WCDO Radio News

The Luszi’s Legacy Cornhole Tournament last weekend successful, the tournament raised $1,600 that will go directly to Pet Street Station Animal Hospital fund, to assist families deal with the bills for emergency or quality of life care for their senior pets.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 6-26-26

Most of the area School Districts will have their High School Graduation exercises today & tomorrow. Graduation ceremonies begin this afternoon at 5:00 pm for Gilbertsville Mount Upton grads, at 6:00 pm for AFTON, MILFORD, 6:30: in WINDSOR and 7:00 PM for UNATEGO, NORWICH, ANDES, MORRIS, LAURENS, DEPOSIT, EDMESTON, FRANKLIN, HANCOCK and 7:30 for CHARLOTTE VALLEY. Graduation ceremonies on SATURDAY start at 9:00 AM for HARPURSVILLE, at 10:00 AM for SIDNEY, UNADILLA VALLEY, DELAWARE ACADEMY, GREENE, WALTON, 10:45 AM for ONEONTA, 11:00 AM at OXFORD ACADEMY, SCHENEVUS; 1:00 PM for SOUTH KORTRIGHT and 7:00 PM for the BAINBRIDGE-GUILFORD.

Broome County DA Paul Battisti announced that the County has received over $750,000 to strengthen law enforcement's ability to identify & address High Risk Domestic Violence. The funding allows for on scene crisis response by law enforcement and professional advocates to provide safe planning & support to victims, comprehensive care review sessions to address the needs of victims & implement a new system to ensure offender accountability through a coordinated response.

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 5-21-25

Many of the Southern Tier area schools had their budgets passed by voters on Tuesday, however not all of the results are in this morning. Locally, Voters in the Sidney Central School District approved the budget 147-43, they also passed the bus proposition & the Sidney Luibrary budget, Bainbridge-Guilford School Budget passes 180-78, Franklin had their budget, bus & library votes passed, other local who schools who reported budget votes passing by substantial margins were Unatego, Oneonta, GMU, DEPOSIT, WALTON, Afton, UNADILLA VALLEY, Greene, Harpursville.

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 4-11-25

Commerce Chenango announced that they will hold their 3rd Annual Hiring Event on May 16th from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Unadilla Valley High School. Commerce Chenango Spokesperson Sophia Root explains:

(Sophia Root 4-11-25)

Business or organizations that are interested in participating on May 16th can sign up at commercechenango.com or call (607) 334-1400.

“MASONVILLE CONNECTS” will hold an Easter Egg Hunt at the old Masonville school building this Sunday at 1:00 pm for area children. More information about this & future Masonville Connects events can be found at their Facebook Page.

The Otsego County Office of Emergency Services announced that they have sent personnel to assist in the fighting of the Catskills area wildfires in Ulster, Sullivan & Orange Counties. Otsego County deployed 5 Hand-crews, totaling 25 firefighters, to assist in Greenwood Lake, with fire fighters from Milford, Otego, Unadilla, & West Laurens Fire Departments, as well as Otsego County Emergency Services Deputy Fire Coordinator Jeremy Hilton. An extended appreciation is warranted to the Cherry Valley, Garrattsville, Gilbertsville, Morris, Mount Vision, Richfield Springs, West Exeter & Worcester Fire Departments for also offering additional personnel for deployment.

The Village of Unadilla will have their 2nd annual Tree Decorating event at the Community House on December 13th, Unadilla Mayor Jake Cotten explains:

(Jake Cotten 11-11-24)

Cotten said that interested businesses and organizations should contact him at 607-373-7370 before December 11th, a parade will follow the Christmas Tree Lighting on December 13th.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 11-11-24

The DEP and State Police helicopters are conducting aerial firefighting operations to assist local fire departments battling the Whitehouse forest fire raging across 384 acres in the mountainous New York City watershed between the Rondout and Ashokan reservoirs in Ulster County in the Catskills.

Otsego County is accepting applications continuously for Correction Officers. Applicants must have Graduated from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma, should Possess an appropriate level New York State driver’s license and acceptable driving record, and must pass a background check. To obtain an application visit the otsegocountyny.gov/departments.

Chenango County Health Department reported that a skunk found along State Highway 8 in South New Berlin tested positive for rabies at the State Lab in Albany. The Health Department reminds area residents to make sure that all pets are up to date on the vaccines, more information is available by contacting the Chenango County Health Department at (607) 337-1673

A fundraiser for the Delaware Valley Humane Society will be held at Awestruck Cider in Sidney Sunday, Erin Insinga from the Humane Society explains:

(Erin Insinga 10-18-24)

The "Pints for Paws" event will run from 11 to 5 on Sunday at Awestruck in the Sidney Industrial Park.

Another American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held Saturday in Oneonta, as blood is needed following the recent hurricanes in the Southern States. The drive will be held Saturday from 10 am. - 3 pm., at the Southside Mall Oneonta YMCA, Appointments can be made at RedCrossBlood.org, by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

A.M. NEWS Friday 10-18-24

Otsego County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of 29 year old Eugene Buzie of Unadilla for multiple sex offense charges following an investigation. The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office announces the addition of charges in to the investigation involving Buzie, On July 19th he was arrested by investigators for multiple sex offense related charges. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the defendant did request, receive and possess a sexual performance by a child through online sources & was charged additionally with Possession of Sexual Performance by a child, Buzie was still incarcerated on the previous charges, he was produced from the Oneida County Correctional Facility to be processed on the new charge, at the Otsego County Correctional Facility and he was returned to the Oneida County Correctional Facility with an Appearance Ticket returnable to the Town of Unadilla Court at a later date.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office is currently looking for 40 year old Donald Shurock Jr. A Chenango County Deputy was called to a State Highway 26 in Pitcher Thursday for a suspicious vehicle complaint, the Deputy identified one of the occupants as Shurock, who has active warrants for his arrest. Shurock resisted arrest and fled the scene on foot, causing the Deputy to sustain physical injury. The Deputy was transported to a local hospital and was treated & released. Shurock is described as a white male, approximately 5’8” tall, weighing approximately 165 pounds, balding with short brown hair, brown beard and mustache, wearing a black winter hat, blue/gray Carhartt jacket, jeans, and boots. In addition to the active arrest warrants, Shurock is now wanted on charges of Assault on a Police Officer and Resisting Arrest. If anyone has information, contact the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office at (607) 334-2000.

The Tri Town Theatre presents "Beauty & the Beast" tonight, Saturday night & Sunday Afternoon at the Sidney High School Stage, performers George Wells & Sarah Norris commented:

(George Wells-Sarah Norris 10-18-24)

Tickets may still be available for this fast selling production at tritowntheatre.com.

31 year old Cachet Fernandez of Unadilla was convicted of Failing to Register as a Sex Offender, on Monday in Delaware County Court, Fernandez appeared in Delaware County Court for a conference on his pending case, after the conference, he pleaded guilty to the indictment. Fernandez relocated from Delaware County to Binghamton, but never changed his address with the State Sex Offender Registry. Judge John Hubbard sentenced Fernandez to a 3-year conditional discharge, if he fails to keep his address current during that 3-year period, or violates any laws, he is subject to being re-sentenced to 1 and 1/3 to 4 years in state prison.

Butternut Valley Alliance will hold its annual “On the Trail of Art” Festival Saturday & Sunday at the Texas Schoolhouse State Forest in New Lisbon. The trail will feature student artists from Edmeston, Gilbertsville-Mount Upton and Morris Central schools, Butternut Valley Alliance Spokesperson Maggie Brenner explains:

(Maggie Brenner 6-4-24)

Brenner said that Admission to the event is free, reservations & more information is available at Butternutvalleyalliance.org.

SFCU will be hosting their annual Hometown Day Parade in Sidney This Saturday, Spokesperson Anna Banks explains:

(Anna Banks 6-4-24)

The Parade starts at 1:00 PM at the Sidney High School parking lot down West Main to Main Street & on to River Street & it ends at Keith Clark Park.

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 3-15-24

Area Fire Department & Emergency Squads will be conducting open houses next month, in an effort to get more people involved in their local fire department, following years of dwindling numbers, Bainbridge Emergency Squad member Roger Barnhart comments:

(Roger Barnhart 3-15-24)

Barnhart said that so far, the Afton Fire Department will hold their open house on April 13th, which is the same day as the state wide "Recruit New York" Initiative, the Bainbridge & Unadilla Departments planning to hold theirs on April 27th,

On Monday at 12:00pm, Congressman Marc Molinaro will host an education round-table with school faculty, parents, and teachers at Chenango Valley High School, regarding a loss of state funding.

A.M. NEWS Friday 3-15-24

State DEC reminds residents that the annual statewide burn ban prohibiting residential brush burning begins tomorrow and runs through May 14. Since 2009, DEC has enforced the annual brush burning ban to help prevent wildland fires and protect communities during heightened conditions for wildfires.

An American Red Cross Blood drive is being held in Oneonta from 1:00 to 6:00 PM today at the Quality Inn, on State Highway 23. Appointments can be made with the RedCrossBlood.org, the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

Our Krazy 8 Redemption LLC of South New Berlin will be helping with the “March Madness” fundraiser for the Delaware Valley Humane Society this Saturday in Sidney, Humane Society Director Erin Insinga comments:

(Erin Insinga 3-13-24)

The fundraiser will run through the end of March, more information is available on the Delaware Valley Humane Society or Our Krazy 8 Redemption center Facebook pages.

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 6-23-23

Anielle "AK" McEwan Lomnicki has been cleared to play basketball at the Gus Macker Tournament in Norwich next Month, AK suffered numerous injuries when she was struck by a drunk driver while walking home from school in Sidney February 15th, she told WCDO News that she is excited & ahead of schedule in her ongoing recovery:

(AK McEwan Lomnicki 6-23-23)

AK's father, Rick Lomnicki said that they have been watching other people playing various sports, but watching his daughter compete after all she has been through will be exciting:

(Rich Lomnicki 6-23-23)

"AK" will be competing at the Norwich Macker July 8th & 9th on 1 of 9 WCDO sponsored teams, she also plans to play in the Ithaca Gus Macker tournament, and 2 other tournaments later this summer.

High School Graduations are scheduled all over the Southern Tier this weekend. Hancock Commencement exercises began this morning, other districts with ceremonies today include Afton, Andes, Charlotte Valley, Deposit, Downsville, Edmeston, GMU, Laurens, Milford, Morris, South Kortright, Schenevus, Unatego & Windsor. Saturday Graduation ceremonies will include Sidney, Bainbridge Guilford, Norwich, Oneonta, Delaware Academy, Greene, Harpursville, Oxford Academy, Unadilla Valley, Sherburne Earlville & Walton. 2 area district will hold their ceremonies on Sunday, they are Cooperstown & Worcester.

The State Comptroller's Office audited the Afton Central School District, , they found that the Afton Board and District officials did not effectively manage the District’s fund balance, so they levied more taxes than needed to fund operations and were not transparent with taxpayers. The Board annually overestimated appropriations by an average of $1.1 million or 7%. The District incurred $63,561 in unnecessary interest and other associated costs for the issuance of bonds to purchase school buses. The Comptrollers office recommended adopting realistic budgets, Reduce surplus fund balance to comply with the statutory limit to benefit taxpayers. District officials agreed with our recommendations and indicated they will take corrective action, the full report can be found at osc.state.ny.us.

State Police arrested 35 year old Heather Wrench of Coventry, for Criminal Possession of a Weapon, Grand Larceny & Petit Larceny, after a trooper and a Chenango County Deputy were dispatched to a report of a trespass on State Highway 206 in the town of Coventry. Wrench allegedly entered a vehicle and removed items, including a pistol, from a vehicle, she is also accused of trespassing several other area properties. Wrench was arrested and was remanded to the Chenango County Jail without bail.

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 4-26-23

State Police & other Law Enforcement Agencies are reminding New Yorkers to follow the "Move Over" law, which requires drivers to change lanes away from emergency responders, tow trucks & police vehicles responding to emergencies on the state's highway. The message was announced again after a driver slammed into the back an a van assisting a motorist in the Hudson valley, flipping another vehicle into the air, there were no injuries according to DMV officials. The Move Over Law has been in effect since 2012 in New York State.

The Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 26 year old Tiger Gould of Unadilla following a warrant investigation for the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office. Gould was charged with Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance, he was found to be in possession of methamphetamine, he was issued an appearance ticket in the Town of Unadilla Court at a later date, he was turned over to Chenango County Sheriff’s Office on the Bench Warrant.

3 blood drives are being conducted around the Otsego County today. 1 drive will be held from 12 pm. - 5 pm.,at the State University in Oneonta, in the Hunt College Union, another drive will be held from 8:30 am. - 1:30 pm., at the Neonatal High School, & another drive will be in Cooperstown from 12:30 pm. - 5:30 pm., St Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 31 Elm Street. To make an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 9-19-22

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office is re-establishing its Law Enforcement Explorer’s Program and is now accepting applications. The program is designed for high school students ages 14-18 who are interested in learning more about law enforcement, Delaware County Sheriff Craig DuMond explains:

(Sheriff DuMond 9-19-22)

Sheriff DuMond said that applications or more information is available through Deputy Collin Roche at collin.roche@co.delaware.ny.us or at (607)-237-1641.

The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce will hold their next regular meeting tomorrow morning. The meeting will begin at 7:30 am at the back of Bob's Diner. Chamber members are encouraged to attend & participate.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 9-19-22

The State DOT will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, September 28th at 5:30 pm. to discuss plans to enhance safety at 4 sites on State Route 8 in the towns of Columbus, New Berlin and Norwich. The proposed project will widen traffic lanes and shoulders, improve sight distances, reduce curvature in the roadway, The hearing will take place at the Unadilla Valley Central School Auditorium. More information is available at dot.ny.gov/Rt8Safety

The Otsego Department of Health and the Sheriff's Office announced that certified Child Safety Seat Technicians are available today to check if the child seats are properly installed. The event will take place from 2:00 to 5:00 Pm today at the Home Depot on State highway 28 in Oneonta.

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATIONS 2022

FRIDAY:

10:00 am HANCOCK

4:00:DOWNSVILLE

5:30: GILBERTSVILLE MOUNT UPTON

6:00: MILFORD

6:30:CHARLOTTE VALLEY

7:00: DEPOSIT, EDMESTON, FRANKLIN, MORRIS, OTSELIC VALLEY, SCHENEVUS, UNATEGO.

SATURDAY:

10:00 AM: SIDNEY, DELAWARE ACADEMY, GREENE, HARPURSVILLE, NORWICH, UNADILLA VALLEY, WALTON,

10:45 AM: ONEONTA

11:00 OXFORD ACADEMY, ROXBURY,

1:00 PM: SOUTH KORTRIGHT,

7:00: BAINBRIDGE GUILFORD

Sunday:

1:30 PM COOPERSTOWN

Local government sales tax collections grew by 15.7% in April compared to the same month in 2021, according to an analysis released today by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. Overall, local collections totaled $1.7 billion, up $232 million from April of last year. Nearly every county experienced significant year-over-year growth in collections, due, in part, to recent high inflation, more information is available at osc.state.ny.us.

A Ribbon Cutting ceremony was held Tuesday at the new Delaware County Behavioral Health Clinic at 243 Delaware Street. The building was officially opened last November, the ribbon cutting was held off until COVID cases declined. the Office of Alcohol & Substance Abuse Services & the office of Mental Health are housed in the new building.

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 5-18-22

Broome County District Attorney Mike Korchak released a statement regarding the Payton Gendron statements made during an online class at Susquehanna Valley School District in 2021. Korchak said that the statement mentioned Murder & Suicide, District officials followed protocols & notified State Police, who escorted Gendron to an area hospital for a mental Health Evaluation. Korchak said that no direct threat was made in the statement, and there was no mention of firearms, Gendron was released & returned to school & graduation exercises without incident. Gendron faces Court action Thursday for multiple counts of 1st degree murder for the Buffalo Tops Supermarket mass shooting Saturday that left 10 dead & 3 injured.

2 more American Red Cross Blood drives are being held in the region today. Upcoming blood donation opportunities include one in Walton from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Walton O'Neil High School, a drive will be held from 2:00 to 7:00 PM at the Laurens Fire Department. To schedule an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS

School budgets overwhelmingly passed Tuesday throughout the region & the state. Locally, the Voters in the Sidney Central School District approved the budget by a vote of 157-32, Corbin Curley and Kerri Green were elected to the school Board, At Bainbridge Guilford, the budget passed 220 to 76, Bus purchases passed in Afton, Andes, Bainbridge Guilford, Charlotte Valley, Cooperstown, Deposit, Franklin, Hancock, Laurens, Oneonta, Schenevus, South Kortright & Unadilla Valley. Capital Reserve Fund Propositions passed in Charlotte Valley, Downsville, Franklin, Greene, Hancock, Norwich, Oxford, Sidney, Unadilla Valley & Worcester.

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 4-20-22

The State of Emergency and Travel Ban for Chenango County and the City of Norwich continues to be in effect today, due to numerous roads still closed due to downed trees & power lines, Chenango County Director of Emergency Services Matt Beckwith gave WCDO News an update this morning:

(Matt Beckwith 4-20-22)

Beckwith said that The Norwich YMCA is operating a shelter, The Smyrna & Coventry Fire Departments are operating as "Warming Stations", The Norwich High School will be a warming shelter with showers available, Otselic Valley Central school will have overnight shelter, showers & food available, The Sherburne Earlville School has food available for pick up only, The Unadilla Valley School will be open until 7:00 PM for shelter, And NYSEG is making dry ice available at the Fire Departments in Afton, Bainbridge, Greene, Guilford, Norwich & Smyrna.

The Susquehanna SPCA is assisting pet owners without power & heat through its Emergency Boarding Program. Those seeking emergency boarding of their pets will be required to provide all vaccination records, more information is available at (607) 547-8111, extension 108, or by e-mail dyoungs@sqpca.org.

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 4-20-22

The State of Emergency and Travel Ban for Chenango County and the City of Norwich continues to be in effect today, due to numerous roads still closed throughout the County. All County offices and Schools in Chenango County will be closed today, Chenango County Director of Emergency Services Matt Beckwith explains:

(Beckwith 4-20-22)

NYSEG crews continued to work through the night, but thousands are still without power, NYSEG representatives announced that it could take another 24 to 48 hours to fully restore power. The American Red Cross opened 2 overnight shelters last night, for those without power & heat. 1 location was the Deposit Fire Department on 2nd Street, another was at the Trinity Church at 118 Oak Street in Binghamton.

Delaware County Deputies observed an SUV traveling at 83 miles per hour in a 55 mile per hour zone on State Highway 17 in the Town of Colchester. Deputies arrested 36-year-old Christina Daggett of Central Square, her Driver’s License had been previously revoked for operating without insurance. Daggett was charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Unlicensed Operator, Speeding & Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, she was released on an Appearance Ticket, returnable to the Town of Colchester Court at a later date.

Go Cart Racing is returning to Action Park East on River Valley Lane in the town of Greene tomorrow, local businessman Brandon Clapperton is reviving the races:

(Brandon Clapperton 4-28-21)

Clapperton said that more information is available on the Action Park East Facebook page.

About 1,300 members of SUNY Oneonta’s graduating class will be recognized during 2021 commencement exercises that include virtual and in-person components, including an opportunity to cross the stage and hear their name called.  SUNY Oneonta’s virtual ceremony is a full commencement program that will air Saturday, May 15th, and will feature recognition of individual graduates and the official delivery of degrees.  4 ceremonies will take place based on academic major: School of Economics and Business at 9 a.m.; School of Education, Human Ecology, and Sports Studies at 11 a.m.; School of Liberal Arts at 1 p.m.; and School of Sciences at 3 p.m.

Fire Fighters from Sidney & Unadilla responded this afternoon, at around 2:00 PM, to the report of a barn fire, on the Back River Road, near Carr's Creek.  The fire was fully involved; WCDO will have more details as they become available.

The Otsego County Department of Health is partnering with local high schools to bring the COVID 19 vaccine to the schools. Clinics will be open to students 16 and older, parents, staff and community members. To register go to otsegocounty.com.  Clinics are May 11 at Cherry Valley Springfield, May 13 at Richfield Springs Central School, May 17th at Schenevus, and May 18th at Morris Central School, all clinics are from 3:00 to 6:00 pm.

The State Health Department reports that the total number of Coronavirus cases is 391,220 after 805 new positive tests on Thursday, there were 14 deaths attributed to the virus, the state death toll since March is 24,814. The number of hospitalizations dropped below 1,000 Wednesday, for the first time since March 18, the highest total was 18,825 hospitalizations on April 12th.

Graduations ceremonies will be held at some area schools today & tomorrow.  The Hancock seniors will have their ceremony this morning at 10:00 AM @ the football field, Afton seniors will have a graduation car parade at 4:30 this afternoon, Gilbertsville-Mount Upton will celebrate at 5:30 PM on the school grounds.  Milford seniors will celebrate at 6:00 PM, Sidney at 6:30 on the Athletic Field, Deposit at 7:00 PM on their football field, Franklin 7:00 PM at Franklin Stage Company & Morris at 7:00 PM.  Saturday celebrations include Oneonta Seniors in 3 ceremonies beginning at 10:00 AM, the Delaware Academy at 10:00 AM, Norwich at 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at High School field, South Kortright at 1:00, Unadilla Valley Central School District at 2:00 PM in the Gym & Bainbridge Guilford at 7:00 PM on the lawn.

Delaware County Sheriff’s deputies
responded to a 4 vehicle accident in Walton Monday.  19 year old Nathan Plante of Margaretville
was driving on State Route 10 when he veered into opposing lane to avoid
hitting vehicles that had stopped in front of him for construction.   Plante first hit a vehicle in the opposing
lane driven by 76-year-old James Zimmerman of South Carolina, then he hit a
vehicle stopped in his lane driven by 37-year-old Jarred Robinson of Walton,
Robinson's vehicle then hit a vehicle driven by 59-year-old Robin Wagner of
Tonawanda.   Robinson’s passenger Scott
Fitch was airlifted to Wilson Hospital for a spinal injury.  Robinson was taken to Delaware Valley Hospital
for a leg injury and Plante was also taken to Delaware Valley Hospital for
possible internal injuries.  Plante was
issued traffic summonses for “speed not reasonable and prudent” and failure to
keep right, he’ll appear in the town of Walton Court at a later date.

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office
announced that 2 individuals were ticketed for passing stopped Sidney school
buses last month.  30 year old Jasmine
Gonzales of Sidney was ticketed for a September 19th incident, and 22 year old
Lacey Speidell, of Unadilla, was ticketed for a September 24th incident.  Sheriff Craig DuMond stated that both
incidents were reported by the school’s transportation director to the school
resource officer, who serves with the sheriff’s office, after cameras on the
buses captured images of the passing vehicles and license plates.

NYSEG continues to monitor storms
across the state associated with a nor’easter expected to impact their service areas
today.  High winds and heavy rain may
cause service disruptions for customers. Storm readiness teams are ready for
storm duty and have additional contract line and tree crews ready to help
restore service in the areas predicted to experience the most significant
impact.  Electrical outages can be
reported to NYSEG at 800-572-1131.

State Police responded to Betty Beavers Gas Mart on County
Road 48 in the town of Otego early this morning for a report of a vehicle that
crashed into a concrete wall.   Troopers
reported that an unidentified 27-year-old woman from Unadilla was operating a
2015 Kia at a high rate of speed on State Highway 991J, she traveled through
the intersection of County Road 48, through the parking lot of Betty Beavers
Gas Mart and into the wall.  Troopers
pulled the woman out of the vehicle and life saving measures were performed by
Otego EMS personnel but were unsuccessful.
The body was transported to Lourdes Hospital for an autopsy & the
investigation is continuing.

The Chenango Arts Council will begin their 2019-2020
Performance Season with a free concert on Sunday at 2:00 pm in the Martin W.
Kappel Theater in downtown Norwich. The Catskill Valley Wind Ensemble will be
performing;  and the Chenango Arts
Council will also be announcing the winner of the “Dinner and a Show” raffle,
more information is available at 336-2787

The Unadilla Rotary will hold their 10th annual Autumn Fest
on October 6th, spokesman Robert Knox explains:

(Robert Knox 10-4-19)

Additional information about the event can be found at
unadillarotary.org/autumn-fest.

Sidney Central School District Observatory will open tonight
from 9:00 to 10:00 PM.  The sessions at
the Sidney Observatory are free & open to the public; it is located behind
the High School Building.

The Hancock Fire
Department and EMT’s were dispatched Saturday to Jensen’s Ledges for a report
of a 10 year old boy who had fallen off the ledges.  The Hancock Fire Department  rope rescue team performed a high angle rope
rescue to extricate the boy within 1 hour and he was transported down the
mountain in a UTV & was transported by LifeNet to a pediatric trauma center
with life threatening injuries.

The Dormitory Authority has issued
approximately $482 million in low-cost, tax-exempt bonds on behalf of 54 school
districts across the state as part the School Districts Revenue Bond Financing
Program, for fire protection, security, and air quality systems upgrades;
renovations, Athletic field improvements; and technology updates.  Locally, the Norwich City School District
receives $7,430,000, Sidney Central School District gets $9,820,000 &
Unadilla Valley Central School District gets $6,890,000.

The Afton Central School District
will hold a Special Board of Education Meeting Today at 7:00 AM in the District
Office of the Afton Central School.  More
information is available at 245-9894.

High School Graduations get underway tonight for several
area schools.  Windsor's Commencement
will begin at 6:30 PM, Afton, Franklin, Deposit, Laurens, Milford, Morris &
Charlotte Valley will hold theirs at 7:00 PM.
High School graduations continue into the weekend.  Saturday morning at 10:00 AM, seniors from
Sidney, Greene, Delaware Academy, Harpursville & Norwich will have their
graduation ceremonies begin at 10:00 AM, Oneonta seniors commencement exercises
will begin at 10:45 AM, Oxford Academy at 11:00 AM & Bainbridge Guilford on
Saturday Night at 7:00 PM.  On Sunday,
seniors from Edmeston will graduate beginning at 1:00 PM.

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

Chenango County Emergency Officials are dealing with a
number of road problems from flash flooding, following heavy downpours over the
last several days.  Norwich, Oxford,
Smithville, McDonough & Pharsalia have had numerous issues; damage was
extensive around Oxford, including the school grounds, road closures in Oxford
include Vroman Hill Road, Midland Hill Road, plus Hoben, Ryan, Brooksbank &
Bradley Hill roads.  County officials
advise that motorist turn around if they encounter flooded roads, and contact
authorities immediately.

Oneonta Authorities had to close Main Street this morning
near Fox Hospital, for a reported Natural Gas leak.  The Oneonta Fire Department & NYSEG Crews
responded after a contractor's crew member apparently hit a high pressure gas
line,  Main Street has been re-opened,
residents who were evacuated from their homes on Hudson and Otsego Street were
allowed to return to their homes, City Officials said that Roosevelt Avenue
will remain closed until further notice.

Graduation Exercises will be held in 4 area school this weekend.  Unatego seniors will graduate this evening at 7:00 PM, Saturday commencement exercises will be held at the Walton, Gilbertsville Mount Upton & Unadilla Valley.

The Annual Sherburne Pageant of Bands will be held this
weekend, at the Sherburne High School.
Pageant competitions will be held tonight & tomorrow, the Parade
will begin Saturday at 1:00 PM on Route 12 in downtown Sherburne.

This weekend is the MX Rewind Weekend at the Unadilla Valley
Sports Center on State Route 8, in New Berlin.
MX Rewind is a full weekend of vintage racing and has become the largest
vintage event of its kind in the nation.
Racing begins on Friday with AHRMA cross-country racing and moves into
motocross racing on Saturday and Sunday. More information is available at
965-8450 or unadillamx.com.

Greater Chenango Cares is once again coming to Norwich to
provide services for families in need. Greater Chenango Cares is a Department
of Defense Innovative Readiness Training event. It gives joint training
opportunities to reservists to increase their deployment readiness while also
providing free medical, dental, vision and veterinary services to the
community.  This year's Chenango Cares
will be held at Norwich High School from July 11th through the 20th.   The Chenango United Way is looking for
volunteers for the event; those interested can call 334-8815.

Governor Cuomo today announced
the application window is now open for round one of the Grow-NY food and
agriculture competition. The competition is focused on growing an enduring food
and agriculture innovation cluster in New York's Finger Lakes, Central New York
and Southern Tier regions. The competition will run for 3 & will offer a
total of $3 million in funding for each round to innovative high-growth
start-ups that are focused on the food and agriculture industry.   More information is available at grow-ny.com.

Today is World No Tobacco Day, where people are trying to
get the word out about the dangers of Tobacco use & the growing
Concern  of children getting addicted to
Nicotine through fruit flavored E-Cigarettes Like Juul.  Linda Wegner of Advancing Tobacco free
Communities of Delaware, Otsego & Schoharie Counties said that they are
hoping the state & the Federal Government do something soon:

(Linda Wegner 5-31-19)

Currently, the state wide rate of smoking is about 14%, but
Delaware County is much higher at 24%, there has also been a 160% increase in
E-Cigarette usage among teens in the last 2 years, each Juul cartridge contains
the same amount of nicotine as an entire pack of traditional cigarettes.

A.O. Fox Hospital is offering a program this summer for
individuals interested in becoming junior volunteers, to offer a helping hand
to hospitalized patients, nursing home residents, and staff in a multitude of
capacities.  Training for accepted
applicants is scheduled for Monday, July 1st
from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 PM in Fox Hospital’s Education Department.  Applicants must be at least 14 years of age
& applications are available in the guidance offices of area high
schools,  all applications are due by
June 18th . More Information is available at 431-5042.

“Help After Loss”
will host the “Halos Memory Run/Walk on Sunday from 12:00 to 6:00 PM at the
Greenlawn Elementary School Track in Bainbridge.  Anyone who has experienced loss can
participate and register at form.jotform.com.
more information is available at helpafterloss.com or call
607-240-1550.  An Event Page is also
available at facebook.com/events

This Sunday,  Delaware County Public Health will be holding
a free Car Seat Safety Event at Delaware Valley Hospital in Walton, from 12:00
Noon until 2:00 PM.  75% of children are
riding in car seat that are not properly installed or do not fit
correctly.   Parents and caregivers can
have their child’s car seat checked at no cost by certified child safety seat
technicians.   This free event will educate
parents and caregivers on proper car seat installation and use. Car seats which
do not meet the Federal Motor Safety Standard may be replaced.  Be sure to bring your child/children to the
event and expectant parents are also welcome.

In April, the number of private sector jobs in New York
State grew by 24,600, or 0.3%, to 8,300,500, a new, all-time high, according to
preliminary figures released by the State Department of Labor. New York’s statewide
unemployment rate was at 3.9% in April.

Chenango County Habitat for Humanity has 2 upcoming
fundraisers.  The 1st is a 2-day Habitat
Yard Sale today from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM & Saturday, from 9:00 AM to 1:00
PM, at 16 North Canal Street in Oxford.
The 2nd fundraiser will be the annual Habitat Yard and Bake Sale on
Friday, May 24th at 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and on Saturday, May 25th from 9:00 AM
to 1:00 PM near Fred's Inn, at 5157 State Highway 12 south of Norwich.  More information is available at 843-6249.

The village of Unadilla will be holding their annual metal
pick-up today between hours of 7:00 am to 3:30 pm.  NO RUBBER, PLASTIC, GLASS, OIL, PAINT OR
OTHER LIQUID WASTE WILL BE PICKED-UP & that includes Freon which would be
in refrigerators, or air conditioners. Metals must be placed at curb by 7:00
am; more information is available at 369-3421.

The State Education Department needs to improve its efforts
to ensure school districts are following state requirements for school safety
planning, according to an audit released by State Comptroller Tom
DiNapoli.  The audit found that the Department
did not do enough to make certain that the requirements under the Safe Schools
Against Violence in Education Act were being met by school districts, many of
the districts could not demonstrate they had adopted annual safety plans, held
public hearings on the plans, or appointed required personnel to safety teams
or trained employees on the plans.

State DEC Officials remind New
Yorkers that there is a burn ban in the state through May 14.  Officials stated that open burning of
household trash releases dangerous compounds including arsenic, carbon
monoxide, formaldehyde, and lead, into the air, & that open burning is also
the single greatest cause of wildfires in New York, a few have already been
reported in the Mohawk Valley Region.
More information is available at dec.ny.gov/chemical.

State Police arrested 54 year old William Davis of Franklin
for DWI, after a trooper was dispatched to State Highway 357 in the town of
Sidney for a 1-car rollover.  The trooper
located Davis’s vehicle down an earth embankment and on its roof.  Davis was uncooperative with the trooper’s
investigation and did not want to be seen by EMS even though he had blood on
his face and hands,  He arrested &
arraigned in the town of Sidney Court and remanded to the Delaware County Jail
on $1,000 cash bail or $2,000 bond.  His
next court date in the town of Sidney is Thursday, He will also to appear at a
DMV refusal hearing on May 3, 2019 in the city of Oneonta.

State Police arrested 45 year old Steven Whitehead of
Unadilla for DWI, after a trooper observed Whitehead’s vehicle with an
equipment violation while on Interstate 88 in the town of Sidney.  A traffic stop was initiated on River Road,
Whitehead was arrested & was released on appearance tickets for town of
Sidney court on April 25th, and he was turned over to the village of Sidney
Police Department where he was wanted on a warrant.

The State DEC and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
have scheduled a meeting in Hancock, today from 6:00 to 7:00 PM to update the
public on the ongoing 3-Year Joint Fisheries Investigation Plan for the Upper
Delaware River Tailwaters. The meeting will be held at Hancock High School, 67
Education Lane in Hancock.

More than 150 new Troopers were honored this morning for their perseverance and dedication in completing the 207th session of the Basic School of the State Police Academy during graduation exercises in Albany, New York. David Schulte of Oneonta was one of today's graduates:

(Trooper Schulte 11-14-18)

Trooper Schulte will be assigned to Troop C in Sidney.

Unadilla Valley Central School District confirms that they went into a lock-down late Tuesday morning after an alleged threat reported in the Otselic Valley School District. Unadilla Valley went on a lock-down after 2 students reported an audio recording of a threatened act of violence against a school, was allegedly made by a Unadilla Valley student. Chenango County sheriff’s Deputies responded, the student who made the threat was located and a search of that student’s locker revealed no weapons or contraband & the lockdown was lifted about 30 minutes later. The investigation is continuing.

A Boil Water order has been lifted in the Village of Greene, following a water main break on Saturday on North Chenango Street. The Water Main Break & subsequent advisory forced the cancellation of classes for the Greene Central School District Tuesday, classes were back in session today.

The City of Oneonta is set to unveil the draft vision, goals and recommendations for the Oneonta Comprehensive Plan Update at an open house today from 3:00 pm to 7:30 pm, at the Oneonta High School cafeteria. The event will build on feedback and information gathered during the first open house held in January. For those unable to attend the Open House, an opportunity to provide feedback will be available at opportunityoneonta.com.

The Broome County Sheriff's Office announced that Chenango Valley Teacher Matthew Stanton was the person killed in a crash into a stone barn on route 369 in the town Of Fenton Sunday morning. Stanton was driving at a high speed when his Chevy Equinox went off the road, striking the side of a stone barn, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators said that alcohol was a factor in the crash.

A number of local high School Sporting events scheduled for today have been cancelled due to the National Weather Service "Heat Advisory". The List of affective competitions can be viewed at wcdoonline.com and click on the "WCDO Sports" tab.

Governor Cuomo today announced the launch of "No Students Goes Hungry" program, by expanding access to free breakfast for students in poverty, increases access to farm-fresh foods. The State is providing $7 million in funding to support equipment for high-poverty schools to purchase equipment such as refrigeration, coolers, vending machines, and breakfast kiosks.

The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce is preparing for their "Bainbridge Days" celebration this Friday & Saturday at various locations around the village. Spokesperson June White explains:

(June White 8-28-18)

Other highlights include a Cruise in from Bob's Diner to General Clinton Park, Wine Tasting at B&W Wines & Liquors; more information is available at the Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.

State Police arrested 26 year old Brooke Ketchum of Unadilla for Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Harassment, after Troopers were dispatched to a domestic dispute in Unadilla Saturday. Ketchum allegedly punched the victim in the mouth while in the presence of a child, Ketchum was arrested and arraigned in the town of Unadilla Court, she was released on her own recognizance & will reappear in court on October 15th, an order or protection was provided to the victim.

Lieutenant Colonel Dave Grossman, a leading expert on human aggression & violent crime, will address area school officials & law enforcement officials at the Sherburne Earlville High School this Friday. Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood told WCDO news about this presentation:

(Sheriff Todd Hood 7-16-18)

The discussion will be held from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, more information is available by email Naylor.c.j74@gmail.com.

State Police arrested 24 year old James Joyce of Colesville for Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle & Reckless Endangerment, plus more than a dozen traffic tickets after he attempted to elude troopers while on an ATV. A trooper on State Route 7 in Unadilla observed Joyce on an ATV as he passed an ambulance with its emergency lights activated and over a double solid yellow line. Joyce fled from the trooper, nearly striking a pedestrian. The pursuit was terminated In Bainbridge when Joyce drove onto railroad tracks & he tipped over. Joyce was arraigned in the town of Bainbridge Court and remanded to the Chenango County Jail on $2,500 cash bail or $5,000 bond, pending court action on July 24, 2018.

State Police arrested 33 year old Ashlie Keesler of Downsville for Aggravated Driving While Intoxicated with Child Under 15 or Under as Passenger, & Refusal to Submit to a Breath Test. A trooper on patrol observed Keesler and two children walking on State Highway 30 in Colchester, an investigation revealed that Keesler had been involved in an accident and her vehicle went over an embankment. Keesler and the children were transported to Delaware Valley Hospital. Keesler was arrested and released on appearance tickets returnable to the Colchester Town Court on August 7th.

Graduation Exercises for area high School Seniors will begin this evening, and continue through Sunday afternoon locally. Tonight at 6:30; seniors will graduate from Afton, Charlotte Valley, & Windsor. Commencement exercises scheduled for 7:00 PM tonight will be held at Deposit, Franklin, Hancock, Laurens, Milford, Morris, Oneonta, & Unatego. Saturday Morning Graduations will be held in Sidney, Delaware Academy, Gilbertsville Mount Upton, Greene, Harpursville, Oxford, Norwich, Sherburne Earlville, Saturday afternoon Unadilla Valley seniors will graduate, Saturday night, the Bainbridge Guilford district seniors will graduate & on Sunday Edmeston seniors will graduate.

The New York State Education Department announced that the Unadilla Valley School District will get a $775,000 grant, to fund a program where students can receive college credit for courses before leaving high school. The Grant is good for 5 years of the program.

State Police investigated another school threat incident at the Charlotte Valley School Distinct on May 3rd. Troopers charged an unidentified 9 year old with making a terroristic threat, classes at the district resumed the following day, there was no actual threat to the safety of students & staff.

There have been some changes regarding the requirements for those seeking to get a high school equivalency through the TASC program recently. June White of the Afton Central School Tasc Program explains:

(June White 5-8-18)

Anyone who is interested in participating in the TASC program can contact June White at 639-2811.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputy’s arrested 61 year old Robert Wenzel of Delhi for DWI, failure to maintain lane, after a motor vehicle accident on State Highway 28 in the Town of Delhi. Wenzel was arraigned in the Town of Delhi Court and was released on his own recognizance and is scheduled to appear at a later date.

The Unadilla Valley School District will host their annual school budget meeting this evening in the school library. The meeting will be following the Board of Education meeting at 6:00 PM.

Another winter storm is heading our way starting later tonight, Sidney High School Science Teacher & Meteorologist Rich Townsend comments:

(Rich Townsend 3-6-18)

3 school districts already announced that they will be closed tomorrow, those are Walton, Delaware Academy in Delhi & South Kortright.

The DCMO Robert W. Harrold BOCES Campus in Masonville was evacuated at the end of the school day today, after a threatening note was found in a boy’s bathroom, according to Superintendent for Instructional Service Michael McDonald. The Delaware County Sheriff's Department & the State Police Bomb Sniffing K9 unit responded, McDonald told WCDO News that more information will be released later on their website DCMOBOCES.com

Governor Cuomo updated the status of storm recovery operations in the Hudson Valley as a second winter storm is being forecast to impact New York.  Last week's storm caused extensive damage to electric utility infrastructure, including hundreds of broken utility poles and damage in remote locations, however power outages have continued to steadily decrease. Thousands were still without power in the Hudson Valley, about 800 were without power in Delaware County early this morning.

The lock-down on the Utica College campus was lifted late Monday Afternoon, with Residential students returning to their dorms, & Commuter students, faculty and staff were allowed to leave the campus last night.  Law enforcement remained on campus last night as they continued the investigation, following the school receiving a report of a gunman on campus, which officials deemed as "Not Credible". Classes were back in session today, so far, no arrests have been made.

State Senator Jim Seward announced that the State Senate passed a package of school safety measures to strengthen security in schools:

(Senator Seward 3-6-18)

The bills will be sent to the assembly.

The Next Meeting of the UNADILLA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE will be held tonight. the meeting begins at 5:50 PM at the "Meeting Place" at 187 Main Street in Unadilla, members & directors are urged to attend.