WCDO Radio News

Enrollment across the State University of New York campuses increased from year to year, for the first time in a decade. The Governor's Office reported that the year-to-year total system-wide student enrollment increased, 1.1% overall, 367,542 students. Undergraduate first-time enrollment was up across all sectors at 4.3% The technology sector showed the strongest increase at 13.3%, followed by community colleges at 3.9 percent.

Otsego County Correctional Facility is seeking full-time Correction Officers. Applicants are encouraged To apply, as long as they have a High School Graduation or a GED, a New York State Driver's License, they must pass a background investigation and psychological test will be required following conditional offer of appointment. To Obtain an application for employment or to view additional vacancies visit otsegocounty.com/departments/personnel

A.M. NEWS Thursday 11-16-23

Broome County Sheriff’s Office responded to an accident on the I-88 West / I-81 South overpass in the Town of Chenango yesterday morning involving 6 different vehicles. The investigation found that a pickup truck was traveling westbound on the I-88 overpass when the vehicle hit a patch of ice and flipped onto its hood. The 2nd vehicle behind the truck was able to stop before a collision could occur, but the next four vehicles all hit the ice, were unable to stop and collided with the vehicle two and each other. The accident led to the closure of I-88 westbound near Exit 2 for several hours for cleanup. 2 of the drivers were transported to Wilson and Lourdes hospital respectively for minor injuries. The ice was caused by a parked construction site water truck that was leaking water onto the highway. No charges have been filed at this time.

Oneonta Police Department Announced an update to their earlier investigation in the Spruce Street area on October 28th. Oneonta Officers were investigating a noise complaint, they heard what sounded like a shot from a firearm, they responded to the area with State Troopers & State University Police. The ongoing investigation revealed that there had been a conflict at a party with all involved ending up on Spruce Street, 1 male was said to have pulled something from his mid-section discharged it at close range at another male. No witnesses described seeing a handgun. Investigators do not believe that this was a functioning firearm, and that the suspect fled the area and is currently in New York City. The investigation is continuing, anyone with information is asked to call the Oneonta Police Department at (607) 432-1111.

A.O. Fox Hospital is hosting a blood drive with the American Red Cross today, from 12:00 noon until 5:00 PM in the Conference Room at FoxCare Center in Oneonta. Appointments may be made by calling 1-800-Red-Cross, visiting www.redcrossblood.org, or using the American Red Cross Blood Donor App.

21 year old Patrick Dai of Pittsford, and Cornell University, was arrested Tuesday on a federal criminal complaint charging him with posting threats to kill or injure another using interstate communications. Dai is accused of posting messages to the Cornell section of an online discussion site, where he allegedly called for the deaths of Jewish people and a post threatening to shoot up 104 west, which is a Cornell University kosher dining hall located next to the Cornell Jewish Center. The charge filed against Dai carries a maximum term of 5 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to 3 years. Dai is being held at the Broome County Correctional Facility pending court action in a federal court in Syracuse.

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office is currently looking for Zacheriah Jones-McCombs on an outstanding warrant for Robbery. Jones-McCombs is described as a white male, 5'11", 175 pounds, with brown hair & blue eyes & was last known to frequent the Mary Street area of the City of Binghamton. Anyone with information should submit Tips to gobroomecounty.com/sheriff/warrants or by calling the Broome County Sheriff’s Office tip line at (607) 778-1196.

A.M. NEWS Wednesday 11-1-23

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office released the name of the victim killed in a fatal motor vehicle accident on Monday. 17 year old Makai Wilkinson of Harpursville was driving a pickup truck with 2 passengers on Welton Street in the Town of Colesville when the vehicle left the roadway and collided with a tree. The two passengers were transported Wilson Hospital, one for minor injuries and the other for serious injuries, but Wilkinson was pronounced dead at the scene. This is an ongoing investigation.

30 year old Terrence Mewborn pleaded guilty to 1 count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon, in Delaware County Court. On July 2, 2022, Deputies responded to a motor vehicle accident with a rollover in the Town of Franklin, several of the passengers were injured and required hospitalization. Deputies found narcotics, drug paraphernalia, and a semi-automatic handgun, Mewborn was charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon, along with several other criminal charges, he entered a plea of guilty, he admitted the handgun was his, and that he did not have a pistol permit, it is anticipated that Mewborn will be sentenced to 2 to 4 years in state prison.

Binghamton University has identified the student who was found dead on campus Monday morning outside the library as Natalia Malcevic. Malcevic was a sophomore with junior status and was a Computer Science major from Niskayuna.

The Sidney Chamber of Commerce will hold their next regular meeting tomorrow morning. The meeting will begin at 8:00 AM at Club 55 on Union Street.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 10-31-23

Broome County Sheriff’s Office patrols responded to a motor vehicle accident at about 4:40 Monday afternoon that claimed the life of a teenager in the Town of Colesville. The accident occurred on Welton Street between Still Road and Old Welton Street in the Town of Colesville. A preliminary investigation found that a pickup truck containing 3 teenage individuals left the roadway and collided with a tree. The 2 passengers were treated at UHS Binghamton General Hospital with minor injuries, the driver of the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene. This is an ongoing investigation, and more details will be released as the investigation concludes.

Binghamton University announced that they have canceled all of today’s classes due to an ongoing investigation. Officials issued an emergency message to students shortly before 9:00 This morning, as Campus Police were actively investigating an incident near the Bartle Library Tower. Officials issued a second alert canceling about a half an hour later canceling all classes. More information will be released later today.

Oneonta Police Department were investigating a noise complaint in the area of Spruce Street and Myrtle Avenue in the City of Oneonta, While investigating, officers heard what sounded like discharging a firearm. Officers were assisted by State Police, and State University Police, a search was conducted, they found no evidence of a firearms discharge. The investigation is ongoing, Anyone with additional information should call the Oneonta Police Department at (607) 432-1111.

Broome County Sheriff's Office arrested a Binghamton man following a fight with staff and customers at a restaurant & with Deputies during and after his arrest Sunday. 25 year old Hamail Waddell of Binghamton was placed in the patrol car, he began kicking the car doors and repeatedly striking his head against the car window, he was transported to the Broome County Sheriff’s office for processing, he kicked a door handle off, he was transported to Wilson Hospital for evaluation, where he verbally abused patients & staff, he was sedated & treated and returned to Central Arraignment & was charged with Criminal Mischief, Obstructing Governmental Administration, Disorderly Conduct, & Harassment, he was still in custidy Sunday night.

Broome County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of 2 people following a home invasion with shots fire Wednesday evening at Bradley Creek Road in the Town of Maine. Sheriff Akshar explained at a Press Conference this afternoon.:

(Sheriff Akshar 8-25-23)

Sheriff Akshar said that 2 people were arrested within 3 hours of the incident; 21 year old Jayvon Phillip & 31 year old Rozlyn Warthen of Binghamton were each charged with Attempted Murder, Attempted Burglary & Criminal Use of A Firearm, Phillip sustained a gunshot wound to his leg during the incident and was being treated at a local hospital when he and Warthen were arrested. The investigation is currently open and active. If anyone has additional information related to this case, please call the Broome County Sheriff’s Office Detectives Division at 607-778-1196

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the ratification of a 4-year labor agreement with the United University Professions, which includes over 37,000 SUNY system faculty and professional employees. The agreement runs until July 1, 2026, it won the approval of 96.4% union members who cast ballots.

31-year-old Dylan Cole of Norwich was charged with 1st-degree assault after allegedly beating another man with a baseball bat, causing severe injuries. Norwich Police responded to Clinton Street, Cole allegedly approached a 35-year-old male with a BB gun and metal baseball bat and struck the man’s face multiple times with the bat, the victims suffered multiple fractures & lost teeth, he was taken to Chenango Memorial Hospital & was later transported him to SUNY Upstate Medical University Hospital in Syracuse to receive multiple surgeries. Cole was arraigned & was held on a $1,000 cash bail, pending court action at a later date.

Congressman Marc Molinaro will host a round-table on mental health and substance use disorders with local public officials, mental health and substance use providers, hospital administrators, law enforcement, and school administrators today. The round-table will begin at 3:00pm at the Broome County Public Library at 185 Court St in Binghamton.

Law Enforcement Agencies around the state are participating in "Operation Safe Stop Day" today, where police officers are checking to see if motorists are stopping for school busses with their flashing lights on, picking up or dropping off students. It is estimated that 50-thousand New Yorkers illegally pass stopped school buses each day that school is in session. Penalties for a first-time offense include a fine of up to 400 dollars, five points on a person's drivers license and possibly 30 days in jail.

A.M. NEWS Thursday 4-27-23

The family of Jorge Jimenez, who was fatally struck by a vehicle driven by former Syracuse University basketball coach Jim Boeheim in February 2019, has agreed to settle a lawsuit against Boeheim. Terms of the settlement will remain sealed, Jimenez was a passenger in a car that that skidded on Interstate 690 and hit a guardrail. Boeheim was driving home after a game when he swerved to avoid the car and hit Jimenez, who was later pronounced dead at a hospital. Boeheim was not charged by police investigating the crash.

AK Strong T-shirts are being made available locally, to assist with the medical expenses for the McEwan-Lomnicki as their daughter Anielle, also known as "AK", remains at a Syracuse Hospital with injuries sustained when she was hit by a car while walking home from school last week. Local businessman Mike Gavin explains:

(Mike Gavin 2-22-23)

Gavin said that area restaurants will be donating 10% of their sales to the family, Beez Kneez will participate on Friday, Gavin's, Machos Taco's, Tina Old Fashioned Donuts, Sidney Joe's Pizzeria, Trackside Dining & Club 55 will be participating on Saturday. Donations are also being accepted through the Trinity O'Connor Foundation, more information is available by contact Kim Ayres at 607-226-8031.

Governor Kathy Hochul appeared in Johnson City this morning, she outlined some of the executive Budget Proposal Items that are aimed at helping the Southern Tier:

(Governor Hochul 2-22-23)

Governor Hochul discussed $1.4 billion in School Aid for the Southern Tier, Over $151 million in DOT capital projects, $50 million for Binghamton University to continue establishing a hub for battery technology innovation, Over $23 million for local paving and pothole repairs, $963,000 for Broome Community College, $16 million for addiction services funding, the 227 Billion Dollar Budget proposal is being negotiated & is due on April 1st.

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 2-22-23

The New York State Department of Health today issued the results of its latest annual chronic disease public opinion survey. According to the survey, 88% think heroin use is a serious public health problem, 90% site the use or misuse of prescription opioids, 92% said childhood obesity, 85% think tobacco use continues to be a major problem, 80% reported issues with health care access, 77% said alcohol consumption & 46% think marijuana are other serious health problems.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 2-16-23

The Village of Sidney Police Department responded yesterday afternoon at about 2:50 PM, to the report of a unconscious female lying in the middle of Sunset Avenue. Police were advised that the female had been struck by a vehicle, 14 year old Anielle McEwan-Lomnicki was transported to Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City & was transferred to SUNY Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse where she remains in stable but critical condition with bleeding & pressure on the brain, an upper spine fracture & fractured ribs according to family, The driver, 31 year old Courtni Baker of Sidney left the scene and returned a short time later, she was charged with Aggravated DWI, with a BAC of .18 or higher, plus DWI, Leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, Reckless Driving, Vehicular Assault & Escape for allegedly attempting to leave the Police Station, along with several other lesser charges. Baker was arraigned in the Town of Delhi court where she was remanded to the Delaware County Jail without bail. The investigation is ongoing which could result in more charges being filed.

The Tioga County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that 3 people died and another was hospitalized after they were hit by a car in Newark Valley Wednesday afternoon. According to the Sheriff’s Office, an 18-year-old man was driving south on State Route 38 around 11:20 am Wednesday and hit 4 pedestrians walking on the shoulder. 66 year old John Stephens, 25 year old Kurtis Acker & 52 year old Doreen Wood were killed, a 27-year-old woman was flown to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse in critical condition. All 4 pedestrians were from Newark Valley.

It was a Basketball Homecoming for Hancock resident Laycee Drake at Binghamton University, Drake plays for The University of Maryland Baltimore County Retrievers, they took on the Lady Bearcats in Binghamton last night, WCDO Sports Director Nate Lull said that drake received tremendous local support last night:

(Nate Lull 2-2-23)

Drake graduated from Hancock on 2021 and finished her High School Career with over 1800 points, she scored 11 point last night, but Binghamton won the game 80-70.

Several area Fire Departments responded to a structure fire at 440 St. John Road in Afton early this morning. The fire was mainly confined to the 1st floor, there was smoke & heat damage to parts of the 2nd floor, 1 unconscious occupant was removed & was taken to Wilson Hospital. Firefighters from Afton, Harpursville, Greene, Bainbridge & Coventry Responded, the cause of the fire is under investigation.

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 2-2-23

Governor Hochul unveiled a $227 Billion Dollar Executive Budget proposal yesterday in Albany. The Budget contains a $1 Billion Plan to Fix New York State's Mental Health Care, a pledge Not To Raise Income Taxes, the New York Housing Compact Will Build 800,000 New Homes, to Address Statewide Housing Shortage, a $337 Million Investment Aimed at Reducing Gun Violence, $5.5 Billion to Promote sustainable Energy, more information is available at budget.ny.gov.