WCDO Radio News

Governor Cuomo announced today that the number of Hospitalizations & Deaths from the Coronavirus were at their lowest levels since the pandemic first hit New York in March:

(Cuomo 6-17-20)

Governor Cuomo said that the state should still exercise caution as 22 states are still reaching their highest levels of positive tests for the virus, & many of those started an aggressive re-opening in spite of the increasing amo0unt of cases,  people from any of those states could easily travel to New York & start a 2nd wave.

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is pushing for the inclusion of the Child Care Is Essential Act in the next coronavirus relief package, as that industry took a major hit from the Pandemic:

(Gillibrand 6-17-20)

The Act would establish a $50 billion Child Care Stabilization Fund to provide grants to stabilize child care providers who were still open during the pandemic and would help child care providers that were forced to close, to safely reopen.

Governor Cuomo announced this week that the first major sporting event has committed to return in August.  The U.S. Tennis Association announced that the U.S. Open will be held in Flushing Queens this August, No fans will attend and the U.S. Tennis Association will take extra precautions to protect players and staff.

State Attorney General Letitia James will hold a virtual public hearing to examine the nature and details of interactions between police and the public during recent protests throughout New York. The hearing will begin at 11:00 AM at ag.ny.gov/livestream

New York State Senate Minority Leader John Flanagan announced that he would not seek re-election to the Senate this fall, he announced Tuesday that effective June 28th, and he will be ending his State Senate career and pursuing a private sector opportunity.

State Police & Local Law Enforcement Agencies are participating in the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign again this year, during the Christmas & New Year’s Holiday season. Checkpoints will be established all over the state, last year, police issued over 40,000 tickets from DWI, Speeding, Distracted driving & failing to obey the "Move Over Law", among other infractions

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies responded Wednesday to an accident on State Highway 28 in the Town of Middletown. 46 year old Luke Dougherty of Bovina hit an icy patch on the roadway and lost control of his vehicle, crossed into the southbound lane and struck an on-coming Delaware County Public Health vehicle driven by 50 year old Melissa Thomas of Masonville. The Dougherty vehicle then continued off the roadway where it struck and damaged an unoccupied, parked vehicle and other equipment parked in a driveway. Dougherty and Thomas were transported to O’Connor Hospital in Delhi; Dougherty was ticketed for failure to keep right and will appear in the Town of Middletown Court at a later date.

The New York State Appellate Court denied the appeal of John Guzy of Bainbridge, for the road rage murder of 26 year old Derek Prindle of Afton, in a 2014 road rage incident on State Route 7 between Sidney & Bainbridge. Guzy was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison, which has been upheld by Thursday’s court decision.

Governor Cuomo today announced that temporary lane closures for road and bridge construction projects on New York State highways will be suspended during peak holiday travel times over the next two weekends. All road construction work behind temporary lane closures stopped earlier this morning & will remain in effect until 6:00 AM Wednesday Morning. Construction will also be suspended from 6:00 AM Saturday, December 29th through 6:00 AM Wednesday, January 2nd. Some work may continue behind concrete barriers or for emergency repairs.

State DOT Officials announced the completion of the project to pave and repair a portion of State Route 10 in the town of Walton. The 1-mile project which stretched from a parking area outside the village of Walton and proceeds east, Construction addressed a 2,000-foot-long curve by increasing the road elevation on the outside of the curve, which reduces the chance of vehicles drifting over the center line and causing crashes & the slope near the parking area was flattened, creating better sight distance for cars pulling out of the lot.

State Senator Fred Akshar released the results of a recent online survey posted gauging constituents on legislation that would require anyone applying for or renewing a pistol permit license to consent to having their social media accounts and search engine history of the past 1-3 years reviewed and investigated by police as part of the mandatory background check. Within the 52nd Senate District, 79% of respondents opposed the proposal, 21% supported it; Outside of the 52nd Senate District, New York respondents opposed the measure 97% to 3%. Akshar plans on introducing or cosponsoring several bills to help address gun violence and mental health issues that are connected to the recent mass shooting tragedies.

State Senator Jim Seward announced that he has been appointed by State Senate Republican Leader John Flanagan to serve as the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee. The Senate Finance Committee is the second most influential panel in the senate – tasked with conducting public hearings on the governor's budget proposal and guiding development of the final plan. In addition, the finance committee is responsible for reviewing nominations sent by the governor for appointments, and moving the nominations to the full senate.

State Police & Local Law Enforcement Agencies are participating in the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign again this year, during the Christmas & New Year’s Holiday season. Checkpoints will be established all over the state, last year, police issued over 40,000 tickets from DWI, Speeding, Distracted driving & failing to obey the "Move Over Law", among other infractions

The 27th Annual Sidney Alumni Basketball Association “Alumni Night’ will be held tonight at the Sidney High School gym. Proceeds to the event go to fund the Association’s Scholarship each June for a graduating Sidney basketball player. Older players are invited to play in the 6:00 pm opener, the “young guns” game will follow at about 7:15. More information is available at 643-5728, or at the Sidney Alumni Basketball Facebook page.

Budget negotiations have stalled in Albany, as Governor Cuomo & Legislative leaders hoped to have the budget finished yesterday, prior to the Easter weekend & the April 1st deadline. Among the sticking points, State Senate Leader John Flanagan announced that bail reform will not be included in the budget; Governor Cuomo announced that the sexual harassment policy is still being hashed out & the Child Victims Act may be chopped out of the budget plan. Governor Cuomo told reports that they may pass budget extenders if there is no final deal in the next 24 to 48 hours.

State Police arrested 27 year old Megan Rogers of Rochester for felony Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a motor vehicle & Criminal Impersonation, after Troopers observed Rogers speeding on State Highway 26 in the town of Triangle. Rogers is accused of lying about her identity to avoid arrest, driving without a valid driver’s license after 10 suspensions. Rogers was arraigned in the town of Triangle Court & was remanded to the Broome County Jail with no bail.

The Harpursville Central School District announced that they have been chosen to create an egg design for the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, which is scheduled for Monday morning on the South Lawn of the White House. Harpursville High School juniors Annamarie Goosley and Tori Johnson worked with their teacher Ann McDonald to create the design. First Lady Melania Trump will host the 140th annual Easter Egg Roll Monday.

Delaware County Sheriff Deputy’s arrested 22 year old Cecil Garcia of Plymouth, Pennsylvania and 22 year old Miguel Cordoba of Roselle, New Jersey for Unlawful Possession of Marihuana after a traffic stop for failure to dim headlights on State Highway 10 in the Town of Hamden. Garcia was also arrested for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation after learning that his privileges in the state of New York were revoked. Cordoba and Garcia are to appear in the Town of Hamden Court at a later date.

State Police in Oneonta are currently looking for 16 year old Alyssa Jones of Oneonta, she was last seen on Friday July 28th at about 10:00 PM at the Bunga Wiz Festival in Laurens. She is described as a black female who is 5′ 01″ with a muscular build. She was last seen wearing pink shorts, a gray tank top and flip flops. Anyone with information is asked to call the New York State Police at (607) 432-3211.

Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan admitted Sunday he has drinking problem, he revealed that received treatment for his alcohol addiction, which he blamed on the pressures of his job. Flanagan said that he would remain in the senate, but did not address speculation that he may seek the Republican Party nomination in the race for Governor in 2018.

More people are starting to suggest a run at Governor Cuomo for the State's top job next year. Former Republican candidate Carl Palladino of Buffalo is expected to give it another shot, after losing badly to Cuomo once before. Actress Cynthia Nixon is expected to announce shortly that she is considering a run for the Democratic Party nomination in 2018, against Cuomo. Former State Senator Terry Gipson is also expected to announce challenge Cuomo next year, which is criticized by many in the Democratic Party as abandoning the Liberal base.

20 years after the last serious discussion of a state Constitutional Convention, the talk is rising again to hold a convention in 2019. Area Assemblyman Cliff Crouch commented about the prospect of a Constitutional Convention:

(Crouch 8-7-17)

A constitutional Convention last occurred in 1967, where state voters rejected recommendations from the convention.

U.S Senator Charles Schumer said that he will fight proposed cuts from the Trump Administration for small airport routine maintenance, upgrades & expansions. Schumer said that the small airports are vital to the economies of the areas they serve, Schumer said that cuts would be reckless, wrong headed & would be a safety concern.

State Police arrested 34 year old Tobias Rundstrom-Wooding of Norwich, for 1st degree Murder, in connection with the murder of 11 year old Jacelyn O'Connor on July 30th. He was arraigned in Chenango County Court and was remanded to the Chenango County Jail without bail pending further court proceedings today at 11:00 am. Last week, police arrested James Brower in connection with the same case. The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office and the Chenango County District Attorney’s Office assisted with this investigation. The investigation into the murder of Jacelyn O’Connor is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the New York State Police in Norwich at (607) 334-3296.

State DEC officials reported that missing hiker Wayne Lamicela of Arkville was found alive. State Forest Rangers reported that on Saturday, at around 1 p.m., a caretaker for private property located Lamicela, in a wooded area, Lamicela was barefoot but still mobile and able to walk on his own power. Lamicela was transported to the Margaretville Community Hospital for further evaluation.

The State Department of Transportation announced that two lanes eastbound, and one lane westbound on State Route 17 between Exit 62 Nichols and Exit 63 Lounsberry reopened Friday afternoon. Starting today, one lane in each direction will remain open as crews continue to repair damage caused by a late July flash flood. Motorists are advised to be alert for slow moving traffic and sudden stops.

A bipartisan proposal to add post-traumatic stress disorder as a qualifying condition for New York's medical marijuana program has received final approval from state lawmakers and is headed to the desk of Governor Cuomo. 26 of the 29 states with medical marijuana programs allow patients with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to qualify.

With Graduation parties coming up, the parents of students are reminded that it is illegal to provide alcohol to minors under the age of 21 in New York State. Justin Hamm of the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council of Delaware County told WCDO News that "Social Host Laws" can make parents libel of alcohol related problems:

(Justin Hamm 6-21-17)

More information about social host laws as well as alcohols & drug abuse can be found at adaconline.org.

Governor Cuomo today announced that his administration has reached a 5-year contract agreement with the Civil Service Employees Association, which represents over 60,000 state government employees. The contract must now be approved and ratified by CSEA membership and authorizing legislation is expected to be passed before the end of the legislative session.

The New York State Department of Labor today released preliminary local area unemployment rates for May. The State’s unemployment rate increased from 4.3% to 4.4% in May 2017, locally, Chenango County had 4.6% unemployment, Delaware County had a 4.8% rate & Otsego County registered 4.2% unemployment

Health officials in New York have detected the first of the season's mosquitoes with West Nile virus downstate in Staten Island. Officials at Cornell University advise New Yorkers to take steps now to protect themselves from the risks of mosquito-borne illnesses. Those who participate in outdoor activities should wear mosquito repellents, dump out any standing water in gutters, plant pots, tarps, buckets, birdbaths & children’s pools.

State Police issued 21,864 tickets during the June "Speed Week" campaign this year. The special traffic enforcement period to crack down on speeding and aggressive drivers was held June 7 through June 13, 2017. State Troopers ticketed 9,456 drivers for speeding, arrested 268 people for DWI and investigated 315 personal injury accidents, which resulted in 412 people injured Troop C troopers wrote over 1500 tickets during the Speed Week Enforcement.

The U.S. Justice Department reached an agreement with New York state to settle a lawsuit over voter registration opportunities through the State's DMV offices. Federal investigators found applications for New York driver's licenses, permits and ID cards didn't always serve as applications for voter registration, Under the agreement, New York will insure a voter registration opportunity will be included with all applications. Change of address information will also be used to update voter address information.

State Senate Leader John Flanagan said that his house will not vote on the bill to change requirements that would have made it easier for the vicitms of sexual molestation to sue their attackers. The proposal that passed the Assembly, and had the support of the Governor, would have given victims more time to file civil lawsuits, and would have allowed for a 1 year window for past victims to file lawsuits. The proposal had opposition from the Catholic Church and other religious organizations.

A Job Fair will be held today at the State Veterans' Home at Oxford from 12:00 Noon to 6:00 PM. Professionals from the nursing department will be on hand to provide information, give tours and conduct interviews for RN, LPN and CNA positions.

A plan to permit movie theaters to serve alcohol is not expected to make it to the governor’s desk. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said that he opposes the bill on the grounds of public safety; he decides which bills are voted on in the assembly. Governor Cuomo pitched the idea late last year, as a tie in to the state’s growing craft beer industry. Under current law, a theater can serve alcohol if they also operate a full kitchen, or obtain a tavern license & only serve alcohol in the lobby. The proposal states that theaters could apply for a special license & local officials also support the issuance of that license.

Oneonta Police arrested 31-year-old Gregory Flanagan of Otego for allegedly stealing a Motorcycle worth $35,000, from an Oneonta garage in May of this year. Flanagan was charged with burglary, grand larceny & petty larceny. He faces court action on the charges shortly.

The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce will host the annual Christmas parade Saturday afternoon, followed by several other holiday activities. Bainbridge Chamber President John Payne told WCDO News that those who want to be in the parade should get to Bainbridge by 4:00 PM:

(John Payne 12-9-16)

More information about the Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce is available at 967-8700

State Police arrested 28-year-old Ryan Markoff of Binghamton and 31-year-old Angela Weyrauch of Binghamton, for 3 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, after a traffic stop on Frost Road in the Town of Windsor. During a search of the suspects and their vehicle a small amount of marihuana, heroin and meth was found. Markoff was additional charged with Unlawful Possession of Marihuana and other traffic violations. Both suspects were issued tickets returnable to the Town of Windsor Court on December 28, 2016.

Ithaca Police have arrested 38 year old Justin Barkley for 2nd degree murder for allegedly shooting 52-year-old William Schumacher. Police were called to the Ithaca Wal-Mart around 12:50 AM Thursday, where they found Schumacher dead at the scene. Officers tried to pull over the suspect vehicle along State Route 13 a short time later, the suspect took off and turned into the driveway, he fired a shot in the direction of police officers before running into the residence. Barkley is being held in the Tompkins County Jail on no bail. He will reappear in Ithaca City Court on December 14th.

The Delaware County Historical Association will host a book launch in Delhi on Saturday, at 2:00 pm at the museum. Authors Mary Jane Henderson and Barbara Coleman will be on hand to sign copies of Hats Off: Notable Women of Delaware County, which is a compilation of stories highlighting 30 women spanning 4 centuries. This event is free and open to the public, at 46549 State Highway 10 in Delhi, more information is available at 746-3849 or at dcha-ny.org.

State Senator Jim Seward and Assemblyman Cliff Crouch will be in Delaware County, at 2:00 PM today at the Ouleout Creek Golf Course in North Franklin, for a highway dedication ceremony for fallen Marine Corps Corporal Nicholas Uzenski of Franklin, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2010 during Operation Enduring Freedom. Members of Corporal Uzenski’s family, local elected officials and law enforcement representatives will be on hand for the ceremony.

Former New York state Senate leader Dean Skelos & His son Adam have pleaded not guilty at arraignment today in Manhattan, to the latest charges against them in a federal corruption case. Skelos was arrested earlier this year and was forced to leave his leadership position, he still retains a seat in the State Senate, he is accused of using his political power to get his son a no show job at an insurance company.

State Police arrested 33-Year-old Jacob Perez of Brooklyn for Criminal Trespass & Harassment, after troopers had responded to a trespass complaint on July 13th at a home on Meadow Crest, in the Town of Unadilla. The investigation determined that Perez had walked into the home of a known woman without permission and began arguing with her. After a brief struggle with a man, who told him to leave, Perez fled the house and then drove away. He was located and arrested with a warrant. Perez was arraigned at the Town of Unadilla Court and released.

New State Assembly Democratic Speaker Carl Heastie is making the rounds upstate today. Heastie made an appearance in downtown Binghamton this afternoon with Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, his visit comes a day after new State Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan appeared in Cooperstown, both parties are looking to win the 52nd State Senate district following the conviction of Republican Tom Libous, who held that seat since 1988.

Broome County Executive Debbie Preston announced that she would not run for the 52nd state senate seat. Preston released a statement saying that she was flattered that her name was considered by area Republicans, but she has decided to stay in her current position.

Governor Cuomo announced that New York State has extended the ban on residential brush burning until May 21 due to continued dry conditions across the state. the burn ban also prohibits outdoor fires, such as campfires and recreational fires, and open fires used for cooking. This year, 110 fires have already burned nearly 3,600 acres.

19-year-old Joseph Mueller of Delhi suffered severe burns last night, hen his vehicle went into a propane tank outside the Delhi American Legion hall. The tank exploded, and firefighters from several area companies responded Mueller was taken to the burn unit at Upstate Medical Hospital in Syracuse. The crash happened at about 8:30 last night, about 30 people successfully evacuated the Legion hall, the Hall & a pavilion had minor damage, 3 store units were destroyed.

State Police at Oneonta arrested 43-year-old James Henderson of Franklin for Criminal Obstruction of Breathing or Blood Circulation, Unlawful Imprisonment, Criminal Mischief and Harassment. Troopers responded to a Delaware County 911 report of a dispute at a residence on Rod & Gun Club Road in the Town of Franklin. An investigation determined that during a physical dispute with his girlfriend he grabbed her by the neck, kept her from using the telephone to call police and would not let her leave. Henderson was arraigned in the Town of Davenport Court and remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $2,500 cash bail or $5,000 property bond pending a court date for the Town of Franklin is on May 28th.

Dean Skelos resigned as State Senator Majority leader & State senator John Flanagan of Long Island was elected as the new Senate Majority leader, over Syracuse area State Senator John DeFrancisco, by the senate republican caucus. Area state Senator John Bonacic described how the causes went:

(Bonacic 5-14-15)

Skelos & his son face a number of charges of corruption following a federal investigation that also brought down former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver earlier this year. Both Skelos & Silver refused to resign from their seats in the respective houses.

Otsego County has received a federal grant through the New York State Homes & Community Renewal to replace dilapidated owner-occupied mobile homes with new, energy-efficient manufactured homes. General eligibility is based on gross household income at or below 80% of the area median, ownership in the name of the applicant of the property where the existing mobile home is located, and poor condition of the home. Mobile homes on rented lots or in parks are not eligible. Interested families are asked to call Otsego Rural Housing Assistance at 286-7244.

Chenango County Fire officials reported a Barn fire at around 1:00 PM this afternoon. The barn was located at 2065 state route 12 in the town of Greene; firefighters from Coventry and Brisben have also been called in. WCDO will have more details as they become available.

In 1984, New York State became the 1st State to pass legislation requiring drivers and front-seat passengers to use seat belts. State officials reported that thousands of lives a year have been saved by seat belts, including 467 in 2012 and 446 in 2013. Tomorrow, representatives from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee will be hosting an event regarding the latest "Click it or Ticket - Border to Border” enforcement mobilization, to enforce seat belt laws in the Southern Tier of New York & the Northern Tier of Pennsylvania. The event will be held at 11:00 AM at Broome Gateway Rest Area on Interstate 81 in Kirkwood.

State Senator Republicans have elected Senator John Flanagan as the State Senate Majority Leader. Flanagan replaces Dean Skelos, who is facing federal corruption charges & was forced to step aside.

Governor Cuomo issued an update on this weekend’s transformer fire at Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant in Westchester, as the DEC, State Police & US Coast Guard continuing working at the scene. The DEC and Coast Guard, continue to clean up oil spills, as they evaluate the environmental damage, the DEC anticipates having an estimate of the amount oil recovered from the Hudson River by the end of the week. Some oil burned during the transformer fire or dispersed before containment was in place in the river.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies arrested and charged a Sidney Center man with being a Fugitive from Justice from the State of New Jersey on Monday. Deputies arrested 33 year old Dennis Lafferty Jr., on a Warrant and Bail Forfeiture issued by a New Jersey Superior Court in March 2014. Lafferty was originally charged in New Jersey with Theft, Lafferty, was already incarcerated in the Delaware County Jail on an unrelated charge, he is scheduled to be arraigned in the Town of Delhi Court This morning as a Fugitive from Justice.

State Senator Jim Seward and State Senator John Flanagan will be in Delaware and Otsego Counties, Today.  Senator Seward and Senator Flanagan will tour the Franklin Central School at 1:15 and meet with Franklin School Superintendent Gordon Daniels, board of education members, and local elected officials including Village of Franklin Mayor John Campbell.  Seward and Flanagan will then convene a roundtable discussion at 4:10 at the Oneonta High School with school superintendents and board of education members from throughout Otsego and Delaware Counties to discuss the governor’s budget proposals for education and other topics related to the future of education in New York State.