WCDO Radio News

Schoharie County Judge Richard Mott finished deliberations today, he found Cal Harris NOT GUILTY of killing his estrnaged wife Michelle Harris in September 2001. Harris was convicted twice before in Tioga County Court, the 3rd jury trial ended with a deadlocked jury.

The statewide unemployment rate for April rose 1/10th to 4.9%, the State Labor Department has released the local unemployment rates for April. Chenango County equaled the state rate at 4.9%, Delaware County had a 5.5% rate & Otsego County had 4.6% unemployment.

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.

Law Enforcement Agencies in Otsego County have responded to a reported Bank Robbery at the NBT Bank Branch at 1 West Street in Edmeston at about 11:30 this morning. The Edmeston Central School District & Pathfinder Village were locked down and State Police & Otsego County Sheriff's deputies have been investigating. WCDO Will have more information as it becomes available.

The Sidney Police Department arrested 43-year-old Jack Blanchard of Guilford for 2 counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance. The arrest is the result of a 2-month investigation into the sale of Cocaine in the Village of Sidney. Blanchard was arrested on an Arrest Warrant Sealed Indictment issued by Delaware County Court. He was sent to the Delaware County Correctional Facility to await arraignment on the charges.

Schoharie County Judge Richard Mott did not reach a verdict in the 4th Cal Harris Murder trial Friday. Judge Mott had deliberated for about 12 hours on Thursday & Friday; he had not reached a decision on whether Call Harris murdered his estranged wife Michelle on September 11th, 2001. Deliberations will continue on Tuesday.

The 4th murder trial of Cal Harris begins today in Schoharie County Court. After 2 jury convictions in Tioga County court, 2 successful appeals, and a move to Schoharie County and a hung jury, Harris has requested that the Judge Richard Mott decide his fate after all the testimony is given. Harris is accused of killing his estranged wife Michelle around September 11th 2001.

The New York State Court of Appeals has upheld smoking restrictions in state parks, unanimously rejecting arguments from a smokers' rights group that parks officials exceeded their authority and smoking limits should be left to state lawmakers. Judge Eugene Fahey writes that lawmakers gave responsibility to the parks department authority to provide for public health and welfare within the park system. The parks office oversees 179 parks and 35 historic and other sites, they said that the smoking restrictions apply to less than 5% of their 330,000 acres.

The American Red Cross will have another area blood drive today in Chenango County, from 10:00 to 3:00 today at the NBT Bank Branch at 52 South Broad Street in Norwich. Appointments can be made by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

The Otsego County Medical reserve corps will hold a meeting today for those looking to volunteer their expertise in the event of a disaster. Stefan Dunham heads up the corps:

(Stefan Dunham 3-31-16)

Dunham said that a meeting is today at 5:00 PM in Cooperstown at the Meadows Office Building, EMS Classroom b. More information is available at 547-6477 or dunhams@otsegocounty.com

This morning at 8:30 AM until 9:30, The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce is hosting an Eye Opener Continental breakfast at The Hampton Inn in Oneonta on behalf of Catholic Charities for Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie counties. The Dispute Resolution Center of Catholic Charities is currently recruiting potential candidates to become trained volunteer mediators for their program.

The 4th murder trial for Cal Harris began today, with an expected jury selection, followed by Cal Harris asking to waive the right to a jury trial, & requesting that the presiding judge Richard Mott decide his fate at the conclusion of testimony.   Judge Mott approved the request & Testimony will begin Thursday. Harris was convicted by juries twice in Tioga County Court for the murder of his estranged wife Michelle on September 11th 2001, both convictions were overturned on appeal, the 3rd trial was moved to Schoharie County, which ended with no decision reached by the jury.

The Otsego County Medical reserve corps is looking for volunteers predominantly from the medical profession, in case of any kind of disaster. Stefan Dunham heads up the corps:

(Stefan Dunham 3-28-16)

Dunham said that a meeting is scheduled for Thursday march 31st at 5:00 PM at in Cooperstown at the Meadows Office Building, EMS Classroom b. More information is available t 547-6477 or dunhams@otsegocounty.com

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.