WCDO Radio News

State Police arrested 51-year-old Lauren Brooks, of West Edmeston, following an investigation and subsequent indictment by the Steuben County Grand Jury, for contact he had with a minor child. The incidents of contact occurred while Brooks resided in the town of Corning from 2012-2016, he was arraigned for Course of Sexual Conduct Against a Child, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and 298 counts of Criminal Sexual Act, 90 counts of 2nd degree Rape and 28 counts of 3rd degree Rape. Brooks was remanded to the Steuben County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash bail $20,000 property bond. The investigation is continuing, and anyone who may have been a victim of Brooks and has not come forward, can contact the State Police at 607-962-3282.

The Bandera Family & Community Alliance announced Free Christmas Dinners again this year for Binghamton & Norwich residents, and this year they are adding a free Christmas Dinner for the Oneonta Community, Bill Bandera told WCDO News about their plans this Christmas:

(Bill Bandera 12-6-22)

Bandera the meals will be served at the American Legion Halls in each community, in Norwich from 12:00 to 2:00 PM & in oneonta from 12:00 Noon until 3:00 PM, More information can be found at banderachristmas.

Gene Schmidt & his family announced that they will again host a free Christmas Dinner on Christmas Day at the Sidney Fire Station on River Street:

(Gene Schmidt 12-14-22)

Schmidt said that this is the 10th year that he & his family have hosted this event, with the contributions from many area businesses & organizations.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 9-27-22

Otsego County Sheriff's Office arrested 35 year old Brandon Hill of Oneonta after patrols responded to the report of a fight in progress on September 12th, at 954 State Highway 205 in the Town of Oneonta. Hill was charged with Resisting Arrest, Criminal Mischief & Disorderly Conduct, he was processed and was released on an appearance ticket, Deputies also arrested 34 year old Michelle Mead of Oneonta following the investigation into the fight & trespassing complaint, she was charged with Resisting Arrest & Obstruct Governmental Administration. Hill & Mead will appear in Town of Oneonta Court to answer to the charges on October 6th.

Catholic Charities of Sidney and other local organizations will hold another Community Partnership Mass Food Distribution this Friday morning at the Sidney Fire Station on River Street. Catholic Charities spokesperson Penny McKnight told WCDO News that they need volunteers to assist on that day:

(Penny McKnight 9-27-22)

McKnight reminds those wishing to attend to not arrive before 11:00 AM, and to stay in their vehicles in order to have an efficient distribution.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 9-27-22

The National Weather Service investigators revealed that a tornado moved through the Walton area on Sunday September 25th. The tornado moved through between 6:38 and 6:41 pm. Tornado damage was located along Walton Mountain Road where trees fell in a convergent pattern, damage was also reported on Route 10 to an auto repair shop and the west branch of the Delaware River along South River Road. The Weather Service measured the tornado’s winds at EF0 to EF1.

The American Red Cross has scheduled blood donation opportunities today. One drive will be held in West Oneonta from 11:30 am. - 4:30 pm., at the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 107 Balmoral Drive, another will be held at the DCMO BOCES on State Route 206 in Trout Creek, from 8:30 am. - 2:30 pm., Appointments can be made by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS

State Police responded on September 24th to the Oneonta Walmart after a report that a Samsung cell phone and wallet containing cash and cards were stolen. Both items were accidentally left in the women’s restroom, when the owner realized that they left the items behind, they returned to the restroom and could not find them. The cell phone and the wallet were later located inside the Grand Union in the town of Hartwick, the cash was not located. Anyone with information is asked to contact State Police at 561-7400, pictures of the suspects & their vehicle can be found at the Troop C Facebook Page.

Catholic Charities announced another Community Mass Food Distribution, will be held tomorrow in Sidney, spokesperson Penny McKnight comments:

(Penny McKnight 7-18-22)

The Mass Food Distribution will be held at the Sidney Fire Station on River Street starting at 11:00 AM.

The National Weather Service has confirmed that a tornado touched down in Ulster County on Wednesday, July 13, shortly before 9:00PM. Investigators determined that the EF-1 tornado with 90 mile per hour winds touched down 2 miles west of Kingston, near State Route 29, it then moved southeast to just west of the NY State Thruway where it uprooted and snapped trees, displaced a car canopy. Many homes were damaged by fallen trees, thousands lost power from the storm.

The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce will hold their next meeting tomorrow Morning. The meeting will begin at 7:30 am at the back of Bob's Diner, chamber members are urged to attend.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 7-18-22

State Police reported that Route 7 in Oneonta has been reopened, following an incident Sunday. Police said that no injuries were sustained, More details will be released Today as the investigation is still on-going. State Police were on scene for 23 hours at State Route 7 near Emmons Hill Road.

The Sidney Chamber of Commerce has a few tickets remaining for their annual Dinner on June 2nd At the River Street Fire Station. Chamber President Teri Schunk explains:

(Teri Schunk 5-20-22)

This year, the Chamber fill honor Gavin's Pizzeria as the Business of the Year, The Sidney Central School District Alumni Association as the organization of the year, & Schunk herself was voted as Citizen Of The Year.

The American Red Cross Continues to hold local blood drives, the next one is in West Oneonta today from 1:00 to 6:00 PM at the West Neonatal Fire Department. Appointments can be made with the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

SUNY Oneonta faculty and staff will join Graduating Seniors Commencement exercise Saturday. Class of 2022. More information is available at oneontabulletin.wordpress.com,

Construction of a new SUNY Oneonta sign on the corner of Ravine Parkway and West Street will soon be underway. The groundbreaking for this project is scheduled for Monday, May 23 and we anticipate that the project will take approximately five months to complete. All construction will take place between 7:30 am. and 4:00 pm. Monday through Friday.

Delaware County Public Health will host a rabies vaccination clinic for Dogs, Cats & Ferrets today in Sidney. The Clinic will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at the River Street Fire Station, More information is available at 832-5200 or delawarecountypublichealth.com

The Otsego County Health Department will hold a free Rabies vaccination clinic today at the Large Pavilion in Neahwa Park in Oneonta. The clinic will run from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, more information is available at 547-4230.

36 Year Old Jonas Whaley of the Town of German pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime in US District Court in Syracuse. Whaley was arrested in September of 2021 & As part of his guilty plea, he admitted to possessing 50 grams of an illicit substance containing methamphetamine, plus handguns to protect himself while distributing drugs. Whaley faces sentencing on August 23rd.

Otsego County District Attorney's office announced the conviction of Bradley Cook of Oneonta for 2 counts of 1st degree criminal sexual act, for performing sexual acts with a minor under the age of 11 on 2 occasions. Cook will be sentenced June 24th.

Hartwick College is sponsoring the "Hawks Town Fever" street fair in Oneonta this Saturday, from 1:00 to 5:00 PM On Main Street between Chestnut Street and Ford Avenue. The event will include carnival games, zip lines, live music, food trucks, The event is free and open to the public.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 4-26-22

Fire investigators continue to search for a cause to an early Sunday Morning Fire on West Street in Oneonta. Firefighters were called to 452 West Street at about 1:00 AM Sunday to find the home fully engulfed, Fire Fighters from West Oneonta, Otego, Laurens, West Laurens, Mt. Vision, Worcester, Schenevus, Franklin and Pindars Corners fire departments assisted at the scene, no one was home when the fire broke out & no injuries were reported.

The State DMV is reminding Motorcycle owners that all motorcycle registrations expire on April 30th and must be renewed by then. Motorcycles also must be inspected once a year at a licensed station. More information on how to renew a motorcycle registration can be found by visiting dmv.ny.gov.

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 2-15-22

Oneonta Mayor Mark Drnek announced that the Common Council meeting tonight will be back in the Chambers at Oneonta City Hall. Mayor Drnek will be delivering his first State of the City Address, masks will be required at tonight's meeting, which will also be broadcast at 7:00 PM on YouTube.com/cityofoneonta

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced the results of an audit of the Otsego County Industrial Development Agency regarding the Oneonta Rail Yards Acquisition. The audit stated that the agency did not adequately plan for the 2017 acquisition of the rail yards, which was acquired based on a $6 million to $20 million development plan, but without an interested developer. Auditors found no indication that the board of directors had significant discussions of the pros and cons of developing the property, they then learned that a large-scale timber operation would be the only type of local industry that could profitable at the Rail Yards property.

The Chenango Arts Council’s annual Chenango Student Art Show will take place from March 4th to March 31st, the exhibit will open with a reception and awards ceremony on Friday March 4 beginning at 5:30 pm. In addition to a number of awards for different categories, 2 scholarships will be awarded for Chenango County seniors intending to pursue a degree in the Arts. The exhibit will be displayed in the Mariea Brown and Raymond Loft Galleries, located at the Chenango Arts Council, 27 West Main Street, Norwich and on the Arts Council’s social media. More information is available at 607-336-2787.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 2-15-22

The Otsego County Office of Emergency Services were requested to respond to a reported structure fire at 22 Maple Street in the Village of Gilbertsville Monday morning at about 9:15 AM. Firefighters from Gilbertsville, Morris, Mount Upton, Otego, Sidney, Wells Bridge and Otsego County EMS, all responded to the scene, 64 year old Louise Dubben was located deceased inside her residence. The Otsego County Office of Emergency Services, New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control and the New York State Police are leading investigation efforts. An investigation into the fire is ongoing.

The City of Oneonta Police Department has arrested 29 year old Elijah Vergari of Oneonta in connection with the NBT bank robbery that occurred at 1 Wall Street in the City of Oneonta on December 29th. An indictment was handed down by a Grand Jury for the arrest of Vergari, Vergari was delivered to the Otsego County Court Monday, he was arraigned for 3rd degree Robbery, Due to the existence of pending felony charges in Delaware County, bail was set for $10,000 cash bail and he was remanded to the custody of the Otsego County Sheriff. The Oneonta Police Department worked in conjunction with the New York State Police Forensic ID unit, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations, and NBT bank security services.

An Oneonta man died in a two-car crash on Route 365 in Westmoreland late Sunday night. The Oneida County Sheriff's Office stated that 20-year-old Joshua Parker of Utica, was driving westbound on Route 365 when he started to have car trouble and put his flashers on while trying to make it to a gas station, Parker's vehicle was hit from behind by 40-year-old Lance Johnson of Oneonta, who was transporting medical test samples to a lab. Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene. Parker was taken to St. Elizabeth Medical Center to be treated for injuries that are not considered to be life-threatening. The investigation is ongoing.