WCDO Radio News

Governor Cuomo stated that there were 955 positive COVID tests Wednesday statewide out of almost 93,000 tests, or 1.2% of all tested.  The state now has almost 453,000 positive tests since March, there were 500 people hospitalized, 145 were in an ICU, 72 were on ventilators, there were 2 deaths Wednesday, the state death toll is 25,439.

Chenango County Public Health remains at 248 cases of COVID 19, with 2 active cases, 78 quarantines, no one is hospitalized, 226 have recovered & there have been 7 deaths, the have conducted over 27,600 tests.

Delhi Village Police reported a traffic stop on September 15th led to the arrest of 20-year-old Marcelino Romero of Delhi. Romero was charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle While Impaired by Drugs, Unlawful Possession of Marihuana, Failure to Keep Right, and motor vehicle equipment violations.

He was released on traffic summonses returnable to the Delhi Town Court.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli released his annual School District in fiscal distress audit for 2019 today.  4 districts statewide were listed in significant fiscal stress, including the Norwich City School District. , Oxford Academy was listed in the 3rd category of "Susceptible to Fiscal Stress"

Small businesses and not-for-profit corporations with fewer than 50 employees are eligible for grants up to $500 for the purpose of acquiring personal protective equipment or installing fixtures to prevent the spread of Covid-19, during the period in which the Governor’s Executive Order is in effect.  For specific information on how to obtain these grants, visit the Otsego Now Web page at otsegonow.com.

A.M. NEWS Thursday 9-24-20

Governor Cuomo and SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras announced that the individual saliva swab diagnostic test for COVID-19, developed by SUNY Upstate Medical University and Quadrant Biosciences has been granted emergency use authorization by the FDA.  The saliva test allows for about 10 to 25 people to be screened in one COVID-19 test, using saliva swabs rather than nasal swabs. Individuals administer the tests themselves, swabbing their mouths, and provide the saliva samples, which are currently processed at SUNY Upstate Medical Center's laboratory.

Otsego County Department of Health reported their Current COVID numbers Wednesday, with 2 new cases reported, giving them a total of 867 cases.   There are 19 active cases, 1 hospitalization, 7 deaths, 702 cases are linked to SUNY Oneonta & 17 confirmed cases in Hartwick College students

The next Tri-Town Coalition On Substance Abuse prevention will be tonight at 6:00 PM on Zoom.  More information is available at 315-471-1359.

Chenango County Department of Public Works announced that they will be holding their household Hazardous waste collection day in August, DPW Spokesman Dustin Hendricks explains:

(Dustin Hendricks 7-30-20

Those who would like to register can call Hendricks at 337-1792, or email him at dhendricks@co.chenango.ny.us.

Broome County Department of Health released their latest COVID 19 numbers today, with 12 new cases bringing their number of positives to 975.  They have had 66 deaths since March, with 770 recoveries & 713 are being monitored by the Department.

Otsego County Department of Health announced today that a bat has tested positive for rabies in the city of Oneonta Wednesday, 4 people were exposed & are undergoing post-rabies exposure treatments.  Anyone seeking more information about rabies can call the health department at 547-4230 or visit the County health department website.

Otsego County Health Department reported 3 new cases of COVID 19 today, giving them a total of 102 since March.  There are 10 active cases, with 3 hospitalized, 205 are under quarantine since March, 5 have died & 87 have recovered.

The State Health Department announced that 777 people tested positive for COVID 19 yesterday, giving the state a total of 414,370 cases since March.  There were 13 deaths attributed to the virus Wednesday, bringing the death toll to 25,145.

Delaware County received 1 new positive test result for COVID-19 Wednesday & 4 additional recoveries. The known active cases is 5, To date there have been 94 positive cases of COVID-19 in Delaware County, with 38 people under mandatory quarantine and 6 people under precautionary quarantine. 4 people are isolated at home and 1 is in a hospital, 6 people have died and 83 have fully recovered.

Nurse Practitioner Kathy Anderson of the UHS Primary Care of Oxford, spent 9 days in Honduras in 2018 on a medical mission, she will share her experiences with a special virtual presentation being offered as part of UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital’s 2020 Women’s Health Series.  The Zoom event will be this afternoon at 12:30 PM, to register call 337-4239 or email makenzie.ballard@nyuhs.org.

The Tri-Town Coalition on Substance Abuse Prevention will host a Zoom Meeting tonight at 6:00 PM on A Trauma Sensitive Approach to COVID-19 presented by Amanda Martin Decker of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council of Delaware County.  More information is available at 437-4274; the meeting will also be available by phone at 1-646-558-8656.

Congressman Antonio Delgado announced today that $2.2 million in federal funding has been awarded to airports in his 19th congressional district, including the Albert Sam Nader Regional Airport in Oneonta.  Delgado stated that the Oneonta airport received $70,000 for pavement projects.

Governor Cuomo Held his Daily Briefing in Brooklyn today, he announced that he will sign an executive order for retail business owners, allowing them to keep people without masks out of their establishments:

(Cuomo 5-28-20)

The Governor had Comedian Chris Rock & Actress Rosie Perez with him today; both will be making Public Service Announcements to try to increase compliance for wearing masks, Rock commented about the need to wear the masks in public:

(Chris Rock 5-28-20)

Governor Cuomo said that the total Hospitalizations statewide was about 4000 patients for the Coronavirus, there were 74 more deaths Wednesday,  bringing the state death toll to 23,722,  there are 366, 733 positive coronavirus tests in the state since early March.

Purdue farms of the state of Maryland is the latest business to sue Maines Paper & Food Service of Conklin for breach of Contract, for allegedly failing to pay for 1.4 Million dollars in food deliveries earlier this year, on top of another $4 million dollars in overdue payments from previous invoices.  Maines is facing similar action from 6 other companies that have been filed in US District Court.  Maines recently closed down their "Broadline" operations in Conklin & laid of hundreds of employees.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies arrested 47 year-old Lionel Simard of Davenport for possession of stolen property, he is accused of possessing license plates that were reported stolen from a parked vehicle in the Town of Davenport on May 21st.  Simard was issued an appearance ticket in the Town of Davenport Court at a later date.

State Police, Sherburne Police & several other agencies, responded to a report of a person in the Chenango River that went underwater and had not resurfaced in Sherburne.  The New York State Underwater Recovery Team and divers and an air boat from the Chenango County Bureau of Fire searched the river, Shortly after 8:00 p.m., the victim was located & was pronounced deceased at the scene & has been identified as The victim is identified as 18-year-old Nicholas Russell of Smyrna.  Police said that Russell and 3 friends were swimming in the Chenango River when he began to have difficulty staying above water.  A witness attempted to assist Russell but he went under water and never re-surfaced.

State Department of Labor released local unemployment rates for April.  The number of private sector jobs in the State was 6,467,600, the State’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 4.1% to 14.5%.  Locally, Chenango County's Unemployment rate was 11.7%, Delaware County 12.4% & Otsego County was 12%.

State Police responded to a residence on Spruce Street in the Village of Roxbury for a serious injury.   An investigation revealed that a 36-year-old male was slashed in the midsection with a knife.  The male was transported by LifeNet to Albany Med where he is in critical condition.  Several people that were in the residence are being interviewed and cooperating with State Police, There is no threat to the public. The investigation is ongoing and more will be released as it is available.

Delaware County is reporting no new case of COVID-19 today and no additional recoveries. The known active cases in the County are 13. To date there have been 73 confirmed positive cases,  with 30 people under quarantine, 5 cases are receiving care in the hospital, 8 are isolated at home, 4 people have died and 56 have fully recovered.

Otsego County Department of Health announced 2 more positive Coronavirus cases, bringing them to 65 total cases.  Both new cases were asymptomatic both worked in nursing homes outside of Otsego County.  All Nursing home workers are tested for the Coronavirus twice a week in New York State.

The Tri-Town Coalition on Substance Abuse Prevention invites community members to tune into the organization’s next meeting today at 6:00 PM through Zoom.  The presentation, titled “A Trauma-Sensitive Approach to COVID-19,” will be led by Amanda Decker, program director and prevention specialist for the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council of Delaware County. Call 607-746-8300 for Zoom instructions, it can also be found on the WCDO Facebook page.

Governor Cuomo held his Coronavirus briefing in New York City today, he discussed the expectation that a 2nd wave could be sped up by the reopening of the state:

(Cuomo 5-26-20)

Cuomo said that they also have to prepare for a traditional flu outbreak later this year that could be taxing to the hospital system.

The State Health Department today announced that 73 people died Monday from the Coronavirus, bringing the state death toll to 23,564, Hospitalizations were down to 4200 statewide, the total number of Coronavirus cases is up to 363,836.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies arrested 27 year old Dylan Katen of Windsor for possession and use of a credit card that was stolen during a burglary of a Town of Sanford residence in 2019.  Broome County Sheriff’s Office Detectives learned the stolen credit card was utilized at a Deposit convenience store in December, they requested assistance from the Delaware County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division.  The joint investigation led to Katen’s arrest, for 1 count of criminal possession of stolen property & petit larceny, he was arraigned by teleconference Friday night & was released on appearance tickets for Deposit Town Court on a later date.

The Broome County Health Department continues to see an increase in the number of Coronavirus case, they are now up to 513 positives, with 35 deaths, 341 recoveries & 361 are being monitored by the Health Department.

Chenango County Public Health is reporting 119 total positive cases of the coronavirus today, there are 50 people in quarantine, 1 person is hospitalized, there have been 5 deaths and 87 recoveries, and they have performed 3041 tests.

On June 9th Residents of the Afton Central School District will be voting on a 19 Million Dollar Building Project.  Afton Superintendent Tim McNamara told WCDO News what they are proposing:

(Tim McNamara 5-26-20)

McNamara said that between state aid & a capital fund, there will be no cost to the Afton District taxpayers.

The Organizers for the Chenango Blues fest announced that this year’s event has been cancel led due to the coronavirus.  The event has been moved to August 20th & 21st of 2021, more information is available at chenangobluesfest.org.

The Tri-Town Coalition on Substance Abuse Prevention invites community members to tune into the organization’s next meeting, on Thursday, May 28, at 6:00 PM through Zoom.  The presentation, titled “A Trauma-Sensitive Approach to COVID-19,” will be led by Amanda Decker, program director and prevention specialist for the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council of Delaware County. Call 607-746-8300 for Zoom instructions.

On Memorial Day there was no General Clinton Canoe Regatta but several locals decided that they would start at Otsego Lake and do the 70 mile course anyway; Duke Fisher was one of the organizers & Participants:

(Duke Fisher 5-26-20)

Fisher said that they echoed the time of the original paddlers from the early 60's, finishing the course in 11 to 12 hours.

The State Coronavirus numbers has had an uptick since the 1st phase of the reopening started, Governor Cuomo commented about the upstate county numbers yesterday:

(Cuomo CNY)

The Governor was also asked about the number of people who are still not wearing masks in spite of all the facts about their effectiveness:

(Cuomo Masks)

The State Health Department reported well over 362,764 coronavirus cases, the state death toll is over 23,488 since early March.

Delaware County is reporting no new cases of COVID-19 and 1 additional recovery. The known active cases in the County is now 12.  To date there have been 72 confirmed positive cases, with 26 people under quarantine,  5 are in the hospital, 7 are isolated at home, 4 people have died and 56 have fully recovered.

Otsego County Department of Health has received notification of 1 new confirmed positive coronavirus case Saturday, this patient did not attend the Unadilla Livestock auction May 16th.  The county has 63 total confirmed cases, none one is hospitalized currently, 57 have recovered, there have been 5 deaths, and 13 people are quarantined

The Otsego County Department of Health & the Susquehanna SPCA will continue to hold free weekly rabies vaccination clinics on-site for the foreseeable future.  The shelter is scheduling vaccination appointments for dogs, cats, and ferrets on Wednesday afternoons from 1-3 p.m. and on Thursday mornings from 9-11 a.m. Individual appointments allow for proper social distancing.  Registration is available by calling 547-8111, extension 108.  More information is available at sqspca.org.

Governor Cuomo today had former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg teleconferenced into his daily Coronavirus briefing, Bloomberg said that his Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Bloomberg School of Public Health at John Hopkins University, Vital Strategies & “Resolve To Save Lives” are teaming up with others, to for a "Tracing Army" to investigate those who came in contact with the latest people to test positive for the Coronavirus:

(Mike Bloomberg 4-30-20)

State Budget Director Robert Mujica discussed the issue of Child Care and summer camps, as Phase 1 is implemented to send back the first group of workers, who have children at home:

(Mujica 4-30-20)

New York State now has over 304,000 cases of the Coronavirus, with over 11,500 hospitalized, and another 306 deaths Wednesday bringing the state death toll to 18,321.

Chenango County Public Health announced today that they are up to 96 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus, they've had 3 deaths, 67 recoveries 7 people are hospitalized & 68 are quarantined.

The Village of Sidney announced that May 4th "SPRING CLEAN UP"  Curbside pickup of bagged leaves, bagged lawn debris and brush must be out by Monday May 4th. Due to Covid-19 and safety, there will be no drop-off of electronics, appliances, metal and tires this year. Village residents may take electronics, appliances, metal and tires, free of charge (year round) to the Delaware County Solid Waste Management Center located at 32230 State Hwy 10 Walton, and they need make an appointment for drop off at 865-5805.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies arrested 38 year old Dennis Lafferty of Unadilla for violating an order of protection earlier this month.  Deputies received a complaint from an Otsego County domestic violence victim earlier this month, reporting receiving a phone call from the Delaware County Correctional Facility where the victim’s alleged abuser was being housed for the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office, Lafferty allegedly violated the terms of an order of protection issued by the Hartwick Town Court last November, by making calls to the protected party following his incarceration on April 13th.  Lafferty was charged with 4 counts of criminal contempt & he remains incarcerated in the Delaware County Correctional Facility, pending a court appearance in the Town of Delhi Court on a later date.

The Annual Re-dedication Ceremony at the Sidney Veterans Memorial Park originally scheduled for May 23rd has been canceled for this year.  Also the June 7th Annual Sidney Veterans Memorial Park Association Golf Tournament has been canceled for this year, due to the COVID 19 pandemic.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum announced today that its Board of Directors has voted unanimously to cancel 2020 Hall of Fame Induction Weekend events as a result of health and safety concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Class of 2020 – consisting of Derek Jeter, Marvin Miller, Ted Simmons and Larry Walker – will be inducted on Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Cooperstown, alongside any new members elected as part of the Hall of Fame Class of 2021.

Congressman Anthony Brindisi will hold Telephone Town Hall this afternoon at 5:00 PM regarding the latest developments on the coronavirus pandemic.  To receive a call, go to brindisi.house.gov/live or call (315) 732-0713.

The Dick's Sporting Goods Open has been canceled for 2020.  The PGA TOUR Champions event was scheduled for August 10-16 at En Joie Golf Club in Endicott.  The Cancellation is due to the impact from the pandemic in the state of New York.  Anyone who has questions pertaining to tickets purchased for this year's event is advised to contact the Dick's Sporting Goods Open office at 607-205-1500.

The Tri Town Coalition on Substance Abuse Prevention will their next meeting today at 6:00 PM through Zoom.   Today's Presenter is Amanda Decker of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council of Delaware County,  more information is available at 437-4274 or 265-9273.

Governor Cuomo announced that the state now has over 44,000
positive cases of the Corona Virus, & the work is continuing to increase
Hospital Capacity before the expected apex of cases in the next 3 weeks:

(Cuomo 3-27-20)

Cuomo said that over 6400 people are hospitalized, 519 have
died, 1583 are in ICU beds with Ventilators, & 2045 have been discharged
from hospitals.

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer and U.S. Congressman Anthony
Brindisi announced millions for the 22nd Congressional District communities as
part of the recently announced Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security
Act.  Brindisi secured more than $30
million for Upstate New York counties.

Delaware County Public Health received a laboratory
confirmed positive COVID-19 report. The total number of confirmed cases in
Delaware County is 6.  The investigations
are ongoing and all contacts are being notified and quarantined. The first
individual to test positive is fully recovered and no longer in isolation. 2
cases are recovering safely while isolating at home in Delaware County, 3 cases
are isolated and receiving medical care in a hospital, there are 13 people
under mandatory quarantine and 5 people under precautionary quarantine. There
have been 101 people tested in Delaware County so far.

The Chenango County Health Department reported that they
have 4 positive cases of the corona virus.
94 people are on precautionary quarantine, 53 are in mandatory
quarantine in Chenango County.

The Otsego County Health Department announced today that
they are up to 6 Cases of COVID 19.
Every case is promptly investigated and close contacts have been
notified.

The Broome County Health Department announced today that
they have 17 positive Coronavirus tests, 3 people have died, 46 are in
Precautionary Quarantine and 123 are in mandatory Quarantine.

State Police responded Thursday to County Road 18 in the
town of Morris for a personal injury accident.
The investigation revealed that a male was operating a lawn tractor
southbound on the western shoulder of County Road 18; he failed to observe that
a Chevrolet Malibu also traveling southbound on the roadway when he turned left
in front of the Malibu’s path while attempting to enter a driveway.  The female driver of the Malibu was unable to
avoid the male on the lawn tractor; he was transported to Chenango Memorial
Hospital with injuries to his head and face.
The driver of the Malibu was not injured.   The accident remains under investigation.

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School District Board of
Education meeting scheduled for April 2nd has been cancelled, due to the COVID
19 pandemic & social distancing requirements.

The State Police announced that there is no travel ban in
New York State at this time.  State
Troopers have received numerous inquiries to their offices around the state;
the department does urge people to stay home and travel only if necessary, and
to make sure to practice social distancing.

In the past five days, Bassett Healthcare Network
practitioners have completed more than 1,000 telemedicine visits with patients.
By next week, nearly all Bassett Healthcare providers will have the ability to
complete a patient appointment by a video or phone visit as Bassett fast-tracks
the expansion of its telemedicine program during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Patients need to be enrolled in MyBassett
Health Connection, an enrollment hotline is 607-547-5900 or toll-free,
877-498-5715 to sign up.

Delaware County Officials announced today that the Solid
Waste Site is still open, with regular hours Tuesday through Saturday from 7:30
AM to 2:30 PM.  Cash is not being
accepted they are working with a pre-paid debit basis only; more information is
available at 832-5800 or on the Solid Waste Management Page at the Delaware
County Website.

Due to COVID-19 Closings and Social Distancing - The
Coalition On Substance Abuse Prevention meetings for March and April are Cancelled.

41 year old Nasir Azmat of Franklin
is due  in Town of Franklin court tonight
to answer to more than 40 counts relating to animal cruelty, Delaware County
Sheriff Craig DuMond said that it remains to be seen if Azmat shows up for
court tonight:

(Sheriff DuMond 2-27-20)

Azmat's court appearance is scheduled for 6:00 PM tonight in Franklin Town Court, 20 dogs allegedly used for dog fighting were taken from his property earlier this month by the Delaware County Sheriff's Department.

The Otsego County Sheriff's Office
confirmed that 5 firefighters were injured in a Middlefield garage fire on
Otsego County Route 35.  The firefighters
were injured following at least 1 explosion inside the garage, the injured were
taken to Bassett Hospital, and state fire officials are investigating.  Firefighters from Middlefield, Cooperstown,
Westford, Cherry Valley, and Milford responded to the fire Wednesday night.

The public is invited to attend a
Delaware County Chamber of Commerce sponsored roundtable discussion on the
state and future of Delaware County and how to remove barriers to community
growth.  The Event will be held on
Tuesday, March 24th at 11:30 AM & includes a luncheon buffet prepared by
SUNY Delhi culinary arts students at Bluestone.
Reservations are required at delawarecounty.org or by calling 746-2281.

The Tri-town Coalition on Substance
Abuse Prevention announced that their meeting originally scheduled for tonight
in Sidney has been cancelled due to the weather.   The next meeting will be held on March 26th
at the Sidney School.

The Sidney Chamber of Commerce is
seeking nominations for their annual Citizen of the Years & Business of the
Years Awards; Sidney Chamber President Teri Schunk told WCDO News that they are
adding 2 more awards this year:

(Teri Schunk 2-27-20)

The winners of the awards will be
honored at the Sidney Chamber Annual Dinner in June.

The Village of Delhi Police
Department arrested 23-year-old Shakiea Goodwin of Brooklyn for 2 counts of
Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument. Goodwin is accused of passing
counterfeit $50 bills at a local garage to pay the tow bill on a vehicle that
had been impounded by the police over the previous weekend. Goodwin was
arraigned in the Town of Hamden Court where she was released on her own
recognizance.

The State Commission on Judicial
Conduct has suggested the removal from duty of Broome County Family Court Judge
Richard Miller.  Miller is accused of
making sexist & demeaning remarks to female staff members, and for failing
to report income and pay sufficient taxes.
Judge Miller may accept the recommendations & resign, or he may
request a review by the State Court of Appeals.

State Police responded Wednesday afternoon to the report of
a burglary in progress at a home on State Route 8 in the town of Deposit near
Michigan Hollow Road.  State police
encountered 34 year old Clint Stevens of Binghamton, who claimed to be high on
methamphetamines, he shot at troopers shortly after their arrival, they
requested & received back up, and negotiations with Stevens went on for
several hours, with Stevens shooting additional Meth into his system &
damaging windows of the home, which belonged to his parents.  After several hours, Stevens fire at troopers
again, who returned fire, & he was killed.
State Route 8 was closed during the standoff and for the investigation
until earlier this morning, the investigation is ongoing.

Lawmakers are waiting for some action on any of the proposal
regarding the controversial Bail Reform Law that went into effect January 1st,
Assemblyman Cliff Crouch comments:

(Cliff Crouch 1-30-20)

The controversial law went into effect as part of a budget
bill last year, it calls for people arrested on over 400 charges to be
automatically released from the initial court appearance on an appearance
ticket, several instances have already occurred where someone was released
& almost immediately committed another crime.

Local Mayors Andy Matviak of Sidney, Phil Wade of Bainbridge
and Dave Welch of Unadilla have been meeting monthly for about the last year,
one of the issues they have dealt with is how to get legal notices & other
information out following the demise of the Tri Town News, and they have
decided to send out an email blast together, Unadilla Mayor Dave Welch
commented:

(Dave Welch 1-30-20)

Resident that want to get the email blast most contact their
village offices to submit their email address, each Email blast will come out
Thursdays to those who have subscribed.
WCDO will broadcast our interview with the 3 Mayors Tuesday evening
following the 6:00 PM news.

Jury deliberations are scheduled to begin today in the trial
of 33 year old Gabriel Pruitt of Oneonta.
Pruitt is charged with Arson & Murder in connection with a fire at 5
walling Avenue on December 29th of 2018, former Oneonta Firefighter John Heller
died while getting his family out of the burning building.

A lawsuit has been filed in
State Supreme Court against the Town Of Guilford, for their controversial
renewable energy law, that would allow Calpine to erect up to 30 large wind
turbines in the town.  A coalition of
residents from Guilford & the adjacent town of Unadilla filed the lawsuit
January 24th.

Governor Cuomo announced legislation in the proposed
Executive Budget that grants the State Police Superintendent the right to issue
administrative subpoenas as a way empower the State Police to investigate
internet crimes against children. This new power will enable the State Police
to move quickly to identify and locate persons suspected of online sexual
exploitation of minors by streamlining the subpoena process necessary to obtain
their online records.

The Tri-Town Coalition on Substance Abuse Prevention will
hold their next meeting this evening in Sidney.   The meeting will be held at the Sidney
Public Library Smart Community Room from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 22-Year-Old
Siara Mettler of Hamden on a charge of Aggravated Unlicensed Operator,
Unlicensed Operator, and Uninspected Motor Vehicle. Mettler was later released
on traffic tickets, and is scheduled to appear in the Walton Town Court at a
later date to answer the charge.

Press
Conferences were held around the state today by sheriff’s District Attorney,
lawmakers & victim’s advocacy groups, against the state’s new bail reform
measures that go into effect January 1st, which were passed as part of the
state Budget.  Delaware County Sheriff
Craig Dumond called a press conference in Delhi today about that bail reform
bill, which will allow people arrested on a variety of non-violent & even
violent charges, to be released after arrest & arraignment on only an
appearance ticket.  Delaware County
District Attorney John Hubbard said that crime victim’s will have fewer rights
now than the criminals:

(John
Hubbard 11-21-19)

Sheriff
Dumond said that he was concerned that those who are arrested on drug charges
will not get the help they need to get clean, under this law:

(Sheriff
Dumond 11-21-19)

WCDO
News asked State Senator Fred Akshar if he thought that Governor Cuomo was
using this bill as a political negotiation ploy get something else passed:

(Fred
Akshar 11-21-19)

Jeff
Bishop, from State Senator Jim Seward’s office told WCDO News that Senator
Seward is proposing several bills to give discretion back to judges to make
bail decisions that are being removed with this new law.

A new
Sienna College poll released today shows that former Vice President Joe Biden
leads Democratic presidential candidates by 10% among New York Democrats.  Biden polled at 24%, U.S. Senators Elizabeth
Warren 14% and Bernie Sanders 13%, the rest of the field were in single
digits.  35% of those polled believe that
Biden has the best chance of unseating President Trump in the 2020 elections.

The New
York State Office of Mental Health today issued a Request for Proposals that
will provide $50 million to develop licensed Residential Crisis programs across
the State for children and adults, for short-term interventions in therapeutic
settings to help individuals facing a mental health crisis to stabilize and
avoid the need for psychiatric hospitalization or emergency room
admissions.  The awards will help develop
at least 250 new crisis residential units statewide, up to $4 million dollars
could be used for targeting 30 units within the Central New York Region; More
information is available at omh.ny.gov.

The
Center for Agricultural Development and Entrepreneurship is co-hosting a free
workshop and resource expo for agriculture and food and beverage businesses to
meet and network with potential sources of funding for their operations. The
workshop will include panel presentations covering both traditional funding
sources and newer, alternative models. The event will be held at SUNY
Cobleskill’s Bouck Hall Ballroom on December 3rd from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.  Registration or more information is available
at cadefarms.org/events-1

A State
Police patrol vehicle was stuck by a tractor trailer Tuesday night in Tioga
County.  The trooper had just issued a
traffic ticket to a vehicle on State Route 17 in the town of Nichols & was
inside his marked patrol vehicle when a tractor trailer struck him from behind,
shearing off most of the driver’s side of the patrol car.  The tractor trailer did not stop & Troopers
and officers from Owego Police Department and Tioga County Sheriff’s Deputies
located and stopped the vehicle in Owego.
35-year-old Darvi Moreland of Florida was charged with DWI and several
vehicle and traffic tickets, he was arraigned in the town of Owego court and
remanded to the Tioga County Jail.   The
trooper was transported to Lourdes Hospital, treated and released.

The
State Liquor Authority has suspended the liquor license of the Sip & Sail
bar in Oneonta.  The bar was found to
have 140 patrons with fake or altered ID's recently, which was about 90% of the
people in the bar at that time.

Commerce
Chenango will hold their next Business After Hours event with Chobani at their
Corporate Campus on State Highway 320 in Norwich today.  The event will run from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, Mark
Broadhurst, the Head of Public Affairs @Chobani will be the guest speaker.

The
Tri-Town Coalition on Substance Abuse Prevention will feature Dr. Samantha
Cole, a local Licensed Clinical Social Worker, as their guest speaker this
evening.  Her research reveals what's
happening with mental health and substance abuse issues in Delaware County.  Assemblyman Cliff Crouch is also expected to
attend the meeting, at the Sidney Public Library Community Room starting at
6:00 PM.

Hartwick
College’s Center for Student Success will present a screening on Thursday of
the film “This Business of Autism,” followed by a Q&A with Director Stephen
Mackey.  The documentary demonstrates
about the economic and societal benefits of employing young adults with autism
centers on Spectrum Designs, a custom screen-printing and embroidery business
in Port Washington, NY; 75% of the company’s employees are on the autism
spectrum.  The screening, which will be
held at Shineman Chapel House on Thursday, November 21 at 4 p.m., is free and
open to the public.

The Unatego Board of Education received 3 proposals after
their recent Request for Proposals to repurpose the former Otego Elementary
School building, Unatego Superintendent Dr. Dave Richards’s comments:

(Dave Richards 10-10-19)

The 3 proposals are from Dirig Design, a drafting and design
firm located in Wells Bridge, Granite Data Solutions of California which is an
IT service provider & the Oneonta Christian Academy, who wish to move their
private school from Oneonta to Otego.  More
information is available at unatego.org.

Another development in the October 6th 2018 Schoharie
Limousine crash has come out, where a former repair shop manager told
investigators that brake work was billed but not performed on the stretch
limousine that crashed & killed 20 people.
The former manager of a Mavis Discount Tire shop told investigators that
a brake system master cylinder was invoiced but not installed at the time of a
May 2018 inspection on the 2001 Ford Excursion limo, the vehicle did not stop
& blew through an intersection and crashed into a convenience store parking
lot, killing all 18 on board & killing 2 people in the parking lot.   Limo company operator Nauman Hussain is
facing numerous felony counts in connection with the crash; He is expected in
court in January.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released the new East
Sidney Lake Master Plan to serve as a guiding document for decision making at
the lake for the next 15 to 25 years.
The Plan includes land use classifications that govern the way land is
managed and used as well as outdoor recreation to meet the needs of the
public.    The final Master Plan, previous
master plans and additional information can be found on the project website
nab.usace.army.

The City of Norwich has appointed Lorraine Keckeisen as
their new Grants Coordinator; she will identify potential Federal, State,
County and private grant funds to address the needs of the City of
Norwich.  Keckeisen is a member of the
Sidney Rotary Club & She leads the Tri-Town Coalition on Substance Abuse
Prevention.

Governor Cuomo today announced
that $1.5 million is available for eligible school districts to support the
growth of Farm-to-School programs across the state. Grant funding of up to
$100,000 per project will be awarded for employing a local or regional
farm-to-school coordinator; Training of food service staff & the Purchase
of equipment needed to increase capacity of school kitchens.  More information is available at
agriculture.ny.gov

The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce will hold their 2019
Workforce Summit this morning at Morris Hall at SUNY Oneonta starting with 9:00
AM.    The Chamber joins with Educators,
Students, Workforce and Economic Developers, Community Leaders, Employers &
others to try to improve the overall quality of the region's workforce.

The Sidney Central School District and Village of Sidney
will co-sponsor an American Red Cross Citizen Preparedness Corps training this
evening, Sidney Village Mayor Andy Matviak urges area residents to attend:

(Andy Matviak 10-10-19)

The training session will run from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at the
Sidney Central School auditorium. There is no cost to attend, No RSVP is
necessary, but residents are encouraged to arrive early.

The Delaware County Board of Elections announced that
tomorrow October 11th is the last day to register in person and to postmark a
registration form for the November 5th General Election.  Offices that are up for election in November
include Supreme Court Justice & many Town Offices.  Early voting will be from October 26th
through November 3rd, more information is available at co.delaware.ny.us or by
calling 832-5321 or stop into their Delhi office.

A 17 year old from the Bronx is the state’s 1st death
attributed to Vaping, Governor Cuomo addressed the health crisis earlier today:

(Cuomo 10-8-19)

Governor Cuomo said that the case has been turned over to
the State Health Department for investigation. So far there have been about
1000 health related cases connected to Vaping, including 18 deaths.

The City of Norwich Police Department and the Chenango
County Sheriff’s Office are seeking information on 31 year old Christopher
Lacroce, for allegedly leading Police on a high speed chase last Friday, &
who is also wanted on a warrant for allegedly hitting a pedestrian with a
vehicle September 15th at the intersection of Mitchell and Silver streets in
Norwich.  Lacroce faces charges of
2nd-degree assault, among other charges that are pending following Friday’s
chase.   Anyone with information
regarding Lacroce’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Norwich City Police
Department at 607-334-2424 or the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office at
607-334-2000.

Today, 19th District Congressman Antonio Delgado announced
that $1,239,817 in federal funds were recently awarded to the Friends of the
Upper Delaware River and Trout Unlimited as part of the Delaware Watershed
Conservation Fund. These new funds will allow local organizations to conserve
and restore fish and wildlife habitat, enhance and maintain water quality, and
improve river-based recreational opportunities and public access in the Upper
Delaware Watershed.  The full list of
projects can be found at delgado.house.gov.

NYSEG and AAA New York announced that they are working
together to remind passenger and commercial drivers about the dangers of
distracted driving.  NYSEG has seen an
uptick in the number of passenger vehicles that strike electric poles and
commercial construction vehicles that come into contact with power lines and
other electric equipment.  According to
the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 88% of drivers believe distracted
driving is on the rise, with nearly half of all drivers admitting to recently
talking on hand-held phones and another 35% reporting that they have sent a
text or email while driving.

Governor Cuomo announced that 2 new laws to improve pay
equity policies will go into effect today, which prohibits all employers who do
business in New York State from asking prospective employees about their salary
history and compensation.  The new laws
also expand the definition of "equal pay for equal work."

The Otsego County Chamber's
Small Business Banquet will be held on Thursday, November 21 at The Otesaga
Hotel and Resort in Cooperstown.
Nominations for various awards are being taken currently; the
nominations are requested to the Chamber by this Friday.

State officials, the Division of Homeland Security and the
Office of Fire Prevention and Control will preside over the 22nd Annual New
York State Fallen Firefighters Memorial Ceremony this morning.   The Ceremony will honor 23 fallen
firefighters who gave their lives in the line of duty, at the Empire State
Plaza Convention Center in Albany at 11:00 AM.

The Tri Town Coalition on Substance Abuse Prevention will
hold their next meeting this evening in Sidney.
The meeting will be held from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at the Maiorano building
at 9 Main Street, with Parking & the entrance to the meeting at the rear of
building.

Governor Cuomo signed legislation which amends the criminal
procedure law to clarify that individuals convicted of petty offenses will have
their records sealed by default. Sealed records will not be made available to
any person or public or private agency unless a judge determines otherwise,   the legislation will take effect in 90 days.

State Police arrested 24 year old Christopher Smith of
Weedsport for DWI, Failure to Keep Right, Failure to Yield the Right of Way,
Driving on Shoulder, Moving From a Lane Unsafely, Leaving the Scene of a
Property Damage Accident and Failure to Notify DMV of Change of Address.  Troopers responded to a 2-car accident on
State Highway 23 in the town of Oneonta, witnesses told troopers that the other
vehicle left the scene and drove behind a local gas station.  Troopers located Smith intoxicated behind a
hotel, he was arrested & was remanded to the Otsego County Jail on cash
bail, he will return to Oneonta court on August 22nd.

State Police arrested a father and daughter for DWI &
Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Troopers arrested 31 year old Maegan
Thaxton of Cooperstown, for Aggravated DWI with child 15 or Under as Passenger,
Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Inadequate Lights and Refusal to Submit to
a Breath Test.   Troopers made
arrangements to have another party pick-up the child and Thaxton’s vehicle
while at the scene.  71 year old Earl
Thaxton of Middlefield responded to State Police Oneonta barracks with the
11-month old child in his vehicle, he was then arrested for Aggravated DWI,
& Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
The child was turned over to the care of Child Protective Services.
Maegan & Earl Thaxton will return to the town of Oneonta court on August
15, 2019.

Governor Cuomo signed "Stop Hacks and Improve
Electronic Data Security" Act which imposes stronger obligations on
businesses handling private data to provide proper notification to affected
consumers when there is a security breach. The Governor also signed legislation
requiring consumer credit reporting agencies to offer identity theft prevention
and mitigation services to consumers who have been affected by a security
breach of the agency's system.    The
bill will take effect in 240 days.

State Police arrested 41 year old Wendy Kinchoy of Apalachin
for Identity Theft, after an investigation revealed that Kinchoy was hired to
provide home health care to a victim in Guilford.  Kinchoy is accused of taking victim’s credit
card and making an unauthorized purchase in June.  Kinchoy was arrested & was issued an
appearance ticket for town of Guilford court on September 3rd.

Schools are not doing enough to prepare for emergency
situations like shootings, according to an audit of safety planning at 19
schools by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.
Auditors found none of the schools met the minimum planning or training
requirements of the State Education Department, which oversees safety planning
for schools.   2 schools did not have
district-wide safety plans even though plans were mandated nearly 20 years
ago.  The full report can be found at
osc.state.ny.us

21-year-old Skuyler Reynolds of
Chenango Bridge is facing 5 more counts of burglary and 1 count of criminal
possession of stolen property, in connection with a series of church burglaries
in Broome County.  Reynolds is a suspect
in church burglaries in Binghamton, Johnson City, Chenango Bridge, Port
Dickinson and Port Crane, he is being held in Broome County Jail. Pending court
action, the investigation is continuing & more charges may be forthcoming.

The next meeting of the TRI-TOWN COALITION ON SUBSTANCE
ABUSE PREVENTION will be held this evening in Sidney. Spokesperson Lorraine
Keckeisen invites area residents to come to the meeting & hopefully get involved
in their efforts:

(Lorraine Keckeisen 7-25-19)

Kayla Johnson of the Sidney Catholic Charities Mentoring
Program Services is a guest speaker tonight, the meeting will be held at the
Maiorano Building, 9 Main Street, Sidney starting at 6:00 PM.  Keckeisen said that they are also starting a
new website at tritowncosap.org.

228 new Troopers were honored Wednesday for their
perseverance and dedication in completing the 208th session of the Basic School
of the New York State Police Academy during graduation exercises at the Empire
State Plaza in Albany, New York.  Trooper
Tyshone Tibbs of Buffalo has been assigned to Troop C in Sidney:

(Trooper Tibbs 7-24-19)

The new troopers will report for field duty on July 31,
2019. For the following 10 weeks the new troopers will be evaluated under a
field-training program supervised by senior Field Training Officers.

The State Office of Victim Services announced changes that
will make it easier for individuals to receive help from the agency for the
cost of burying victims of crime. A new law allows for Individuals who paid or
incurred burial costs for a crime victim may be eligible for up to $6,000 from
the Office of Victim Services for funeral services, burial plot, the deceased’s
burial clothes, clergy fees, transportation costs for the deceased, obituaries,
head stone, flowers, death certificates, and church fees for religious services
and flowers.  More information is
available at ovs.ny.gov or 1-800-247-8035.

New York State could soon become the first state to require
ingredient labels on feminine hygiene products.
The measure passed in both houses of the Legislature last week and now
awaits action by Governor Cuomo; it would require packaging labels listing the
materials used in tampons and pads.

A.O. Fox Hospital announced the appointment of Jeff Emhof as
the new administrator of Fox Nursing Home.
Emhof has been a licensed nursing home administrator in New York State
for more than 11 years, having most recently worked at the Cooperstown Center.   Emhof will oversee strategic planning
initiatives and operations of the 130-bed skilled nursing facility connected to
the hospital.

The Chenango Arts Council is partnering with Friends of
Rogers to offer a bus trip to the American Museum of Natural History in New
York City.  The touring bus will leave
the Chenango Arts Council parking lot, at 27 West Main Street in Norwich at
7:00 AM on Saturday, August 3rd and return to the same location at around 10 pm
that night. Reservations must be made by July 19th at 336-ARTS or
chenangoarts.org.

To enhance the quality of life for tenants of Circle Drive
Apartments, Conifer Realty LLC has designated the property in Sidney as
entirely smoke-free effective September 1st of this year.  Circle Drive officials will post signs,
window clings and bench plates around the 56-unit facility to remind tenants
& visitors that the smoking prohibition would be extended to the entire
property including all indoor and outdoor common areas, building entryways,
playground, parking areas and inside vehicles.

COLORSCAPE Chenango announced
that folk singer Peter Yarrow, of Peter, Paul and Mary fame, will appear on the
NBT Main Stage in downtown Norwich on Sunday, September 8th. The 2019
Colorscape will be held September 7th & 8th in the East and West Parks in
Norwich. For more information, visit www.colorscape.org.

Governor Cuomo announced that 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.

A Town of Greene resident was arrested by the Chenango
County Sheriff’s Office for Harassment and Criminal Contempt Monday.  Deputies arrested Brittany Niemiec after a
complaint of a domestic dispute where she allegedly subjected the victim to
unwanted physical contact while there was an active order of protection in
place.  Niemiec was arraigned in the Town
of Greene Court and was released on her own recognizance.

Oneonta Officials said that their contractor will be
connecting the new water main to existing water mains at the intersections of
Main & Tilton, and Main & Third. The residents on these side streets
will experience a temporary water outage while the service is switched from the
old main to the new main, lasting less than four hours.  1-lane traffic will be maintained on Main
Street, side streets may be closed to through traffic. All businesses within
the work zone will remain accessible during the work.

The Next Tri Town Coalition On Substance Abuse Prevention
Meeting will be held this evening in Sidney at the Maiorano Building on Main
Street at 6:00 PM. Guest Speakers will be Elizabeth Toomey and Kayla Johnson
from Catholic Charities Mentor Program.

14 year old Melodie Loya of Bainbridge advanced to the
finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in National Harbor, Maryland
Wednesday.   Loya is one of 50 finalists
competing for the prize money of about $50,000.
The final round concludes this evening from 8:30 to 10:00 PM.

The Tri Town Relay for Life will be held Friday June 7th at
General Clinton Park in Bainbridge, American Cancer Society Organizer Heather
Brewster comments:

(Heather Brewster 5-30-19)

Brewster said that they expect to raise about $50,000 with
this year's efforts for the American Cancer Society's programs.

Residents had to evacuate an apartment building at Mitchell
& State Streets in Norwich this morning, after a section of the outside
wall fell off.  No injuries were
reported, engineers will inspect the building to see if it will need to be torn
down.

22nd district Congressman Anthony Brindisi brought
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to Chobani Wednesday to hear from local
producers and tour Chobani’s factory.   local Farmers joined Brindisi as his guest for
a roundtable discussion about trade & the state of agriculture in Upstate Counties
and USDA regulations.

The Delaware County Department of Public Works will be closing
Fitch's Covered Bridge in the Town of Delhi on Saturday, from 9:00 am to 11:00 AM
for the annual Covered Bridge Run.  County
Route 18 will be closed to through traffic from the Village Line to Fitch's
Bridge during that time frame as well. Local traffic and Emergency Vehicles
will be permitted.

The Sidney Central School
District students were not allowed to leave the campus this morning following
the reports of a bear near the campus.
Department of Environmental conservation officers were called in.  The District was notified by local law
enforcement that the bear was no longer in the immediate of the vicinity of the
school & the Sidney District has resumed all normal activities this
afternoon.

Otsego County Sheriff Richard Devlin reports the Sheriff’s
Office along with the Susquehanna SPCA is investigating an animal cruelty
situation in the Town of Maryland.
Deputies located approximately two dozen dead cattle in a barn and
another 30 head in poor condition late Tuesday afternoon.  This is an on going investigation.

State Police arrested 48 year old Lisa Stevens of Glen
Aubrey for 2nd degree Grand Larceny.  A
several month-long investigation revealed that Stevens collected over $50,000
from several victims promising to make travel arrangements that were not
made.  Victims of the scam called the
State Police & Stevens was arraigned at Broome County Central Arraignment
and Processing.   The case is continuing,
Investigators believe there may be more residents in the area that have not yet
come forward, and they should Contact State Police at 775-1452 if you believe
you may have been a victim.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run to raise awareness and support
for Special Olympics New York will pass through Broome County today as the Olympics
Torch makes its way around New York State leading up to the Special Olympics
New York Summer Games, in Dutchess County June 14-15.  More than 75 members of local law enforcement
will participate starting at 2:00pm at Binghamton University, Peace Quad.   The Torch Run will conclude at Tully's on
the Vestal Pkwy East, with a reception for participants.

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office’s Criminal
Investigation Division arrested 32-year-old Joseph Clark on 23 counts of
Criminal Contempt, it is alleged that while he was an Inmate at the Delaware
County Correctional Facility, Clark violated the terms of an Order of
Protection issued by the Town of Oneonta Court by contacting a protected
victim.  Clark is scheduled to appear in
the Town of Delhi Court on Tuesday, June 4, 2019 to answer these charges.

The Tri-Town Coalition on Substance Abuse Prevention’s next
meeting is tonight at the Maiorano Office Building, 9 Main Street in Sidney
from 6:00 to 7:30 PM.

31-year-old Chris Nugent of Deposit was apprehended at an apartment on Court Street in Binghamton earlier this week.  Nugent was wanted in connection with a gang assault case at the Johnson City McDonald's in December, he was sent to the Broome County Jail.  Nugent was charged along 4 other Deposit man for gang assault in an attack that seriously injured 2 people.

Broome County District Attorney Steve Cornwell & Broome County Executive Jason Garnar announced a "State Of Emergency" in the county regarding Fentanyl.    Cornwell said that there were 10 fatal overdoses in Broome County this month, some of those attributed to Fentanyl, 6 of them in the last week & a half.  Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that about 100 times more potent than morphine.

State lawmakers on Tuesday unveiled legislation designed to
crackdown on robocalls, blaming the federal government for failing to act on
the issue.  The legislation would require
the use of software designed to block unwanted calls, spam calls or calls from
robodials meant to scam people out of money.
The measure would apply to both landline and cellphones after a
proliferation over the last several years of robocalls.

Attorney General Letitia James filed the nation's most
extensive lawsuit against the manufacturers, Sackler Family, and distributors
of opioids for their role in the opioid epidemic that has taken hundreds of
thousands of lives and devastated families and communities. The lawsuit alleges
that through years of false and deceptive marketing, and by ignoring their
duties to prevent the unlawful diversion of controlled substances, these six
national prescription opioid manufacturers, the Sackler Family, and four
national prescription drug distributors are largely responsible for creating
the opioid epidemic that has ravaged New York, causing widespread addiction, overdose
deaths, and suffering.

The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce announced that they
will be holding a job & Career Fair in Cooperstown on April 17th.  The Job Fair will be held at the Otesaga
Hotel from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, more information is available at 432-4500.

Oneonta Main Street Goes Blue
tomorrow for colorectal cancer awareness. The event takes place at Muller Plaza
from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM; it is sponsored by Cancer Services Program of the
Central Region and Bassett Healthcare Network.
More information is available at the Oneonta Main Street Goes Blue Facebook
page.

31-year-old Colyn Williams of Binghamton has been charged
with attempted murder for allegedly stabbing a woman and the couple's
11-month-old son.  The woman and child
sustained serious injuries, & were sent to a local hospital.  Williams has been charged with second-degree
attempted murder and first-degree assault. He was being held for arraignment in
Binghamton City Court

State Police arrested 26 year old Derek Zigon of Cherry
Valley for Assault, Criminal Mischief, Resisting Arrest, Obstructing
Governmental Administration and Petty Larceny.
Zigon allegedly stole beer from a
Convenience Store & fled,
Troopers & Otsego Deputies located Zigon, who shattered a window to
gain entry into a residence on State Route 80, he resisted arrest, kicked 2
troopers, he was pepper sprayed and taken into custody & was arraigned
& was remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $10,000 cash bail or $20,000
bond.

The Tri-Town Coalition on Substance Abuse Prevention will be
holding their next monthly meeting this evening.  The meeting will begin at 6:00 PM & will
be held at the Maiorano Building at 7 Main Street in Sidney.  1 of the topics of discussion will be about
trying to acquire grant money from the Drug Free Community Federal Grant
program.  More information is available
at 437-4274.

Fahrudin Omerovic of Utica was sentenced to 12 years in prison
plus 4 years of post-release Supervision, after being convicted of in Oneida
County Court for making a terroristic threat on the Utica College campus in
March of 2018. Omerovic admitted to making the threats, which forced many to
clear the campus for 2 days to investigate the threat & find the party responsible.

Governor Cuomo announced that the State DEC released
proposed regulations to improve air quality and protect public health with new,
stringent requirements on peak-use power plants. The proposal will establish
lower thresholds for emissions of nitrogen oxides, which contribute to harmful
levels of ozone, or smog, on hot summer days. Dozens of simple cycle and
regenerative combustion turbines at power plants are still in limited use across
the state, & they emit Nitrogen Oxides at levels that are 30 times more
than newer turbine emissions.

2 State lawmakers are considering a proposal to legalize
prostitution in New York State.  2 New
York City State Senators, Julia Salazar & Jessica Ramos forwarded the
proposal this week, only a few counties in the state of Nevada have legalized
Prostitution, none of t5he 50 states as a whole, have legal prostitution, the
proposal is not expected to make it the Governor's desk this year.

Emergency crews responded to the report of a 2 vehicle crash
on state route 166 in the town of Middlefield this morning.  1 unidentified person was injured in the
crash, State DOT officials remind residents to try to steer clear of snow plows
doing their jobs during the winter weather.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of
Delaware County announced the availability of programs to make homes more
energy efficient through the Weatherization Assistance Program and Empower NY,
which can provide over $10,000 of energy improvements for income eligible
households.  These programs cover such
improvements as: Insulation and air sealing; replacement of inefficient heating
equipment; installation of high-efficiency lighting; replacement of refrigerators
and inefficient appliances.  More
information is available at 865-6531 or by email to jmd30@cornell.edu (mailto:jmd30@cornell.edu).

The Oneonta Comprehensive Steering Committee meeting will be
held this evening at Oneonta City Hall.
The meeting will begin at 6:00 PM in the Common Council Chambers; it was
moved from Wednesday night to tonight due to the wintry weather.

The Commerce Chenango Economic Outlook Breakfast will be
held this morning at the Canasawacta Country Club, on County Road 44 in
Norwich, 13815.  Registration begins at
7:30; the presentation begins at 8:15, Featuring NBT Bank keynote speaker,
Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, Kenneth Entenmann.

The Tri Town Coalition on Substance Abuse Prevention meeting
will be held this evening in Sidney.  The
meeting will begin at 6:00 PM at the Sidney High School Library; the Guest
Speaker will be Megan Walradth of the Central Region Prevention Resource
Center.

34 Year old Terrence Truitt of Oneonta faces a felony
hearing today in Oneonta City Court, on a charge of 1st degree arson.  Truitt is accused of intentionally setting a
fire at 5 Walling Avenue in Oneonta last Saturday morning that claimed the life
of former Oneonta Firefighter John Heller.
Truitt is being held in the Otsego County jail pending future court
action, addition charges in the case are possible.  A funeral service for Heller will be held
starting at 1:00 this afternoon in the Foothills performing Arts Center Atrium,
followed by a celebration of Heller's life at the East Meredith Fire Station.

A new survey by the Commission on Independent Colleges and
Universities reports that Hartwick College generated an estimated $123 million
in total economic impact on the region in 2017. More than $49 million was a
result of direct spending by the institution.
Also noted in the survey, Hartwick College accounted for $5.4 million in
average annual construction spending, up $700,000 from the previous survey in
2015. In 2017, the College opened its new $7.1 million living-learning
apartment community on campus, which houses 72 upper-class students.

Tri-Town Coalition on Substance Abuse Prevention announced
that their next meeting will be held on January 31st.  The Coalition skipped a December meeting due
to the Holidays, the January 31st meeting will be held at the Sidney High
School Library from 6:00 to 7:30 PM.

Broome County District Attorney Stephen Cornwell has
announced today he will not seek re-election to the office for a 2nd 4 year
term.   Cornwell defeated long-time
District Attorney Gerald Mollen in 2015.

The State Department of Taxation and Finance reminds
property owners age 65 and over who are applying or reapplying to receive the
Enhanced STAR exemption in 2019 that they must now enroll in the Income
Verification Program.  Those already
enrolled in the IVP don’t need to take any action to continue receiving their
Enhanced STAR exemption checks.  New IVP
enrollees will automatically receive the exemption each year they’re
eligible.  More information about the program
registration is available at tax.ny.gov/STAR.

The City of Oneonta has been
designated as a "Clean Energy Community" by NYSERDA, for reducing
energy use, cutting costs and driving clean energy locally.  The City received the designation for
completing 4 of 10 high-impact clean energy actions identified by NYSERDA as
part of the Clean Energy Communities initiative. In addition, the designation
gives the City an opportunity to apply for up to $5,000 toward additional clean
energy projects, with no local cost share.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Village of Oxford man for an active Arrest Warrant issued by the Town of Preston Court.  42 year old Jason Barrows turned himself into the custody of the Sheriff; he was wanted for 2nd degree Burglary, Criminal Mischief and Grand Larceny for allegedly breaking into a residence & stealing more than $1,000 in property & Animals, and vandalizing windows on a vehicle.  Barrows was arraigned in the Town of Preston Court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $5,000 cash bail. He is scheduled to reappear in court at a later date.

New State Attorney General Letitia James joined a coalition
of 17 attorneys general, in filing a notice of appeal in Texas v. U.S.,
defending the Affordable Care Act and the healthcare of millions of Americans.
Today's filing moves the legal defense of the ACA to the U.S. Court of Appeals
for the Fifth Circuit where the Attorneys General will appeal the lower court's
ruling that the ACA is unconstitutional. On December 30th the district court
granted the request to certify the judgment for appeal, and to stay the
judgment pending that appeal. Thursday's filing continues the coalition's legal
defense of the ACA, with a request to appeal the district court's December 14
opinion in the Fifth Circuit.

New Congressional members Anthony Brinidisi & Antonio
Delgado were officially sworn in to Congress, the 2 local Democrats defeated 1
term republicans Claudia Tenney & John Faso to represent the region in the
US House of Representatives.

Democratic State Senator Jen Metzger was sworn into office
Wednesday representing the 42nd District.
Metzger takes over the district that was held by John Bonacic, who
decided to retire after finishing his last term after decades in state
Government.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested Dustin Dunagan
of Sherburne for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation & Criminal Possession of
Marihuana on Wednesday.  Dunagan was
arraigned in the Town of Plymouth Court and was remanded to the Chenango County
Correctional Facility on $200 cash bail. Dunagan is scheduled to appear in the
Town of Pharsalia Court on a later date.

On Tuesday, a Town of Norwich resident was arrested by the
Chenango County Sheriff’s Office for Promoting Prison Contraband 1st.  31 year old Derek Davies was charged after
the Chenango County Correctional Division discovered prison contraband in Davies’
cell during a random search; he was processed and will be arraigned in the Town
of Norwich Court

State Police are looking to identify an individual described as a white female with shoulder length blond hair, driving a white 4 door late model sedan. The suspect is accused of going through a vehicle while it was parked at Animal Adventure Park near Colesville on October 16 and taking money, credit cards and checks. The suspect's picture was obtained when she attempted to cash a check using the victim’s identification at the NBT Bank in Syracuse. Anyone with information should call State Police at 775-1241; photos have been posted at the State Police Troop C web page.

The Delaware County Board of Supervisors passed their 103 million dollar budget at their meeting Wednesday in Delhi. The tax levy increase was held to about 1.4%, the board also approved of forming the substance Abuse Prevention Task Force which will include members of several County Agencies to try to combat the ongoing Heroin & Opioid problem.

The Autopsy performed on 50 year old Wade Bostwick of Milford showed that he died of carbon monoxide poisoning. Bostwick was found dead in his home after firefighters responded to a fire at his Center Street Milford Address last Saturday afternoon.

The State Department of Taxation and Finance announced more than 62,000 payments worth more than $46.6 million have been made through its convenient Quick Pay application since the beginning of 2018. The free service provides individuals a way to promptly pay a tax bill or debt owed from an audit or collection case, or as part of an installment payment agreement. More information is available at tax.ny.gov at the Bills & Notices page.

Demolitions of Derelict buildings in Sidney Center have begun this week. Sidney Town Supervisor Gene Pigford explains:

(Gene Pigford 11-29-18)

Supervisor Pigford said that the buildings were purchased for a nominal fee and will initially serve as a Green Space.

Sidney area residents over 65 can get assistance with medical bills of prescription costs through the Mary MacKinnon Trust Fund. Community Bank Trust Department Spokesperson Julia Goff explains:

(Julia Goff 11-29-18)

Goff said that the trust fund has been active & growing for over 50 years, more information is available at 433-4212

The race in the 22nd Congressional District is over, with Anthony Brindisi officially being called the winner, and outgoing Republican Claudia Tenney finally conceded the race yesterday. Brindisi has already been in Washington for orientation, Tenney leaves after serving only 1 term in Congress.

The Tri-Town Coalition On Substance Abuse Prevention will hold their next regular meeting this evening. The meeting will be held in the Sidney High School Library from 6:00 to 7:30 PM, the guest speaker will be Megan Waldrath of PRC.

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting this evening in the Guilford Elementary School Cafeteria at 6:30 PM. The business portion of the meeting will start at 7:00 PM.

Tropical Storm Willa is making its way across Mexico, and could develop into a lesser form of a Nor'Easter this Saturday, meteorologist Rich Townsend comments:

(Rich Townsend 10-24-18)

Temperatures are expected to reach into the mid 40's Saturday in the Southern Tier. We'll have the WCDO Tri County Forecast at the end of the newscast.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call for a burglary in progress on Morgan Hill Road in the Town of Afton. The caller reported that when he entered his building and unknown individuals fled the scene out the rear door of the building. The Sheriff’s Office K-9 Team & Deputies patrolled the wooded area behind the house, hours later, they arrested 37 year old Jessica Palmatier of Bainbridge, for Criminal Possession of a controlled substance, 3rd degree burglary, and she was arraigned in the Town of Afton Court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $5,000 cash bail. State police assisted, they arrested the 2nd suspect, 39 year old Jeb Davis of Sidney, and he was charged with 3rd degree burglary & was arraigned in the Town of Afton Court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility with no bail.

The tri town coalition on substance abuse prevents has 2 events this week. Tonight at the Sidney High School “Hiding the High” will be presented in an “Adults” only session, beginning at 7:00 PM. The next regular Monthly meeting of the coalition will be held Thursday night at 6:00 PM at the Sidney High School featuring Dr. Samantha Cole, regarding the unique substance abuse problems locally.

The Otsego County Sheriff's department, the Susquehanna Animal Shelter & Southern New York Pig Rescue in Hornell teamed up Monday to remove 4 pigs that were malnourished, from a property on Fisk Road in the town of Morris. Fundraising efforts were underway to have the pigs spayed or neutered by the Cornell University Veterinary program, the name of the owner of the pigs has not been charged, and the investigation is ongoing.

Cornell Cooperative Extension & Chobani have teamed up for a series of informational workshops regarding the financial aspects affecting the Dairy Industry. A workshop will be held at the Quality Inn of Oneonta on Wednesday October 31st, & on Thursday November 1st at the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Norwich. Those interested in attending the workshops can register at 315-866-7920.

Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate for Governor, will hold a news conference this morning in Binghamton to outline his criminal justice reform agenda, in front of the State Office building at 44 Hawley Street. Hawkins will appear at 10:30 AM. He is also scheduled to speak at SUNY Binghamton at 6:30 PM.

Officials from Artspace will be in Oneonta today & tomorrow to listen to the needs of the artist community and to look for creative ways to support the arts and the City. Various discussions will be held at the Foothills Performing Arts Center starting at 1:00pm today, capped off with the public meeting at 7:00 PM. 2 more meetings are scheduled for Thursday morning, also at Foothills.

Chenango County Fire Investigators are trying to determine the cause of a fatal fire Wednesday night on Granville Road in the Town of Sherburne. The fire was reported at about 6:30 last Wednesday Night, one woman died in that fire, her name has not yet been released, the investigation is continuing.

The Broome County Sheriff's Department announced that 17-year-old Ali Masland was reported missing from her residence on West Chenango Road in the Town of Chenango late Wednesday afternoon. Masland is described as 5’2, 100 pounds with brown hair and black eyes, she wears glasses and she has developmental disabilities and may be carrying a backpack. Anyone with information on Masland is asked to contact the Broome County Sheriff’s Office at 778-1911.

The League of Women Voters announced that they will host a debate between 121st Assembly District Incumbent Democrat Bill Magee & Republican challenger John Salka. The debate will be held next Tuesday at 7:00 PM at the Oneonta High School.

The Sidney Central School Alumni Association's Sports Hall of Fame 16th “Induction Weekend” is Friday and Saturday with 5 inductees & 1 Legacy Team selected to be honored that year, spokesman Greg Davie explains:

(Greg Davie 9-27-18)

Induction Weekend events kick off Friday at Sidney Alumni Field when all honorees are announced at halftime of the Sidney versus Walton football game, following the game, all inductees, Sidney alumni and their guests are invited to a get-together at the Sidney VFW. Proceeds will help acquire an interactive “touch-screen” Sidney Alumni display permanently housed near the gym. More information is available at sidneyalumni.org.

Governor Cuomo signed legislation passed by the Legislature, to protect barbershops, beauty shops and salon service providers against individuals who steal their services. The new law will make it a class A misdemeanor, for those who fail to pay for services provided by a barbershop, salon, or beauty shop. Under previous law, an individual who knowingly failed to pay for those services was not subject to criminal prosecution, leaving certain small business owners at risk of financial loss with little recourse.

The 23rd Annual "Original" Grand Finale Cruise In will be held on Sunday October 7th from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. This year, the Cruise in will move across the street from the Sidney Airport to the Sidney Industrial Park at Winkler Road. The Cruise In usually has 200 to 300 cars participating; more information is available at 723-0656 or 768-8998.

The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce will hold their next "Business After Hours" event today. The event will be starting @ 5:00 pm & will run until 7:30 pm at the Bainbridge Post Office.

The next Tri-Town Coalition on Substance Abuse Prevention meeting will b e held today. The meeting will be held at the Sidney High School Library at 6:00 PM.

Free 5-gallon pails of remixed exterior latex paint are available to non-profit agencies and Otsego County residents free of charge on a first come first serve basis. The
paint was collected as part of the county’s annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day held this past September. Paint collected during the event was re-mixed
and packaged for distribution through the generosity of Golden Artist Colors, Inc. of New Berlin. To place an order or to get more information, call the Otsego County
Planning Department at 547-4225.

The Bainbridge Glow Run 5K & 1 Mile Lightning Bug dash will be held on September 29th at General Clinton Park in Bainbridge, The event is a fundraiser for a
Bainbridge native fighting cancer, according to organizer Heather Bucalos of Sidney, who is also a cancer survivor, she told WCDO News that there are a lot of costs to
deal with for cancer patients:

(Heather Bucalos 9-20-18)

Registration for the event is available at Runsignup.com/Race/NY/Bainbridge/GlowFundraiser

Hartwick College’s True Blue Weekend 2018 is scheduled to start on October 4th this year, with more than 50 regional, national, and international employers offering
students work opportunities at Hartwick College’s Internship & Career Expo. The event will be held Thursday, October 4, from 1:00 to 3:30 PM in Lambros Arena, on the
Hartwick College campus, more information is available at hartwick.edu/EXPO or by calling 431-4249.

New York state’s farms generated $4.8 billion in revenue in 2017, with 15 agricultural products ranked in the top 5 nationwide, according to a report released today by
State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. New York has more than 35,000 farms covering 7.3 million acres, nearly one quarter of the state’s land area. Milk is by far the state’s
largest agricultural commodity, with $2.7 billion in sales in 2017, New York vineyards covered 35,000 acres in 2017, producing 187,000 tons of grapes, surpassed only by
California and Washington. The full report is available at osc.state.ny.us/reports.

DELAWARE COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES announced a "Free Weekend at Noah’s World" for Delaware County Residents, at 144 Roundhouse Road in Oneonta.
The free weekend is for Delaware County Residents through the Children with Special Health Care Needs Program, who need help in accessing various health care
professionals and other community resources. This sponsored weekend will take place this Friday through Sunday, Friday's hours are 11:00 am to 7:00 pm & Saturday
and Sunday, the hours are from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. More information is available at noahsworld.net or by calling Delaware County Public Health at (607) 832-5200.

Today approximately 100 Delegates from across 10 counties met in Binghamton to formally nominate the Republican candidate for State Supreme Court in the 6th
Judicial District, they unanimously selected Chenango County District Attorney Joe McBride to run as the Party's candidate in this November's election. The vacancy in
this office was created by the recent retirement of Judge Kevin Dowd.

Sidney High School Senior J.P. Dewey has been selected to perform with the NYSSMA Conference All-State Jazz Ensemble in Rochester this fall. Dewey will be playing
piano in the 18-piece ensemble, and will also attend the music conference from November 29-December 2, he will also be eligible to perform with the ensemble in March
as part of NYSSMA Day festivities in Albany.

A judge has denied a motion by ex-Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver regarding his bail request, pending the appeal of his corruption conviction and seven-year prison term. U.S. District Judge Valerie Caproni has denied Silver's request Monday, she stated that the substance of Silver's appeal lacks merit, and the sole purpose of the request was to stall Silver starting his prison term on October 5th. Silver was sentenced to 12 years in prison after his first conviction in 2015, that conviction was overturned after the U.S. Supreme Court redefined the boundaries of public corruption, then a 2nd jury convicted him
earlier this year, for taking $5 million illegally by using his political power for personal gain.

The 4th Annual Sidney Health Fair will be held at Keith Clark Park in Sidney this Saturday, with a host of activities planned,
Spokesperson Gabrielle Argo explains:

(Gabrielle Argo 9-20-18)

Representatives from Fox Hospital's Tri Town Regional Hospital will participate, along with representatives from Sidney EMS, Catholic Charities, The United Way & the Tri Town Coalition on Substance Abuse Prevention.

The 2018 Campaign Kick Off of the United Way of Delaware & Otsego Counties will be held today in Oneonta. The event will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the B Side Ballroom & Supper Club in the Clinton Plaza.

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting on Thursday, September 20, 2018 in the Guilford Elementary Cafeteria at 6:30 PM. The business portion of the meeting will start at 7:00 PM.

State Police arrested 37 year old Matthew Millard of Endicott for DWI with a reported B.A.C .22%. A trooper on patrol responded to a 911 complaint of a tractor trailer driving erratically on I-88, the trooper observed the tractor trailer travel into the shoulder several times. Millard was arrested for DWI & was released on appearance tickets returnable to the town of Oneonta Court on August 7th.

The National Baseball Hall Of Fame Induction weekend begins Friday morning, with Ozzie Smith's Play Ball museum educational Fundraiser at 8:00 AM at the Hall of Fame & then it moves to a Cooperstown area Ball field for instruction & stories from Hall of Famers Jeff Bagwell, Johnny bench & Tim Raines. Activities will continue through Monday, Highlighted by the induction of 6 New Hall of Famers Sunday afternoon at the Clark Sports Center.

Otsego County officials announced that an auction on tax foreclosed properties will be held in Oneonta on August 15th. Information about foreclosed property can be found at NYSAuctions.com, click on Otsego County, specific properties can be located by putting an address in the Search box. The Auction on the 15th will be held at the Oneonta's Holiday Inn on route 23 Southside.

The Bureau of Chronic Disease, Evaluation, and Research released a report that indicates that the use e-cigarettes, vaping products, or Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems has doubled among high school youth over the span of 2 years, with over 1 in 5 youth reporting current use. LINDA WEGNER OF “Advancing Tobacco Free Communities Comments:

(Linda Wegner 7-26-18)

Wegner said that E-cigarettes contain nicotine, carcinogens and toxins and are not approved by the FDA as cessation devices, Health advicates believe that e-cigarettes may contribute various health issues later in life, and may serve as a getway to cigarettes. A recent Poll shows that New Yorkers overwhelmingly support a policy that would restrict e-cigarette advertising to youth under the age of 18 and over half support a ban on candy like flavors in e-cigarettes.

The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce will be holding their next "Business After Hours" event This evening, the featured businesses this week will be Bob's Diner, Dexheimer Building Movers And Riggers & Payne’s Cranes; more information is available by calling the Bainbridge Chamber at 967-8700.

The next meeting of the Tri Town Coalition on Substance Abuse Prevention will be at 6:00 PM this evening. The meeting will be held at the Track Side Diner in Sidney. Mary Rosenthal of the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council of Delaware County & Megan Walradth of the Central Region Prevention Resource Center will be attending this evening's meeting

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County will conduct the 88th annual Delaware County Dairy Tour. The stops on this free drive-yourself tour will include Granston Farm in Oneonta, the farm of Dan and Naomi Buel in Franklin and Creek-Crest Holsteins in Delhi.

The Norwich Gus Macker tournament has extended the deadline for teams to register, and volunteers are needed for a host of jobs at this year's Macker, according to organizer Tom Revoir:

(Tom Revoir 6-27-18)

The Annual Macker Tournament benefits the Norwich YMCA, an estimated 1,200 players have already signed up for the 3 on 3 Basketball tournament in Norwich on July 14th & 15th. Those who want to volunteer can call Revoir at the Norwich YMCA at 336-9622, extension 29.

The Broome County District Attorney’s office announced that 27 year old Thomas Sessions of Whitney Point was arraigned Wednesday in Broome County Court, in connection with a March 23rd attack that seriously injured a Lisle resident. Sessions was located earlier this month in Arizona and taken into custody. The grand jury indictment charges Sessions with attempted 2nd degree murder, 1st degree assault, & attempted 1st & 2nd degree assault; he is accused of striking the victim in the head after knocking on the victim’s door & claiming to have a disabled vehicle.

A new report released Monday by a coalition of New York State law enforcement officials, public health experts and elected officials, showed that The Delaware County had the highest rates of gun-related suicide and homicide. The research focused at the rate of homicide and suicide in each county from 2012 to 2016, the report showed that for every 100,000 residents of Delaware County, there were 13.4 gun-related deaths, & the a rate of suicide by gun at 12.9. Other counties that ranked high were Allegany, Wyoming, Cattaraugus and Sullivan counties. New York State’s overall gun-related death rate was 4.4 deaths per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average of 11.8 deaths per 100,000 residents.

Governor Cuomo announced the launch of Open FOIL NY, to provide access to public records in New York. Open FOIL NY offers an open-access online form to request records from up to 3 agencies simultaneously, Access & contact information for 59 State agencies and authorities, and direct access to a growing body of online information and resources.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 19 year old Cordell Witherow of Plymouth for 3rd degree Assault. Witherow is accused of causing serious physical injury to an unidentified male victim. Witherow was released on an appearance ticket and is to appear in the Town of Plymouth Court at a later date.

Chenango County Sheriff's Department arrested 24 year old Cara Kaskeski of Mount Vision, for Welfare Fraud & Offering a False Instrument for Filing. Kaskeski allegedly collected more than $9,000 in child care assistance from July 2014 through November 2017 which she was not entitled to receive, she was issued appearance tickets to appear in the City of Norwich Court at a later date.

The next meeting of the Tri-Town Coalition on Substance Abuse Prevention will be held at Track Side Dining on Main Street in Sidney this evening. The meeting will run from 6:00 to 7:30 PM, participants are invited to use the rear entrance.

Antonio Delgado of Rhinebeck won the 19th Congressional District Democratic Primary yesterday; he will face Republican incumbent John Faso in November. Delgado beat out 6 other Democrats to win the primary. The 19th district will be one of the most-watched races in the country

US Postal Inspectors, State Police CNET, Homeland Security Investigators (HSI), Vestal Police Department and the Broome County Drug Task Force made a controlled delivery of a package containing approximately 250 grams of Ecstasy to a residence in Binghamton. Following the delivery, a search was conducted at the home of 32 year old Andrew Davis, A search of the residence leads to the recovery of the package, digital scales, cellphone, & other items, Davis was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, he was arraigned and was remanded to the Broome County Jail without bail.

Delaware County Sheriff Deputies arrested 42 year old Patrick Renner Jr. of Stamford for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Operating a Motor Vehicle without an Ignition Interlock Device, Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle & violating the terms of his probation. Renner is accused of driving a vehicle on Main Street in the Village of Stamford on Thursday with a revoked driver’s license and without an ignition interlock device, from a previous DWI conviction. Renner was arraigned and was remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility without bail pending further court action.

State Police arrested 36 year old Jennifer Grant of Westford for DWI, Operating a Vehicle While Registration Suspended, & Unlawful Possession of Marihuana, plus numerous traffic tickets. Troopers stopped Grant while on Otsego County Highway 34 after they observed her cross the center line and drive onto the shoulder. Grant was released to a sober third party and given appearance tickets to the town of Westford Court on July 17th.

State Police arrested 35 year old Todd Bailey of Cobleskill for felony Criminal Mischief, plus 3rd degree Assault & Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Troopers were dispatched to Gilbert Lake Park in the town of Laurens for a domestic dispute involving several people; Bailey is accused of having a physical altercation with several family members, including a child under the age of 17, and causing damage to a vehicle. Bailey was arraigned in the town of Laurens Court and was released in his recognizance, pending court action Thursday

Oneonta Mayor Gary Herzig announced that the city has chosen Trampoline Advertising and Design Co. of Glens Falls to develop and implement Oneonta's Downtown Revitalization Initiative branding, marketing, downtown directory and welcome signage programs. Oneonta was awarded $570,000 for the programs as part of the state's DRI award of $10 million.

34 year old Tristan Reid of Scranton Pennsylvania was charged with reckless endangerment, reckless driving, unlicensed operator, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, & several other related charges, following an accident on Main Street last Friday evening. Reid is accused of driving into on-coming traffic, he went up a curb onto a sidewalk and lawn, damaged a street sign, & drove into the side of 365 Main Street. Reid was sent to Otsego County jail on $7,500 cash bail or $15,000 bond pending future court action.

The Otsego County Sheriff’s department announced that Margaret Thayer was found deceased near her Property in the town of Otsego this morning. Thayer was reported missing back on march 6th, Deep snow drifts had prevented deputies from reaching some of her property behind her residence, an autopsy may be performed, Sheriff Richard Devlin reported that there was no trauma to the body and foul play is not suspected, the investigation is continuing.

Plans are underway for 4 American Cancer Society Relay For Life events in the Tri-County Area this spring & summer, spokesperson Heather Brewster explains:

(Heather Brewster 3-28-18)

more information about the events can be found at relayforlife.org, cancer.org or by calling the Johnson City office at 766-6900.

The New York Mets & The Binghamton Rumble Ponies made it official today, former NFL player Tim Tebow will start the season in Binghamton. Tebow is slated to make his debut with the Rumble Ponies when they open the 2018 season with a 7-game homestand starting Thursday, April 5 at 6:35 PM at NYSEG Stadium. Tickets can be purchased at BINGRP.com), calling the Box Office at 722-FUNN, or visiting NYSEG Stadium box office during normal business hours.

The next meeting of the Tri-Town Coalition on Substance Abuse prevention, will be held tonight in Sidney. The meeting will begin at 6:00 PM at the Sidney Library.

State Leaders are wrapping up work on the State Budget deal, which is due on April 1st, Assembly Minority leader Brian Kolb said that the last minute hold up involves important issues that are not budgetary issues.

(Brian Kolb 3-28-18)

Lawmakers announced earlier in the week that they wanted to get the budget wrapped up & passed by the Governor tomorrow, ahead of the Easter Holiday.

Norwich City Police arrested Regina Donovan on charges of Making a Terroristic Threat against a staff member at the Norwich School District Middle School. Donovan was arraigned & was released on her own recognizance, an order of protection was put in place for the staff member & grand jury action is anticipated in April.

State Police arrested 27 year old William Laraby of Burlington for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation, Unlawful Possession of Marihuana and having a Controlled Substance in the Non-Original Container. Troopers received a complaint that Laraby borrowed someone’s car and did not return it; they located Laraby in the town of Exeter. Laraby was arraigned in the town of Exeter and remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $1,000 cash bail or $2,000 bond.

The Delaware County Board of Elections reminds voters that Friday, March 30th is the last day to postmark a registration form for the April 24th Special Election. April 14th is the last day to register in person at the Board of Elections for the April 24th Special Election to fill the 102nd State Assembly seat. Registration forms and applications for absentee ballots are online at co.delaware.ny.us/departments or by calling 832-5321 or by stopping at their Delhi main office.

State Police have charged 31-year-old Serina Madden of Colesville with 2 counts of endangering the Welfare of a child. Madden is accused of allowing 2 of her children to play & sleep in the same room where her 10 year old daughter Belladonna Loke had died. Madden was held in the Broome County Jail on the 2 charges, the investigation into the death of the girl is continuing, the results of an autopsy performed earlier this month has not been released. Police said that Loke suffered from a serious medical condition at the time of her death.

The amount & type of precipitation for Thursday night & Friday’s Winter Storm is in question still, based on the early computer models. Sidney High School Science Teacher & Meteorologist Rich Townsend comments:

(Rich Townsend 2-28-18)

Townsend said that forecasts could be drastically different for this storm over the next 24 hours. The National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Watch for Thursday night through Friday Night.

The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations currently through March 16th, for the Distinguished Business Award, for companies with 50 or more employees. The Late Eugene Bettiol, who passed away late last year, will be honored by the Chamber as the recipient this year’s Distinguished Citizen Award, which was named after him in recent years. The celebration will be held on Thursday, May 3rd, at 5:45 PM at The Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center.

Tonight is the next Tri Town Coalition on Substance Abuse Prevention meeting at 6:00PM at the Sidney High School Cafeteria. The purpose of tonight’s meeting will be to discuss the goals of the coalition for 2018 and planning for upcoming events.

The United Way of Delaware & Otsego Counties announced that Kimberly Lorraine has been selected as the new Executive Director. Lorraine joined the untied way in December & has over 25 years experience in Non-Profit Management.

State Police arrested 20 year old Syrano Edwards of Hilton, for DWI with a B.A.C. result of .15% and other traffic violations. The arrest occurred after a traffic stop when troopers observed the vehicle with no passenger side brake light on State Route 23, in the town of Oneonta, troopers accuse Edwards of driving while intoxicated, he was issued tickets returnable to the town of Oneonta Court on March 6th.

The Village of Sidney hosted an informal meeting with architects responsible for the design of the “Green Plain” project, at the Community Field behind the Sidney Memorial Park. Place Alliance Landscape Architect Andrew Bohne told WDCO news where they are at & what the timeline is;

(Andrew Bohne 2-28-18)

Bohne said that the money was only recently made available for this part of the Sidney flood mitigation program, & phase one is underway.

Governor Cuomo today announced animal shelters and humane societies across the state have been awarded funding through the New York State Companion Animal Capital Fund. Locally, the Susquehanna SPCA in Cooperstown will recieve $500,000 for the construction of a new animal shelter to replace the current structure, to decrease the flooding risk and to allow for the addition of an adoption counseling area.

State Police CNET arrested 24 year old Thomas Cole of Whitney Point for 14 counts each of Identity Theft & Falsifying Business Records, as well as 10 counts of Forgery, 4 counts of Scheme to Defraud and 14 counts of Criminal Impersonation. The arrest followed an investigation into the purchase of pseudoephedrine between last September & November, where Cole allegedly used driver’s licenses belonging to 2 separate individuals for the purposes of illegally purchasing pseudoephedrine at Broome County Pharmacies, in order to illegally manufacture methamphetamine. Cole was arraigned & was returned to the Broome County Jail.

More than 200 new State Troopers graduated from the State Police Academy this morning at a ceremony in Albany. Trooper Lindsey Rumenapp of Oneonta commented about the 6 months of training & her expectations:

(Trooper Lindsey Rumenapp 1-31-18)

Trooper Rumenapp will be assigned to Troop C in Sidney, along with 35 other graduates.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli appeared at the Investor Summit on Climate Risk at the United Nations, he announced a $2 billion increase to the New York State Common Retirement Fund’s low emissions equities index, doubling its investment. The Fund was the first public pension fund in the U.S. to create an index that excludes or reduces holdings in the worst carbon emitters and shifts investments to lower emitting corporations. The increased allocation raises the current value of the Fund’s sustainable investments to more than $7 billion.

33-year-old Brock Likens of Greene is facing federal charges for allegedly possessing child pornography on a computer. Officials traced an IP address to Likens apartment, a subsequent search of the apartment turned up several computer files containing child pornography. Likens is being held in the Broome County Jail pending action in Federal Court.

Governor Cuomo announced Round III of the New York Broadband program, to ensure high-speed Internet access for all New Yorkers. The $209.7 million Round III awards will provide 122,285 homes, businesses and community institutions across the state with access to high-speed Internet, so far the program has meant internet upgrades for approximately 2.4 million locations statewide.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 50-year-old Robert Misner of Franklin following an investigation into a Hit & Run property damage accident at the Franklin Central School. Misner was operating a Subaru Friday evening on Institute Street in the Village of Franklin when the vehicle left the roadway, entered onto the Franklin School Campus and ran over shrubbery and decorative stones. Misner was subsequently ticketed for leaving the scene and failing to report a property damage accident.

Animal Adventure's April the Giraffe has picked the New England Patriots to win over the Philadelphia Eagles in this year’s Super Bowl this Sunday, February 4th. Video captured inside the giraffe barn at Animal Adventure Park in upstate New York shows April selectively skipping over the lettuce that rests atop an Eagles sign, and reaching for the lettuce that hangs over the Patriots sign. The video can be viewed at rvsaadvertising.sharefile.com.

The Tri-Town Coalition On Substance Abuse Prevention will hold their next Meeting tonight at the Sidney High School Library, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. Agenda items include the Truth Pharm programs, reviewing the "Chasing The Dragon" Documentary & set up plans for 2018.

The City of Oneonta Airport Commission has cancelled today's scheduled meeting, which was due to begin at 4:00 PM at Oneonta's City Hall.

The Broome County Special Investigation Unit Task Force executed a search warrant in Port Crane, which resulted in the arrests of 31-year-old Brett Poyer & 30 year old Jodi Bickos. Officers seized 2.2lbs of methamphetamine, packaging materials, and paraphernalia at the residence, Poyer and Bickos were charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Criminally using Drug Paraphernalia, they face court action shortly.

State Assembly Republicans released the findings of a Domestic Violence Task Force, that conducted 5 meetings on the domestic violence crisis issue, Assemblyman Cliff Crouch comments:

(Cliff Crouch 1-24-18)

The Assembly Minority Conference will introduce a package of bills this session to address the issues facing victims of domestic violence and their families.

State Senator Fred Akshar will continue with his "Akshar's All-Stars" student recognition program Thursday at the Greene High School as well as the Union-Endicott High School & the Owego Free Academy. Each month, Senator Akshar recognizes three or four local students selected by their school districts in the 52nd Senate District who have shown great leadership, compassion, & school spirit. Akshar will appear at the Greene High School at 12:15PM Thursday.

The Tri-Town Coalition On Substance Abuse Prevention will hold their next meeting at the Sidney High School Library on Wednesday, January 31st from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. Topics of discussion will be the "Truth Pharm” Parental Education Program, a Review of the "Chasing the Dragon" documentary & planning for the 2018 year.

Magic City Productions announced today that Daughtry will play at the Broome County Forum on March 30th at 8:00 PM. Tickets will g o on sale on Friday morning at 10:00 AM at the Arena Box office, ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office has completed its investigation of Monday's fatal fire at 553 German Hollow Road in the Town of Plymouth. Investigators have determined the fire started in the area of a wood stove being used to heat the residence. It was also determined from autopsies that Debbie Pfeiffer, Amber Morrow and Benjamin Pfeiffer all died from smoke inhalation.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 22 year old Nicholas Corrao of Stamford on 1 count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child following a report of child abuse in the village of Stamford. Deputies allege that Corrao acted in a manner which was injurious to the mental and moral welfare of a child less than 17 years of age. Corrao was issued an appearance ticket and is scheduled to reappear at the Town of Stamford court at a later date.

The State Labor Department released local unemployment rates for the month of December. Locally, Chenango County was up to 5.8%, Delaware County had 5.7% unemployment & Otsego County had 5.2% unemployment, the state rate was at 4.4% for December.

The Unatego School District Board of Education is holding a special vote today from 12:00 noon to 8:00 PM, in the Unatego Middle/High School building in Wells Bridge. Eligible voters in the Unatego district will vote on the leasing of 3 large and 1 small passenger school buses.

An unidentified 16 year old has been arrested for the alleged sexual abuse of a 9 year old. The teen was arrested and arraigned in the Town of Laurens Court, he was released to an adult & an order of protection was issued for the victim, the teen faces action today in Town of Laurens Court & Otsego County courts.

Students, educators, Law Enforcement officials and area families attended the tri town coalition on Substance Abuse Prevention's viewing of the documentary "Chasing The Dragon" Wednesday night at the Sidney High School. Coalition Spokesperson Lorraine Keckeisen explains:

(Lorraine Keckeisen 11-16-17)

Keckeisen said that the Documentary can be found & watched on line, by googling "FBI Chasing The Dragon” she said that other area school districts are now also planning to have viewings of the film soon, the details will be released as the film is scheduled.

The City of Oneonta Engineering Department is asking local residents that it is against the law to dump leaves, snow and debris into in any of the City’s waterways or into the Susquehanna River. Piles of debris and snow could cause blockages in the waterways, which could lead to localized flooding. The department said that area residents should also keep an eye on local catch basins to keep leaves & debris from blocking them.

Today is “The Great American Smoke Out”, a day when smokers try to quit together for at least one day, in the hope of quitting permanently. More than 2.2 million New York adults still smoke and more than 26,000 die as a result each year, the State Smokers' Quitline is still available as a free resource for all New Yorkers seeking help. Quit Coaches can be reached at 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487) to provide personalized coaching and support, and additional resources are available online at www.nysmokefree.com.

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced today the sentencing in Broome County Court of Kenneth Cohn, Sharon Cohn, the owners of Yellow Medi-Van and Taxi, Inc., for stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in Medicaid funds and knowingly operating transportation services without Worker's Compensation insurance. The Cohns forfeited and released $455,604 currently being withheld by the State Department of Health, to the Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. The Cohns also agreed to pay $50,000 each in restitution, Kenneth Cohn was sentenced to 5 years' probation, and Sharon Cohn was sentenced to 1-year conditional discharge.

The Sidney Chamber of Commerce will hold their next “Business After Hours” today. The event will be held from 6:00 to 7:00 PM at ACCO Brands. 101 O’Neil Rd, Sidney NY 13838

Joshua Underwood pleaded guilty to 1st degree manslaughter for the death of Mark Morrison on January 1st in Oneonta. Morrison died from blunt force trauma, Underwood then tried to cover up the crime by unsuccessfully setting fire to Morrison’s apartment doorway. Underwood faces Sentencing on December 15th.

The Delaware County Solid Waste Management & Delaware County Chamber of Commerce are holding an open house at the Solid waste center on Saturday Morning from 8:00 AM until 12:00 Noon. Solid Waste Coordinator Sue McIntyre explains:

(Sue McIntyre 11-15-17)

McIntyre also said that the department's ten-year plan is available for viewing & public comment, it can be found on the Delaware county Website

State Police arrested 24-year-old William Deluca of Afton for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and other traffic violations. Deluca was pulled over by a State Trooper form driving without a front license plate on East Main Street in Afton, the trooper detected Marijuana odors from the vehicle & a subsequent search turned up methamphetamine powder. Deluca was issued tickets for town of Afton Court on December 4th.

The State DEC is reminding hunters who take a deer, bear, or turkey to report their game harvest this hunting season. Hunters who fail to report their harvest can be subject to fines of up to $250. Reporting deer, bear, or turkey harvest can be done by calling 1-866-426-3778, or online to the DEC website, or on the DEC's mobile app, "NY Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife".

The start of the 2017-18 skiing and snowboarding season is this Saturday, with both Whiteface Mountain and Gore Mountain opening their season. Belleayre Ski Resort is scheduled to open Friday, November 24th. Every winter, skiing and riding at New York's 51 mountains attracts millions of visitors and generates $1 billion for the state's economy.

The Tri Town Coalition on Substance Abuse Prevention will present the full length of the movie "CHASING THE DRAGON" tonight at the Sidney High School. Coalition Spokesperson Lorraine Keckeisen explains:

(Lorraine Keckeisen 11-15-17)

Keckeisen said that Superintendents from Sidney, Bainbridge Guilford & the Unatego Schools are participating, there will also be representatives from Truth farm, Fox Hospital, Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council of Delaware County, M-Kat, SSAD & Yes Leads at the event, which will run from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM in the SIDNEY HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM

The State Office of General Services announced a surplus vehicle, highway equipment, and miscellaneous property auction has been scheduled in Binghamton on Wednesday, November 15. Information on specific items and terms of sale are available at ogs.ny.gov, more information is available at (518) 457-6335. Next Wednesday Auction will begin at 9:30 AM at the Department of Transportation at 241 Colesville Road, Binghamton

State Police executed a search warrant at 5435 and 5186 Elk Creek Road in the Town of Meredith, following an investigation into the illegal growing of marijuana. Police seized approximately 500 harvested Marijuana Plants, about 100 pounds of processed marijuana, plus 34 grams of hashish, a digital scale, $1166 in cash, 7 long guns, 2 Security surveillance systems. Police arrested 59-year-old Richard Lane of Walton, 48 year old Edward Lane of Meredith, & 61 year old Clayton Rockefeller of Meredith, for Criminal Possession of Marijuana, all 3 were arraigned in the Town of Davenport Court and remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $2500 cash bail or $5000 bond.

The African Children’s Choir will be performing at the Binghamton First Assembly Church Friday Night at 7:00 PM, as part of a national tour, that has performed all over American & Canada since April. Tour Leader Keira Carnie explains:

(Keira Carnie 10-25-17)

The African Children’s choir has been performing for over 30 years, and has performed for Queen Elizabeth at her Golden Jubilee, and has performed with Paul McCartney, Annie Lennox, Mariah Carey & Keith Urban. Friday Nights show is free; the church is located at 225 Washington Street in Binghamton.

Sidney village officials were notified that a squirrel in NYSEG Substation was responsible for yesterday's power outage, which affected 350 Sidney Customers & 60 Bainbridge customers. The power outage disrupted several area businesses along Delaware Avenue, generators were used to power up traffic signals at State Route 8 & Delaware Avenue, Sidney Police also directed traffic at other affected locations. NYSEG Reported that power was restored at about 7:30 PM Tuesday.

The Pouring of the Concrete has started, as part of the Sidney Main Street Revitalization Project. The concrete is being poured in a way to allow Main Street Businesses to remain open for their customers, the 1 side of Main Street that is being worked on currently is expected to be concluded in the next 2 weeks, the work for the other side of Main Street will begin early next year.

The State office of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Services announced the opening of the new Voices Recovery and Community Outreach Center at 340 Prospect Street in Binghamton. The center will provide free support and services for people who are in recovery from a substance use disorder and for their families.

Hartwick College officials have announced The Hartwick College Founders’ Award, a guaranteed tuition grant of $10,000 per year, which will be awarded to each newly enrolled 1st year and transfer student who is a resident of New York State. Grants will be awarded to new students beginning in the fall of 2018. Students who enroll in the College’s innovative 3-Year Bachelor’s Degree Program are also eligible for this award. No special grant application is required; students only need to apply for admission to Hartwick and file the FAFSA form.

Governor Cuomo signed legislation to extend property tax exemptions to eligible United States veterans to include school taxes. Currently, state property tax laws provide partial property tax exemptions to qualified veterans of the United States Military; however, this exemption does not apply to school taxes. In 2013 and 2016 the alternative veteran's property tax exemption and Cold War property tax exemption were amended to give school districts the options of allowing the exemption, now, all 3 veteran's property tax exemptions would be applied to school taxes.

The State Department of Labor released preliminary unemployment rates for September. The State’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 4.8% to 4.9% in September, Locally, Chenango County had 4.7% unemployment, Delaware County had 5% & Otsego County had 4.4%.

The Next Tri Town Coalition on Substance Abuse Prevention will be tonight at the Sidney High School cafeteria at 6:00 PM. Sarah Buttice of Fox Hospital will discuss smoking cessation programs & initiatives like “Stop Targeting Our Teens”.

CDO Workforce and BEAM are offering a free interviewing workshop today at 10:00 AM at the CDO Workforce Center, at the 2nd Floor of the Sidney Civic Center. Reservations are requested at 832-5776, but walk-ins are welcome. The Interviewing Workshop is in time to prepare for the Southside Mall Job Fair later today from 2:00 to 5:00 PM.

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.