WCDO Radio News

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 10-7-20

Governor Cuomo announced the "Crush The Cluster" initiative Tuesday, as more than 20 zip codes around the state have clusters of COVID 19 cases & more than 5% of the people tested, were positive for the virus:

(Cuomo 10-7-20)

The Governor announced that a section of Binghamton was one of the cluster hot spots in the state, A former BC Transit bus has been outfitted with a lab, to test people all over the Broome County for the virus if they are exhibiting symptoms.

The State Health Department announced that another 1360 people tested positive for COVID 19 Tuesday, out of more than 108,000 tests administered. 748 people were hospitalized, an increase of 43, 176 COVID patients were in ICU. 72 patients were in intubated. The state has had over 468,000 cases since March; the state death toll is up to 25,545 after 8 additional deaths were reported Tuesday.

SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras announced today that Binghamton University will be going to all-remote learning for at least the next 2 weeks. 1 of the state's 20 COVID clusters is in Binghamton, with a 5-6% positivity rate, plus there have been over 80 positive tests among the University population. Remote classes will begin tomorrow, all on-campus dining will switch to takeout only and all in-person extracurricular programs and other nonessential student activities will be halted, including clubs & intramural sports. The university’s bus service will run on a limited schedule.

State Police arrested 31 year old Manuel Ayala of Norwich for Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs, Criminal Possession of a Weapon and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance. Troopers initiated a traffic stop after observing a vehicle failing to maintain a lane on State Highway 8 in the town of Guilford. Ayala was arrested & was in possession of suspected drugs and metal knuckles. Ayala was processed then later released on appearance tickets to the town of Guilford court on October 20th.

9 Fire Departments & state Police responded early Sunday morning to a fire at Jones Road in the town of Otsego, that resulted in 1 fatality. 2 adults & 3 children escaped the blaze, 1 adult male went back in to the burning house to save a 77 year old male, who later died at Bassett Hospital, and the deceased has been identified as Robert Huestis. The cause of the fire is under investigation, no foul play is suspected.

Former State Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno has died. Bruno led the state Senate for 14 years, before being convicted on corruption charges, which were later overturned on appeal. Bruno died of Prostate Cancer, he was 91.

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 10-7-20

Governor Cuomo announced that New Mexico has been added to New York State's COVID-19 travel advisory. No areas have been removed. The advisory requires individuals who have traveled to New York from areas with significant community spread to quarantine for 14 days. The full list is available at coronavirus.health.ny.gov.

State Police arrested 22 year old Shawnee Porter of Sidney for Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated. Troopers on patrol on State Route 7 near County Road 1A in the town of Unadilla were nearly struck by Porter and initiated a traffic stop. Porter's B.A.C was .19%; she was processed and issued appearance tickets to the town of Unadilla court on October 19th.