WCDO Radio News

State Police released the names of the people involved in a 2-car Head-On crash in the Town of Columbus Saturday. 27 year old Bradley Prosser of Sherburne was the driver of the first vehicle that crossed into the opposing lane and crashed head on into a 2nd vehicle. Prosser was pronounced dead at the scene, he had a .23 BAC according to the autopsy report. Prosser’s passenger, 26 year old Tasha Carney of Edmeston suffered minor injuries from the crash. The driver of the 2nd vehicle was 46 year old Shannon Donnelly-Travis of Schuyler Lake; she was airlifted to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, for a fractured arm and leg.

State Senator Fred Akshar continued the 2nd year of his "Akshar's All-Stars" student recognition program on Tuesday by recognizing students at 4 school districts. At the Harpursville High School, Akshar recognized senior Colin LaDue for his leadership, dedication and many contributions to his school and community. At the Afton High School, Akshar recognized sophomore Logan Ives for her selfless devotion to charity and giving back to others in need. At Bainbridge-Guilford High School, Akshar recognized senior Tannar Cliffe for his kindness and dependability both in and out of school. At DCMO BOCES in Norwich, Akshar recognized senior Destin Foley for his energy and dedication to both his academic studies and to helping others in the classroom.

Firefighters from Sherburne & 2 other local departments responded to a fire at Crandall's Auto on Blanding Road in Sherburne last night at about 8:30 PM. No injuries were reported, the building was completely destroyed; investigators are trying to determine how that fire started.

The Chenango Arts Council's 2019 Grants for Teachers application deadline has been extended until this Friday, December 21st. The Program provides up to $500 to K-12 teachers in Chenango County who find innovative ways to integrate the arts into the regular school curriculum through projects that are not covered by the school budget. Teachers currently employed by a public or private school in Chenango County are eligible to apply; more information is available at chenangoarts.org/grants/grants-for-teachers. Awards will be made in February 2019.

A Free Christmas Dinner will be available in Sidney this year on Christmas Day at the Sidney Fire Station, organizer Gene Schmidt comments:

(Gene Schmidt 12-19-18)

More information about the free Christmas day Dinner is available at 607-610-4030; this year will be the 6th year that Schmidt & his family have offered the free Christmas dinner.

Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul will tour several area business today. Hochul will Tour Amphenol Aerospace in Sidney this morning at 9:15, Corning Incorporated in Oneonta, at 10:30, and then at 1:30 this afternoon she will tour Chobani in New Berlin.

Otsego County Chamber of Commerce will host the state Mandated Anti-Harassment Policies and Sexual Harassment Training today, from 8:30 to 10:00 AM. New York State mandates ALL employers to adopt a sexual harassment prevention policy as well as to train ALL employees on sexual harassment prevention. The Seminar will be held at the Otsego County Chamber/Otsego Now Offices at 189 Main Street on the 5th floor, in Oneonta.

Governor Cuomo announced his agenda for the 1st 100 days of 2019 on Monday. Among the items on his agenda: adopting a Progressive Tax System, Cut Middle Class Taxes, Protecting Affordable Health Care, Gender Equality, Combat Gun Violence, ensure Clean, Safe Drinking Water, Pass the Child Victims Act & Legalize Adult Use of Recreational Marijuana.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 40 year old Brenna Talbot of Walton for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation 3rd degree following a traffic stop on County Highway 21 in the Town of Franklin. Talbot was additionally charged with unlicensed operator, operating without a headlight. She was released on tickets returnable to Franklin Town Court at a later date.

Walton Central School Superintendent Roger Clough has been placed on administrative leave, the High School Principal Rob Knuschke & Assistant Principal Mark Lamoreaux & Middle School Principal Andy Gates have all resigned in recent weeks, following alleged misconduct by Clough while serving as Superintendent since 2013. Clough has hired a Syracuse Law firm; they have begun the process to sue the District, the Board of Education, and Board President Ronda Williams. The Walton School Board released a statement to WCDO today, first the stated that personnel matters cannot be discussed, secondly, 3 of the Walton Administrators accepted positions in other districts, the Board will consider all options to quickly work on replacements, & they are confident that they will have capable staff in place for their opening day events.

The last concert at the Don Clayton Memorial Trailside Concert Series in Sidney will feature the Sidney Community Band Tonight. The concert will begin at 6:30 under the pavilion at Keith Clark Park on River Street; the concert is free and open to the public,

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting tonight at the BAINBRIDGE TOWN HALL at 6:30 PM. The business Portion of the meeting will start at 7:00 PM.

The City of Oneonta will be performing maintenance on the upper and middle levels of the parking garage on Monday beginning at 4:00 a.m. The upper level entrance and exit will be open for the duration. All vehicles must be removed from the mid-level no later than 7:00 PM this Sunday. The upper and lower levels of the garage will remain open, and all other municipal parking lots, at Dietz Street, Wall Street & the Westcott Lot will remain open. More information is available at 431-1365.

Graduates of SUNY Oneonta will walk the stage in 3 ceremonies on Saturday: the School of Social Science at 9:00 AM, the School of Arts and Humanities and School of Natural and Mathematical Sciences at 1 PM and the School of Education and Human Ecology and School of Economics and Business at 4:00 PM. Receptions will be held after each on the academic quad.

The Tri Town Theater will be performing "4 Weddings & An Elvis" for 3 performances at the Sidney High School this weekend. Steve Quimby is a veteran actor who performed early in his career with the Late Jack Deuel in the Tri Town Theater, he told WCDO News that he was honored to be asked to direct this play, & he is dedicating his efforts in Jack's memory:

(Steve Quimby 5-11-18)

Performances will be tonight & Saturday Night at 7:30 PM, and a Sunday Matinee at 2:00 PM, Tickets are available at the door.

The Delaware County Historical Association will feature Kurt Reigel, who owns & is restoring the Andrew Mann Inn on State Route 7 Riverside Sidney. The presentation will begin at 2:00 pm Saturday regarding the building that was built in 1787; it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. There is no admission fee for this event, more information, is available at 746-3849.

The 20th annual SADD “Strides for Safety” 5K will be held Sunday in Oneonta. Students will run, or walk from upper East Street to the Oneonta High School, money raised will go to facilitate activities that promote drug- and alcohol-free lifestyles, for teenagers.

The St. Luke's Lutheran Church Parish Nurse Committee and the Sidney Area Youth Advocate Program will present the documentary "Chasing The Dragon" on Saturday, April 14th at 2:00 PM. Organizer Ronnie Haag told WCDO News that the documentary focuses on the addiction stories of young people addicted to opioids:

(Ronnie Haag 4-13-18)

the content is considered acceptable for youths in Middle School and up, refreshments & a discussion will follow.

DCMO BOCES is hosting an educational forum on Thursday at the Sidney Central School District Auditorium, featuring educational consultant Mark Perna. BOCES Superintendent Perry Dewey told WCDO news about this important forum:

(Perry Dewey 4-10-18)

Dewey said that people can register for this event at DCMOBOCES.com; more information is available at 335-1200

Governor Cuomo announced the nation's largest state investment in computer science, as the new state Budget includes a $6 million annual investment in professional development for teachers, paired with the creation of new academic standards for computer science. The program is designed to ensure that every elementary, middle, and high school across the state provides computer science education by 2025.

The Otsego County Planning Department & New York Department of State are hosting a land use training work at the Milford Central School Auditorium, today from 5:00 to 8:15PM. 2 sessions will be offered covering planning, zoning, and General Municipal Law. The sessions offered in this workshop can qualify to meet the state requirement for members of planning boards and zoning boards of appeals. To register, call the Planning Department at 547-4225 or otsegocountyworkshop.eventbrite.com.

The next meeting of the Tri-Town Coalition on Substance Abuse prevention, will be held tonight in Sidney. The meeting will begin at 6:00 PM at the Sidney Library.

Norwich City Police arrested Regina Donovan on charges of Making a Terroristic Threat against a staff member at the Norwich School District Middle School. Donovan was arraigned & was released on her own recognizance, an order of protection was put in place for the staff member & grand jury action is anticipated in April.

State Police arrested John Griffioen for Reckless Endangerment & Disorderly Conduct, after troopers discovered that Griffioen deliberately caused a traffic hazard by parking his vehicle in the middle of West Hill Road in the town of Worcester, which almost caused a school bus with 31 passengers to collide with his vehicle. He is accused of approaching the bus and shouting at the bus driver. Griffioen was released on appearance tickets and is due in the town of Worcester Court on March 20th.

The Sidney Chamber of Commerce is holding a St. Patrick's Day Parade along with other activities this Saturday, Chamber Spokesperson Teri Schunk explains:

(Teri Schunk 3-16-18)

Those who would like to sign up to participate in the parade can do so today by calling 435-5620, others participating in the St. Patrick's Day festivities in Sidney include Main Street 88 Tavern, the Houndstooth Bakery & Boutique, Awestruck Ciders, Sidney Flowers & Gifts, Trackside Dining, & Ermetti's Community Lounge.

Afton Sertoma Club will hold their 15th annual “Goofy Golf” fundraiser tomorrow from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Afton Central School. Prizes will be awarded & money raised will support Afton Sertoma programs.

Saint Luke's Church, Parish Nurse Committee & the Sidney Area Youth Advocate Prgram will be presenting the documentary "Chasing The Dragon" free of charge, on Saturday April 14th at St. Luke's. The film deals with the issue of heroin & Opiod Abuse in Graphic Terms, and is a must see, according to Sidney Area Youth Advocate Program Spokesperson Ronnie Haag:

(Ronnie Haag 3-15-18)

Haag said that Parents & children middle school age & up are especially encouraged to attend, Light Refreshaments & a discussion is scheduled after the Documentary is screened.

Sheriffs from all over the state are pushing for lawmakers to include money for enough resource officers to be stationed at every school district in the state, Delaware County Sheriff Craig Dumond comments:

(Dumond 3-15-18)

The Sheriff's Association lobbied lawmakers to include the money in the state budget, following an increase in mass shootings at schools since January nationwide.

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting Today, in the Guilford School Cafeteria at 6:30 PM. The business portion of the meeting will start at 7:00 PM.

State Senator Fred Akshar will continue with his "Akshar's All-Stars" student recognition program Thursday at the Greene High School as well as the Union-Endicott High School & the Owego Free Academy. Each month, Senator Akshar recognizes three or four local students selected by their school districts in the 52nd Senate District who have shown great leadership, compassion, & school spirit. Akshar will appear at the Greene High School at 12:15PM Thursday.

The Tri-Town Coalition On Substance Abuse Prevention will hold their next meeting at the Sidney High School Library on Wednesday, January 31st from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. Topics of discussion will be the "Truth Pharm” Parental Education Program, a Review of the "Chasing the Dragon" documentary & planning for the 2018 year.

The Unatego School District Board of Education is holding a special vote today from 12:00 noon to 8:00 PM, in the Unatego Middle/High School building in Wells Bridge. Eligible voters in the Unatego district will vote on the leasing of 3 large and 1 small passenger school buses.