WCDO Radio News

The Bainbridge-Guilford Teachers' Association is hosting its 7th Annual Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair, tomorrow at the Greenlawn Elementary School Gymnasium. BG High School Teacher Amy LaFever told WCDO News that the proceeds would benefit the BG Angel Fund:

(Amy LaFever 12-1-17)

Among the activities from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM tomorrow, will be crafts for children, a Chinese Auction, a bake sale, and $5 pictures with Santa, plus a pancake breakfast in the Greenlawn cafeteria, more information is available at 437-7896.

Santa will be appearing in Unadilla Saturday, with events starting at 9:00 AM with a Breakfast at the Methodist Church followed by Classic Christmas Movies at the Library. At 1:00 pm, The Parade line up on Sperry Street, at 1:30 pm, Santa arrives by Fire Truck at Community Center to meet with area children. Other Activities planned include Musical Performances by Unatego High School Band, & the Unadilla Rotary Club Basket Raffles. The Unadilla Chamber of Commerce and Unadilla Rotary Club sponsor the day's events

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting today in the Guilford Cafeteria. The annual Re-Organization Agenda meeting will start at 6:30 PM.

The Unadilla Summer Concert series officials announced that, due to heavy rain in the forecast, tonight's concert has been moved indoors. The Concert will be held indoors at the Unadilla Community Center at 246 Main Street, starting at 6:30 PM.

The 66th Annual Unadilla Flag Day Parade will be held this evening along State Route 7 through the village. Spokesman Dave Welch explains:

(Dave Welch 6-14-17)

Those wishing to participate should begin lining up at the Unadilla Elementary School at 5:30 PM; more information is available at 287-7393.

State Police arrested 38-year-old Joseph Wilms of Unadilla, for DWI, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation, Criminal Mischief & other traffic violations, after troopers responded to a report of an erratic driver on the Unadilla Community Field. Wilms is accused of driving on the field, causing damage to the grass, and then driving away, he was located in his driveway on Sperry Street; the arrest was a felony because Wilms has 2 prior DWI convictions. Wilms was arraigned in the Town of Unadilla Court and was remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $2,500 cash bail or $5,000 property bond, pending court action Friday.

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

A Kindergarten Parent Information Meeting will be held today, beginning at 6:30 PM at the Guilford Elementary School cafeteria, for students who will be 5 years old on or before December 1st. Parents are encouraged to attend to learn more about the BG Kindergarten program; more information is available at 895-6700.

Today, Law Enforcement Officers around the state will participate in Operation Safe Stop Day. During "Safe Stop," police officers are on board school buses and in marked and unmarked patrol units on selected bus routes that have a history of illegal passing complaints. Police issue tickets to drivers who pass stopped school buses. In the last four years, 35 students were hit by motorists passing stopped school buses in New York State.

The New York State Office of General Services will hold a surplus vehicle auction today, at the State Police Troop C Headquarters in State Route 7 between Sidney & Unadilla. More information about surplus items can be found at nysstore.com. The auction will begin at 9:30 AM.

37 year old Robert Stutzer of Stamford has been charged with arson & criminal Mischief in connection with an alleged arson at 2630 State Highway 7 in the town of Unadilla last Thursday. State Police reported that Stutzer was arrested shortly after the report of a fire at that location on February 16th, the investigation is continuing.

New York placed seventh nationally in the percentage of public high school graduates succeeding on Advanced Placement exams in 2016, moving up from eighth the year before, according to a College Board report released Wednesday. New York, which in 2008 led the nation and in 2012 was second, trailed other states that have surged ahead — including Massachusetts, which ranked No. 1 for the first time, with 31% of their high school graduates scoring a "3" or higher on last year's AP exam. Maryland ranked 2nd, followed by Connecticut, Florida, California & Virginia & then New York.

The Sidney Elementary School Universal Pre-K Applications are available for the 2017-18 School year. Children must be four years old by December 1, 2017 in order to be eligible. Parents interested in having their child attend UPK must call the Sidney Elementary main office at 561-7701 to request an application.

Governor Cuomo discussed his plans to strengthen the Upstate economy, with income tax cuts for middle class families, free tuition at SUNY & CUNY Schools for middle class families, and the continuing of the Regional Economic Development Councils.

(Cuomo 1-23-17)

Lawmakers will begin hearing later this week on various aspects of the Governor's 152 Billion Dollar Executive Budget Proposal.

The Unatego School District Board of Education will be deciding next month on the recommendations from a Facilities study on the district's buildings. Unatego Superintendent Dave Richards explains:

(Dave Richards 1-23-17)

Richards said that the 2 Elementary school buildings are each about 90 years old & would require millions of dollars in renovations, however the need for the extra space is negated by the fact that the district population has decreased by 28% over the last 10 years.

THE UNADILLA CHAMBER of Commerce IS HOSTING THE 4 CHAMBER MIXER at Green's Long River Inn, Unadilla today. The Meeting will begin at 6:30 pm for members of the Unadilla, Sidney, and Bainbridge & Afton Chambers of Commerce.

About 100 area residents attended last nights Unatego School district Town Hall meeting with Superintendent Dave Richards, who told WCDO News of the 2 main concerns:

(Dave Richards 1-18-17)

Richards said that the Facilities committee has suggested closing the Otego Elementary School first, and then the Unadilla Elementary School in 4 to 5 years after that, the Unatego Board of Education is expected to vote on the Otego closure next month. Richards said that the district has lost 28% of their student population in the last 10 years, and the 2 buildings are over 90 years old and face millions of dollars in repairs & renovations.

An Afton Central School District bus slid off Lord Road in icy conditions this morning, No Injuries were reported, The Afton district delayed the opening of classes today by 2 hours.

Property tax levy growth for school districts will be capped at 1.26% for the 2017-18 fiscal year, according to State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. The tax cap limits tax levy increases to the lesser of the rate of inflation or 2% percent; with certain exceptions, including a provision that allows school districts to override the cap with 60% voter approval of their budget.

Bainbridge-Guilford-Afton-Harpursville Head Wrestling Coach Brandon MacNaught has been named the 2015-2016 New York State Wrestling Coach of the Year. The New York State Public High School Athletic Association recognized MacNaught's work during the 15-16 season, he had the task of working with 3 different school districts for his combined team, yet the Bears are consistently one of the most successful teams in the area. They sent several wrestlers to the state tournament in Albany last year and won several tournaments as a team as well.