WCDO Radio News

Delaware County Sheriff Deputies responded to a one car property damage automobile accident on State Highway 206 in the Town of Tompkins. Deputies arrested 36 year old Luke Lupo of New Berlin for Driving While Intoxicated, as well as speed not reasonable and prudent. Lupo was released and will appear in the Town of Tompkins Court at a later date.

The Bainbridge chamber of commerce will hold their annual parade and other holiday activities this Saturday. Bainbridge Chamber President John Payne explains:

(John Payne 12-10-14)

Payne said that a movie will also be featured at 3:00 Saturday afternoon at the town hall theater, Bing Crosby in "White Christmas"

The state legislature passed a bill this year to raise the agricultural inheritance tax exemption from 1 million dollar to 5 million dollars.  Dean Norton of the New York Farm Bureau said that the increase would make a huge difference to family farms that are handed down to the next generation:

(Dean Norton 8-6-14)

Norton said that the new exemption kicks in 2017.

The New York State Office of General Services announced that vehicle and highway equipment auctions have been scheduled through the month of December. Locally, auctions are scheduled at the DOT at 241 Colesville Road, Binghamton on Wednesday October 15th at 9:30 AM, at SUNY Delhi on October 16th at 9:30 AM and at State Police Troop C Headquarters on state route 7 on October 16th at 1:30 PM.  Information on specific items and terms of sale is available at nysstore.com.

Governor Cuomo hasn’t decided what to do with a more than $4 billion windfall the state has amassed, thanks in part to a series of legal settlements in recent months. The governor said the money could be spent on infrastructure, education or new tax cuts.

The Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council will meet tomorrow at 12:45 PM at Binghamton University in Vestal. The council will consider re-allocation for projects funded in the 3rd round of competitive funding, and endorse priority projects for the upcoming 4th round. The Southern Tier region consists of Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga and Tompkins counties

After 3 straight months of gains, consumer confidence in New York fell sharply in July, according to the latest poll from the Siena Research Institute.  New York’s index of consumer sentiment fell 5.3 points to 73.5 in July, nationwide the rate fell 0.7 points to 81.8.  51% of New Yorkers said gas prices are having a serious impact, 67% indicate that groceries was also a serious impact on their finances.

Governor Cuomo signed legislation to strengthen precautions against residential off campus housing fires, requiring written and bolded notice to prospective tenants of whether or not a particular home has a fire sprinkler system.  The law follows a January 2012 fire in which Marist College student Kerry Rose Fitzsimons & 2 others died in a fire in an off-campus housing unit. The law also necessitates colleges and universities provide written fire safety information to each student living in a college-owned facility.

The public is invited to the first meeting of the new Tri County Tea Party Patriots tonight at 7pm in the Bainbridge Town Hall.  Featured speakers will include Denver Jones, who filed a petition to run against state Senator Tom Libous; more information is available at 764-8303.

The Chenango County Sheriff's Office executed a "no knock" search warrant at 386 Neff Hill Road in the Town of Bainbridge, following a lengthy narcotics investigation. Investigators arrested 33-year-old Amber Chesebro & 33-year-old Manuel Thillet, on charges of 1st degree Criminal Nuisance & Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia. The Narcotics Division recovered cash, drug paraphernalia & financial documents on large money transfers. Chesebro & Thillet were arraigned in the Town of Bainbridge Court, Chesebro was remanded to the Chenango county Jail on $2500 cash bail, Thillet was remanded on $10,000 cash bail. The investigation is ongoing and further charges are pending.

Area Assemblyman Cliff Crouch has revered his earlier position on Medical Marijuana. Crouch said earlier versions of the bill over the past 4 years were very loose, the newly passed bill tightened up most of those issues:

(Crouch 7-24-14)

The bill also expires in 7 years; it could be eliminated even earlier if there are objections from either the state health commissioner or the Superintendent of the State Police.

Dairy farmers and yogurt producers would be eligible for an expanded federal tax credit, to install energy-producing bio-gas systems, under a proposal by Senator Chuck Schumer. The proposal would expand the menu of eligible uses for a 30% federal investment tax credit for bio-digesters. Dairy farmers and food processing facilities making yogurt and cottage cheese could utilize the proposed Bio-gas Tax Credit, using their waste products to help fuel new biogas facilities. There are about 2,000 biogas systems installed around the country, including more than 100 in New York. The House and Senate are expected to work out an agreement on renewal of expired tax breaks after the November election.

Delaware County District Attorney's Investigators arrested Kellie Bush and Gary Tompkins Jr. of Walton, for allegedly filing false documentation wit the Delaware County Department of Social Services. Bush and Tompkins are accused of receiving in excess of $2,500 in public assistance benefits that they were not eligible to receive, Tompkins was charged with 4th degree Welfare Fraud & Offering a False Instrument for Filing. Bush was charged with 1 count of 4th degree Welfare Fraud, they were arraigned in the Town of Delhi Court & were sent to the Delaware County Jail on $2,500 bail pending future court action.

The Chenango County Sheriff's Office arrested 20 year old Casey Flanders of Endicott & Mark Grassi of Endicott for 4th degree Grand Larceny & 5th degree Conspiracy. Both are accused of stealing over $1000 dollars' worth of baby formula from Wal-Mart, Both were placed into custody and arraigned in the Town of Norwich Court, and are being held on $2500 bail pending future court action.

Heroin use continues to rise in New York State and health officials want the public to be aware of the signs and symptoms associated with the drug. Signs of heroin use include a lack of interest in appearance, increased absences from work or school, and people stealing from family members. Last month, Governor Cuomo was in the Southern Tier to sign new legislation aimed at combating the heroin epidemic.

Governor Cuomo signed a series of bills to strengthen existing laws and add new measures to protect New Yorkers from aggravated harassment, domestic violence, GPS units used for stalking, and public lewdness in relation to children under 16. Details are available at governor.ny.gov.

P.M. NEWS Monday 6-30-14
New York's municipalities can block hydraulic fracturing within their borders, according to a ruling today from the state Court of Appeals. The ruling dismissed lawsuits that challenged bans enacted in the towns of Dryden in Tompkins County & Middlefield in Otsego County. The ruling occurs as governor Cuomo considers whether to lift a statewide 6-year moratorium inherited from the Paterson administration

State DOT Officials remind motorists that the detour is in place today for those looking to travel from State route 17 eastbound to I-81 Northbound. DOT Spokesman Dave Hamburg explains:

(Dave Hamburg 6-30-14)

The first phase of the entire Prospect Mountain project is on target to be completed by the end of 2015.

Chenango County Sheriff's Deputies arrested 50-year-old Werner Henkel of Guilford for 2nd degree Menacing, following an investigation of a domestic dispute in the Town of Guilford. Henkel is alleged to have threatened a family member with a knife during the dispute, he was arraigned & was sent to the Chenango County Jail on $10,000 bail and $25,000.00 bond pending future court action.

State Senator Jim Seward announced legislative approval of a bill he co-sponsored that would assist mutual and cooperative insurance companies as they upgrade their information technology systems. The legislation will ease the state requirements certain insurance companies face when making computer hardware and software upgrades. The bill will be sent to the governor for his consideration.

Citing a rising number of calls to poison control centers relating to liquid nicotine, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer called on the federal government to require child-proof caps and warning labels on containers used to refill e-cigarettes. Poison control centers in New York have received nearly 70 calls so far this year regarding accidental poisonings from the liquid. E-cigarettes contain liquid nicotine. Some of the devices are refillable, and liquid is sold in separate containers. More than half of the poison control center calls were about a child five years old or younger.

The state Legislature continues to pass fewer bills during its annual six-month legislative session. This year, they passed the fourth fewest since 1915. The number of bills that passed the Senate and Assembly were 658 this year, compared to 650 in 2013. The fewest passed in modern times were 571 in 2011. The reason for fewer bills is because much of the legislative work is now wrapped into the annual budget. In 1969, for example, the budget was 577 pages. In 2012, it was 2,890 pages

The public is invited to join the Bassett Healthcare Network in saluting Dr. William Streck today. 3 receptions will be held today on the Bassett Medical Center terrace in Cooperstown from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.; noon to 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.  Dr. Streck will retire from Bassett July 1st.

The Sidney Police Department advises that the following parking restrictions and street closings will be in effect for the Hometown Day Parade Saturday.  No Parking rules in effect on Main Street and River Street from 7:00 AM to the conclusion of the parade.  Streets closed to traffic will be at 10:00 AM, Circle Drive from Fox Street to West Main Street, at 11:30 Main Street at State Route 7, West Main Street from Loomis Drive to Main Street, East Main Street from Beale to Main Street & River Street from Colegrove to Main Street.

The Oneonta Farmers’ Market celebrates Dairy Month Saturday, at the Main Street Plaza with free tasting of local dairy products. The Oneonta Farmers' Market is held every Saturday throughout the season from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm at Oneonta’s Main Street Plaza under the white canopies right in front of the Clarion Hotel. more information is available at  437-0158, or  OneontaFarmersMarket.com, or on facebook.

The next Delaware County free rabies clinic will be held today.  The clinic will be from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Tompkins Town Highway Garage.

The Commerce Chenango Golf outing scheduled for today at Afton Golf Course has been postponed because of rain.  The new date is next Friday, with registration at 10:00 AM and a shotgun start at 11:00.  More information is available at 334-1402.

Delaware County Deputies investigated a motorcycle accident Monday in the Town of Tompkins on State Highway 10.   52-year-old Cindy Beteau of Deposit lost control of her motorcycle, struck the guardrail, she was thrown from the motorcycle and landed on the embankment. Beteau was air lifted to Wilson Hospital in Johnson City, & was listed in serious but stable condition

Oneonta city officials announced that the 2014 summer road paving & construction has started. Hours of work will be from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm including some weekends. No parking on streets during work hours. Paving will begin today along Maple Street; more information is available at 432-6465.

State Police arrested 27-year-old Thomas Krietsch of Richfield Springs for Reckless Endangerment, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, possessing a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle and discharging a firearm over a roadway. The arrest followed an incident where Krietsch is accused of discharging a weapon near the State Police Barracks on State Route 20 in Richfield Springs. Krietsch was arraigned in the Town of Richfield Court and remanded to the Otsego County Jail on bail pending court action on July 22nd.

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman today announced the arraignment of 34-year-old Tanya Johnson of Greene for failing to follow nursing home policy after a resident fell and injured himself, then lying to the facility about what happened. Johnson was charged with Falsifying Business Records, Endangering the Welfare of an Incompetent or Physically Disabled Person and Willful Violation of Health Laws. The resident suffered abrasions to his tailbone & lower back last October in Broome County.

Hospitals and health systems in Central New York lost more physicians over a year period than any other upstate area, according to a report from the Healthcare Association of New York State. The survey covers September 2012 to September 2013, it found 552 physicians joined medical staffs in Central New York, while 715 left.   67% indicated physicians are leaving their respective communities because of retirement. UHS reported that they have 184 physicians and it is difficult to recruit doctors to rural areas, including Chenango Memorial Hospital in Norwich and Delaware Valley Hospital in Walton.

Bill Samuels may run for lieutenant governor against Governor Cuomo’s pick, Kathy Hochul. Samuels is the son of Howard Samuels of Ontario County, who invented the Hefty bag and ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1974. Samuels himself ran   for lieutenant governor in 2010, but dropped out and supported Cuomo’s choice, Robert Duffy. State Law dictates that lieutenant governor candidates can run independently in a primary, but they run jointly with the gubernatorial candidates in November elections.

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer is urging the USDA to pick a Cornell-developed software package to help farmers in the Northeast plan their crop insurance and price support participation. Schumer wrote Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, endorsing a joint proposal by Cornell, the University of Rhode Island and the University of Maine for a risk-management software package for farmers. The farm bill setting agriculture policy adopted by Congress last February set aside $3 million for online web tools to assist farmers. Schumer said help with financial decision-making is important in New York because farms are usually small and family-run.

the Delaware County Sheriff's Criminal Investigation Division, Arrested 34 year old Jared Boice of Walton with counts of Cruelty to Animals,  in relation to the shooting deaths of 2 Siberian Huskies, in the Town of Tompkins last month.  The bodies of the huskies were discovered Friday afternoon by a neighborhood resident walking along Finch Hollow Road in the Town of Tompkins.  Boice was issued an Appearance Ticket ordering him to appear in the Town of Tompkins Court at a later time.

Oneonta Police arrested 46 year old John Nack of Oneonta for criminal possession of a controlled substance.  Police seized 17 packets of heroin,  Nack was held on $25,000 cash or $50,000 bond bail, he faces court action shortly.

State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced that a team of 20 Attorneys General, have reached an agreement with Phusion Projects, to resolve allegations that Phusion marketed and sold flavored malt beverages in violation of consumer protection statutes. Phusion promoted flavored malt beverages to underage persons; promoted dangerous and excessive consumption of those beverages, and failed to disclose to consumers the effects and consequences of drinking alcoholic beverages combined with caffeine.  Phusion agreed to a variety of restrictions regarding the marketing of their product, and paid $400,000 in fines.

Officials with the Constitution Pipeline, Leatherstocking Gas Company & Amphenol in Sidney announced a plan to get natural gas services to Amphenol’s new plant, as well as to towns and businesses along the 125-mile proposed route along the I-88 Corridor.  The Constitution Pipeline would run from northern Pennsylvania to parts of New York State for eventual distribution into New England.  Amphenol in Sidney would be one of the four “tap” locations, meaning natural gas would come directly into the facility.  Construction of the pipeline could start in January 2015 pending federal approval.

Conference committees are getting to work this week on various aspects of the state budget proposals.  Area Assemblyman Bill Magee is on the conference committee overseeing agriculture; he said that the amount of money that farmers get relates to how much education aid is increased;

(Magee 3-19-14)

Magee once again chairs the assembly Agriculture Committee; he said that he is relatively confident that the state budget will be passed on time again this year.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 31 year old Gerard Johnson of Walton on a warrant from the city of Oneonta Court for failure to pay a fine for his arrest on a charge of criminal possession of a controlled substance.   Johnson was turned over to the City of Oneonta Police Department for further processing & subsequent court action.

State Police of Norwich arrested 47-year-old Mathew Bates, of Plymouth for 2nd degree Harassment.   The arrest followed an investigation into a recent dispute in the town of Plymouth, Bates was arraigned in the Town of Sherburne Court and released on his own recognizance & will reappear in court on March 28th.

State Police in Deposit arrest 42-year-old Patrick Brown of Deposit for Criminal Obstruction of Breathing and Criminal Mischief.  The arrest occurred after a dispute Deposit, where    Brown is accused of choking the victim and keeping the vic9tm from notifying police.  Brown was arraigned in the Town of Deposit Court and released on his own recognize, an order of protection was issued by the court against Brown.

A new insurance program set to replace an older safety net built on farm subsidies could make life easier for all farmers in New York State. The Margin Protection Program will serve as an optional insurance plan farmers can buy into. The plan will replace the Milk Income Loss Contract, which acted more like a subsidy for farmers when the milk price dropped below profitable levels.  US Senator Charles Schumer visited a farm in Sherburne to promote the plan, and promise assistance in helping farmers understand it. The new insurance plans will take effect in September.

State Police arrested 27-year-old Jason Harvey of Groton on 1 count each Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance & Unlawful Manufacture of Methamphetamine.  Harvey is accused of manufacturing Methamphetamines in his residence, he was arraigned & was remanded to Tompkins County Jail on $15,000 cash bail or $30,000 secured bond pending court action March 21st.

State Troopers arrested 36-year-old Donald Moshier of Whitney Point for Criminal Obstruction of Breathing.  The arrest followed an investigation by Troopers to a dispute at a residence on State Route 206 in Triangle.   Moshier alleged choked the victim during an argument, he was arraigned in the Town of Triangle Court and released, he faces court action on March 20, and an order of protection was filed against Moshier.

State Police arrested 24-year-old Brett Gladstone of Walton for Felony DWI.  The arrest occurred after Police investigated a 1-car personal injury accident on State Route 206 & County Route 27 in the town of Tompkins.   Gladstone was intoxicated when he crashed his pick up truck into a tree off of the road; He refused to submit to a breath test.  Gladstone was arraigned in the Town of Tompkins Court and remanded to the Delaware County Jail in lieu of $5,000 cash bail.

The Cancer Services Program of Delaware, Otsego and Schoharie counties will offer free health screenings to women 40 and older who are uninsured today.  The Bassett Cancer Institute’s mobile screening coach will be available today at the Price Chopper Parking Lot in Delhi from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, appointments can be made at 1-888-345-0225.

Empire State College will hold public information sessions about their associate and bachelor’s degree programs today.  The sessions will be held at the Binghamton location, at the State Office Building, Room 505, 44 Hawley Street in Binghamton, beginning at 4:30 PM.  More information is available at esc.edu or 721-8651.

Governor Cuomo announced that Brad Paisley will kick off the Grandstand concert series at the State Fair on Thursday, August 21st .  Tickets will go on sale at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, March 29th

at the State Fair Box Office and through etix.com (http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001_xafOYAQqlZZ5AeFMP85KoTDgDC0nNff_g1Tvj1SN-6WnbWuDDQRsVQmoAfQJlxGeGkQ3LIPPPUz7p7_kbm9STVDHHD6lDh12vxjNpnctgyz5Cps1mQA_seYyodfyGpa30Alag6gcGx04BKqeoVkjghXNdH3TBWws0KTHmaakn8WuzTR2edjpwXMO6_ZgFux3XZi_JUMlFdSl_pLYuqXjlrkrFQ509xDigUYx5o2lY1nfcFq3zODBw==&c=PsFqXfKEwQihbkcFTss5SIIgEo0M_KrE_Wh_aFQVNWv7pxj615uftA==&ch=gmp5PBkqRBkOyZacA9XAdgPuBHPNqwAIMLRQZH6iUy8qiT2WYsQD1A==).

Anthony Taglianetti of Virginia was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison, following a recent conviction for 2nd degree murder. Taglianetti was found guilty of killing Keith Reed outside his home in Chautauqua County in 2012, Reed previously served as a principal in the Sherburne Earlville school district before being named as a superintendent of the Clymer Central School.

State Police arrested 19-year-old James Crosby of Van Etten, in connection with a double fatal car accident on December 31st in the town of Newfield. Crosby was charged with 2 counts of 2nd degree manslaughter, plus 1 count each for 2nd & 3rd degree assault, reckless endangerment & reckless driving as well as several other vehicle & traffic law violations. Killed in the crash were the driver of the other vehicle Samantha Aarnio, and 20-year-old Derek Nichols, who was a passenger in the Crosby vehicle. Crosby was arraigned and was released under the Supervision of Probation, he will appear in Tompkins County Court on February 27th.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 33-year-old Linda Monaro of Morris for Driving While Intoxicated and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation plus other traffic violations Friday. Deputies responded to State Route 12 in the Town of Oxford on a reported disabled vehicle parked in the roadway, they located Monaro passed out behind the wheel from intoxication. Monaro was arraigned in the Town of Oxford Court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $1,000.00 cash bail. She is to appear in court at a later date.

COMMERCE CHENANGO will hold their Economic Forecast Breakfast this morning, sponsored by NBT bank and Development Chenango. Ken Entenmann, Senior Vice President & Chief Investment Officer, NBT Bank, to speak at the annual event, which will be held at the Canasawacta Country Club in Norwich, beginning at 7:30 AM.