WCDO Radio News

Former New York Governor George Pataki told supporters on Tuesday that he is dropping his bid for the Republican presidential nomination. The former governor never made it onto a main debate stage and has had trouble raising funds. Pataki flirted with presidential runs in 2008 and 2012 but did not enter the race..

In memory of Trooper Christopher Skinner, The State Police are inviting the public to join them by giving blood at the 2nd annual Trooper Skinner Memorial American Red Cross blood drive today. Trooper Skinner was killed in the line of duty, while conducting a routine traffic stop on I-81 in the town of Chenango. The public can Donate Blood in Memory of Trooper Skinner from 12:00 Noon to 5:00 PM at the State Police Barracks at 84 Crescent Drive in Kirkwood today.

Governor Cuomo announced that the minimum wage increase for State Workers would take effect beginning tomorrow. The increase will be implemented on the same phased-in schedule currently underway for fast food workers, all State workers will receive an hourly wage of at least $9.75 per hour for employees outside of New York City.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Governor Cuomo announced that New York State would begin accepting applications for the new 'Get On Your Feet' Loan Forgiveness Program on December 31st. the program offers up to 24 months of federal student loan debt relief to recent college graduates living in the State. To qualify, applicants must have earned an undergraduate degree from a college or university located in New York State in or after December 2014, have an adjusted gross income of less than $50,000, and be enrolled in the federal Income Based Repayment plan or Pay as You Earn plan. more than 2,500 graduates from the class of 2015 have registered to apply for the program through the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation.

Binghamton Police are looking for 2 suspects who robbed a woman Tuesday evening. One man was armed with a gun and the other with a baseball bat. The first suspect is described as a tall black male, wearing dark-colored clothing and a dark-colored bandanna covering his face, the 2nd suspect is described as a tall, light-skinned male in his 20s with a thin build, wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt, dark-colored pants, and a bandanna covering his face. Anyone with information is asked to contact Binghamton detectives at 607-772-7080.

Governor Cuomo announced that Taste New York has achieved the goal of tripling gross sales of participating vendors in 2015, to over 4.5 Million dollars. Additionally, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets partnered with Empire State Development to provide New Yorkers and visitors worldwide instant access to a list of all the Taste NY agri-tourism destinations through the I LOVE NY mobile app, bringing greater exposure to New York’s food and beverage businesses across the state. The Department also worked with Food Export USA and Empire State Development this year to ensure Taste NY products were included in the Governor Cuomo's trade missions to Cuba and Puerto Rico.

Chenango County Habitat for Humanity has been settling into their new office space located in the Klee House in Guilford. Officials remind residents that they can donate bottles and cans in the Habitat Bottle Shed at the Rte 12 Redemption Center in Norwich. Officials are also looking for more volunteers, interested parties can call 334-7492; more information is available at habitat.chenango.org.

Governor Cuomo today announced $10 million in Public Safety Answering Points operations grants have been awarded to municipalities across New York State. The funding through State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services will support 57 counties and the City of New York in improving 9-1-1 response and emergency dispatching. Locally, Broome County receives $209,000, Chenango County gets over $170,000, Delaware county received over $154,000 and Otsego County will get over $157,000.

Syracuse Police have arrested 2 brothers from Binghamton for allegedly beating 2 men who were intervening on behalf of a homeless person being harassed Christmas Night. 18-year-old Nouman Khan and 20-year-old Hamza Khan, both of Binghamton, were charged with assault late Tuesday night after turning themselves in to police. Police reported that the victims intervened when a group of five men harassed a homeless man, 1 of the victims suffered a skull fracture. The Khan brothers were released on appearance tickets and ordered to appear in Syracuse City Court on January 20.

State Police and local law enforcement will increase patrols to crack down on drivers who violate the law this Fourth of July weekend. Last year, State Police issued more than 10,200 vehicle and traffic tickets during the 4th of July weekend. Troopers arrested more than 180 people for DWI and responded to more than 650 accidents, two of which resulted in fatalities. During the enforcement, drivers can expect a number of sobriety checkpoints and DWI patrols. Law enforcement will also be looking for motorists who are using their phones and other electronic devices while behind the wheel. Drivers should also remember to “move over” for stopped emergency and hazard vehicles stopped on the side of the road when they travel New York roadways.

“Fireworks Over The Fairgrounds” will be held on July 4th at the Chenango county fairgrounds in Norwich, Terry Potter of Millennia Entertainment comments:

(TERRY POTTER 7-3-15)

Tickets are available at Hummel’s in Norwich, Video Entertainment Plus in Sidney, The Artist’s Palette in Norwich & the New Berlin branch of NBT Bank, or at brownpapertickets.com.

The First Night Oneonta committee will hold this year’s Oneonta July 4th Celebration. Activities actually begin tonight with "First Friday" activities, followed by a full slate of events Saturday, according to organizer Carol Mandigo:

(Carol Mandigo 7-3-15)

There will be a variety of vendors and activities set up around Neahwa Park Saturday for the July 4th celebration.

Governor Cuomo directed the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Office of Emergency Management to enhance monitoring of celebrations and events on Saturday, July 4 in light of the recent terror warning issued by the FBI & the Department of Homeland Security. The Governor additionally urged New Yorkers to be alert and aware of any potential suspicious activity during the holiday weekend. Additional staff will operate the Emergency Operations Center and the New York State Watch Center, Reporting suspicious activity can be Performed By Citizens by calling the state Terrorism Tips Line at 1-866-SAFE-NYS.”

The Otsego county office for the aging is conducting a needs assessment to help identify the needs of the elderly & their caregivers. A mailing is underway to a random sample of resident 50 & older; the information o0btained will be used to tailor the services for the county’s elderly for the next 4 years. The survey is also available on line at survey monkey.com/OFAOtsego. More information is available at 547-4232 or 547 4390.

The Delaware County Department of Public Works announced that they will begin Oil & Stone operations in the northern towns of the county Monday. Work is scheduled on county routes 18, 5,6,1 & 2 in that order; work will then move south toe county routes 23, 35 & 44. The project is expected to last for 3 weeks motorists should reduce speed right after the completion of each road, and & to expect delays during the project.

The 5th annual Sidney central school district summer camps will begin on Monday. A variety of interests will be covered through august 14th, and before & after camp care has been arranged with Cullman Day care.