WCDO Radio News

The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office has arrested 35 year old Brian Worden of Oneonta following a disturbance call. Worden is accused of possessing a controlled substance when police showed up to a disturbance in the Meadows Office Complex Parking lot, Worden was arrested & was issued an appearance ticket.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 7-17-23

State Police BCI unit arrested 36 year old Ian Rotunno of Fenton, Thursday for multiple counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon. Rotunno was found in possession of a loaded and illegal rifle when located by law enforcement after a 24 hour manhunt. An investigation revealed that the weapon is a “ghost gun”, plus he is accused of possessing 2 magazines that are not New York State SAFE Act compliant and were loaded with armor piercing ammunition. Rotunno was transported to Broome County Central Arraignment and Processing.

Work should be completed on the 2nd side of Main Street in Sidney, for the Main Street Revitalization project, Architect Ian Law of Place Alliance explains:

(Ian Law 7-31-18)

The deadline date was August 31st; Law said that they are on track to finish before that date.

Attorney General Barbara Underwood is part of a coalition of Attorneys General – announced that she will file suit against the Trump administration to block the distribution of materials that enable the printing of untraceable, undetectable guns using 3-D printers. The lawsuit will be filed in federal court by the Attorneys General of Washington, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Maryland, New York, and the District of Columbia.

Registration forms for the Bainbridge-Guilford After School Care Program are due by August 1st. The program is open to all students Pre-K through 6 and will be held at Greenlawn Elementary School starting September 6. For more information or to obtain a registration form, call the District Office at 967-6321.

The Work is moving along at a good pace so far this year, on the 2nd side of the Sidney Main Street Revitalization plan. Ian Law of Place Alliance outlined the timeline of the project at this morning’s public meeting:

(Ian Law 5-21-18)

Law said that the Torta Construction has set an end date for both sides of the street for August.

State Police in Oneonta was notified that a skimming device was found inside the ATM at Community Bank, NA at 4987 State Route 23 in Oneonta. The device was found by a technician who was called to repair the ATM. the skimming device was placed inside the ATM Friday night by unknown older white male wearing glasses, shorts, a ball cap, and a hooded sweatshirt. The same suspect was involved in a similar skimming device incident in Scranton, PA in February. the ATM’s security features may have immediately disabled the ATM, but it is still unknown whether any cards may have been compromised. Anyone with information can contact State Police in Oneonta at 432-4844.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 34 year old James Bellows of Fleischmanns, as a fugitive from justice from McLeod County, Minnesota. Bellows was arraigned at the Town of Delhi Court where he was remanded to the custody of the Delaware County Jail without bail pending extradition from Minnesota.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Marcus Molinaro named former Rye City Councilwoman Julie Killian his running mate for lieutenant governor on Sunday; Killian is former two-time state Senate candidate, the state Republican Party Convention will begin Wednesday in New York City.

2 raccoons have tested positive for rabies, one in Andes and the other in Bovina. 1 dog was exposed to a confirmed rabid raccoon in Andes, there were no human exposures, and the dog was not up to date on vaccinations & has begun 6 month quarantine. In Bovina one person was bitten by a confirmed rabid raccoon, that person has begun Rabies Post Exposure Treatment. Rabies clinics in Delaware County will be held Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Town of Stamford Garage, June 6th from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Town of Tompkins Highway Garage, in Trout Creek & June 13th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Town of Walton Highway Garage.

The Sidney Main Street Revitalization on the West side of the street is underway & the plans are wrapping up for the East side if the street. Ian Law of Place Alliance explains:

(Ian Law 4-23-18)

The expected end date for the entire Main Street Sidney project is July 25th.

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 43 year old Simeon Nesbitt of Oneonta for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, operating a motor vehicle by an unlicensed driver, insufficient plate lights, and failure to stop at a stop sign following a traffic stop on Townsend Street in the Village of Walton. Nesbitt was arraigned at the Village of Walton Court and released on $200 cash bail; he is scheduled to return to the Village of Walton Court at a later date to answer the charges.

The Sidney Main Street revitalization Project is wrapping up the work on one side of Main Street this week, except for the planting of trees perennials & grass that will be planted in the spring. Ian Law of Place Alliance explains:

(Ian Law 12-4-17)

The other side of Main Street will have construction begin in the spring, with plans calling for that side to be finished in time for the Hometown Day Parade in June.

Chenango County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 37-year-old Timothy Heady of Smyrna, fur unlawful manufacture of Methamphetamines. Heady was arrested as deputies were conducting a follow up in reference to a burglary in the area; Deputies were then assisted by the State Police Crime Scene Contamination Unit. Heady was arraigned in the Village of Sherburne Court and was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on cash bail; he will reappear in the Town of Smyrna Court at later date.

A Delaware County Grand Jury handed down Sealed Indictments last Thursday relating to 4 separate narcotics trafficking investigations conducted by members of the Delaware County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Unit. Sheriff's Office Investigators and Deputies arrested 30-year-old Gregory Shamus of Delhi, 28-year-old Cody Warner of Trout Creek, 31-year-old Patrick Ford of Delancey, & 38-year-old Jennifer Fogliano of Masonville on Sealed Indictment Arrest Warrants on a variety drug charges. All of the defendants were arraigned today in Delaware County Court and were remanded to the Delaware County Jail without bail pending further court action.

The first side of the Sidney Main Street Revitalization project is winding down prior to the extended winter weather. Ian Law of Place Alliance told WCDO News of the timeline:

(Ian Law 11-20-17)

Sidney Mayor Andy Matviak said that the Main Street Property owners are being told NOT to use sale or salt like products on the newly poured concrete:

(Andy Matviak 11-20-17)

The Next public meeting with Sidney officials & Place Alliance will be December 4th at 10:00 AM in the 1st floor board room of the Sidney Civic Center.

State Police arrested 22-year-old Nathan McDonald of Sidney for DWI, & Unlawful Possession of Marihuana, after a traffic stop on State Route 7, in the town of Unadilla. An investigation determined that McDonald was driving while intoxicated, & an inventory of his vehicle found that he unlawfully possessed a small amount of marihuana. McDonald was issued tickets returnable to the town of Unadilla Court on November 27th.

The Village of Sidney hosted the first of a series of meetings regarding the progress of the Main Street Revitalization Project. Ian Law of Place Alliance designed the project & told WCDO News of the 2 main items that has slowed the project down:

(Ian Law 10-9-17)

Law said that the plans will be to finish the one side of Main Street in the comings weeks, and start the second side as early as possible next year.

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce annnounced that former area Congressman Chris Gibson will be their special guest at their next 1st Friday Eat & Meet Breakfast on Friday, November 3rd from 8:30 to 10:00 am. The meeting will be held at the Delhi Nursing and Rehabiliation Center at 41861 State Highway 10 in Delhi, Gibson will discuss his recently published new book "Rally Point".

Governor Cuomo's Raise the Age law took effect on Saturday, it allows people who have remained crime free for 10 years to request certain past convictions be sealed. Certain crimes, including sex crimes and violent felonies, cannot be sealed.

New York lawmakers convicted of abusing their power and sent off to prison may have their pensions removed, when voters will be asked in November whether to change the state constitution to authorize judges to strip pensions from corrupt politicians. 30 state lawmakers have left office since 2000 because of criminal charges or allegations of ethical misconduct. Voters will also be decide whether to call for a constitutional convention, where delegates would consider tweaking or rewriting the state Constitution.

Delaware County Sheriff Deputies responded to a 2-car motor vehicle accident on State Highway 206 in the Town of Walton Monday. 48-year-old Tenzin Pelmo of Ithaca was rear-ended by a vehicle being driven by 37 year old Karyl Rose of Bainbridge. Both drivers were transported to Delaware Valley Hospital for treatment of their injuries. Rose was charged with Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation, unsafe tires and following too closely. Rose was arraigned & was released on her own recognize pending later court action in Town of Walton Court.

Governor Cuomo revealed his executive Budget Proposal to lawmakers Tuesday, with a big increase in Education spending:

(Cuomo 1-18-17)

Cuomo said that the budget would spend $152.3 Billion dollars, including the 1 billion dollar increase in education spending; the legislature will have until April 1st to get the budget passed.

A presentation from Place Alliance was held at the Sidney Civic Center last night regarding the plans for the Sidney Green Streetscape project for Main Street. Ian Law is the Director of Urban Planning & Design for Place Alliance:

(Ian Law 1-18-17)

Plans call for new sidewalk configurations, new trees, lighting, and underground rainwater collection into reservoirs under the sidewalks. The plans are expected to go up for bidding next month, with construction getting underway this spring.

Supporters came from all over to show their support for the residents of Islamberg in the town of Tompkins, as a group of Bikers known as the "American Bikers United Against Jihad" planned a rally, against the Muslim group who have been targeted in certain media as being a terrorist training ground. Julia Reischel of the Watershed Post was at yesterday's rally; she told WCDO News that the rally was a lot smaller than expected:

(Julia Reischel 5-16-16)

Reischel said that state Troopers & Delaware County Sheriff’s deputies were on hand to insure the safety of the community & the supporters. Islamberg had also been targeted by Robert Doggart of Tennessee, who vowed to get a militia together to burn down the community and kill the residents; he was arrested earlier this year by the FBI for making terrorist threats.

Delaware County Sheriff Deputies arrested 40-year-old Ian Lyle of Unadilla on one count of DWI following an investigation of a one-car motor vehicle accident in the Town of Sidney. Lyle was additionally charged with making an unsafe lane change and was released on tickets returnable to Sidney Town Court at a later date.

Congressman Chris Gibson announced the passage of 18 bills aimed at combating heroin and opioid abuse. The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act would improve the use of opioid therapy and pain management in treating veterans; amends federal law to impose penalties for extraterritorial drug trafficking and production of precursor chemicals used for illegal drugs; clarifies when a prescription for a drug like oxycodone may be partially filled; & amends the Controlled Substances Act to expand access to medication-assisted treatment for people suffering from addiction.

Governor Cuomo announced today that recent investigations to protect exploited workers in New York State have led to nearly $3.3 million in back wages, damages and settlements for 800 workers. In the upstate counties, State Agriculture Labor Specialists assisted in recovering more than $9,000 in back wages for 23 farm workers who were underpaid. State investigators conducted more than 380 field visits and met with 300 agricultural businesses to offer hiring assistance and educate employers about labor law compliance and available resources. The agency has increased the number of field visits, reduced the number of violations and is protecting workers by helping more businesses comply with the law.

State Police arrested 25 year old Ian Kosciusko of Worcester for sexual abuse. The arrest occurred after troopers were advised of an incident that occurred on September 11, at the Holiday Inn on State Route 23, in the Town of Oneonta. An investigation determined that an employee had unwanted sexual contact with an adult victim, Kosciusko was arraigned and was remanded to the Otsego County Jail in lieu of $2,500 cash bail or $5,000 property bond, An order of protection was issued by the court.

SUNY Delhi officials reported that law enforcement agencies responded this morning to a bomb threat received at around 7:30 AM.  The calls claimed that bombs were in Evenden Tower and Sanford Hall, the buildings were evacuated & law enforcement personnel initiated a search of both buildings, no bombs were found.  All classes scheduled for Evenden Tower and Sanford Hall today were canceled today, Delhi Village Police, Delaware County Sheriff’s Department, Delaware County Emergency Management Office and State Police responded, the bomb threat has been ruled as a hoax, the investigation is continuing.

State police arrested 31 year old Ian Ward of Unadilla for felony aggravated DWI and unlawful possession of marihuana.  The arrest occurred after Ward was observed asleep behind the wheel of a running vehicle stopped in the middle of Interstate 88 in Oneonta.  Troopers Broke a window & placed the vehicle in park, Ward had a previous DWI conviction, making this arrest a felony, Ward was arraigned at the Oneonta town court and remanded to the Otsego county jail in lieu of $1,500 cash bail.

New York ranked fifth in the nation for gun-control laws, according to a report from the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. The annual report said New York was one of four states this year to enact laws that require universal background checks on all firearm sales. New York has the fourth lowest gun death rate in the nation. New York’s law strengthened an assault-weapons ban, required additional registration of guns and cut the number of bullets allowed in magazine from 10 to seven.