WCDO Radio News

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 7-28-25

Sidney Police Department received a fraud complaint, where teh vicitm was scammed by an elaborate scheme to defraud and had already lost $57,000. The scammers were able to gain the trust of the victim by posing as a Microsoft computer virus technician and a bank fraud technician, Police learned that the victim was being directed to withdraw another large sum of money by the scammers, Sidney Police & the State Police BCI unit set up a sting operation, which led to the arrested of 42 year old Xueyu Luo of New York City into custody. Luop was charged Grand larceny, Tampering with physical evidence, Scheme to defraud, Resisting arrest and Obstruction of governmental administration, Luo was processed & was transported to the Delaware County Jail to await arraignment, He was released on his own recognizance to appear back in court at a later date. The investigation is ongoing.

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested Christopher Ingraham of Pittsfield, for Assault, Attempted Assault, Reckless Endangerment, Reckless Driving, Driving While Ability Impaired by Alcohol as well as several other related charges, following an investigation into a personal injury motor vehicle/ assault complaint in the Town of Pittsfield. Deputies determined that Ingraham struck 3 individuals with his vehicle attempting to break up a physical altercation, 2 were transported to a local hospital for their injuries, he was taken into custody without incident and was processed and was turned over to the Jail pending Centralized Arraignment.

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 28 year old Gabriel Jensen of Oneonta for DWI, driving with a BAC of .08% or More of Alcohol, Failure to Keep Right, and other related charges, following the investigation of a motor vehicle accident in the Town of Hartwick. Jensen is accused of operating the vehicle while intoxicated, he was processed and released on Traffic Tickets.

The Otsego County Fair returns tomorrow at the Fairgrounds in Morris, organizer Lisa Jackson told WCDO News about some of this week's highlights:

(Lisa Jackson 7-16-25)

More information about the Fair can be found at otsegocountyfair.org, or on their Facebook page.

A.M. NEWS Monday 7-28-25

The National Baseball Hall of Fame inducted 5 more members into the Hall in Cooperstown yesterday. The 1st speech was given by Billy Wagner, who was a small child who was right-handed and went on to become one of the best left handed pitchers of his time, he encouraged people to never give up:

(Billy Wagner 7-27-25)

The 2nd speech was delivered by Dave Parker the 2nd, whose Father, Dave Parker passed away about 1 month ago from Parkinson's Disease, he wrote a poem for his son to read on Induction Day:

(Dave Parker 2 7-27-25)

Willa Allen was married to new Hall of Famer Dick Allen, one of the most feared sluggers of the 60's & 70's who played in Philadelphia, St. Louis, Los Angeles, Chicago & Oakland:

(Willa Allen 7-27-25)

C.C. Sabathia was a star Pitcher for Cleveland, Milwaukee & the New York Yankees, he thanked the women in his life to get him to the Hall, and he encouraged everyone to do the same:

(C.C. Sabathia 7-27-25)

The Final Speech was delivered by Japanese star Ichiro Suzuki, who gave his speech in English, and he discussed turning dreams into goals and goals into achievement:

(Ichiro Suzuki 7-27-25)

The proceedings started an hour later at the Clark Sports Center Sunday due to rain, but thousands stayed on to see & hear the 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame inductions

Area Congressman Josh Riley will send his team to Oneonta for Mobile Office Hours today, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Huntington Memorial Library at 62 Chestnut Street. Congressman Riley’s team will meet with constituents and assist them with issues such as Medicare, Social Security, veterans' benefits, passport delays, or any other issue involving a federal agency.

The Delaware County Department of Public Works will be closing County Route 27 at the Cummings Road intersection in the Town of Masonville starting today, for a large culvert replacement. This project is expected to take 6 weeks. The traveling public should seek alternate routes during this time.

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 5-12-25

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 28 year old Ryan Oltjenbruns of Unadilla for 2nd 7 3rd Degree Assault, Harassment & Endangering the Welfare of a Child, following a domestic incident in the Town of Unadilla. Oltjenbruns allegedly engaged in a physical domestic dispute with a family member in the presence of a minor, by striking the victim in the face, causing serious injury. The victim was transported to Bassett Hospital and later to Albany Medical Center for additional medical treatment, Oltjenbruns was taken in to custody and processed at the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office, he was arraigned & was released on his own recognizance and issued an order of protection was issued on behalf of the the victim.

Terrell Heyward of Binghamton, pleaded guilty to 2nd degree Murder in Broome County Court and he faces a sentence of up to life in State Prison. On January 11th, Binghamton Police Department responded to 21 Exchange Street, for a report of shots fired, Sarah Hauer was pronounced dead at the scene. Heyward faces Sentencing on August 6th in Broome County Court.

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 33 year old Robert Harris of New Lisbon for 2 counts of Criminal Contempt Friday, following an investigation in to allegations of domestic violence in the Town of New Lisbon. Investigation revealed that during the month of February Harris located a family member at a residence in the Town of Pittsfield and placed the victim in fear for their life by brandishing a baseball bat, he violated a court order prohibiting him from contacting the victim. Harris was located in New Berlin and taken in to custody without incident, he was processed at the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office and turned over to correctional staff for Arraignment.

Delaware County Public Health, the New York National Guard and New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, is hosting a Citizen Preparedness Training Event on Wednesday, June 11th, Isabella Ziolkowski of Delaware County Public Health explains:

(Isabella Ziolkowski 5-12-25)

This event is free and open to the public. Each family that attends will receive a free preparedness kit. Registration is required to attend, call Delaware County Public Health at 607-832-5200. The event will be held from 6:00PM – 7:30PM at the New Hope Community Church, 45 Stockton Avenue, Walton.

A.M. NEWS Monday 5-12-25

54 year old Jason Burress of Bainbridge appeared in Delaware County Court last week & was sentenced to 6 months in jail. Sidney Police initiated a traffic stop in Sidney on July 11, 2024, Burress was believed to be impaired by drugs, lab test showed that Burress was impaired by methamphetamine. Burress pleaded guilty in April to Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs, he will serve his term at the Delaware County Correctional Facility.

Oneida County Sheriff's Deputy Aaron Alshaman has been charged with 4 counts of attempted murder and 1 count of Arson, he allegedly set a home on fire on April 9th, while his infant child, the child's mother and her parents were inside. All occupants escaped without injury, an Oneida County Grand Jury has indicted Alshaman on the charges, he faces arraignment on the Grand Jury Indictment shortly.

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 39 year old Michael Andreoli of Exeter, for Criminal Contempt, following an investigation into a 2 car personal injury motor vehicle accident. Andreoli was found to be violating a full stay away order of protection protecting the passenger in the vehicle, he was arrested and held for Arraignment.

Chenango County Department of Public Works announced the closure of the bridge on North Chenango Street over Birdsall Brook in Greene will be closed on May 12th, and will remain closed for 3 to 5 months. Local residents will be allowed to get to and from their homes. More information is available at 337-1710.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 5-6-25

Some severe weather and flash flooding could be an issue locally over the next few hours, Meteorologist Rich Townsend comments:

(Townsend 5-6-25)

We'll have our complete tri county forecast at the end of this news cast.

Whitney Bachanas appeared in Otsego County Court & pleaded guilty to Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, she was charged after law enforcement found a dog, a turkey, a chicken & a quail dead on her property in Milford, she pleaded guilty in a plea bargain arrangement, she will be sentenced in June to 100 days of house arrest with an electronic monitor. She will be prohibited from owning or possessing animals and will likely face fines.

Delaware County Sheriff's Office arrested 19 year old Johnny Mackinsdixon and 24 year old Bless King of Brooklyn, On April 27th, Colchester Police attempted a traffic stop, the vehicle fled the scene, but the operator was unable to maintain control of the vehicle, striking the curb, sidewalk and retaining wall of the bridge. Both the driver and passenger fled the accident scene on foot & were apprehended. The vehicle had been reported stolen out of Brooklyn NY on April 26, it had stolen Washington State License plates. Mackinsdixon was charged with Obstruction of Governmental Administration, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a motor vehicle and leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, speeding, as well as several other lesser charges, King was charged with Obstructing Governmental Administration. Both were turned over to the Delaware County Correctional Facility where they were remanded on $10,000 cash Bail.

Rite Aid Announced today that they are filing for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection, they plan to close and /or sell the remaining 179 stores in New York State. Officials blamed the bad economy, tariffs and over $1,000,000 in liabilities as the reason for the closings, layoffs had already begun at numerous locations. Locally, Rite Aid operates a store on Chestnut Street in Oneonta.

United Parcel Service will reportedly cut nearly 20,000 jobs by the end of this year in addition to closing close to 40% of their locations nationwide. The company laid off about 12,000 employees in 2024, due to a drop in both international and domestic shipping volume.

A.M. NEWS Tuesday 5-6-25

The Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested several people on a variety of charges following a Burglary in progress report at a residence in the town of Pittsfield Sunday. Arrested were 24 year old Autumn Knapp of Morris, 50 year old Richard Suarez of Morris, 49 year old Travis Wilson of Pittsfield, and 41 year old Danielle Bemis of Pittsfield. It was reported that 4 subjects were inside of a house actively removing property, A Sheriff’s Office sergeant arrived on scene and located the defendants, additional deputies arrived on scene, the defendants were transported to the Otsego County Correctional Facility to await Centralized Arraignment. Travis Wilson and Danielle Bemis were remanded on $5,000 cash or $10,000 surety bond, Autumn Knapp was remanded on $15,000 cash or $30,000 surety bond, and Richard Suarez was remanded without bail. The investigation is on-going and additional charges are pending.

The Oneonta Common Council meeting will be held at the Oneonta High School this evening, they are expected to discuss the possible sale of the 27 Market Street, To Rehabilitation Support Services. The site formerly housed the Oneonta Sales Company, which was finally taken down after being abandoned for years, the city bought the property in 2020. Rehabilitation Support Services provides community-based mental health and substance abuse services, they propose to build a $25 million multi-story structure with residential and commercial space, with some housing units dedicated to RSS clients, a petition has been circulated denouncing the plan. The meeting begins at 6:00 PM tonight.

The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office arrested 42 year old Justin Ingalls of Hartwick following a warrant investigation. Ingalls was located by Deputies attempting to enter the Otsego County Jail for the purpose of retrieving bail money, he was taken into custody on 6 active bench warrants issued by various courts within Otsego County, he was ordered to be held at the jail on $17,000 dollars cash bail.

Attorneys general from 17 states , including New York, are challenging an executive order President Trump signed, pausing approvals, permits and loans for all wind energy projects both onshore and offshore. The lawsuit claims that Trump doesn't have the authority to unilaterally shut down the permitting process, and he's jeopardizing development of a power source critical to the states’ economic vitality, energy mix, public health and climate goals, they are asking a federal judge to declare the order unlawful and stop federal agencies from implementing it.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 4-3-25

The Recruit New York will have their open houses around the state on April 26th & 27th, Bainbridge Fire Department spokesman Roger Barnhart told WCDO news about a few of the local fire departments that are participating:

(Roger Barnhart 4-3-25)

The Masonville Fire Department will be participating this year, Masonville Fire Chief Matt Jones explains:

(Matt Jones 4-3-25)

More information about Fire Departments participating in the WCDO Listening area can be found at recruitny.org/participants.

Chenango County Sheriff's Office announced that there will be an Examination open to th3e public for the position of Deputy. The examination date will be May 3rd at 4:30 PM, Applications will be accepted through April 10th, More information is available at (607) 337-1470 or at chenangocountyny.gov/197/Personnel

Former area Congressman Marc Molinaro was confirmed as the Head of the Federal Transit Administration, within the Department of Transportation. Molinaro was confirmed today by the US Senate Banking Committee with a 20 to 4 vote.

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 3-28-25

Plea deals have been offered to 10 prison employees accused in the fatal beating of Robert Brooks in December at the Marcy Correctional Facility. Several of the 10 state workers involved face murder charges.

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and State Troopers are cracking down with the Distracted Driving Enforcement Campaign. Starting April 7th, troopers will be running an initiative called operation hang up, where they will be paying attention to people on cells phones and other devices while driving. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car crashes in New York State. Last year, law enforcement issued over 6,700 tickets for distracted driving throughout the state.

The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office arrested 33 year old Gary Garbera of Oneonta following a traffic stop in the Town of Pittsfield. Garbera was located within the vehicle that was stopped and he was found to have 2 active felony warrants, he was taken into custody and transported to the Otsego County Jail where he is currently being held on $1,000 cash bail $1,000 insured bond.

Scammers are again impersonating Sheriff’s detectives and deputies and contacting area residents to solicit money and gift cards from unsuspecting victims. Residents are reminded NOT to provide credit card or other payment information over the phone to anyone claiming to be law enforcement. Law enforcement agencies do not solicit money from residents and will never ask to be compensated with gift cards. Residents are urged to terminate the call and not share any credit card information over the phone, Residents who receive scam calls are urged to contact their county Sheriff’s Office.