WCDO Radio News

Activities are planned for at General Clinton Park on Saturday of the Canoe regatta, Co-Chair Chris Smith explains:

(Chris Smith 5-4-26)

The Full list of activities at the park as well as the Races on the Rivers, can be found at canoeregatta.org.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced that 7 villages were designated in fiscal stress under his office's Fiscal Stress Monitoring System for their fiscal year ending in 2025. DiNapoli's office evaluates municipalities & school district each year for fiscal stress, no villages in the Tri-County Region were on the list this year. The report can be found at osc.ny.gov.

A.M. NEWS Thursday 3-19-26

Delaware County DA Shawn Smith announced that the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court affirmed the Delaware County County Court conviction of Joshua Condon that resulted in a 20 year prison term & 10 years old post release supervision. Condon appealed the sentence for Criminal Sexual Act for abusing an 8 year old child, but after losing the appeal, Condon's original sentence will stand.

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 2-18-26

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli & the State Department of Financial Services announced the approval of the Butternut Valley Banking Development District as a participant in the Banking Development District program and deposited $35 million in New York State funds to Sidney Federal Credit Union’s new Morris Branch. SFCU Senior Vice President Andrew Smith said that it was a team effort with the Butternut Valley Alliance & State Officials to make this happen:

(Andrew Smith 2-18-26)

The Butternut Valley Alliance, local municipalities partnered with SFCU on the BDD application, Alliance Chairperson Maggie Brenner comments:

(Maggie Brenner 2-18-26)

The program supports the establishment of bank and credit union branches across the State where there is a demonstrated need for banking services, the new District covers the towns of Butternuts, New Lisbon, and Morris, and the villages of Gilbertsville and Morris.

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 7-21-25

Chenango County Sheriff's Office arrested 39 year old Thomas Kopech of Norwich Friday on an active Arrest Warrant from Town of Plymouth Court from an incident on May 31st, where Kopech allegedly broke into a residence in the Town of Plymouth and assaulted the victims inside the home. Kopech then fled the scene before Deputies responded which resulted in the warrant of arrest. Kopech was arrested without incident and arraigned & was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $10,000 cash bail. Kopec is to appear in court on a later date. Kopech was charged with Burglary, Criminal Mischief, Aggravated Criminal Contempt, Aggravated Sexual Abuse, Criminal Obstruction of Breath/Blood Circulation & Unlawful Imprisonment.

SFCU announced that they are opening a new Branch in Morris, with a ribbon cutting this week, SFCU's vice president of sales and marketing Andrew Smith explains:

(Andrew Smith 7-21-25)

Smith said that the new branch is open at 132 Main Street in Morris.

The 2026 property tax levy growth will be capped at 2% for local governments that operate on a calendar-based fiscal year, according to State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. This figure affects tax cap calculations for all counties, towns, and fire districts, as well as 44 cities and 13 villages. DiNapoli’s office calculated the 2026 inflation factor at 2.64%, The tax cap, limits annual tax levy increases to the lesser of the rate of inflation or 2% with certain exceptions. The law also includes a provision that allows municipalities to override the cap.

A.M. NEWS Tuesday 7-15-25

Delaware County District Attorney Shawn Smith announced the unsealing of an indictment that charged 44 year old Chad Walters of Unadilla, with 1st degree Rape, for allegedly forcibly raping a physically incapacitated female at the victim’s home in Sidney in 2024. The case was presented to a Grand Jury, a warrant for Walters arrest was issued, Sidney Police attempted to locate him, he was found in Texas, he was taken into custody, and was returned to New York by Sidney Police Detective Sergeant Dionne and Officer Wheeler. Walters was returned to Delaware County Court and the indictment was unsealed, Walters was arraigned on the rape charge & he was remanded to the custody of the Delaware County Sheriff on $50,000 cash bail or $250,000 bond.

Delaware County Sheriff's Office arrested 31 year old Skyler Smith of East Meredith for Criminal Possession of a Weapon. On Saturday Deputies conducted a traffic stop on Smith, who was found to be in possession of an illegal switchblade knife. Smith was additionally charged for a traffic violation and was released on appearance tickets and is to appear in the Town Delhi Court at a later date to answer the said charges.

New York State is waiving registration fees for out-of-state snowmobilers on 2 weekends this winter - February 28th through March 2 and again March 7th through the 9th, so that snowmobilers can ride on over 10,000 miles of snowmobile trails in New York State. Outside of these free weekends, snowmobilers from out-of-state and Canada are required to register their snowmobiles with New York State, more information is available at iloveny.com/winter (https://www.iloveny.com/things-to-do/winter/).

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 2-18-25

Calling hours & Funeral arrangements have been announced for Binghamton Firefighter John Gaudet, who died fighting a fire at 1 Main Street last Wednesday evening. The Gaudet family will receive friends at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, located in Binghamton, today from 1:00 to 5:00 PM, the funeral mass will be held Wednesday Morning at 11:30 AM at the same location. The official cause of death for Gaudet has not yet been announced, he served for 11 years with the Binghamton Fire Department.

On Monday at the DEP Offices on Smith Street in Kingston, community leaders gathered to announce a new initiative to improve wireless connectivity across the watershed. New York City DEP Commissioner Aggarwala discussed the project’s aim to build wireless infrastructure that will not only enhance DEP operations but also address the gaps in connectivity affecting local communities. The project will help fill in "dead zones" along critical roadways and ensure better communications for first responders, in areas where cell service is unreliable. The DEP's ability to create this infrastructure on their land will allow private wireless carriers to also utilize it to provide much-needed service boost to residents and businesses.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 11-26-24

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies received a complaint last week regarding a stolen vehicle from a driveway in the Town of Tompkins. Deputies were contacted by State Police, as they had located the vehicle parked at a residence in the Town of Bainbridge. 37 year old Aaron Howard of Walton was charged with Grand Larceny, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property and Unauthorized use of a Motor Vehicle. 36 year old Courtney Condon of Walton was charged with Grand Larceny and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property.

SFCU officially opened the doors to its newest branch in Cicero this month, SFCU Senior Vice President Andrew Smith explains;

(Andrew Smith 5-13-24)

Principle Design Engineering in Norwich, were the architects of the build and S.J. Thomas based in Syracuse, served as general contractor. SFCU now has 12 branches, membership currently stands more than 70,000 and assets total more than $980 million.

Delaware County District Attorney Shawn Smith announced that 60 year old Eva Witteman of Binghamton was re-sentenced to 1.5 years in state prison and 1 year of post- release supervision after admitting to a violation of probation in Delaware County Court Monday. Witteman was sentenced to probation last week for her conviction of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance.

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 4-8-24

The Southern Tier Music Festival will be held at the Sidney Airport on July 6th, featuring headline Nate Smith, organizers Ed Curley & Teri Schunk visited WCDO this morning to give an update:

(Ed Curley - Teri Schunk 4-8-24)

more information is available at southerntiermusicfest.com.

Long time Sidney businessman Bill Thomas passed away Friday at the age of 70, Thomas & his wife Linda ran Sidney Auto Body until 2018, Bill also served on the Masonville Town Board & The Sidney School District Board of Education, calling hours will be Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on at C.H. Landers Funeral Home, 21 Main Street Sidney, A memorial service will be held at the Sidney United Methodist Church, 12 Liberty Street in Sidney, at 11am on Friday.

Delaware County Sheriff's Office announced that a juvenile is facing 3rd degree Assault and Criminal Obstruction of Breathing, following an incident which occurred at the DCMO BOCES in the Town of Masonville. On September 7th, Deputies responded to the BOCES campus, a physical altercation had occurred where the victim was physically injured, and pressure had been applied to the victim’s throat. Deputies arrested and charged the Unadilla juvenile, The juvenile and the parents were issued juvenile appearance tickets and were directed to report to the Delaware County Probation Department at a later date to answer the charges.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 9-18-23

The Broome County Sheriff's office arrested 29 year old Dustin Smith of Endicott, after methamphetamine and fentanyl were found during the intake process at the Broome County Correctional Facility. Smith was brought to Central Arraignment at the Broome County Correctional Facility on Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance charges, a routine search uncovered 3 bags containing Methamphetamine & fentanyl. Smith was charged with 2 Counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance, & 3 Counts of Promoting Prison Contraband, he was arraigned in the Town of Dickinson Court & he remains at the Broome County Correctional Facility.

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 2-10-23

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 53 year old Tracy Thomas of Oneonta for providing false information on a firearms transaction record in an attempt to purchase a firearm. Thomas was charged with Falsifying Business Records after an investigation into allegations that he provided false information on a firearms transaction record in an attempt to purchase a firearm at a local sporting goods store in the Town of Oneonta. Thomas was arraigned by Central Arraignment and was released on his own recognizance, he'll appear in the Oneonta Town Court on March 2nd.

The Broome County Special Investigations Unit & the Binghamton Metro SWAT team seized handguns following the execution of a search warrant at a Binghamton residence Thursday at 21 Mather Street in Binghamton. Police seized a loaded 9mm Smith and Wesson handgun, & a loaded 9mm Glock handgun, which was Reported stolen in Georgia, plus 2 high capacity handgun magazines Police arrested Darshean Beaman on 2 counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd degree, 4 counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 3rd degree & 1 count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, he faces court action at a later date.

In CHENANGO COUNTY elections tomorrow, residents are voting for Sheriff between incumbents Ernie Cutting & Democratic Challenger Debra Cubbedge. County voters will also vote for County Clerk between Republican Brian Wessels & Independent Leonard Smith, Norwich City Voters will be voting for Mayor, between Democrat John Quattrocchi & Republican Brian Doliver, there are races for Alderman positions in wards 2 & 4. there are 3 candidates running for 2 seat on the Guilford Town Board between Republican Thomas Ives, Republican Matthew Retz & Libertarian Jennifer Caci

The Oneonta Common Council will hold
their next regular meeting this evening at City Hall.  The meeting begins at 7:00 PM.

Delaware County Sherriff’s Deputies arrested 43 Year old
Brandy Smith of Deposit, Friday on an Arrest Warrant for violation of probation
plus 2 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance & Unlawful
Possession of Marihuana.  Smith is
accused of possessing Marijuana, Suboxone and Methamphetamine at the time of
arrest; she was remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Faculty with no
bail as result of the arrest warrant, and is set to appear at Delaware County
Court for further court proceedings.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 49-Year-Old
Thomas Newman Jr  of Hancock Thursday on
2 counts of Criminal Contempt, for allegedly violating an Order of Protection
issued by Delaware County Family Court on 2 separate occasions recently. Newman
was arraigned at Delhi Town Court, and was remanded to the Delaware County
Correctional Facility on $500 cash bail or $1,000 in secure bonds.  Newman is scheduled to re-appear Hancock Town
Court at a later date to answer for these charges.

Firefighters from a dozen area companies responded to a blaze on Porter Hollow Road in Port Crane at about 8:00 PM Sunday. Firefighters were on the scene for about 4 ½ hours, No injuries were reported , and the unidentified family of 4 were left homeless.

Sheriff Cutting reports on December 6th, 2018 the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested an inmate for assaulting a Corrections Officer. Members of the Detectives Division arrested Michael J. Perry, age 42 who was incarcerated on a separate charge. It is alleged that Perry assaulted a Corrections Officer in an attempt to get to another inmate within the facility. Perry was processed for Assault in the Second Degree and arraigned in the Town of Norwich Court. He was remanded back to the Chenango County Correctional Facility.

Firefighters from Franklin, Oneonta, West Oneonta, Otego, Sidney, SIdney Center, Treadwell & Wells Bridge responded early this morning to a fire at 161 HODGE ROAD in the town of Franklin. The fire was called in at about 12:10 AM; The home was destroyed in the blaze, the cause of the fire is under investigation.

SFCU announced that James Reynolds will replace Jim Doig as the President & CEO of SFCU shortly, both talked to WCDO News about the change in leadership:

(Reynolds/ Doig 12-10-18)

Doig announced his retirement recently after serving for 22 years as the President & CEO of SFCU.

Lee Smith and Harold Baines have been elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame by the Today’s Game Era Committee, it was announced today on MLB Network. The Today’s Game Era Committee considered a ballot of six former players, 3 former managers and 1 former executive whose contributions to the game were most significant from 1988 through the present. The Today’s Game Era Committee held meetings today in Las Vegas, site of Baseball’s Winter Meetings. Smith and Baines will be joined in the Hall of Fame Class of 2019 by any electees who emerge from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America voting, which will be announced on Tuesday, January 22nd.

Retiring State Senator John Bonacic announced that he will be closing his Delhi Office on Friday December 21st. anyone needing to contact Senator Bonacic can call the Middletown Office at 845-344-3311 until the end of the year. Bonacic decided to retire this year after serving for decades in both the State Assembly & State Senate.

State Police arrested 30 year old Dustin Freeman of Morris after he allegedly threatened a victim with a knife and sexually assaulted the victim in the New Berlin area. Freeman was charged with 1st degree Rape, Criminal Sexual Act and Unlawful Imprisonment, after Troopers located Freeman in the city of Rome, where he fled on foot. He was taken into custody & was transported to Norwich where he was processed and later arraigned in the town of Norwich Court where he was remanded to the Chenango County Jail without bail. An order of protection was also issued by the judge to the victim. The investigation is still on-going.

A Town of Norwich resident was arrested by the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office for Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Harassment. Deputies arrested 61 year old Larry Conant after an incident that occurred on a Norwich Central School bus in the town of Guilford. Conant, was a school bus aid, he allegedly used unnecessary force on a 7 year old child. Conant was released on an appearance ticket for a later date.

A Town of Norwich resident was arrested by the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office for Criminal Contempt. Deputies arrested 20 year old Jeremy Thomas After responding to a complaint at a business in the Town of Norwich it was found that Thomas violated an order of protection. Thomas was processed and released on an appearance ticket. Thomas is to appear in the Town of Norwich Court at a later date.

The American Red Cross is hosting a Blood Drive in Sidney today from 2:30 p.m. - 6:30 pm, at the A.O. Fox Tri-Town Campus. Blood donors of all blood types, especially type O, and platelet donors are urged to make an appointment to donate at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS

Luis Rojas will join the New York Mets Major League coaching staff for the 2019 season, filling the new position of Quality Control Coach. Rojas served as the Binghamton Rumble Ponies manager for two seasons, The Mets have yet to name a replacement for Rojas in Binghamton. The Rumble Ponies will start their 2019 home schedule at NYSEG Stadium on April 11, 2019 against the Erie Sea Wolves.

State Police arrested 67-year-old Thomas Smith of Oneonta for Criminal Contempt, after troopers were contacted by a person with an order of protection against Smith. Smith is accused of calling or arriving at that person’s home in Otego several times; he was issued a ticket to appear in the Town of Otego Court on November 9th.

Voters in New York State approved of all area school budgets yesterday, with the exception of the Walton district. Building projects were approved in Sidney & Unadilla Valley, Walton voters rejected a building project proposal by a better than 3 to 1 margin. Kjersti Van Slyke-Briggs, Marissa Orezzoli, Nancy Parsons & Thomas Hoskins won school board seats in Sidney. School Board seats in the Bainbridge Guilford district were Tina Ammon, Keith Hanvey & Rebecca Sullivan, in the Norwich district, Jennifer Collins, Robert Smith & Joseph Stagliano in Franklin Jamie Archibald was elected to the school Board.

A worker for Canadian Pacific Railway came in contact with a power line and was electrocuted on Monday. 39 year old Thomas F. Tarchak of Simpson Pennsylvania was among a group of four workers inspecting a steel railroad bridge running over Route 235 in Harpursville when the inspection bucket he was in came into contact with the bridge and a NYSEG power line. The lift truck was still energized when emergency responders arrived at the scene. NYSEG had to cut power before the man's body could be recovered. Route 235 between Route 7 and Davey Road was shut down during the response to the accident.

On Friday, Dajhoun T. Perez, 17, of Brooklyn, pleaded guilty in Broome County Court to assault in the second degree. Perez admitted that on June 12 he shot Daquan Smith, 21, of Binghamton, with a semi-automatic handgun. Perez was taken to the Broome County Jail. His sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 23. The court will have to decide whether to sentence him as a youthful offender or as an adult.