WCDO Radio News

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 6-19-26

The National Weather Service is investigating the damage reported around the State from yesterday's thunderstorms, which included a tornado watch for much of the region. Locally, significant damage was reported where a roof was torn from a barn on County Road 14 in the Village of Earlville. In Smyrna, a tree came down on a house. The National Weather Service Investigators are canvassing the region today, more results are expected to be released in the coming days.

New York State DEC announced new and continued investments to address extreme heat, new funding opportunities to create public cooling spaces, and expanded assistance to provide affordable cooling for New Yorkers at home. With heat waves and other extreme heat events more common, DEC is coordinating the implementation of the plan with NYSERDA and other state agencies Information about what the public can do during hot weather and how to?locate cooling centers?can be found at health.ny.gov.

A.M. NEWS Wednesday 6-3-26

CHENANGO COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE arrested 30 year old Jordan Robinson of Smyrna for Harassment, Unlawful Imprisonment, Criminal Mischief and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Deputies responded to a residence in Smyrna for a domestic dispute, where Robinson allegedly subjected the victim to unwanted physical contact, damaged property, and attempted to prevent the victim from calling 911 in the presence of a juvenile. Robinson was Arraigned & was released on an appearance ticket, and an order of protection was issued for the victim. Robinson is to appear in the Town of Smyrna Court at a later date.

Chenango County Sheriff's Office arrested 36 year old Samantha Kilts & 44 year old Kristopher Kovacks, of Smyrna, for Trespass, Criminal Mischief, and Petit Larceny after an investigation into a trespass complaint. It is alleged that Kovack and Kilts unlawfully went on the property of the victim, stole, and damaged items. Kovack and Kilts were arrested and released on appearance tickets to appear in the Town of Sherburne Court at a later date.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 45 year old Timothy Heady of Smyrna following a narcotics investigation. The Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant Tuesday in the Town of Smyrna, they seized 1 pound of methamphetamine packaged for distribution & cash from suspected drug sales. Heady was taken into custody at the scene & was charged with multiple Counts of 2nd & 3rd Degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, plus Tampering with Physical Evidence, He was arraigned and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 6-24-25

Today is Primary Day in New York State, The Chenango County Republican Party Primary Elections will be held in the towns of Afton, Plymouth, Smithville and Smyrna. Sample ballots can be viewed at chenangocountyny.gov; or by calling the Chenango County Board of Elections at 607-337-1760. In Delaware County: Republicans will vote for a candidate for County Treasurer between Ronda Williams & Carli Pinner; In the Town of Sidney 4 Republicans are running for 2 seats on the Town Board, between Richard DeCola, Frank Selleck, William Hunt & Andrew Hinkley. Republican primaries are being held for Town Supervisor in Colchester, Hancock, & Meredith, more information is available at the County Board of Elections page at co.delaware.ny.us. There are no Democratic Party primaries in Chenango or Delaware Counties & there are no primaries in Otsego County this year.

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 6-23-25

Tuesday is Primary Day in New York State, The Chenango County Republican Party Primary Elections will be held in the towns of Afton, Plymouth, Smithville and Smyrna. Sample ballots can be viewed at chenangocountyny.gov; or by calling the Chenango County Board of Elections at 607-337-1760. In Delaware County: Republicans will vote for a candidate for County Treasurer between Ronda Williams & Carli Pinner; In the Town of Sidney, 4 Republicans are running for 2 seats on the Town Board, between Richard DeCola, Frank Selleck, William Hunt & Andrew Hinkley. in the town of Colchester, 2 republicans are seeking the nomination for town supervisor between Robert Hafele and Arthur Merrill, in Hancock, Jerry Vernold & David Rubera are seeking the nomination for Town Supervisor, in the town of Meredith James Ellis and Richard Pagillo are seeking the nomination for Town Supervisor, More information is available at the County Board of Elections page at co.delaware.ny.us. There are no Democratic Party primaries in Chenango or Delaware Counties & there are no primaries in Otsego County this year.

The Chenango County Sheriff's Office responded Saturday to a 1 car motor vehicle accident on County Road 14 in the Town of Smyrna, deputies found that the vehicle had rolled over and struck a utility pole. 5 of the occupants had self-extricated from the vehicle but 1 occupant was still entrapped. The occupant in the vehicle, a 17-year-old male from Hamilton, was pronounced deceased on the scene, 4 of the occupants were transported to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries, the crash is still under investigation.

The Chenango Arts Council will have the opening reception of the Chenango Student Art Showcase later this month at the Mareia Brown & Raymond Loft Galleries in Norwich, Spokesperson Mary Beth Miller explains:

(Mary Beth Miller 3-5-25)

The opening will be from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at 27 West Main Street in Norwich, more information is available at chenangoarts.org or by calling 607-336-2787.

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 3-5-25

Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 43 year old Kristopher Kovack of Smyrna for False Written Statement, and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property. Kovack was found to be in possession of stolen property, during the investigation, he provided a statement which was later found to be false. Kovack was arraigned at & was released on his own recognizance with a separate court date.

Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 35 year old Steven Torres-Figueroa of Smyrna for 2 counts of Menacing a Police Officer and Resisting Arrest, after investigation into a disabled vehicle complaint in the Town of Smyrna. Deputies located Torres-Figueroa, who became irate that his vehicle was getting towed for being a traffic & snow removal hazard. Torres-Figueroa went into his residence and retrieved a kitchen knife and began to approach the Deputies and Troopers on scene aggressively and disobey commands to comply. Deputies and Troopers were able to subdue Torres-Figueroa, he was arraigned in Chenango County Court and remanded to the Correctional Facility on $5,000 cash bail while awaiting his next court date.

NYSEG is reporting about 250 Chenango County Customers are without power this morning, mostly in Smyrna & Otselic, they are working to restore power as soon as possible.

Several Fire Companies responded to a barn fire on County Route 22 in Smyrna Sunday morning. Several animals died in the fire, the cause of the fire is under investigation.

State Police arrested 32 year old Jacob Ritchie of Bainbridge for Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, after Troopers initiated a traffic stop on State Route 7. Ritchie has a suspended driver’s license, he failed a Field Sobriety Test & was arrested. 2 passengers, 46 year old Marc Kimble of Smyrna and 42 year old Cricket Miller of Norwich, were charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, all 3 were issued appearance tickets to the Bainbridge Town Court on October 21st.

Chenango County Health Department will hold a rabies clinic for Dogs, Cats & Ferrets today at Baille Lumber in Smyrna from 5:30 to 7:00 PM. Pre-Registration is required by calling 607-337-1673, a $5 donation is suggested. Otsego County Public Health is also holding a vaccine clinic for dogs, cats & Ferrets at Neahwa Park in Oneonta today from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.

The U.S. Department of Labor found A.W. Stiles Contractors of McMinnville, Tennessee failed to provide 4 workers with effective fall protection, following an investigation, into a fatal fall of a worker in Smyrna, last December, The workers were replacing an aluminum standing seam roof on a building at Baillie Lumber Company, OSHA also found that A.W. Stiles did not train employees on fall hazards & respiratory hazards were not evaluated, Stiles also failed to ensure workers were medically able to use respirators. A.W. Stiles was cited for 8 violations, with a total of $83,885 in penalties.

Several Area Fire companies responded to a fire on Stowell Road in Smyrna late Monday night. 1 man was airlifted to a Syracuse hospital for burns, the house was completely destroyed, the cause of the fire is being investigated.

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 4-20-22

The State of Emergency and Travel Ban for Chenango County and the City of Norwich continues to be in effect today, due to numerous roads still closed due to downed trees & power lines, Chenango County Director of Emergency Services Matt Beckwith gave WCDO News an update this morning:

(Matt Beckwith 4-20-22)

Beckwith said that The Norwich YMCA is operating a shelter, The Smyrna & Coventry Fire Departments are operating as "Warming Stations", The Norwich High School will be a warming shelter with showers available, Otselic Valley Central school will have overnight shelter, showers & food available, The Sherburne Earlville School has food available for pick up only, The Unadilla Valley School will be open until 7:00 PM for shelter, And NYSEG is making dry ice available at the Fire Departments in Afton, Bainbridge, Greene, Guilford, Norwich & Smyrna.

Chenango County Sheriff's deputies arrested Garrett Hunter for 3 Counts of Burglary, plus Criminal Contempt, Criminal Possession of a Weapon, Grand Larceny, among other charges for allegedly breaking into the Mirabito Gas Station in Sherburne on 2 separate occasions.  Hunter is accused of stealing a loaded handgun from a vehicle in Sherburne, & breaking into a victim’s residence in Smyrna.   Hunter was located hiding inside of the victim’s residence by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Unit and the Chenango County Sheriff’s Deputies, he was arraigned and was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $25,000 cash bail, further charges may be filed, the investigation is continuing.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies arrested 47 year-old Lionel Simard of Davenport for possession of stolen property, he is accused of possessing license plates that were reported stolen from a parked vehicle in the Town of Davenport on May 21st.  Simard was issued an appearance ticket in the Town of Davenport Court at a later date.

State Police, Sherburne Police & several other agencies, responded to a report of a person in the Chenango River that went underwater and had not resurfaced in Sherburne.  The New York State Underwater Recovery Team and divers and an air boat from the Chenango County Bureau of Fire searched the river, Shortly after 8:00 p.m., the victim was located & was pronounced deceased at the scene & has been identified as The victim is identified as 18-year-old Nicholas Russell of Smyrna.  Police said that Russell and 3 friends were swimming in the Chenango River when he began to have difficulty staying above water.  A witness attempted to assist Russell but he went under water and never re-surfaced.

The Unadilla Fire Department
will hold a Cornhole tournament & vendor fair Tomorrow at the Unadilla Fire
House.  Vendors will be at Unadilla
firehouse from 10:30 am to 2:00 pm.

Chenango County Sheriff's Department responded to the Town
of Otselic for a reported stabbing Wednesday, where a male victim was stabbed
multiple times by a coworker at a cell phone tower.   The victim was airlifted to SUNY Upstate
Hospital; he was listed in serious, but stable condition.  Deputies arrested 49 year old Howard Williams
from the Bronx; for 2nd degree Assault he was taken into custody in the Town of
McGraw by State Police and Cortland County Sheriff’s Office.  Williams was arraigned in the Town of Smyrna
Court and was remanded to the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office on $10,000 cash
bail.

The Next Chenango County rabies clinic will be held this
evening in Smyrna.  The clinic will run
from 5:30 to 7:00 PM at the Smyrna Fire Station, for dogs, cats &
Domesticated Ferrets.

A woman reported missing from Smyrna, has been located in
Iowa.  Amber Garrison told Police that
she was kidnapped at a truck stop in Pennsylvania in July, and was taken
through several states.  James Smith of
Mexico New York has been charged with kidnapping, assault & obstruction of
emergency communication, Garrison was treated for injuries at an Iowa hospital,
the investigation is continuing.

State Police at Norwich are looking for tips in locating
26-year-old Amber Garrison of Smyrna, who was last seen at the Super 8 motel in
Norwich on August 9th, she has not had any contact with family since July
19th.  Garrison is a white female, 5'
7"; she may be driving a red 2012 Chevy Traverse with NY license Plates
HXK-6632.  Anyone with information is
asked to call State Police at Troop C in Sidney at 561-7400.

On July 28th, 2019 a Town of Earlville resident was arrested
by the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office for Driving While Intoxicated.  Deputies arrested 27 year old Cody Williams,
after an investigation into a property damage motor vehicle accident on South
Street in the Village of Smyrna.  Williams
was issued tickets and is to appear in Smyrna Village Court on August
15th.

The Chenango County Department of Public Works shall close
County Road 14 between The Madison County Line and Conley Road, in the Town of
Smyrna today.  The closure is in place
for the replacement of a large culvert, officials estimate that the project
could take about 3 days, Motorists are asked to seek alternative routes, local
traffic will be allowed to and from their homes.  More information is available at 337-1710.

State Police arrested 35 year old Benjamin Bishop of Otselic
for Criminal Contempt, Endangering the welfare of a Child, Menacing, Criminal
Mischief and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance.  Troopers were dispatched to a domestic dispute
in the town of Otselic, where Bishop arrived at the residence and began a
verbal argument & allegedly threatened the victim with a knife and damaged
a wooden stand, all in the presence of a child.
Bishop left the scene, Troopers located Bishop in Smyrna.  He was arrested and arraigned in the town of
Smyrna court where he was remanded to the Chenango County Jail on $10,000 cash
bail or $15,000 bond.

New York State’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 3.9% in November 2018, reaching its lowest level since these records began in 1976, according to preliminary figures released today by the State Department of Labor. The number of unemployed New Yorkers fell in November, from 387,500 to 379,400, its lowest level since August 1988. In addition, New York State’s private sector job count rose by 5,200, or 0.1%, to 8,231,100 in November 2018, a new, all-time high.

New York's population continues to decline faster than any other state, according to new statistics released by the U.S. Census Bureau. The report found New York was just 1 of 9 states to see a decrease in population, losing an estimated 48,510 residents between July 1, 2017, and July 1, 2018. Illinois saw the second largest population loss, followed by West Virginia, Louisiana, Hawaii, Mississippi, Alaska, Connecticut and Wyoming. New York's over 19.4 million populations is the 4th highest behind California, Texas and Florida.

Attorney General Barbara Underwood today announced the settlement of a lawsuit against FedEx that will distribute $2 million to an estimated 500 qualifying drivers who delivered packages. The Attorney General’s office filed the lawsuit back in October 2010, alleging that the drivers had been unlawfully misclassified as independent contractors and was, in fact, employees. The Attorney General's action sought restitution for violations of New York Labor Law, including unpaid overtime and unlawful deductions from wages. Qualifying drivers will be sent notice by the claims administrator and be required to submit a claim form in order to qualify for payment from the settlement fund.

State Police arrested 3 people for DWI after a 1 car crash in the town of Smyrna last Sunday. Troopers were dispatched to State Highway 80 in the town of Smyrna, when they arrived they found an unoccupied vehicle they observed another vehicle parked next to the vehicle that had crashed but it took off as soon as troopers approached. Troopers caught up to that vehicle & they accuse the driver, 43 year old Raymond Haitian Jr of Georgetown of driving while Intoxicated. The investigation revealed that 34 year old Kyle Dulian of Tonawanda was operating the original vehicle that had crashed and was also one of the occupants in Haitian's vehicle. Dulian was arrested for DWI. While troopers were still on scene, 34 year old Alicia Martin of Georgetown arrived looking for her friend, she was also arrested for DWI. All 3 will appear in court in January to answer to the charges.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District is in the process of updating the Master Plan for the East Sidney Lake Project. THE Army Core of Engineers is preparing an environmental assessment in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to assess the impact of the Master Plan Revision to the human and natural environment. A public review meeting will be held after the initial public comment period, ending January 11, 2019, to allow opportunity for the public to submit ideas, comments, and feedback on the Draft Master Plan and Draft Environmental Assessment, the public meeting is planned for some time in April 2019. All updates regarding the Master Plan Update and public meetings may be found at nab.usace.army.mil/ESL-Master-Plan-Revision/.

Afton area businesses & The Afton Girl Scouts are teaming up this holiday season to put together Military care Packages for soldiers overseas. Scout leader Lora Vanderheide explains;

(Lora Vanderheide 12-20-18)

Vanderheide said that the collections will be accepted through December 24th & will be shipped out the following week. More information is available at 639-1700.

The Oneonta Department of Public Service will be replacing a water main valve located on Ann Street today, starting at 8:00 AM, Water outages will begin at 9:00 AM. Residents on Ann Street, West Ann, Meckley Ave, Baker Street, and Wilcox Ave will be without water for the duration of the project. River Street residents from Meckley to Wilcox Ave will also experience a water outage during work. Parking on the street will not be permitted, and the street will be closed to traffic for the duration of work. More information is available at 432-2100.

State Police arrested 34 year old Bradley Lidell of Norwich for felony of Aggravated Unlicensed Operation, DWI, & Refusal to Submit to a Breath Test. Troopers were dispatched to a reported one car rollover on County Road 21 in the town of Smyrna. Troopers located Lidell, their investigation revealed Lidell’s license has been suspended 17 times. Lidell was transported to the Chenango Memorial Hospital for a complaint of pain. After he was released, he was processed at SP Norwich then arraigned in the Smyrna Town Court. Lidell was remanded to the Chemung County Jail on $7,500 cash bail or $12,000 bond.

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.

55-year-old David Schaffer of Pharsalia was arrested by the Chenango County Sheriff's Department for Sexual Abuse, Forcible Touching & Endangering the welfare of a child. Shaffer is accused of performing sexual acts with a child under the age of 13 in Pharsalia; Shaffer was arraigned in Village of Smyrna Court and will reappear in court at a later date.

Chenango County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 37-year-old Timothy Heady of Smyrna, fur unlawful manufacture of Methamphetamines. Heady was arrested as deputies were conducting a follow up in reference to a burglary in the area; Deputies were then assisted by the State Police Crime Scene Contamination Unit. Heady was arraigned in the Village of Sherburne Court and was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on cash bail; he will reappear in the Town of Smyrna Court at later date.