WCDO Radio News

State Police and local law enforcement will conduct special enforcement efforts designed to deter drinking and driving during St. Patrick's Day weekend. The traffic enforcement detail runs through Sunday, Drivers can expect sobriety checkpoints, additional DWI patrols, and stings targeting underage drinking and illegal sales of alcohol to minors during the campaign. State Police will also be ticketing distracted drivers who use handheld electronic devices. During the 2017 St. Patrick's Day weekend enforcement effort, Troopers made 229 arrests for DWI and issued nearly 15,000 tickets.

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.

State Police arrested 39 year old Jillenia Murphy of Afton for DWI, Obstructing Governmental Administration and several traffic infractions. Troopers were dispatched to Oak Hill Road in the town of Afton for a 1-car accident, they located Murphy and her vehicle stuck in the snow. Murphy refused to submit to a breath sample or allow troopers to take her fingerprints and was charged with obstructing governmental administration. Murphy was arraigned and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $500 cash bail or $2,000 bond; she faces court action in the town of Afton Court & Town of Unadilla Court on March 26th.

Chenango County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 21 year old Armoni Prince of Endicott for Criminal Mischief, after deputies responded to a domestic dispute in the Town of Greene. Prince is alleged to have destroyed the cellular phone of the victim who was attempting to contact police for assistance. Prince was arraigned in the Town of Greene Court and was released on recognizance and is to reappear in court at a later date.

State Police arrested 46 year old Marc McKercher of Union for Attempted Arson, after troopers received a complaint of 2 suspicious devices on the front steps and front lawn of a residence on King Street in Endwell. Further investigation revealed the items were improvised explosive devices which did not detonate successfully. State Police Bomb Disposal Unit was called to the scene and rendered the items safe. They secured the items from the scene, the investigation is continuing.

State Senator Fred Akshar will hold his next Town Hall Meeting in Bainbridge tomorrow at the Town Hall Theatre. Constituents are invited to attend from 11:00am to 12:30pm

Norwich Police arrested 37-year-old Sandy Beeching of Norwich for allegedly selling Cocaine in the city of Norwich. Beeching was charged with criminal sale of a controlled substance he was sent to the Chenango County Jail on $10,000 cash bail pending additional court action. The Chenango County Sheriff's Department assisted with the arrest.

State Police & the State Liquor Authority conducted an Underage Drinking Enforcement Detail in Broome County; for businesses that sell alcoholic beverages in Broome County. 9 establishments were checked, 4 sold alcohol to an underage operative. Police charged 49 year old Meredith Bahr of Candor, 22 year old Sarah Kamide of Vestal, 33 year old Maria Bales of Vestal, & 25 year old Victoria Harting of Windsor, All 4 were issued tickets to appear in court at a later date.

State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced that his office has filed a lawsuit against Insys Therapeutics; he alleged that Insys marketed the fentynal-based drug for much wider use, than how it was approved by the FDA. The suit also claims that Insys downplayed addiction risks and bribed doctors to prescribe their brand, known as Subsys.

Former State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver's retrial will continue on April 16th, following his failed appeal to the Supreme Court. Silver’s previous conviction for corruption was reversed by an appeals court, where he was sentenced to a 12-year prison sentence. Silver is currently free on bail.

Governor Cuomo today announced he has signed an Executive Order to further protect New Yorkers' civil rights by banning all state agencies and authorities from doing business with companies that promote or tolerate discrimination. The Governor also announced he will be advancing legislation that will ban the use of a "Gay Panic" defense to protect against revictimizing New Yorkers. The Governor made the announcements at the 17th Annual Human Rights Gala in New York City.