WCDO Radio News

Hill City Celebrations is hosting the annual Festival of Lights in Neahwa Park starts Saturday through January 1st, spokesperson Gabby Argo explains:

(Gabby Argo 12-15-23)

Argo said that on New Year's Eve, the celebration will return to the Foothills Performing Arts & Civic Center with free entertainment and refreshments for the whole family from 5 pm. to 8:30 pm. more information is available at hillcitycelebrations.com or follow Hill City Celebrations on Facebook.

The Sidney American Legion annual Kids Christmas Party will be held Saturday, from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, at 22 Union Street in Sidney. The Year's Christmas Party will feature Santa and a Magic Show that will start at approximately 11:00 am, Goodie bags and a free hot dog and beverage will be available.

The ABC Holiday Benefit will be held Saturday, @ 2:00 pm at the Bainbridge Guilford High School. Non-perishable food donations will be collected for Bainbridge & Sidney food pantries.

The Community Band will perform at the Sidney Community Cultural Center this Sunday from 2:00 - 3:00 pm, the Center is located at 1 Bridge Street, Sidney

The National Baseball Hall of Fame Announced that former Major League Manager Jim Leyland will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this summer in Cooperstown. Leyland took the Florida Marlins to a World Series title in 1997, he had several winning seasons managing the Pittsburgh Pirates & Detroit Tigers with 6 first-place finishes, 3 pennants, he won the Manager of the year Award 3 times. The Hall of Fame Weekend 2024 will be held July 19-22 in Cooperstown, with the Class of 2024 to be inducted at 1:30 pm. on Sunday, July 21, on the grounds of the Clark Sports Center. The Baseball Writers' Association of America will announce the results of its Class of 2024 Hall of Fame voting on January 23rd.

4Towns Forward announced that Santa's Mailbox is set up in 2 locations, for children who would like to send Santa a letter this holiday season. Santa Mailbox will be available today through December 18th at Bob’s Diner in Bainbridge and Roasted Coffee House in Sidney, drop off times are between 6:00 am - 2:00 pm daily.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 12-4-23

11 Fire Companies responded Friday night a fire in Stamford. The buildings were on fire at 62 to 64 Main Street in Stamford, 2 historic buildings were lost, the fire displaced 30 residents and 2 businesses, 2 residents & 2 firefighters were injured, with non-life threatening injuries. The Red Cross & Churchill Gym helped displaced residents, the cause of the fire is under investigation. The Stamford Village Hall will accept donations today through Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Locally, Waste Recovery Enterprises of Sidney is collecting donations of canned food & toiletries for the 11 families displaced, teh items can be dropped off at their location at Valley View Road & they will deliver them to Stamford.

Hill City Celebrations to Host Oneonta Festival of Lights in Neahwa Park and First Night Celebration at the Foothills Performing Arts Center, spokesperson Gabby Argo comments:

(Gabby Argo 12-4-23)

More information will be available at hillcitycelebrations.com/festival-of-lights, or on their Facebook page.

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 10-20-23

State Police responded Wednesday night to a 1-vehicle crash on County Road 39 in the town of Bainbridge. 39 year old Naqwain Johnson of Schenectady drove his vehicle off the roadway and struck a tree, Sidney EMS responded however, Johnson did not survive, the passenger, 38 year old Shelly Courcelle of Schenectady, was transported to an area Hospital, The investigation is on-going.

Sidney Fire Fighters responded this morning to the report of a trailer fire at 50 East Main Street at about 6:00 AM. The trailer was fully involved, all occupants escaped, WCDO News will have more details as they become available.

The process for the new nickname at the Sidney Central School District is in the next phase. The 2nd survey, which allows people to submit their favorite nickname, is now open. The survey will require a person's name, email address, your connection to the Sidney CSD, and the option to select a nickname, Sidney Superintendent Eben Bullock comments:

(Eben Bullock 10-20-23)

The survey link is available on Facebook, and at sidneycsd.org/nicknamechange. The survey will remain open through Tuesday, October 31. Only one submission per email is allowed.

This Saturday night, The Grand Oneonta Opry is coming to Foothills Performing Arts Center at 6:00 PM, with several local acts backed by the Driftwoods. The show is a fundraiser for Helios Care, Director of Development & Marketing Kathryn Dailey comments:

(Kathryn Dailey 10-20-23)

To Purchase tickets, go to helioscare.org/events.

The Tri Town Theater will be performing “The Music Man” at the Sidney High School Stage starting tonight, continuing on Saturday Night & Sunday Afternoon, performers George Wells commented about the show:

(George Wells 10-20-23)

Tickets for all of the performances can be purchased at tritown.booktix.com.

The Sidney Center Improvement Group will hold their 1st annual Down Home Fall Festival this Sunday, which will feature the newly installed playground & a wide variety of activities, according to Group Spokesman Mike Sellitti:

(Mike Sellitti 9-29-23)

The event will run from 2:00 to 6:00 PM Sunday at the Sidney Center Park, more information about the event & the Sidney Center Improvement Group can be found on the group's Facebook Page.

The Foothills Performing Arts Center will feature a night of Comedy tonight, Spokesman Geoff Doyle explains:

(Geoff Doyle 9-29-23)

Tickets are available at foothillspac.org. or at the box office, more information is available at 607-431-2080.

Sidney Village Police arrested 33 year old Codey Miner of Sidney for burglary, criminal possession of a weapon, criminal mischief, endangering the welfare of a child, preventing an emergency call and menacing 2nd degree. Miner released on own recognizance &will appear back in court later this month.

The annual Sidney Center Tractor Parade will be held tomorrow at 12:00 Noon. A chicken barbecue will also be set up at the Sidney Center Fire House, Registration is from 9:00 to 11:45 A.M.

An AMBA Blood Screening Clinic is being held Saturday by The Tri-County Chapter of New York State Women, at the Sidney Elks Club. The money raised from the $10.00 sponsor fee are used for local high school scholarships. Call 1-800-234-8888 for an appointment, prescriptions from your health care provider are required.

Blues on the Bridge returns to Binghamton for the 21st year on Saturday, The event is centered around the South Washington Street Bridge. Numerous area bands will perform, More than 50 food tents and other vendors will be set up, more information is available at bluesonthebridge.com.

A.M. NEWS Friday 9-15-23

The Demolition of 27 Market Street in Oneonta will begin today. The building and site have been condemned and deemed unsafe. Absolutely no one is allowed on or near the work area except for the asbestos abatement contractor’s crews. There will be no parking on Chestnut Street Extension except for deliveries, on Monday, building demolition operations will begin, followed by backfilling and grading the site for parking. The project is expected to continue until the end of October.

The Rock Band Jimkata returns home for a show at the Foothills Performing Arts Center Saturday Night, Spokesman Geoff Doyle explains:

(Geoff Doyle 9-15-23)

Doyle said that a few tickets were still available at the box office or at foothillspac.org. for Saturday Night's show.

Catholic Charities of Sidney has a Food Pantry near their office in the Sidney Civic Center, and they are seeking donation, leading up to a national event in September, Spokesperson penny McKnight explains:

(Penny McKnight 8-9-23)

More information about Catholic Charities, their Food Bank or other programs can be obtained by calling their office at 607-604-4071.

A.M. NEWS Wednesday 8-9-23

The Broome County Sheriff's Office arrested 42 year old Nathan Smith of Windsor for Burglary, Assault, Criminal Possession of a controlled substance, and Endangerment the welfare of a child charges, Smith is accused of breaking into a house & attacking a victim in front of children, on August 2nd. Deputies took Smith into custody, he was found with a small amount of methamphetamine, Smith was arraigned at central arraignment and released. He is due to appear in the Town of Windsor Court at a later date.

US Senator Charles Schumer was in Sidney yesterday for a brief press Conference, WCDO's Craig Stevens has the story:

(Craig-Schumer 8-9-23)

Senator Schumer & Gillibrand were also in Utica yesterday  for a ribbon cutting on the Air Force Research Lab's new Extreme Computing Facility, which will bring tech jobs coming to Mohawk Valley.

The Greater Oneonta Historical Society will hold a walking tour of Main Street this afternoon, starting at 5:00 PM, the tour is by donation & will leave from the History Center on Main Street.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 7-18-23

The Delaware County District Attorney's Office announced that 42 year old Melissa Astalos of Sidney appeared in Delaware County Court Monday and was arraigned on a sealed indictment. The 3 Count Indictment was unsealed, Astalos is accused of selling methamphetamine in the Village of Sidney August 3, 2022, also on September 1, 2022 & for possessing methamphetamine, with the intent to sell it, on February 16, 2023, also in the Village of Sidney. After being arraigned, Astalos pleaded not guilty she was released from custody under the supervision of the Delaware County Probation Department. Each charge carries a maximum 10-year sentence is convicted..

The National Baseball Hall of Fame Parade of Legends returns to Cooperstown at 6:00 PM Saturday. The parade originates at Lake Street and Chestnut Street, proceeds down Chestnut Street toward Main Street and onto Main Street to the Baseball Hall of Fame. The Parade of Legends will feature more than 4 dozen returning Hall of Famers as well as Class of 2023 members Fred McGriff and Scott Rolen. The Induction Weekend will conclude with the inductions of McGriff and Rolen Sunday at 1:30 at the Clark Sports Center.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 7-18-23

37 year old Nikita Kingsbury of South Kortright was arraigned on a sealed indictment in Delaware County Court. The indictment charges accuses Kingsbury of selling methamphetamine in the Village of Sidney on August 11, 2022, she pleaded not guilty and a Court conference is scheduled for August 14th. Kingsbury was then arrested for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance with the intent to sell, for allegedly possessing narcotics with intent to sell in Walton on November 9, 2022, she was remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility on the new charge.

2 American Red Cross Blood Drives are scheduled today, 1 in Oneonta from 1:00 to 6:00 PM at the Foothills Performing Arts & Civic Center, 24 Market Street, another will be in Sidney from 1:00 to 6:00 PM at the American Legion Post at 22 Union Street. To make an appointment, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS

Catholic Charities of Sidney announced that their backpack with school supplies registration starts today & runs through August 11th. Students of the Sidney School District, whose family meets income requirements, can register by contacting the Sidney office in the Civic Center, or by calling at 607-604-4071.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 7-10-23

State Police issued a total of 12,991 tickets statewide during the 4th of July STOP-DWI enforcement campaign, which ran from Friday, June 30, to July 5. Troopers arrested 193 people for DWI and investigated 949 crashes, including 158 personal injury crashes and 5 fatalities. Troopers issued over 4600 tickets for speeding, In Troop c, there were 497 speeding tickets issued, 9 DWI arrests, & 110 for child restraint or seat belt violation.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 6-29-23

The Southern Tier Music Festival will be held Saturday at the Sidney Airport, featuring Country Stars Maddie & Tae and Restless Road, among 5 other locally known acts. organizers Ed Curley & Teri Schunk told WCDO about the start time & the parking situation for Saturday's event:

(Ed-Teri 6-29-23)

Tickets are available today & tomorrow at SFCU Branches in Sidney, Bainbridge & Norwich, at brownpapertickets.com or at the gate the day of the show. More information is available at southerntiermusicfest.com, or on their Facebook page.

Catholic Charities in Sidney is offering schools supplies & backpacks to local children in need, Spokesperson Penny McKnight explains:

(Penny McKnight 6-29-23)

More information is available by stopping at the Catholic Charities office in the Sidney Civic Center, or by calling 607-604-4071.

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 6-29-23

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection announced a schedule change for planned work on the Delaware Aqueduct, with the project now scheduled to start in October of 2024. The project calls for shutting down a portion of the aqueduct in order to attach a bypass tunnel under the Hudson River, it was scheduled to begin in October of this year and last up to eight months. The shift in schedule was necessary to allow for additional pumps, as well as related drainage infrastructure and electrical support, to be installed to keep the construction zone dry and ensure worker safety during the repair of decades-old leaks.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 3-21-23

Sidney Village Elections are being held today at the Sidney Civic Center 1st Floor Board Room, Deputy Mayor Vic Tartaglia & Sidney EMS Director Ray Baker are seeking to replace Andy Matviak, who is not seeking re-election after serving as Sidney Mayor for 12 years. Village elections are being performed throughout the state, polling places will be open until 9:00 PM.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 2-21-23

Fundraisers are underway with more to come, to help the family of Anielle "AK" McEwan Lomnicki with Medical Expenses associated with AK getting hit by a car while walking home from school last week. AK's father, Rich Lomnicki told WCDO news this morning how she was doing:

(Rich Lomnicki 2-21-23)

Kim Ayres of the Trinity O'Connor Foundation is helping to coordinate the fundraising efforts for AK's Family, she said that the Polar Bear Club donated a sizable amount at Saturday Night's Vigil at Keith Clark Park, which drew over 400 people, She told WCDO News about other efforts getting underway:

(Kim Ayres 2-21-23)

Ayres said that JM Trophies & Specialty Gifts will be making up T-Shirts & donating proceeds, plus Shupperd's Tack Shop is printing up signs "AK Strong", all proceeds from that will go to the family, information is available at Shupperd's Facebook page, also Gavin's Pizza is collaborating with local restaurants, On Friday, The Beez Kneez will be donating 10% of all sales & on Saturday, Gavin’s, Machos Tacos, Tina’s Old Fashioned Donuts, Sidney Joe’s Pizzeria, Trackside Dining, Club 55 Restaurant will be donating 10% of all sales to AK and her family.

CDO Workforce announced a Job fair at their Sidney Office in the Civic Center at 21 Liberty Street tomorrow from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Job Openings are currently available at the US Postal Service, Cullman Child Development Center, Unalam & Chobani among others, more information is available at 607-832-5776.

Delaware County District Attorney's Office announced that 41 year old Clifton Kirk of Summit, pleaded guilty in Delaware County Court to Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs. Kirk was operating a motor vehicle in excess of the speed limit on I-88 in Sidney on October 23rd 2021, Kirk was indicted by the Delaware County Grand Jury, he appeared in County Court Monday and pleaded guilty. The anticipated sentence will also require that the defendant’s license be revoked for 12 months, and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine, $300 surcharge, $125 crime victim fee, and a $50 DNA fee.

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office arrested 23 year old Steven Osei of Binghamton for 3rd degree Grand Larceny & other related charges for allegedly getting cash by depositing fraudulent checks at an ATM. Osei was processed & issued an appearance ticket for Town of Dickinson Court at a later date.

A.M. NEWS Thursday 2-9-23

The Susquehanna Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will host a Community Cat Forum Today at 4:00 PM at the Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center, 24 Market Street in Oneonta. Susquehanna SPCA Executive Director Stacie Haynes told WCDO News that the event is to address the issues of Feral cats in large numbers in many area communities:

(Stacie Haynes 2-9-23)

Haynes said that this event is free and open to the public.