WCDO Radio News

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 12-31-25

Governor Kathy Hochul has announced the state’s minimum wage is set to go up again on January 1, 2026, marking the third straight year of increases. The minimum wage will rise to $17.00 per hour in New York City, Westchester, and Long Island, while the rest of the state will see an increase to $16.00 per hour. This adjustment of $0.50 per hour is part of a planned series of increases, which will then be indexed to inflation starting in 2027.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 12-30-25

Governor Hochul announced that improvements are scheduled to be made to more Than 4,120 Highway Lane Miles and over 3600 bridges will be Replaced, Rehabilitated or Improved Across the State. In the Southern Tier, 644 miles of highway, & 374 bridges will be upgraded.

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 12-29-25

The Norwich Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 102 Gilmore Lane just south of the Walmart Saturday Night at about 6:12 PM, Norwich Fire Chief Jan Papelino explains:

(Chief Jan Papelino 12-29-25)

Norwich Firefighters were assisted by the Oxford, North Norwich and Sherburne Fire Departments, Chenango County Office of Emergency Services, NYSEG, Norwich Water Department, Chenango County Sheriff's Office.

A.M. NEWS Friday 12-26-25

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect through 7:00 AM tomorrow Morning, Local Meteorologist Rich Townsend comments:

(Rich Townsend 12-26-25)

We'll have the complete WCDO forecast at the end of this news cast.

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 12-24-25

The Broome County Sheriff’s Office arrested 2 people on a variety of felony charge. On December 15th, deputies responded to a burglary complaint in the Town of Binghamton, they found fresh footprints in the snow, signs of a break-in and smoke billowing from inside the house due to an active fire. State Police & Binghamton Fire Department responded, Deputies followed footprints and found evidence of stolen items, they used a drone to & located 37 year old Anthony Storti of Conklin, who was found to be in possession of narcotics, the investigation uncovered that Storti had been in the residence, left a vape behind and he set a fire inside. 24 year old Allyson Russell of Endicott, was identified as an accomplice in the burglary and arson. Both were charged with a host of felonies including Burglary, Arson criminal possession of a weapon, Grand Larceny & criminal possession of a controlled substance, they face court action shortly.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 12-23-25

State Route 206 near the Robert W. Harrold BOCES Campus has been closed this afternoon due to a motor vehicle accident. Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes, WCDO News will have more details as they become available from the Delaware County Sheriff's Office.

The United Way of Mid Rural New York annual fundraising campaign deadline is approaching, for the 4 counties that they serve. Executive Director Elizabeth Monaco told WCDO news about this year’s effort:

(Elizabeth Monaco 12-22-25)

More information is available at their Facebook page or at uwmrny.org.

P.M. NEWS Friday 12-19-25

NYSEG reported hundreds of power outages today, after a storm with high winds whipped through the area at about 8:50 AM today. at one point about 3700 customers were with out power in the WCDO listening area, the number was down to about 540 by mid afternoon. Crews are working to repair the damaged areas as quickly as possible.

Country Music Performer Jason Michael Carroll will be performing at the Sidney High School Friday night, to benefit Toys for Tots & Operation Merry Christmas. He told WCDO News about how his military career & his music career made this a natural fit:

(Jason Michael Carroll 12-18-25)

Ed Curley of Curley Wealth Management is one of the sponsors of tomorrow night's show:

(Ed Curley 12-18-25)

The Show will be at 7:00 PM at the Sidney High school Friday Night.

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 12-17-25

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 38 year old Christopher Decker of Unadilla, following the report of a domestic dispute. Decker was charged with Assault, Criminal Obstruction of Breathing or Blood Circulation, Unlawful Imprisonment, Endangering the Welfare of a Child & Harassment. Decker was being held at the Otsego County Sheriff’s Office pending Arraignment, he is scheduled to appear in Unadilla Town Court at a later date.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 12-16-25

The State DEC announced that the 2025–2026 whitetail deer season is about to take a brief pause here in New York State, hunters will see a gap between the regular deer season and what is known as the Holiday Hunt in New York. The State introduced the Holiday Hunt in recent years, it gives hunters another opportunity just after Christmas and into the New Year, to harvest a deer or fill an unused tag. More information is available at dec.ny.gov.

The Recent "Pawstruck" Fundraiser at Awestruck Ciders of Sidney, raised a substantial amount of money for the Delaware Valley Humane Society, WCDO's Grace Benkovitz  & Society Director Erin Insinga told WCDO how much was raised:

(Grace Erin 12-15-25)

Shelter Saviors donation matching program funded by local businesses: Alpine Roofing, Island Premium Printing, Lambrecht Auction, Inc., Oneonta Fence, McDowell & Walker, Roasted Coffee House, Deer run Collectibles and Forno Enterprise.

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 12-12-25

The Norwich Fire Department responded last night at about 9:40 to a commercial structure fire at 4450 State Highway 23 at Norwich Meadow Farms in the town of Norwich. Norwich Fire Chief Jan Papelino told WCDO News what they encountered and what caused the fire:

(Chief Jan Papelino 12-12-25)

Chief Papelino said that several other Fire companies responded, Fire fighters were on the scene until 3:30 AM, no injuries were reported.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 12-11-25

A Federal Court Jury returned a guilty verdict against ANTHONY WALLACE of the Bronx, for kidnapping a minor, coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sex, transportation of a minor across state lines to engage in illegal sex, and possession and production of child pornography. In March 2024, Wallace met a 15-year-old girl in Binghamton, he subjected the Minor Victim to escalating physical, sexual, and psychological abuse, forced her to disguise her appearance by dyeing her hair and wearing a mask, gave the Minor Victim methamphetamine and marijuana, & created child pornography of the Minor Victim, in Binghamton, which was found on his phone. Wallace later brought the victim across State Lines and then back to his Bronx apartment where he assaulted & raped her, she escaped the apartment & contacted police. Wallace faces multiple lengthy jail terms for the convictions.

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 12-10-25

62 year old Robert Trago of Hancock, was sentenced in Delaware County Court to 5 years of in prison for his conviction of 2nd degree Assault. In September of 2024, State Police were dispatched to the Town of Hancock for shots fired with injuries, Trago shot at his neighbor in the arm while he was walking his dog in front of Trago’s residence, The victim was transported to Albany Medical Center by helicopter but was later released after the bleeding stopped. State Police Forensic Identification Unit Lab was able to match the bullet recovered from the victim’s arm with Trago's firearm.

P.M. NEWS Tuesday 12-9-25

The National Weather Service has issued a "WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY" from 4:00 AM WEDNESDAY TO 1:00 Thursday, local Meteorologist Rich Townsend comments:

(Rich Townsend 12-9-25)

We'll have the Tri-County Forecast at the end of this news cast.

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 12-8-25

A Chenango County Grand Jury indicted Richard Clemons on multiple charges for alleged sex crimes involving a young child. The indictment charges Clemons with 2 counts of 2nd-degree rape, multiple counts of promoting a sexual performance by a child, possessing a sexual performance by a child, tampering with physical evidence, forcible touching and sexual abuse. The crimes were reported in the City of Norwich in mid-to-late October.

2 Holiday Parades are being held locally tonight & on Saturday, 4towns Forward President Teri Schunk told WCDO about tonight's "Holly Jolly" Sidney Festivities:

(Teri Schunk 12-5-25)

4 Towns Forward spokesman Ed Curley told WCDO about Afton's festivities on Saturday:

(Ed Curley 12-5-25)

More holiday parades are scheduled locally the following weekend in Bainbridge & Unadilla.

P.M. NEWS Thursday 12-4-25

Delaware County Sheriff's Office arrested 26 year old Jacob Roman of Walton with 2 counts of Grand Larceny, and 1 count of Burglary, On October 18th, Deputies were dispatched to Benton Avenue in the Village of Walton for a reported Burglary in Progress where they located, identified and arrested Roman. On November 21st, Deputies located and arrested Roman on new charges after it was alleged that he had taken the victim’s credit card and made numerous purchases on the card which amounted to over $1,500 without authorization. Roman was transported to the Delaware County Correctional Facility for arraignment.

The "Pawstruck" fundraiser for Delaware Valley Humane Society will be this Sunday at Awestruck Ciders in the Sidney Industrial Park, with a variety of activities to raise money, WCDO"s Grace Benkovitz is one of the organizers of the event:

(Grace 12-3-25)

Also, a new fundraising program has been instituted called "Shelter Saviors" where 6 area businesses will match donations for the shelter in December & that will include this Sunday's Pawstruck fundraiser.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 12-2-25

Country Club Auto Group in Oneonta presented a check for $10,000 to Friends of Bassett Healthcare Network on November 21 after dedicating a portion of their October sales to the Bassett Cancer Institute Expansion Initiative. Tom Armao presented the check at FoxCare Center's cancer clinic & he told WCDO News why they donated:

(Tom Armao 12-2-25)

Learn more about Bassett Healthcare Network's Bassett Cancer Institute expansion initiative by visiting bassett.org/MovingForward.

P.M. NEWS 12-1-25

Stiizy is continuing to operates as a cannabis manufacturing facility in the former Acco plant, Sidney Mayor Ray Baker gave WCDO News an update:

(Ray Baker 12-1-25)

Baker said that the companies goals are to grow the product at the Sidney Location, and once they are licensed to do so, employment could go up to between 400 & 600 employees.

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 11-26-25

DEP Commissioner Rohit Aggarwala and Delaware County Board of Supervisors Chair Tina Molé signed an intergovernmental agreement that strengthens watershed protection while supporting the long-term vitality of our communities. Delaware County Planning Director Shelly Johnson Bennett told WCDO news about the new 4 year plan;

(Shelly Johnson Bennett 11-6-25)

Johnson-Bennett said that typically a new agreement is agreed upon ever 4 years to protect the Watershed region of Delaware County, as well as New York City's drinking water supply in the reservoirs.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 11-25-25

39 year old Tanya Carson of Masonville was convicted in Delaware County Court today to Endangering the Welfare of an Incompetent or Physically Disabled Person in the First Degree. The investigation began when a 14-year-old disabled child was found unresponsive on the bathroom floor, the unconscious child was airlifted to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, where it was discovered that he had methamphetamine in his system. Carson admitted that she & 2 male individuals had been using methamphetamine in the same home as the disabled child and the child must have accessed the illicit substance, Carson will be sentenced on January 20th.

Haley Hubbard and Rendezvous Lounge will donate frozen turkeys and fixings to 25 local families in Afton today, Hubbard told WCDO News about this effort:

(Haley Hubbard 11-24-25)

Hubbard said that they chose 25 local families and they hope to do this again next year, possibly to even more families in need.

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 11-21-25

In Oneida County Court today, 4 more former corrections officers received prison sentences for their involvement in the death of Marcy Correctional Facility inmate Robert Brooks last December. Nicholas Anzalone and Anthony Farina pleaded guilty to manslaughter and were each sentenced to 22 years in prison, while Michael Mashaw and David Walters pleaded guilty to lesser charges in connection with the Brooks killing and they were sentenced to 3 to 9 years in prison.

P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 11-19-25

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office has been officially awarded Civil Re-accreditation by the New York State Sheriffs’ Association for the period commencing October 2025, through October 2030. Sheriff DuMond told WCDO news what this means:

(Sheriff Craig DuMond 11-19-25)

DuMond said that about 30% of law enforcement agencies across the state earn the Civil Accreditation.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 11-18-25

Broome County Sheriff’s Office Detective Division was contacted by a YouTube channel, which posts videos catching child predators who have been interacting with a decoy posing as a juvenile. 54 year old Denis Dean of Endwell had been speaking with a decoy posing as a 13-year-old female, he sent multiple inappropriate images of himself to the decoy and arranged to meet in-person Monday with someone he believed to be a 13-year-old female girl, Dean was confronted by members of EDP Watch YouTube channel in Endicott, Members of the Broome County Sheriff’s Office and Endicott Police responded and took Dean into custody. In subsequent interviews, Dean was charged with Attempted Rape, 4 counts of Attempted Disseminating Indecent Material to Minors, and he was arraigned and remanded to the Broome County Correctional Facility without bail.

P.M. NEWS MONDAY 11-17-25

A Delaware County Grand Jury returned an 8 count indictment against 45 year old Glen Merwin of Harpersfield, for Criminal Mischief, 2 Counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child; and 3 counts of Harassment, Criminal Contempt, Merwin is accused of damaging another person's property, acting in a manner endangering children, and ignoring a court order. The allegations stem from incidents in December of 2024.

Several Area Fire companies responded to a fire at 41 Circle Drive in Sanitaria Springs last night after 10:00 PM. All occupants were able to escape, No injuries were reported, WCDO news will have more information as it becomes available.