WCDO Radio News

The Otego County Chamber of Commerce is hosting a virtual Town Hall State of the State on Tuesday January 5th at 9:00 am.  Congressman Antonio Delgado will be the Keynote presenter More information is available at 432-4500 extension 2.

State Police arrested 27 year old Tyler Palmatier of Otego for the DWI Saturday. Troopers observed damage to a guide rail near County Route 48 and State Route 205 in the town of Oneonta, the trooper also observed Palmatier near a vehicle on County Route 8 that had damage consistent with striking a guiderail. Palmatier and another male attempted to flee, but Palmatier was ultimately taken into custody, he was released on appearance tickets to the town of Oneonta court on November 17th.

2 Otsego County residents charged in a string of armed robberies & burglaries in April, appeared in Otsego County court Friday.  41 Year old Brian Ruple of Oneonta & 41 year old Derrick Gray of Laurens are accused of a break in at Losie's Gun Shop, and armed robberies at Oneonta & Otego convenience stores in April, pleaded not guilty to a variety of robbery & assault charges, they face court action at a later date.

State Police responded Friday to a 3-car crash on State Highway 23 near the intersection of Regan Way in the town of Davenport.  An investigation revealed that a Pontiac driven by 56 year old Kevin Johnson of Windham was stopped waiting to turn left into the Mirabito when he was rear ended by a Hyundai driven by 20 year old Shaun Jones of Davenport, which caused the Hyundai to then enter the westbound lane of traffic and into the path of an ambulance traveling west on State Highway 23.  The ambulance then struck a guiderail.   Jones was transported to Albany Med and was treated & released, Jones's passenger, a 19-year-old female of Otego was transported to Bassett Medical Center.  The driver of the ambulance, 41 year old Gerald Brown of Milford was transported to Fox Hospital, his passenger; a 21-year-old male of Sherburne was also transported to Fox Hospital.  The crash remains under investigation.

State Police made an arrest Friday after a driver drove the wrong way on I-88 for 7 miles near the city of Oneonta. Multiple motorists were forced off the roadway and had to take evasive action when a vehicle was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes of I-88, A Senior Investigator attempted to stop the vehicle and after close to seven miles was able to get the driver into a U-turn near exit 16. 72 year old Steven Wiedeman of Otego was arrested for Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs; he was issued appearance tickets to the city of Oneonta court on September 28th.

A variety of severe weather warnings have been issued throughout the region this afternoon, as severe weather pounded the region.  Meteorologist Rich Townsend comments:

(Rich Townsend 8-27-20)

A Tornado watch remains in effect through 7:00 PM throughout the WCDO Listening area .

Otsego County Department of Health is investigating 9 cases of coronavirus reported Wednesday, 5 of the cases are SUNY Oneonta students. The other 4 cases have been associated with a gathering of high school students. All cases are have been investigated and contacts are being notified.  Currently, Otsego County now reports 128 total confirmed cases, with 15 active cases, 1 person is hospitalized.  The Otsego County Health Department is holding another free COVID 19 testing this morning from 9:00 AM to 12:00 NOON at the former "Greenies" site on state route 7 in Otego, This testing site is for Otsego County residents only who preregister by calling 547-4279.

The Otsego County Health Department announced that they will hold another free COVID 19 testing on Thursday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 NOON at the former "Greenies" site on state route 7 in Otego, near the Unatego school campus.  This testing site is for people who are not sick but want to be tested by a nasal swab.  This is a drive up testing site. Individuals will be required to remain in their vehicle and wear a mask when pulling up to the testing tent.  This testing site is for Otsego County residents only who preregister by calling 547-4279.

A.M. NEWS Tuesday 8-25-20

State Police arrested 48 year old Robert Gregory of Oneonta for 3 counts of Forcible Touching, 3 counts of Sexual Abuse and 2 counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child.  An investigation was opened when the parents of two victims under the age of 17 contacted State Police, an investigation revealed that Gregory allegedly made inappropriate sexual comments and forcibly touched the intimate parts of 2 under aged victims. Gregory was virtually arraigned and remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $500 cash bail or $1,000 bond.  The judge issued orders of protections to each of the victims.

State Police at Oneonta arrested 22 year old Mia Lowry of Pembroke, North Carolina for Criminal possession of Firearm, Reckless Endangerment and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and 26 year old Christy Holden of Lumberton, North Carolina for Reckless Endangerment and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.  A trooper monitoring traffic on I-88 in the town of Otego initiated a traffic stop after observing a traffic infraction; the trooper approached the vehicle & detected an odor of marijuana & also observed a 1 1/2 month infant on the lap of the front seat passenger.  Lowry was driving the vehicle & was in possession of a loaded handgun.  Both were arraigned virtually, with Lowry remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $500 cash bail and Holden was released on her own recognizance.  Both are ordered to appear in the town of Otego court on September 17th.

Broome County Health Department reported a small increase in their COVID 19 positive tests; they are up to 1128 total cases since March, with 75 deaths, 989 recoveries, and 500 being monitored by the Health Department.  The have performed over 34,300 tests.

State Police arrested 21 year old Jordan Pratt of Ithaca for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and 2 counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon.  Troopers monitoring traffic on I-88 in Otego observed a vehicle a traffic infraction, troopers detected an odor of marijuana;   Pratt is accused of possessing 2 illegal and loaded handguns and a quantity of drugs.  The driver and 2 other passengers were not charged.  Pratt was arraigned virtually and was remanded to the Otsego County jail on $5,000 cash bail or $10,000 bond.

State Police have charged 26 year old Shane Santiago of Otego for 2 counts of 2nd degree Manslaughter, in connection with a July 15th early morning accident that killed 2 area women.   The investigation revealed that Santiago was driving an SUV, when the vehicle went off of Otsego County Highway 13 in Pittsfield, causing the death of Cheyenn Aubry of Treadwell & Tehya Gonzalez of Bainbridge, Santiago suffered minor injuries, he was arrested Tuesday, he was arraigned virtually and remanded on $2,000 cash bail or $4,000 bond, the investigation into the crash continues.

The village of Otego will be having their annual Lawn Sale on Saturday July 11th, & the Otego Fire Department will also have their Annual Chicken Barbecue, from 11:00 AM until they are sold out.  Everyone is asked to please wear a mask & practice Social Distancing.

The Oneonta History Center at 183 Main Street reopens to the public on Friday at 12:00 noon. Attendance will be limited to a maximum of 15 persons at a time. Masks and social distancing will be required. There will be regular cleaning and disinfecting of high-contact surfaces.  The History Center's hours are Tuesdays through Fridays 12:00 noon to 4:00 PM and Saturdays 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, more information is available at 432-0960 or info@OneontaHistory.org.

State Police investigated a 1 vehicle tractor trailer crash at about 8:30 Wednesday morning on I-88 in Otego. Troopers reported that the tractor trailer filled with milk containers rolled over on I-88, blocking both lanes of the highway westbound & pour a significant amount of milk on the highway.  The Driver was 26 year old Andrew Lloyd of Porter Corners, he was not injured & told Troopers he fell asleep at the wheel, and he was later taken to Ellis Hospital in Schenectady by his employer.

State Police announced this afternoon that all lanes of I-88 near in Otego have reopened, following a 1 vehicle tractor trailer crash at about 8:30 this morning.  Troopers reported that the tractor trailer filled with milk containers rolled over on I-88, blocking both lanes of the highway westbound & pour a significant amount of milk on the highway.  No injuries were reported in the crash.

The State Health Department is continuing with research regarding the effects that Air Conditioner Filters may have on curtailing the spread of the COVID 19 virus in restaurants, malls, gyms & other inside businesses with heavier densities, Governor Cuomo commented on Wednesday:

(Cuomo 7-2-20)

The state Health Department announced that over 4 million tests have been administered since March, with 394,954 positive tests, there were 10 deaths Wednesday from the virus, and the state death toll is 24,877.  Hospitalizations statewide were at 878 on Wednesday.

State Police arrested 42 year old Jennifer McCluskey of Otego for Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs.  A trooper was dispatched to a one-car crash on County Highway 3A in the town of Unadilla, the trooper discovered that McCluskey’s vehicle was in the embankment, McCluskey was arrested, processed and released on appearance tickets to the town of Unadilla court on July 27th, & was turned over to a sober third party.

State Police arrested 26 year old Eugene Buzie of Oneonta for Menacing, after Troopers were dispatched to a domestic dispute at a residence on County Highway 48 in the town of Otego. Buzie allegedly threatened a victim with a knife during an argument; he was located near Lantern Hill Trailer Park and arrested.  He was arraigned virtually and released on his own recognizance.  An order of protection was issued by the judge to the victim.  Buzie is scheduled to appear in the town of Otego court on June 18, 2020.

There will be a free milk giveaway on Thursday, starting at 11:00 am, at the Unadilla Elementary School, Unatego Middle/High School and the former Otego Elementary school parking lots, Unatego School District teacher Sandra Bonczkowski told WCDO News how it came about:

(Sandra Bonczkowki 5-6-20)

The milk giveaway is open to anyone, while supplies last Thursday morning.

The Otsego County Health Department announced that the free rabies clinics that were scheduled in the month of May have been cancelled.  The full list of Rabies clinics is available at the Otsego County Website; additional changes may be announced at a later date.

Gavin's Pizza in Sidney is giving away free pizzas while supplies last, Owner Mike Gavin explains:

(Gavin 4-27-20)

Gavin's pizza is located on Division Street in Sidney, they have been open for take out & deliveries due to the Coronavirus situation.

State Police and the Oneonta City Police Department announced arrests in Friday's 4 gas station robberies in Otsego County & 2 other burglaries.  41 year old Bryan Ruple of Otego was arrested on a number of charges for the 4 gas station robberies & the burglaries at Losie’s Gun Shop in the town of Davenport & the Oneonta Dollar Tree.  State Police also arrested 41 year old Derrick Gray of Laurens for his role in the convenience store robberies.   Ruple and Gray were held at the Oneonta City Police Department lock up pending court action.

State Police are investigating 2 early morning robberies at gas stations in Otsego County.  At about 2:37 AM, a white or light skinned male suspect demanded money from the clerk at the Mirabito on State Highway 23 in the town of Oneonta, then at about 5:38 AM, a male matching the same description demanded money from the clerk at the Mirabito on County Highway 48 in the town of Otego.  The suspect is described as approximately 5’4” to 5’6”, wearing a surgical type mask and a dark sweatshirt.  The male did not display a weapon but did state that he had one.  Anyone with information should contact the State Police at 561-7400.

Delaware County Sheriff’s
Deputies arrested 21-Year-Old Brendon Frank of Otego for Harassment following
an investigation of a domestic dispute which occurred in the Town of
Walton.  Frank is scheduled to appear at
the Town of Walton Court at a later date to answer the charge.

The annual Regional Spelling Bee competition is scheduled to
be held in Oneonta next month, with the goal of sending the winner to the
National Scripps Spelling Bee in Washington DC later this year.  Martha Ryan of the DCMO BOCES explains:

(Martha Ryan 2-19-20)

Ryan said that anyone wishing to donate to the fund to send
the winner's family to the Scripps Competition can call her at 335-1292 for
more information.

The next meeting of the General
Clinton Canoe Regatta committee will be held tonight in Bainbridge.  The meeting will be held at Galaxy Bowl in
Bainbridge.  The race Committee meeting
will begin at 6:30, the general meeting will begin at 7:30.

Oneonta Police Announced that 32 year old April Johnson has
died in an Albany Hospital.  Johnson was
hit by a car while trying to cross the Lettis Highway on December 30th.  No charges will be filed against the driver
of the vehicle, 41 year old David Shafer of Otego.

State Police arrested 31 year old Ian Frankl of Morris for
DWI, after Troopers were dispatched to a report of a single car crash on State
Highway 7 in the town of Otego.
Complainants reported to troopers that a mailbox had been damaged and
that the driver left the area.  Frankl
was arrested & was released on appearance tickets to the town of Otego
court tomorrow.