WCDO Radio News

The Otsego County Health Department has reported that the Oneonta School district has 6 cases of Pertussis, also know as Whooping cough. Parents of students at the Oneonta School have been notified, Pertussis is highly contagious & is usually accompanied by fever, a runny nose & a harsh cough.

Resorts World Catskills announced that the new casino in Monticello is expecting to add 1400 jobs once they are open for business. The company is holding job fairs in Sullivan & Orange Counties, the casino is one several new casino's opening in the Upstate Counties, after the state amended their laws to allow for the casino's to open.

NY State of Health announced enrollment in Qualified Health Plans and the Essential Plan have reached nearly 900,000, outpacing last year by 13%. Open Enrollment in a Qualified Health Plans continues through January 31st, but consumers need to enroll by December 15th, 2017 for coverage beginning January 1st, 2018. Consumers can enroll in a health plan Online at nystateofhealth.ny.gov, by calling 1-855-355-5777.

The Broome County Emergency Services Dispatch Center received a report late yesterday afternoon of a possible drowning in the Susquehanna River in the Town of Colesville. Emergency responders were met by a fisherman who took them by boat, to 56 year old Joseph Kapral of Albion, who was not breathing. Efforts to revive Kapral were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation revealed that Kapral suffered a heart attack which contributed to his drowning, the death has been ruled as an accidental drowning.

The State Department of Health today announced a new set of regulations that will for the state's Medical Marijuana Program. The new regulations will allow for the sale of additional medical marijuana products and the addition of new courses that will allow prospective practitioners to complete their training in a shorter amount of time. There were 26,561 certified patients and 1,155 registered practitioners participating in the program. More information is available at health.ny.gov/regulations/medical_marijuana/.

State and federal crash Statistics have been released of the Counties in New York State with the highest motor vehicle crashes based on fatalities per 100,000 people. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that Seneca County had the worst numbers, followed by Greene County, Delaware County, Sullivan County & Wyoming County.

The Delaware County Fairgrounds are gearing up for the annual fair next week in Walton. Spokesman Jason Craig explains:

(Jason Craig 8-10-17)

The 131st Delaware County Fair will run from august 14th to the 19th

Chenango County Sheriff's department arrested 38 year old Mandy Martinez of the Bronx on an active Bench Warrant. Martinez was wanted by the Town of Norwich Court for failing to appear on in court to answer to a Petty Larceny charge from 2014, she was taken into custody & was arraigned & remanded to the Chenango County Jail on $500 cash bail. Martinez had returned to Norwich following the murder of her daughter, 11 year old Jacelyn O'Connor, and the arrest of 2 men for that murder.

Chenango County District Attorney Joe McBride announced today that more charges have been filed against James Brower & Tobias Rundstrom-Wooding, in connection with the rape & murder of 11 year Old Jacelyn O'Connor on July 30th in Norwich. Brower faced court action this afternoon in Norwich, the 2 men were charged initially with 1st degree Murder, and now felony "While acting in concert" in connection with the girls death. Both men are being held without bail pending additional court action.

Delaware County Sheriff's Office Investigators arrested 30-year-old Scott Hanrahan of Deposit, 29-year-old Justin Crandall of Sidney, and 27-year-old John Bolster of Hancock, for promoting contraband within the Delaware County Correctional Facility. All 3 are incarcerated at the County Jail on unrelated charges, they are accused of possessing prescription medication prescribed to another inmate, they were charged with 1 count each of Promoting Prison Contraband, they face arraignment on the new charges in the Town of Delhi Court at a later time.

Delaware County has a rapidly growing aging population, with an increasing number of young adults leaving the region, which is causing problems for the Delaware County Office for the Aging to take care of elderly clients. Office Director Wayne Shepard explains:

(Wayne Shepard 8-8-17)

Shepard said that anyone who wants to volunteer, or want to pursue a career ion helping the elderly, they can contact Delaware County Office for the Aging at 832-5750.

Governor Cuomo announced today that $1.6 million has been awarded to 3 emergency food relief organizations in the Southern Tier through the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program, administered by the Department of Health. Agencies receiving these awards are required to devote a portion of the funding to food identified as helpful in the prevention of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and obesity. Locally, funding was awarded to the Broome County Council of Churches, they received $100,000 & Delaware Opportunities received $149,315

The Electoral Action Working Group of Delaware County Solidarity has organized a community forum Saturday, August 26th from 4:00 to 7:00 PM in the Community Room, The United Ministry of Delhi at 1 Church Street. Candidates who have officially announced their run for the 19th congressional seat will participate, including Jeff Beals, Steven Brisee, Dave Clegg, Antonio Delgado, Brian Flynn, Gareth Rhodes, Pat Ryan and Sue Sullivan. More information is available at 363-2752

Governor Cuomo announced a program to provide no-cost or lower-cost naloxone at pharmacies across New York. Beginning tomorrow, individuals with prescription health insurance coverage, including Medicaid and Medicare, will receive up to $40 in co-payment assistance, Uninsured individuals and individuals without prescription coverage will still be able to receive naloxone at no cost through a network of registered opioid overdose prevention programs. More information is available at health.ny.gov/overdose.

A Winter Storm is heading up the East Coast & will impact much of the state starting tonight. Sidney High School Science Teacher & Meteorologist Rich Townsend explains:

(Rich Townsend 3-13-17)

The National Weather service has a Winter Storm Warning in effect tonight through Wednesday Night & a Blizzard warning has been posted for parts of Delaware County & neighboring Sullivan County.

Oneonta Police Department received a call Friday Night from a citizen in southern New York State regarding an acquaintance who was stranded in Oneonta and possibly expressing suicidal and homicidal tendencies. Officers located 35 year old Samuel Browning of Philadelphia Pennsylvania, in the area of 145 Main Street. Browning was taken into custody without incident, he was found to be in possession of a loaded .357 magnum revolver and a small quantity of marijuana, the handgun had been reported stolen from the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Browning was charged with Criminal possession of a firearm, Criminal possession of stolen property, And Unlawful possession of marijuana. Browning was held at the Oneonta Police Department until arraignment in the City of Oneonta Court.

Chenango County Sheriff's Department arrested 2 Town of Greene residents for agriculture and markets law violations. Deputies arrested Martin and Mary Canny for 7 counts of failure to provide proper sustenance of farm animals and dogs, following a complaint on March 6th, the Leather Stocking Veterinary Clinic of New Berlin responded, they found numerous animals to be malnourished and recommended them to be removed from the property and offered assistance from the clinic. Martin and Mary Canny voluntarily gave up their rights to the rest of their animals, they were also taken to the Leather Stocking clinic.

The State Health Department announced that the UHS Senior Living at Chenango Memorial; Hospital in Norwich is in the top 20% of New York Nursing homes. The distinction was based on the 2016 Nursing Home's Quality Initiative, which evaluates the nursing homes Quality of Care & Performance. The UHS Senior Living department at Chenango Memorial Hospital in Norwich is located on the Hospitals 2nd floor & offers 75 beds.