WCDO Radio News

Oneonta Police served a search warrant Tuesday at 5 Myrtle Avenue, following an investigation of the sale and possession of Marijuana & the violation of an active order of protection. Arrested were 30-year-old Jason Harageones of Unadilla for Criminal Contempt, Criminal Possession of a controlled substance & Criminal possession of marijuana. Hargeones is also accused of causing damage to a surveillance camera, which led to an additional Criminal Mischief charge. Police also arrested 28-year-old Danielle Stoesser of Oneonta for Criminal Possession of a controlled substance & Criminal Possession of marihuana; she is also accused of engaging in a physical confrontation with the officers processing her arrest and was charged with Obstruction of Governmental Administration. Harageones was arraigned & remanded to the Otsego County jail without bail; Stoesser was issued an appearance ticket and released to appear at a later date.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s Fiscal Stress Monitoring System has designated 27 municipalities across the state as fiscally stressed. The list, which includes 8 counties, 8 cities and 11 towns, which is the fewest number of municipalities listed in stress since DiNapoli implemented his system in 2013. Based on their 2016 financial reports, the counties of Broome and Monroe, and the cities of Albany and Watervliet have received the highest designation of “significant fiscal stress.” 13 communities have been listed in the second-highest category of “moderate fiscal stress.” Locally, it includes the town of Cherry Valley. An additional 10 municipalities have been listed as “susceptible to fiscal stress.” Locally this includes the town of Oxford.

Tri-Town Coalition On Substance Abuse Prevention will hold their next meeting this evening at the Sidney High School Library from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. Coalition Spokesperson Lorraine Keckeisen explains:

(Lorraine Keckeisen 9-27-17)

When "Chasing the Dragon” is shown in its entirety on November 15th, it will followed by a panel discussion with prevention and rehabilitation specialists.

An Otsego County man was indicted by a County Grand Jury last week on charges of conspiracy & criminal solicitation. State Police arrested 56 year old Danny Baldwin of Cherry Valley in March, he is accused of conspiring with another person to intentionally cause the death of his wife, he will be arraigned on the Grand Jury indictment on June 26th

Commencement exercises for graduating High School Seniors will begin this evening at several area school districts. Graduation ceremonies scheduled for this evening include: CHARLOTTE VALLEY at 6:30, and at 7:00 PM for AFTON, FRANKLIN, UNATEGO, Milford, Morris, & Laurens.  Graduation ceremonies will continue Saturday morning WITH ceremonies for SIDNEY, Delaware academy in Delhi, Harpursville, Norwich, Greene, Walton, Gilbertsville Mount Upton, Oneonta, & the Oxford academy. The Unadilla Valley seniors will graduate starting at 2:00 PM & Bainbridge Guilford seniors will graduate at 7:00 PM. On Sunday, Edmeston seniors will graduate at 1:00 PM

State Police were dispatched to a report of 2 dead goats on property located at 674 County Highway 36, in the Town of Westford Monday. 45-year-old Stephen Pandelakis was charged after police discovered numerous dead animals on the property, including a dog, a cat, a pig, 2 goats, 6 chickens and 2 ducks. Pandelakis was charged with 2 felony counts of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, and 13 counts of Torturing, Injuring or Failure to feed an animal. Remaining chickens were surrendered & were taken to another person for proper care. Pandelakis was issued appearance tickets returnable in the Town of Westford Court April 4th.

Delaware County Sheriff's Deputies and Hancock Village Police arrested 33-year-old Christen Wrighter of Hancock Monday on a number charges, after a traffic stop. Deputies and Hancock Police started an investigation recently following a number of complaints of people who made advance payments to Christen Wrighter Photography for photographs that she failed to provide. Deputies observed Wrighter speeding on State Highway 97 in Hancock Monday evening, they discovered that she had her driving privileges suspended, she also unlawfully possessed a quantity of the prescription controlled substances, including Oxycodone. Wrighter was charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, speeding, Scheming to Defraud, Grand Larceny & petty Larceny. Wrighter was arraigned in the Village of Hancock Court and was remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $5,000 cash bail or $10,000 bail bond pending further court action. The investigation is ongoing.

Some of the wealthiest New Yorkers are urging the state to raise their taxes. 80 New Yorkers including George Soros, Steven Rockefeller & Abigail Disney wrote to lawmakers & Governor Cuomo, claiming that they & other top money makers in the state can afford to pay more taxes, in order to help the state pay for infrastructure projects, school funding & programs to help the poor, elderly & homeless. A proposal calls for the all making more than $650,ooo a year to pay more into the state coffers, a move that they forwarded last year as well. Assembly democrats have called for an immediate tax increase on the state's top 1% wage earners, State Senate majority Republicans & Governor Cuomo want to hold off on tax increases on Millionaires.

Sidney High School and the Tri-Town Coalition on Substance Abuse Prevention invite Sidney, Bainbridge and Unadilla community leaders, business people, parents, students, and school staff to a free Spaghetti & Meatballs Dinner from 5:15 PM to 5:45, followed by presentations starting at 6:00 PM in the High School Auditorium. Coalition President Lorraine Keckeisen comments:

(Lorraine Keckeisen 3-22-17)

Local experts Mary Rosenthal of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council, addiction expert Dave Ramsey, Sidney Police Chief Jan Gorshack will also speak. Pre-registration is encouraged in order to accommodate dinner provisions and door prizes, more information is available at 561-7707.

State Police arrested 56-year-old Danny Baldwin of Cherry Valley, for Conspiracy. Troopers accuse Baldwin of conspiring by allegedly attempting to hire another person to intentionally commit murder. Baldwin was arraigned in town of Richfield Springs Court and was remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $250,000 cash bail or $500,000 property bond.

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.

Delaware County Sheriff Deputies responded to a 2-car motor vehicle accident on State Highway 206 in the Town of Walton Monday. 48-year-old Tenzin Pelmo of Ithaca was rear-ended by a vehicle being driven by 37 year old Karyl Rose of Bainbridge. Both drivers were transported to Delaware Valley Hospital for treatment of their injuries. Rose was charged with Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation, unsafe tires and following too closely. Rose was arraigned & was released on her own recognize pending later court action in Town of Walton Court.

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.