WCDO Radio News

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.

A State Senate Judiciary Panel has rejected Governor Kathy Hochul's nomination of Justice Hector LaSalle to lead New York's highest court, the Court of Appeals. The Committee on the Judiciary voted 10-9 against sending Justice Hector LaSalle's nomination up for a full vote on the Senate floor following a lengthy hearing where Judge LaSalle was questioned on his record.

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 1-19-23

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public's Assistance in locating Robert Shelp Jr. on an outstanding warrant. Shelp is described as a White Male, about 5'7" a60 pounds with hazel eyes & brown & gray hair, he is wanted for violation of probation for a criminal possession of stolen Property charge. Anyone with information should contact the Broome County Sheriff’s Office at gobroomecounty.com/sheriff/warrants or by (607) 778-1196 or (607) 778-2923.

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 28 year old Robert Wehrenberg on a warrant for failure to appear in Otsego County Court. Wehrenberg previously failed to appear in Otsego County Court, a bench warrant was issued through Otsego County Court, he did make an appearance in court and was remanded to the Otsego County Correctional Facility, & will appear in Otsego County Court at a later date.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced the introduction of the "Rural Prosperity Act" today to stream line local governments ability to access federal programs that are spread out & inefficient:

(Gillibrand 3-23-22)

Senator Gillibrand said that currently, there are more than 400 federal programs dedicated to helping rural communities, spread across 13 departments, and over 50 offices and sub-agencies. This bill would cut federal red tape by establishing the Office of Rural Prosperity, a permanent office in the White House tasked with coordinating federal efforts to support and connect New York’s rural communities to federal programs.

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 3-23-22

State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett said that she doesn’t expect to see a “steep surge” in COVID-19 cases as a new omicron subvariant grows more prevalent in the state. Dr. Bassett said that the BA.2 variant comprises about 42% of all New York State cases, the positivity rate of COVID tests on Monday was back up to 2.36%.

Bainbridge Town Spring Clean-Up Day is tomorrow from 9:00 am - Noon at the Town Highway garage on Lawrence Road. Residents can drop off tires, white goods and electronics. No garbage, hazardous waste or yard debris and no early drop offs!! The fee for tires up to a size 16" is $3.00, 17 - 20" $4.00 and $8.50 for tractor tires. There will also be a $10.00 fee for any appliance that contains Freon.

State Police arrested 49 year old Wayne Johnson of Unadilla for Aggravated DWI with a child as passenger and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation.  Troopers responded to a complaint about a vehicle in the ditch off Lilley Hill Road in the town of Butternuts.  Troopers located Johnson walking on Robert Williams Road with 2 children; Johnson was released on appearance tickets to the town of Butternuts court on June 25th.

Former WCDO personality Wayne Robert
King has passed away at the age of 62.
King had the 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM shift from the mid 80's to the late
90’s; he had been operating the Country Motel on State Route 7 in recent
years.  Funeral arrangements are being
handled by CH Landers Funeral Home.

The Annual "Taste
of the Catskills" will be held at Maple Shade farms in the town of Delhi
Saturday & Sunday.  More than 100
vendors are participating, various entertainment & games are scheduled, and
more information is available at taste of the catskill.com.

State Police are asking the public’s
help to locate 44 year old Jesse Donlin, who has been missing since early
September.  Donlin was last seen in the
Oxford area and has not been heard from since.
He is described as a white male, 5’7” feet tall, approximately 165
pounds, with light brown shoulder length hair and brown eyes.   Donlin has ties to Sidney, Unadilla, Morris,
Afton as well as Binghamton, Utica & the Capital District.  Anyone with information about Donlin’s
whereabouts should call State Police at 561-7400.

The Otsego County Sheriff’s Department is seeking the
public’s assistance in locating 48 year old Roxanne Shipman-Hull of the town of
Hartwick.  She is described as white,
with brown hair, Brown eyes, about 5’6” 115 pounds, she was last seen Sunday
September 29th leaving her residence, telling her boyfriend that she was
leaving & had no future plans.
Deputies said that she has a history of leaving, and a history of self-harm,
she was driving a 2011 Gray colored Honda CRV with license plate number
HZN-9505, she may also be with her brown colored female Labrador
retriever.  Anyone with information is
asked to contact the sheriff’s department at 547-1697.

The Unadilla Rotary will hold their 10th annual Autumn Fest
on October 6th, spokesman Robert Knox explains:

(Robert Knox 10-4-19)

Additional information about the event can be found at
unadillarotary.org/autumn-fest.

60-year-old Robert Doyle of Windsor was arrested on a
variety of drug charges, by the Broome County Special Investigations Task
Force.  Police searched Doyle’s home at
118 Main Street in Windsor, they seized Crystal Meth, Mollies, drug packaging
materials and digital scales used to weigh narcotics & a stolen 12-gauge
shotgun.  Doyle was charged with multiple
counts of Criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal possession of
stolen property & criminally using drug paraphernalia, he faces court action
shortly.

The Town of Bainbridge will be holding their annual Spring
Clean up Day tomorrow from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon at the town Highway Garage on
Lawrence Road.  Residents can drop off
tires, white goods & electronics, more information is available at
967-3781.

Binghamton City Police are investigating a Bank Robbery at
Citizens Bank on Main Street.  Police are
looking a suspect described as a 6'2" white Male, who handed the teller a
note and left on foot at about 10:20 this morning.    Anyone with information should call 911 or
contact Binghamton Police at 772-7076.

Governor Cuomo today announced
$128 million in new State funding for fixing State roadways impacted by this
year's harsh winter weather. Funding will support 91 paving projects and the
renewal of approximately 1,000 miles of pavement across the state, with at
least 1 project in every county.  The new
funding complements $100 million previously committed earlier this year for
local projects that renew approximately 3,700 miles of road across the
State.  The current State Budget provides
a record level of $743 million in direct state aid to local governments for
road and bridge repair and modernization.

State Police arrested 39 year old Robert Stutzer of
Middletown for Driving While Intoxicated, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation,
& Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Accident.   Troopers were dispatched to the Kwik Fill
Gas Station in the village of Unadilla, An investigation revealed that Stutzer
was impaired and had also been involved in an accident on State Route 357, He
was arrested and refused to submit to a breath sample, he was arraigned and
remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $2,500 cash bail or $5,000 property
bond. His next court date is March 14, 2019.

Rochester Police announced that 14 year old Joanna Coates of Rochester, who was the subject of an Amber Alert late last night, was found alive & safe in New York City earlier this afternoon, 41 year old Robert Gonzalez of Rochester was taken into custody, he is expected to be returned to Rochester to face a variety of charges. Coates will be returned to her family following a medical examination at a New York City Hospital.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 12-4-18
The Rochester City Police Department has activated the State AMBER Alert following child abduction in Rochester Saturday Night. The CHILD is 14 year old JOANNA COATES, described as a White female with brown hair and green eyes, about 5 feet 4 inches and 100 pounds; she was last seen wearing TIMBERLAND BOOTS, BLUE NIKE SHIRT, and BLACK LEGGINGS. The SUSPECT is 41 year old ROBERT GONZALEZ, described as a Hispanic male with black hair and brown eyes, 6 feet tall and he weighs about 185 pounds, he was last seen traveling southeast possibly heading for NEW YORK CITY. THE CHILD WAS TAKEN UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES THAT LEAD POLICE TO BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE IN IMMINENT DANGER OF SERIOUS HARM AND OR DEATH. Anyone with any information is asked to call (866) N Y S-AMBER or dial 911 to provide information to law enforcement.

State Police arrested 35 year old Daniel White of Unadilla, for Unlawful Growing of Cannabis, 3 counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and Unlawful Possession of Marihuana. Troopers responded to White's home to conduct a welfare check, troopers discovered that cannabis was being unlawfully grown within the home where 3 minors reside. White was released with an appearance ticket returnable to the town of Unadilla Court on July 9th.

State Police arrested 33-year-old Robert West of New Berlin for allegedly sending messages of a sexual nature to the child by Snapchat. West has been charged with 2nd-degree sexual abuse, forcible touching, & 2 counts of endangering the welfare of a child. West was arraigned in North Norwich town court and sent to Chenango County Jail on $5,000 bail.

There have been some changes regarding the requirements for those seeking to get a high school equivalency through the TASC program recently. June White of the Afton Central School Tasc Program explains:

(June White 5-8-18)

Anyone who is interested in participating in the TASC program can contact June White at 639-2811.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputy’s arrested 61 year old Robert Wenzel of Delhi for DWI, failure to maintain lane, after a motor vehicle accident on State Highway 28 in the Town of Delhi. Wenzel was arraigned in the Town of Delhi Court and was released on his own recognizance and is scheduled to appear at a later date.

State Police responded to a report of an assault Friday in the Town of Lisle, where the victim suffered a serious injury. Troopers said that the alleged assailant is 26 year old Thomas Sessions of the Whitney Point. Sessions is described to as 6 feet tall, approximately 240 pounds with blonde hair and blue eyes; he was left the scene in a white pick-up truck with oversized tires and a loud muffler. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Thomas Sessions is requested to contact the State Police at 775-1241, email at Crimetip@troopers.ny.gov or by the State Police Facebook site.

State Police arrested 55 year old Robert George of Sidney for Driving While Intoxicated, on State Highway 7 in the town of Bainbridge and observed traffic violations. George was released on tickets returnable to the town of Bainbridge on April 10th.

State Troopers received a report of a missing person by the name of 17 year old Kathleen Miller (also known as Valerie Angel Amato), described as a white female, 5 feet 2 inches tall, weighing about 130 pounds, she was last seen wearing a blue Buffalo Bills sweatshirt, leggings, black sneakers and she was carrying a white duffel bag. She was spotted Monday morning at 10:30 AM, on State Route 21 in the town of Wayland, and again on Wednesday afternoon in the village of Dansville, police believe that she may be heading to Binghamton, where she has family. Anyone with information can contact State Police at 911.

Delaware County Sheriff Deputies arrested 3 Hancock men wanted on Bench Warrants issued by the Binghamton City Court. Deputies & Hancock Police arrested 23 year old Axel Zazeckie and 26 year old Robert Croci for failure to appear in the Binghamton City Court, they were turned over to Broome County Sheriff’s Deputies, Zazecki is facing charges of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance & False Personation and Croci is charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance. 27 year old Daniel Dermody of Hancock was stopped by Hancock Police for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, he was arraigned and was remanded to the Delaware County Jail, he was also wanted for failure to appear & is being turned over to the Broome County Sheriff’s Office to answer to charges of DWI, Driving with a BAC over 0.08 percent and moving from lane unsafely in Binghamton.

State Police arrested 53 year old Dana Ramey of Windsor for animal cruelty and the harassment, after troopers were made aware of crime outside a home on John White Road in the Town of Windsor. An investigation determined that Ramey had grabbed another person’s dog by the collar and punched him several times. When confronted by a witness he then grabbed that person by the neck and threatened him. Ramey was issued tickets returnable to the Town of Windsor court on August 9, 2016.

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office announces the arrest of 3 Margaretville people on Sealed Grand Jury Indictment Warrants. Deputies and Investigators arrested 39 year old Christopher Fairbairn for allegedly selling heroin in the Town of Middletown. 69 year old Salvatore Esposito was arrested for allegedly selling Oxycodone & Fentanyl transdermal patches from his residence. 62 year old Karen Certain was charged for allegedly selling hydrocodone in Margaretville. While acting on the Warrant, Investigators discovered marihuana being grown outside Certain’s residence, they arrested 61 year old Robert Cline for Unlicensed Cultivation of Cannabis. All face court action shortly.

The Otsego County Sheriff's department is continuing the investigation into Monday's Bank robbery at the Edmeston NBT bank branch. The suspect is described as a white male, in his mid-to-late twenties, 5 foot 7 to 5 foot ten, with a thin build, he was last seen wearing light-colored pants, a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt, dark-colored shoes, a dark-colored knit hat and dark-rimmed glasses. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office at 547-4273.

Supporters came from all over to show their support for the residents of Islamberg in the town of Tompkins, as a group of Bikers known as the "American Bikers United Against Jihad" planned a rally, against the Muslim group who have been targeted in certain media as being a terrorist training ground. Julia Reischel of the Watershed Post was at yesterday's rally; she told WCDO News that the rally was a lot smaller than expected:

(Julia Reischel 5-16-16)

Reischel said that state Troopers & Delaware County Sheriff’s deputies were on hand to insure the safety of the community & the supporters. Islamberg had also been targeted by Robert Doggart of Tennessee, who vowed to get a militia together to burn down the community and kill the residents; he was arrested earlier this year by the FBI for making terrorist threats.

Johnson City Police Patrolman Lou Cioci was presented the Congressional Medal of Valor by President Barack Obama this morning at the White House. Cioci was recognized for his actions on March 31st 2014, after fellow Johnson City Police Officer David Smith was shot and killed on Harrison Street, as Patrolman Cioci arrived, he opened fire on the gunman, hitting him several times, The injured gunman tackled Cioci, attempting to grab his service weapon, Cioci shot the man twice more during the confrontation, ending the attack.

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.

A New York state missing vulnerable adult alert has been issued out of Tompkins county, 81 year old David Sprague has been reported missing, since Thursday afternoon. He is described as white male, 5’11”, 157 pounds, he was last seen at about 2:30 PM Thursday in Ithaca, driving a brown Buick Lacrosse with license plate number 182-ACL. Sprague suffers from dementia and has medical issues, anyone with information is asked to call 272-2444 or 911.

State police responded to 2106 Richmond Road in the Town of Union, where they uncovered a methamphetamine-manufacturing lab. Police arrested 34 year old Andrew Honnick of Endicott, with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance & Unlawful Manufacture of Methamphetamine & 47 year old Martine Ritz of Endicott, for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, & Unlawful Manufacture of Methamphetamine. Police also charged 47-year-old Robert White of Endicott with Unlawful Possessions of Marihuana. Honnick and Ritz were arraigned and remanded to the Broome County Jail with out bail. White was arraigned and sent to the Broome County Jail in lieu of $250.00 cash bail.

A trial date of November 16th has been set for former State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos & his son Adam, in a Manhattan federal courtroom. Skelos is accused of using his political influence to get his son a no-show job with a malpractice insurance company; he was previously accused of threatening an environmental technology company if his son was not hired as a consultant. Dean Skelos stepped down as head of the State Senate after his initial arrest in May, his deputy Senate leader Tom Libous was convicted of lying to the FBI about using his political influence get his son a job with a White Plains law firm.

45-year-old Robert Wheeler of Milford has been charged with 3rd & 4th degree grand larceny for allegedly stealing more than $4,000 worth of auto parts and accessories. Wheeler was charged following a complaint that he ordered 2 shipments of auto parts last year and refused to pay for them. Wheeler faces court action on August 4th.

Detectives with the Chenango county sheriff’s department arrested 57-year-old Robert Baker of Plymouth for possessing a Sexual Performance by a child and possessing an Obscene Sexual Performance by a child.   Detectives obtained a search warrant for baker’s computer following a lengthy investigation into a child endangerment complaint.   Baker was arraigned in the Town of Plymouth Court and remanded to the Chenango county jail on $25,000.00 cash bail.  The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending.

Eric Schwartz, a former White House (/l) and UN adviser and public policy expert, will give a presentation Sept. 30 at Binghamton University. The free presentation is open to the public and will take place at 7 p.m. in the Anderson Center. Schwartz, who earned his bachelor’s degree in political science at BU in 1979, has served as U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and Migration and UN Deputy Special Envoy for Tsunami Recovery.

The White House confirmed Wednesday that President Barack Obama's two-day bus tour will stop in Binghamton, along with Buffalo, Syracuse and a stop in northeastern Pennsylvania.  According to a White House official, the president will be traveling through New York and Pennsylvania Thursday, Aug. 22 and Friday, Aug. 23

The trial of 25 year old Binghamton resident Jaclyn Wesley began in Broome County Court yesterday.  In May of 2011, Wesley was driving her Ford Explorer when it went off Interstate 88 west in the town of Fenton and into the Chenango River.  There were 4 people in the vehicle and Wesley was the only survivor.  The bodies of 39-year-old Carri Michalski, 25-year-old Robert Moorehead and 45-year-old Robert Marshall were later recovered from the river.  Wesley is facing seven misdemeaners including driving while intoxicated in the case.  The trial continues at the Broome County Courthouse.

The Chenango county sheriff’s department arrested 32-year-old Robert Roberts of Norwich for 2 counts of Felony Criminal Possession of Stolen Property and 1Count of Petty Larceny.  Roberts is accused of using stolen credit cards, he was arraigned in the Town of Norwich Court and remanded to the Chenango county jail on $1000 cash bail. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending following the examination of evidence.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame Weekend is today through Sunday in Cooperstown, featuring the Awards Presentation Sunday.  The inductions of pioneering umpire Hank O’Day, former Yankees owner Jacob Ruppert and 19th Century star Deacon White will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday at the Clark Sports Center, they will also pay tribute to 12 individuals previously counted among the Hall’s roster of members who never had a formal induction due to wartime restrictions. The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be live on MLB Network.

The Otsego County Sheriffs office is searching for 80 year old Robert Merkel, who was traveling from Virginia to the West end of Oneonta on July 2nd, he has not been heard from leaving Chesapeake Virginia Tuesday.  Merkel is a white male, 5'10 inches tall, approximately 200 lbs, blue eyes, bald and wears wire-rimmed glasses, anyone with information is asked to contact the Otsego County sheriff’s office at 547-1692.

Binghamton City police are looking for a 25-year-old Michael Pruitt of Binghamton an arrest warrant from Binghamton City Court for third-degree criminal mischief.  Pruitt is described as white, 6 feet 1 inch tall and 170 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes, anyone with information is asked to contact the Binghamton Police Warrant Division at 772-7044.

The annual Robert W. Harrold BOCES open house will be held this coming Thursday from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at the campus in Masonville.  BOCES Principal Mike Waters comments:

(Mike Water 5-6-13)

WCDO will be broadcasting live at the BOCES open house starting at 4:30 PM on Thursday.

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office arrested 45-year-old Robert Bowers of Fenton following an investigation into a fight in the Town of Fenton.  Deputies reported that after the fight was broken up, Bowers returned to his trailer, grabbed a shotgun. & fired one round through his ceiling.  Bowers was charged with 1-Count of  2nd degree Reckless Endangerment & 1 Count of Illegal Discharge of a Firearm, he was processed at the Broome County Sheriffs Office and released on two appearance tickets returnable to the Town of Fenton Court at a later date.

The town of Unadilla is hosting a Spring Clean up at the town highway garage on Martin Brook Road, on Thursday may 2nd.  The event will run from 6:30 AM  to 4:00 PM.  Accepted items include electronics, metal without rubber, white goods, clean waste oil, and tire.  More information is available at 369-5466 or 369-4433

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office arrested two persons after finding them trespassing on the property of the Greater Binghamton Health Center in the City of Binghamton. Charged were 34-year-old Yancey Powell of Tampa Florida and 30-Year-old Robert Felton of Johnson city, they are accused of attempting to steal a metal fence in order to sell it for scrap.  Powell & Felton were each charged with trespassing, larceny and conspiracy, they were processed and released on appearance returnable to the City of Binghamton court at a later date.

The Norwich Police are investigating the theft of bottles of liquor from a city business Friday night between the hours of 7:00 to 7:30pm. The two males entered the store and hid bottled liquor in their clothing, then left the store, fleeing the scene in a black GM 4 door sedan car with the old New York State white license plates with blue letters & numbers. Anyone with information can report it at npdtips.com; or at 336-8477 or 334-1212.

Classes at the Robert W. Harrold BOCES campus in Masonvillle were dismissed at around Noon today, due to a recurring water main problem.  Officials hope to have the issue fixed by tomorrow.