WCDO Radio News

Fishing and hunting bring a stream of cash to New York’s economy, generating the 2nd highest expenditures in any state at approximately $5 billion, according to a report by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. Nearly two million people fish, hunt or trap in New York, Fishing is the most popular, with two-thirds of New York participants fishing exclusively, followed by 28 percent who fish and hunt and nine percent who hunt only. Nearly $1.9 billion was spent on trip-related purchases including transportation, lodging and food.

Delaware County Sheriff Tom Mills has come out in support of Ulster County Sheriff Paul Van Blarcum in his call for licensed hand gun owners to carry their weapons, in case of a mass shooting like the recent one in California. Mills, Chenango Sheriff Ernest Cutting and several other sheriffs sided with Van Blarcum since last week.

State Senate Republican candidate Fred Akshar campaigned in Norwich today, he told WCDO News what prospective constituents concerns are:

(Fred Akshar 10-16-15)

Akshar faces Democrat Barbara Fiala in the special election to fill the 52nd state senate district, following the conviction of long time senator Tom Libous of Binghamton this summer.

Delaware County Sheriff Tom Mills reminds residents to be aware of a number of IRS scams that have been reported recently. The scams try to trick taxpayers into providing personal and financial information & may involve intimidation tactics to coerce victims into making false tax payments that are collected by the scammer. Sheriff Mills said that you should not share any personal or financial information with these callers, & that the IRS will never make such calls to private citizens. Those with questions can contact the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040, you can report scams to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1-800-366-4484, or the Federal Trade Commission at FTC.gov.

Delaware County Sheriff Thomas Mills and Broome County Sheriff David Harder announced the arrest of a Deposit man on multiple felony drug charges. 29 year old Clint Stevens of Deposit, was arrested by members of the Delaware County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division, and Broome County Special Investigation Unit Task Force, and charged with felony Criminal Sale and felony possession of a Controlled Substance for the sale and possession heroin and cocaine with the intent to sell. A month long investigation was concluded yesterday with a sting operation conducted on Pine Street in Deposit that resulted in the arrest of Stevens. He was arraigned in the Town of Delhi Court and remanded to the Delaware County Jail without bail.

Delaware County Sheriff Tom Mills announced that they are seeking funding to help acquire & give away Bicycle helmets to children whose family may not be able to afford one. Since 1999 the Sheriff’s safety program has acquired & given out 4000 free bike helmets, more information is available by calling the sheriff’s department at 746-2336.

New York’s IDA’s provided $660 million in net tax exemptions in 2013, up $105 million from 2012 but estimated job gains were nearly 23,000 lower than the previous year, according to State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. The report found that, despite this weakening growth in jobs, the state’s 109 active IDA's provided $1.38 billion in total tax exemptions in 2013. The exemptions were partially offset by $723 million in payments-in-lieu of taxes, leaving the total net exemptions for the year at $660 million – an increase of $105 million, or 19% from 2012. DiNapoli has also renewed his call for improvements to IDA oversight and accountability. A copy of the report is available at osc.state.ny.us.

Governor Cuomo announced that the state Troopers PBA, the State Association of Chiefs of Police, & 28 Sheriffs have joined the “Enough is Enough” campaign to combat sexual assault on the state’s college campuses. The Governor's proposal would codify uniform sexual assault prevention and response protocols for all colleges and universities in New York. Among the local law enforcement that have now expressed support are Broome County Sheriff David Harder & Delaware County Sheriff Tom Mills. The "Enough is Enough" hotline is 1-844-845-7269; more information is available at ny.gov/EnoughisEnough.

There will be a Celebration luncheon hosted by Donna Pinney Saturday @ 1:30pm at the Track Side Dining in Sidney. Pinney is an open heart-valve surgery survivor; she explains why she is holding the Luncheon:

(Donna Pinney 3-20-15)

Proceeds raised tomorrow will benefit the American Heart Association Southern Tier Heart Walk, in April at the BCC College campus. More information is available at 563-1638.