WCDO Radio News

The Chenango County Sheriff Ernest Cutting & Chenango county DA Joe McBride held a press conference this morning, regarding the murder of 39-year-old Lucinda Knoll of Norwich, and the arrest of her former boyfriend, 48-year-old William Danielson of Preston.  Sheriff Cutting described the intial response after deputies arrived to the report of the attack Friday in Norwich:

(Sheriff Cutting 12-31-13)

Chenango County DA Joe McBride said that they have enough evidence for the arrest of Danielson & to present to a Grand Jury:

(Joe McBride 12-31-13)

Danielson is being held in the Chenango County Jail without bail.  Sheriff Cutting said that the couple’s 7-year-old son is the sole witness of the attack so far; he was removed from the vehicle by a neighbor, who then called police. Sheriff Cutting is asking anyone who was in the vicinity of Maple Grove Trailer Park around 6:00 AM Friday to call 337-1921 or 337-1863.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office announced that 39-year-old Lucinda Knoll of Norwich passed away on Saturday from the injuries sustained in the attack early Friday morning.  Knoll’s former boyfriend, 48 year old William Danielson of Oxford has been charged with 2nd degree murder, he was arraigned on the news charges Monday and was remanded back to the Chenango County Correctional Facility without bail.  The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who was in the area of Maple Grove Trailer Park around 6:00 AM Friday to call 337-1921 or 337-1863.   more details will be released later this morning by Sheriff Cutting at a press conference in Norwich.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that 39-year-old Lucinda Knoll has died, from injuries sustained in an attack early Friday morning.  Knoll’s former boyfriend, 48-year-old William Danielson of Oxford is now charged with 2nd degree Murder & he was arraigned on the new charge this morning & continues to be held in the Chenango County jail without bail.  Anyone with information about the early Friday morning attack at the Maple Grove Trailer Park in Norwich is asked to call the sheriff’s department at 337-1921 or 337-1863.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 48-year-old William Danielson of oxford, following the attack on a woman in her driveway on Bourbon Street in the Town of Norwich. 39 year old Lucinda Knoll was transported to Wilson Hospital with serious head trauma, Danielson is charged with 2nd degree Attempted Murder & 1st degree Robbery, he was arraigned in Chenango County Court and remanded to the Chenango County jail without bail pending court action January 2nd.  The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who was in the area of Maple Grove Trailer Park around 6:00 AM Friday to call 337-1921 or 337-1863.

62-year-old Barry Renert was charged in a Virginia court yesterday on charges relating to his alleged menacing of a Cooperstown shopkeeper on Monday. Renert was captured Monday evening by police in Richmond, Virginia, while waiting to board a Greyhound bus.  The black sedan he used to flee upstate New York after the incident was found nearby. Renert faces charges of menacing and 2nd degree burglary and is awaiting extradition back to Otsego County.

State Police announced that 73-year-old Gary Powell of Norwich was found safe Thursday afternoon, driving his vehicle on I-81 in Binghamton.  Powell suffers with dementia and was in need of insulin, he was potted by a motorist, who notified police.  Powell was pulled over by police, was brought to the state police barracks and was returned to family yesterday afternoon, after being reported missing Wednesday.

Norwich police announced that 73-year-old Gary Powell of Norwich has been reported missing.  Powell was last seen yesterday afternoon operating a 2006 PT Cruiser, black, with New York license plate number CKR-5668. Police said that Powell may be suffering from dementia and is in need of dialysis treatment. Anyone with information can call 334-1212.

COOPERSTOWN FUGITIVE CAUGHT

62-year-old  Barry Renert has been apprehended by the Richmond City Police Department in Virginia, shortly after midnight.  Renert was remanded to the Richmond City Jail, he was wanted for yesterday’s shooting at the 7th Inning Stretch store at 137 Main Street in Cooperstown.

A.m. news Tuesday 12-24-13

62-year-old  Barry Renert has been apprehended by the Richmond City Police Department in Virginia, shortly after midnight.  Renert was remanded to the Richmond City Jail, he was wanted for yesterday’s shooting at the 7th Inning Stretch store at 137 Main Street in Cooperstown.  Renert is expected to be extradicted back to Otsego county to face court action.

Cooperstown police, State Police & The Otsego county Sheriff’s department are searching for a person of interest, identified as 62 year old Barry Renert, a former employee of “7th Inning Stretch” memorabilia store at 137 Main Street in Cooperstown.  Police reported that Renert fired shots in the store, and shots were returned, at about 9:00 this morning.   Police said that the owner of the shop, Vincent Carfagno was not injured.  Renert is described as white, about 6’2” with gray hair, he is likely armed and dangerous, Main Street in Cooperstown has been re-opened to traffic.

State Police in Binghamton have been looking for 88-year-old Helen Oltz, who is a vulnerable adult with dementia and may be in need of medical attention. She has been missing since 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, she be driving a 2007 gray Buick Rendezvous SUV with New York registration BXZ-8810.  State Police in Binghamton ask anyone with information to call 775-1241 or 911.

Governor Cuomo announced changes yesterday to the mental health situation in the southern tier, with a new plan to keep much of the existing services going, and add new services. Area Assemblyman Cliff Crouch was one of the lawmakers who opposed the initial plans to close down mental health services around the greater Binghamton area, he told WCDO News that he is pleased with this outcome:

(Cliff Crouch 12-20-13)

Crouch said that they still have to work on a plan to keep the Broome Developmental Center opened; it is scheduled to close in 2015. Details of the plans announced yesterday are available at governor.ny.gov.

Governor Cuomo announced that the Greater Binghamton Health Center  will remain open to provide adults and children’s services to the local communities. Under a revised plan the Greater Binghamton Health Center will maintain 16 children beds,a Children’s Behavioral Health Center of Excellence for the Southern Tier will be established in Binghamton.  The Greater Binghamton Health Center will maintain 60 adult beds and add 60 new community residential beds. The savings which will be reinvested for the combined 108 new residential beds with supported housing and family care, plus other services.

State Police Superintendent Joseph D’Amico announced that Service arrangements for Trooper David Cunniff have been set for today and tomorrow.  Calling hours will be today from 3:00 to 8:00 PM at the Grace Fellowship Church in Watervliet, the Funeral Service will be tomorrow morning at 11:00 AM, also at the Grace Fellowship Church in Watervliet.  Trooper Cunniff died from injuries sustained while conducting a traffic stop on the Thruway Monday night in Amsterdam.

Governor Cuomo announced that his Administration has approved a new program from  Esurance, which allows policyholders to install a device free of charge in their cars that helps prevent teens from texting and calling while driving.  Esurance policyholders may install an in-car device into their teen’s car that, in conjunction with an Esurance app installed on their teen driver’s phone, can limit the use of text, email, application usage, and phone calls while driving, with the exception of 911. The device can also monitor driving behavior, including speeding, hard braking & fast acceleration, more information is available at  dmv.ny.gov/youngerdriver.

Many questions will have to be answered next year, following a proposal to close facilities that cater to mental health issues, in Binghamton, Elmira & the north country.  State Senator Tom Libous of Binghamton comments:

(Libous 12-18-13)

Libous said that if necessary, he has legislation, co-sponsored by Cliff Crouch in the Assembly, to call for a freeze on the closing of mental health facilities until 2015, if these questions can not be adequately answered.

Assemblyman Cliff Crouch will be hosting a town hall meeting for the town of Colchester tonight.   The meeting will take place at the town hall building at 72 Tannery Road Downsville at 6:00 PM.

Area churches in Sidney are teaming up for a free Christmas dinner for those in need on Christmas day. Circle Drive Alliance Church Pastor Gene Schmidt told WCDO News that they could use a few more volunteers:

(Gene Schmidt 12-17-13)

The free Christmas Dinner will be held at the River Street Fire Station, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM on Christmas day., those who would like to volunteer can call 369-2387.

The Delaware county board of supervisors recently approved of a plan to construct a new recycling center at the county solid waste facility in Hamden.  Solid Waste Coordinator Sue McIntyre told WCDO News that the plant will make gathering recyclables easier for solid waste haulers:

(Sue McIntyre 12-17-13)

McIntyre said that they hope to have the facility running next year, plastics 1 through 7 will be collected at that time.

State police at Norwich arrested 23-year-old Farrell Ruffles of Burlington Flats for aggravated driving while intoxicated with a BAC result of .21%. The arrest occurred after a 1-car property damage accident on State Route 12 in Norwich.  Ruffles was arraigned in the Norwich town court and remanded to the Chenango county jail in lieu of $2,000.00 cash bail.

State Police at Norwich received a missing person complaint involving 57-year-old STEVEN MORAN of Greene.  MORAN was last seen at a neighbor’s house on State Route 12 in the Town of Greene on Monday December 9th at about 3:00 PM, he was presumed to be walking back to his home.  MORAN suffers with Bi-polar disorder, searches of the area surrounding MORAN’S home have been conducted by State police, State Forest Rangers, State Police Aviation and Dive Team as well as volunteer searchers.  State Police are continuing the investigation and ask anyone who may have information as to Moran’s location or condition or may have had recent contact with him, should contact Police at 334-3296.

The Sidney K-Mart has donated toys to the Toys for Tots program, after the recent fire in Norwich & fundraising efforts to raise money to buy more toys for underprivileged children by Christmas.  K-Mart Northeast Regional Vice President David George is a Bainbridge native; he told WCDO News that the donation is 11 pallets, or about half of a tractor-trailer’s capacity:

(David George 12-13-13)

Toys for Tots Coordinator Roger Barnhart explains:

(Roger Barnhart 12-13-13)

Barnhart said that they would check out the donated toys from K-mart quickly, in order to get as many toys distributed for this Christmas.

A winter storm is heading for the WCDO Listening area this weekend, Sidney High School Science Teacher & area meteorologist Rich Townsend comments:

(Rich Townsend 12-13-13)

WCDO will pass along any cancellations or postponements due to this winter storm.

The Broome County Sheriff's Office investigates an armed robbery at the Sunoco station on Chenango Street in the town of Fenton last night.  Deputies responded to the Report of an armed robbery at 11:00 PM, where a man entered the store, pulled a knife on a clerk and left with an unknown amount of cash. The man is described as approximately 6 feet tall, wearing a gray hoodie, black ski mask, sunglasses and black pants, he left on foot in an unknown direction.  Anyone with information is asked to contact Sheriff's Detectives at 778-2053.

The New York Tax commission released its report to governor Cuomo earlier this week, with proposal to keep the state growing by lowering or freezing taxes. Governor Cuomo commented yesterday in Albany about the plan”:

(Cuomo Tax Commission 12-12-13)

The Commission also endorsed most of the plans forwarded to simplify the structure of state’s tax system by eliminating nuisance taxes. The governor will include the recommendations in his State of the State address January 8th and his state budget proposal, which will be released on January 21st.

Lawmakers from this area & the North Country have teamed up to oppose a plan to close mental health facilities in those regions, and funnel mental health patients all to Syracuse. Area assemblyman Cliff Crouch said that there is already a shortage of beds for mental health patients in this region, even before any cuts are implemented:

(Cliff Crouch 12-12-13)

Crouch said that if a cohesive long range plan is not agreed upon, he & state Senator Tom Libous will forward legislation in 2014 calling for a freeze on these cuts until 2015.

Governor Cuomo announced the awards for the 10 regional councils, where local leaders work together to strengthen what their regions have to offer & strengthen their economies.

(Cuomo 12-11-13)

Locally, the Southern Tier council, which includes Delaware, Chenango & Broome counties were awarded $81.9 million dollars for their proposal, the Mohawk regional council, which includes Otsego & Schoharie counties, receives $82.4 million dollars for their proposal.

Classes at SUNY Delhi were back in session yesterday afternoon, and will be open as scheduled today, following yesterday’s bomb threat. Law enforcement agencies swept through Evenden Tower & Sanford Hall following the bomb threat called in yesterday morning, both buildings were evacuated and no bombs were found. The investigation is continuing.

Hundreds turned up to Bainbridge Saturday afternoon, to see the Toys for Tots Train make its annual appearance, and to donate more toys for the cause, which lost about $8,000 dollars worth pf toys in a fire November 29th in Norwich.  Program Coordinator Roger Barnhart told WCDO News how much was donated since the fire and how much has been spent for toys:

(Roger Barnhart 12-10-13)

Barnhart said that they are still accepting toys at various collection sites around Chenango county, for distribution this Christmas.

A fire destroyed 118 Mechanic Street in Guilford last night.  Fire fighters from the Guilford and Oxford fire departments responded to the fire at around 6:00 PM last night, occupants escaped without injury.  The Chenango County Bureau of Fire is investigating.

Governor Cuomo has directed that flags on state government buildings be flown at ½ staff today in honor of Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. In that attack, more than 2,400 Americans were killed, including 40 from New York State.  Nearly 1.7 million New Yorkers served in World War II.  Flags on all state buildings are lowered today to half-staff in tribute to our state's service members and those stationed in New York who are killed in action or die in a combat zone.