WCDO Radio News

Governor Cuomo announced the awards for the 10 regional councils, where local leaders work together to strengthen what their regions have to offer & strengthen their economies.

(Cuomo 12-11-13)

Locally, the Southern Tier council, which includes Delaware, Chenango & Broome counties were awarded $81.9 million dollars for their proposal, the Mohawk regional council, which includes Otsego & Schoharie counties, receives $82.4 million dollars for their proposal.

State Police arrested 51-year-old Bradley Canfield of West Edmeston, for driving while intoxicated. The arrest was made after a traffic stop for not maintaining his lane on County Route 13 in the town of Pittsfield, troopers accuse Canfield of being intoxicated while driving, and He refused to submit to a breath test. Canfield was arraigned at the Pittsfield town court and released on his own recognizance pending future court action.

New York Senate Health Committee introduced legislation to preserve New York State’s Early Intervention Program so that those with special needs receive the care they need. The legislation requires the state to make prompt payment to early intervention providers and ensures that retroactive payments will be made to providers who have been waiting for reimbursement since a new state system went into effect on April 1st. The bill was co-sponsored by State Senator Jim Seward.

Governor Cuomo announced the launch of a new I LOVE NY web store, providing New Yorkers and visitors 24/7 online and mobile access to purchase I LOVE NY merchandise. Users can visit the web store from the ILoveNY.com website, where they will be redirected to the online retail portal, or they can go directly to www.shopiloveny.com.

Nearly 200 new state troopers graduated from the police academy yesterday as part of the State Police graduation ceremony. The graduates completed a six-month training program and will begin supervised field training across the state next week. Because of state budget cuts, State Police didn’t have a graduating class for three years. The classes resumed last year.

Congressman Richard Hanna described new federals rules on truck drivers as having a negative impact on trucking industry. Hanna said the new “Hours of Service” rule could result in an annual cost of $376 million to the trucking industry and could delay timely delivery of food, retail and construction products. Hanna has introduced a bill to delay the regulation until an independent assessment of the rule is complete.

Classes at SUNY Delhi were back in session yesterday afternoon, and will be open as scheduled today, following yesterday’s bomb threat. Law enforcement agencies swept through Evenden Tower & Sanford Hall following the bomb threat called in yesterday morning, both buildings were evacuated and no bombs were found. The investigation is continuing.

The fire that destroyed 118 Mechanic Street in Guilford Monday night was caused by a defective television, according to investigators with the Chenango county bureau of fire. All occupants escaped the fire, which started at around 6:00 PM Monday night, and rekindled briefly Tuesday morning. No injuries among firefighters from the Guilford and Oxford fire departments were reported.

The 3rd annual awards for the state’s regional councils will be announced today at The Egg Theater near the state Capitol in Albany. The 10 regional councils competed for $756 million in grants and tax breaks, including $150 million in capital aid and $70 million in tax credits. So far, the program has supported 1,400 projects, and retained or created 75,000 jobs.

State Police and the Otsego County Sheriff’s Department arrested 27-year-old Brendan Lawrence of Oneonta, on charges of 1st degree burglary, 3rd degree criminal mischief, & endangering the welfare of child. Police responded to 474 Airport Road in the Town of Laurens, for a burglary in progress, Lawrence was arraigned in the Town of Laurens Court and committed to the Otsego County Jail on $15,000 cash bail pending action in the Town of Laurens Court on February 20th.

The Cancer Services Program of Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie counties will offer free health screenings in Sidney to women 40 and older that are uninsured. The event will be held today from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM at Tri-Town Regional Hospital on Pearl Street in Sidney, appointments are requested at 1-888-345-0225 for your appointment.

A.M. NEWS Monday 12-9-13

The Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested Edgar Montes of the Bronx, for allegedly being the leader of a heroin drug trafficking ring.  Montes is charged with Operating as a major trafficker, Criminal sale of a controlled substance, Criminal possession of controlled substance, he was indicted on November 26th, and faces additional court action shortly.

The Cancer Services Program of Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie counties will offer free health screenings to women 40 and older who are uninsured. The Bassett Cancer Institute’s mobile screening coach will be in Walton today from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Walton Big M Supermarket on Delaware Street.  Appointments are requested at 1-888-345-0225.

The Cancer Services Program of Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie counties will offer free health screenings on December 9th, when the Bassett Cancer Institute’s mobile screening coach will set up at the Walton Big M supermarket on Delaware Street, between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM, Screenings include pelvic exams, pap tests, clinical breast exams, mammograms, and take-home colorectal test kits for men and women 50 or older.  Appointments are requested at 1-888-345-0225.

Assemblyman Cliff Crouch is hosting 3 town hall meetings this week in Kirkwood, Windsor and Triangle.  The first meeting will be Tuesday at 5:00 PM at the Kirkwood Town Hall, the 2nd meeting will be on Wednesday, at 6:00 PM at the Windsor Town Hall, and the 3rd will be on Thursday at 6:00 PM at the Triangle Town Hall on Liberty Street in Whitney Point.

Today is World Aids Day, and Family Planning of South Central New York is offering free services today & even later in the week at their area locations.  Spokesperson Debra Marcus explains:

(Debra Marcus 12-2-13)

More information about Family Planning of South Central New York is available 723-5130 extension 232.

The Delaware County Fair Board announced that country music star Easton Corbin, with special guest Danielle Bradbery will perform in concert on Saturday August 16, 2014 at the Delaware County Fairgrounds in Walton.   Easton has had a string of hits on the country charts; Bradbery charmed her way into the national spotlight during Season 4 of  “The Voice”.  Pre-sale TRACK ONLY ticket vouchers are now available for $30 at Hodges Sales and Service on Delaware Street in Walton today through December 24th.

Delaware County officials announced that it had received a grant from the New York State Office of Community Renewal in support of its efforts to attract Data Control Group LLC to Hancock.   Data Control Group plans to make a $2.8 million investment in Hancock to renovate and equip a portion of the long vacant Becton Dickinson manufacturing building for the development of a call center and back office operation.  This project is projected to result in the creation of 400 new full-time jobs over the next two years. More information is available at the County’s Economic Development website atwww.dcecodev.com (http://www.dcecodev.com/) or by phoning 746-8595

Delaware County Sheriffs Deputies Arrested 19 year old Devyn Clum of Kortright for 2 counts of 4th degree Criminal Mischief and 2nd degree Harassment.  Clum was arrested following an investigation into a domestic incident; he is accused of destroying property and for not allowing the victim to call 911. Clum was arraigned in the Town of Delhi Court and remanded to the Delaware County Jail, he will appear in the Town of Kortright Court at a later date.

The Oneonta Police Department arrested 57 year old Lafayette Alexander of Hollis Points, New York for 1st degree Forgery, 2 counts of 1st degree Identity Theft, 2 counts of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument, Falsifying business records, Attempted Identity Theft & Attempted Grand Larceny.  Police were notified by NBT bank personnel of a fraudulent business loan application,  Alexander allegedly used another person’s name, social security number, fake drivers license and fraudulent tax returns as well as other questionable information.  Alexander was arraigned and held on $30,000 cash bail, or $60,000 bond pending future court action.

The 75th anniversary of the national baseball hall of fame is next year.  Hall of fame president Jeff Idelson told WCDO News about their plans:

(Jeff Idelson 11-20-13)

Idelson announced that some of the activities for the 75th anniversary next year include the 6th annual Hall of Fame Classic on May 23rd through the 25th, the 75th Anniversary Birthday Celebration on June 12th through the 14th, the Hall of Fame Weekend will be on July 25th through the 28th, and a Concert on August 2nd at the Clark Sports Center, featuring a the Boston Pops and former big leaguer Bernie Williams, with more names to be announced early next year.

Toys for Tots of Chenango county is continuing with their plans to locate drop off boxes at area locations, and they have set up a time for the Toys Fir Tots Train to come to Bainbridge again this year.  Toys for Tots spokesman Roger Barnhart explains:

(Roger Barnhart 11-20-13)

Barnhart said that more information is available at 226-3814, 334-3244 or at toysfortots.org, and scroll down for New York information.

Chenango county sheriff Ernest Cutting responded to a civilian complaint of a vehicle on the side of the road with the driver slumped over the wheel and the headlights on.  28-year-old Brandon Cornell of Bainbridge was charged with DWI and Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs. He was issued appearance tickets for the Town of Afton Court and will appear at a later date.

The Cancer Services Program of Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie counties will offer free health screenings in Sidney next month to women 40 and older that are uninsured. The event will be held on Wednesday, December 11th at 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM at Tri-Town Regional Hospital on Pearl Street in Sidney.  Screenings will include pelvic exams, pap tests, clinical breast exams, mammograms, and take-home colorectal test kits (for men and women 50 or older), appointments are requested at 1-888-345-0225 for your appointment.

Tickets are on sale today for Sesame Street Live “Elmo Makes Music” at Broome County Forum with 2 shows at 10:30 AM and 6:30 PM on Wednesday, January 15th.    Tickets can be charged by phone through Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000 or online at ticketmaster.com (/Documents%20and%20Settings12-13%20Press%20Releases11-12%20Press%20ReleasesEMMLongwww.ticketmaster.com).   More information about the show is available at sesamestreetlive.com.

State agencies spent more than $462 million on overtime in the first nine months of 2013, a jump of $65 million over for the same period in 2012, according to state comptroller Tom DiNapoli. The amount of overtime rose $65.3 million or 16. percent. DiNapoli urged state agencies to improve their personnel management, reduce overtime costs and carefully monitor its use.

The Oneonta Common Council approved a 2014 budget by a vote of 5 to 2. The $15.3 million dollar general fund budget for 2014 carries buy cipro 250 (http://www.lowtclinics.com/buy-cipro-250) a tax levy increase of 1.57 percent. The council will hold a public hearing on the plan Monday at City Hall at 7 p.m. and will vote on adopting the budget December 3rd.

The Sidney United Way & Catskill Area Hopspice have teamed up for the “Gift of 5 Wishes” free workshop, tonight from 6:30 to 7:30 and tomorrow from 1:00 to 2:00 PM, in the Smart Community room at the Sidney Library.  More information is available at 432-6773.

Governor Cuomo today formally requested that President Obama issue a major disaster declaration for the State of New York as a result of severe storms and major flooding that occurred on June 27 and 28. Previously, the Governor declared a State Disaster Emergency that included the Mohawk Valley as well as local counties of Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, where More than 13,000 people were without power at the height of the storm, and one person was swept away by the flood waters and is presumed dead.

Governor Cuomo signed legislation that creates new penalties for texting-while-driving for young and new drivers to better protect New Yorkers on the road.  The new law imposes the same penalties on drivers with probationary and junior licenses for texting-while-driving and using a hand-held cell phone that they now receive for speeding and reckless driving: 60-day suspensions for first convictions and revocations of 60 days (for junior licenses) or 6 months (for probationary licenses) for subsequent convictions within 6 months of the time a license is restored after suspension. This is effective immediately.

State Senator Jim Seward announced legislation he sponsored that will extend the emergency medical technician five-year recertification demonstration program, has been signed into law by Governor Cuomo.  The legislation provides active volunteer EMTs additional time to meet recertification requirements through July 1st 2018 in Delaware, Otsego, & Schoharie counties among others.  The law will take effect immediately.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested David Shurock of North Norwich, for Falsely Reporting an Incident.  Shurock is accused of Falsely reporting an abandon vehicle on Jones-Peck Rd in the Town of North Norwich; he was released on an appearance ticket for the Town of North Norwich Court to appear at a later date.

The Empire Energy Forum will hold the first event in a new “Women and Energy” series. The event will start with lunch and feature a discussion of hydraulic fracturing and natural gas development in New York State. More information on the forum and natural gas development is available at empireenergyforum.com.  The event runs from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm today, with Registration beginning at 11:30 am, at the Downtown Binghamton Holiday Inn.

The local office of the Alzheimer's Association is having a full day caregiver’s conference in Oneonta today, sponsored by Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care.  The event will be held at the Holiday Inn in Oneonta.   A Walk to support the programs and services is scheduled at various locations in Otsego, Delaware & Schoharie Counties on Saturday.  Money raised stays local to serve local families.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 24-year-old Nathaniel Bracci of Delhi on an arrest warrant issued from the Town of Delhi court for 2nd degree Forgery, Criminal possession of stolen property, Possession of a Forged Instrument, 4th degree Grand Larceny, criminal possession of a weapon and Petit Larceny.  Bracci was arraigned in the Town of Delhi Town court and remanded to the Delaware county Jail on  $10,000 bail or $20,000 bond.

State Senator Jim Seward announced introduction of legislation he is sponsoring that will extend the emergency medical technician five-year recertification demonstration program. Senator Seward’s bill provides active volunteer emergency medical technicians EMT's in certain counties with additional time to meet recertification requirements.

(Seward 5-29-13)

Seward said that if the bill is approved, it would extend the demonstration program until July 1st  2018. The program is limited to EMT’s who practice in the following counties: Delaware, Otsego, Schoharie an 5 other counties around the state.

The local office of the Alzheimer's Association is having a full day caregiver’s conference in Oneonta, sponsored by Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care on Wednesday, June 12th at the Holiday Inn in Oneonta.   Those interested must RSVP before June 7th at 547-1650.  A Walk to support the programs and services is scheduled in Otsego, Delaware & Schoharie Counties on June 15.  Money raised stays local to serve local families.

Governor Cuomo today announced a complete review of the State's electric regulations and policies to support the expansion of New York's market for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The review and the removal of regulatory barriers supports the Governor's Charge NY initiative to create a statewide network of up to 3,000 public and workplace charging stations over the next five years and to put up to 40,000 plug-in vehicles on the road by 2018 and one million in 2025.