WCDO Radio News

The kickoff meeting for the steering committee for the Oneonta downtown revitalization will be held on Tuesday September 27th, Oneonta mayor Gary Herzig told WCDO News of the timeline of events leading up to groundbreakings for projects:

(Herzig 9-22-16)

The steering committee meeting will be held on Tuesday from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at the Foothills Performing Arts Center on the 2nd floor. The meeting is open to the public, and public input is being solicited.

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State Senator Fred Akshar will meet with constituents Saturday at 2 locations in Chenango County, for what he calls "Pop Up" Meetings:

(Akshar 9-22-16)

Akshar said that at previous meetings, constituents expressed their concerns about the Opioid crisis, taxes and job creation.

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U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara announced Today that former top aide to Governor Cuomo; Joseph Percoco and 8 others are facing a wide array of federal corruption and bribery charges. Percoco served as the governor’s executive secretary, he is accused of taking more than $600,000 in bribes from an energy company that needed state approval to build a power plant in the Hudson Valley and an upstate developer that received several state contracts, as well as getting a job at the energy company for his wife. Percoco's attorney said that the accusations are baseless, and from less than credible sources

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State Police arrested 55-year-old Donald Moshier of Lisle, for operating a motor vehicle while ability impaired by drugs, resisting arrest, menacing, unlawful possession of marihuana and several other traffic offenses. The arrest occurred after a trooper responded to check on a driver slumped over the steering wheel of his car on Smith Hill Road in the Town of Lisle. Moshier was asleep in the driver’s seat partly parked in the roadway. Moshier physically resisted being handcuffed, & is accused of swinging a metal flashlight at the trooper, he was arraigned & was remanded to the Broome County jail on $5,000 cash bail or $10,000 property bond.

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U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced a grant of $35,000 for the City of Norwich. The federal funding was allocated through the USDA Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant program. The City of Norwich will receive funds to cover additional work related to the removal of contaminated soil, which was delaying the start of the tank construction as part of the upgrades to the Norwich water system. The City of Norwich will now be able to complete their $2 Million plus water infrastructure improvement project in the near future.

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New York Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia is proposing changes to the Common Core learning standards used to guide lessons at every grade level across the state. Elia released the draft revisions to the math and English language arts standards Wednesday and invited public comments through November 4th. Elia reported that 2 committees of parents & teachers recommended changing 60% of the ELA standards and 55% of the math standards.

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On September 6th, a Town of Norwich resident was arrested for driving while intoxicated. Chenango County Deputies arrested 62 year old John Rutan during an investigation of a motor vehicle accident in McDonough. Rutan was located in the Town of Preston, he found to be operating the vehicle in an intoxicated condition, he was had a blood alcohol content 2 ½ times more than the legal limit. Rutan was processed and released on an appearance ticket to appear in the Town of Preston Court at a later date.

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The TRI-TOWN COALITION ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE will have a series of meetings this morning at the TRACKSIDE on Main Street in Sidney. The first meeting begins at 11:00 AM, followed by committee meetings at 12:00 Noon & 1:00 PM, the next full meeting of the coalition will be held on September 28th.

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.

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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.

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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.

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Congressman Chris Gibson announced the passage in the House of an amendment he authored in support of former Navy and Marine Corps personnel and other Veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange during their service aboard vessels off the coast of Vietnam and now have serious illnesses that are directly connected to that exposure. The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act ensures those Veterans is granted presumptive coverage for Agent Orange exposure. The House bill introduced by Congressman Gibson has 320 cosponsors from both parties, while the Senate version introduced by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has 41 bipartisan cosponsors.

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The 2016 Ed Wessels Canoe Regatta was held; Saturday with impressive finishes from local paddlers, who are training for this weekend’s General Clinton 70- miler. The Wessels Chairman Ed Curley told WCDO News of the most exciting finish of a 1 second photo finish in the pro class:

(Ed Curley 5-23-16)

Other top finishers included Bob & Ryan Zaveral of Mount Upton winning the Men’s Under 50 Amateur class. Mike Bachman of Bainbridge & Rich Hall of Gilbertville taking the C-2 Stock class & Dale Persons of Bainbridge & Melissa Swislosky of Mount Upton winning the mixed C-2 Pro class. WCDO Will have full coverage of Wednesday’s new Pine Ridge Grocery Dash for Cash Race and The General Clinton Canoe regatta this weekend.

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The New York State DOT announced that construction work for the Prospect Mountain construction project will be performed and will require lane closures in the City of Binghamton. Beginning tomorrow, through Thursday, from 9 AM to 3:00 PM, I-81northbound/State Route 17 westbound will be reduced to 1 lane between Exit 3 and 4S for the removal of concrete barrier. The right two lanes will be closed. On Thursday, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, I-81 northbound/State Route 17 westbound Exit 4S will be closed temporarily for the removal of concrete barrier. A signed detour will be in place directing motorists around the ramp closure. All work will be performed weather permitting.

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The Village of Sidney announced that work would be performed on the Main Street Bridge on Tuesday May 24th from 9:00 to 3:00 PM. The bridge will be open for 1 lane traffic only during the work.

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24-year-old James Spain of Walton pleaded guilty to sexual misconduct, for allegedly performing sexual acts with an under-aged female. Spain was released on his own recognizance; Sentencing is scheduled for July 18th.

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The ReUnite Bainbridge meeting will be held today, at 7:00 PM at Bob's Diner. The Agenda includes an Update on the Bainbridge Summer Fest, The BG School Booster Club Bon Fire, Annual Golf Tournament, Musicians on Main Streets, Updates on Popcorn Wagon and Weather Vanes

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Governor Cuomo today announced $500,000 in federal funding has been awarded to the New York State Academy of Fire Science in the Southern Tier. The funding will support a crude oil training simulation for first responders. This marks the third consecutive year that the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Office of Fire Prevention and Control has been awarded this funding. The Academy trains over 6,000 emergency services providers from across the state in over 130 courses per year.

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The Bainbridge Village Planning Board Meeting originally scheduled last week, has been rescheduled for this evening. The meeting begins at 7:00 pm in the Bainbridge Village Clerk's office at 33 West Main Street & is open to the pubic.

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State Police at Binghamton investigated a report of shots fired on Glenwood Road in the Town of Dickinson. During this investigation Glenwood Road was closed to the public between Adams Street and Prospect Street for several hours this morning, the investigation is ongoing.

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Chenango County Sheriff’s Deputies, their K9 unit & members of State Parole conducted a “knock and talk” investigation Wednesday at 518 Cummings Road in the Town of Greene. Officers received information of methamphetamine being produced at the residence, they discovered liquid methamphetamine, & several ingredients and laboratory equipment used to manufacture the drug. 47-year-old Glenn O’Connor was arrested for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Manufacturing Methamphetamine and Possessing the Precursors to Methamphetamine & for violating Parole. O’Connor was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility. State Police and Village of Greene Police Department assisted with the investigation.

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Governor Cuomo, US Senators Charles Schumer & Kristen Gillibrand and members of the New York Congressional Delegation today announced more than $60 million in federal grants to support counterterrorism and emergency preparedness activities in counties across New York State. The funding, provided by the Department of Homeland Security through its State Homeland Security Program and Emergency Management Performance Grant, will assist counties in strengthening emergency response efforts. New York State receives more SHSP funding from DHS than any other state in the nation. Chenango, Delaware & Otsego Counties will each get about $130,000 in funding.

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Democratic Broome County Legislator Kim Myers has announced that she will be running for the 22nd District Congressional seat currently held by Congressman Richard Hanna. Myers will join Republicans Claudia Tenney and George Phillips as candidates for the seat; Congressman Hanna recently announced that he would not seek re-election.

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A Town of Norwich resident was arrested by the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office for 1 Count of Welfare Fraud & Offering a False Instrument for filing. 30-year-old Jessica Branagan of Norwich is accused of receiving public assistance and failing to report additional income she was receiving. Branagan received a total of $36,228.50 in assistance from April 2010 through July 2015.

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Yes Leaders from BG & Afton schools are teaming up with other organizations for a Heroin Awareness Night next Wednesday at the Bainbridge High School. Afton Yes Spokesperson Ronal Noone explains:

(Ronal Noone 3-3-16)

The event begins at 5:30 with a Pizza Dinner, followed by the presentation at 6:00 PM at the Bainbridge-Guilford High School, pre-registration is requested at www.YesSafeChoices.org by Friday Afternoon.

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The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce will hold their Annual Celebration of Business Today. The Chambers will be Honoring New York Central Mutual Insurance as the NBT Bank Distinguished Business of The Year, Former Fox Hospital President John Remillard as the Eugene Bettiol Jr. Distinguished Citizen, and the Oneonta YMCA-Quality of Life Award. The event will be held tonight at the Hunt Union Ballroom at SUNY Oneonta starting at 5:45.

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State Senator Jim Seward will welcome the New York State Commissioner of Education MaryEllen Elia to the Laurens Central School today, for a tour of the district. The commissioner will interact with students, teachers, and administrators during her visit starting this morning at 9:00 AM.

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The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting today. The meeting will be held in the Guilford School Cafeteria starting at 6:00 PM.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Chris Gibson and others, are urging the Department of Veterans Affairs to clarify their decision against providing "Blue Water” Navy veterans with the disability and health care benefits for diseases linked to Agent Orange exposure. During the Vietnam War, the U.S. military sprayed approximately 20 million gallons of Agent Orange in Vietnam to remove jungle foliage, it had devastating effects for millions serving in Vietnam. In 2002 the Veterans Administration determined that it would only cover Veterans who could prove that they had orders for “boots on the ground” during the Vietnam War, the exclusion affects thousands of sailors who may have still received significant Agent Orange exposure from receiving VA benefits.

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The New York State Department of Health, & Cornell University, has been designated as an Integrated Food Safety Center of Excellence by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Each year, roughly 1 in 6 Americans are sickened by food borne diseases; 128,000 are hospitalized, and 3,000 die. The New York Center of Excellence pairs the state health department and Cornell University in an effort to prevent and control food-borne diseases, they will engage 11 states from Maryland to Maine as well as local public health partners to create a regional model for food safety improvement.

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This year is the 40th year of the Chenango Arts Council, featuring “An Evening With Mark Twain” featuring Mark Mauldin Saturday Night, Council Spokesperson Diane Batson Smith explains:

(Diane Batson Smith 2-26-16)

The performance will be held at the Martin W. Kappel Theater in dowtown Norwich, Tickets are available at chenangoarts.org

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New York State has yet to formulate a plan for the whole state to follow regarding disposing of electronic appliances that contain toxic chemicals. Assemblyman Pete Lopez comments:

(Lopez 2-26-16)

Currently Many counties, such as Delaware County, will accept electronics for proper disposal after establishing their own policy, but Lopez said that many counties have no such deals or plans for those recyclable electronics.

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The Binghamton Senators will have a family fun day & post game skate with the players at their only Sunday game of the season at the Arena, Spokesman Joe Battaglini explains:

(Joe Battaglini 2-26-16)

Tickets are still available, at 722 SENS of binghamtonsenators.com.

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State Department of Taxation and Finance today announced the arrest of 2 tax preparers and 9 other individuals on charges that they filed false tax returns and claimed exaggerated refunds. The two preparers are 35 year old Heather Sweet of Johnson City, and 56 year old Rebecca Tyner of Binghamton. Sweet was charged with 8 felony counts of offering a false instrument for filing and 1 count of grand larceny. Tyner was charged with 5 felony counts of offering a false instrument for filing and 1 count of grand larceny. Both defendants were arraigned in the Binghamton City Court; the pair allegedly participated in a scheme to defraud New York State by preparing fraudulent NYS income tax returns for friends and relatives for the tax years 2008 through 2011.

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Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County will be conducting NYSERDA’s free energy workshops titled “EMPOWER Save Energy, Save Dollars” Saturday from 10:00AM to 12:00 noon at the Hamden town Hall on State Route 10. More information is available at ccedelaware.org.

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Governor Cuomo will host the 2016 Adirondack Winter Challenge at the Olympic facility in Lake Placid. The day trip will sample a variety of winter activities the Adirondack region has to offer, including hockey, skiing, bobsledding and a variety of other sports, and conclude with a dinner and presentation of awards. A Catskill challenge is expected to be announced shortly.????

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New York state’s fiscal position has improved, but the state may face increasing budgetary challenges in coming years as revenue growth is expected to slow and billions of dollars in settlement money are spent, according to the analysis of the state budget proposal by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. DiNapoli praised the Governor’s reform proposals, including a constitutional amendment to authorize the forfeiture of pension rights for public officials who are convicted of crimes related to his or her public office, and campaign finance reforms.

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The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Village of Sherburne man for possessing methamphetamine and the items used to manufacture the drug. Jason Wheeler was stopped for operating a vehicle while on his cell phone and aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle, in the Village of Earlville. A search of the vehicle located items used to manufacture methamphetamine as well as the finished product. Wheeler was charged with Unlawful Manufacturing of Methamphetamine, Criminal Possession of Precursors of Methamphetamine, and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, he was arraigned in the Village of Earlville Court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $10,000 cash bail.

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The City of Oneonta Police Department & State Police arrested a 45-year-old Joseph Chickerell of Otego on 2 counts of 4th degree grand larceny. The arrest came after an investigation into reported stolen utility trailers from two different sites in the City of Oneonta in early January and valued in excess of $1,000 each. Chickerell faces court action at a later date.

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Congressmen Chris Gibson, Richard Hanna and Seth Moulton of Massachusetts introduced the Small Business Broadband and Emerging Information Technology Enhancement Act. The bipartisan bill introduced in the House this week seeks to modernize the Small Business Administration’s approach to broadband access, connecting more small businesses & farms with financing programs and guidance on broadband acquisition. The House bill is a companion to bipartisan Senate legislation co-sponsored by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York.

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The town of Guilford is accepting letters of interest from the Economic Development committee. Candidates must be a residents of the town, be 18 years of age, letters will be received until March 30th , interviews will then be scheduled with the town board. More information is available at 895-9966, letter should include an email address & telephone number & should be sent to Town Of Guilford. 223 Marble Road Guilford NY 13780

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24 year old Ryan Lawrence of Syracuse has been charged with 2nd-degree murder in the death of his daughter, 21 month old Maddox Lawrence. the 2 were disappeared from Syracuse late Saturday night. Ryan Lawrence was taken into custody Monday afternoon in Baldwinsville. Syracuse Police Chief Frank Fowler said they believe the body they recovered from the Inner Harbor is 21-month-old Maddox Lawrence. Ryan Lawrence is being held without bail at the Onondaga County Justice Center, he was arraigned this morning and will be held pending future court action.

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NY State of Health announced more than 2.8 million people have signed up for health insurance as of January 31st, which was the end of the open enrollment period. Since the Marketplace opened in 2013, the number of uninsured New Yorkers has declined by nearly 850,000. According to recently released data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the rate of uninsured declined from 10% to 5% between 2013 and September 2015.

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Oneonta city officials announced a public meeting would be held today at 7:00 PM in the Oneonta Middle school cafeteria, regarding the status of the citywide property revaluations that were conducted last year. Representatives from the firm that conducted the revaluation will be present along with the city assessor to let residents know when they can expect to be notified, how to interpret their notice and how to make inquiries. More information is available at 432-2397 or by email: rmaxwell@oneonta.ny.us

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The Sidney Chamber of Commerce has refurbished their website, chamber president Stephanie Taylor Explains:

(Steph Taylor 2-24-16)

the Sidney Chamber website is located at SidneyChamber.org.

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