WCDO Radio News

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 8-23-24

The Norwich Police Department is investigating a motorcycle fatality accident that occurred on Prentice Street in the City of Norwich Wednesday evening. 66 year old Robert Vanvorst ran off the roadway into a wooded area, he succumbed to his injuries on the scene. The investigation is ongoing, and the Norwich Police Department was assisted by the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office Accident Reconstruction Team.

State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation arrested 47 year old David Burns of Trumansburg, for 2nd degree Grand Larceny. State Police learned that a victim had entered into a contract with Burns, who owns Duramax Developers in July 2023 and didn’t complete work he was paid to do. Burns was hired to demolish an existing building and build a modular home in its place but only completed part of the job, even though the victim paid him over $400,000. Burns was processed at and was transported to the Tompkins County Correctional Facility for Centralized Arraignment.

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 6-7-24

State Police responded Thursday at about 11:45 AM to a motorcycle and a utility truck crash on Bert Washburn Road in the town of Otego. An investigation revealed that a utility truck was parked and unoccupied when 39 year old Robert Burns of Otego lost control of his motorcycle and slid into the front of the utility truck. He was thrown from the motorcycle and was located underneath the truck. Troopers, Otego EMS and Otego Fire rendered aid to Burns, but he was pronounced deceased on scene. The investigation is ongoing.

The Southern Tier Music Festival will return to the Sidney Airport next summer, organizers Ed Curley & Teri Schunk visited WCDO to make the announcement:

(Teri-Ed 11-10-23)

More information will be released in the coming weeks, information will be updated at the Southern Tier Music Festival Facebook page.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 11-10-23

State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation arrested 32 year old Boyd Fenton of Athens, Pennsylvania after a fire at a barn at the Tioga Downs Casino complex Thursday. Over two-dozen racehorses died in the fire. Fenton has been charged with Arson, Burglary, Criminal Mischief & Assault, An investigation revealed that Fenton entered the barn and intentionally set a fire, causing thousands of dollars’ worth of damage. 1 person who entered the burning barn in an attempt to save horses suffered second degree burns and was transported to Robert Packer Hospital for treatment. Fenton was arraigned and remanded to the Tioga County Correctional Facility.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 12-6-22

State Police responded to a crash Monday involving a pedestrian in town of Sherburne. Police reported that a vehicle was traveling west on State Highway 80 when a pedestrian who was standing in the roadway and wearing dark clothing was struck. The pedestrian has been identified as 30 year old Megan Mikalunas of North Norwich, she was pronounced deceased on scene. The driver of the vehicle, 57 year old Robert Allen of Oneida stopped and flagged down another vehicle to call 911. Sherburne EMS and State Police responded to the scene, the investigation is on-going.

NBT Bancorp and Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. of Connecticut announced that they have entered into a agreement where Salisbury will merge with and into NBT. Chief Accounting Officer Annette Burns of NBT Bancorp told WCDO News what the merger means:

(Annette Burns 12-6-22)

The merger is expected to close in the second quarter of 2023 following the expected approval by the shareholders and required regulatory approvals.

State
Police at Norwich arrested 47 year old Robert Smith of Sidney for Driving While
Intoxicated, after a trooper on County Road 35 in the town of Oxford observed
Smith driving erratically and initiated a traffic stop.  Smith's B.A.C. was .14%, he was processed and
turned over to a sober third party.

State Police arrested 31 year old Corey Burns of Bainbridge for Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs, after a trooper was dispatched to a gas station in Afton after a concerned citizen called 911.  The trooper located Burns in his vehicle, he was arrested, processed then released to a sober 3rd party.

The State DEC announced that statewide efforts to control
giant hogweed are making substantial headway in eradicating this dangerous
plant.   Giant hogweed can cause severe
skin and eye irritation, including painful burns and scarring when skin exposed
to its sap becomes more sensitive to UV radiation.  More information about giant hogweed is
available at DEC’s website.

Executives from the State Office of Victim Services &
the State Office of Children and Family Services  toured the new mobile Child Advocacy Center in
Delaware County Monday.   The Delaware
County mobile unit is 1 of 7 that will be delivered throughout the state this
summer and fall  & it is part of a
$4.45 million investment by the state to improve services for children who are
victims of physical or sexual abuse.  The
program is being funded through a partnership between the State Office of
Victim Services and the State Office of Children and Family Services.

State Primary Elections are being held today, with Polls
will be open from 12:00 noon to 9:00 PM.
Republican Primaries will be held in Delaware County for Sidney Town
Clerk between incumbent Lisa French & Sheila Paul, Primaries will also be
held for Hancock Superintendent of Highways & a Stamford Town Council. In
Chenango County, Republican Primary races include Norwich Mayor between
Christine Carnrike & Shawn Sastri, and North Norwich Town Supervisor
between Timothy Brown & Robert Wansor.

Tomorrow is Election Day, with a host of important races to be decided.
For FEDERAL Positions, in the U.S. SENATE, Democratic incumbent Kirsten Gillibrand faces Republican challenger Chele Farley. In area House of Representative Races; in the 19th District: Incumbent Republican John Faso faces challenges from Democrat Antonio Delgado, Green Candidate Steven Greenfield, & Independent Dianne Neal; in the 22nd District: Republican Incumbent Claudia Tenney vs Democrat Anthony Brindisi.
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In key races on the County Level, for Otsego County Sheriff; Incumbent Rich Devlin faces Robert Fernandez, in the Broome County Sheriff's race: Incumbent David Harder Vs Matt Ryan. . In the race for the 6th District of the State Supreme Court: Republican Joe McBride faces Democrat Elizabeth Burns.
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For State Offices, for Governor: 2 term Incumbent Democrat Andrew Cuomo faces challenges from Republican Marcus Molinaro, Green Party Candidate Howie Hawkins, Libertarian Larry Sharpe, & Independent Stephanie Miner; in the race for Comptroller: Incumbent Democrat Tom DiNapoli, faces Republican Jonathan Trichter & Green Candidate Mark Dunlea, for Attorney General; Democrat Letitia James, Republican Keith Wofford, Green Candidate Michael Sussman, Libertarian Christopher Garvey are running In local State Senate races, in the 42nd District, Democrat Jennifer Metzger faces Republican Ann Rabbitt, in the 51st District; Republican Incumbent Jim Seward faces Democrat Joyce St. George. In the 52nd District, Incumbent Republican Fred Akshar is unopposed. In local State Assembly races, in the 121 District: Incumbent Bill Magee faces Republican John Salka, in the 122 District Incumbent Cliff Crouch faces a challenge from Conservative Nicholas Libous, there is no Democratic candidate. In the 123rd District: Democratic incumbent Donna Lupardo is unopposed, in the 102 District: Incumbent Republican Christopher Tague faces Democrat Aidan O’Conner

Firefighters from Bainbridge, Afton, Masonville & Sidney responded to the Frog Ponds Farm on State Highway 7, for a Structure fire reported at the doughnut shack. The fire was reported at about 11:25 this morning, Chenango County Fire officials reported that one victim suffered burns & was taken to Wilson Memorial Hospital in Johnson City.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Village of Oxford couple for active arrest warrants issued by Chenango County court Judge Frank Revoir. The arrest warrants stemmed from sealed indictments that were presented to the Chenango County Grand Jury Wednesday. 33-Year-old Robert Gallo and 29 year old Savannah Gallo were indicted for multiple counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance, for allegedly selling narcotics from their residence at 16 Merchant Street in Oxford. The couple was located at their residence following a complaint of hypodermic needles being located in front of home; they were taken into custody with assistance from State Police, they were processed at the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office & were remanded to the Chenango County Jail pending arraignment in Chenango County Court shortly.