WCDO Radio News

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 7-9-26

Governor Hochul announced $110 million in State funding to improve emergency communications systems and dispatching capabilities through 2 programs. Through the SICG-Formula Grant Program, $90 million is being awarded to support efforts to bolster communications networks, locally, Chennago County gets $968,000, Delaware County 1.16 Million Dollars & Otsego County gets 1.2 Million dollars. Also, The PSAP Operations Grant Program provides funding to support county 911 centers, with Chenango getting $310,000, Delaware & Otsego Counties get almost $320,000 each.

The Village of Sidney announced that the Village Clerk’s office will be open starting Monday, they will operate out of the Former DMV office in the Sidney Civic Center until ceiling repairs are completed in the regular clerk’s office.

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 7-9-26

47 year old Neil Wesley was sentenced to 25 years in prison for receipt and possession of child pornography in US District Court. As part of his guilty plea, Wesley admitted he had been previously convicted of rape in New York in 2001, he also admitted that from at least December 2024 through February 2025 he received and distributed child pornography & he possessed over 200 images and 18 videos of child pornography. In addition to the 25-year imprisonment term, United States District Judge Anthony J. Brindisi imposed 15 years of supervised release, forfeiture and directed restitution to victims of the offense.

The Sidney Town Board announced that they will hold a Public Information Session This evening at 7:00 PM, to discuss Data Centers, & Battery Storage Units, followed by the Regular meeting at 44 Grand Street in Sidney.

The Sidney Village Clerk's Office at the Sidney Civic Center is closed for emergency repairs, Mayor Ray Baker told WCDO News what the interim plans are:

(Ray Baker 7-6-26)

Village employees came to work this morning to find ceiling damage to the office, WCDO News will have updates regarding changes in schedule for the Village clerk's office when they are announced.

State Police responded Friday afternoon to a one-vehicle rollover crash on Interstate 81 in the town of Lisle. An investigation determined that an SUV operated by 59 year old Paul Veeder of Virginia was north on Interstate 81, he lost control of the vehicle, causing it to leave roadway and overturn. A 19-year-old female from Virginia, was not wearing a seat belt was ejected and became pinned beneath the SUV. She was transported to Wilson Medical Center, where she is being treated for non-life threatening injuries, Veeder and 3 other occupants were also transported to Wilson Medical Center for evaluation and treatment. Veeder was issued traffic citations. The northbound passing lane of Interstate 81 north was closed during the investigation.

A unique live music event will be held Saturday June 6th at the Community Cultural Center in Sidney, Board Member Doug Barnard & Director Amy Williams visited WCDO this morning to talk about the concert:

(Doug Barnard Amy Williams 5-21-26)

More information is available at the Community Cultural Center Facebook page.

There will be 2 Oneonta American Red Cross Blood Drives today, one from 10 am. - 3 pm., at Springbrook on State Route 7, another from 1 pm. - 6 pm., at Foothills Performing Arts & Civic Center, 24 Market Street, appointments can be made at RedCrossBlood.org, by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

Delaware County Public Health is hosting free Climate and Health Workshops at the Delaware County Senior Dining Centers. Participants will learn how changes to the climate can impact their health and ways to prepare for emergencies. These workshops are free and open to residents 60 years and older. Each workshop will take place during the senior dining program lunch hour from 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM, each participant will receive a starter emergency preparedness kit. Workshops will be held today at Grand Gorge Civic Center, Thursday at the Sidney Civic Center Room, Friday in Walton at the St. John’s Roman Catholic Church, others are planned in May & July.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 4-21-26

Otsego County Sheriff's Office announced the successful use of Thermal Imaging Drone Aids in Locating Missing Person Sunday night. Deputies responded to a call of a missing vulnerable adult in the Town of Edmeston, Deputies quickly initiated a coordinated search & they deployed a Sheriff’s Office Unmanned Aerial System equipped with thermal imaging technology, Using the drone’s advanced capabilities, deputies successfully located the individual in a field. The K-9 team and responding deputies found the missing person, who was suffering from hypothermia and complaining of hip pain. The victim was taken to Bassett Medical Center for further evaluation.

Delaware County Sheriff's Office arrested 30 year old Johnathon Brezinsky of Sidney for Promoting prison contraband at the Delaware County Correctional Facility. Investigators were notified by Correctional Facility Staff that an Inmate was found to be in possession of dangerous contraband within the Facility, Brezinsky was arrested, arraigned and was remanded back to the custody of the Delaware County Correctional Facility on $10,000 dollars cash bail, $20,000 dollars partially secured bond, and he faces court action shortly.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation announced that 10 projects and individuals have been recognized with 2026 New York State Historic Preservation Awards. Locally, the MARK Project of Arkville, will receive the Joan K. Davidson Award, They have spent over 40 years advancing community revitalization in the central Catskills through collaborative, locally driven initiatives and becoming a model for community-based revitalization, uniting local leaders, residents, and funding partners, through initiatives in affordable housing, economic development, local MARK PROJECTfood systems, tourism, farming, civic planning, and downtown revitalization.

More American Red Cross Blood Drives are scheduled today locally, as supplies are still very low, 1 will be in Oneonta from 1 pm. - 6 pm., at the Quality Inn, State Highway 23, another in Delhi from 1 pm. - 6 pm., at the Delhi United Ministry, and another in Sidney from 1 pm. - 6 pm., at the Elks Lodge, 104 River St, to donate blood use the Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS.

The 2026 Southern Tier Music Fest Valentine’s Promotion with discounted tickets started today, spokesperson Teri Schunk explained:

(Teri Schunk 2-12-26)

Performers on July 4th at the Sidney Municipal Airport include Matt Vroman, Jessie Kay Band, Rylee Lum Band, The Bennett Hall Band, The Matt Beadle Experience & headliner Jackson Dean, the tickets are available at southerntiermusicfest.com.

Blood Supplies are still very low after a challenging winter and an active Flu season, Meg Rossman of the American Red Cross urges people to make & keep their blood donation appointments, and they have sweetened the deal this month:

(Meg Rossman 2-12-26)

Another Red Cross Blood Drive is being held in Oneonta today from 1 pm. - 6 pm., at the Foothills Performing Arts & Civic Center, 24 Market St, book an appointment by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

North Country Stand Up Comedy returns to Sidney at the Community Cultural Center at 1 Bridge Street Saturday Night, Spokesperson Amy Williams advises interested people to get their tickets early:

(Amy Williams 2-4-26)

The Bittersweet Farm Brewery will have drinks available and Tickets for Comedy Night can be purchased at the Community Cultural Center Facebook page, or at the Door Saturday.

State Police arrested 42 year old Francisco Ortiz of Deposit Monday for Felony Assault following a domestic dispute. Troopers were dispatched to a report of a domestic dispute in a vehicle traveling on Interstate 88 in the town of Colesville. Ortiz is accused of striking a victim in the face and crushing the victim’s arm in the middle console of his vehicle, as well as breaking a door at the victim’s residence in Afton. The victim was transported to Tri-Town Regional Hospital in Sidney for treatment to injuries, Ortiz was located in Deposit and arrested, He was transported to the Broome County Jail for Centralized Arraignment, and he was issued appearance tickets to the Afton Town Court on January 20 for the damage he caused to the victim’s door.

Governor Hochul delivers the official 2026 State of the State Address on January 13th, Among the topics Hochul will discuss includes centers on youth safety for online platforms, & AI, free school meals, rural revitalization, workforce training, expanding Teen Mental Health First Aid, middle-class tax relief, increased minimum wage, and investments in housing and education.

A Public Hearing will be held by the Village of Sidney Planning Board Today at 5:00 pm, at Civic Center, on Liberty Street. The hearing is in reference to a major realty subdivision of Clover Hill Lane requested by owner of Parcels located East of County Rt. 4 and West Main Street. A regular meeting of the Village of Sidney Planning Board will follow the hearing.