WCDO Radio News

State DOT reported that I-88 eastbound between exits 10 & 12 was closed due to a bus fire, which was reported just before 6:00 AM this morning. The section of the highway remained closed for several hours while crews worked at the scene. I-88 was back open to traffic by 12:15 this afternoon. The investigation into the cause of the bus fire is continuing.

Former Republican State Senate leader Dean Skelos is asking for a new trial, after former Democratic Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver was granted a new trial. Both men were convicted of using their powerful political positions for personal gain. Skelos was convicted on charges of extortion, Bribery & Conspiracy in 2015, for using his position as leader of the State Senate, to get his son a no show job for a 6 figure salary, A US Supreme Court ruling recently reversed Silver's conviction, by weakening the definition for corruption by public servants.

State DEC Officials announced that a 2nd alligator spotted in Whitney Point has been captured. The DEC wildlife staff were able to mobilize and capture the alligator at around 2:45 yesterday afternoon. The Alligator is being transported to Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville.

The state appeals court on Thursday overturned the former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver's 2015 corruption conviction for pocketing $4 million in kickbacks from a cancer researcher and real estate developers. Silver was sentenced to 12 years in prison last year, he appealed after the Supreme Court narrowed the definition of "official act" for the purposes of proving corruption cases. Silver was convicted on 2 counts each of mail fraud, wire fraud, extortion and 1 count of monetary transactions involving crime proceeds.

13 people were rescued from a ravine after floodwaters trapped hikers, swimmers and picnickers along the Canajoharie Creek last night. Rescuers from State Police, local Fire Agencies, responded, and there were no injuries reported. Rescuers had to use various equipment and ropes to pull some of the people up a 120-foot-high cliff in the gorge; the operation took about 8 hours to complete.

State Police are looking for 16-year-old Khailee Stoughton of Laurens; she was last seen leaving her home on June 19th. She is described as a Black Female; 5' 4" tall and medium build. She has long brown hair and brown eyes. She has been traveling between Albany and the Laurens/Morris/Oneonta areas, anyone with information is asked to call State Police at 432-3211.

Governor Cuomo signed legislation and announced new actions to support the emerging industrial hemp industry and boost the agricultural economy in New York State. This legislation solidifies the status of industrial hemp as an agricultural commodity under New York Agriculture and Markets Law and creates an industrial hemp-working group to advise the State on research and policies concerning the crop. The Governor announced up to $10 million in grant funding would be available through 2 initiatives to advance industrial hemp research and economic development opportunities.

The State Legislature has between 5 to 7 more sessions before the official end of the 2017 session, local assemblyman Cliff Crouch would like to see Ethics Reforms get passed this year:

(Cliff Crouch 6-12-17)

Crouch said that entrenched Assembly & Senate leadership since he starting serving in Albany in 1995, have wound up facing various corruption charges, rather than simply returning to the private sector. Former State Senate leaders Joe Bruno, Dean Skelos, Pedro Espada & Hiram Monseratte & Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver have all faces charges & court dates after their runs at the top in Albany.

Applications are now being accepted for the operation of custom craft beverage production centers to provide space and equipment to those looking to produce beer, wine, or cider for home consumption. The State Liquor Authority will provide new licenses to facilitate the production, to both current craft manufacturers looking to expand or businesses seeking to open a stand-alone custom homemade craft beverage production center. Governor Cuomo signed legislation last year, creating the new license authorizing the creation of custom craft production centers where craft beverage amateur brewers and cider makers can utilize the expertise, space and equipment of existing facilities to produce craft beverages for personal consumption. More information is available at sla.ny.gov.

Governor Cuomo announced that over $3.1 million dollars in wages and interest during the first quarter, has been returned to 1,367 workers by the State Department of Labor. In addition, more than $125,500 in civil penalties have been assessed against employers in violation of prevailing wage law and 14 individuals or business entities have been debarred since the beginning of the year. Locally, 76 Southern Tier area workers were awarded over $168,000 in back wages through this effort.

State Police responded Friday to a report of a 1-vehicle rollover fatal accident on State Highway 17 in the Town of Sanford. The investigation revealed that the operator of an Econoline van fell asleep at the wheel, the vehicle drifted off the road and overturned multiple times before coming to rest. 5 of the 7 occupants were transported to Wilson and Lourdes Hospitals to be evaluated for non-life threatening injuries, however, 1 Passenger; 70 year old Dennis Pitts of Rochester, was transported to Wilson Memorial Hospital, he was pronounced deceased. The investigation is continuing.

Norwich Police unveiled 20 new officer body cameras to increase transparency and accountability while improving relationships between law enforcement and the community. Officers began utilizing the body cameras on patrol and in the field earlier this year. The cameras are always on and rolling footage, the officer maintains control over when the camera starts to record and save footage. Funding for the equipment was secured through a $50,000 Public Protection Grant by State Senator Fred Akshar in the State Budget.

Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul will make several stops in Cooperstown today. Hochul Discusses New York State Agriculture at North East Association of State Departments of Agriculture Conference at the Otesaga Hotel celebrates the 78th Birthday of Baseball Hall of Fame & visits the Fenimore Art Museum this afternoon.