WCDO Radio News

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 12-20-23

ACCO Brands announced to their employees last week that they will be closing their Sidney manufacturing and distribution plant late next year. Kori Reed the Director of Communication at ACCO Brands in Ohio told WCDO News that there is no firm timeline for the closure, the process will take most of next year to fully execute.

State Police will continue to participate in the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” initiative through New Year's day. Drivers can expect to see sobriety checkpoints, Troopers will be watching for distracted drivers, vehicle occupants who are not properly buckled up, and drivers violating the “Move Over Law,” . State Police will also conduct underage drinker enforcement details statewide.

The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office announces the arrest 52 year old Donald Lane of Portlandville following an investigation in to a sex offender who failed to register a change of address with the New York State Sex Offender registry. Lane is accused of relocating from a residence in the Town of Oneonta to a new location in the Town of Milford without notifiying authorities, Lane was located in the City of Oneonta Tuesday & was taken in to custody, he was processed & was being held in the Otsego County Correctional Facility to await an appearance in Otsego County Centralized Arraignment.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies were on patrol in the Village of Walton Sunday and stopped a vehicle for multiple vehicle and traffic law violations. Deputies seized a quantity of narcotics and methamphetamine from the occupants and vehicle, Deputies arrested 40 year old Patrick Ladd of Walton for 5 counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, & 43 year old Leslie McClenon of Walton was charged with several traffic violations & criminal possession of a controlled substance for possessing Methamphetamine with intent to sell, a 3rd occupant of the vehicle was released at the scene without charges at this time. McClenon was subsequently released on appearance tickets and directed to appear at the Village of Walton court at a later date. Ladd was held at the Delaware County Correctional Facility for centralized arraignment.

Fresh Express has issued a voluntary recall of a Fresh Express Spinach, 8 oz. size, with product code G332 and use-by date of December 15 and Publix Spinach, 9 oz size, with product code G332 and a now expired use-by date of December 14 due to a potential health risk from Listeria. Fresh Express is sold in a large number of grocery stores across the region, so far no illnesses have been reported and no other Fresh Express products are being recalled. Consumers who still have these products in their refrigerators are advised to discard them immediately.

The City of Norwich Police Department announced that their phone lines and internet are down at the Police station today Wednesday, and possibly tomorrow. They hope to have the services restored as soon as possible.

The storm which hit the region Sunday & Monday has claimed the lives of 4 New Yorkers so far. State Police said that an elderly woman in Catskill had her vehicle submerged in flood waters Monday, & she could not be reached by first responders due to the raging flood waters.

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 12-20-23

Local sales tax collections in New York state increased by 5.1% in November compared to the same month in 2022, according to State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. Overall, local collections totaled $1.81 billion, up $88.6 million compared to the same time last year. County and city collections outside of New York City totaled $887 million, an increase of 4.4%, 55 out of 57 counties experienced year-over-year increases.

Congressman Marc Molinaro's constituent service team will hold mobile office hours from 12:00 noon to 2:00pm today at the Oneonta Town Hall. This comes after a home exploded in Oneonta December 9th, killing 1 person, injuring others, and damaging neighboring homes. Constituents will be able to connect with representatives from Congressman Molinaro's office to get assistance with issues they are facing.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced $25 million in capital grants will be made available to help volunteer fire departments upgrade their facilities and equipment. The grants will be administered by the state’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, fire companies have until April 30 2024 to respond to the request for applications at dhses.ny.gov.

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 7-19-23

The National Transportation Safety Board released information regarding the crash of a single engine Cessna Airplane on May 28th in the town of Plymouth at about 2:50 PM, the pilot, Shawn McMahon of Binghamton, was fatally injured. The plane flew 2 separate sky diving flights that day, a co-owner of the airplane reported that following the 2nd flight, McMahon determined that he had 40 gallons of fuel. During the accident flight, McMahon announced that the skydivers were away & he was descending rapidly, a follow up announcement was unintelligible. 1 eyewitness told investigators that an airplane flew near her house very low, with the engine sputtering & the pilot attempted to start the engine unsuccessfully & she heard the impact, another eyewitness heard the engine shut off earlier when the skydivers jumped, the engine restarted and the plane continued. The investigation is continuing.

Governor Hochul announced today that New York will be sending engineers to Perform Dam Safety Inspections in Vermont, after their recent devastating flooding. So far, New York has deployed 9 engineers from the New York Power Authority and the Department of Environmental Conservation to Montpelier, Vermont to assist in performing dam safety evaluations throughout the state. The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services is coordinating additional incoming requests for assistance from Vermont and State agency partners stand ready to provide resources as necessary.

The Delaware County District Attorney's Office announced that 29 year old Autumn Transue of Denver Colorado was indicted for Driving While Intoxicated. On March 8th, Transue is alleged to have operated a motor vehicle while intoxicated, she was stopped by the Colchester police. The indictment accused Transue of felony DWI, & driving with a blood alcohol content over .08%. A warrant for Transue's arrest has been issued, if she fails to appear, the DA’s office will work on extradiction.

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office is currently looking for Calvin Bulluck on an outstanding warrant for Burglary & a Parole Violation. Bulluck is described as a Black Male, 5'11" about 200 Pounds with brown eyes & black hair, Anyone with information on the location of Bulluck is asked to contact the Broome County Sheriff’s Office at gobroomecounty.com or by calling their tip line at (607) 778-1196.

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 7-19-23

Sentencing was delayed in Chenango County Court for William Sabines of Oxford, Sabines pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide, concealment of a human corpse and attempted criminal possession of stolen property, in connection with the burning & dismemberment death of Jesse Donlin of Unadilla & Sidney in 2019, & hiding Donlin's vehicle in Chenango County. Sabines was originally scheduled to be sentenced last Friday.

State Police issued 39 tickets in Broome County during an “Operation Hard Hat” detail. Troopers from the Troop C Traffic Incident Management Unit monitored traffic on State Route 17 in the town of Sanford where road crews were completing bridge work. The 39 tickets issued included 13 for speeding, 8 for cell phone use while driving, 12 were for not wearing seatbelts, and 6 were for other assorted violations.

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 5-15-23

Governor Hochul today announced the launch of Round 13 of the Regional Economic Development Council Initiative, which will include core capital grant and tax-credit funding combined with a wide range of programs from 10 State agencies, including $150 million in grant funds from Empire State Development. The Councils are encouraged to support projects that advance or address strategic State priorities, More information is available at apps.cio.ny.gov.

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce will host a special presentation tomorrow regarding potential public transportation options for Delaware County Chamber President Ray Pucci comments:

(Ray Pucci 5-16-23)

The meeting will begin at 11:00 am in the Meeting Room of the Delaware County Business Center at 5 ½ Main Street in Delhi, a ZOOM link will be posted at delawarecounty.org.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies responded May 10th to the Town of Meredith to assist US Homeland Security Units with the apprehension of 48 year old Charles Bodie of Meredith, who was wanted on an active US Federal Court Warrant for the Sexual Exploitation of a Child. Deputies and Homeland Security conducted surveillance of property in Meredith where Bodie had been living, on May 11th, they arrested Bodie on the warrant, he was transported to the Delaware County Correctional Facility, where he was to be held indefinitely. Bodie was scheduled to be transported to the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York at a later date for arraignment on the Sexual Exploitation of a Child charge, if found guilty, Bodie could face 15 to 30 years in prison.

The Broome County Sheriff's Office announced that a stolen vehicle traffic stop in the Town of Kirkwood led to an arrest on multiple felony drug charges last week. On May 7th, a deputy identified a vehicle as stolen from Binghamton, after stopping the vehicle and confirming its status, Officers seized 11.3 grams of cocaine, a digital scale and $1,423 in cash, 38 year old Jorge Cortina of Binghamton was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell & Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia, he was processed and issued an appearance ticket to answer for his charges on June 7, 2023 in the Town of Kirkwood Court.

The Arc Otsego has been awarded $30,002 in grants from the Trustee Management Board of New York State ARC Trust Services to support The Arc Otsego’s guardianship and recreation programs. More information about The Arc Otsego Guardianship and Fit and Fun Grants, is available at 607-433-8400.

The Chenango County Historical Society opens a new exhibit today from 4:30-6:00 PM. “Hometown Health” explores the healthcare and the pharmaceutical industry in Chenango County throughout the first half of the 20th century. Refreshments will be provided compliments of UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital, and each guest will receive a vintage booklet commemorating NBT Bank’s 150th anniversary, along with a promotional coupon from Sherwin-Williams.

The federal public health emergency declaration for COVID-19 expired on May 11th, but COVID-19 remains a threat. The Chenango County Health department suggests that county residents stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, get tested, and stay away from others when they appear sick or are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms. The Chenango County Department of Public Health will continue to offer FREE COVID-19 vaccine, more information is available at 607-337-1660.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 5-15-23

Delaware County Public Health announced that a Skunk tested positive for rabies in the Village of Deposit. An unvaccinated dog and 1 person were exposed to the rabid skunk, the dog had to be euthanized because it had not been vaccinated. The individual exposed to the skunk is receiving post exposure prophylaxis. To report a suspected rabid animal call Delaware County Public Health Services at 607-832-5200, for more information visit delawarecountypublichealth.com

A Broome County judge on Friday has sentenced Jason Johnson of Nineveh to 60 years in jail for the attempted murder of Trooper Rebecca Seager in June 2021, Johnson was found guilty on a number of felony counts last year in Broome County Court for shooting Trooper Seager in the hip in the Town of Colesville, Johnson was taken into custody following a 21-hour manhunt.

The Chenango County Department of Public Works announced the closure of Church Hill Road in the town of North Norwich today. The road will be closed between Bryant Road and Ellison Road for the replacement of a bridge deck. Local traffic will be allowed, more information is available at 337-1710.

The 18th Annual Women’s Fund Breakfast, will be held on May 30th at the Double tree Inn by Hilton in Binghamton, the Keynote Speaker will be Pulitzer prize & Emmy Award Winning journalist Maria Hinojosa. the event is sponsored by the Women’s Fund, which is a component fund of the Community Foundation for South Central New York, more information is available at donorswhocare.org

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 1-26-23

The Broome County District Attorney Mike Korchak announced that 34 year old Kyle Babola of Johnson City pleaded guilty for the killing of 55 year old Scott Grover in Johnson City on New Year’s Eve in 2021. Babola killed Grover by striking him numerous times with a machete during a dispute at 330 Floral Avenue. He will be sentenced to 20 years to life in state prison in April 2023.

The City of Norwich is receiving federal money for the upcoming water Main replacement project downtown, City Community Development Director Eric Scrivener told WCDO News that they will be working with other agencies to do the water main project followed by paving in the effected downtown areas:

(Eric Scrivener 1-26-23)

The Water Main will be replaced along South Broad Street, between Prentice and Mechanic streets, and a section of East Main Street between the Broad Street intersection and the railroad tracks

Sidney Central School District 7th Grader Bella Phelps will be competing in the 1st New York State High School Wrestling Championships tomorrow in Syracuse, her coach Tony Ferrara comments:

(Tony Ferrara 1-26-23)

Sidney residents are asked to line West Main & Main Streets tomorrow morning between 8:45 & 9:00 AM for a send off to Phelps to Syracuse for the State Championship competition.

Delaware County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of 34-year-old Jessica Arnott of Queens. On January 17th, Deputies were notified that Arnott was at the Delaware County Family Court surrendering herself on an active Delaware County Family Court Arrest Warrant. Deputies arrested and arraigned Arnott on the warrant, she was committed to the Custody of the Delaware County Correctional Facility pending further appearance in court, at a later date.

The State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services' Office of Counter Terrorism conducted training exercises at more than 1,000 locations statewide in 2022, As part of this process, teams assessed suspicious activity reporting and recognition at 842 retailers and businesses that sell chemicals, compounds, components, services, or rent space or resources that could be exploited by those with nefarious intent. Additionally, teams assessed more than 180 infrastructure locations across the state, including stadiums and arenas, malls and shopping centers, colleges and universities, airports, transit hubs and other mass-gathering locations.

State Department of Health announced that the XBB.1.5. variant is now the most dominant strain in New York, accounting for more than 50 percent of COVID-19 infections statewide, which may indicate that XBB.1.5. is more transmissible than other circulating variants, though there is not yet clear evidence of the severity of strain. The percentage of those testing positive for COVID 19 is down to 6%, with Patient Hospitalization down to 3,029, ICU patients numbers are down to 313 with 124 on ventilators, with 33 deaths reported over the course of the latest 3 day testing period.

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 1-26-23

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office is currently looking for Kara Yager on an outstanding warrant and asking the residents of Broome County for assistance. Yager was last known to frequent the Kirby Street area of the Town of Bainbridge, she is described as a white female, 5'4, 115 pounds, with blue eyes, and brown hair, she is wanted for violation of probation for criminal possession of a controlled substance. Anyone with information on the location of Yager is asked to contact the Broome County Sheriff’s Office at gobroomecounty.com/sheriff/warrants or by calling the Broome County Sheriff’s Office tip line at (607) 778-1196.

Otsego County Sheriff's Deputies responded to the report of a tractor-trailer and a pickup truck colliding on I-88 in near Exit 15 Wednesday morning. Both vehicles sustained heavy damage, the driver of the pickup truck was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. State DOT crews, state police and the Oneonta Fire Department also responded to the scene, part of the highway was closed temporarily for the clean up & investigation, the cause of the crash is still under investigation.

Broome County Sheriff’s Office Warrants Division arrested 36 year old Matthew Hackel of Vestal, for failing to register an address with the State Sex Offender Registry. Hackel was processed and is currently in the custody of the Broome County Sheriff’s Correction Facility.