WCDO Radio News

A candlelight vigil will be held today in honor of State Trooper Christopher Skinner at 6:00 PM at Port Dickinson Community Park. The event is organized by the town and by State Police Troop C, & is open to the public. Trooper Skinner had pulled over a car May 29 on I-81 in Chenango Bridge, he was out of his patrol vehicle & hit by a white truck allegedly driven by Almond Upton of Melrose, Florida. Upton has been indicted on 11 charges, including 1st degree murder.

Governor Cuomo announced the I LOVE NEW YORK fall foliage report is available online. The report tracks the color change in foliage throughout the state through November. The governor also announced a social media campaign called “Foliage Photog of the Week.” Each week, one picture submitted on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook would be used to promote fall tourism. For information, or for a map on the best fall foliage viewing spots, go to ILOVENY.com.

Sherrill City Commissioner Mike Hennessy said he's not ready to concede Tuesday's Democratic primary to Assemblyman Bill Magee, despite falling short by more than 500 votes. Hennessy, who is also a former Oneida County lawmaker, is fighting for a spot on November's ballot on a "Fix Albany" line. Magee's supporters challenged that attempt, and Hennessy has a court date in Albany on Sept. 22nd. Magee beat Hennessy by 560 votes for the Democratic line in the 121st Assembly District. Republican John Salka is on the ballot in November.

Service arrangements have been announced for fallen New York State Trooper Christopher Skinner. Skinner was a 13-year veteran of the New York State Police; he was killed in the line of duty last Thursday, after he was intentionally hit by a car while conducting a traffic stop on I-81. Calling hours are scheduled from 3:00 to 8:00 PM today at the Community Baptist Church on 743 Chenango Street in Port Dickinson. Funeral services are scheduled for 11:00 AM Tuesday, at First Baptist Church at 1321 Reynolds Rd. in Johnson City.

State Police warn the public of any potential fraudulent accounts that may be created on the Internet requesting donations for the family of Trooper Christopher Skinner.  The Skinner family is endorsing 2 funds for donations at this time.  The first is the “Skinner Children Education Fund” that has been set up at the Visions Federal Credit Union.  The second is the Signal 30 Fund at nystpba.org (http://www.nystpba.org/Home.aspx).  This is an organization that help’s the families of New York State Police.

Calling hours for the fallen Johnson City Police officer David Smith will be held today from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Chase Funeral Home in Port Dickinson.  Officer Smith’s Funeral will be tomorrow morning at 11:00 AM at Sarah Jane Johnson Church in Johnson City.  Representatives from Police agencies from all over will be attending.

A Norwich teen is facing charges after she jumped out a window at the Norwich City Police Department.  17-year-old Cheyenne Davenport was charged with 2nd degree burglary, 2 counts of petty larceny and criminal possession of a controlled substance, after she allegedly entered a relative’s house and took medication and cash. 2 hours later, she jumped out the department’s window, Police found her hiding in a nearby house and also charged her with 2nd degree escape. Davenport was sent to the Chenango County jail on $2,500 bail.

12.6% of New York residents’ income went to state and local taxes in 2011, the highest rate in the nation, according to a report from the Tax Foundation.  Their annual report placed New York at the top of the list for the second straight year, though the total burden fell from 13.1% in 2010. The national average for 2011 was 9.8%.  State Lawmakers have lowered the State tax rates since 2011.

The Delaware, Ulster & Greene Sheriff’s Departments and State Police investigated vehicle thefts, & announced the arrest of 53-year-old Joel Yaro of Ulster Park for 3rd & 4th degree Grand Larceny.  Yaro is accused of   the theft of a vehicle from Hancock that was recovered in the Town of Kortright later that day, following the recovery of that vehicle; Deputies investigated the theft of a vehicle from the Town of Kortright, which was recovered by Greene County Sheriff’s Deputies the following day.  Yaro was arraigned in the Town of Hancock Court on the two Grand Larceny charges Wednesday; he was remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility on $10,000 cash bail pending further court action.

The Johnson city police department announced that calling hours for officer David Smith will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 PM Thursday at the Chase & Son Funeral Home at 737 Chenango Street in Port Dickinson and funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Friday at Sara Jane Johnson Memorial Church at 308 Main Street in Johnson City.  Johnson City Police announced that street closures are expected along Main & Baldwin Street on Friday.

the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office and City of Norwich Police Department executed a “no knock” search warrant at a Norwich Inn motel room located in the Town of Norwich Monday afternoon. The search warrant followed an investigation into Crack Cocaine sales, officers arrested 18 year old Noel Budram of The Bronx, who was found to be in possession of crack cocaine and $2,400 cash. Budram  was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, and was arraigned in the Town of Norwich Court, he was remanded to the Chenango County Jail and is scheduled to reappear at a later date, further arrests are pending.