WCDO Radio News

Governor Cuomo today announced six projects are being funded under the Empire State Poverty Reduction Initiative in Oneonta. The six programs include Communication Across Barriers, Opportunities for Otsego, CDO Workforce, the Oneonta School District, Family Planning of South Central New York, & the Otsego County Drug Court. The money is part of a broader $25 million effort to target pockets of poverty around the state.

State Police arrested 2 people after a traffic stop on I-88 in Worcester. A trooper observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed and initiated a traffic stop. After an investigation both the operator and passenger were arrested after drugs and paraphernalia were found in the vehicle. 30 year old Zachary Lushkevich of Laurens was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance & Aggravated Unlicensed Operation, 26 year old Katarina Lushkevich of Laurens was arrested for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance & Unlawful Possession of Marijuana, they were released on appearance tickets returnable to the town of Worcester Court on October 30th.

Tajiri the giraffe, who was born at Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville, will not be going to be heading to a new wildlife facility in North Carolina. Animal Adventure officials announced on Saturday that "requirements and deadlines were not satisfied" on time for Tajiri's transfer, instead, they announced that Construction starts today on a new building to house Tajiri at Animal Adventure, the project is expected to be completed in 3 to 4 weeks.

Democratic incumbent US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand will debate Republican opponent Chele Farley Thursday in New York City. A debate had been scheduled for Sunday sponsored by Spectrum's New York City News channel; it was cancelled after Gillibrand refused to cross picket lines at Spectrum’s parent company Charter Communications. A debate between Gillibrand & Farley will be held at WABC-TV in New York City on Thursday, at 1:30 p.m.

Author Gray Basnight of Bethel New York has published his 3rd book, “Flight Of The Fox” a mystery thriller that takes place in Upstate New York, & is tied in to the 50th anniversary of the Woodstock Music & Arts festival in Bethel in 1969. Basnight told WCDO about his novel:

(Gray Basnight 10-22-18)

Basnight will appear at the Huntington Memorial Library on Chestnut Street in Oneonta this Saturday starting at 11:30 AM for a book signing. The book is Published by Down & Out Books.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 47 year old Eric Palmatier of Harpersfield for cruelty to animals & failure to provide proper food and sustenance. Deputies allege that Palmatier failed to provide food, water, shelter and veterinary care for a dog; he was issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear at the Harpersfield Town Court at a later date.

The Sidney Village Police department is investigating a 1 Vehicle Crash into the China Buffet Building at about 12:19 PM this afternoon. Police reported that a Chrysler PT Cruiser was traveling westbound in the McDonald's Parking Lot, when the unidentified Driver drove up the embankment & went into the exterior wall of the Restaurant, causing a hole in the wall. The accident is still under investigation.

State Police arrested 38 year old David Miller of Pitcher for 4 counts of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property. Troopers were advised on September 2, 2018 that Miller was in possession of several stolen road signs. Miller was arrested & was released on an appearance ticket returnable to the town of Pitcher Court on November 6th.

State Police arrested 35 year old Michelle Page of Colesville for 3 counts of Menacing & 27 year old Matthew Meade of Windsor, NY arrested for Reckless Endangerment, Troopers were dispatched to a residence on Circle Drive in Colesville for a reported disturbance. After an investigation, it was determined that Page menaced Meade and other people with a shotgun after he drove to her residence and recklessly drove on her lawn, almost striking her vehicle. Page was arraigned in the town of Colesville Court and released on her own recognizance. Meade was arraigned in the town of Kirkwood and also released on his own recognizance.

Sidney area residents over 65 can get assistance with medical bills of prescription costs through the Mary MacKinnon Trust Fund. Community Bank Trust Department Spokesperson Julia Goff explains:

(Julia Goff 10-10-18)

Goff said that the trust fund has been active & growing for over 50 years, more information is available at 433-4212

Delaware County Sheriff's Department and State DOT Inspectors conducted a commercial vehicle inspection on State Highway 30 in the Town of Colchester. 3 Inspections were conducted; Deputies issued 17 summonses for various safety violations including unsafe tires, uninspected motor vehicle, unregistered vehicle, loose cargo, spreading debris on the highway, & inadequate brakes. 2 of the vehicles were taken out of service, 1 driver was arrested for a displaying a forged commercial motor vehicle inspection certificate and issued multiple summons returnable to the Town of Colchester Court.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division arrested 46 year old Michael Lynch of Sidney following the execution of a search warrant at his County Highway 23, Town of Sidney, and residence. Members of the Criminal Investigation Division, acting on a tip, obtained a search warrant for Lynch's residence, they seized marijuana plants, drying marijuana and a number of rifles and shotguns, Lynch was charged with criminal possession of marijuana & unlawful cultivation of cannabis, he was issued an appearance ticket for Town of Sidney Court at a later date.

The Regional Economic Development Council awards will include $690,000 for the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, located on the site of the original 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair held 50 years ago. Bethel Woods will use the state funding for the 50th anniversary event for next year, which is planned as a 3-day festival like the original event.

The Governor’s Administration and Oneonta Mayor Gary Herzig announced an October 11 roundtable event in Oneonta to discuss the upcoming 2020 Census and steps to ensure a full count of all New Yorkers. The discussion will be led by Mayor Herzig and Richard Tobe, Governor Cuomo’s Director of Special Intergovernmental Projects, it is open to the public and will take place Thursday at 2:00 PM at the Foothills Performing Arts & Civic Center on Market Street and more information is available at ny.gov/programs/2020-census.

The SIDNEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE monthly meeting will be this morning at 7:45am at the Sidney Golf and Country Club. Members & directors are urged to attend.

Long Time Sidney community leader Roma "Ronnie" Haag died Monday at the age 87. Calling hours will be held today from 2:00 to 4:00pm and 6:00 to 8:00pm at C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel at 21 Main Street in Sidney, A memorial service will be held at 10:30am on Saturday, at St. Luke's Church at 139 W. Main Street in Sidney, followed by a luncheon. Memorial Donations may be directed to the Tri-Town Youth Club, at 12 Liberty Street Sidney, Haag was a driving force in establishing the clubs presence at its current location, among many other community projects over the years, including the skateboard park in Keith Clark Park.

Organizers for the 34th Annual Spiedie Fest & Balloon Rally announced that due to the continued heavy rain, Otsiningo Park is closed today & all of today's scheduled events have been cancelled, with the exception of the KC & The Sunshine Band concert, which has been moved to the Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena at 8:00 PM, the doors will open at 7:00 PM. The Spiedie Fest will re-open Saturday Morning at 8:00 AM. Concerts by Phil Vassar on Saturday & Cheap Trick on Sunday are expected to be held as originally scheduled. Updates & changes will be posted at spiediefest.com

Destination Oneonta's Fabulous Friday has been postponed until Friday, August 17th due to rainy weather. scheduled events including Tom & Doug's Cruise-In, live music by Off the Record, and tastings of Awestruck Ciders by Northern Eagle Beverages, will be held on the 17th.

The 2nd annual New York State Craft Beer Competition featured 642 New York State-brewed beers. For the second straight year, Brooklyn-based Threes Brewing took home top honors, winning the Governor's Excelsior Cup. Gold medals were awarded to 23 beers from breweries across the state; including regional brewers Roscoe Beer Company, Good Nature Brewing of Hamilton & Brewery Ommegang of Cooperstown. Since 2012, the number of businesses producing craft beverages has more than doubled, while the number of farm-based manufacturers has increased by over 160%.

Congressman John Faso announced today that he has challenged all of his opponents for the 19th Congressional District Seat to a series of debates, including Democratic Party primary winner Antonio Delgado, & as well as Green party Candidate Steve Greenfield, & Independents Dal LaMagna, Diane Neal, and Luisa Parker.

The Sidney Elks Lodge will hold their annual “Looking Back” Car Show & Chicken Barbecue tomorrow, spokesman Mark Little explains:

(Mark Little 8-3-18)

Little said that the event starts at 9:00 AM; Awards will be announced starting at 2:30 PM on the field behind the Elks Lodge on River Street in Sidney.

The City of the Hills Art & Music Festival will be held in Oneonta tomorrow from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Main Street Oneonta. A complete list of activities is available at cityofthehillsartsfestival.com. The event is sponsored by Community Arts Network of Oneonta.

Lieutenant Colonel Dave Grossman, a leading expert on human aggression & violent crime, will address area school officials & law enforcement officials at the Sherburne Earlville High School this Friday. Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood told WCDO news about this presentation:

(Sheriff Todd Hood 7-16-18)

The discussion will be held from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, more information is available by email Naylor.c.j74@gmail.com.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies responded Friday to a report of a 1-car motor vehicle accident on Richardson Hill Road in the Town of Masonville. Deputies found the driver, 20 year old Holden Smith of Sidney Center lying on the shoulder of the roadway with an apparent broken leg. Smith’s car was found over the embankment at that location and was found to have impacted a tree head on. Further investigation revealed that Smith was driving to Sidney Center from the Ithaca area at the time of the accident, and that Smith had consumed prescription medications prior to the accident. Smith was later transported to Wilson Hospital for treatment of the injuries sustained from the collision.

The Sidney Chamber of Commerce announced that this year's "Arts & Music Festival", originally scheduled for Saturday July 21st, has been cancelled. Sidney Chamber President Jamie Cole told WCDO News that they expect to bring the Arts & Music Festival back in 2019.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 34 year old Patricia Ware of Sharon Springs for Petty Larceny; she is accused of taking various items from a home that she is a caretaker for in the Town of Franklin. Ware was arraigned at the Town of Hamden Court & was remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $3000 cash bail or $6000 bond. She was scheduled to appear before the Town of Franklin Court at a later date.

State Police arrested 24 year old James Joyce of Colesville for Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle & Reckless Endangerment, plus more than a dozen traffic tickets after he attempted to elude troopers while on an ATV. A trooper on State Route 7 in Unadilla observed Joyce on an ATV as he passed an ambulance with its emergency lights activated and over a double solid yellow line. Joyce fled from the trooper, nearly striking a pedestrian. The pursuit was terminated In Bainbridge when Joyce drove onto railroad tracks & he tipped over. Joyce was arraigned in the town of Bainbridge Court and remanded to the Chenango County Jail on $2,500 cash bail or $5,000 bond, pending court action on July 24, 2018.

State Police arrested 33 year old Ashlie Keesler of Downsville for Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated with Child Under 15 or Under as Passenger, & Refusal to Submit to a Breath Test. A trooper on patrol observed Keesler and two children walking on State Highway 30 in Colchester, an investigation revealed that Keesler had been involved in an accident and her vehicle went over an embankment. Keesler and the children were transported to Delaware Valley Hospital. Keesler was arrested and released on appearance tickets returnable to the Colchester Town Court on August 7th.