WCDO Radio News

Empire State Development Corporation could not verify that many of the companies participating in the Excelsior Jobs Program met their obligations or even justify giving the businesses tax breaks in the first place, according to an audit by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. Auditors found a range of problems from lowering job creation goals after companies did not meet expectations to not verifying if jobs were full-time or part-time. ESD also could not produce evidence that several companies actually created jobs and did not simply shift jobs. ESD officials disagreed with the audit’s findings. Their full response is contained in the audit.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies arrested 48 year old William Mills Jr, of New Jersey Sunday, for DWI, Aggravated DWI, using a vehicle without a court ordered interlock device, & Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Mills was arraigned in the Village of Hancock Court, and was remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility in lieu of $2500 cash bail, pending future court action.

Governor Cuomo announced new paperless registration renewals for New Yorkers visiting their DMV offices by eliminating the need to submit a completed paper application. Customers only need to show a New York State-issued photo ID or have a Motor Vehicle Representative look up their image in DMV’s database, Transactions are then processed through a touch-screen device.

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer announced new legislation he will introduce in the Senate that would require landline and mobile carriers to offer free robocall-blocking technology to all consumers. The Act would also direct the FCC to require telephone companies to label and block calls with fraudulent caller ID, it also subjects callers to penalties, fines, or state actions to those who intentionally cause call-blocking technology to incorrectly identify callers originating from an automatic dialing system or using an artificial or prerecorded voice.

On Friday Delaware County Sheriff Tom Mills announced the arrest of a recently paroled Village of Walton career drug dealer on new drug trafficking charges. the Sheriff's Criminal Investigation Division arrested 33 year old Gerard Johnson, of Walton on a Sealed Indictment Warrant, Johnson was charged with 2 counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance, for heroin sales in Walton, Johnson was arraigned on the new charges in Delaware County Court on Friday and was ordered held on $50,000 cash or $100,000 bail bond pending further court proceedings.

The Greater Chenango Cares IRT event will again be occurring in Norwich this summer. The 10 day initiative that will offer no cost medical, dental, optometry and veterinary care for children and adults in our region. The event is being led this year by the Chenango United Way and its volunteers and is occurring because of a partnership between many local health and human service organizations, local government agencies and the Department of Defense. The event will run from Friday, July 15 through Sunday, July 24 and will be held once again at the Norwich High School. more information is available at 334-8815

Delaware County Sheriff Deputies conducted a traffic stop on State Highway 268 in the Town of Tompkins, they arrested 36 year old Thomas Evans of Walton for speeding, improper passing, aggravated unlicensed operation, & Criminal Possession of controlled substance. Evans was arranged and was remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $500 cash bail pending court action in the Town of Tompkins Court at a later date.

Delaware County Sheriff Tom Mills announced that the Sunday Fundraiser at Danny's Restaurant in Walton netted nearly $30,000 for the K-9 program. The K-9 unit has become increasingly important as the county battles the ongoing drug problem. Sheriff Mills stated that the money raised would be used for the continuance of the K9 unit & the upkeep for "Ozzie"

Village elections will be held tomorrow, with some races of local interest. In Bainbridge, Phillip Wade & Steven Eisenberg are running, as Chick Darling has decided to step aside & pursue a village trustee position. Others running for village trustee positions in Bainbridge are Timothy Mayes, Edward Gorton & Erik Barnard. In Unadilla, Christopher Winkler, Paul Baldwin & Jeff Jones are running for 2 trustee positions, Dave Welch is running unopposed for Mayor. In Sidney, Thomas Ford is running unopposed for a village trustee position.

The 63rd annual Sidney Rotary Club Pancake Day tomorrow at the River Street Fire Station in Sidney from 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Department announced that there will be a fundraiser this Sunday in Walton, to support their K9 Unit, which has been an integral part of the County’s crackdown on Drug dealers in the County. The fundraiser will be held on Sunday at Danny’s Restaurant at 14 Gardiner Place in Walton from 12:00 noon until 7:00 PM, donations can be made by check to Delaware County Sheriff Tom Mills, with “K9 Drug Fund” in the memo box. More information about the fundraiser can be directed to Danny’s restaurant at 865-8496.

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Department announced that there will be a fundraiser this Sunday in Walton, to support their K9 Unit, which has been an integral part of the County's crackdown on Drug dealers in the County. The fundraise will be held on Sunday at Danny's Restaurant at 14 Gardiner Place in Walton from 12:00 noon until 7:00 PM, donations can be made by check to Delaware County Sheriff Tom Mills, with "K9 Drug Fund" in the memo box. More information about the fundraiser can be directed to Danny's restaurant at 865-8496.

The Sidney Chamber of Commerce is accepting the nominations for Citizen of the Years & Business of the Years through tomorrow. Sidney Chamber President Stephanie Taylor comments:

(Steph Taylor 3-10-16)

More information is available at the newly revamped website, Sidney chamber.org or by calling 561-2642