WCDO Radio News

3 proposals were received by the Unatego School District for the sale of the former Otego Elementary School. Superintendent Dr. Dave Richards explains:

(Dave Richards 7-10-18)

Dr. Richards said that the proposals received were from the Kildonan School of Amenia, to turn the building into a school for Dyslexic children, from LPP Management for a mixed use facility & 2+4 Management for senior apartments.

State Police are investigating a 1 vehicle crash on State Route 357 in the town of Unadilla that troopers discovered while on patrol. The Unidentified 40 year old man apparently drove off the highway, into Guide wires & a tree, he was extricated by Unadilla Firefighter & he was airlifted to Wilson Hospital in Johnson City for treatment of head injuries & an arm fracture. The investigation is ongoing.

The Town of Sidney Offices, including the Court, has been moved into the New Sidney office building at 44 Grand Street. Sidney Town Supervisor Gene Pigford comments:

(Gene Pigford 7-10-18)

The next Town of Sidney Board meeting will officially be held in the 44 Grand Street location in Sidney. The moves were precipitated by the sale of the Sidney Civic Center to 2+4 Management Company, who have built senior apartments on the 2nd & 3rd Floors, which forced offices to move to the 1st floor, or out of the building into new locations.

Otsego County Sheriff's department arrested 36 year old Ryan Biggs of Gloversville following an accident in Worcester Sunday. Biggs is accused of driving mentally & physically disabled people in an ARC vehicle while intoxicated, he was charged with DWI & endangering the welfare of an incompetent or disable person, he was released & faces court action at a later date.

A Cortland man was found guilty by an Otsego County Jury for selling heroin & cocaine in the city of Oneonta recently. 34 year old Jason Chase was found guilty after the jury deliberated for about 40 minute, he was returned to the Otsego County Jail pending sentencing on August 3rd on 2 counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 28 year old Aaron Dumond of Denver New York for Tampering with Physical Evidence & Conspiracy, after a reported Assault in Roxbury in May. Dumond allegedly altered and concealed physical evidence; he was arraigned & was remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $20,000 cash bail or $40,000 bond pending future court action.

State Police at Deposit arrested 25 year old William Caiati of Tompkins, for Aggravated Family Offense, Criminal Mischief, Criminal Obstruction of Breathing and Harassment. A trooper responded July 4th to a domestic dispute, where 1 victim reported that Caiati placed his hands around her neck, restricting breathing and she was shoved to the ground and injured her wrist, Ciaiti is also accused of disabling the victim's phone. A second victim reported that he allegedly punched her when she attempted to intervene. Caiati left, but was located by phone & turned himself in, he was arraigned in the town of Deposit and remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $1000 cash bail. An order of protection was also issued.

State Police at Oneonta arrested 28 year old Kevin Matthews of Worcester for Unlawful Use of a Motor Vehicle. Troopers responded to a report of a vehicle that was taken without the owner’s permission, Matthews allegedly took the vehicle on July 4th, another vehicle in that driveway sustained damage. Troopers observed the vehicle on I-88 in Richmondville, they arrested Matthews for Driving while Ability Impaired by Drugs and other charges. Matthews was later turned over to troopers at SP Oneonta where he was arrested for Unlawful Use of a Motor Vehicle. He was arraigned in the Decatur Town Court and remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $1000 cash bail or $2500 bond.

State Senator Jim Seward joined officials from local domestic violence prevention programs Monday to announce state grants totaling $45,000 to help support key community services. The funding awards included: Opportunities for Otsego - $15,000; Catholic Charities of Delaware, Otsego & Schoharie Counties - $15,000; Delaware Opportunities - $7,500 & Liberty Resources in Chenango County - $7,500.

State Police at Sidney arrested 35 year old Ronald Greek of Dansville, for DWI with a reported B.A.C of .24%. A trooper on State Route 23 in Oneonta where Greek is accused of Speeding & being intoxicated, He was arrested & was released on appearance tickets for town of Oneonta Court on July 24th.

State Police at Sidney arrested 39 year old John Forte of Unadilla for Aggravated DWI with a reported B.A.C of .21%. Troopers were dispatched to a complaint of an intoxicated driver, a trooper located the vehicle in the driveway of a residence on Depot Street, Forte was arrested & was released on appearance tickets returnable to the town of Unadilla Court on July 23, 2018 then later turned over to a sober third party.

Thousands attended the Calling Hours & Funeral Services over the weekend for Trooper Nicholas Clark. Troopers & officers from various law enforcement agencies paid their respects, along with friends and family members, at the services held at Alfred University. Trooper Clark died in the line of duty last Monday while responding to the report of a suicidal man who had barricaded himself inside a home in Steuben County.

The American Red Cross is now facing an emergency blood shortage following a difficult Fourth of July week for blood donations; with hundreds fewer blood drives than a typical week and a resulting decline in donations. All eligible donors are urgently needed to give now to help replenish the blood supply. Locally, blood drives are being held today in from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the SFCU main branch in Sidney; in Gilbertsville, from 1:00 to 6:00 PM, at the Christ Episcopal Church, In Delhi Wednesday from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm at the State University of New York Delhi O’Connor Center for Community Engagement, at 2 Main Street & Friday from 1:00 to 6:00 PM at the Delhi Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, 41861 State Highway 10

Norwich City police arrested an area couple for allegedly assaulting a child. Police were notified by the Chenango County Department of Child Protective Services, The child had been taken to Chenango Memorial Hospital’s Emergency room with injuries to the head & face, police arrested 31-year-old Marrianne Ray and 31-year-old Scott Ray of Norwich for 2nd degree Assault and endangering the welfare of a child, Both were arraigned in Norwich City Court and sent to the Chenango County Jail on $75,000 cash bail, they will reappear in Norwich City Court at a later date.

The trial of Dean & Adam Skelos continued Friday, with former Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos taking the stand. Dean Skelos was convicted in his first trial for exchanging political favors in order to get his son Adam High Paying No-Show Jobs, a new trial was ordered after the US Supreme Court changed the definition of Corruption, leading to new trials for Skelos & Former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.

The Town of Oneonta announced that they are flushing Hydrants starting today. Hydrants will be flushed in the Plains Parish, Morningside Heights & Angel Heights locations, local residents may have discolored water, they are advised to let the water run until it is clear, more information is available at 432-4581.

The Town of Guilford announced that the Town Office will be closed Tuesday. Officials with the town said that the office is closed due to a jury trial, more information is available at 895-9966.

The Town & Village of Unadilla announced road closures Tuesday & Wednesday. Highway Superintendent Rodney Renwick told WCDO News that Wendall Bachman & Buckhorn Lake Roads will be closed for paving, from 6:00 AM to 4:30 PM both days.

Governor Cuomo announced that New York's maple industry hit a 74-year record in 2018 with the production of 806,000 gallons of maple syrup. The maple industry in New York has grown by nearly 50 percent in the last five years and continues to maintain the state's standing as the second leading producer of fresh maple syrup in the nation. According to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service, New York's maple production constituted about 19 percent of the national total. New York producers also benefited from a long season in 2018 which lasted 52 days, compared to 43 days in 2017

State Senator Jim Seward will be in Otsego County today at Opportunities for Otsego in Oneonta at 2:00 PM. Senator Seward will announce special state grants he secured to help fund local domestic violence prevention programs. Representatives from Opportunities for Otsego, Catholic Charities of Delaware, Otsego & Schoharie Counties, Delaware Opportunities, and Liberty Resources of Chenango County will join Senator Seward for the announcement. Senator Seward will also detail several legislative accomplishments from the past year to combat domestic violence and sexual harassment.

The Broome County Special Investigation Unit Task Force executed a search warrant in Port Crane, which resulted in the arrests of 31-year-old Brett Poyer & 30 year old Jodi Bickos. Officers seized 2.2lbs of methamphetamine, packaging materials, and paraphernalia at the residence, Poyer and Bickos were charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Criminally using Drug Paraphernalia, they face court action shortly.

State Assembly Republicans released the findings of a Domestic Violence Task Force, that conducted 5 meetings on the domestic violence crisis issue, Assemblyman Cliff Crouch comments:

(Cliff Crouch 1-24-18)

The Assembly Minority Conference will introduce a package of bills this session to address the issues facing victims of domestic violence and their families.

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.

Magic City Productions announced today that Daughtry will play at the Broome County Forum on March 30th at 8:00 PM. Tickets will g o on sale on Friday morning at 10:00 AM at the Arena Box office, ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office has completed its investigation of Monday's fatal fire at 553 German Hollow Road in the Town of Plymouth. Investigators have determined the fire started in the area of a wood stove being used to heat the residence. It was also determined from autopsies that Debbie Pfeiffer, Amber Morrow and Benjamin Pfeiffer all died from smoke inhalation.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 22 year old Nicholas Corrao of Stamford on 1 count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child following a report of child abuse in the village of Stamford. Deputies allege that Corrao acted in a manner which was injurious to the mental and moral welfare of a child less than 17 years of age. Corrao was issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled to reappear at the Town of Stamford court at a later date.

The State Labor Department released local unemployment rates for the month of December. Locally, Chenango County was up to 5.8%, Delaware County had 5.7% unemployment & Otsego County had 5.2% unemployment, the state rate was at 4.4% for December.

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.