WCDO Radio News

New York Farm Bureau will hold their 59th State Annual Meeting today & tomorrow at the Desmond Hotel in Albany. Delegates from 52 county Farm Bureaus will gather to debate and vote on public policy resolutions, there will be educational opportunities for members, recognition of distinguished leaders past and present, a benefit auction for the NYFB Foundation for Agricultural Education and special remarks from agricultural leaders. Elections will also be held for state director positions.

The fourth Cal Harris' fourth murder trial is expected to begin March 28, and the trial will be moved from the Schoharie County Court to the state Supreme Court in Schoharie County. Judge Richard Mott was assigned to the case in a decision by the state's Third Judicial District. The 3rd trial was presided over by Schoharie County judge George Bartlett, it ended in a mistrial, and Harris was convicted twice in Tioga County Court for murdering his estranged wife Michelle around September 11th 2001.

The anti-bullying "Sweethearts & Heroes" presentation with professional MMA fighter and Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran Tom Murphy will be presented to Oxford Academy Middle school students Wednesday. Beginning at 12:15 & again at 1:40 PM. Oxford Middle School principal Kathleen Hansen explains:

(Kathleen Hansen 12-8-15)

Principal Hansen also said that Broome County Area Native Rick Yarosh will gives a message about overcoming adversity and turning a negative situation into a positive one, Yarosh is familiar to many area residents, he is a retired sergeant with the U.S. Army from Windsor, who was injured in Iraq with burns over most of his body, more information is available at sweetheartsandheroes.org or on their facebook page.

The murder trial of Cal Harris will continue in Schoharie County Court, after Judge George Bartlett ruled against a defense motion for a mistrial following yesterday's opening statements by the prosecution. Harris has been convicted twice before for the murder of Michelle Harris in Tioga County Court, both convictions were overturned on appeal, & the 3rd trial was moved to Schoharie County.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office & Norwich Police executed a “no knock” search warrant Thursday at 12 Mechanic Street in Norwich, following an investigation of heroin and narcotics sales. 27-year-old Jason Sigler of Norwich was charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance & Criminal Nuisance, he was arraigned in the City of Norwich Court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $5,000 cash bail. 50-year-old Patricia Manwarren of Norwich was charged with Criminal Nuisance, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Criminal Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, with more charges pending, she was arraigned in the City of Norwich Court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $1,000 cash bail. 39-year-old Michael Hackett was found to be in possession of marihuana and issued an appearance ticket to appear in the City of Norwich Court at a later date. The Sheriff’s Office recovered cocaine, prescription pills, marihuana, digital scales, and Baggies during the search.

State Police arrested 47-year-old Jason Bush of Deposit for Criminal Obstruction of Breathing or Blood Circulation, Criminal Mischief & Harassment. The arrest occurred after Troopers responded to a request to check the welfare of a woman at a residence on County Route 20 in Deposit, where Bush allegedly kicked, punched, choked & threw her phone so that she could not contact police. Bush faces court action Monday.

State police announced that 3 employees from 3 businesses were arrested Sunday during a state police underage drinking initiative. State police conducted stings at several establishments, charged with the prohibited sale of an alcoholic beverage, 43 year old Larry Pike of Oneonta at the Taylor’s Mini Mart in Oneonta, 26 year old Santiago Giraldo of New Rochelle at the Best Wine and Spirits on Route 7 in Oneonta, & 27 year old Mehwish Rena of Otego, at Betty Beaver’s Fuel Stop in Otego. All 3 will appear in court at later dates.

Opening statements began in Schoharie County Court today, with Tioga County District attorney Kirk Martin telling the jurors that Cal Harris murdered Michelle Harris in 2001, and Harris attorney Bruce Barket seeking an immediate mistrial based on those opening remarks. Schoharie County Judge George Bartlett is expected to rule on he mistrial request this afternoon. Harris has been convicted twice before for the murder of Michelle Harris, in Tioga County Court.