WCDO Radio News

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 12-22-23

The State Police are continuing the special enforcement initiative to crack down on impaired and reckless driving this holiday season. The enforcement campaign is part of the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” initiative and runs from Wednesday, December 13, 2023, through Monday, January 1, 2024. Drivers can expect to see sobriety checkpoints, Troopers will be watching for distracted drivers, vehicle occupants who are not properly buckled up, and drivers violating the “Move Over Law,” State Police will also conduct underage drinker enforcement details statewide. During last year’s crackdown, State Police arrested 453 people for DWI and issued 32,934 tickets, including 11,305 tickets for speeding, 912 for distracted driving, and 316 for the “Move Over Law.”

Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 32 year old Keith Tompkins of Oxford for several counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, 9 counts of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia, after deputies observed a male, laying on the floor in the back of the vehicle, attempting to conceal himself by hiding under automotive parts. Tompkins had an active arrest warrant out of the Village of Oxford Court for Unlawful Fleeing of a Police Officer. Tompkins was in possession of over 2 ounces of crack cocaine, about 4 ounces of crystal Methamphetamine, 1,150 wax envelopes of Fentanyl, packaging material, digital scales, and over $2,000 in cash from suspected drug sales. Tompkins was arraigned and was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility without bail. Tompkins is to appear in Chenango County Court at a later date.

The Bandera Family and Community Alliance will be providing free meals on Christmas day at a variety of locations across the Southern Tier. Meals will be available for dine-in, take out from noon to 2 pm. at the Norwich American Legion, the Oxford American Legion, and the Sidney American Legion. For more information on the Bandera Family and Community Alliance, visit BanderaChristmas.com or the Bandera Family and Community Alliance Facebook page.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 12-22-23

Area Resident Gene Schmidt announced that he & his family & volunteers will be serving Christmas dinner again this year, he told WCDO News that it will be at a different location:

(Gene Schmidt 12-6-23)

Schmidt said that people interested in volunteering can also visit his Facebook page & send an instant message this year.

Filmmaker Joseph Stillman will premier his latest movie: “Bear” this weekend in Oneonta, Stillman told WCDO News about his latest film:

(Joseph Stillman 12-18-23)

Stillman said that the movie was filmed around the Gilbertsville area, with local talent on both sides of the camera, The premier of “Bear” will be this today & Saturday at Foothills Performing Arts Center, at 5:00pm and 7:30pm both days, Tickets are available at the box office or at bearthemovieinfo.ticketleap.com/bear.

Bassett Healthcare Network and Helios Care are collaborating to provide hospice and palliative care to patients in Central New York. The State Department of Health has given approval for Helios Care to expand their services to include Herkimer and Chenango Counties to better serve within the Bassett Healthcare Network. Currently, Helios Care serves Otsego, Delaware, and Schoharie Counties.

Norwich Firefighters responded early Thursday Morning to 137 Horstman Lane for a reported structure fire in a mobile home, they located a fire in the ceiling and roof area of the structure. Crews quickly extinguished the fire containing it to the room of origin along with ensuring all occupants were clear of the structure. Firefighters from New Berlin & North Norwich also responded, the cause of the fire is under investigation. No injuries were reported & all occupants safely evacuated without injuries.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 10-12-23

38 year old Mark Archer of Oneonta was indicted for 12 felonies and arraigned in Delaware County Court Wednesday for alleged sexual crimes against children. The Indictment accuses Archer of 3 counts of Sexual Abuse, 2 counts of 1st degree Rape, as well as Criminal Sexual Act & 4 counts of Predatory Sexual Assault Against a Child. Archer was remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility on $75,000 cash bail, or $750,000 bond. The case is scheduled for a conference on October 30th.

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 21 year old Bryce Barnhart of Cortland following a motor vehicle pursuit which began in the Town of Springfield and continued into Schoharie County on Tuesday. Barnhart was charged with Unlawfully Fleeing a Police Officer, Failure To Comply, Reckless Driving & Speeding & Speeding in a Construction Zone, he is accused of traveling up to 118 miles on U.S. Highway 20 in the Town of Springfield, & for hitting another vehicle while exiting a parking lot. Barhart was processed and released on an Appearance Tickets in both Counties at later dates.

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 37 year old Sarah Stevens of Oneonta following an investigation of contraband found in the correctional facility. Stevens was charged with 2 counts of Criminal Possession of a Control Substance & 2 Counts of Promoting Prison Contraband, she was being held pending centralized arraignment.

A Meet the Candidates event will be held tonight for Guilford Town Candidates & Constituents. The meeting will be held at the Guilford Town Hall on Marble Road from 6:30 to 8:30 PM.

The smoke from the Quebec wildfires has lessened somewhat today, local Meteorologist Rich Townsend explains:

(Rich Townsend 6-8-23)

US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced that she is pushing for federal assistance with the Canadian fires & for upgrading equipment to deal with these situations:

(Gillibrand 6-8-23)

The smoke has reached into the Carolina's as well as shifting to the West in Canada and in the US today, the Canadian government has not indicated when they will have the fires under control.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies initiated a traffic stop Wednesday on State Highway 10 in the Town of Hamden after observing a vehicle driving erratically, and passing multiple vehicles on the roadway. Deputies identified the driver as 26-year-old, Kyle Buckley, of Walton, Buckley’s driver’s license had been suspended for failure to answer a summons on 3 separate dates. Buckley was charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operator & improper passing, he was released on the traffic tickets and is directed to appear in the Town of Hamden Court at a later date to answer the said charges.

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that her administration has reached contract agreements with the New York State Public Employees Federation and with the United University Professions. The agreement with PEF is for a three-year term running until April 1, 2026 for more than 51,000 New York State employees in a in a wide variety of professional, scientific and technical titles. The agreement with UUP is for a four-year term running until July 1, 2026 for more than 37,000 SUNY system faculty and professional employees. Both agreements are subject to ratification by union membership.

The largest statewide Special Olympics New York competition of the year is coming to Ithaca this weekend. More than 800 athletes and coaches from throughout New York will be in the area for State Summer Games, with competition in 7 sports: Basketball, Bowling, Gymnastics, Powerlifting, Swimming, Tennis and Track & Field, with festivities beginning Friday at 7:00 PM, with the closing ceremonies Saturday night.

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 6-8-23

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has sued 30 upstate New York municipalities for enacting emergency orders barring migrants form hotels, motels & apartment complexes. Local Counties that were sued include Broome, Delaware, Otsego & Schoharie Counties

Hospice & Palliative care of Chenango County will hold their annual Service of Remembrance event today, Grief Services Coordinator, Jordyn Andrews explains:

(Jordyn Andrews 6-8-23)

Andrews said that the program is scheduled to be outside of their offices on Court Street in Norwich, but will be moved inside in case of inclement weather

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office is currently looking for Robert Schrauger on an outstanding warrant and asking the residents of Broome County for assistance, he is described as a white male, bald about 5'4" 150 pounds, he is wanted for a Sex Offender Registration violation and for failing to report to a parole officer. Anyone with information on the location of Schrauger is asked to contact the Broome County Sheriff’s Office at gobroomecounty.com/sheriff/warrants or at (607) 778-1196.

Otsego County Sheriff's Office announced a child seat safety check will be held in Oneonta Today. The event runs from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at 762 state Highway 28. more information is available at 547-4230.

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 5-17-23

Jury Deliberations began yesterday & Continued today in the trial of Nauman Hussain in Schoharie County Supreme Court, this afternoon he was convicted of manslaughter in the Schoharie limo case that killed 20 in October 2018. Hussain was the owner of the Prestige Limousine, one of their vehicle crashed in Schoharie, killing 18 in the limo & 2 at a gas station that the vehicle crashed through when the brakes failed. Sentencing will be held at a later date.

Acting State Police Superintendent Steven Nigrelli commended and recognized 30 individuals for bravery & exceptional contributions in this year’s State Police Annual Awards Ceremony. Senior Investigator Jennifer Hahl & Senior Investigator Steven Hahl, both of Troop C, were sited for saving a disoriented elderly man from certain death due to exposure, they were on their way home when they observed a pair of discarded boots alongside a rural roadway, they entered a wooded area & discovered an elderly male lying on the ground soaking wet and hypothermic. Also, Trooper Timothy Murray & Trooper James Wamsley Jr. both of Troop C were awarded, Trooper Murray observed a crashed garbage truck, and he located an adult male pinned under the truck’s rear wheels. He radioed for help, Trooper Wamsley arrived on scene, and both Troopers shoveled to free the trapped victim.

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 50 year old Hasan Taylor of Oneonta, following an investigation of narcotics within the Correctional Facility. Taylor is accused of concealing narcotics with the intent to sell, after being admitted to the Correctional facility on separate charges, he was released, however investigators received a report from the State Police indicating that the substance seized from Taylor was Fentanyl, an arrest warrant was issued by the Town of Middlefield Court. Taylor was located by the Oneonta Police & was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Promoting Prison Contraband & Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, he was being held in the Otsego County Correctional Facility for court action.

There has been a lot of confusion regarding New York State's rules on the gas stove to electric stove change over, and the expected timeline, Local Assemblyman Joe Angelino said that right now, the proposal has almost no effect on the region:

(Angelino 5-17-23)

Assemblyman Angelino said that there may be some changes addressing mandates that school busses change over to electric battery power in the near future, but the manufacturing of the busses and the access to charging points will not ready in time for the mandate's expected start date.

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 5-17-23

Early results indicate that all area school districts had their budgets & propositions passed in the Tri County Region. The large majority of district statewide proposed budgets at or under the state established spending cap this year.

Otsego County Board of Representatives Chairman David Bliss announced that Otsego County has declared a state of emergency, regarding the possible influx of immigrants transported to the Upstate Counties by New York City from southern states.

Delaware County Public Health Services will be conducting a Monkey pox vaccination clinic on Wednesday, May 24th from 1;00 to 3:00 PM at 99 Main Street in Delhi. 2 vaccinations are recommended & a follow up clinic will be scheduled in June. To find out more about M-pox and to register for the clinic go to delawarecountypublichealth.com, more information or assistance with scheduling call Delaware Public Health at 607-832-5200.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 5-9-23

Terry DeCutler of Sidney & Nicholas DeCutler of Unadilla were sentenced in Otsego County Court, to 20 years to life in prison, for the murder of Kaleb O'Neill in Oneonta on Memorial Day last year. The DeCutler brothers both pleaded guilty to 2nd degree Murder, for the fatal stabbing of O'Neill in an alley near Dietz Street in downtown Oneonta.

In the new State Budget Plan, there is an Increase in the State excise tax on cigarettes and little cigars. Effective September 1st, the State excise tax on cigarettes will increase by $1.00 per pack of 20 cigarettes. Also, effective September 1, 2023, the New York State excise tax on little cigars will increase by $1.00 per pack of 20 little cigars. More information is available at tax.ny.gov.

As the number of scam phone calls remain high for New Yorkers, there are 3 area codes that are more likely to be a from a scammer. New York City area codes 332, 347 & 646 have a high percentage of scam calls, Local law enforcement agencies remind the public to never give out personal financial information to a phone call that you did not initiate, and do not call back numbers from potential scammers who leave a voicemail.

The Delaware County Chamber has released a New Toolkit for Businesses, called the "Fair Chance Hiring Toolkit, for businesses, nonprofits, and government units about hiring individuals with criminal records. Delaware County Chamber President Ray Pucci told WCDO news about eh toolkit:

(Ray Pucci 5-9-23)

Pucci said that the program is modeled on a successful plan implemented in Oklahoma and has been adapted for Delaware & Sullivan Counties, the free download is available on the Resources tab of delawarecounty.org.

The Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society is seeking participants for an upcoming Electric Vehicle Car Show on Saturday, June 3 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Damaschke Field in Oneonta. Delaware Otsego Audubon Society Spokesperson Susan O'Handley explains:

(Susan O'Handley 5-9-23)

EV Owners are invited to participate at no charge. Sponsorship levels and registration information can be found at doas.us/ev-2023. All are encouraged to register by May 20th.

A.M, NEWS TUESDAY 5-9-23

Opening statements began in Schoharie County Court Monday, in the trial of Nauman Hussain. Hussain is the owner of Prestige Limousine, he is charged with criminally negligent homicide and second-degree manslaughter in connection with the 2018 crash in Schoharie that killed 17 passengers, the driver and 2 people in a gas staion in Schoharie, where the vehicle's safety is in question.

Broome County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to reports of a vehicle in the Chenango River Friday off of I-88 near Exit 3. The updated report stated that 21 year old Colby Degnan went off the highway into the Chenango River, he & passenger Colleen Bobola escaped the vehicle as it started floating down the river & was sinking, Bobola was able to make it to shore, the currents swept Degnan further down the Chenango River. Deputy Mark Hamilton tied a rescue line around his waist before jumping into the river, Hamilton brought Degnan back to shore, but he was unresponsive, CPR was performed, Degnan was transported to Wilson Hospital where he remains in critical condition, Bobola was taken to Wilson Hospital for minor injuries and released. The Broome County Sheriff’s Accident Reconstruction Unit is currently investigating the accident.

New York Mets right-handed pitcher Carlos Carrasco will be making a rehab start with the Binghamton Rumble Ponies tonight against the Hartford Yard Goats at Mirabito Stadium. Fans can purchase tickets to Tonight's game by at BINGRP.com, by calling 607-722-3866, or in person at the Box Office at Mirabito Stadium.

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 2-6-23

Broome County District Attorney Mike Korchak announced that Johnnie Hardwick of Binghamton pleaded guilty to Attempted Robbery, in Broome County Court. Hardwick admitted that on October 21st 2022, he entered Weis Markets on Pennsylvania Avenue in Binghamton and stole merchandise, when confronted by a store employee Hardwick pulled out a large knife threatening the worker. Hardwick was apprehended by the Binghamton Police Department a short time later. Hardwick had a lengthy criminal record, including for Sexual Abuse in 2011 and Attempted Robbery in 2002 in New York City, he will face 12 years to life in New York State prison on April 26th,

The Susquehanna Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will host a Community Cat Forum Thursday, beginning at 4:00 PM at the Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, 24 Market St., Oneonta. Susquehanna SPCA Executive Director Stacie Haynes told WCDO News that the event is to address the issues of Feral cats in large numbers in many area communities & how to deal with the issue:

(Stacie Haynes 2-6-23)

Haynes said that this event is free and open to the public.

Local government sales tax collections in New York state totaled $22.1 billion in calendar year 2022, up 12.7%, or $2.5 billion, from 2021 due to strong sales statewide, according to a report released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Every county saw some year-over-year growth in sales tax collections in 2022, Yates County had the strongest growth at 21.1%, followed by the counties of Lewis (14.9%), Montgomery (12.4%) and Schoharie (11.8%). Locally, Chenango had a 2.4% increase in Tax Collections, the full report can be found at osc.state.ny.us.

WCDO Sports Director Nate Lull started a Scholarship for area High School Seniors last year, with a couple of fundraisers held to raise funds for the desired amounts for the scholarships. Lull said that the fundraisers were successful and now it the time for interested seniors to apply:

(Nate Lull 2-6-23)

The Scholarships will be awarded in June for 2 students, the criteria & Applications are available at NATE LULL.COM. The deadline to apply is May 5th.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 2-6-23

The Otsego County Health Department will be offering a bivalent COVID 19 Booster Vaccine at the Meadows Office Complex today, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. Registration can be found on the Otsego County Health Department Website, more information is available at 607-547-4230.

Congressman Marc Molinaro was selected to serve as Chairman of the House Small Business Committee's Subcommittee on Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Workforce Development. The Subcommittee will be focused on policies that spur economic growth, & propel the development and adoption of emerging technologies.

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 35 year old Anthony Ward of Oneonta following a traffic stop in the Town of Otego on January 30. Ward was charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle for allegedly operating a motor vehicle on a public highway with a suspended driver’s license, he was ordered to appear in Town of Otego Court at a later date.

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 19 year old Jason Hoffman of Brooklyn, for Aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and No Tail Lamps, following a traffic stop in the Town of Oneonta on January 30th. Hoffman is accused of operating a vehicle with a suspended driver’s license, he was ordered to appear in Town of Oneonta Court at a later date.