WCDO Radio News

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 8-14-24

Delaware County has received confirmation from the New York State Department of Financial Services that they will deploy staff to man a one-day resource center to assist Delaware County residents impacted by the storms on August 9th, this Saturday August 17, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Public Safety Building located at 280 Phoebe Lane in Delhi, Shelly Johnson Bennett of the Delaware County Planning Department told WCDO News what those who have had damage should bring:

(Shelly Johnson Bennett 8-14-24)

In addition to the resource center, residents and business owners can contact the Department's Disaster Hotline at 800-339-1759, the hotline will have extended evening hours until 8:00 PM through this Friday night. Additional information can be found at dfs.ny.gov/consumer/home_resources., for flood insurance information, contact FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program at (800) 621-3362 or floodsmart.gov.

The National Weather Service has now confirmed a record setting 28 tornadoes hit New York State this year, following a tornado confirmation in St. Lawrence County over the past weekend. the previous record was 25 in 1992, more than 20 of the tornadoes touched down in the month of July.

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that an additional $200 million is now available to school districts and bus operators for zero-emission school buses through the second installment of funding from the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act. The funding provides support for the purchase of electric buses, charging infrastructure or fleet electrification planning. To date, 250 districts have started developing these plans, and more than 100 additional districts are in the process of applying for fleet planning in coordination with their local BOCES districts. School bus fleets seeking assistance should go to schoolbus@nyserda.ny.gov.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer was in Cooperstown Tuesday, he announced that he has secured over $17 Million Dollars in federal COVID-19 relief funding for Bassett Healthcare Network through a provision in the American Rescue Plan. Schumer said the funding will cover costs associated with emergency protective measures and increased staffing, due to the COVID 19 pandemic.

Motor vehicle fatalities in New York state rose 25.8% from 2019-2022, the highest level in a decade, as the number of vehicle miles travelled, licensed drivers, and traffic accidents have declined, according to a report by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. There were 1,175 traffic fatalities in New York in 2022, which was the highest number since 2013. This increase coincides with a 7% decrease in vehicle miles travelled and a 12.5% decline in traffic accidents in New York in this period. Regionally, the North County had the highest per capita fatality rate in 2022 at 12.9 per 100,000 people.

A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 6-27-24

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer visited Awestruck Ciders in Sidney yesterday, vowing to overturn the "Bubble Tax", which has kept the local cideries from adding other flavored ciders that would have carbonation levels or "Bubbles" like champagne, that would be costly in taxes:

(Schumer 6-27-24)

Schumer said that the dropping of the Bubble tax would mean millions of dollars to the New York economy, from the fast growing Cider industry, he will introduce the legislation when he returns to Washington.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 2-26-24

U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer & Gillibrand announced that the the U.S. Department of Agriculture will provide a historic investment of $82,141,000 to Upstate New York to bring clean water, to rural communities. Locally, the Village of Greene will receive $11 Million Dollars in funds and almost 9 Million Dollars in Grant money to replace water mains, fire hydrants and update water meters and meter-reading equipment.

State Police arrested 36 year old Michael Crandall of Apalachin when he was released from an area Hospital, he was charged with 1 count of 2nd degree Murder and 3 counts Criminal Contempt. Crandall is accused of killing a woman in a domestic dispute last Monday at 10 Debra Lee Drive in Apalachin, he was arraigned in a Tioga County Court on Friday, the incident remains under active investigation and further details will be released as appropriate pending further criminal court actions.

The Bassett Healthcare Network is extending their offer of sing on bonuses up to $35,000 for Registered Nurses and up to $20,000 for many other positions, spokesperson Gabby Argo told WCDO News about some of the positions also eligible for sign on bonuses:

(Gabby Argo 2-26-24)

Sign-on bonuses are available for most job types, many around $10,000 more information is available at bassett.org/careers, the sign on bonuses will now be available through April 30th.

The Delaware County Tourism Advisory Board is now accepting applications for funding from the 2024 Local Community Tourism Grant Program, Sean Penchoff of Delaware County Economic Development explains how it applies to for profit businesses:

(Sean Penchoff 2-26-24)

Penchoff said that the Website is dcecodev.com, the deadline to apply is this Wednesday, February 28th.

The Delaware County Chamber Of Commerce will hold their next "Business & Breakfast" Event today, in Hamden starting at 8:30 AM. The event will be held at the Hamden Inn & Lounge on State Highway 10.

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 1-26-24

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced over $157 Million Dollars in federal funding is coming to New York to reimburse the State Division of the Budget for the cost of emergency protective measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic. The State utilized equipment, materials, and contracts to implement protective measures to reduce and prevent the spread of the virus, which allowed testing center operations to run smoothly & ensure that thousands of New Yorkers could be tested to minimize the spread of the virus. This funding was allocated through FEMA.

NBT Bancorp announced that effective May 21st, John Watt will step down as NBT’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Watt will continue to serve on the Board of Directors and be named Vice Chairman in May. NBT’s Board of Directors unanimously approved a succession plan that provides for the promotion of Scott Kingsley to succeed Watt as President and Chief Executive Officer.

A Broome County Jury found Matthew Devaul of Binghamton, guilty of 3rd degree Burglary, and Criminal Mischief, he faces up to 7 years in New York State Prison. On November 17, 2022, Devaul unlawfully entered a residence in Binghamton and cut copper piping from the home, when confronted by the homeowner, Devaul fled the residence. Devaul refused to return to court while the jury deliberated & a warrant was issued for his arrest, and a sentencing date will be set once Devaul is located.

State Police are continuing to search for Gabrielle Becker who went missing from Roxbury last November. Becker is described as a 42 year old, white female 5'7" about 130 pounds with light brown curly hair, she does not drive & may be utilizing public transportation, anyone with information please call 607-561-7400 or email crimetip@troopers.ny.gov

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 1-26-24

Broome County District Attorney Paul Battisti announced that a Broome County jury found Jerome Adams of Binghamton, guilty of Criminal Contempt. On March 22, 2023 Adams violated an order of protection that was issued just 5 days earlier, by going to the home of the protected party. During the trial, Adams also admitted that he had previously been convicted of Criminal Contempt in 2018, he faces up to 2-4 years in New York State prison. Sentencing is scheduled for April 26 in Broome County Court.

A.O. Fox Hospital leadership has reached an agreement with the New York State Nurses Association related to a collective bargaining agreement for registered nurses at A.O. Fox Hospital. Negotiations have successfully concluded after just a few months. Sign-on bonuses up to $35,000 for RNs, up to $20,000 for many other clinical positions, and $10,000 for other types of positions have been extended and remain in place at Bassett Healthcare Network. Referral bonuses are also being offered to employees who help refer candidates to all positions. more information is available at bassett.org/careers.

Congressman Marc Molinaro's constituent service team will hold mobile office hours from 10:00am to noon today at the Village of Windsor Community House. constituents will be able to connect with representatives from Rep. Molinaro's office to share comments and resolve issues they are having with federal agencies like the VA, IRS, and Social Security Administration.