The Broome County District Attorney Mike Korchak announced that a grand jury has filed charges against 2 murder suspects in Broome County Court regarding unrelated homicide cases. Mitchell Lindow was charged with 1st degree murder in connection to a December 2nd stabbing, where Lindow allegedly killed David Royes while committing a felony burglary at 110 Main Street in Binghamton by stabbing him multiple times. Korchak also said that Kyle Babola is charged with 2nd degree murder for the killing of Scott Grover with a machete in Johnson City. Both face court action at a later date.

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Bassett Healthcare Network has partially lifted visitation restrictions at its inpatient and clinic locations across the region. Spokesperson Gabby Argo told WCDO news about some of the changes:

(Gabby Argo 2-16-22)

Argo said that the Emergency Departments across the Bassett Network will remain closed to visitors, the full list of restriction changes can be found at bassett.org.

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Oneonta Mayor Mark Drnek delivered his first State of the City address to the Common Council Tuesday night, he told WCDO News that the main theme of his speech & agenda is “Collaboration”:

(Mark Drnek 2-16-22)

Oneonta City meetings returned to in person events this week, with certain restrictions regarding the ongoing COVID 19 issue.

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The State Office of Cannabis Management announced proposed regulations for the Medical Cannabis Program that implement certain provisions of the state’s new Cannabis Law. The Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act included updates to the program designed to consider environmental impacts and create efficiencies, & also includes technical changes to the regulations to formally shift the program from the Department of Health to Office of Cannabis Management. The regulations were submitted to the Cannabis Control Board for its review and approval at its meeting on Thursday, i the Board approves, the regulations will advance to a 60-day public comment period.

A.M. NEWS Wednesday 2-16-22

The Binghamton Police Department arrested 36 year old Marquetta James of Connecticut for 2nd degree arson, in connection with the fire at 159 Conklin Avenue yesterday. Binghamton Police Detectives found James at a local hotel, Authorities stated that James was an acquaintance to 1 of the residents in the building. 20 adults and 9 children were displaced by the fire.

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The City of Norwich was selected as one of the Southern Tier region recipients of a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant. A public workshop will be held virtually tonight at 6:00 PM, Commerce Chenango President & CEO Kerri Green explains:

(Kerri Green 2-16-22)

All members of the public are invited to learn more about the DRI program and share their ideas on downtown revitalization strategies and projects in Norwich. The ZOOM links to the meeting can be found at the WCDO Facebook page.

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State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced the results of an audit of the Delaware-Chenango-Madison-Otsego BOCES Procurement practices. The audit found that the purchasing agent made 22 purchases with 7 purchases totaling $49,300, where competition was not sought, as required. Staff could not provide documentation to support efforts were made to obtain the best price.

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The U.S. Department of Justice announced that 42 year old Brian Whipple of New Berlin pleaded guilty to child pornography charges on Monday. Whipple was arrested in June 2020, he had over 5,000 child pornography images and videos, he will likely serve 5 to 20 years in jail & will have to register as a sex offender upon his release.

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State Police responded Monday to a 2-vehicle crash on State Route 26 in the town of Maine. The investigation revealed that 32 year-old  Alainna Stemple of Binghamton and 19 year old Nathan Baker of Glen Aubrey collided on State Route 26. Both operators were extricated by fire personnel, Stempel was taken to a Wilson hospital, where she later died, Baker was airlifted to Upstate Medical Center. The investigation continues.

Governor Kathy Hochul today signed several pieces of legislation aimed toward reducing drug-related overdose deaths across New York State and encouraging those suffering from addiction to seek help in their recovery. Governor Hochul said that 1 bill will decriminalize possession of opioid antagonists, which are drugs that block opioids by attaching to opioid receptors without activating them, another bill establishes a program for the use of medication assisted substance use disorder treatment for incarcerated individuals, another decriminalizes the possession and sale of hypodermic needles and syringes & another bill establishes an online directory for distributors of opioid antagonists, to be maintained by the Office of Addiction Services and Supports.

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Governor Kathy Hochul announced that $125 million in state funding is now available to help landlords that couldn’t participate in the New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program due to a federal requirement for tenants to participate in the application process. The State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance is accepting applications starting Today, the Landlord Rental Assistance Program provides up to 12 months of past-due rent to landlords, the assistance is first come, first serve, for landlords who did not receive rent due to the COVID-19 pandemic, more information can be found at otda.ny.gov.

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Delaware County Public Health reported 38 more cases of COVID 19 on Tuesday & Wednesday, they have 161 active cases, 8 hospitalized and they are back up to 299 quarantined. Delaware County still reports a 6.3% positivity rate, well above the state average. Only 50.9% of the County population are vaccinated, 63% of the positive cases are unvaccinated, 16% of the positive cases are Pre-K-12th students or school district employees.

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Delaware County Clean Sweep Chemical Disposal Days are being held Friday for County Businesses and Saturday for homeowners. The County Solid Waste Department will collect various household chemicals for proper disposal such as paint, pesticides, automotive chemicals, glues, and pool chemicals, various types of light bulbs & sharps & syringes. The clean Sweep disposal days were able to be held on their usual days in October this year, last year they were forced to hold the event later in the year due to the COVID pandemic & subsequent shutdown.

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The Afton Parks & Recreation Committee announced that they will host a Halloween Party on Saturday October 30th, at the River Club in Afton. Prizes will be awarded for the best Costume; more information is available at 639-1022.

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A.M. NEWS Thursday 10-7-21

A Chenango County man was arraigned in federal court Tuesday, 42 year old Brian Whipple of New Berlin was indicted for receipt and possession of child pornography, from 2009 to 2020, and allegedly possessed the images on multiple devices. Whipple faces a minimum of five years and a maximum of 20 years in prison if convicted. He would also have to register as a sex offender and could be fined up to $250,000.

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The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage and must collect 10,000 additional blood products each week for the next several weeks to meet hospital and patient needs. Donors of all blood types, especially type O, are urged to make an appointment. A blood drive is being held today in Delhi, from 1:00 to 6:00 PM at the Delhi Alliance Church on state Route 28. Appointments can be made by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

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Delaware County Board of Elections reminds County Voters that October 8th is the last day to register in person and to postmark a registration form for the November 2nd General Election. Early voting will be in the County Office in Delhi will be from October 23rd through October 31st. More information is available at 832-5321.

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