WCDO Radio News

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 7-7-26

24 year old Thomas Murray of Binghamton was arraigned in a federal court room on an indictment charging him with Distribution of Child Pornography and Possession of Child Pornography. Murray was arrested following an investigation by the FBI & State Police, he was returned to state custody where he is being held on similar state charges. Murray allegedly distributed child pornography on a web-based messaging facility on 2 separate occasions & he possessed child pornography on 2 devices, which was uncovered following a search warrant conducted on Murray’s residence in 2025. Murray faces a mandatory minimum term of 5 years in federal prison on the distribution charges, a maximum term of 20 years in federal prison for the distribution and possession offenses, a fine of up to $250,000, and a mandatory term of supervised release of between 5 years and life. Murray would also be required to register as a sex offender if convicted.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 5-21-26

State Police were dispatched to a crash on State Route 41A in the town of Homer. When Troopers arrived, they found a male in an Amazon uniform on the shoulder of the roadway and a white van on its passenger side, off the roadway with live wires on top of the vehicle. 28 year old Abel Negash of Syracuse, had his van exit the roadway, striking a National Grid pole, he sustained a laceration to his hand and was treated by EMT's at the scene. Negash failed a Field Sobriety Test, he was charged with Driving While Intoxicated, his B.A.C was .13%. He was issued appearance tickets to the Homer Town Court on June 16, 2026, and turned over to a sober third party.

A.M. NEWS Wednesday 5-20-26

Chenango County Sheriff's Office responded Monday to State Highway 12 in the Town of Norwich for a reported motor vehicle versus bicycle crash. The preliminary investigation determined that a 69-year-old male from Oxford, NY was operating an E-bike on the southbound shoulder of the roadway when he entered the southbound lane and was struck by a vehicle operated by a 16-year-old male traveling southbound. The operator of the E-bike was airlifted to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, where he remains in critical condition. The investigation is ongoing.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 5-7-26

The Binghamton Police Department & the Broome County District Attorney’s Office announced that after the death of 45 year old Peter Bennedum Friday at an area Hospital, the investigation is now being handled as a homicide. The 4 juveniles were previously charged with Attempted Murder in the 2nd degree, the charges have been amended to 2nd degree Murder, they are housed at a juvenile detention facility and are scheduled to appear in Broome County Court at a later date to be arraigned on the new charge. Additionally, the 13-year-old suspect was located and arrested at an address in Whitney Point, and has also been charged with 2nd degree Murder and was also sent to a juvenile detention facility in Syracuse, New York. This matter remains an ongoing investigation, Anyone with information is asked to contact the Binghamton Police Detective Bureau by phone at 607-772-7080.

The Broome County Sheriff’s Corrections Investigation Unit recovered Fentanyl, Heroin and Marijuana from 29 year old Jean Benitez-Melendez of Syracuse at the Broome County Correctional Facility. Benitez-Melendez was charged with several Counts of Promoting Prison Contraband, Tampering with Physical Evidence, 2 Counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance & Obstruction of Governmental Administration, he was processed and arraigned & returned to the Broome County Jail.

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 5-4-26

Binghamton Police arrested 4 juveniles in connection with the attack on a homeless man last Monday. The Juveniles were ages 14 & 15 years old and they were charged with Attempted Murder and were being held in a Syracuse detention center, a 13 year is also expected to be charged in connection with the case, Binghamton Police are investigating the case as "social media trend" where groups target homeless or drug-addicted individuals for violent assaults. 45 year old Peter Bennedum died from his injuries at an area hospital Friday, a go fund me page has been set up for his family members, a vigil will be held Tuesday, at 3:00 pm at the intersection of Carroll and Henry Streets in Binghamton, where police found Bennedum beaten & unconscious on the sidewalk last Monday night. The Broome County DA's Office reported that additional charges will be filed against the juveniles following Bennedum's death.

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 4-13-26

The Norwich Fire Department responded at about 5:00 AM This Morning to a blaze at 104 Mitchell Street, with reports of occupants jumping out of the building. Norwich Police arrived & discovered the 2 victims outside the structure, EMT 's arrived & transported the victims to the Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse for burns & injuries, Norwich received assistance from Sherburne & Oxford fire departments, the investigation listed the cause as accidental caused by a chimney fire that extended through the home from an operating coal stove, there were no functioning smoke detectors , no firefighters were injured.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 2-17-26

Mirabito Energy Products donated $8,500 to The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation Sports Matter Program, through their partnership with Syracuse University Football. Mirabito Spokesperson Marissa Sweeney explains:

(Marissa Sweeney 2-17-27)

The money raised will go to programs where Mirabito stores are located throughout the region.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 37 year old Zackery Kulas of Syracuse following an extensive investigation into a fatal motor vehicle accident that occurred in the Town of Sherburne on July 4, 2025. Kulas has been charged with 2nd degree Manslaughter, Leaving the Scene of a Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident, and Tampering with Physical Evidence. He is currently being held at the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office pending arraignment. It is alleged that Kulas was operating a motor vehicle eastbound on State Highway 80 in the Town of Sherburne when his vehicle struck 59 year old Jeffery Maxson of Sherburne as he was walking along State Highway 80. The Sheriff's Office was assisted by State Police, the Syracuse Police Department, and the City of Norwich Police Department during the investigation.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 11-25-25

39 year old Tanya Carson of Masonville was convicted in Delaware County Court today to Endangering the Welfare of an Incompetent or Physically Disabled Person in the First Degree. The investigation began when a 14-year-old disabled child was found unresponsive on the bathroom floor, the unconscious child was airlifted to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, where it was discovered that he had methamphetamine in his system. Carson admitted that she & 2 male individuals had been using methamphetamine in the same home as the disabled child and the child must have accessed the illicit substance, Carson will be sentenced on January 20th.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 11-13-25

Norwich Police arrested 61 year old Donald Hults of Syracuse, who is a Level 3 Sex Offender, following an investigation into a reported sexual abuse of a child. Norwich Police investigated a complaint that Hults had arrived uninvited at a July 4th gathering in Norwich where he knew nobody in attendance, and inappropriately touched a 10-year-old child. Hults was located in Syracuse he was interviewed by Norwich Police detectives, and was taken into custody and he was charged with 2 counts of Sexual Abuse, plus Forcible Touching, & Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Hults was arraigned in Norwich City Court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility, where he is being held without bail pending further court proceedings.

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 11-7-25

State Police are continuing the investigation into a shooting on the SUNY Morrisville Campus Monday, where a 20 year old man who was not a student was shot in the neck. The victim was taken to a Syracuse area Hospital, no arrests have been made, The preliminary investigation into the shooting has determined that this was an isolated dispute between people who were familiar with each other. The investigation remains active, and State Police are working closely with our state and local law enforcement partners.

State Police responded to South Hall of the SUNY Morrisville Campus Monday afternoon at 3:45 pm, they found a 20-year-old male, who was not a student, with a gunshot wound to the neck. The victim was transported to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse, No other injuries were reported and a suspect has not been located, the investigation is continuing. Normal class schedules resumed this morning.

P.M. NEWS Monday 10-13-25

39-year-old Brent Fallon of Binghamton is in Critical Condition after he was badly burned at a NYSEG substation in Binghamton recently. Fallon sustained 2nd and 3rd-degree burns over much of his body, he was taken to Wilson Hospital & was later transferred to the burn unit at Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse, where he was listed in critical but stable condition.

The Binghamton Black Bears announced that an AHL pre season hockey game between the Syracuse Crunch & Utica Comets will be played at the Visions Veteran's Memorial Arena in Binghamton this Friday at 7:05 pm. Binghamton Black Bears Spokesman Brooks Hill explains how this opportunity came about between the Arena & team owners:

(Brooks Hill 9-30-25)

Tickets can be purchased at 315-473-4444, at the Visions Veterans Memorial Arena Box Office and online through Ticketmaster.

The Matthews Auto Group will hold their 7th Annual Matthews Walk-A-Thon to benefit 13 kid’s charities in Binghamton, Syracuse, Rochester, Norwich, Schenectady NY and Scranton this Saturday, Matthews Spokesperson Kathy Breno told WCDO about the event in Norwich Saturday:

(Kathy Breno 9-30-25)

Breno said that the participating charity for Norwich is the Chenango County Child Advocacy Center in Norwich, Matthews will distribute the funds to the charities based on the miles walked and donations pledged during registration. Over $450,000 has been donated to local children’s charities since the Walkathon’s inception

The 2025 New York State Fair started today & will run through September 1st in Syracuse, , with a variety of attractions including midway rides, free concerts, and the annual butter sculpture. Tickets are $8 per person and parking is $12 per vehicle, Daily Hours will be from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM.

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies clinched the first half Northeast Division title and a playoff berth, 2025 Eastern League playoff tickets and packages went on sale today, Each playoff package reserves seats for all 3 potential home playoff games. Tickets will be available online at bingrp.com, or by visiting the Visions Federal Credit Union Starting Gate Box Office. Group outings of 20 or more may be booked by calling the Binghamton Rumble Ponies Front Office at (607).722.3866.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 6-16-25

Chenango County Sheriff’s Office Arrested 31 year old Abdi Ali of Norwich for Failure to Notify Law Enforcement of Address Change. The Chenango County Sheriff's Office received information that Ali, who is a level two sex offender and was last registered to an address in the City of Syracuse, moved to the Town of Norwich and failed to notify Law Enforcement of his address change within ten days. Ali was taken into custody without incident and was arraigned & was remanded to the Chenango County Jail, The Sheriff's Office was then notified by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that Ali is a person of interest with their agency, he was turned over to U.S. Immigration.

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 4-29-25

Delaware County District Attorney Shawn Smith announced the indictments against 3 people in the case of a disabled child who consumed methamphetamine, where 3 adults were present. Indicted were 70 year old Sam Tessora, 29 year old Eric Ferguson & 39 year old Tanya Carson, all from Masonville for Reckless Endangerment & Endangering the Welfare of an Incompetent or Disabled Child, the child was airlifted to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse for treatment after he was found unresponsive. The indictment accuses the defendants of acting with depraved indifference to human life which created a grave risk to the child, on March 7th in Masonville, all 3 could face up to 7 years in prison, they face arraignment on the indictment charges shortly.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 4-15-25

Otsego County Sheriff’s Office and State Police responded to the Wells Bridge Fire Department for a report of a passenger of a vehicle suffering from a gunshot wound. Investigation revealed that the victim was attempting to help an uninvolved friend move out of a residence in the Town of Unadilla when 32 year old Ryley Decker of Unadilla, intentionally discharged a round from a shotgun at the victim, who was taken to the Fire Department, & then was airlifted to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse. Decker was located at his place of employment and taken in to custody by the State Police without incident. A search warrant for the residence was aquired which revealed additional evidence of the crime. Decker was processed and lodged in the Otsego County Correctional Facility for arraignment, an order of protection will be issued on behalf of the victim. The investigation is on-going and additional charges are pending.

49 year old Timmy Rifenburg of Binghamton was sentenced to a total of 27 months in federal prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for failing to register and update his registration as required by the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, and for violating the terms of his supervised release, after a conviction for failure to register as a sex offender. Rifenburg was required to register as a sex offender for a 2007 federal conviction for possession of child pornography. Rifenburg of failed to report moving to a residence that was not approved by the probation office, for possessing 3 unreported internet capable cellphones, viewing pornography and for being unsuccessfully discharged from sex offender treatment.

New York Attorney General Letitia James and a coalition of 19 other attorneys general today filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for illegally firing thousands of probationary federal workers, including hundreds in New York. In the last week of February, 372 federal workers had filed for unemployment in New York. More than 1,000 Department of Veterans Affairs employees nationwide were fired in February, including workers at VA medical centers in New York. In Buffalo and Syracuse, more than 100 Internal Revenue Service employees have been fired at the height of tax season. The coalition is seeking a court order to stop further mass layoffs without notice and the reinstatement of all illegally fired federal workers who have been laid off since January 20, 2025.

Mirabito Energy Products announced a donation to The DICK’S Foundation’s Sports Matter Program, made possible through a partnership with Syracuse University Athletics. Mirabito spokesperson Marissa Sweeney explains:

(Marissa Sweeney 2-24-25)

The Mirabito team welcomed representatives from DICK’S Sporting Goods, to our Mirabito Energy Products location in Syracuse earlier this month, more information about the Dick's Sporting Goods mission is available at sportsmatter.org.

State Police were dispatched to I-81 in Cortlandville for a 2-vehicle crash with injuries. Police reported that a Toyota rear-ended a Honda, then traveled into the center median. Troopers broke the window of the Toyota to remove 54 year old Kenneth Thompson of McDonough, who was breathing but unconscious, he was taken to a Syracuse Hospital, the driver of the Honda, 43 year old Darrell Batchelor of Colorado & his passenger, 60 year old Eddy Larson of Wyoming were both checked out by EMS on scene but were not transported to a hospital. The investigation is on-going.

State Officials report that there have been relatively few incidents during this year's Deer Hunting Season, they did report that a 17 year old accidentally shot himself in the foot Saturday Morning in Oneida County, he was taken to a Syracuse hospital for the treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 29 year old Damion Spicer of Plymouth for 2nd degree Assault last week. Deputies were called for an assault in Sherburne, Spicer allegedly hit the victim several times in the face, causing serious physical injury. The victim was transported to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse to receive further treatment. Spicer was arraigned & was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $50,000 cash bail. Spicer is set to appear in the Town of Sherburne Court at a later date.

The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a 2 vehicle accident Monday in Cherry Valley on Otsego County Route 50. The preliminary investigation revealed that a pickup truck with a lone occupant was traveling North on County Route 50 when it crossed the center line & struck a southbound SUV with two occupants, the SUV left the roadway, the pickup truck overturned and caught fire, the pick up truck's driver escaped & was airlifted to Albany Medical, The SUV driver was airlifted to Syracuse Medical Center, the SUV passenger was transported to Bassett Medical Center. The Investigation is ongoing, charges are pending.

State Police arrested 23 year old Jusa Haygood of Syracuse, for Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Unlawfully Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle. A Trooper in the town of Lansing observed a vehicle speeding and attempted to initiate a traffic stop but the vehicle failed to comply. The vehicle pulled into an apartment complex and Haygood was taken into custody, The Trooper located two children, ages 2 & 7 in the backseat. The children were turned over to a family member and Haygood was issued appearance tickets to the Lansing Town Court on October 15th.

State Police initiated a traffic stop on I-81 north in Cortlandville Sunday Night after observing a vehicle that did not have its rear taillights illuminated. After an investigation and a search of the vehicle, the Trooper located 110 bricks of heroin, Two containers of cannabis wax, cannabis & drug paraphernalia. Troopers arrested 25 year old Kenneth Williams of Syracuse, NY and 22 year old Kyrell Robinson of Syracuse, Both were charged with: Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia, both were processed and transported to the Cortland County Correctional Facility for Centralized Arraignment.

State DEC officials reminds visitors to the New York State Fair to attend their environmental exhibits at The Fair in Syracuse from this Wednesday, Aug. 21, through Monday, September 2nd . DEC’s activities, promotions, and other offerings help New Yorkers Get Offline and Get Outside this summer and throughout the year, More information is available at dec.ny.gov or at nysfair.ny.gov.