WCDO Radio News

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli released a statement
regarding criminal charges filed against former Delhi village clerk Michelle
Barnes for theft of public funds. Dinapoli said that the charges resulted from
a joint investigation conducted by the Comptroller’s office and State Police,
Barnes allegedly wrote $4,788 in village checks to herself for her personal
use, & she faces grand larceny charges.

The National Transportation and Safety Board made 4 safety
recommendations as a result of the October 6th 2018 Schoharie Limousine crash
that killed 20 people. Federal lawmakers took those recommendations and
introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at closing the gaps in regulations on a
federal level, State lawmakers failed to pass limousine safety measures, they
may tackle it in the 2020 session.

Funeral arrangements for Brooke Ketchum of Unadilla are
being handled by C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel at 21 Main Street in Sidney.   Ketchum died in an automobile accident in
the town of Otego Friday, Calling hours will be on Wednesday, October 9 from
2:00 to 4:00 PM with the funeral immediately following at 4:00pm. The family
invites those in attendance to the Sidney VFW for a reception following
services; donations can be made to a memorial fund for her 2 daughters.

The Village of Unadilla Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a
Public Hearing, this evening at 6:00 PM at the Community House 193 Main Street,
regarding a variance for 215 Main Street and/or 6 Adams Street. More
information is available through Village Clerk- Treasurer Clarissa Riker at
369-3421.

The National Transportation Safety Board has issued its
preliminary report regarding the Schoharie limousine crash on October 6th 2018
that killed 20 people.   The report
recommends more thorough inspections, a requirement that all limo passengers
wear a safety belt.   Limousine owner
Nauman Hussain was charged with 20 counts each of 2nd degree manslaughter and
criminally negligent homicide.

Governor Cuomo today announced
that the utilization rate for Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises on
state contracts increased to 29% during the 2018-2019 Fiscal Year, the highest
rate in the nation, which translates to more than $2.93 billion in state
contracts awarded to Minority & Women-Owned Business.

Another Blood Drive is being held in Sidney today, at the A.O.
Fox Hospital tri-Town Campus on Pearl Street.
The Blood Drive will be held in Conference room N-112 from 1:30 to 6:30
PM, appointments are requested at 1-800 Red Cross or REDCROSSBLOOD.org.

The Village of Bainbridge Zoning Board of Appeals will hold
a special meeting this evening at 6:30 PM at the Village clerk's Office at 33
West Main Street.  The purpose of the
meeting is to discuss a variance & Special Permit for 5 Prospect Street and
a Special Permit for 62 West Main Street.
The meeting is open to the public.

Catholic Charities in Sidney is once again offering free
backpacks to local children in need for the 2019-202 school year, Spokesperson
Penny McKnight explains:

(Penny McKnight 7-12-19)

McKnight said that the deadline to apply is August 12th,
also donations of school supplies will be accepted, and more information is available
by calling the Sidney Office at 604-4071.

The "Help After Loss" nonprofit
group, which is also known as HALos, announced that they are purchasing the
former Afton Great American building.
HALos purchased the building at an auction in June, closing is
anticipated in late July or August, plans call for some of the space to be used
by HALos, and additional space can be rented out to interested businesses
following renovations. Donations like building supplies, paints, or gift
certificates will be accepted, more information is available at 639-4256 or
240-1550 or by email at HALosOrg@aol.com. or online at helpafterloss.com

The Sidney Town Board received a petition at Thursday’s
meeting from Muddy Rivers farm Brewery Owners Dustin & Jared Wood, in favor
of changing the zoning laws to allow the business to continue at their current
site on the Back River Road at Tryon’s Corners, past a July 25th
deadline.  Sidney Town Supervisor Gene
Pigford Told WCDO News about potential Town zoning Board & Subsequent Town
Board Action on Muddy Rivers:

(Gene Pigford 7-12-19)

Pigford said that the final actions my take beyond the July
25th deadline, he does not anticipate the business will close at
that time.

A Red Cross Blood Drive will be
held at the Baptist Church in Oneonta tomorrow at 333 Main Street.  All Blood Types are needed, the Blood Drive
will be held from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

Property tax levy growth for local governments with fiscal
years that close on December 31 will be capped at 2% for the 2020 fiscal year,
according to State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. This figure affects the tax cap
calculations for all counties, towns, fire districts, 44 cities and 10
villages. The tax cap limits tax levy increases to the lesser of the rate of
inflation or 2% with some exceptions, including a provision that allows
municipalities to override the tax cap.

The 43rd Annual Carnival of Sales will be held tomorrow
throughout the village of Unadilla, Chamber of Commerce Spokesperson Jackie
Carey explains:

(Jackie Carey 7-12-19)

The event will run from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, More information
is available at the Unadilla Chamber web site: unadillachamberofcommerce.org

Delhi Telephone Company representatives will be in Sidney
Center tomorrow as they continue to expand broadband services locally, with
High Speed Internet, Cable TV including HD & DVR & phone services.  Jason Miller of DTC comments:

(Jason Miller 7-12-19)

Miller said that the Meet & Greet with the Sidney Center
Fire Department tomorrow will run from 11:00 to 2:00 PM.

The Sidney Central School District will be holding a special
Board of Education meeting today, at 4:30pm in the high school library. This
meeting is open to the public.

Delhi police arrested 2 men for
allegedly breaking into a village home.
20 year old James Bares of Great Neck and 20 year old Nicholas St. John
of Trumbull, Connecticut were arrested on June 29 after police received a
report of a burglary at a Main Street residence, Both suspects were charged
with 2nd degree burglary, criminal mischief, petty larceny and criminal
possession of stolen property, they were arraigned in the town of Kortright
Court and sent to the Delaware County Jail on $3,000 cash bail pending future
court action.

A petition has been set up
asking the Sidney Town Board to expand commercial zoning to save Muddy River
Farm Brewery, after they received a Cease & Desist order.  Muddy River appealed the decision & lost,
they are asking the Town of Sidney extend their Commercial Zoning to the facility,
if that fails they would be forced to close on July 24th.  A petition for local residents to sign is
available at change.org.

45-year-old Thomas Sutton of Sidney was arrested Tuesday in connection with the fire on July 3rd at the Econo Lodge in the Town of Dickinson.  Sutton was charged with arson and reckless endangerment, criminal mischief and obstructing governmental administration & he faces court action shortly.

The Sidney Community Band Announced their 2019 Don Clayton
Memorial Trailside Concert Series will be held at the Pavilion at Keith Clark
Park at 6:30 PM on Wednesday nights, starting July 10th with the Sidney
Community Band.  Shows will be held each Wednesday
night through August 21st, all concerts free and open to the public. More
information is available at the Sidney Community Band Facebook page.

HeatSmart Southern Tier is hosting an information session
for local residents about clean heating and cooling systems in Sidney.  HeatSmart Southern Tier representatives will
discuss how residents can take advantage of tax incentives and new technologies
to efficiently heat and cool their homes.
The free event is scheduled for Wednesday, July 10, from 6:00 to 8:00
PM, at Awestruck Ciders in the Sidney Industrial Park.

Sidney High School was one of
562 high-achieving and high-progress schools as part of the 2018-19 Recognition
Schools, as announced by New York State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia.

(Bill Christensen 6-20-19)

Sidney was one of just 234 high
schools statewide on the list, and the only high school in the immediate area
to be selected.  Of the 562 schools being
honored, 241 are located in New York City, 40 are public charter schools, and
280 are located in the rest of the state, 131 of those were also named as
Reward Schools last year.

Delaware County Sheriff’s
Deputies arrested 51-year-old Diane Dedominicis of Treadwell Tuesday for
Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a motor vehicle, following a traffic stop on
Griswold Street in the Village of Walton.
Dedominicis was additionally charged with Speeding, Unlicensed Operator,
and she was released on tickets returnable to Walton Village Court at a later
date.

The State Senate passed legislation in honor of Sidney
veterans.  The bill sponsored by Senator
Jim Seward designates a portion of State Route 8 running to the newly developed
Sidney Veterans' Memorial Park as the "Sidney Veterans' Memorial
Parkway".  The special highway
designation was requested by the Village of Sidney.  Companion legislation sponsored by
Assemblyman Cliff Crouch has been introduced in the state assembly. The
legislation must still be approved by the state assembly and signed by the
governor to take effect.

The Otsego County Chamber will host an Informational Session
on Today, from 11:30 AM to -2:00 PM on the “Legalization of Marijuana” with
Featured Speaker Dawn Lanouette, Partner at Hinman, Howard & Kattell.
Topics will include the effect of legalization on employer-employee relations,
landlord-tenant relations, banking and real property and zoning
considerations.  The Event will be at
Foothills Performing Arts Center.

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of
Education Meeting on Today in the District Conference Room at the Jr-Sr High
School at 6:30 PM. The business portion of the meeting will start at 7:00 PM.

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office arrested Mark Tubbs and Angela Huggins both of Sidney, for 1 count each of Unlawful Possession of Marijuana and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. The pair are accused of possessing marijuana in their apartment, where a 9 year old child also resided. The arrests came during the execution of arrest warrants at the Huggins and Tubbs residence by the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team. Both Huggins and Tubbs will appear in the Village of Sidney Court shortly to answer these charges.

The Town of Sidney Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, regarding the Muddy River Hops, that was originally scheduled for this evening at 7:00 PM has been cancelled. The meeting was due to be held in the Town of Sidney Office building at 44 Grand Street.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies arrested 36-year-old Seth Maki of Minnesota, with Criminal Impersonation; he is accused of falsely identifying himself to Deputies at the Delaware County Fair. Maki was arraigned in the Village of Walton Court and was remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility on $500 cash bail.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies arrested 22-year-old Ashley Murphy, of Sidney Center, on a Bench Warrant issued by the Town of Walton, for failure to appear to answer a charge of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance. Murphy was arraigned in the Town of Walton Court and was released on her own recognizance and directed to reappear in the Town of Walton Court on a later date.

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce will hold its September 1st Friday Eat & Meet on Friday, at 8:30 a.m., at the Sidney Elks Club, on River Street in Sidney. The featured speaker for the event is Bill Wagner, Director of Mobility Management of South Central New York, in partnership with Rural Health Network of South Central New York. More information or registration is available at 746-2281 or delawarecounty.org.

The Oneonta City Clerk's office announced 3 meeting for today at City Hall. The Operations, Planning & Evaluation Committee will meet at 4:00 PM, the Finance Committee meets at 5:00 PM and the Zoning & Housing Board of Appeals meets at 7:00 PM. All meetings will be held in the Common Council Chambers & are open to the public.

The Sidney Village Zoning Board will be holding a meeting tonight, regarding the plot of land near the Lutheran Church on West Main Street, for a variety of Housing, to replace those that are lost or will be lost in the River Street Area following the floods of 2006 & 2011. Tonight’s meeting will be held at the Sidney Civic Center at 7:00 PM & is open to the public.

The Sidney American Legion will be hosting a fundraiser Saturday from 1:00 to 3:00 PM, to assist the Sidney Historical Association, as they are looking for a permanent building or space for their museum. They need funds to secure a permanent dwelling. Chicken BBQ will be on sale & there will be a Chinese Auction, More information is available at 237-4762

The Sidney Village government has sent out a letter describing the ongoing process for renovating or rebuilding Sidney with the money that has been awarded to the village following the devastating floods of 2006 & 2011. Village Grants Administrator John Redente explains:

(John Redente 8-11-17)

Monday's Zoning meeting will be open to the public.

Governor Cuomo today announced that $60.7 million in grants, in addition to interest-free and low-cost loans, have been approved by the State Environmental Facilities Corporation Board to support drinking water and wastewater projects across the state. The Town of Roxbury will get a $1 million low-interest loan for source, pumping, distribution, storage and treatment improvements, which includes new and upgraded controls, electrical systems, backup power and chemical feed systems; replacement of old valves, hydrants, undersized water mains and a new storage tank mixing system and rehabilitation of the storage tank.

The Delaware County Board of Elections reminds area voters wishing to vote in the September 12th Party Primary, that Friday, August 18th, is the last day to register in person at the Board of Elections or postmark a registration form for the Primary Election. Registration forms and applications for absentee ballots may be found online at co.delaware.ny.us or call 832-5321.

The Village of Sidney Police Department announced the Main Street railroad crossing will be closed to traffic today for repairs. Reopening of the railroad crossing is expected on Tuesday, Motorists are advised to use an alternate route.

3 public meetings will be held today at Oneonta City Hall. The Operations, Planning & Evaluation Committee will begin their meeting at 4:00 PM, followed by the Finance & Human Resources Committee meeting at 5:00 PM, and the Zoning & Housing Board of Appeals at 7:00 PM. All 3 meeting will be held in the Common Council Chambers on the 2nd Floor of City Hall.

Sidney Village Police arrested a local couple on drug & weapons charges. Police arrested 41-year-old Elizabeth Roettger (Rote-te-ger) for criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a controlled substance, and controlled substance not in its original container, and 42-year-old Christopher Roettger for criminal possession of a weapon unlawful possession of marijuana. Both were arraigned in Sidney Village court & were remanded to the Delaware County jail on $5,000 Cash Bail & $10,000 bond.

The Sidney Central School District will be holding its Budget Hearing Tuesday night at 7:00 pm in the high school library. Dr. Christensen will be presenting the 2016-17 school budget. The public is invited to attend.

The Sidney Planning Board will hold a “Meeting in Public” this evening at 7:00 PM. The meeting will be held in room 202 at the Civic Center, the work session is being held to continue work on the Town of Sidney Zoning Local Law

Amphenol of Sidney has laid off 90 production workers for the 2nd time in 7 months, after a stop-shipment order by the Defense Logistics Agency, Land and Maritime, on connectors made at the Sidney plant. Delaware County Economic Development Director Glen Nealis explains the issue:

(Glen Nealis 4-20-16)

Nealis said that Amphenol is not in danger of falling below employment numbers promised to the state, following agreements made with the state for funding to build the new plant on Delaware Avenue following the devastating floods of 2006 & 2011.

The "Help Tom Help Others" fundraiser is set for this Saturday in Oneonta to help Tom Quiter of Mount Upton fulfill his dream of helping others suffering from various disabilities, to move on with their lives & Make positive contribution to society. Tom suffers from Brittle Bone disease & is wheel chair bound, & the Catskill Center for independence, Foothills performing arts Center have teamed up toe put on a benefit dinner & show featuring comedians & bands Saturday at Foothills. Perry Goodrich is a family friend & auctioneer helping out with the effort:

(Perry Goodrich 4-20-16)

Quiter told WCDO News that despite his affliction, he wants to get a van in order to help others with disabilities, through the Catskill Center for Independence to live life feeling enabled:

(Tom Quiter 4-20-16)

Tickets for the Fundraising event can be purchased at Foothills Box Office, at the Green Toad Bookstore or Music Square in Oneonta or the Tasty Treat in Sidney, or they can be accessed through BrownPaperTickets.com, where there is a link the HelpTomHelpOthers.bpt.me website

The Delaware County Sheriff's Office arrested 2 Village of Deposit residents Tuesday on felony drug possession charges following the execution of a search warrant that led to the seizure of 205 bags of heroin, Xanax tablets and $200 Cash, Investigators charged 45 year old John Coe and 44 year old Debbie Moore, with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance with intent to sell, Coe is expected to face additional charges at a later time relating to the alleged sale of heroin on previous occasions. Coe and Moore were arraigned and were remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $100,000 cash bail pending further court action.

The Town of Sidney Zoning board of appeals will conduct a public meeting on Wednesday April 20, 2016. Meeting to be held at 5:30pm at the Sidney Civic Center.

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting today in the District Conference Room, the meeting will begin at 6:00 PM.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies arrested 53-year-old Sonia Ramirez of the Bronx & Ottawa Illinois following a traffic stop in the Town of Hancock early Saturday morning. A Deputy stopped the Ramirez vehicle for speeding, an odor of marihuana emanated from the vehicle. Ramirez was charged with Speeding, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, and 2 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Marihuana and Throwing Refuse on the Highway. Searches led to the seizure of ½ ounce of cocaine, a quantity of marihuana, & 499 glassine envelopes containing heroin. Ramirez was arraigned & was ordered held on $75,000 cash bail or $150,000 bail bond pending a felony hearing scheduled for Wednesday. Deputies estimate the seized cocaine; heroin and marihuana destined for the streets of the Village of Sidney had a street value in excess of $10,000.

The City of Oneonta held a public hearing this afternoon on a moratorium for accepting applications for permits for the issuance of site plan reviews or variances fro billboards. The facilities-technology-operations-community improvement committee also held their regular meeting today, and the zoning & housing board of appeals will hold their next meeting tonight at 7:00 PM at City Hall.

The village of Unadilla zoning board will hold a special meeting tonight at 6pm at the Community House library at 193 Main Street.  The purpose of the meeting is to review and make recommendations to the planning board on use variances received for properties at 19 Teller Street and 258 Main Street.  The public is welcome

The Sidney Center Improvement Group will hold its next meeting tonight at the Sidney Center Library at 6:30pm.  The public is welcome to attend.

Chenango County Farm Bureau will be excepting a Proclamation Recognizing March 20th as the Official Chenango County Agriculture Day at the county board of Supervisors meeting.   Agriculture is the # 1 industry in Chenango County & in New York state with Each American farmer feeding more than 144 people, more than 5 times the amount in the 1960s.