WCDO Radio News

Broome County Officials reported that 2 children pulled from a fire in Johnson City early this morning, have died. The fire at 145 Floral Avenue in Johnson City was reported at about 2:00 this morning. The identity of the victims has not yet been announced, the investigation is continuing. Johnson City Police announced this afternoon charged 38-year-old Dwight Burton with first-degree murder and first-degree arson.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies & Walton Police arrested 17-year-old Dylan Groat of Walton for Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, for allegedly stealing a dirt bike from Klinger’s Power Sports in Walton in December 2014, & selling that dirt bike in June of this year. Groat was arraigned in Colchester Town Court and was remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $1000 bail.

Broome County Sheriff's Deputies responded to the report of a head on collision this morning at about 10:30, in the town of Colesville. The accident occurred at the intersection of Colesville Road and Johnson Road in Harpursville, Initial reports suggest that one of the drivers may have fallen asleep at the wheel. The Unidentified drivers were taken to Wilson Memorial Hospital in Johnson City for treatment of non-life threatening injuries, tickets are pending.

State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman today announced that his office reached an agreement with Don’s Automotive Mall in Binghamton to resolve an investigation that revealed that the company was selling salvaged automobile airbags in violation of New York State law. Don's agreed that they would not sell any salvaged airbags without first complying with the law, New York requires anyone attempting to sell inflatable restraint systems salvaged from another vehicle to have it first certified according to standards established by a nationally recognized testing, engineering and research body approved by the DMV. Currently there are no approved standards from the State of New York, the sale of all salvaged airbags illegal.

Delaware County District Attorney Investigators and the Walton Police Department arrested 27-year-old Brandi Wyckoff of Walton for 2 counts of Forgery & 2 counts of offering a false instrument for filing. Wyckoff was arraigned in Delhi Town Court and remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility on $5,000 Bail or $10,000 Bond. Pending future court action.

State Senator Jim Seward announced that he is sponsoring a pair of free senior scam prevention forums in Oneonta and Cooperstown on Friday. Senator Seward is partnering with the State Department of State to notify senior citizens, caregivers, and others about the alarming trend of senior targeted scams. The forums will take place on Friday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon at the Elm Park Church, 401 Chestnut Street in Oneonta & from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the Cooperstown Village Offices, 22 Main Street in Cooperstown. The forums are free and open to the public.

On Saturday, the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office, & Norwich Police executed a no knock search warrant at 30 Classic Street in the Village of Sherburne. 50-year-old Frederick Harty of Sherburne was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to sell, Criminal Nuisance, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, & Criminally Possessing Drug Paraphernalia. 46-year-old Tabitha Harty was also charged with Criminal Nuisance. Frederick Harty was arraigned in the Town of Norwich Court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $20,000 cash bail. Tabitha Harty was arraigned in the Town of Norwich Court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $2,000 cash bail. The Sheriff’s Office recovered heroin, scales, packaging material, and unlawfully possessed prescription pills.

The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office arrested 69-year-old Frank Viscardi of St. Johnsville following a motor vehicle accident on state highway 28 in the town of Milford. Viscardi lost control and drove off the shoulder, struck an embankment, traveled across a lawn & hit a garage, causing significant damage. Viscardi was charged with felony DWI, criminal possession of a controlled substance, reckless endangerment of property, unlawful possession of marijuana, speed not reasonable, failure to keep right, driving on shoulder and consumption of alcohol in a motor vehicle. Viscardi will appear in the town of Milford court on October 27th.

A forum for 5 candidates for various Franklin town government positions will be held at 6:30 tonight at the Ouleout Valley American Legion at 327 Main Street in Franklin. The moderator will be Franklin Mayor Tom Briggs.

The Greater Afton Area Chamber of Commerce will host the Next 4- Chambers meeting tonight, at The River Club in Afton, beginning at 5:30 PM. The Guest Speaker will be Lori Koblanski from LO-KO Social Media Management.

Mel Brooks "The Producers" takes the stage at The Forum Theatre November 17th & 18th in Binghamton. Tickets go on sale this morning at 10:00 AM at The Arena Box Office and Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000 or online at BroadwayInBinghamton.com.

Oneonta Mayor Gary Herzig has called a special meeting of the Oneonta Common Council today from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at City Hall. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the city's 2016 Budget; the meeting is open to the public.

State Police and the Office of Fire Prevention and Control have concluded their preliminary investigation of the fatal house fire on Hone Road in the Town of Cherry Valley. The victims have been identified as 13-year-old Anthony Sabler, 20-year-old Gabrielle Sabler, & 22-year-old Ashley Tefft, all 3 deaths were ruled accidental, caused by asphyxia due to the inhalation of smoke and heated combustible material. The origin and cause of the fire remain under investigation.

A Binghamton residence at 101 Main Street went up in flames Friday night. The fire started in the kitchen, all residents made it out safely, the top floor of the residence sustained heavy damage, and Binghamton firefighters battled the blaze until about 3:30 AM Saturday.

Governor Andrew Cuomo has lifted a ban on some state-funded travel to Indiana. Controversy recently arose over new Indiana and Arkansas measures that barred state and local governments from impinging on people's ability to follow their religious beliefs, with some limitations. Supporters said the laws would protect religious liberties. But critics said they could be used to discriminate against gays. The Republican governors of both states signed changed versions of the laws Thursday, hoping to quiet the outcry. The Indiana version specifies it can't be used to discriminate.

About 1600 Vestal area residents were without power this morning after a Motor Vehicle accident on state route 26 near Bunn Hill Road. An unidentified woman was injured when she hit a utility pole at about 11:00 PM Sunday, the crash then brought down a 2nd utility pole. NYSEG Crews expected to have all power restored this morning.

The 11th annual American Cancer Society Tri-Town Relay For Life will be held at the General Clinton Park on Saturday May 9th this year. The 2015 theme is Hero’s of Hope & this year’s event will be ONE day only, running from 11am to 11pm. Officials announced that it is not too late to become involved by either registering a team or volunteering, more information is available at relayforlife.org/tritownny or at the next meeting tonight at 5:30 at the United Methodist Church, Liberty Street in Sidney.

State Police & the State Office of Fire Prevention and Control and Otsego County Emergency Management Team, are investigating a fatal residential fire that occurred at approximately 3:45 AM at 165 Hone Road in the Town of Cherry Valley, Thursday. 3 deceased subjects were located in the residence. Positive identification of the deceased subjects is pending autopsies and further investigation. Cherry Valley and Sharon Springs Fire Departments responded to the scene.

A single engine plane crashed into a farm field in South Kortright Thursday afternoon. Julian & Kerry Joffe of Vermont were the only occupants, both were uninjured the crash is under investigation

The Binghamton Mets baseball team is officially for sale, but a variety of twists & turns & a lawsuit encompass the future sale. Team President Michael Urda acknowledged that they are shopping the franchise, but they vow to keep the team in Binghamton. A federal lawsuit filed this week claims that a handshake deal to sell the team to a Florida ownership group occurred on December 8th for 8.5 million dollars, but that B-Mets Owners backed out when another possible buyer appeared. The Florida group is now asking the court to halt the sale to another buyer. Urda & the B-Mets owners have denied the claims of the lawsuit, & they want to buy the B-Mets just to move them out of the area. Urda said that the main goal is to keep the team in Binghamton at all costs.

The Unadilla chamber of commerce has chosen Green's Long River Inn as the business of the Year, and Mike Knowlton as the "Good Neighbor" award winner. The Unadilla chamber dinner will be held on April 26th at the Unadilla Untied Methodist Church.

The Chenango County Child Advocacy Center & Maydole's have teamed up for an Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, to raise awareness for child abuse prevention month. Center Spokesperson Tracy Henne explains:

(Tracy Henne 4-3-15)

The Easter Egg Hunt will be tomorrow at East & West Parks in down town Norwich starting at 10:00 AM. More information is available at 334-5437.