WCDO Radio News

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 33 year old Nicole Conklin of Otego for 3rd degree Assault following an investigation into a reported physical domestic dispute in the Village of Schenevus. Conklin caused physical injury to another party, she was later located and taken into custody and was then turned over to the Otsego County Correctional Facility to await arraignment, an order of protection was issued to protect the victim.

The Harris Memorial Library in Otego will host their annual "Silver Tea" Sunday at 1:00 PM. Winners for the raffle will be announced for those who purchased tickets in the last 4 weeks.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 12-6-24

The Sidney Chamber of Commerce Holly Jolly annual parade & Christmas activities will be held this evening, Chamber President Teri Schunk explains:

(Teri Schunk 12-6-24)

Anyone interested in participating in the parade can just line up in the plaza paring lot, there is no pre-registration required.

The Otsego County Office of Emergency Services announced that they have sent personnel to assist in the fighting of the Catskills area wildfires in Ulster, Sullivan & Orange Counties. Otsego County deployed 5 Hand-crews, totaling 25 firefighters, to assist in Greenwood Lake, with fire fighters from Milford, Otego, Unadilla, & West Laurens Fire Departments, as well as Otsego County Emergency Services Deputy Fire Coordinator Jeremy Hilton. An extended appreciation is warranted to the Cherry Valley, Garrattsville, Gilbertsville, Morris, Mount Vision, Richfield Springs, West Exeter & Worcester Fire Departments for also offering additional personnel for deployment.

Several Area Fire Departments responded to a Chimney Fire at 9 Ceperley Avenue in Oneonta early this morning. The Fire was reported shortly before 4:30 AM this morning, with fire on the 1st & 2nd floor, coming through the roof, mutual aid was received by the Oneonta Fire Department from West Oneonta, Worcester, Sidney, Franklin, Milford, Laurens & Otego, at about 5:30 AM, the Fire knocked down, the investigation into the cause of the fire in ongoing.

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce announced that Drivers are able to reduce the cost of their auto insurance coverage by taking a Defensive Driving Course offered at the Chamber Business Center in Delhi on Tuesday, October 22 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm in the Meeting Room at 5 ½ Main Street in Delhi. The course fee is $35 and attendance is limited to 20 people. Advance registration is required and may be completed by calling Sherry Stewart at 607.538.9632.

A.M. NEWS Tuesday 10-8-24

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 35 year old Richie Rodriguez of Bronx for Criminal Possession of Stimulant, Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance, Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation and a host of traffic tickets following an investigation after a traffic stop on State Highway 7 in the Town of Otego. Rodriguez was processed and held at the Otsego County Correctional Facility pending Arraignment.

Otsego County Public Health is holding a rabies vaccination clinic today at the Otego Fire House for dogs, cats & ferrets. The Clinic will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 PM tonight.

A.M. NEWS Friday 9-27-24

The City of Oneonta Fire and Police Departments are currently investigating a fire that occurred at 47 Chestnut Street Thursday afternoon. Emergency responders were called to the scene at approximately 1:03 PM, finding smoke showing from a second story window above the Oneonta Theatre. A single fatality has been reported and the identity of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. The Oneonta Fire and Police Departments were assisted by the West Oneonta, Otego, Franklin, Sidney, Cooperstown, and Worcester Fire Departments; the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Emergency crews responded to an accident on I-88 yesterday afternoon at about 1:00 PM, between Oneonta and Otego. A tractor trailer went off of the road & tipped over onto its side, the driver was not injured.

The Gilbertsville-Mt. Upton Alumni Association is planning the 4th Annual Fall Scholarship Fundraiser for Friday and Saturday, at the Hidden Springs Brewhouse, Norwich. There will be food & live music, The Alumni Association awards up to four scholarships annually for a graduating GMU senior to help with college or technical school expenses. More information is available by calling 607-888-1459.

State Police arrested 21 year old Nathan Kurtz of Bainbridge for Driving While Intoxicated and Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Accident. Troopers responded to a report of a vehicle that was disabled on County Road 48 and that it had left the scene of an accident. Troopers determined that Kurtz had driven the vehicle impaired and damaged a yard, he was transported to the Oneonta barracks where he was evaluated by a Drug Recognition Expert. Kurtz was processed and issued appearance tickets to the Otego Town Court on October 17th.

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 33 year old Dustin Light of Unadilla for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation & Speeding following a traffic stop on September 7, in the Town of Otego. Light was issued tickets returnable to Town of Otego Court at a later date.

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 39 year old Michael Hitchcock of Otego for Criminal possession of a controlled substance & on an existing warrant, Hitchcock was arrested following an investigation into a motor vehicle accident in the Town of Oneonta, he was found to be in possession of a controlled substance, and was wanted on a warrant from Oneonta Police, he was processed & issued an appearance ticket, he was then transported to Oneonta Police Department and turned over to answer his outstanding warrant.

Chenango Arts Council announced their 2024-2025 season beginning with "Dolly! And Her All Star Band" on Saturday, September 28th, Council Spokesperson Mary Beth Miller explains:

(Mary Beth Miller 8-6-24)

Miller said that the other shows will be "Film & Strings: Nosferatu" on Saturday, October 19th, On Friday, December 13th, Twelve Twenty-Four will bring their popular Holiday Rock to the Martin W. Kappel Theater & the New York Theatre Ballet will present The Royal Collection on April 12, 2025. More information & Ticket purchases can be made at 607-336-2787, or at ChenangoArts.org.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 8-6-24

State Police arrested 57 year old Terri White of Otego for Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated. Troopers were dispatched to check on White’s welfare when they discovered she had driven her vehicle while intoxicated. After administering Standardized Field Sobriety Tests that revealed indications of impairment, White was arrested. Her reportable B.A.C was .23%. White was processed and issued appearance tickets to the Oneonta Town Court on August 20, 2024 then released to a sober third party.

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 29 year old Eugene Buzie of Unadilla and his mother, 50 year old Maddie Brown of Otego, following an investigation where Buzie was charged with Predatory Sexual Assault, Incest, Rape, Criminal Sexual Abuse, Forcible Touching, Brown was charged with 4 counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Buzie is accused of subjecting children under the ages of 13 to a variety of forms of continuous sexual abuse, Brown was aware of the abuse and failed to intervene. Both were arrested Friday & were lodged in the Otsego County Correctional Facility to await Centralized Arraignment. Orders of Protections were requested on behalf of the victims. Additional charges are pending.

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 43 year old Chad Walters of Bainbridge for failing to abide by the State Sex Offender Registry, by failing to report an address change & Failing to Complete the Annual Verification. Walters had relocated from the Town of Otego in the beginning of 2024. State Troopers located Walters last week, he was processed on an arrest warrant as well as the new charges and was being held in the Otsego County Correctional Facility for future court action.

The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office arrested 35 year old Nastassja Blasetti of Oneonta following a burglary investigation in the Town of Otego. It was reported to the Sheriff’s Office that Blasetti had broken into a residence and caused damage to items within, she was located, arrested & is being held at the Otsego County Jail pending arraignment, and an order of protection was issued on behalf of the victim.

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 35 year old Antonio Lizarraga of Gansevoort for Sex Offender Failure to Notify Change of Address, Failure to Complete Annual Verification & Failure to Update Photograph, he was arrested after he relocated from Otego in January & did not notify authorities that he was residing in Saratoga County, an arrest warrant issued, he was located by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office and turned over to Otsego County investigators, he was processed and released on an Appearance Ticket returnable to the Town of Middlefield Court at a later date.

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 6-7-24

State Police responded Thursday at about 11:45 AM to a motorcycle and a utility truck crash on Bert Washburn Road in the town of Otego. An investigation revealed that a utility truck was parked and unoccupied when 39 year old Robert Burns of Otego lost control of his motorcycle and slid into the front of the utility truck. He was thrown from the motorcycle and was located underneath the truck. Troopers, Otego EMS and Otego Fire rendered aid to Burns, but he was pronounced deceased on scene. The investigation is ongoing.

27 year old John Macrabie of Otego, pleaded guilty to Sexual Misconduct, in Delaware County Court, he engaged in sexual conduct with a 15-year-old child in the Town of Walton in September, 2021. Macrabie will be required to register as a sex offender for at least 20 years, and he will also be placed on sex offender probation for 6 years, sentencing will be July 22nd.

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 5-29-24

An Otsego County Man is facing charges in Western New York. Bath Village Police Department arrested 35 year old Andrew McCarthy of Otego, for 2nd Degree Attempted Rape, and Attempted Luring a Child, he is accused of of trying to meet a 14-year-old girl, with the intent to take her home with him for a sexual relationship, after Police were called to a Park in Bath on May 25th for a report of an adult male meeting with the teen girl. McCarthy was taken to the Steuben County jail and arraigned on the charges Sunday.

A.M. NEWS Tuesday 5-28-24

State Police conducted an Underage Drinking Initiative in Otsego and Delaware Counties recently. 11 businesses were checked for compliance, with 1 person charged with Unlawful Sale of Alcohol to a Minor, after selling alcohol to person under the age of 21, at Betty Beavers Fuel Stop on County Road 48 in the town of Otego. The businesses that passed were in Oneonta, Laurens, Hartwick, Milford, Otego, & Davenport. During these investigations, businesses are checked utilizing a Trooper in plain clothes and one or several underage operatives who cannot lie about their age or provide a false date of birth.

The Unatego School District budget is up for a public vote tomorrow, voters will be deciding on the proposed budget, 3 seats on the School Board & 1 Proposition, according to Superintendent Dr. Dave Richards:

(Dr. Dave Richards 5-20-24)

Voting will be from 12:00 Noon to 8:00 PM at the Junior/ Senior High School on State Route 7 between Wells Bridge & Otego.

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 46 year old Jeremy Stimpson of Oneonta for Bail Jumping and on 2 Bench Warrants. Stimpson repeatedly failed to appear for court appearances for criminal cases in the Town of Otego and Town of Milford Courts, both courts issued bench warrants, Stimpson was located in the City of Oneonta by deputies and members of the Oneonta Police Department, he was processed and remanded to the Otsego County Correctional Facility on $1,500 cash, $1,500 credit card, or $10,500 bond bail recommendations.

Last Wednesday, Oneonta Police Department was called to investigate a reported gunshot wound by A.O. Fox hospital emergency room staff. Officers learned that 51-year-old John Walley of Otego was transported to the hospital by a third party in a private vehicle, which left before police arrived. Walley was interviewed briefly and stated that he was on Chestnut Street when he was injured by a bullet, no evidence at the scene was found, he was re-interviewed & has refused to cooperate. The case will be closed but may be re-opened should additional information be received and the victim agree to cooperate. Information may be submitted by calling the Oneonta Police Department at (607) 432-1111 or through the City Website.

An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held in Otego today from 1:00 to 6:00 PM at 5 River Street, appointments can be made at RedCrossBlood.org, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 41 year old Shaliek Varra of Otego following a traffic stop on February 26, in the Town of Otego. Varra was charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation or a motor vehicle, speeding & other related charges, he was issued an Appearance ticket and will appear in Otego Court at a later date.

Local sales tax collections in New York state increased by 0.3% in January compared to the same month in 2023, according to State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. Collections totaled nearly $1.9 billion, up $4.8 million from the same time last year, with the increase led by New York City's 3.5% increase, County and city collections in the rest of the state had a decrease of -2.8%, as 27 of 57 remaining counties experienced year-over-year increases.

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 2-21-24

Unadilla Fire Department was alerted for a house fire in the town of Unadilla Monday night with possible entrapment. Crews responded & it was quickly confirmed that all subjects were accounted for and out of the structure. One subject was transported to A.O. FOX Hospital, firefighters were able to halt the fire before it could spread to the rest of the residence. Unadilla received assistance from Franklin, Sidney Center, Wells Bridge, and Otego Fire Departments, the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Helios Care announced a fundraiser coming up on February 23 from 10:00 am - 6:00 pm. The Dine Out For a Cause event will be held at the Feel Good Smoothie Bar and Cafe, 4 Clinton Plaza Drive, Oneonta, a percentage of the proceeds will go to raise awareness and support for Helios Care. More information is available at 607- 432-5525

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 2-5-24

Otsego County Sheriff's Office & Cooperstown Police Department announced that a deceased male was found Friday morning in the Susquehanna River, the deceased was identified as Matthew Sisson of Otego, who was missing for 7 days. Sisson left Bassett Hospital Friday January 26th, where he had been transferred from Fox Hospital in Oneonta with Appendix issues.

The Otsego County Sheriff's office & Cooperstown Police are looking for 43 year old Matthew Sisson of Otego, Sisson left Bassett Hospital Friday, he may have a perforated appendix & was last seen walking on State route 28. He is described as a white male, 6'2" medium build & bald, anyone with information should contact 911 or their local law enforcement. A search party was organized Sunday morning by law enforcement & family members.

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 1-15-24

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 31 year old Shean Seeley of Otego following an investigation of alleged child abuse. Seeley was charged with 3 counts of acting in a Manor to Injure a Child less than 17 years of age, and 2 counts of Reckless Endangerment after a hotline report received by Otsego County Child Protective Services. Seeley is accused of routinely acting in a manner that exposed his children to risk of serious physical injury, he was released on his own recognizance to appear in Otego Town Court on a later date.

The Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 30 year old Tyler Culver of Otego following the execution of a search warrant on Saturday. Culver faces multiple counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance. Last Fall, members of the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office and Oneonta Police Department initiated a joint investigation in to the suspected sales of narcotics from Culver's residence in the Village of Otego, on Saturday, with the assistance of the State Police, a search warrant was executed & they seized suspected narcotics & packaging materials, he was also arrested in connection with a shooting incident Saturday In Otego, remains in the Otsego County Correctional Facility to await centralized arraignment on the narcotics charges.