WCDO Radio News

Several Chenango County Fire Departments responded at about 10:20pm Sunday Night to a structure & vehicle fire at 2709 Chenango County Road 2 in Smithville Flats.  Mutual aid was received by Fire fighters from Greene, McDonough, Pharsalia, & several others, there were no injuries reported, the cause of the fire is under investigation.

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A new State Budget plan was worked on over the weekend by Lawmakers in Albany, local Assemblyman Cliff Crouch told WCDO News about some of the key aspects:

(Cliff Crouch 4-1-19)

The Budget totals 175.2 Billion Dollars for the 2019-202 fiscal year that starts today.

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The State DEC has issued a warning regarding rabies, following an outbreak in the eastern counties in the Eastern Adirondacks.  Officials remind people to not approach wild animals exhibiting unusual or aggressive behavior, and contact the DEC or county officials as soon as possible.

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Johnson City police are investigating the fatal shooting of a man Saturday night in the Parking lot of Halal Bites on Riverside drive.  The victim was taken to an area hospital where he died from his injuries; the name of the deceased has not yet been released.  Detectives are looking for a male suspect who was wearing dark clothing and a mask.  Anyone with information is asked to contact Johnson City Police at 729-9321.

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Animal Adventure in Harpursville announced today that the Baby Giraffe born on March 16th has been named “Azizi” out of pool of 20 names to choose from.  The 2nd round of online voting has concluded & Proceeds from the naming contest will support the Cheetah Conservation Fund, the park’s annual Ava’s Little Heroes fundraiser and Animal Adventure Park

State Leaders announced an agreement on the State Budget, which holds spending growth at 2% and cuts taxes for the middle class, Governor Cuomo commented Sunday:

(Cuomo 4-1-19)

The 175.2 Billion dollar budget includes the permanent 2% property tax cap,  Education funding totals $27.9 billion; and State Medicaid/Health Spending: $19.6 billion; 3.6 percent growth.

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State Police are looking for the public’s assistance in locating a Binghamton man reported missing.  32-year-old Brandon Williams has not been heard from since March 5, he was last seen in the area of State Highway 38B and State Route 26 in the town of Maine.  Williams has previously gone missing for months at a time, He is not reported to have any medical issues or a danger to others.  Anyone with information should call 775-1241. 

31-year-old Chris Nugent of Deposit was apprehended at an apartment on Court Street in Binghamton earlier this week.  Nugent was wanted in connection with a gang assault case at the Johnson City McDonald’s in December, he was sent to the Broome County Jail.  Nugent was charged along 4 other Deposit man for gang assault in an attack that seriously injured 2 people.

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Broome County District Attorney Steve Cornwell & Broome County Executive Jason Garnar announced a “State Of Emergency” in the county regarding Fentanyl.    Cornwell said that there were 10 fatal overdoses in Broome County this month, some of those attributed to Fentanyl, 6 of them in the last week & a half.  Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that about 100 times more potent than morphine.

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State lawmakers on Tuesday unveiled legislation designed to crackdown on robocalls, blaming the federal government for failing to act on the issue.  The legislation would require the use of software designed to block unwanted calls, spam calls or calls from robodials meant to scam people out of money.  The measure would apply to both landline and cellphones after a proliferation over the last several years of robocalls.

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Attorney General Letitia James filed the nation’s most extensive lawsuit against the manufacturers, Sackler Family, and distributors of opioids for their role in the opioid epidemic that has taken hundreds of thousands of lives and devastated families and communities. The lawsuit alleges that through years of false and deceptive marketing, and by ignoring their duties to prevent the unlawful diversion of controlled substances, these six national prescription opioid manufacturers, the Sackler Family, and four national prescription drug distributors are largely responsible for creating the opioid epidemic that has ravaged New York, causing widespread addiction, overdose deaths, and suffering.

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The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce announced that they will be holding a job & Career Fair in Cooperstown on April 17th.  The Job Fair will be held at the Otesaga Hotel from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, more information is available at 432-4500.

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Oneonta Main Street Goes Blue tomorrow for colorectal cancer awareness. The event takes place at Muller Plaza from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM; it is sponsored by Cancer Services Program of the Central Region and Bassett Healthcare Network.  More information is available at the Oneonta Main Street Goes Blue Facebook page.

31-year-old Colyn Williams of Binghamton has been charged with attempted murder for allegedly stabbing a woman and the couple’s 11-month-old son.  The woman and child sustained serious injuries, & were sent to a local hospital.  Williams has been charged with second-degree attempted murder and first-degree assault. He was being held for arraignment in Binghamton City Court

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State Police arrested 26 year old Derek Zigon of Cherry Valley for Assault, Criminal Mischief, Resisting Arrest, Obstructing Governmental Administration and Petty Larceny.  Zigon allegedly stole beer from a  Convenience Store & fled,  Troopers & Otsego Deputies located Zigon, who shattered a window to gain entry into a residence on State Route 80, he resisted arrest, kicked 2 troopers, he was pepper sprayed and taken into custody & was arraigned & was remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 bond.

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The Tri-Town Coalition on Substance Abuse Prevention will be holding their next monthly meeting this evening.  The meeting will begin at 6:00 PM & will be held at the Maiorano Building at 7 Main Street in Sidney.  1 of the topics of discussion will be about trying to acquire grant money from the Drug Free Community Federal Grant program.  More information is available at 437-4274.

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State Police arrested 21 year old Tyler Green of Highmount for Grand Larceny.  State Police reported that last September 4th, troopers were dispatched to the Speedway on State Highway 23 in the town of Oneonta to a report that Green stole lottery tickets while employed there.  An investigation revealed that Green was taking lottery tickets, totaling $1976.  Green was located recently, by troopers from Margaretville and taken into custody.  Green was processed and released on an appearance ticket returnable to the town of Oneonta Court on April 18th.

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Governor Cuomo announced that trout and salmon fishing season in New York State opens on Monday, April 1.  The DEC officials said that Anglers should visit the DEC website for the 2019 Coldwater Fishing Forecast for recommended trout and salmon fishing locations.

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23 year old Jamie Whitmore of Norwich was indicted by a Chenango County Grand jury for 1st-degree rape, criminal sexual act, sexual abuse & endangering the welfare of a child, for allegedly performing sexual acts with a 6-year-old victim.  Whitmore was remanded to the Chenango County Jail on $25,000 cash bail

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32 year old Matthew Jones of Greene was indicted by a Chenango County Grand Jury for 2nd & 3rd degree burglary, 2 counts of Criminal possession of a weapon & grand larceny for allegedly breaking into residences in the Town and Village of Greene in February.  Jones is accused of stealing a shotgun, ammunition, a safe and $800 cash.  Jones faces action on the charges at a later date.

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Governor Cuomo announced the latest round of ReCharge NY power allocations in support of more than 7,800 jobs and $1.4 billion in capital investments statewide. The New York Power Authority Board of Trustees approved more than 16.7 megawatts of low-cost power allocations to 23 enterprises throughout the state. The program currently provides power to 770 businesses and not-for-profit organizations.

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The Binghamton Rumble Ponies season gets underway in New Hampshire next week on April 4th, and the home opener at NYSEG Stadium Will be on April 11th, team spokesman Eddie Saunders comments:

(Eddie Saunders 3-27-19)

Saunders said that they believe it will be advantageous for the interest & attendance for the Big League Team in New York & for the Binghamton team, to now have their Triple A Affiliate in Syracuse.

State Police arrested 2 people for Grand Larceny, following an investigation at Wahl to Wahl Auto in Middlefield, where the business was missing several catalytic converters.  Employee Shawn Campbell allegedly stole several catalytic converters over several months, and he is accused of selling them with Jesse Stefanelli.  Campbell & Stefanelli were processed and released on an appearance tickets to the town of Middlefield Court on April 1st.

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A presentation for the public will be hosted by the Unatego Central School District Board of Education this evening at 7:00 pm, on a future capital building project. The meeting will be in the high school cafeteria at 2641 State 7 in Wells Bridge.

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The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce will honor Pathfinder Village of Edmeston as the Distinguished Business Award Winner, & funeral director Les Grummons as the Eugene A. Bettiol, Jr., Citizen of the Year Award Winner at its annual gala later this year.  Pathfinder & Grummons will be honored on May 2nd at 5:45 p.m. at Foothill Performing Arts Center in Oneonta.

———————————————————– The State Office of General Services announced that surplus vehicle auctions have been scheduled through the month of June.  For information on specific items and terms of sale, please visit www.nysstore.com or call (518) 457-6335.  The Southern Tier event will be held on Thursday, May 9th, at 9:30 AM at the Department of Transportation location at 241 Colesville Road, B

Delaware County Sheriff Deputies arrested 63 year old Alan Brown of East Meredith for Criminal possession of a controlled substance & promoting Prison Contraband, Brown is accused of possessing cocaine while being processed into the Delaware County Jail on unrelated charges.   Brown was arraigned in the Town of Delhi Court and remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $10,000.00 cash bail. Brown is to reappear in the Town of Delhi Court at a later date.  

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There is 1 week to go to get a State Budget finished on Time, local Assemblyman Cliff Crouch comments:

(Cliff Crouch 3-25-19)

The state budget is due to be passed April 1st, and is expected to be around 175 Billion Dollars.

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Rockland County ranked 1st among New York’s Counties in a ranking from Smart Assets on effective spending by County Governments of the Tax Dollars that they collect.  Otsego County ranked 2nd in that ranking, Delaware County ranked 26th & Chenango County was 35th.  The source can be found at smartasset.com/taxes.

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The City of Norwich will hold a public hearing on April 2nd at 6:30 PM, on a proposal to fine city residents that feed feral cats.  The public hearing will take place at 1 City Court Plaza in Norwich.

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A presentation for the public will be hosted by the Unatego Central School District Board of Education at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 27, on a future capital building project. The meeting will be in the high school cafeteria at 2641 State 7 in Wells Bridge.

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A  Free 7-Week Smoking Cessation Course will start on Tuesday April 2nd at the O’Connor Hospital Board Room in Delhi.  The weekly class will run from 1:30 to 3:30 PM, registration, or more information is available at 431-5692 or bassett.org/quit-today.

State Police issued 13,038 tickets and arrested 259 people for impaired driving during the St. Patrick’s Day weekend impaired driving crackdown. The STOP-DWI initiative started on Friday, March 15 and continued through Monday, March 18th.  During the 2018 campaign, Troopers issued nearly 12,959 total tickets and arrested 243 motorists for impaired driving.

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Governor Cuomo reiterated that he will not sign a new State Budget Plan unless there is a permanent 2% Tax Cap.  He made the announcement yesterday on Long Island; the budget is due April 1st.

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The next Bainbridge United meeting will be held this evening.  The meeting will begin at 7:00 PM at Bob’s Diner, Bainbridge residents are urged to attend & participate.

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The North Norwich Plaza at 6142 Route 12 in Norwich, is scheduled to be auctioned off from April 15th to 17th, with an announced starting bid of $350,000. Currently 5 businesses are open at the site, filling up about 1/3rd of the total space.  More information is available at ten-x.com

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State Police CNET of the Southern Tier. along with other law Enforcement Agencies, executed a narcotics search warrant at 330 Conklin Avenue in the city of Binghamton.  State Police arrested 32 year old Kenneth Parker on 2 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance; police seized heroin, cocaine and Vicodin pills, along with a digital scale and processing and packaging materials.  Parker was arraigned and remanded to Broome County Jail without bail.

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The next 2 weekends will be “Maple Weekends” with events taking place throughout the upstate region.  The list of participating Maple producers can be found at mapleweekend.nysmaple.com.  New York State is 2nd in the country behind Vermont, for Maple production.

 The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce will hold their annual “Cabin Fever Bowling Tournament” tomorrow at Galaxy Bowl in Bainbridge.  The event begins at 10:00 AM; Proceeds will go toward the LED Sign Project at Clinton Park.

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The Chenango County Health Department announced that a free rabies clinic will be held tomorrow, at the Norwich Fire Station.  The clinic will run from 9:30 to 11:00 AM, more information is available at 337-1673.

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The Delaware County Fair announced a new partnership with Dreamland Amusements, through the 2024 fair.  This year’s Delaware County Fair will run from August 12th-17th, More information is available at dreamlandamusements.com.  All grandstand tickets will go on sale Saturday May 4th.

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Hospice & Palliative care of Chenango County will hold their annual “Camp-4-Seasons” on Saturday March 23rd from 9am – 3pm, at the Stanford Gibson Primary School in Norwich.   Grief Services Coordinator Rachel Barletta explains:

(Rachel Barletta 3-22-19)

More information is available at 334-3556 or by email at rbarletta@hospicechenango.org.

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A Winter Weather Watch is in effect as a storm system works its way to the region, local Meteorologist Rich Townsend comments:

(Rich Townsend 3-21-19)

Townsend said that he expects about 3 to 5 inches of snow with this storm, possibly a little more in the higher elevations; road conditions will be mostly wet.

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Broome County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s assistance in trying to locate 31 year old Christopher Nugent of Deposit, who was charged with gang assault in connection with a stabbing at the Main Street, Johnson City McDonald’s in December.  The Warrant Division describes Nugent as white, standing 5’10” tall, weighing 155 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes, Tips can be submitted to gobroomecounty.com/sheriff/warrants or by phone at 778-1196 or 778-2923 or 778-2933.

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The number of private sector jobs in New York State grew by 7,900, or 0.1%, to 8,254,400, a new, all-time high, according to preliminary figures released today by the State Department of Labor.  The statewide unemployment rate was at 3.9%.

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Upstate New York casinos authorized to offer sports gambling could be accepting wagers by Memorial Day weekend, after the state Gaming Commission posted its rules for sports betting Wednesday, which started the 60-day period during which the public can weigh in on the issue.   After the Public Comment period, sports wagering would be allowed at the 4 privately owned non-Indian-owned casinos, including Tioga Downs.

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State Leaders are optimistic a new state budget can be passed before the new fiscal year begins April 1.  State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins told reporters that she’s committed to passing the budget on time and that negotiations with Cuomo are making progress.  Last minute issues include proposals to eliminate cash bail for criminal defendants & Making the 2% Tax Cap permanent.

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The Out Of the Woodworks Players will be performing their next Production in early April, Spokesman Will Drew explains:

(Will Drew 3-21-19)

Tickets are already available at brownpapertickets.com, through the OWP Facebook Page, or at the door.

Governor Andrew Cuomo has issued the city of Norwich and greater Norwich community to lower the American flag from through Sunday, March 31 to honor Norwich Police Sergeant Timothy Annesi, who died from a chronic illness Sunday.   Calling hours were held last night in Norwich.  A funeral service will be held this morning at 9:30 a.m. at the Broad Street United Methodist Church.

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The Village Of Sidney will be holding an informational meeting today from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the Sidney Civic Center Board Room regarding possible implementation of one refuse hauler for all residential homes in the Village of Sidney. This will be 1st of 2 meetings on this topic, there will be a discussion of the proposal and residents are encouraged to ask questions or raise concerns about this subject. 

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Tomorrow will be the deadline to submit nominations to the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce, for their Distinguished Business Award & The Eugene Bettiol Jr Distinguished Citizen Award.  More information is available at otsegocc.com.

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