WCDO Radio News

The State Attorney General’s Office is investigating the death of an unidentified Binghamton man this past weekend. On March 7, Binghamton Police responded to the report of a man in the road blocking a Broome County Transit bus, he eventually climbed onto the front of the bus, resisted arrest, was taken to Binghamton General Hospital for a health evaluation, & was discharged the following day& was taken to Binghamton Police Headquarters, he experienced a medical emergency, officers administered 1st aid until EMT's took him to Wilson Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Attorney General or the Binghamton Police at 607-772-7080.

The State DEC & local fire departments remind area residents that the annual burn ban will will take effect March 16th, and will run through May 14th this year. During the Burn Ban, people will not be allowed to have large open fires and the burning of leaves, brush, cardboard are prohibited. The use of fire pits with fireguards, small cooking fires, charcoal and propane gas grills are allowed. The Burn Ban exists due to the high risk of wildfires & grass fires that can occur during the early spring and spread rapidly due to the drier than normal conditions.

A.M. NEWS Tuesday 3-10-26

State Police arrested Steven Vitalo of Cold Brook for grand larceny, insurance fraud and other similar offenses. Vitalo owns a company called Central Plumbing & Drains in Herkimer County, The Otsego County District Attorney's Office accuses Vitalo of defrauding multiple clients throughout the county, Anyone who believes they were a victim of fraud can call the State Department of Financial Services hotline at 1-888-930-6565.

The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce will hold their next meeting Tuesday, morning at 7:30 am at the back of Bob's Diner. Chamber members are encouraged to attend.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 11-17-25

51 year old Lawrence Slater of Norwich pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter and driving while intoxicated in Chenango County Court and was sentenced to 5-to-15-years in state prison. Slater had a BAC of twice the legal limit on April 12th, the ensuing crash killed 62-year-old Steven Biviano of Oxford, who was pronounced dead at the scene, Slater was taken to Wilson Hospital where his BAC was .18,

State Police Superintendent Steven James announced that a meeting was held at Troop A in Batavia regarding human trafficking & other security issues at the Northern Border. State Police officials met with those from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, the Buffalo Police Department, Erie County Sheriff's Office, Niagara Falls Police Department, and the New York State Park Police. The meeting was held in light of more trafficking issues coming across the Canadian border into the US in increasing numbers.

State Police reported that 3 people were transported to UHS Wilson Medical Center after a serious crash in the town of Nanticoke, at about 3:00 PM Sunday. Troopers were dispatched to Nanticoke Road and Henry M. Baldwin Street in the town of Nanticoke for an accident with injuries. An initial investigation indicates that an SUV was traveling at a high rate of speed struck a pick-up truck that was turning left onto Nanticoke Road. The SUV continued off the roadway and overturned. All three occupants of the SUV were transported by ambulance to UHS Wilson Medical Center for serious injuries. The occupant of pick-up truck was not injured. The investigation is on-going.

Delaware County sheriff's office provided an update regarding the head on collision on State Highway 206 in the Town of Walton Tuesday, where 1 of the vehicles went over an embankment. 3 of the occupants escaped from their vehicles, 1 was trapped. A vehicle operated by 68-year-old Steven Wilson of Irvington, crossed over the double yellow line and collided head on with an SUV operated by 19-year-old Lauren Winans-Houck of Roscoe, her SUV exited the roadway and traveled over the embankment. A passenger of the SUV was transported to Delaware Valley Hospital and was released. Winans-Houck was transported to Wilson Hospital in Binghamton for treatment of injuries and leg fractures, Wilson, and his passenger were air-lifted to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, the passenger was treated for fractures & was released, Wilson remains in critical condition due to multiple fractures and internal injuries. The crash remains under investigation.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 4-15-25

State Police responded Saturday night to a 2 vehicle head-on collision on State Highway 12 in the town of Oxford. 51 year old Lawrence Slater of Norwich crossed into on-coming traffic and struck an SUV driven by 62 year old Steven Biviano of Oxford head on, Biviano did not survive. Slater was transported to Wilson Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The investigation is on-going.

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 5-24-24

Chenango County Sheriff's Office responded Tuesday evening to the report of a 2 car motor vehicle accident in the Town of Oxford, that resulted in 1 fatality. Deputies attempted life saving measures to 1 of vehicle operators who was ejected from the vehicle, Raymond Smith of Oxford, eventually succumbed to his injuries from the accident. The driver and passenger of the second vehicle involved self-extricated and were transported to Wilson Hospital for evaluation. The investigation revealed that Smith was traveling West bound on County Road 35 when another vehicle operated by a juvenile was traveling south bound on State Highway 220 and failed to stop at the intersection, striking the passenger side of Smith's vehicle. The investigation is continuing.

Norwich Police Chief Reuben Roach announced that 4 members of his Department were awarded letters of Commendation as well as 2 officers being awarded a Citation of Bravery with a pin of Valor, On April 24th, Officers Scott Laughlin & Tyler King responded to a Trespass in progress call, that turned out to be an ambush and a suicide by cop ploy. Both Officers were awarded Citations of Bravery and pins of Valor. Sergeant Martin was awarded a Citation of Commendation for his leadership during this incident. On May 4th, Officers Taylor Waite & Tyler Dexheimer apprehended an individual who was operating a stolen vehicle from a forcible robbery that had occurred earlier that day in the City of Cortland. Officers Waite & Dexheimer, as well as their Sergeant, Steven Rounds, were awarded Citations of Commendation for their actions.

P.M. NEWS Wednesday 2-14-24

The Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar gave an update today regarding the investigation into last Friday's multi-vehicle accident on State Route 12A in the Town of Chenango where a 15 year old faces several charges & will be processed in Family Court:

(Sheriff Akshar 2-14-24)

The 15 year old juvenile had no previous record, the driver of 1st vehicle that was hit, sustained serious injuries and was transported to UHS Wilson Medical Center, and remains there in recovery, the juvenile was also taken to Wilson & was treated & released.

State Police at Troop C has updated the situation regarding the January 29th incident, where Cortland County Sheriff’s Office attempted to serve eviction paperwork to 58 year old Steven Burda who was in possession of a shotgun. State Police responded to the assist, they attempted to de-escalate the situation until Cortland Police Lieutenant Cheyenne Cute attempted to disarm Burda using beanbag impact rounds, which were ineffective and Burda discharged his shotgun at the Officers, who were not struck. Cortland County Sheriff’s Investigator Sergeant Anthony Phelps discharged his sidearm, striking Burda in the lower body. Burda was transported to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, he is in stable condition, State Police obtained an arrest warrant for Burda for Attempted Murder, he will be arraigned on the warrant following his release from the hospital.

The Broome County Special Investigations Task Force executed a narcotics search warrant at 403 Jackson Ave in the Village of Endicott. Police arrested 53 year old Steven Masciarelli and 54 year old Ann Forkey, they seized Methamphetamine, Fentanyl & Scales and packaging materials used for weighing and packaging narcotics for sale, Both were charged with a number of counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance & Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia in the 2nd Degree, Masciarelli and Forkey were arraigned and released & will appear in court again at a later date to answer to the charges.

The Central New York Youth for Christ has decided to expand their summer horseback riding program in Laurens. Participants in grades 7-12 are welcome to attend starting now until August 5th, spokesperson Dorothy Davidson explains:

(Dorothy Davidson 6-16-23)

Davidson said that the program is weekly with sessions on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday. More information is available at 607-432-0594.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 6-16-23

38 year old Terell Wilson of Binghamton was found guilty by a Broome County jury of 9 felony charges. The jury deliberated 1 ½ hours before convicting Wilson of 4 counts of Vehicular Assault, 3 counts of Assault and 2 DWI related charges. On February 18, 2022, Wilson was driving while intoxicated on Hawleyton Road in the Town of Binghamton and crashed the vehicle into a tree. The front seat passenger suffered serious injuries including spinal injuries, a broken pelvis, and a broken arm, requiring surgery and lengthy hospitalization. Wilson has prior convictions for narcotics possession, assault and DWI, faces up to 7 years in New York State prison when he is sentenced on September 14, he also faces additional prison time for Criminal Possession of a Weapon.

The Otsego County Board of Representatives have hired former Schoharie County Administrator Steven Wilson, as the new Otsego County Administrator. Wilson begins serving in his new Position on August 8th.

Governor Cuomo announced that
all Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients will receive next
month's benefits no later than March 7 - approximately one week earlier than
scheduled. The early release is intended to ease the burden on recipients that
have been forced to stretch February's benefits for more than six weeks because
of the recent unprecedented shutdown of the federal government.  Nearly 20,000 New Yorkers were furloughed
during the federal shutdown and many more were working without pay for 35 days,
leaving countless New Yorkers with no choice but to seek emergency food assistance
for the first time.

State Police responded Friday night to a pedestrian that was
struck by a vehicle on State Route 23 near the entrance to Wal-Mart in the town
of Oneonta.   The pedestrian disregarded
the crosswalk sign and crossed in front of the vehicle's path on State Route
23, the pedestrian has been identified as 62-year-old Steven Grant of Oneonta,
and He was airlifted by Life Net to Wilson Memorial Hospital with serious
injuries.  The driver of the vehicle, a
31-year-old male has been cooperative with troopers.  At this time, no tickets have been
issued.  The investigation is continuing.

27 year old Steven Barrows of
Sidney has Pleaded Guilty in Chenango County Court for 3rd degree
Burglary.  Barrows was arrested along
with Nicole Bell of Oneonta & Zachery England of Sidney last year, for
allegedly burglarizing buildings & stealing lawn care equipment, Barrows
will serve 1 1/2 years in prison & was ordered to pay restitution.

State Police received a report Monday that 30 year old
Nicholas Philhower had taken his mother’s vehicle without permission and she
requested he be located and arrested.
Trooper Timothy Conklin observed the suspect vehicle on State Route 17
in the Town of Kirkwood,  Philhower took
evasive action, traveling through the median and then onto State Route 17 east
bound, coming to a stop shortly thereafter.
Philhower was armed with a military style semi-automatic rifle,
immediately opened fire on Trooper Conklin through the rear window of the
vehicle.  Trooper Conklin returned fire
through the windshield of his troop car as Philhower exited his vehicle and
continued to advance and fire upon the trooper.
Trooper Conklin was able to reload, exit the troop car and continue to
exchange fire.   Philhower was struck
several times and died at the scene.
Trooper Conklin sustained a minor shrapnel injury to his upper right arm
and was taken to Wilson Hospital in Johnson City where he was treated and
released.  An autopsy on Philhower will
be performed today at Lourdes Hospital.
The investigation is on-going.

State Police investigated a 2-car accident at state Route 206 & Case Road in the town of Bainbridge, at about 7:00 PM last night. 3 people were injured; 1 person was ejected from 1 of the vehicles & was taken by LifeNet to Wilson Hospital in Johnson City.

Oneonta City Police have arrested 2 people on drug charges, following their investigating into the death of Daniel Michaels at a frat house earlier this month. 20-year-old Steven Fleming of Levittown was charged with possession of marijuana, 20 year old Luke Spencer of Mineola was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, both are students at the State University in Oneonta, and they shared an apartment at 34 Academy Street, where Michaels was found on December 2nd.

State Police arrested 31-year old Steven Calderon of the Bronx, for allegedly using deceased State Trooper Timothy Pratt’s identity to obtain a $5,000 credit line and buy a washing machine. Trooper Pratt was killed in an accident on October 26th, Calderon was charged with 2 counts of identity theft. The investigation is continuing and police believe that more arrests may be forthcoming

Broome County Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo vows to continue forward ing a bill to strengthen the state's parking garages. the bill failed to pass this year despite sponsorship from lawmakers in the majority party in each house of the legislature. The bill follows the collapse of a parking garage at Wilson Hospital in Johnson City in July 2015.

State Police responded to a Broome County 911 report of a hunting accident in the Town of Sanford. 2 separate groups of hunters were hunting when 45-year-old Duane Wayman of Binghamton failed to observe another hunter & shot him. 50-year-old Andy Patrick of Johnson City was injured near his right eye, the right side of his chest and his left shoulder. He was transported to Wilson Memorial Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. All hunters possessed valid licenses, the investigation is ongoing.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 36-year-old Steven Keller of North Branch for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the Town of Hamden. Keeler is accused of driving with a suspended license due, with an insurance lapse & also operating a vehicle with a loud exhaust. Keller was arraigned and was remanded to the Delaware County Jail in lieu of $500 bail.

State police announced that a body was recovered Friday from the Chenango River in the town of Chenango;   the body was positively identified through dental records as 57 year old Steven Moran of Greene, who had been missing from Chenango County since December.   The investigation failed to reveal any signs of foul play. The death was ruled as a drowning complicated by hypothermia, following the autopsy conducted at Wilson hospital.

The unofficial election results are in from the county boards of election:

In Delaware County:

In the town of Sidney, Republican Gene Pigford wins the Supervisor position; winning town council seats were Democratic incumbent Pete Cordes, & Republican John Woodyshek

In the Town of Franklin, Republicans David Grant & Garrett Sitts win board seats,

In the Town of Masonville, Republican Michael Spaccaforno is re-elected Supervisor. Steven Roff and Betty Scott are elected to the town board.

In the town of Davenport, Dennis Valente was re-elected as supervisor. Republicans kitty Ballard and William Hansen won town board seats.

In deposit, Victor Davis and Carl Clark win town board seats,

In the town of Meredith: James Ellis is the new Supervisor,

In Otsego County:

Dan Crowell wins the election for county treasurer,

2 seats on the Town of Oneonta board were won by democrats Patricia Jacob & Andrew Stammell. Republicans Sean Farrell & Bruce Smith won the 2 town justice seats.

In the Town of Unadilla, Republicans Roger Cecce, George Banta, won 2 seats on the town Council

In the Town Of Butternuts, the supervisor is Charles Eckleman

The Otego town supervisor is Joseph Hurlburt.

In Chenango County,

In the Town of Afton, Republicans Robert Tallmadge, and Chris Warren win seats on the town board,

In the Town Of Guilford, for the 2 seats on the Town Council; Republicans Tomas Ives & Barbara O’Dell win.

In New Berlin, Robert Star is the supervisor, Wendy Rifanburg & John Parks are the winners for town board seats.

In the town of Oxford Lawrence Wilcox is the supervisor; Ronald Charles and John Hoffman win board seats.

In the Town of Coventry, the Supervisor is George Westcott, for Town Justice, Republican Joseph Agunzo wins

On the Town Council, Republicans Robert Boudreau & John Wicks win 2 seats on the board.

Some of these results could change pending the counting of absentee ballots.

Binghamton police have identified the murder victim from Monday as 22 year old Jordan Dordell, who was Beaten, stabbed, bound, & set on fire, his 19 year old pregnant girlfriend was taken to Wilson Hospital where she is in critical condition, but is expected to survive.  25 year old Nigel Saunders and 21 year old Julian Talamantez were arraigned Tuesday on felony counts of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder, they were sent to the Broome County jail without bail.