WCDO Radio News

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 6-19-26

The National Weather Service is investigating the damage reported around the State from yesterday's thunderstorms, which included a tornado watch for much of the region. Locally, significant damage was reported where a roof was torn from a barn on County Road 14 in the Village of Earlville. In Smyrna, a tree came down on a house. The National Weather Service Investigators are canvassing the region today, more results are expected to be released in the coming days.

Oneonta is going “Four for the Fourth.” with a long weekend of activities to celebrate America 250, July 2 through July 5 at several sites across the city. Oneonta City Historian Mark Simonson told WCDO News that a few more activities have been added to Thursday July 2nd:

(Mark Simonson 6-19-26)

Simonson said that America 250 Oneonta may have additional events added, more information is available on Facebook at Oneonta250.

UHS Chenango Memorial will host their career exploration program again this year, where Area students will once again have an opportunity to explore careers in healthcare through a summer program hosted on Thursday, August 6 and Friday, August 7. The program is free of charge, but space is limited. Interested students must submit an application and a short essay by Thursday, July 2 to be considered. For more information or to request an application, email brian.day@nyuhs.org or call (607) 337-4151.

Gilbertsville will host its annual Pet Parade on July 3rd at 6:30 PM, at Centennial Park, all animals are welcome, costumes are encouraged. More information is available at 631-896-2658

The Chenango County Historical Society will participate in the Path Through History Saturday, the museum is hosting special open hours from 10 am. to 4 pm. Interactive programming begins at 10 am. with “Building Brain-Healthy Habits,” presented by the Alzheimer's Association as part of Brain Awareness Month, Society Executive Director Jessica Moquin explains:

(Jessica Moquin 6-19-26)

CHS will commemorate America250 by unveiling the museum’s refreshed “Stitched in Time” exhibit, More information is available at chenangohistorical.org

34 year old Kyle Oakley of South Kortright was sentenced in Delaware County Court to state prison for violating the terms of his probation. Oakley had previously pleaded guilty in 2023, to 3rd degree Burglary because of a forced entry into a seasonal residence during March of 2022, he was sentenced to a 5-year term of felony probation supervision, in subsequent court appearances, he admitted to using illegal narcotics, Driving while intoxicated, obstructing governmental administration and this week, Oakley made further admissions to violating the terms of his probation. Oakley was sentenced to an indeterminate term of imprisonment to last no less than one year and no more than three years.

The Jericho Arts Council & the Bainbridge Town Hall Theatre present "Yesterday Once More - A Tribute to The Carpenters" Saturday Night at 7:00 PM, Council Spokesman Phil Wade Comments:

(Phil Wade 2-28-25)

Wade said that in the gallery will be the works of Scott Higby, ​For ticket Reservations Call (607) 288-3882.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 2-28-25

State Police executed a search warrant in the town of Springfield for possible animal neglect. The investigation resulted in the removal of over 2-dozen animals. 8 dogs, 13 cats and 1 turtle were in need of immediate medical care and were turned over to the care of the Susquehanna SPCA. State Police were assisted by the Otsego County Emergency Services and the DEC, The investigation is on-going, charges are likely.

P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 11-8-24

The Norwich Police Department concluded an investigation into the sale of narcotics yesterday, they arrested 59 year old John Williams of Edmeston on 3 Counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Williams is accused of possessing Methamphetamine, Crack Cocaine & Fentanyl, plus cash from suspected drug sales, Williams was arraigned at Chenango County Court and is being held wihout Bail, pending further court appearances.

The Otsego County Solid Waste Department has invited local school district to once again participate in the annual Plastic Film Recycling Challenge, starting November 15th to next April. Kyle King of the Solid Waste Department explains:

(Kyle King 11-8-24)

King said that the plastic film they are collecting includes grocery bags, bread bags, bubble wrap, more information is available at 607-547-4256.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 11-8-24

Delaware County District Attorney Shawn Smith announced that the District Attorney’s Office will no longer participate in the Delaware County Drug Court Program. Smith stated that the motivation behind the creation of Drug Court was noble, to help low level, non-violent, drug users obtain the treatment they needed, but the State’s Bail Reform and Discovery Reform, has led to the portion of the population the program was meant to help, are no longer entering the criminal justice system. WCDO News will interview Smith for more on this story next week.

Commerce Chenango announced that their 2nd annual "Lights Camera Auction" will be held Saturday November 26th through Thursday December 2nd. Donations are now being accepted through November 18th, more information is available at 334-1402.

The Otsego County Solid Waste Department and the Otsego County Conservation Association are teaming up once again to promote the Otsego County Schools Plastic Film Recycling Challenge. The challenge promotes recycling of film plastics and is open to all public and private k-12 school buildings located in Otsego County. The challenge kicks off on America Recycles Day, November 15, and runs through April 14, 2023.

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that since early January, when mobile sports wagering became available in New York, the State has collected $542 million in taxes through the week ending October 30, far surpassing every other state in the nation. An additional $200 million in licensing fees has also been collected, generating a total of more than $740 million in revenue, most of it to be used for education.

Proposition 1: Clean Air/ Clean Water Act passed.

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 11-9-22

State Police announced that the body of Frederick Mayock of Springfield Massachusetts was found in Canadarago Lake in Otsego County yesterday. Mayock was reported missing after he went kayaking October 22nd.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 2-4-21

The State Assembly Oversight, Analysis & Investigation committee may soon be looking into the controversial issue of COVID deaths in nursing home and hospitals, following Attorney General Letitia James's report that the State Health Department undercounted the number of Nursing homes deaths, while state Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker has used the location of deaths in his statistics.  Assemblyman Joe Angelino is the ranking Republican on the Assembly Oversight Analysis & Investigation committee, and he said that the Attorney General's report only dealt with 10% if the state's nursing homes and more information is needed:

(Angelino 2-4-21)

Also, adding to the confusion last year was where to attribute the death of a nursing home resident while in an ambulance; Assemblyman Angelino said that people just need to get the truth from their state government regarding the death of their loved ones that resided in Nursing homes.

Chenango County Public Health reported 2 more deaths from COVID today, bringing their total to 47.  Chenango County reports 24 hospitalizations, 138 active cases & 378 quarantines.  They have had 2146 confirmed cases since the pandemic started, with 1931 Total Recoveries.

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce invites members to join them virtually on Thursday, February 18th from 8:30 to 9:30 AM for the Chamber's Free 3rd Thursday.  The featured speaker for this event is State Senator Peter Oberacker, register at delawarecounty.org or at 746-2281, once registered, a Zoom link will be emailed.

Governor Cuomo reported a slight increase in COVID Hospitalizations Statewide to 8082, there were still 1,522 Patients in the ICU; 1,003 Intubated on ventilators.  The state tested 126,489 with 5925 Positives for a Statewide Positivity Rate is 4.68%.  There were 160 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday

Delaware County Public Health reported 2 more people died of Covid-19 related complications.  Delaware County had 9 new COVID cases Wednesday, they report 84 total cases, 278 quarantined, and they’ve had 38 deaths from COVID since last year.

Otsego County Health Department reported 23 new COVID cases Wednesday, with 1 more death reported.  They report 18 hospitalized & 126 active cases.

There will be a free "Get the Facts about Cancer" Zoom presentation at 2:00 pm.  To receive the Zoom link, register at bassett.zoom.us, more information is available at 433-3703.

The Chenango County Health Department announced that their contact tracing team interviewed a confirmed positive COVID-19 case, that individual reported having visited the Greene Community Fitness Center at 7 South Canal Street in Greene between October 11th & 14th during the infectious period.   Any individual frequenting this establishment during the time indicated below should closely monitor themselves for COVID symptoms, those who exhibit symptoms should self-quarantine and contact their medical provider.  Chenango County Public Health announced their latest COVID 19 statistics today.  Currently they have 47 Active Cases, 230 Quarantines with 2 hospitalizations.  They have had 347 Total Confirmed Cases, 253 Total Recoveries, 7 deaths & they have conducted over 33,900 tests, more information is available at 337-1660.

The Prospect Hill Cemetery Association Board is looking to receive a grant to help with repairs to the wall near East Main Street, they have decided to apply to Southern Tier Tuesdays.com and see if we could a $2,000 Grant.  Association President Debra Tompkins-Cornett explains how people can help by voting once a day for 5 days, starting this Sunday:

(Debra Tompkins-Cornett 10-23-20)

Prospect Hill Cemetery has been nominated along with 11 others for the Grant; people can go to southerntiertuesdays.com to vote beginning this Sunday.

The Oneonta City School District have switched middle and high school students to remote learning yesterday & again today after being notified of a teacher testing positive.  NO student or any faculty/staff member is deemed a “close contact” to the affected teacher, according to a district letter; all elementary buildings will open as normal. Middle & High School students are scheduled to return on the previous hybrid schedule Monday.

Otsego County Department of Health reported 10 new cases of COVID 19 Thursday; they are investigating a cluster of cases that originated at a wedding that has now spread into the community.  Current COVID numbers, they report 952 total confirmed cases, 27 active cases with  2 hospitalizations, they've had 7 deaths,  747 probable and confirmed cases linked to SUNY Oneonta &  Hartwick College reported 2 more cases of COVID-19 have been detected, they have 3 active cases on campus; the total number of cases is 24.

The Summer Concert Season at the Anderson Center at the
Binghamton University campus continues with Don McLean& Pure Prairie League
tonight, Spokesman Chris Bodnarczuk comments:

(Chris Bodnarczuk 8-9-19)

Ticket availability & Purchases are available at the
Anderson Center Box office, at Anderson.Binghamton.edu or by calling 777-ARTS.

Catholic Charities in Sidney is once again offering free
backpacks to local children in need for the 2019-202 school year, Spokesperson
Penny McKnight explains:

(Penny McKnight 8-9-19)

McKnight said that the deadline to apply is August 12th;
more information is available by calling the Sidney Office at 604-4071 or
stopping at their office at Room 108 in the Sidney Civic Center.

The Greater Afton Area Chamber of Commerce is holding their
Sunday Summer Concert Series; This Sunday will feature "Searching For
Meaning" outside of the Afton Free Library.  More information about the Sunday Summer
Concert series in Afton can be found at gaacoc.com.

The Bainbridge Old Time Band will continue with their series
of summer concerts tonight.  The Concerts
are held at the Bainbridge Village Green Park at 7:00 PM.  the last show of the series will be August
29th, in the event of inclement weather, the shows are moved inside to the Town
hall Theater.

The Afton VFW at 187 Main Street will host a Free Arts and
Crafts Morning for ages 4 years old thru - 4th grade level, Saturday at 10:00
AM.  More information is available on the
VFW Auxiliary Post 3529 Facebook Page, or by calling 206-4817.

Caveman Construction will host a car show Saturday at Fortin
park in Oneonta.  All proceeds will go
for local women suffering with Ovarian Cancer that are being cared for by
Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative Care, more information is available at
287-1034.

About 1000 NYSEG customers were without power at about 6:00
this morning, following yesterday's storms.
About 550 customers were without power, at about 11:00 AM, the number
was down to 100 by midafternoon, crews are working to restore power as soon as
possible.

2 of yesterday’s 6 inductees into the National Baseball hall
Of Fame, spent time pitching for the New York Yankees.  Mike Mussina pitched 10 years for Baltimore before
coming to New York; he said that he had to be convinced to come to the big city
by then Yankee Manager Joe Torre:

(Mike Mussina NY)

Mariano Rivera spent his entire 18 year career pitching for
the New York Yankees, setting the record for saves by a relief pitcher; he
talked about New York fans in his speech yesterday:

(Mariano Rivera NY)

Mussina & Rivera were inducted into the Baseball Hall Of
Fame with Pitchers the late Roy Halladay & Lee Smith, and Designated hitter
Edgar Martinez & Harold Baines.

Work is continuing on restoring water to the Hamlet of Mount
Upton, according to town of Guilford officials.
A Boil Water Order is in effect, results of the 1st & 2nd required
water tests should be available by Wednesday afternoon, the order will remain
in effect once the Chenango County Department of Health gives their approval,
& that approval will be available at guilfordny.com of at the Town of
Guilford Facebook Page.  More information
is also available by calling the Guilford Town Clerk’s office at 895-9966.

Supplies are needed & pets are ready for adoption, at
the Delaware Valley Humane Society in Sidney, Director Erin Insinga and a few
children from Dewitt Drive in Sidney stopped up to visit WCDO this morning,
they raised $100 selling lemonade & donated it to the Shelter.  Erin Insinga told WCDO news where the shelter
is & how to follow what they are doing:

(Erin Insinga 7-22-19)

The full interview with Erin
& the Dewitt Drive children is available on the WCDO Website & WCDO
Facebook page.

6 players were inducted into the National Baseball Hall of
Fame Sunday at the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown:

The inductions started with the induction of 2 starting
Pitchers, 1st up was Mike Mussina who played 18 years for the Baltimore Orioles
& The New York Yankees, who won 270 games without putting up some of the
gaudy statistics that other Hall of Famers did:

(Mike Mussina 7-22-19)

The 2nd starting pitcher inducted Sunday was the late Roy
Halladay, who died in a small plane crash in November 2017; on the baseball
field among his achievements, he authored only the 2nd no hitter in post season
baseball, his wife Brandy struggled through the speech, but believed her
husband would have said the following in his speech:

(Brandy Halladay 7-22-19)

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

This year, 2 Designated Hitters were inducted into the
Baseball Hall of Fame, 1st up was Harold Baines, who was known for his quiet
leadership over his lengthy career, he simply followed the advice of his late
Father:

(Harold Baines 7-22-19)

Edgar Martinez played his entire career with the Seattle
Mariners, he was so prolific as a DH, that the Annual Award is named after him;
he said that it was a long wait to get in the Hall Of Fame, but it was worth
it:

(Edgar Martinez 7-22-19)

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

The last 2 to give their speeches for induction into the
Baseball Hall Of Fame were two of the greatest “Closers” in baseball
History.

Lee Smith pitched for a number of teams in his career &
when he retired, he had more saves than any one on baseball history, and he
said in life & in baseball, it is important to be dependable &
reliable:

(Lee Smith 7-22-19)

The final speech of the induction ceremony in Cooperstown
Sunday was delivered by New York Yankee Great Mariano Rivera, who joked about
always being “Last”  & thanked
friends, Family, Teammates & even the President of his home country of
Panama for being with him on this big occasion:

(Mariano Rivera 7-22-19)

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Officials estimated that about 55,000 fans attended Sunday’s
Hall of fame Inductions in Cooperstown.

This weekend is the MX Rewind Weekend at the Unadilla Valley
Sports Center on State Route 8, in New Berlin.
MX Rewind is a full weekend of vintage racing and has become the largest
vintage event of its kind in the nation.
Racing begins on Friday with AHRMA cross-country racing and moves into
motocross racing on Saturday and Sunday. More information is available at
965-8450 or unadillamx.com.

The Northeast Classic Car Museum at 24 Rexford Street in
Norwich has a new exhibit starting this weekend featuring 70's Muscle
Cars.  Among the vehicles on display, a
'70 Mustang Boss 302, a '71 Mercury Cougar, a '79 Pontiac Trans Am, Hours are
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily, more information is available at 334-2886 or
classicarmuseum.org.

The Family Resource Network will have a presentation on
Puberty & Sexuality tomorrow at SUNY Delhi from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon;  Network Spokesperson Robin Piefer explains;

(Robin Piefer 5-31-19)

More information is available at 432-0001 at familyrn.org.

Greater Chenango Cares is once again coming to Norwich to
provide services for families in need. Greater Chenango Cares is a Department
of Defense Innovative Readiness Training event. It gives joint training
opportunities to reservists to increase their deployment readiness while also
providing free medical, dental, vision and veterinary services to the
community.  This year's Chenango Cares
will be held at Norwich High School from July 11th through the 20th.   The Chenango United Way is looking for
volunteers for the event; those interested can call 334-8815.

The Scripps National Spelling Bee had to name 8 champions
yesterday, after the 8 winners continued to spell words correctly round after
round after round.  Organizers said that
they ran out of difficult words to give to the last 8, Scripps officials gave
up and declared them all co-champions, each will win the $50,000 grand
prize.  Melodie Loya of Bainbridge made
it to the final day for the 3rd straight year, before being stumped during an
afternoon round Thursday.

Governor Cuomo today announced
the application window is now open for round one of the Grow-NY food and
agriculture competition. The competition is focused on growing an enduring food
and agriculture innovation cluster in New York's Finger Lakes, Central New York
and Southern Tier regions. The competition will run for 3 & will offer a
total of $3 million in funding for each round to innovative high-growth
start-ups that are focused on the food and agriculture industry.   More information is available at grow-ny.com.

Today is World No Tobacco Day, where people are trying to
get the word out about the dangers of Tobacco use & the growing
Concern  of children getting addicted to
Nicotine through fruit flavored E-Cigarettes Like Juul.  Linda Wegner of Advancing Tobacco free
Communities of Delaware, Otsego & Schoharie Counties said that they are
hoping the state & the Federal Government do something soon:

(Linda Wegner 5-31-19)

Currently, the state wide rate of smoking is about 14%, but
Delaware County is much higher at 24%, there has also been a 160% increase in
E-Cigarette usage among teens in the last 2 years, each Juul cartridge contains
the same amount of nicotine as an entire pack of traditional cigarettes.

A.O. Fox Hospital is offering a program this summer for
individuals interested in becoming junior volunteers, to offer a helping hand
to hospitalized patients, nursing home residents, and staff in a multitude of
capacities.  Training for accepted
applicants is scheduled for Monday, July 1st
from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 PM in Fox Hospital’s Education Department.  Applicants must be at least 14 years of age
& applications are available in the guidance offices of area high
schools,  all applications are due by
June 18th . More Information is available at 431-5042.

22 year old Richard Garreau of Sherburne has been arrested by the Otsego County Sheriff’s Department, for allegedly stealing 5 guns and several other items from a Laurens residence. Garreau was allowed to live with and was given a job by the victim, who discovered that the items were gone once Garreau moved out. Garreau was remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $5,000 cash or $10,000 bond pending court action.

The 4th annual Sidney Veterans Memorial Park Association Golf Tournament will be held on June 3rd at the Sidney Golf & Country Club, as a fundraiser for future work at the Sidney at River Street near State Route 8. Spokesman Tom Ruff explains:

(Tom Ruff 5-16-18)

More information is available at 518-256-7899 or at Sidney veterans memorial park.org.

Governor Cuomo declared a state of emergency in nearby Putnam, Dutchess, Orange, and Sullivan Counties as they continue to recover from several severe thunderstorms yesterday. The Governor has deployed 125 members of the New York National Guard to assist communities with recovery efforts, plus thousands of state and local personnel are working to clear debris & re-open roads. A travel advisory was also put into effect for those counties, NYSEG reported over 10,000 were still without power from the storms earlier this afternoon.

Governor Cuomo announced a Lyme and tick-borne disease control plan on public lands, increase public awareness and create a working group to participate in a Lyme disease summit this summer. The Governor has directed the Department of Health, DEC and the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to collaborate in order to target priority counties and public lands with the highest risk of tick exposure and Lyme disease. More information about Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases is available at health.ny.gov.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino wants to reduce income tax rates while lowering the number of tax brackets from eight to two. Astorino discussed his proposal yesterday in Manhattan. He would also cut the corporate franchise tax and eliminate the estate tax. To make up for some of the lost revenue, Astorino would eliminate most business tax credits and rely on new tax revenue from hydraulic fracturing for natural gas. Polls have consistently shown Gov. Cuomo well ahead in his bid for a second term. A Siena College survey last week shows Cuomo with 56 percent of the vote compared to 27 for Astorino. Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins garnered only 7 percent

The state Gaming Commission approved New York entering into a new multi-state lottery game, called Monopoly Millionaires' Club, that is set to launch nationwide Oct. 19. New York officials said they expect to be part of the first drawing, Oct. 24. The drawings are once a week on Fridays and tickets are $5 each. The prize pool starts at $15 million and grows up to $25 million if there is no winner. The game is projected to bring in more than $34 million annually for the state

The Chenango county sheriffs department arrested 25-year-old Tanya Osman of Coventry on a Bench Warrant and Resisting Arrest.   Osman is wanted on the warrant from Chenango County Court for failing to comply with the conditions of her probation following a conviction for Aggravated DWI.  Osman is accused of refusing to open her door to the deputy and then attempted to hide once the deputy entered the residence.  Osman was arraigned in the Town of Coventry Court  & was remanded to the Chenango County Jail on $500.00 bail, pending future court action.

Governor Cuomo congratulated 7 New York breweries that won medals at the Great American Beer Festival, which took place in Denver, Colorado earlier this month.   This year's Bronze Medal in the Belgian Style Abbey Ale Category were Brewery  Ommegang of Cooperstown.  21 New York State breweries took part in this year's Great American Beer Festival,   more information about New York craft beers, is available at taste.ny.gov..

It's been almost 20 years since Bresee's in Oneonta closed. Developers said at the building's ribbon cutting yesterday that the new space will feature 12 new apartments ranging from 650 to more than 2,000 square feet. The upper floor apartments will also feature rooftop decks. The more than $6 million project received $2.2 million in funding from the state's Restore New York grant program. New retail space has already begun opening up and residents will be able to move into the apartments in March