WCDO Radio News

UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital is half a million dollars
closer to its capital campaign goal thanks to a $500,000 commitment from the
Roger Follett Foundation this week.  CMH
Director of Fundraising & Business Development Melissa Stagnaro told WCDO
News about the successful campaign:

(Melissa Stagnaro 9-20-19)

Stagnaro said that the Follett foundation gift will be paid
out over the next 5 five years, it follows similar commitments from Blueox,
NBT, Preferred Mutual Insurance company since the capital campaign started in
August.

DTC will be holding their next "Meet & Greet"
at the Trout Creek firehouse tomorrow, for town of Tompkins residents.  Valerie Nichols of DTC Explains:

(Valerie Nichols 9-20-19)

The Meet & Greet will run from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM,
Nichols estimates that DTC Will be donating $5,000 to the trout Creek Fire
Department.

Krystal Lee “The Country Sweetheart” from East Meredith is
in Tennessee this weekend; she had been nominated in 2 categories for the Josie
Music Awards at Dollywood after submitting videos of her performing original
songs.  Krystal was nominated for the
Young Adult Female Vocalist of the Year and the Songwriter Achievement Award in
the Modern country category. Krystal earned her nominations for her original
song titled “No more sometimes”.

The Sidney Police Department, Delaware County Sheriff's
Office and State Police conducted a vehicle and traffic law detail Thursday
from 5:00 to 10:00 PM. The goal of the detail was to take drunk and drugged
drivers off the road as well as enforce vehicle and traffic laws, 15 traffic
tickets were issued which included 2 arrests for aggravated unlicensed
operation.

The Tri-County Chapter of New York State Women Inc. is
sponsoring an AMBA scholarship fundraiser Saturday in Sidney.  The Amba Clinic will be held from 6:00 AM to
9:30 AM at the Sidney Elks Lodge on River Street; those looking to have their
blood drawn for a variety of tests can call 800-234-8888 for an appointment.

The Afton United Methodist
Church Fall Craft & Vendor Show will be held Saturday from 9:00 AM to 3:00
PM, at 34 Spring Street in Afton. Proceeds from vendor’s fees will benefit the
United Methodist Church

The Otsego County Planning Department has announced their
22nd Annual Household Hazardous Waste Days.
The 1st collection day will be Today at the Unadilla Town Barn from 8:00
AM to 11:00 AM; the 2nd day will be at the Cooperstown Meadows Office Complex
tomorrow from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM.  There
will be a small fee for businesses wishing to participate; more information is
available at 547-4225.

The 10th Annual Sidney Center Tractor Parade will be held
tomorrow through the hamlet of Sidney Center.
The parade is open to anyone with tractors, doodlebugs, antique or
muscle cars, participants can line up at Firemen’s Field between 9:00 AM &
11:45 Am, the parade starts at 12:00 Noon.
Other activities scheduled include raffles, a Chicken Barbecue,
children's games, more information is available at 369-9494, 369-9074 or
369-4538.

Hartwick College will honor a pair of local benefactors
during their True Blue Weekend tomorrow.
The late Clyde and Mildred Wright will be honored with the naming of
Hartwick’s new turf athletic field at Wright Stadium.   All men’s sporting events played at the
stadium will take place on “The Clyde;” all women’s sporting events will play
on “The Millie.”  More information is
available at 431-4432 or joness3@hartwick.edu.

Donors of all blood types are needed in Oneonta today at a
blood drive at the SUNY Campus.
Appointments are requested at the Red Cross Blood Donor App,
RedCrossBlood.org, and 1-800-RED CROSS or through Alexa Echo devices.   Todays' Oneonta blood drive will be from
12:00 Noon until 5:00 PM.

Oneonta Police arrested 29 year old Kyle Ives of Oneonta for
2nd degree burglary & 4th degree Grand Larceny, in connection with
burglaries in downtown Oneonta.  Ives was
being held for arraignment, the investigation is ongoing & more charges may
be forthcoming.

The Oneonta Common Council enacted a new series of rules
regarding vacant properties in the city.
The complete list of regulations can be found at oneonta.ny.us/files

523 SFCU Members were affected at 2 ATM's with skimming
devices, and the steps are continuing to correct the issue, according to SFCU
Vice President of Marketing Keith May:

(Keith May 9-4-19)

May said the amount of money allowed to be withdrawn daily
will be lowered for a short period of time; Law Enforcement is continuing their
investigation into who placed the Skimming devices at the SFCU Branches in
Walton and Oneida Street in Oneonta.

State Police responded to a 2 vehicle crash at County Routes 36 and 37 in Guilford today. a 52-year-old male of Bainbridge was operating a Honda, he made a U-turn directly in the path of a Pick-up truck pulling a loaded cattle trailer with 12 cows, driven by a 68-year old unidentified female from McDonough. The vehicles collided & exited the roadway. The Honda driver was transported by helicopter to Wilson Memorial Hospital where he died of his injuries. The 71 year old unidentified female passenger of the Honda was taken to Wilson Memorial Hospital in Johnson City. The pick-up driver declined medical treatment, 1 of the cows was killed during the crash. The investigation is continuing.

The Sidney Chamber of Commerce announced their 1st Fall Festival to be held next month, Chamber President Teri Schunk recommends registering now for the Cornhole Tournament or for Vendors spots:

(Teri Schunk 9-4-19)

Schunk said that the event on October 5th will run from 9:00
AM to 3:00 PM along Main & Division Streets in Downtown Sidney.

The Town of Guilford announced a Special Board Meeting this
evening.  The meeting tonight will run
from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Town Hall on Marble Road, a Public Hearing
regarding Wilkinson Salvage is scheduled.

The Oneonta Police Department is
alerting residents of a scam.   A City
resident received mail with a Portugal, Spain postmark, that claims that the
recipient won a large sum of money in a lottery, and personal banking
information was needed to pay out the winnings.
Police said that the documentation appeared legitimate, however they
warn residents to never send any personal or banking information in cases like
this.  Anyone with information on a scam
can contact the State Attorney General's office and use their online complaint
form located online at ag.ny.gov/complaint-forms.

Governor Cuomo signed a bill into law Tuesday that lets
police agencies obtain more information on a Firearm License Application.  The legislation closes a loophole and will
give law enforcement access to out-of-state records.  Previously, New Yorkers could buy guns
outside of the county that they live in and stores would not be able to see
out-of-state gun applications or background checks.

This year is the 130th anniversary of the State University
in Oneonta; they are observing that milestone during their Founders Day Picnic
from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM today.
Participants are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for local
food pantries and the food pantry in Hunt Union, the annual Picnic will be held
at the Academic quad.

Delaware County Public Health will hold a Free Rabies
Vaccination Clinic tonight for dogs, cats and ferrets at 6:00 pm until 8:00
pm.  The clinic will be held at the
Tompkins Highway Garage on State Route 206 in Trout Creek.

3 of the 4 Rochester Area suspects who were arrested earlier
this year for plotting to attack Islamberg in Delaware County pleaded guilty to
conspiracy 7 weapons charges today in Monroe County.   Vincent Vetromile, Brian Colaneri &
Andrew Crysel all pleaded guilty for their roles in hatching the plot to kill residents
of the Muslims of America enclave in the town of Hancock. 16 year old Nicholas
Pheilshifter was also arrested in January, his case is pending.

Delaware County Sherriff’s Deputies arrested 29 year old
Christina Belcher of Masonville for Grand Larceny, Criminal Possession of a
Forged Instrument,  Forgery & Making
a False Written Statement. Belcher is accused of forging the check of another
person without permission.    Belcher was
arraigned and was remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Faculty on
$5,000 cash bail & will return to the Town of Delhi Court at a later date
for further court proceedings.

The Bainbridge Old Time Band will begin their annual series
of summer concerts today, Bainbridge Mayor Phil Wade explains:

(Phil Wade 6-28-19)

Concerts are also scheduled on July 19th, August 9th, &
August 29th.

This Sunday kicks off a new concert series in the village of
Afton with the Real Time Dixieland Band playing at the Afton Museum from 6 to
8pm! The Greater Afton Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Sunday Summer
Concert Series to take place in evenings, periodically from June 30th thru
September 8th.  More information is
available regarding sponsorships at gaacoc.com, or 765-6507 or 242-8473

New York residents can fish for
free without a license in one of the 7,500 lakes and ponds or 70,000 miles of
rivers and streams across the state during this weekend.  New York's Free Fishing Weekends help
encourage more people to get outdoors and enjoy the fishing opportunities
available; more information is available at dec.ny.gov/outdoor.

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a
report of a missing person. Byron Furman was reported missing from his address
in the Town of Sidney at about 10:30am on June 27th. If located, please contact
the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office at 832-5555

State Police arrested a Mount Upton twice in a 30 hour
period on June 22nd & 23rd.   42 year
old Karlton Tompkins was charged on June 22nd, after he made a U-Turn to avoid
a Police DWI Road Check on State Route 7 in Unadilla, he was apprehended along
with 41 year old Jason Lowe & 25 year old Erica Marble of Sidney on drug
charges,   On June 23rd, Tompkins tried
to flee a trooper in his vehicle, which he crashed on Loomis Road in the town
of Afton, he fled on foot, followed by 2 troopers & a police Dog, a scuffle
ensued with 1 trooper injured and Tompkins bitten by the Police dog.  Tompkins was charged with Reckless
Endangerment, Reckless Driving, Driving While Ability Impaired, Resisting Arrest
and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance.   Tompkins was treated at Tri Town Hospital in
Sidney; he was arraigned & was sent to the Chenango County Jail on Cash
Bail pending court action.

Chenango County Sheriff deputies arrested a Virginia
resident on a Fugitive from Justice Warrant.
Sheriff’s Detectives and Deputies located and arrested Randolph Browning
Jr. following a complaint being filed with the Sheriff’s Office. Browning was
found to have an active warrant in the State of Virginia for Embezzlement; he
was arraigned in the Town of Norwich Court remanded to the Chenango County
Correctional Facility without bail.

State Police are investigating the death of a kayaker in
Chenango Forks.   State Police at
Binghamton were dispatched to the Chenango River at approximately 6:03 p.m.;
the body of a male kayaker was located shortly thereafter.  The kayaker was with a group of people and
his kayak capsized.  The cause of death
is undetermined at this time and the name is being withheld pending family
notification.   More details will be
released later today.

A State Trooper was injured Sunday night following a traffic
stop on Route 41 in Afton.  The trooper
attempted to pull over a motorist, who did not comply and drove away until
crashing in the area of Loomis Road; he then took off on foot.  The unidentified trooper caught up to the
suspect, the trooper received minor injuries following a scuffle, and the
driver of the car was bit by a police dog.
The driver was charged with driving while impaired by drugs, criminal
possession of a controlled substance & several other charges, more details
are expected to be released shortly.

Afton Firefighters responded this morning to a fire at 191
Hall Road.  No one was home when the fire
broke out, Firefighters from Coventry, Bainbridge & Harpursville assisted,
the home was completely destroyed, and the cause of the fire is under
investigation.

4 people were arrested following a drug rain on a house in
Binghamton Friday.  Police seized
fentanyl, drug packaging materials & scales, at 48 Tompkins Street on the
city's South Side.  Police arrested 62
year old Lydia Onishea, 34-year-old Danielle Thompson, 37-year-old Anthony
Criscitello on a variety of drug charges & 25-year-old Tanna Ulmer for
false personation, all 4 face court action shortly

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Richard Williams
of Downsville, Saturday for Menacing and criminal trespass, for allegedly
entering a residence illegally in the Town of Colchester and, after exiting,
menacing another person with a dangerous instrument. Williams was arraigned in
the Village of Walton Court and was released on his own recognizance. Williams
is scheduled to appear at Colchester Town Court at a later date to answer the
charges.

The Otsego County Department of Solid Waste & the Arc
Otsego ReUse Center announced the opening of a polystyrene recycling facility
now available to county residents.  The
facility is located at the ReUse Center, 23 Duane Street in Oneonta.  Material must be delivered in a clear plastic
bag directly to staff.   Accepted items
include white meat trays, white cups, white take-out containers, egg cartons
& packaging used to protect electronics.
More information is available at 353–7831 or 547–4225.

The first week of the Sidney
Central school District’s 9th annual Summer Camps begins on July 8, with
registration closing July 1.  This year
the District will offer the American Red Cross Babysitting Class for students
ages 11-15 on July 15th & 16th.  Registration for all weeks and camps can be
found at sidneycsd.asapconnected.com.

The Broome County Sheriff's Office arrested Michael
Gincerowski Jr., of Port Crane for vehicular manslaughter, Leaving the scene of
an accident resulting in death, DWI, Aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor
vehicle, following a hit and run accident Saturday night in the Town of Fenton
that killed 16-year-old Constance Mazzarese of Owego.   The Broome County Sheriff’s Office responded
to a report of a motor vehicle accident involving an SUV and a bicycle on State
Route 369 in the Town of Fenton just after 10:00 PM Saturday night, the driver
of the SUV left the scene, a State Trooper located the vehicle, disabled, about
a mile north of the collision.
Gincerowski was located at a nearby residence and was taken into custody.

Delaware County Public Health announced that a skunk in the
town of Andes has tested positive for rabies.
The rabid skunk exposed 4 dogs and 1 person.  The person exposed to the rabid skunk is
receiving rabies post exposure prophylaxis. Two of the four dogs were up to
date on their rabies vaccinations and received boosters after the
exposure.  Public Health is working with
the dog owner and Town of Andes officials to implement 6-month quarantine on
the 2 dogs that were not up to date on their rabies vaccinations.  The remaining rabies 2019 rabies clinics can
be viewed at delawarecountypublichealth.com

Fireworks Over The Fairgrounds will return to the Chenango
County Fairgrounds on July 4th.  Terry
Potter of Millennia Entertainment explains:

(Terry Potter 6-24-19)

Tickets are available at Norwich Copies Plus, The
Fairgrounds office, or at Brownpapertickets.com.

The 57th General Clinton Canoe regatta was held
over the Memorial Day Weekend, with over 1000 paddlers from 22 states & 5
Canadian Provinces participating.

In the men’s NYMCRA stock Race, Mike & Wayne Himes of
Otego took 1st place; they spoke with WCDO’s Craig Stevens:

(Himes 5-29-19)

In one of the largest C1 Pro fields Rod McLain from Maine
was able to use high water conditions from Milford down to his advantage to
take 1st place: he talked to WCDO’s Craig Stevens after the race:

(Rod McLain 5-28-19)

Oneonta resident Trevor LeFever took 2nd place in
the C2 Pro class with his partner Ben Schlimmer of Camillus; he discussed what
it is like to race against Canoe Racing Legend Serge Corbin:

(Trevor LeFever 5-29-19)

Complete results of the races are available at
canoeregatta.org.

A Ribbon Cutting ceremony was held at the Sidney Central
School District today along with the Raymond Corporation of Greene, for the
opening of their Raymond welding Center.
Sidney Welding Program Advisor Joseph Waltz told WCDO News about the
full year course

(Joseph Waltz 5-28-19)

Raymond Corporation representative Dan Quiter Jr. told WCDO
News that this program is the first of its kind locally:

(Dan Quiter Jr 5-28-19)

The program was started through the efforts of 6 Sidney
Students and a Raymond Corporation Advisor.

Communities & Educators are looking at ways to curb
tobacco use & the use of fruit flavored E-Cigarettes like Juul, that are hooking
a whole new generation of people getting addicted to Nicotine.  Linda Wegner of Advancing Tobacco Free
Communities of Delaware, Otsego & Schoharie Counties explains;

(Linda Wegner 5-28-19)

Wegner said that 1 Juul packet contains as much nicotine as
an entire pack of tobacco cigarettes and her group is continuing to try to
educate local residents not to be tricked into nicotine use & addiction.

An amended marijuana legalization bill was introduced on
Friday by lawmakers in Albany, which more closely echoes what Governor Cuomo
wanted in the bill earlier this year.
The bill includes the Office of Cannabis Management to regulate
commercial and medical marijuana; it would also expunge the records of those
who have committed marijuana-based offenses in the past.   Opponents to Marijuana legalization site
potential issues with traffic safety and increased links to mental illnesses
such as Schizophrenia & violence.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies charged 40-year-old
Jeffrey Bosket of Tompkins with 2 counts of harboring a dangerous dog in
violation of Agriculture and Markets Law. The charge follows an investigation
where an individual was allegedly bitten by 2 dogs owned by Bosket in the Town
of Tompkins. Bosket was issued tickets and was scheduled to appear before the
Town of Tompkins Court at a later date to answer for the charges.

State Senator Fred Akshar released a new Community Voice
Survey on a proposal to end religious and any other non-medical exemptions for
vaccination for children attending school in New York State.  All 50 states require that students be vaccinated
for diseases like measles, mumps, chicken pox and polio among many others, all
states allow exemptions for medical reasons, but 47 (including New York) allow
exemptions for religious reasons.   The
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that measles was eradicated
in 2000; however 940 measles cases were reported nationwide this year, with
more than half of those reported in New York City & Rockland County.   Akshar is asking his constituents to weigh
in on Senate bill S.2994 which would repeal all non-medical exemptions from vaccination
requirements for children; the survey is available at Akshar.NYSenate.Gov.

New York State will not be
funding a housing development with 64 units in Oneonta' 6th Ward.  The RSS development announced their plans
last year, with residents speaking out about the plans to have some people in
the development recovering from substance abuse.  Governor Cuomo recently announced that 6
organizations in The Southern Tier would receive $21.3 million in tax credits
and low-interest loans from the State Homes & Community Renewal’s 2018
Unified Funding applications; the Oneonta RSS project was not included.

The 57th General Clinton canoe regatta was held over the
Memorial Day weekend, with over 1000 pro & Amateur Paddlers from 22 states
& 5 Canadian Provinces participating.

The 2 person pro race was won by Steve Lajoie & Jimmy
Pellerin, who completed the 70 mile course in 7:15:23, they spoke with WCDO’s
Craig Stevens

(Lajoie/Pellerin 5-28)

The Duo beat 2nd place finishers Trevor LeFever of Oneonta
& Ben Schlimmer of Camillus by 2 minutes, but 2nd place wasn’t easy as they
beat out Guillaume Blaise & Samuel Friggone for Quebec by just 1 second,
Schlimmer spoke to Craig Stevens about the close ending:

(Schlimmer 5-28)

62 year old Regatta champion Serge Corbin & his partner
Normand Mainguy finished 4th in the pro race, he talked with WCDO’s Craig
Stevens after the race;

(Serge Corbin 5-28)

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

The Michigan Team of Bruce & Roxanne Barton, Tim
Triebold & Weston Willoughby won the C4 Race with a time of 7:37:45;  Local Paddler Bob Zaveral of Mount Upton
spoke to Craig Stevens after his 4 person team finished 2nd in the C-4 race
yesterday:

(Zaveral 5-28)

Walton father Son team Bill & Lucas Walley won the tough
stock aluminum race by 40 minutes over the 2nd place finishers, Lucas Walley
talked about racing with the heavier canoes to WCDO’s Craig Stevens:

(Lucas Walley 5-28)

Complete results can be found at canoeregatta.org.

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce will host a FREE
workforce development event today aimed at business owners and managers who are
struggling to hire staff or have employees in drug and/or alcohol treatment and
recovery.  Representatives from the
Delaware County Probation Department, Delaware County Drug Treatment Court, CDO
Workforce and the Department of Labor will participate, the session will be
held at 10:00 AM at the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce at 5 1/2 Main
Street, Delhi, more information is available at 746-2281.

Congressman Anthony Brindisi will be hosting a listening
session on rising prescription drug costs in Binghamton Today.  The event will include health care
professionals, seniors, and community leaders, at the Koffman Southern Tier
Incubator at 120 Hawley Street at 11:30 a.m.

Attorney General Letitia James announced a settlement with
Oneonta Elks, over their wrongful use of over $480,000 charitable assets from
the estate of a benefactor whose last will and testament directed that the
funds be used to help the needs of children, people with disabilities, and the
elderly.   The Oneonta Elks are required
to repay those funds, after the investigation determined that the Oneonta Elks
repeatedly appropriated and expended almost $170,000 to pay for capital
improvements to its lodge building and property, as well as covering general
operating expenses, rather than for the intended purposes.