WCDO Radio News

The state's minimum wage is going up at year's end. Downstate counties & New York City will see higher minimum wages implemented due to a higher cost of living, in most of the upstate counties, the wage will be increased to $9.70 an hour. The increases go into effect on the last day of the year.

It now seems unlikely for the state lawmakers to be called back to Albany for a special session this week. Lawmakers were pushing for a pay increase for themselves for the fist time in 17 years; Governor Cuomo was pushing for stronger ethics reforms. Lawmakers come back to Albany to begin the 2017 session in January.

State officials are reminding New Yorkers that if they have an old TV, laptop, cell phone, tablet or other electronic device to dispose of, they cannot put it with their regular trash. The State Electronic Equipment recycling & re-use act makes it illegal to have those items thrown out, they must be disposed of properly due to toxins that could contaminate the soil, air or water. The law also requires manufacturers of electronic devices to take back the products they have sold. More information is available on the state DEC website.

The Delaware County Sheriff's Office arrested several people on sealed indictment arrest warrant on a variety of drug charges Thursday. Charged were 20 year old Marissa Peck of Andes, 22 year old Zachery Mattice of Delhi, 35 year old Dennis Fickeria of Margaretville & 45 year old Abelardo Vincente of Hancock. All 4 were held in the Delaware County Jail on cash bail. Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies also arrested 21-year-old Austin Rose of Andes on a sealed indictment arrest warrant; he’ll be arraigned on the undisclosed charges in January, when the charges will be unsealed. Rose was arrested at the Otsego County Correctional Facility where he is being held on a charge of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance.

The Otsego County Sheriffs department arrested 32 year old Robert Colvin of Unadilla, for allegedly breaking into a woman’s house, shoving the victim & stealing prescription medication, Colvin was charged robbery and grand larceny; Colvin was arraigned in the Town of Unadilla Court and was sent to the county jail in lieu of $20,000 cash bail or $40,000 bond.

On Wednesday Oneonta Police assisted the Otsego County probation Department with items located during a routine visit of a person on probation. Officer confiscated 40 bags of heroin, Packaging materials, Scales & A small quantity of marijuana, police arrested 30 year old Daniel Londner of Oneonta for Criminal possession of a controlled substance, Criminally using of drug paraphernalia and unlawful possession of marijuana, Londner was held pending arraignment in the City of Oneonta Court

After many years as the Chief of the Sidney Police Department, Mike Hood is stepping down next week, to be replaced by 23-year Sidney Police Department veteran Jan Gorshack. Hood Commented about his years as the Sidney Police Chief:

(Mike Hood 10-21-16)

Hood's last official day as Sidney Police Chief is October 28th, he will work part time for the Bainbridge Police Department & the Delaware County Sheriff’s department.

The Maine-Endwell Little League World Series team will be honored at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown this weekend. The Maine-Endwell team was the champions of Little League World Series in August, Team members and coaches will visit the Hall of Fame on Sunday, for a special 1:00 PM ceremony hosted by Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson.

From September 2015 to September 2016, New York State's private sector job count climbed by 115,100, or 1.5 percent, according to preliminary figures released today by the New York State Department of Labor. In September 2016, the state's private sector job count fell by 4,400. Since the beginning of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's administration, New York State's economy has added 839,500 private sector jobs and experienced employment growth in 58 of the past 69 months. In September 2016, the statewide unemployment rate increased from 4.8% to 5.0%, which was equal to the comparable U.S. unemployment rate of 5.0%.

Another Blood drive will be held in West Oneonta today from 2:00 to 6:00 PM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, at 107 Balmoral Drive. To make an appointment to donate blood, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Sportsfield Specialties has completed a recent expansion to their manufacturing facility in Delhi. The company is inviting the public to their Open House Saturday, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM it will include tours, demonstrations, family activities, and complimentary refreshments.

The Sidney American Legion is hosting a fundraiser Saturday for Camp Hope Veterans Outreach. Spokesman Larry Halbert explains:

(Larry Halbert 10-21-16)

The fundraiser will be held at the Sidney American Legion at 22 Union Street, Sidney from 1:00 until 5:00 PM, they are asking for donations of services, products and gift certificates to auction or a monetary donation, in order to buy property & start The Camp Hope facility.

The Jericho Arts Council will feature the bluegrass music of "Zink & Company Saturday night. Spokesman Phillip Wade comments:

(Phillip Wade 10-21-16)

ZINK & COMPANY will perform at the Town Hall Theatre on Main Street in Bainbridge beginning at 7:00 PM

The Village of Sidney Police Department is collecting unused & unwanted medications at a "Take Back" event Saturday. Offer Jan Gorshack explains:

(Jan Gorshack 10-21-16)

Gorshack said that they can NOT collect needles & sharps at the event, but can take prescription & over the counter medications, preferably in their original containers.

The Bainbridge Rotary Club is hosting its 4th Annual Fall Festival & Pie Run 5K on Saturday, at 10:00 a.m. with our Pie Run; a fun 5K walk/run around General Clinton Park. Participants are encouraged to come in their best Halloween costume and winners are rewarded with a homemade pie. Registration for the 5K and pie contest is available at Bainbridge-NY-Rotary.com.