WCDO Radio News

Governor Kathy Hochul announced nearly $21 million in additional funding through the NY SWIMS initiative to support 16 new projects across the state, bringing the total to 79 projects. In the Southern Tier, awards go to the Children's Home of Wyoming Conference for $2.8 million & the Town of Delhi's West Branch Center for $252,182

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 7-2-26

A EF-1 tornado has been confirmed in Otsego County Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service, it touched down along Otsego County Highway 49 near Ketchum Road in Pittsfield & traveled 8.4 miles to Crawford Road & County Highway 10 in Laurens, it was on the ground for 18 minutes, with estimated wind speeds of 105 miles per hour. No injuries were reported, 4 structures were destroyed, the Towns of Pittsfield and Laurens are in a state of emergency.

Oneonta's 4 day Celebration of the Country's 250 Anniversary begins today, at 4 pm. with a First Thursday downtown event, on and around Main Street, Community Arts Network of Oneonta spokesperson Hope Von Stengel explains:

(Hope Von Stengel 7-2-26)

From 3 to 7 pm. on Friday, the Swart-Wilcox House Museum on wilcox Avenue in Oneonta will be celebrating the installation of the Lawrence Swart plaque by the Oneonta chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Swart was a Revolutionary War soldier who built the house over 200 hundred years ago, Spokesperson Helen Rees explains:

(Helen Rees 7-2-26)

Doors will open at 3 pm for tours, Susan Trump, a local folk singer and composer will lead a group of school children in a song originally written in 1990. More information is available at the Oneonta 250 Facebook page.

The Southern Tier Music Festival will be held in July at the Sidney Airport, Jake Cotten is one of the organizers of the event, he told WCDO News that the Headliner, Nate Smith won a major award this week:

(Jake Cotten 5-17-24)

Tickets are still available for the July 6th all day show at southerntiermusicfest.com, or at SFCU branches while they last.

Springbrook will be opening up their apartment complex soon, called "The Ford on Main" at 186-212 Main Street in Oneonta. Springbrook Director of Marketing Michael Basso explains:

(Michael Basso 5-17-24)

Springbrook will host an Open House & Ribbon Cutting at the Main Street site from 5:00 - 9:00 pm. on Thursday, May 30th

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 5-17-24

Military Veterans from the Vietnam War era are invited to a Recognition Event in Oneonta Sunday, put together by several area organizations, following a 10 year federal effort to recognize Vietnam Era Veterans, Grant Coates of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 85 told WCDO news about the event:

(GRANT COATES 5-17-24)

The event will be held at the Oneonta Masonic Temple Sunday at 2:00 PM at 322 Main Street in Oneonta, more information is available by calling Jeanne Westcott of the Daughters of the American revolution at 607-965-6419.

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 5-15-24

Sidney Police & EMS responded at about 6:10 this morning to the report of a Norfolk Southern Train & Pedestrian Accident at West Road. 34 year old Nikita Burns of Sidney was pronounced deceased at the scene, the investigation into the incident is continuing by the Sidney Police Department.

The Southern Tier Chapter of the American Red Cross will be hosting its 15th Annual Real Heroes event this morning at the Binghamton DoubleTree Hotel at 8:30 AM. Participating sponsors and donors will be handing out awards to recipient “heroes”, ranging from a 9-year-old who safely evacuated other members of her family during a rapidly progressing home fire, to a high school student and school resource officer who saved the student’s mom when she showed signs of a stroke, to a Firefighter who, while on his way to his own retirement party, coordinated the rescue of occupants of a car submerged in water, Awards will be presented in 12 categories.

Broome County Sheriff's Office is partnering with the Southern Tier chapter of the American Red Cross for a Blood Drive today at the Sheriff's Office in honor of the late Broome County Deputy Kevin Tarsia, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. on July 4th, 2002, Deputy Tarsia was killed in the line of duty during an encounter with suspects from a firearms burglary at Grange Hall Park in Kirkwood. Appointments can be scheduled at redcrossblood.org.

The Southern Tier Chapter of the American Red Cross will be hosting its 14th Annual Real Heroes event Thursday, at the Binghamton DoubleTree Hotel, featuring color guard and bagpipes, the event will begin at 7:30 AM, Several Southern Tier residents will be honored for their heroic, sometimes life-saving, assistance of their neighbors in need. Participating sponsors and donors will be handing out awards to 20 recipient “heroes”, ranging from a second-grader who saved a classmate from choking to a pair of NYS Troopers who went above and beyond.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 3-30-23

The Southern Tier Music Festival scheduled for Sidney on July 1st, has added another Country Music Act to their lineup, Ed Curley is one of the organizers of the event & he told WCDO who has been added to the bill:

(Ed Curley 3-30-23)

The Concert will be an all day event at the Sidney Airport on July 1st, Tickets are available at various levels at southern tier music fest.com

The United Way of Mid Rural New York announced their campaign results for Chenango County as well as the Delaware & Otsego Chapter today, Executive Director Elizabeth Monaco explains:

(Elizabeth Monaco 3-30-23)

Monaco said that the Delaware & Otsego County results was $105,000 dollars, money raised will go to a variety of local organizations in all 3 counties.

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 3-17-23

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 45 year old Leo Guerrero of the Town of Otsego, for criminal mischief & Harassment, following the report of a domestic dispute on March 5th. Guerrero is accused of taking the victim’s phone to prevent the victim from contacting 911 & subjecting the victim to unwanted physical contact, he was released on his own recognizance following arraignment and the issuance of an order of protection.

Fire Companies responded this morning to a structure fire at 22 Main Street in Laurens. Laurens Fire Fighters are receiving mutual aid from Mount Vision, West Laurens, Morris, Milford, Volunteers from the Southern Tier Chapter of the American Red Cross provided immediate emergency aid to 2 adults after a fire in Laurens, this morning.

The Southern Tier Chapter of the American Red Cross Western New York Region is accepting nominations through January 31 for its 13th annual Real Heroes event. Local heroes across Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, & surrounding counties will be honored in May. To access the nomination form and a description of award categories, visit redcross.org/SouthernTierRealHeroes.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 1-18-22

DCMO BOCES will host a job fair Today, as they look to fill a variety of positions. The job fair will take place from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon & also from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at the DCMO Support Services Center behind the main Alan Pole Campus building on County Road 32 in North Norwich.

The American Red Cross of Western New York will be hiring for a number of positions, This Saturday, October 16 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. A walk-in hiring event will be held at our Southern Tier Chapter office 620 E. Main Street, Endicott to recruit for Entry-level Phlebotomists to assist in operating upcoming blood drives. No experience is necessary, Walk-ins are welcome or applicants can pre-register at redcross.org/careers.

The United Way of Delaware and Otsego Counties’ campaign started today with the announcement of the fall campaign goal of $50,000. Executive Director Elizabeth Monaco told WCDO News that last year was a tough year for the chapter due to the COVID 19 pandemic:

(Elizabeth Monaco 9-9-21)

Monaco said that last year, largely due to the pandemic & subsequent shutdown,, the United Way of Delaware & Otsego Counties only raised about $17,000, but they also raised $31,000 in local COVID-19 Relief Funds over the last 18 months, beyond the campaign dollars raised, to assist the community in both the short and long term impacts of the pandemic. . This year's campaign will conclude on December 31st, more information is available at 334-8815 or unitedwaydo.org.

A.M. NEWS Thursday 9-9-21

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that New York will delay the requirement that state employees get vaccinated against COVID 19 or undergo weekly tests to October 12th, which is the same day telecommuting workers are scheduled to return to their offices. Governor Hochul said that Workers in hospitals and nursing homes must get their first dose by September 27th, and employees at home care agencies, hospices and adult care facilities have until October 7th to get the first shot. SUNY and CUNY students are also mandated to show proof of vaccination by Sept. 27 to remain enrolled in classes. Some medical exemptions will be accepted.

The American Red Cross of Western New York will be holding a Job Fair today from 12:00 Noon until 6:00 PM at the Southern Tier Chapter office at 620 East Main Street in Endicott. 2 Outside Sales Donor Recruitment representatives & Entry-level Phlebotomists to assist in operating upcoming blood drives are needed locally, Walk-ins are welcome or applicants can pre-register at redcross.org/careers. Those interested are reminded to bring a resume the day of the event.

The American Red Cross of Western New York will be holding a Job Fair for a number of positions within the Binghamton area, this Thursday from 12:00 to 6:00 PM at the Southern Tier Chapter office at 620 East Main Street in Endicott. Regional donor Services Director Hanna Malak told WCDO News what positions are available:

(Hanna Malak 9-8-21)

Malak said that the interviews will be held on site Thursday in Endicott for both positions, Walk-ins are welcome or applicants can pre-register at redcross.org/careers, those interested are reminded to bring a resume Thursday.

The Sidney-Oneonta Area chapter of the Disabled American Veterans needs volunteer drivers to bring vets to the Albany VA Hospital. Program Spokesman Ernest Thompson told WCDO News that volunteers would need to visit the Albany VA Hospital to become certified to volunteer:

(Ernest Thompson 10-19-18)

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer driver for the disabled American Veterans can call Thompson at 764-8134 or Michael Alvin at 988-9330.

Governor Cuomo announced that more than $3.4 million in projects in the Southern Tier are expected to begin this fall to help flood-prone communities plan and prepare for extreme weather events as they continue to recover from Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. The funding is part of more than $41.1 million in NY Rising Community Reconstruction projects slated to get underway across the state this fall. The 3 Broome County projects were identified by NY Rising Community Reconstruction Planning Committee members as priorities for their neighborhoods and are among hundreds across the state funded by the Governor's Office of Storm Recovery NY Rising Community Reconstruction Program.

The Southern Tier Chapter of the American Red Cross and Preferred Mutual will be hosting a Home Fire Preparedness canvassing event in Norwich. American Red Cross staff and Preferred Mutual volunteers will be visiting residents on Conkey Avenue, Sheldon Street, and Canasawacta Street, installing free smoke detectors for those homes in need. The event will be this Saturday, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, starting at the Norwich Fire Department at 31 East Main Street.

The Southern Tier Chapter of the American Red Cross and Preferred Mutual will be hosting a Home Fire Preparedness canvasing event in Norwich. American Red Cross staff and Preferred Mutual volunteers will be visiting residents on Conkey Avenue, Sheldon Street, and Canasawacta Street, installing free smoke detectors for those homes in need. All residents will also receive educational materials about how to protect themselves, their families, and their homes in the event of a fire. The event will be this Saturday, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, starting at the Norwich Fire Department at 31 East Main Street. According to the American Red Cross, home fires are responsible for approximately 7 deaths every day and over 7 billion dollars-worth of property damage every year.

Chapter 200 of the Disabled American Veterans is seeking donations for the purchase of their next van to take area veterans to the VA Hospital in Albany, and they are also seeking volunteer drivers to drive their van. Service Officer Ernest Thompson of Chapter 200 explains:

(Ernest Thompson 4-21-16)

Those seeking more information about donating or volunteering can call 764-8134 or log on to DAV.Org.

Kinder Morgan announced Wednesday that they have decided to stop their Plans to build a natural gas pipeline through the Southern Tier into New England. Officials with the company cited a lack of contracts with gas distribution companies.

The Southern Tier Chapter of the American Red Cross has been actively responding to flooding in the Utica, Oneida and Mohawk Valley since late last week.  Officials said that Sherburne is getting clean up kits and water, which is being delivered, to the Sherburne fire department for distribution.  The red cross is fundraising to help cover the costs for the assistance to those affected by the recent flooding, Donations to “Disaster Relief” can be made at your local Red Cross office, online at redcross.org, 1-800-RedCross or to the Southern Tier chapter office at 785-7207.

The American Red Cross will kick off the “Heroes for the American Red Cross” campaign today at 5:30 pm at Remliks in downtown Binghamton.  “Heroes” is a grassroots campaign where businesses, school clubs, church groups, civic organizations and individuals pledge to raise at least $1,000 for the Red Cross Southern Tier Chapter, more information is available at 785-7207.

The American Red Cross announced that on June 17th at 5:30pm at Remliks in downtown Binghamton, the “Heroes for the American Red Cross” campaign will kick off. The campaign has businesses, school clubs, church groups, civic organizations and individuals pledge to raise at least $1,000 for the American Red Cross Southern Tier Chapter, for disaster relief, assistance for fire victims, emergency military communications, first aid, CPR and other lifesaving classes.  More information is available at 785-7207.

The nonprofit Disabled American Veterans Mobile Service Office will be visiting various communities around the state in the coming weeks, to provide the counseling and claim filing assistance.  The Mobile Service Office is free to all veterans and members of their families, it will be in Oneonta on Thursday, June 27th from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at DAV Oneonta Chapter #200, 279 Chestnut Street.

March is Red Cross Month, and Central New Yorkers can help support the American Red Cross by joining the “Heroes for the American Red Cross” campaign.  “Heroes” is a grassroots campaign where businesses, school clubs, church groups, civic organizations and individuals seek pledges to raise at least $1,000 for the American Red Cross Southern Tier Chapter, which includes Broome, Chenango, Delaware, and Tioga counties.   The campaign will run through June, and the money raised will support Red Cross services, more information is available at 785-7207.

The American Red Cross southern tier chapter will hold a blood drive today in Sidney, at tri-town regional hospital. The blood drive will run from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, appointments are requested at 1-800-red-cross, or at redcrossblood.org.