WCDO Radio News

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 7-16-26
State DEC & State Department of Health issued an updated Air Quality Health Advisory for fine particulate matter for Today, due to the statewide impact of smoke from wildfires in Canada. New Yorkers may see visible smoke and hazy skies across the state and spikes in smoke-related pollution. The updated advisory for the Eastern Lake Ontario, Central New York and Western New York regions are forecast to reach Very Unhealthy status, through midnight tonight. More information regarding the Canadian wildfire smoke can be found at airnow.gov.

The Final Report from the National Transportation Safety Board has been released regarding a 2024 plane crash in Delaware County. The report said that the accident was likely due to the pilot; 76 year old Roger Beggs who had spatial disorientation while flying in poor weather conditions, the single-engine, Piper Malibu crashed on June 30, 2024, near Trout Creek, 12 minutes after taking off from the Albert S. Nader Regional Airport in Oneonta, on its way to Yeager Airport in Charleston, West Virginia. State Police identified the victims of the crash as Roger Beggs, his daughter Laura VanEpps, and her husband, Ryan VanEpps, and their children James and Harrison VanEpps.

The US census Bureau has released statistics showing that New York State lost nearly 121,000 residents to other states in 2024, yet the state's Population increased by 129,000 people. The census bureau reported that almost 14% came from New Jersey, 11.5% came from California, 9.3% came from neighboring Pennsylvania, 7% left Florida fro New York, followed by Massachusetts, Connecticut, Texas & Virginia.

2 American Red Cross Blood drives are being held in Delaware County Today, one in Sidney from 1 pm. - 6 pm., at the American Legion Post 183, 22 Union Street, another will be held in Walton from 11:30 am. - 4:30 pm., at the Watershed Agricultural Council, 44 West Street. Appointments can be made with the Red Cross Blood Donor App, at RedCrossBlood.org, or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

State Police announced that a woman wanted in connection with a triple homicide was taken into custody Thursday following a vehicle pursuit in I-86. A State Trooper initiated a traffic stop, the suspect failed to comply, so pursuit was initiated into Steuben County where Sheriff's Deputies assisted. A tire deflation device was used & 23 year old Alyssa Venable of Spotsylvania, Virginia, was taken into custody. Venable was wanted on 3 counts of 2nd-degree murder and criminal use of a firearm, Venable will be returned to Virginia shortly.

SFCU will be hosting their annual Hometown Day Parade in Sidney This Saturday, Spokesperson Anna Banks explains:

(Anna Banks 6-7-24)

The Parade starts at 1:00 PM at the Sidney High School parking lot down West Main to Main Street & on to River Street & it ends at Keith Clark Park.

An Easter Egg Hunt for Kids will be sponsored by the Maydole Hose Company of the Norwich Fire Department and the Norwich Business Improvement District Saturday. The event will be held at East & West Parks in Norwich, at 10:00 AM the West Park event will be held for children up to age 4, & there will be a 10:30 AM start time at East Park for Ages 5 to 8.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 4-7-23

State Police released their update on the reported abduction of Tatiana David in Ithaca Wednesday. A witness reported that David was forced into a white SUV by the suspect, 34 year old Michael Davis of Richmond, Virginia against her will. An endangered adult alert was issued by State Police, They said that the victim and the suspect were in a previous relationship and have a 4-year-old child together. At 9:25 pm, Davis's vehicle was detected crossing into the State of Virginia, Virginia State Police stopped the vehicle, at which time Davis fled the scene, leading Virginia State Police on a pursuit which ended when the suspect vehicle crashed in a wooded area at 10:05 PM. Davis began firing at Virginia State Police, who returned fire, Davis was critically wounded and was taken to an area Hospital and is in critical condition, Tatiana David was located deceased outside the vehicle at the crash location with an apparent gunshot wound, her autopsy was scheduled last night, the results will be released shortly, the investigation is continuing.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced that New York State leads the nation in what it pays to the federal government compared to what it gets back from Washington. New York taxpayers paid $23.7 billion more in federal taxes than the state received in federal spending in federal fiscal year 2019, for every tax dollar paid to Washington; the state received $0.91, well below the national average of $1.24. New Mexico gets the most value at $2.83 per tax dollar paid, followed by Mississippi ($2.50), West Virginia ($2.43), Alabama ($2.17) and Kentucky ($2.05).

P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 9-8-20

Governor Cuomo gave a COVID 19 update today, where he first discussed the regulations regarding Colleges:

(Cuomo Colleges)

The Governor also discussed the COVID report card for K-12 School districts:

(Cuomo K-12)

The COVID-19 Report Card will be live at schoolcovidreportcard.health.ny.gov. The Governor also announced that 4 states: Delaware, Maryland, Ohio and West Virginia have been added to the State's COVID-19 travel advisory. Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands have been removed. The advisory requires individuals who have traveled to New York from areas with significant community spread to quarantine for 14 days.

State Police responded Friday to a 3-car crash on State Highway 23 near the intersection of Regan Way in the town of Davenport.  An investigation revealed that a Pontiac driven by 56 year old Kevin Johnson of Windham was stopped waiting to turn left into the Mirabito when he was rear ended by a Hyundai driven by 20 year old Shaun Jones of Davenport, which caused the Hyundai to then enter the westbound lane of traffic and into the path of an ambulance traveling west on State Highway 23.  The ambulance then struck a guiderail.   Jones was transported to Albany Med and was treated & released, Jones's passenger, a 19-year-old female of Otego was transported to Bassett Medical Center.  The driver of the ambulance, 41 year old Gerald Brown of Milford was transported to Fox Hospital, his passenger; a 21-year-old male of Sherburne was also transported to Fox Hospital.  The crash remains under investigation.

New
York lost more people than any other state in the nation for the 2nd year in a
row, according to estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau.  New York has a population of  19.5 million people, ranking 4th out of the
50 states,  the state's population
dropped by 76,790 other states losing significant population were Illinois,
West Virginia & Alaska.   New York
could lose 1 congressional seat when district lines are redrawn based on the
2020 Census.  Top reasons cited for
leaving New York included low wages, lack of jobs, high housing costs, bad
weather, partisan politics, high energy costs, crime & high taxes.

Several
Fire Companies responded to a blaze at 78 Broad Street in Morris Saturday.  The cause of the fire appears to be
electrical in nature, fire fighters from Morris as well as Gilbertsville, West
Laurens, West Oneonta, Laurens, Mount vision, Garrettsville and Pittsfield
responded.  No injuries were reported
& the Red Cross is assisting the displaced residents.

First
Night Oneonta’s alcohol free, family friendly New Year’s Eve Celebration will
be held tonight at the Foothills Performing Arts Center, on Market Street in
Oneonta.  At 5 pm the celebration begins
with a parade down Main Street. Line-up is at the Foothills between 4 and 4:30,
followed by a full line-up of activities at Foothills.

The next regular meeting of the
Oneonta Common Council will be held this evening.  The meeting starts at 7:00 PM in the Common
Council Chambers at City Hall.

State Police at Oneonta arrested 25 year old Phillip Davis
of Strasburg, Virginia Sunday, for 2 counts of the felony of Criminal
Possession of a Firearm.   A trooper
responded to an accident involving a motorcycle on I-88 in the town of
Worcester, Davis told the trooper that when a tractor trailer passed him, he lost
control of his Harley, he was uninjured, it was discovered that Davis was in
possession of 2 guns illegally in the rear storage area of his motorcycle, Davis
did not possess a pistol permit.  He was
arrested and arraigned in the town of Worcester court where he was remanded to
the Otsego County Jail on $2000 cash bail or $4000 bond.  Davis will appear in court on July 2nd.

Dr. James O'Brien of UHS Cardiology Norwich will be the
guest speaker for the UHS Chenango Memorial's 2019 Women's Health Series this
evening at Bohemian Moon, 103 West Main Street in Norwich. The program will
begin at 6:00 PM   more information is
available at 337-4239.

New York State’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 3.9% in November 2018, reaching its lowest level since these records began in 1976, according to preliminary figures released today by the State Department of Labor. The number of unemployed New Yorkers fell in November, from 387,500 to 379,400, its lowest level since August 1988. In addition, New York State’s private sector job count rose by 5,200, or 0.1%, to 8,231,100 in November 2018, a new, all-time high.

New York's population continues to decline faster than any other state, according to new statistics released by the U.S. Census Bureau. The report found New York was just 1 of 9 states to see a decrease in population, losing an estimated 48,510 residents between July 1, 2017, and July 1, 2018. Illinois saw the second largest population loss, followed by West Virginia, Louisiana, Hawaii, Mississippi, Alaska, Connecticut and Wyoming. New York's over 19.4 million populations is the 4th highest behind California, Texas and Florida.

Attorney General Barbara Underwood today announced the settlement of a lawsuit against FedEx that will distribute $2 million to an estimated 500 qualifying drivers who delivered packages. The Attorney General’s office filed the lawsuit back in October 2010, alleging that the drivers had been unlawfully misclassified as independent contractors and was, in fact, employees. The Attorney General's action sought restitution for violations of New York Labor Law, including unpaid overtime and unlawful deductions from wages. Qualifying drivers will be sent notice by the claims administrator and be required to submit a claim form in order to qualify for payment from the settlement fund.

State Police arrested 3 people for DWI after a 1 car crash in the town of Smyrna last Sunday. Troopers were dispatched to State Highway 80 in the town of Smyrna, when they arrived they found an unoccupied vehicle they observed another vehicle parked next to the vehicle that had crashed but it took off as soon as troopers approached. Troopers caught up to that vehicle & they accuse the driver, 43 year old Raymond Haitian Jr of Georgetown of driving while Intoxicated. The investigation revealed that 34 year old Kyle Dulian of Tonawanda was operating the original vehicle that had crashed and was also one of the occupants in Haitian's vehicle. Dulian was arrested for DWI. While troopers were still on scene, 34 year old Alicia Martin of Georgetown arrived looking for her friend, she was also arrested for DWI. All 3 will appear in court in January to answer to the charges.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District is in the process of updating the Master Plan for the East Sidney Lake Project. THE Army Core of Engineers is preparing an environmental assessment in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to assess the impact of the Master Plan Revision to the human and natural environment. A public review meeting will be held after the initial public comment period, ending January 11, 2019, to allow opportunity for the public to submit ideas, comments, and feedback on the Draft Master Plan and Draft Environmental Assessment, the public meeting is planned for some time in April 2019. All updates regarding the Master Plan Update and public meetings may be found at nab.usace.army.mil/ESL-Master-Plan-Revision/.

Afton area businesses & The Afton Girl Scouts are teaming up this holiday season to put together Military care Packages for soldiers overseas. Scout leader Lora Vanderheide explains;

(Lora Vanderheide 12-20-18)

Vanderheide said that the collections will be accepted through December 24th & will be shipped out the following week. More information is available at 639-1700.

The Oneonta Department of Public Service will be replacing a water main valve located on Ann Street today, starting at 8:00 AM, Water outages will begin at 9:00 AM. Residents on Ann Street, West Ann, Meckley Ave, Baker Street, and Wilcox Ave will be without water for the duration of the project. River Street residents from Meckley to Wilcox Ave will also experience a water outage during work. Parking on the street will not be permitted, and the street will be closed to traffic for the duration of work. More information is available at 432-2100.

The State DEC announced that they are considering enacting quarantine on movement into the state of landscaping debris and similar items, in order to avoid an infestation with the destructive Spotted Lanternfly. The insect is known to attach itself to yard waste, wooden crates, fruit, produce and even lawn tractors, tarps & grills. Deliveries from the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware & Virginia may be affected. More information is available at dec.ny.gov.

NBT Bank will host a Community Shred Day for local residents to safely dispose of confidential documents, to help protect against identity theft and fraud. The event will be held in conjunction with the Saturday’s in the Park Harvest Market Festival, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm At West Side Park, next to the Chenango County Courthouse.

State Police responded to a 1 car fatal crash in the Town of Cortlandville. Responding troopers observed a 2001 Honda Civic that had rolled over onto its roof 23 year old Ryan Card of Cortland was driving the vehicle, he failed to negotiate a curve & drove off the west shoulder, striking some trees then rolling over down an embankment. Card was pronounced deceased at the scene. 2 passengers suffered & were taken to Syracuse area hospitals with various injuries, the investigation is ongoing.

On Saturday at 4:47 PM, Tioga County 911 received numerous calls regarding an explosion, On Sunday, a continued search of the named areas resulted in a blast site being located in the vicinity of Diamond Valley Road, Town of Tioga. Investigation at the scene indicated an unknown type of explosive substance was detonated in a field causing no damage but leaving a hole in the ground. The New York State Police and FBI Bomb Disposal Units processed the site with evidence collected for analysis. Collected evidence is being forwarded to the FBI lab in Quantico, Virginia for chemical testing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the State Police at 687-3961.

Fire fighters from several area fire department responded to the report of a structure fire at a garage near Center Street in Oneonta, at about 4:30 this morning. Fire fighters were attempting to keep the garage fire from spreading to nearby structures, Oneonta fire fighters were assisted by fire departments from Otego, West Oneonta, Worcester, Franklin & Sidney. All fire fighters were dismissed at around 8:30 this morning, no injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

State arrested 60-year-old Virginia Reichhold of Oneonta for 2nd degree Grand larceny, after troopers received a report of fraud. Trooper accuse Reichhold of fraudulently opening new credit card accounts under another name and illegally charging over $70,000, in November 2014 through October 2015. Reichhold was arraigned in the Town of Richfield court and was remanded to the Otsego County jail in lieu of $2,000 cash bail or $4,000 property bond.

The State DOT today announced that debris clean up will be performed today and Tuesday,from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, on the right lane on State Route 17 westbound between the Route 17/Interstate 81 interchange and Exit 72 Prospect Street, that section will be closed. The left lane on Interstate 81 southbound to Route 17 westbound between the I-81/Route 17 Interchange and Exit 72 Prospect Street, will also be closed. All work will be performed weather permitting.

State Police responded to a reported armed robbery at the Family Dollar Store at 68 West Front Street, Hancock, Saturday night. The suspect carjacked a Family Dollar employee at gun point after the store closed and had her re-open the store where an undisclosed amount of money was taken from the safe. The Suspect then had the employee drive him outside of town where he fled in a small late model dark colored vehicle. The Investigation revealed the suspect to possibly be a Hispanic male approximately 5 ft 10 inches to 6 ft tall, medium build, wearing a bandana covering his face, dark colored clothing with a black handgun. Anyone with information is requested to contact State Police at 775-1241.

State Police are continuing to investigate the fatal accident that occurred on May 20, at 6:30 AM on I-88 in the Town of Sidney. Police are asking anyone who saw the accident happen, or had seen the vehicle being driven before the accident, to call the 561-7400. The vehicle involved is a white 2002 Ford Escape with Virginia license plates on it. 25 year old Ericka Sa-Keema of Lorton, Virginia, died from her injuries at Wilson Memorial Hospital. An autopsy is pending.

Doctor Carlton Rule has been appointed to replace Dan Ayres as CEO of both Tri-Town Regional Hospital in Sidney and O’Connor Hospital in Delhi. Dr. Rule told WCDO News about his new role:

(Dr Carlton Rule 9-5-14)

Dr. Rule will assume his new role on September 29th, replacing Dan Ayres who is taking a similar position in his home state of West Virginia.

State Senator Tom Libous & his attorney appeared in federal court this morning in White Plains to discuss various motions that the defense will file, including a motion to change the venue to a federal court room in the Northern district of the state.  Motions from Libous’s defense attorney are due by November 3rd; the prosecution has until l November 24th to respond.          Senator Libous is schedule back in court on January 9th where the judge will consider the motions.  Libous & his son Matthew were named in a federal indictment in July following allegations that Libous used his political influence to get his son a job with a Westchester county law firm. No trial date has been set.

Delaware County Deputies investigated a 2-car personal injury auto accident on State Highway 28 in the Town of Meredith Sunday.  Deputies reported that Kathleen Hibbard of Delhi crossed the double yellow line and entered the on-coming lane striking Thomas Nau of Roanoke Virginia.  Nau was transported to O’Connor hospital with minor injuries.  Hibbard was issued a traffic ticket for failure to keep right, she faces action in Town of Meredith Town Court on September 17th.

The O' Connor Hospital and Tri-Town Regional Hospital Boards of Trustees have appointed Carlton Rule as Chief Executive Officer of both institutions effective September 29th. Dr. Rule will succeed Dan Ayres, who announced in July that he is returning to West Virginia to become CEO of Summersville Regional Medical Center. Dr. Rule will continue as medical director of Bassett Healthcare Network health centers in the Delaware County communities of Delhi, Andes, Stamford and Walton.

The Delaware County Sheriff's Office arrested 36 year old Matthew Parker of Walton Thursday on a Sealed Grand Jury Indictment Warrant charging him with 3  counts of Criminal sale of a controlled substance.  Parker  was indicted by a Delaware County Grand Jury following a month long heroin trafficking investigation in Walton and Delhi.  Parker was found to be in possession of 293 bags of heroin, along with several hundred dollars cash, which was subsequently seized by Investigators.  Parker was also in possession of public assistance benefit cards from the State of New York as well as the State of Virginia.   Parker was arraigned in Delaware County Court before Honorable Judge Cark Becker on Thursday afternoon and was remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility without bail pending future court appearances.

State Police arrested 21 year old Jesse Emmett of West Davenport for Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs, Criminal Possession of a Weapon & Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, and 29 year old Heidi Morgan of Knoxville, Tennessee for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance & Possession of a Hypodermic Instrument.  Emmett & Morgan were issued tickets returnable in the Town of Oneonta Court on July 22nd.

CEO Dan Ayres of O’ Connor Hospital in Delhi and Tri-Town Regional Hospital in Sidney, announced that he has accepted a position in West Virginia as President and CEO of Summersville Regional Medical Center. Ayres’ last day here will be September 28th. Ayres has been CEO at O’ Connor Hospital since 2004 and Tri-Town Regional Hospital since 2009, a search for a replacement is underway by Bassett healthcare officials.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Department & Norwich City Police performed a DWI Checkpoint at the City & Town Limits, they  Arrested  61 year old Michael Moore of WEST VIRGINIA for driving while ability impaired by drugs, & unlawful possession of marijuana.  Police reported that a vehicle attempted to drive through the check point Wednesday night, when he was stopped, it is alleged that Moore was smoking marijuana while driving into the checkpoint.  Deputies confiscated marijuana under the driver’s seat, Moore was arraigned and was placed in the custody of the Sheriffs department on $500 cash or $1,500 secured bond, he faces action in town of Norwich court at a later date.

Natural gas production from the Marcellus Shale region is growing faster than expected, according to a new federal report issued Tuesday.   The Energy Information Administration report found production has now reached 12 billion cubic feet a day, which is the energy equivalent of about 2 million barrels of oil a day, and more than 6 times the 2009 production rate. The majority of the Marcellus gas is coming from Pennsylvania and West Virginia, the Marcellus shale is also under Ohio & New York, but Ohio has concentrated on oil production, and New York has a moratorium on shale gas drilling while comments were collected & health studies are continuing.

The body of an 80-year-old Virginia man who was the subject of a search by local police this week was recovered Friday in the Eastern Shore area of Virginia. Authorities said the death is being investigated as an apparent suicide. The man, Robert C. Merkel Sr. of Chesapeake, Va., had been last seen on Monday and investigators said there were indications he may have been in the West End of Oneonta last week. Items that may have belonged to Merkel were located Saturday at the Valero convenience store in the West End.

State Senator Jim Seward will be at Fox Memorial Hospital in Oneonta today. Senator Seward will be joined by Fox Hospital President John Remillard to announce legislative funding to assist with a major renovation project at the hospital.

Former Governor Elliot Spitzer, who resigned five years ago as a result of a prostitution scandal, is looking to resume his political career this fall. Spitzer will seek to get on the ballot in the race for New York City comptroller. Spitzer would have to collect some 3,700 signatures by Thursday to get his name on the ballot, where he would face Manhattan Borough President and fellow Democrat Scott Stringer.

A car crash at the intersection of County Routes 36 and 37 in Guilford has left one person dead. State Police were on scene at around 5 p.m. Friday, along with multiple fire and ambulance teams. Troopers confirm that one person was killed. State Police are still investigating, and have not released the victim's name.

The Chenango county sheriffs department arrested 25-year-old Coy Biviano of North Norwich, and 24-year-old Christopher Bonno of Sherburne, on charges of conspiracy & petty larceny.
The 2 are accused of stealing a laptop from a Norwich resident, Biviano and Bonno were arraigned in the Town of Norwich court and were both remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $10,000.00 bail.

The Chenango County Sheriffs Department arrested 37-year-old Harry Donnely of Sherburne on a charge of 2nd degree aggravated harassment. Donnelly is accused of harassing and threatening the victim by phone. He was arraigned in the Town of Norwich Court and was released on his own recognizance.

Binghamton Troopers arrested Alexander G. Griffin, 25, of Bainbridge, NY for Criminal Possession of a Weapon With Intent to Use and Menacing 2nd. The arrest resulted from the report of a road rage incident July 4th on Interstate 88 in Colesville. Mr. Griffin was arraigned at the Town of Colesville Court and remanded to the Broome County Jail without bail.

The American Red Cross has spent the past few days distributing supplies to victims of recent flooding. Bulk distribution sites were set up in Herkimer, Sherburne, and Oneida Counties. Hundreds of families picked up hot food, medical supplies and cleaning supplies. If you would like to donate to the Red Cross, you can visit their website at Redcross.org or call them at 1-800-Red-Cross.

The Otsego County Sheriffs office is searching for 80 year old Robert Merkel, who was traveling from Virginia to the West end of Oneonta on July 2nd, he has not been heard from leaving Chesapeake Virginia Tuesday.  Merkel is a white male, 5'10 inches tall, approximately 200 lbs, blue eyes, bald and wears wire-rimmed glasses, anyone with information is asked to contact the Otsego County sheriff’s office at 547-1692.