WCDO Radio News

An estimated 3000 people attended the Funeral of New York State Trooper Timothy Pratt today in South Glens Falls. Trooper Pratt was killed last week, while he was assisting a tractor-trailer driver stuck on a median in the town of Wilton, & was accidentally struck by a second vehicle driven by 59 year old Joel Duguay of Corinth. Trooper Pratt was a 30-year veteran of the State Police and also served in the United States Air Force for 7 years prior to becoming a New York State Trooper.

Governor Cuomo announced the availability of $45 million for counties to improve their emergency communications systems and upgrade technology. Each county and New York City can submit applications to fund projects involving infrastructure, equipment and technology upgrades. The grant is administered by the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. Applications must be received via email by December 8th at Grant.Info@dhses.ny.gov.

The 2016 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree will be a Norway Spruce tree, that will be removed from the property of Angie & Greg Eichler at 72 Country Club Road in the town of Oneonta. The Tree will be cut down November 12th and will be taken to New York City November 12th, and will be lit up in Rockefeller Plaza November 30th, live on Network Television.

Norwich City Police, Fire fighters & EMT's responded to a 2 vehicle crash, into a house at 88 South Broad Street. 1 person was removed from the scene by ambulance, following the noontime accident. More details are expected to be released following the conclusion of the accident investigation.

Delaware County Deputies arrested 22-year-old Courtney Jennings of Walton Thursday on an arrest warrant for Menacing, Criminal Trespass & Endangering the Welfare of a Child, On Sunday, Deputies then arrested 45-year-old Donald Jennings of Hancock, for Menacing & Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Both were charged in connection with a recent altercation at a residence in the Town of Colchester. Both were arraigned & were released pending future court action.

A holiday tradition of the American Red Cross New York kicks off tomorrow, November 1st, as they will give away a $50 VISA gift card every day throughout the month. Also, All donors during November will be entered in the daily Turkey-A-Day Giveaway. To donate blood, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Tickets went on sale today for the Musical "Once" which will be performed for 2 shows on Sunday December 11th at the Forum Theater on at 3 & 7:30 PM. Tickets for "ONCE" go on sale at the Arena Box Office, through Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com, more information is available at BroadwayInBinghamton.com.

In April, the Department of Defense ordered a stop shipment at Amphenol of Sidney, which led to a layoff of about 100 employees, an expected 2 year wait for the order to be lifted, but today, U.S Senator Charles Schumer, Congressman Chris Gibson & Amphenol leaders announced that the ordered was revered in 4 months, the federal red tape was cut through & the employees have returned to the Sidney facility. Senator Schumer responded:

(Schumer 8-29-16)

Congressman Gibson also discussed the reversal of fortune for Amphenol:

(Gibson 8-29-16)

Others who addressed the press conference today were Sidney mayor Andy Matviak, Amphenol General Manager Ryan Fisher & Amphenol CEO Adam Norwitt.

Upstate New York lags behind downstate New York and the nation in job growth since the Great Recession, according to a report issued by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. Since June 2009, total employment in upstate New York rose by 0.3 percent compared to 2.2 percent in the downstate region and 1.9 percent nationwide during the same time frame. The overall average annual wage gain in upstate of 3.3 percent outpaced both the downstate and national averages in 2015. Currently, total employment across upstate stands at slightly over 3 million, representing 32 percent of all jobs statewide.

In a letter sent this week, State Senator Fred Akshar joined Senate Health Committee Chairman Kemp Hannon in calling Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to investigate the sharp increase in the cost of EpiPens. Between 2007 and 2016, the cost of an EpiPen has increased from $57 to approximately $500. The letter stated that some have resorted to using expired EpiPens, buying Epinephrine abroad, or using needles from local pharmacies to administer their medication, Emergency First Responders are affected as well.

On Sunday, the Delaware County Sheriffs Deputies arrested 25-year-old Cody Satkowski of Fish’s Eddy, after Satkowski was involved in a motor vehicle accident on County Highway 17 in the Town of Hancock. Satkowski was in possession of marihuana and found to be operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, he was charged with aggravated DWI and unlawful possession of marihuana & he will appear at the Town of Hancock Court at a later date.

The Ithaca Police Department is opening a homicide investigation after one of two Ithaca College students stabbed on the Cornell campus early Sunday morning, was pronounced dead at Cayuga Medical Center. 19-year-old Anthony Nazaire of Brooklyn was killed, a 2nd student was injured, and was treated and released from a Syracuse area hospital. The incident occurred at around 2:00 AM Sunday at the conclusion of a campus event, several altercations broke out as students left the hall, and police are looking at video recorded by witness on their phones.

A "major announcement" will be made at 3 p.m. today at Amphenol Aerospace in Sidney, according to the office of U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. Schumer will be joined by Amphenol Aerospace CEO Adam Norwitt, Sidney facility executives, employees and local leaders.

The Maine-Endwell Little League Team beat South Korea, 2-1, to win the Little League World Series on Sunday, becoming the first US team to win the title since 2011 and the first team from New York to win since 1964. Maine-Endwell ended its perfect season 24-0. The Team will be welcomed back with a parade this morning at 11:15 a.m. starting at Hooper Road and Watson Boulevard, ending at the little league field at Struggle Road.

State Police arrested 28 year old Cassandra Reithoffer of Nineveh, for 2nd degree burglary, after troopers were advised of a burglar at a home on O’Brien Road in the Town of Sanford. Reithoffer allegedly forced entry into the home and stole over $2,000 in property from it. Reithoffer was arraigned in the Town of Sanford court and was remanded to the Broome County jail with no bail set.

State Police arrested 21 year old Mohammad Sadique of Woodmere for criminal possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of marihuana and traffic violations. Sadique was observed speeding at 60 mph, while in a 30 mph zone, on Lower Main Street in the Town of Oneonta. Sadique was found to unlawfully possess a small amount of LSD and marihuana. He was issued tickets returnable to the Town of Oneonta court on September 6th.

Chenango County Sheriff’s department arrested 32 year old Corey Weidman following a traffic stop in the Town of Norwich for an equipment violation. Weidman exited the car and dropped a warm marihuana pipe with burnt and un-burnt marihuana; he was charged with unlawful possession of marihuana & was released on an appearance ticket for Town of Norwich Court at a later date. Deputies then arrested Weidman’s passenger 26 year old Heather Steigerwald of Oxford for criminal contempt possession of a controlled substance, for allegedly possessing two narcotic prescription pills concealed in her bra and unlawful possession of marihuana, she was processed and released on an appearance ticket to appear in the Town of Norwich Court at a later date.

Governor Cuomo announced that the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services and Office of Fire Prevention and Control will visit the state’s colleges and universities to conduct inspections, education programs, and a series of campus fire safety education training days. In the last year, Office of Fire Prevention and Control has conducted 23,689 inspections.

Law Enforcement Agencies in Otsego County have responded to a reported Bank Robbery at the NBT Bank Branch at 1 West Street in Edmeston at about 11:30 this morning. The Edmeston Central School District & Pathfinder Village were locked down and State Police & Otsego County Sheriff's deputies have been investigating. WCDO Will have more information as it becomes available.

The Sidney Police Department arrested 43-year-old Jack Blanchard of Guilford for 2 counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance. The arrest is the result of a 2-month investigation into the sale of Cocaine in the Village of Sidney. Blanchard was arrested on an Arrest Warrant Sealed Indictment issued by Delaware County Court. He was sent to the Delaware County Correctional Facility to await arraignment on the charges.

Congressman Chris Gibson announced the passage in the House of an amendment he authored in support of former Navy and Marine Corps personnel and other Veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange during their service aboard vessels off the coast of Vietnam and now have serious illnesses that are directly connected to that exposure. The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act ensures those Veterans is granted presumptive coverage for Agent Orange exposure. The House bill introduced by Congressman Gibson has 320 cosponsors from both parties, while the Senate version introduced by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has 41 bipartisan cosponsors.

The 2016 Ed Wessels Canoe Regatta was held; Saturday with impressive finishes from local paddlers, who are training for this weekend’s General Clinton 70- miler. The Wessels Chairman Ed Curley told WCDO News of the most exciting finish of a 1 second photo finish in the pro class:

(Ed Curley 5-23-16)

Other top finishers included Bob & Ryan Zaveral of Mount Upton winning the Men’s Under 50 Amateur class. Mike Bachman of Bainbridge & Rich Hall of Gilbertville taking the C-2 Stock class & Dale Persons of Bainbridge & Melissa Swislosky of Mount Upton winning the mixed C-2 Pro class. WCDO Will have full coverage of Wednesday’s new Pine Ridge Grocery Dash for Cash Race and The General Clinton Canoe regatta this weekend.

The New York State DOT announced that construction work for the Prospect Mountain construction project will be performed and will require lane closures in the City of Binghamton. Beginning tomorrow, through Thursday, from 9 AM to 3:00 PM, I-81northbound/State Route 17 westbound will be reduced to 1 lane between Exit 3 and 4S for the removal of concrete barrier. The right two lanes will be closed. On Thursday, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, I-81 northbound/State Route 17 westbound Exit 4S will be closed temporarily for the removal of concrete barrier. A signed detour will be in place directing motorists around the ramp closure. All work will be performed weather permitting.

The Village of Sidney announced that work would be performed on the Main Street Bridge on Tuesday May 24th from 9:00 to 3:00 PM. The bridge will be open for 1 lane traffic only during the work.

24-year-old James Spain of Walton pleaded guilty to sexual misconduct, for allegedly performing sexual acts with an under-aged female. Spain was released on his own recognizance; Sentencing is scheduled for July 18th.

The ReUnite Bainbridge meeting will be held today, at 7:00 PM at Bob's Diner. The Agenda includes an Update on the Bainbridge Summer Fest, The BG School Booster Club Bon Fire, Annual Golf Tournament, Musicians on Main Streets, Updates on Popcorn Wagon and Weather Vanes

Governor Cuomo today announced $500,000 in federal funding has been awarded to the New York State Academy of Fire Science in the Southern Tier. The funding will support a crude oil training simulation for first responders. This marks the third consecutive year that the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Office of Fire Prevention and Control has been awarded this funding. The Academy trains over 6,000 emergency services providers from across the state in over 130 courses per year.

The Bainbridge Village Planning Board Meeting originally scheduled last week, has been rescheduled for this evening. The meeting begins at 7:00 pm in the Bainbridge Village Clerk's office at 33 West Main Street & is open to the pubic.