON THE C-2 PRO CLASS WITH RYAN ZAVERAL AND SHANE MCDOWELL TAKING 2ND PLACE. TODD LEFEVER AND ROB BIRDSALL WON THE C-2 MEN'S STOCK UNDER 50 CLASS, JEFF PEDERSEN AND JOHN YOUNG CAPTURED THE C-2 MEN'S OVER 50 DIVISION CROWN, MIKE PACKARD TOOK 2ND PLACE IN THE C-1 UNDER 50 MEN'S DIVISION. MIRANDA ROBINSON AND HOLLY CROUCH WON THE C-2 STOCK WOMEN'S UNDER 50 CLASS. FULL RESULTS CAN BE FOUND AT NYMCRA.ORG.

Several state police vehicles were damaged, and a 16 year old from Otego is facing numerous charges, following a chase from Otego, through Harpursville & back towards Bainbridge on Sunday. Troopers responded to a domestic dispute in Otego Late Sunday Morning, the situation escalated when the unidentified Teen took a minivan and led police on a chase through several towns locally. The teen was charged with Grand larceny, criminal mischief, menacing, reckless endangerment, plus several traffic violations in local courts.

52 year old Michael Slack of Otego has been charged with making a terroristic threat, Menacing, criminal possession of a weapon, & Harassment, following the report of a domestic dispute Tuesday. Slack is accused of making terroristic threats about government officials, & threatening a victim with a rifle; he was arraigned & was remanded to the Otsego County jail on $25,000 cash or $50,000 bond.

State Police executed a search warrant in the town of Unadilla, they arrested 28 year old Michael Schermerhorn, 32 year old Heather Prince, 40 year old Eric Hoyt & 37 year old Barbara Meyers, all of Unadilla, on a variety of charges, including illegal manufacture of Methamphetamine. State Police seized methamphetamine oil, 2 grams of meth, a sawed off shotgun, a digital scale and components used to make methamphetamine. All 4 were arraigned in the town of Otego Court & were remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $15,000 cash bail or $30,000 bond pending court action on March 29th.

State Police arrested 34 year old Christopher Davis of Otego for Criminal Mischief and Criminal Contempt, after Troopers were called to a residence on State Route 357 in the town of Franklin for a dispute Monday. Troopers determined Davis had violated an order of protection and also damaged property, he was located in Cooperstown where he was arrested. Davis was issued appearance tickets and is due in the town of Franklin Court on March 22, 2018.

State Police arrested 25 year old Chad Darwesh of Schenectady for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia, Unlawful Possession of Marihuana and Controlled Substances in Non-Original Container and several traffic infractions. Troopers observed Darwesh speeding on Interstate 88 in Otego, A passenger 30 year old Michael Horton of Schenectady, was charged with Unlawful Possession of Marihuana. Darwesh was arraigned in the town of Otego Court and remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $1,000 cash bail or $2,000 bond.