WCDO Radio News

Governor Cuomo today announced that applications from non-profit non-public schools and day care centers, are now being accepted for the $25 million Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes Grant program, for grants to strengthen security and prevent hate crimes or attacks against these facilities because of their ideology, beliefs or mission. The grant is administered by the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, & could provide up to $50,000 for security upgrades. Applications are due by December 18th.

The Chenango Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition in collaboration with The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office & The Norwich City Police Department will hold 3 National Drug Take-Back Month Events this Saturday. The events will be held between 10:00 AM & 1:30 PM at the Norwich Police Department at 18 East Main Street, the Bainbridge Town Hall at 33 West Main Street & the Smyrna Town Hall at 7 East Main Street. Unwanted or expired medications will be accepted at the event, organizers remind those bringing in the unwanted meds, to have them in their original containers.

Governor Cuomo has vetoed a bill that would ban gravity knives. The Governor stated that overly broad language in the legislation would have applied to too many knives. A compromise on the bill failed to be passed in the final days of the 2017 session of the legislature in Albany, Cuomo said that bill approved by lawmakers was not a sufficient improvement from a previous plan that tightened up the definition of a “gravity knife.” The proposed compromise by the governor’s office would have addressed issues raise by police departments and added protections for workers who carrying knives as part of their jobs.

8 of the Baseball’s most recognizable voices have been named as the finalists for the 2018 Ford C. Frick Award, presented annually for excellence in baseball broadcasting by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. The 8 finalists for the 2018 Award include Joe Buck, Bob Costas, Al Michaels, & Joe Morgan, the winner will be announced on December 13th at baseball’s Winter Meetings and will be honored during the July 28 Awards Presentation in Cooperstown.

ACHIEVE Broome-Chenango-Tioga welcomes the community to visit their Chenango Day Habilitation facility, at 214 County Route 44 in Norwich on Tuesday November 2nd for light refreshments provided by Canasawacta Country Club and an introduction to ACHIEVE and the services they provide.

High winds led to a number of power outages across the Southern Tier overnight & into Tuesday afternoon. NYSEG reported that about 350 customers were without power in the town of Sidney & about 60 in the Town of Bainbridge, as of 2:00 this afternoon. NYSEG Crews were working on restoring power as quickly as possible.

Governor Cuomo signed legislation adding electronic cigarettes to the Clean Indoor Air Act, which bans their use everywhere that smoking tobacco products are prohibited. The bill would reduce the exposure to potentially dangerous chemicals for e-cigarette users and those around them. Under current law, only smoking substances containing tobacco, including cigars, cigarettes or pipes, are restricted in public places.

The Chenango County Farm Bureau the 62nd Annual Meeting is starting at 6:30 PM tonight at the Silo Restaurant in Greene. State Senator Fred Akshar, a representative from Senator Seward’s office and Assemblyman Cliff Crouch have been invited.

The Chenango County Health Department announces another Flu Vaccination Clinic to be held today. The Clinic will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Bainbridge Firehouse. Registrations or more information is available at 337-1660.

NBT Bancorp reported record net income for both the 3 months & 9 months periods ending September 30th. Net income for the last quarter was $22.9 million, up from $21.4 million for the 2nd quarter of 2017 and up from $20.0 million for the third quarter of last year. Net income for the 9 months of 2017 was $64.5 million, up 9.7% from $58.8 million for the same period last year.

James Brower and Tobias Rundstrom-Wooding were indicted by a Chenango County Grand Jury last week; they were arraigned in Chenango County Court on the indictment charges today. Rundstrom-Wooding was indicted last week on 8 counts including 1st & 2nd degree murder, plus 1st degree rape, tampering with physical evidence, possession of a sexual performance by a child and making false statements, his bail was set at $500,000 cash or $1 million bond. Brower had a 4-count indictment which included a 2nd-degree murder, hindering prosecution, tampering with physical evidence and making false statements, his bail was set at $400,000 cash or $800,000 bond. Both men are accused of the rape and murder of 11 year old Jacelyn O'Connor in the town of Norwich in July.

Sidney Village Police announced the arrest of 60-year-old Jesse Riglioni of Sidney on a sealed indictment warrant, for criminal sale of a controlled substance. Friday's arrest followed a 3 month investigation into the sale of narcotics in the village of Sidney, Rigliono is accused of selling cocaine in Sidney, he was remanded to the Delaware County Jail without bail, state Police assisted in the investigation.

Governor Cuomo has proclaimed this week as Sheriff’s Week in New York State, which celebrates the significant contributions made Sheriff’s Departments in county government and in the statewide criminal justice system. 55 of New York's 58 sheriffs are elected officials, accountable to the citizen voter every 4 years and responsible for the operations of a sheriff’s office, which can include traffic patrols, emergency rescue operations, homeland security programs, SWAT operations, civil emergency response, jail operations, courtroom security, and civil litigation process.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 36-year-old David Alleyne of Delhi Friday on charges of operating a vehicle without an attached front license plate, criminal possession of a hypodermic instrument, and driving while ability impaired by drugs following a traffic stop in the Village of Delhi. Alleyne was arraigned and was remanded to the Delaware County Jail in lieu of $1000 bail.

Responding to the reported Equifax Breach last week affecting about 150 Million Americans, Governor Cuomo today directed the Department of Financial Services to issue a new regulation making credit reporting agencies to register with New York for the first time and comply with this state's first-in-the-nation cyber security standard. The Department Superintendent will also have the authority to deny and revoke a consumer credit reporting agency's authorization to do business in New York if they are not in compliance.

The Chenango Arts Council will have Smyrna Native Matt Nakoa performing at the Martin W. Kappel Theater this Saturday, to start the Chenango Arts Council's 2017-18 season. Executive Director Alecia O'Neill explains:

(Alecia O'Neill 9-18-17)

Nakoa played as part of last year's season, and has even played the White House in his young career, Tickets are available at 336-ARTS or at ChenangoArts.org.

The Sidney Center Tractor Parade on Saturday drew a large group of participants again this year. 169 vehicles participated, which included 91 tractors parading through the hamlet of Sidney Center Saturday.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 42-year-old Amanda Losurdo of Delhi for violation of parole. The arrest occurred during the course of assisting the Delaware County Probation Department, where it was determined that Losurdo was in violation of the conditions of her parole. Losurdo was taken into custody and turned over to the Delaware County Correctional Facility, to await the future action of the State Department of Corrections or by a court.

Casey Callahan was found guilty Friday morning in Otsego County Court of 2nd degree murder in the death of his wife, Elizabeth Callahan in 2000 in Pennsylvania. The jury began deliberations Thursday & announced its decision Friday, Callahan will be sentenced October 30th in Otsego County Court.

The Village of Sidney Board of Trustees will hold a special board meeting on Monday, September 18, 2017 at 7 AM in the board room of the Sidney Civic Center, 21 Liberty St., Sidney, NY 13838. The purpose of this meeting is to approve the grant funding on the Construction of a Full Length Parallel Taxiway at the Sidney Municipal Airport.