WCDO Radio News

State Police arrested 43-year-old Stacey Juhl of Portlandville for Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance & other traffic violations. A trooper observed a vehicle with a loud exhaust, as it weaving across road markings on State Route 28 in the town of Milford. Juhl is accused of driving while impaired by drugs, she was found to unlawfully possess an oxycodone pill. Juhl was transported to Fox Hospital where she consented to a test of her blood for drugs. The lab results are still pending. Juhl was issued tickets that are returnable to the Milford town Court on February 27, 2018.

The Delaware County Industrial Development Agency announced that a $50,000 low interest loan has been granted to the owners of the O'Neill's Shire Pub in Delhi, to assist in the restoration. The tavern suffered damage in a fire last June that was attributed to the spontaneous combustion of cleaning towels in the kitchen. The restoration is also being helped by an $85,000 grant from the State Office of Community Renewal. The tavern employs over 20 people.

Governor Cuomo today announced a 30-day budget amendment will be advanced to prohibit the so-called gay and trans panic defenses from being used in New York State to blame LGBTQ people for the violence committed against them. The current gay and trans panic defenses allow those responsible for violent crimes against LGBTQ people to receive a lesser sentence, and in some cases, even avoid being convicted, by placing the blame on a victim's actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

State Police arrested 31-year-old Scott Ward of Binghamton for 3rd degree Assault, following the report of a bar fight January 20th in Conklin. Ward is accused of pushing & kicking a man, resulting in lacerations to his face & chipping a tooth. The victim was treated at Lourdes Hospital then released, ward faces court action in Conklin Town Court on February 26th.

New York's system of state parks, historic sites, campgrounds, and trails welcomed 71.5 million estimated visitors in 2017, which represents an overall increase of 23% or 13.6 million visitors since 2011. State Parks saw an increase from 70.6 million to 71.5 million in 2017, since the inception of the New York Parks 2020 program, more than 700 improvement projects have been completed or are underway.

State Police advised that Christian Rojas-Martinez, age 22, of Bronx, NY was found deceased earlier today inside a body of water that was inside the area being search.  An investigation as determined that since January 19, Christian was staying at a home and was camping with six other men at 521 Old Ferris Farm Road, in the town of Roxbury.  On the evening of January 20, he wandered away from the location and did not return.  He was reported missing by his companions on January 21, at about 12:45 a.m.  The investigation is ongoing.      State Police were assisted in the search by two NYSP K-9s, NYSP Aviation, NYS DEC, NYS Forest Rangers, Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies, Delaware Emergency Management Agency, Town of Roxbury Constable, and fire department and EMS personnel from Roxbury, Grand Gorge, and Hobart.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal fire that occurred at about 4:50 am that claimed the lives of 3 people.  Killed in the fire were 33 year old Debbie L Pfeiffer, 1 year old Benjamin Pfeiffer and 10 year old Amber Morrow.  The cause of the fire is still being investigated and autopsies will conducted on the victims on 01/23/18 at Lourdes Hospital.  The Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by Chenango County Bureau of Fire, Plymouth Fie Department, North Norwich Fire Department, City of Norwich Fire Department, Smyrna Fire Department, Sherburne Fire Department and the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control.  Further details will be released when they become available.

Jury selection began today in the corruption trial of Joseph Percoco, who was a top aide to Governor Andrew Cuomo. Percoco is charged with taking $300,000 worth of bribes from 2 companies working with the state. Prosecutors say he used his relationship with Cuomo to win those companies favorable treatment.

Governor Cuomo may be softening his stance against recreational marijuana against the state's increasing economic problems, which have been made more difficult by the new Federal Tax plans:

(Cuomo 1-22-18)

The Governor made those remarks during his budget presentation earlier this month, as a way to raise revenue for the state.

State Police arrested 59 year old Anthony Middletown of Cobourg, Ontario for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation and other traffic violations, after a trooper saw Middletown using a cellphone while he was driving in the town of Conklin. Middletown had his li9cense suspended 12 times in New York on 11 different dates, he was arraigned in the town of Conklin Court and was remanded to the Broome County Jail with no bail set. His next court date is pending.

Governor Cuomo announced the 38th annual Empire State Winter Games will kick off on Thursday, February 1 and will run until Sunday, February 4 in Lake Placid. More than 2,500 participants will compete in 17 different sports during the 3-day festival. The Games will kick off with an inaugural Torch Relay departing from New York City.

Local state lawmakers reacted to Governor Cuomo's State of The State Address, which was delivered to a joint session in Albany Wednesday afternoon. Assemblyman Cliff Crouch comments:

(Cliff Crouch 1-4-18)

State Senator Jim Seward also commented:

(Seward 1-4-18)

The state budget will be due April 1st, current estimates predict a 4 to 6 billion dollar deficit built into that plan before is it even enacted.

The Sidney Historical Association & the Sidney Memorial Public Library will co-sponsor a presentation on the restoration of the Andrew Mann Inn on State Route 7 in Sidney. Current Owner Kurt Reigel will discuss the buildings history & his current restoration efforts, on January 17th at 7:00 PM in the Library's Smart Community Room.

State Troopers initiated a pursuit of a suspect in Binghamton Tuesday afternoon. 36 year old James Giacalone of Glen Aubrey was wanted on an active warrant, he led police on a pursuit through the city's Southside, on Conklin Avenue, he crashed his vehicle into a utility pole, troopers tried to take Giacalone into custody, but he backed his vehicle away from troopers into a parking lot. Troopers approached the vehicle, Giacalone accelerated forward, striking one of the troopers, who shot Giacalone in the face, he then attempted to flee again. Giacalone was eventually taken into custody & was brought to Wilson Hospital and transferred to another hospital in Pennsylvania for treatment of gunshot wound to the face. The injured trooper was taken to Wilson Hospital for leg and facial injuries and was treated and released. State Police are asking the public for any witnesses or information related to this incident at 775-1241.

Governor Cuomo delivered his state of the State address this afternoon to a joint session of the legislature in Albany, he asked lawmakers to cooperate, in a time of political divisiveness:

(Cuomo 1-3-18)

Both Houses of the legislature will get to work this week on the agenda, topping the list is dealing with a state budget that already has a 4 billion dollar deficit attached.

Delaware County Sheriff Deputy’s arrested 46-year-old William Shaver of Fish’s Eddy for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation after he was observed operating a tractor-trailer on State Highway 17 in an erratic manner. Shaver was found to have an active Bench Warrant issued by the Town of Hancock Court for resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration, reckless driving and failure to comply. Shaver was arraigned in the Town of Colchester Court where he posted $1500 cash bail. Shaver is to reappear in the Town of Hancock Court at a later date.

State Police became involved in a pursuit with a suspect wanted on a warrant of arrest in the City of Binghamton yesterday afternoon at about 5:00 PM. The pursuit reached the intersection of Conklin Avenue and Alfred Street, troopers were attempting to apprehend the suspect when he intentionally struck a trooper with his vehicle, the suspect sustained a gunshot wound, and fled the scene. He was apprehended a short distance away and was taken to Wilson Memorial Hospital for treatment. The trooper was treated for non-life threatening injuries. Both the trooper and suspect are in stable condition. State Police officials said that additional information will be released as this investigation continues.

State Police responded Friday to a report of a 2 vehicle collision on State Route 28, in the town of Franklin. 31 year old James Crosby of Delhi drifted into the southbound lane of State Route 28 and struck a tractor trailer head on. 42 year old Jamie Dougherty of Oneonta was operating the Tractor-Trailer attempted to avoid being struck by Crosby, drifted off the road, striking a stone wall, and coming to rest in the woods. Doughtery was transported to Fox Hospital, Crosby was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation is continuing.