WCDO Radio News

A benefit will be held for fallen Firefighter Jason McGlone, who was the Assistant Fire Chief of the East Branch Fire department, who was killed in the line of duty responding to an accident on Thursday, July 17th. WCDO spoke with Bill Manning, who is helping to organize the fundraiser for McGlone's Family on September 13th at the East Branch Fireman's Park:

(Bill Manning 8-19-25)

The event will start at 1:00 PM & go until dark, to get to the park, take I-86, State Route 17 to exit 90 East Branch, follow old route 17 to bridge street & make a right.

A Business & Wellness Expo will be held Sunday from 12:00 to 4:00 PM at the Muller Plaza on Main Street in Oneonta, admission is free and more information is available at 917-579-7613.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 8-19-25

The Sidney Police Department, arrested 66 year old Mark O'Neill of Sidney following a week-long investigation for a hit and run motor vehicle accident that occurred on August 11th. O'Neill was charged with Reckless endangerment, Leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, Failing to yield right of way to pedestrian in cross walk, he was released on an appearance ticket to appear in court at a later date.

The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce will hold their next meeting this morning @ 7:30 am in the Back of Bob's Diner. All members 7 directors are urged to attend.

This Thursday, The Village of Bainbridge will have a short dedication and unveiling of the 1st Village Historic marker, commemorating the establishment of the Village of Bainbridge, Village Mayor Phil Wade Comments:

(Phil Wade 9-23-24)

Mayor Wade said that original document from 1829 was used for verification, the public is invited to attend the ceremony Thursday at 5:00 PM, adjacent to the Village Green Park.

The Oneonta Job Corp will be holding an open house to recruit new students, this Thursday , Business Engagement Specialist Jocelyn Plows comments:

(Jocelyn Plows 9-23-24)

The Open House will be at their location at 21 Homer Folks Avenue in Oneonta, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, more information is available at 431-1507.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 9-20-24

A Broome County Jury found 50 year old Damian High of Endicott, guilty of multiple counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, and 1 count of Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia, he faces up to 24 years in State Prison followed by 6 years of post-release supervision. On April 7, 2023, members of the Broome County Special Investigations Unit executed a search warrant in Endicott, where High possessed cocaine and a digital scale, in February, Endicott Police found High sleeping under a bridge, he was detained him under a Mental Hygiene Law, Police uncovered 19 baggies of cocaine. High is scheduled to be sentenced in Broome County Court on December 16.

Upstate Companies will be installing drainage structures and piping on both the north and south sides of Market Street in Oneonta this week, from Main Street to Chestnut Street. Vehicular traffic is encouraged to use alternate routes to avoid the construction. Pedestrians are encouraged to avoid sidewalks under construction, All businesses will remain open. Pedestrian and vehicular access to the businesses will be maintained at all times.

The Southern Tier Music Festival went over well this past weekend at the Sidney Airport, Teri Schunk was 1 of the organizers of the event:

(Teri Schunk 7-10-24)

Schunk also said that the Sidney Summer Music Series begins tonight with the Sidney Community band at 6:00 PM, due to the inclement weather, the concert will at the Sidney Community Center at 1 Bridge Street, the shows will all be free.

The State DOT will host a public information meeting from 5 pm. to 7 pm. on Tuesday, July 16, pertaining to a proposed project along State Route 23 and State Route 28 in the Town of Oneonta, that may begin in the spring of 2026. The project will enhance safety, traffic flow and pedestrian accommodations State Route 23 Southside, The meeting will be held at the Southside Mall Community Room.

Bassett Healthcare Network, Hartwick College, and SUNY Oneonta gathered on September 13 to inaugurate a groundbreaking workforce development partnership aimed at retaining new graduates in the region and addressing critical workforce shortages across Bassett’s network. Bassett President & CEO Dr. Tommy Ibrahim comments at a Fox Hospital Press Conference Wednesday:

(Dr. Tommy Ibrahim 9-14-23)

Dr. Ibrahim said that Bassett CARES is open to graduates from all disciplines, participants may earn up to $25,000 in loan repayment stipends. SUNY Oneonta and Hartwick College students may also get free or subsidized on-campus housing in the summer for matriculated students who are working for Bassett Healthcare Network during the summer months. SUNY Oneonta also plans to provide bridge housing for recent graduates for the summer directly following their graduation to ease the transition to professional life at Bassett.

The State Department of Labor announced that the number of private sector jobs in New York State increased over the month by 4,900, to 8,252,700 in August. The State's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held constant at 3.9% in August, New York's labor force participation rate increased to 61.5% in August, highest level since 2013.

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 9-14-23

Broome County Sheriff’s Deputies responded Monday to a 911 call of a pedestrian-train accident in the Town of Union. The pedestrian, 33 year old Joey Rosa of Endwell was pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives found that Rosa had been known to frequent the area and was on the tracks as the train approached. The conductor of the train attempted to signal multiple times to get Rosa’s attention, but Rosa did not move off the tracks. The engineer was unable to stop the train, and at Rosa was struck and killed. Investigators have ruled the incident an accident.

The State Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting today at 5:30 PM, to present the design plans for improvements to pavement, sidewalks and drainage on State Route 7 in the Village of Otego.   The project will enhance bicycle and pedestrian safety and improve resiliency along Main Street from the I-88 ramps to the Otsdawa Creek Bridge.  The in-person event will take place at the Otego Fire Department at 5 River Street in Otego.  To join online, open the project website at dot.ny.gov/Route7Otego and click on the "Attend Live Public Meeting", more information is available at 772-7333.

The State Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, September 22 at 5:30 PM, to present the design plans for improvements to pavement, sidewalks and drainage on State Route 7 in the Village of Otego. The project will enhance bicycle and pedestrian safety and improve resiliency along Main Street from the I-88 ramps to the Otsdawa Creek Bridge. The in-person event will take place at the Otego Fire Department at 5 River Street in Otego. To join online, open the project website at dot.ny.gov/Route7Otego and click on the "Attend Live Public Meeting", more information is available at 772-7333.

The Annual Tom "Uncle Bear" Safford, Sr. Memorial Truck Show will be held Saturday at General Clinton Park in Bainbridge, spokesperson Julie Fuller told WCDO News about the event.

(Julie Fuller 9-17-21)

Fuller Said that Safford was a Guilford resident & long time truck driver who succumbed to cancer a few years ago; more information is available at 316-2798.

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 8-20-21

State police have identified the deceased in a Hit & Run Motor Vehicle & Pedestrian accident on August 15th, or 16th as 72 year old Alan Weill of Oneonta. State Police continue to ask the public to call them at 561-7400 if they were in the area and may have observed anything. Police announced earlier in the week that that had located the vehicle involved in the hit & run accident, which occurred on State Route 205 near Country Club Road in the town of Oneonta.

State Police reported that 27 citations were issued during an Operation Hard Hat detail in Broome County Thursday. Troopers were set up while workers completed bridge work along Interstate 81 in Binghamton; they issued 19 tickets for speeding, 2 for violating seatbelt laws, & 6 for other violations.

City of Oneonta officials said Tuesday the top level of the city parking garage will be closed for cleaning and maintenance from 6:00 AM tomorrow until 6:00 AM Thursday, the stairwells and pedestrian bridge to Main Street will remain open.  Otsego County Department of Health reported that they have had 30 confirmed cases of COVID 19 in June & July, with 9 cases in June and 21 in July.  Of those 30 cases, 18 were female and 12 male, 4 individuals were hospitalized, all were 60 years or older.  There are currently 10 active cases in 7 different households; no link between households has been identified.  3 new cases were reported Tuesday, giving the County 99 total confirmed cases,  3 people are hospitalized, 5 have died, 84 have recovered and 219 people on quarantined.

State Police arrested 32 year
old Heather Houck of Binghamton & 26 year old Caleb Zandt of Deposit for
Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance & Criminally Using Drug
Paraphernalia.   A trooper observed the
vehicle Houck and Zandt were in, near a closed business, the trooper learned
that Houck had an active warrant for her arrest.  Houck was also found to have suspected heroin
and methamphetamine, she was arrested and was turned over to Broome County Central
Arraignment and Processing.   Zandt was
found to be in possession of heroin and a scale.  He was issued appearance tickets to the town
of Union court on August 6th.

State Police responded Saturday to a pedestrian struck by a
vehicle on County Road 4 in the town of Unadilla.  69-year-old Susan Haney of Unadilla was
walking south on the eastern shoulder of County Road 4 when she was struck by
an SUV operated by 34-year-old Nicole Wilbur of Unadilla, who became distracted
and drifted off the road and struck Haney, Wilbur immediately stopped and
called 911.  Haney suffered from head
trauma, internal bleeding and leg injuries; she was flown to Upstate Medical
Center in Syracuse where she underwent surgery and is listed in critical but
stable condition.   Wilbur was issued
tickets for Reckless Driving, Moving from a Lane Unsafely and Failure to Use
Due Care for a Pedestrian. The investigation is on-going.

The Guilford Town Board will hold a special meeting this
evening to discuss the High Bridge Wind farm Development Project by Calpine,
Guilford Town Supervisor George Senek comments:

(George Senek 7-17-19)

The meeting will begin at 7:00 PM at the Guilford Town
Highway Garage at 223 Marble Road; more information is available at 895-9966.

Governor Cuomo today announced $6.5 million in new funding
has been awarded for projects that support bicycle and pedestrian enhancements,
as well as projects specifically targeted toward improving air quality in the
Southern Tier. Local projects include $732,000 to Broome County for new
pedestrian accessibility enhancements along Chenango Street in the Town of
Fenton & $1.7 million to the Village of Stamford for new pedestrian
accessibility enhancements along Main Street

Assemblyman Cliff Crouch and Senator Fred Akshar will be
holding a bridge dedication ceremony on Today at 1:00 PM where they will be
dedicating 2 bridges in memory of Justin Whiting and Lieutenant  Cameron Hall, who lost their lives in service
to their country during the war in Iraq. The ceremony will be held on a bridge
on State Route 97 in the town of Hancock.

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office arrested 37 year old Jared Meek, after Deputies responded to a complaint of a vehicle driving on the Brandywine Highway with significant front end damage and no front tire left on the rim. officers stopped Meek's vehicle on Chenango Bridge Road in the Town of Chenango, Meek is accused of driving while intoxicated with a Blood Alcohol Content of 0.16%, twice the legal limit. The investigation accuses Meek of hitting a utility pole in the City of Binghamton and leaving the scene, Meek was processed at the Broome County Sheriff’s Office and given an appearance ticket to appear before the Town of Chenango Court at a later date.

35-year-old Mindy Stevens of the town of Maryland faces several charges, after striking a pedestrian with her car & leaving the scene. 29-year-old Evelyn Ruiz was walking on Route 7 near County High 58A when a vehicle struck her & fled the scene. Ruiz was taken to Bassett Hospital; the vehicle was spotted in Oneonta, & Stevens was charged.

Construction is underway on a $4.2 million bicycle and pedestrian trail that will link downtown Binghamton with the South Side neighborhoods. The Greenway is part of Governor Cuomo's $59 million investment in the multi-phase Route 434 Greenway / Route 363 Gateway project ; The 1st phase includes the Route 434 Greenway trail from the South Washington Street Pedestrian Bridge to the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Vestal Avenue in Binghamton’s south side The Greenway phase will also provide a crossing over Route 434 on the Pennsylvania Avenue Bridge. The rest of the phases of the project should begin in 2020.

State Police responded to a car-pedestrian crash on Gilmore Lane in Norwich. 32-year-old Brandon Jones was driving a pickup when he got into a verbal dispute with his wife, who was a passenger. Police said that the wife exited the vehicle; the truck then struck her, causing serious injuries. She was transported to Wilson Memorial Hospital in Johnson City. Jones was charged with 2nd-degree vehicular assault and DWI, he was arraigned in the Town of Norwich Court and was sent to the Chenango County Jail on $7,500 cash bail or $20,000 bond pending court action on January 24th.

The Jericho Arts Council announced that the Atkinson Family Band would perform at the Bainbridge Town Hall Theatre Saturday night. More information, or ticket reservations can be made at 288-3882, the show will begin at 7:00 PM. The Doors open at 6:00 pm; General Admission tickets are $12.00, Seniors & Students $10.00 & Students under 10 $5.00

Many area fire departments responded to a fire on State Route 7 in the Wells Bridge area this morning. The fire started at about 7:00 AM at a 2 story structure across the road from the former Babcock's, firefighters from Wells Bridge, Unadilla, Franklin, Sidney, Oneonta, West Oneonta & Gilbertsville responded, traffic was detoured off of route 7 while firefighters tackled that fire. The investigation into the cause of the blaze is continuing.

The Unatego Central School District will host a Town Hall Meeting tonight at the Junior Senior High School Auditorium in wells Bridge, Superintendent Dr. Dave Richards comments:

(Dave Richards 1-17-17)

Tonight's meeting will begin at 7:00 PM; Richards said that they expect questions regarding the district's financial condition, the Facilities Study & the possible closure of the Otego Elementary School.

State Police arrested 27-year-old Justin Martin of Guilford, for DWI with a B.A.C. result of .16% along with other traffic violations, after Martin allegedly failed to stop at a red light in the Village of Bainbridge. Troopers discovered that Martin was wanted by the Oneonta City Police Department on a warrant. Martin was issued tickets for the Town of Bainbridge Court on January 23; he was then turned over to the Oneonta Police Department.

The State DOT will hold a public meeting on today, to discuss the conclusions of the Interstate 81 pedestrian bridge study, and the US Route 11 Bridge over I-81 replacement project, the public information meeting will be held in at the Dickinson Town Hall, at 6:00 PM.

The next general meeting of the Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce is this morning. The meeting will be held at 7:30 at Bob's Diner.

The State DOT will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, January 17 to discuss the conclusions of the Interstate 81 pedestrian bridge study, and the US Route 11 Bridge over I-81 replacement project, both located in the town of Dickinson. The public information meeting will be held in at the Dickinson Town Hall, 531 Old Front Street in Dickinson. A formal presentation will begin at 6 p.m.

Fire fighters from several area departments responded this morning to a structure fire on Main Street in Delhi. The fire began at about 6:30 this morning in the kitchen of Village Pizzeria at 106 Main Street, it eventually spread to an adjacent antiques store. Main Street has been closed off & the Delaware County Courthouse has cancelled all activity today due to a loss of electrical power. Delaware County Emergency Services department reported that fire fighters from Manpower and Apparatus from Delhi, Andes, Bloomville, Bovina, Franklin, Margaretville, Meridale, Oneonta, Pindars Corners, Sidney, Walton, & Wells Bridge responded, 1 firefighter fell on stairs & suffered minor injuries.

Governor Cuomo today announced the availability of $98.7 million in funding to support bicycle, pedestrian, multi-use path and transportation-related programs as well as projects that reduce congestion and help to meet the requirements of the Clean Air Act. These projects will be selected through a competitive solicitation process and rated based on established criteria that include public benefit, air quality improvement, and innovation. The New York State Department of Transportation will be accepting applications for this funding opportunity through October 21, 2016. Program guidance, applications and workshop schedules may be found at dot.ny.gov.

The Bainbridge town board will hold a special finance meeting today at 4:00 PM. The meeting will be held at the Bainbridge Town Hall & will be open to the public.

State DOT announced the opening of 2 bridges carrying Route 28 over the West Branch of the Delaware River in the village of Delhi. A $1.5 million project to rehabilitate the bridges is now substantially complete, it included repairing the concrete bridge deck, paving and repainting the bridges, Sidewalk and pedestrian railings also were repaired as part of the project. The bridges are located in succession and cross 2 legs of the River, they were built in 1940.

The Bainbridge-Guilford Board of Education has begun its search for a new Superintendent of Schools. The Board is interested in soliciting feedback from the community on the final 3 superintendent candidates. Parents and community members who are interested in serving on the Community Interview Committee should notify the District Office at 967-6321, no later than Thursday, January 7th. Members of the Community Interview Committee must be available to attend a workshop for all committee members on February 2, 2016 at 3:30 pm as well as the three finalist interviews on February 9, 10, and 11 at 4:30 pm each afternoon. A committee of 7 to 10 people will be selected by the Board of Education.

The City of Oneonta will be painting the deck of the Pedestrian Bridge adjoining the 2nd level of the parking garage to the Main Street arcade walkway beginning this morning, The bridge will be closed today & Tuesday, during that time, Main street can be accessed from the Muller Park Stairs or by lower Chestnut Street. More information is available at 432-6465.

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School district will be holding it’s annual mandatory parent-student meeting for JV and Varsity athletics in the Fall season. The meeting will be held at the high school auditorium tonight at 6 PM. All necessary paperwork for participation will be provided at the meeting. Fall sports offered at B-G are: Volleyball, Football, Soccer, Cheerleading and Golf.

The City Of Oneonta Will be painting the deck of the Pedestrian Bridge Adjoining the 2nd level of the parking garage to the Main Street arcade walkway beginning Monday morning, The bridge will be closed all day Monday & Tuesday, during that time, main street can be accessed from the Muller Park Stairs of by lower Chestnut Street. More information is available at 432-6465.

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting TODAY in the District Conference Room at 6:30 PM.

Investigators in Utica are trying to determine how a train accident occurred yesterday at the Union Station. Officials reported that a rolling train-car slammed into a locomotive on display at Union Station in Utica Tuesday afternoon, investigators believe that the rail car rolled about 1.5 miles before the collision, it is also being blamed for a 2 vehicle motor vehicle accident at a nearby intersection. The display and a covered bridge linking Union Station with a platform north of the tracks sustained significant damage, engineers are trying to determine the safety of the covered pedestrian bridge.

The city of Oneonta will officially open the new Lower Wilber Park Pedestrian Bridge over Oneonta Creek today. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at the east end of Spruce Street at 10:00 AM. Eastman Associates constructed the bridge along with subcontractors Unalam & Cobleskill Stone Products, at a cost of $178,000.

The State DOT has scheduled a public information meeting tonight, to discuss the planning study for the I-81 Pedestrian Bridge. The meeting will be held in the Dickinson Town Hall at 531 Old Front Street, Binghamton at 6:30 PM with the presentation will beginning at 7:00 PM. The pedestrian bridge remains safe for cyclists & pedestrians, but has been deteriorating and it does not have sufficient clearance over I-81 and does not meet current requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Additional information can be found at dot.ny.gov/i81pedestrianbridge.