The heavy rain has slowed down & is changing over to snow showers in some location this afternoon, local Meteorologist Rich Townsend told WCDO News that there could be some isolated minor flooding:

(Rich Townsend 12-18-23)

Delaware County DPW Commissioner Jim Thomas reported some roads were flooded earlier today, including State Route 357, which was closed between County Route 14 and State Route 28 in Franklin, also Flooding on State Route 10 slowed traffic between Peaks Brook Road in Delhi and County Route 16, 1 lane traffic was being directed by DOT flaggers, County Route 18 above Delhi & County Route 9 were also closed earlier this afternoon. The Otsego County Sheriff’s office announced road closures at Piermott Lane and Wileytown Road in the Town of Hartwick, County Highway 48 between Chamberlain Hill and Downey Road Spur in Otego, County Highway 4 between Mill Street and Hilton Street in the Town of Butternuts, County Highway 29 in the town of Springfield & Miller Road in the Town of Pittsfield. Updated road information will posted at 511ny.org.

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Following the October announcement of the closure of the Morris branch of Community Bank, N.A., in January, A public meeting, coordinated by Butternut Valley Alliance, was held November 20 to identify the greatest concerns, Maggie Brenner is Vice Chair of the Butternut Valley Alliance, she told WCDO News what options they can pursue for their banking:

(Maggie Brenner 12-18-23)

Brenner said that the Community Bank closing in Morris affects several communities around Morris, and that there has been significant growth in the surrounding area the last couple of years, which they hope warrants a banking institution to set up some sort of bank or credit union locally, and not force everyone to go 20 miles or more to do all of their banking needs.

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The Delaware County Toys for Tots Campaign collected 1300 Items and many Cash Donations, which will support Nearly 300 Delaware County Families and 600 Children this Christmas season. This year’s campaign was a joint effort from the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce & Delaware Opportunities, with collection boxes at over 20 businesses.

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Filmmaker Joseph Stillman will premier his latest movie: “Bear” this weekend in Oneonta, Stillman told WCDO News about his latest film:

(Joseph Stillman 12-18-23)

Stillman said that the movie was filmed around the Gilbertsville area, it was based on his 5-year involvement with a Marine drill instructor and 25 other veterans. The premier of “Bear” will be this Friday & Saturday at Foothills Performing Arts Center, at 5:00pm and 7:30pm both days, Tickets are available at the box office or at bearthemovieinfo.ticketleap.com/bear.

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The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce will have their next meeting Tuesday morning. Chamber members & Directors are encouraged to attend the meeting, beginning at 7:30 am at the back of Bob’s Diner.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 12-18-23

Chaquasja Veale of Norwich was indicted Friday & was charged with 2nd degree murder, for the killing of 44 year old Alisa Ann Martin in her Norwich home July 6th. Veale had been staying in Martin’s home, she died died by strangulation, Veale was being held on bail in the Chenango County Jail pending future court action.

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The number of full-time local government workers employed outside of New York City shrank 7.9% from 2007 through 2022, according to a report by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. New York’s decline in local government employment is in contrast to the nation, which saw a 2% increase in the number of full-time employees over this 15-year period. Local government workforce levels were most impacted by two key events during this time – the Great Recession of 2007-09 and the COVID-19 pandemic. School districts were the largest local government employer in 2022, Counties were second, followed by cities and villages and towns.

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Congressman Marc Molinaro will host a ‘Coffee With Your Congressman’ meeting today, from 6:30pm to 7:30pm at the Park Diner & Restaurant at 119 Conklin Ave, Binghamton. This event will be open to the public and give constituents an opportunity to connect with Molinaro, ask questions, or share feedback.

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An American Red Cross Blood Drive will return this year to honor fallen State Trooper Christopher Skinner, who served for 13 years & was killed in a hit and run in 2014 while conducting a routine traffic stop on Interstate 81 in the Town of Chenango. This Year’s Blood Drive will be held on December 26 at Five Mile Point Fire Company in Kirkwood, from 12 to 6 pm, appointment are available at RedCrossBlood.org, call 1(800) Red Cross or download the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

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The State Police issued a total of 38,363 tickets statewide during the National “Click It or Ticket” enforcement campaign which ran from May 22nd to June 4th. Troopers arrested 399 people for DWI and investigated 2,436 crashes, including 410 personal injury crashes and 2 fatal crashes. Troopers wrote over 10,600 tickets for speeding, over 1300 for Distracted Driving, over 8400 for Seat-belt violations & 337 for violating the Move Over Law.

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Broome County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 44 year old Shaun Kozak of the Town of Maine following a series of larcenies at several NYSEG substations and other electrical facilities. Detectives discovered a large amount of industrial electrical equipment consistent with several reported larcenies, after conducting a search of Kozak’s Garage, he was charged with 3rd degree Burglary, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property & 4th degree Grand Larceny, Kozak was taken to the Broome County Correctional Facility for arraignment.

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Attorney General Letitia James announced the final approval of $17.3 billion in opioid agreements with drug makers Teva Pharmaceuticals and Allergan and pharmacies CVS and Walgreens, which includes over $1 billion for New York State. The settlement requires Teva to operate under a monitor to prevent all opioid marketing, CVS and Walgreens are required to monitor, report, and share data about suspicious activity related to opioid prescriptions.

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The Annual SFCU Parade & Sidney Hometown Day will be held tomorrow with a variety of activities, according to Sidney Chamber of Commerce President Teri Schunk:

(Teri Schunk 6-9-23)

Schunk said that music will be provided at Keith Clark Park, by Just the 2 of Us & The Beadle Brothers.

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The Annual Algonquin Antique Auto Show will be held at General Clinton Park, Trophies will be given out in a variety of categories, more information is available at at 764-8134.

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A.M. NEWS Friday 6-9-23

Broome County Sheriff’s Deputies responded Tuesday to a report of a physical injury domestic dispute in the Town of Binghamton, they found a female victim with lacerations, 38 year old Adam Gurney of Binghamton, was arrested, after deputies found that he had a full Stay Away Order of Protection against him, he also had an outstanding arrest warrant through the Town of Vestal, for violating an order of protection. Gurney was charged with Criminal Contempt, Aggravated Family Offense, Criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, he was arraigned and has remained in custody of the Broome County Sheriff’s Office.

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The annual Airport Community Day will be held at the Eaton Airport in Norwich, this Saturday, Airport Administrator Shane Butler explains:

(Shane Butler 6-9-23)

Some activities will be held today, the bulk of the activities will be tomorrow from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM

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The annual Sidney Veterans Memorial Park fundraising Golf Tournament will be held Saturday at the Sidney Golf & Country Club, event organizer Tom Ruff explains:

(Tom Ruff 4-25-23)

The event serves as the main fundraiser for the Sidney Veterans Memorial Park, as they continue to make changes & upgrades at the park on River Street near State Route 8.

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The next American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held in Oneonta today. The Blood Drive will be from 1:00 to 6:00 PM at the Quality Inn, 5206 State Highway 23, To make an appointment, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS.

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Butternut Valley Alliance will hold its third annual “On the Trail of Art” Festival Saturday & Sunday in the General Jacob Morris State Park in Morris. The trail will feature student artists from Edmeston, Gilbertsville-Mount Upton and Morris Central schools, plus 40 local artists will exhibit their works. Admission to the event is free; reservations are required and may be made at ButternutValleyAlliance.org.

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Participants in a seminar in Delhi today will learn the 4 basic steps to recognize persons with thoughts of suicide and connect them with help.  Delaware County Pubic health director Bonnie Hamilton comments:

(Bonnie Hamilton 8-14-14)

The state Office of Mental Health and the Delaware County Suicide Prevention Coalition are sponsoring a safeTALK Suicide Prevention Training this morning at Delaware County Public Safety Building, in Delhi, from 9:00 AM to 12: 30PM.

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A woman wanted on four warrants, was taken into custody Wednesday by the Broome County Sheriff’s Office.   Deputies witnessed a woman passing unidentified items to another woman outside a window of the hotel, she drove off in a car with out-of-state plates, Deputies arrested the driver, Victoria Scott, of Florida, she was found to have suspended driving privileges in New York for failing to pay tickets issued in Binghamton. The passenger, 24-year-old Tiana Boer of Dunmore, Pennsylvania gave deputies a fake name and date of birth; Boer was charged with Criminal possession of a weapon, Criminal impersonation, and on warrants for Petty larceny, Prostitution, Resisting arrest & Escape.  Scott was released after being issued traffic tickets.

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The Butternut Valley Alliance’s 6th annual Summer Harvest Festival will take place today in Guy Rathbun Park in Morris from 3:00 to 6:30 p.m.  Admission is free and everyone is invited.  The festival is held in conjunction with the weekly Morris Farmers’ Market.

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The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting today in the District Conference Room at 6:30 PM. The business portion of the meeting will start at 7:30 PM.

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Over the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend, State troopers conducted an underage drinker identification detail.  Troopers checked a total of 16 convenience stores in Broome County, all 16 businesses and sales clerks were found in compliance and no arrests were made.

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The Bronx Wanderers will be performing at the Chenango Arts Council Martin W. Kappel Theater tonight in Norwich.  Chenango Arts spokesperson Victoria Kappel comments:

(Victoria Kappel)

Tickets are still available for tonight’s concert at chenangoarts.org, more information is available at 336-ARTS.

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Free 5-gallon pails of remixed exterior latex paint are now available to non-profit agencies and Otsego County residents.  The pain is available on a first come first serve basis, it was collected as part of the county’s annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day in September, it was re-mixed and packaged for distribution through the generosity of Golden Artist Colors of New Berlin.  More information is available by calling the Otsego County Planning Department at 547-4225.

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The Bainbridge Guilford teachers association will hold its 3^rd annual holiday craft fair tomorrow from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, at the Greenlawn Elementary School in Bainbridge.  The event is free to the public; proceeds will benefit the BG Student council “Angel Fund” which provides holiday baskets & turkeys to local families in need.

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Former state Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno is expected to face a second federal trial after an appeals court on Tuesday rejected his claim of double jeopardy.  Bruno was convicted in 2009 of 2 counts of mail fraud, that the U.S. Supreme Court overturned conviction.  Bruno was accused of taking  $440,000 in consulting payments and $80,000 for a horse from an Albany-area businessman while serving as the State Senate Majority Leader. The appeals court ruling Tuesday sends the case back to federal court in Albany for another trial.

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Tomorrow will be the annual Chenango County Dairy day in Norwich, featuring a parade & a number of activities at the County Fairgrounds.  Parade Chairperson Karen Hoffman explains:

(Karen Hoffman 6-14-13)

Hoffman said that due to the high river levels, the “Duck Derby” has been rescheduled as part of this summer’s Chenango County Fair.

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Delaware valley humane society will be holding a fund raising golf tournament in July.  Humane Society Spokesman Bill Heath told WCDO News that they are looking for golfers to sign up by July 8th:

(Bill Heath)

More information about the K-9 Golf tournament at the Afton Gold course is available at 563-9148.

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The Sidney Village Police arrested 22-year-old Wesley Crawn of Bainbridge for criminal possession of a controlled substance.  Crawn is accused of possessing SubOxone  in an uncapped syringe, he was arraigned in Sidney village court and was remanded to the Delaware county jail on $10,000 cash bail, he faces court action on June 18th.

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Delaware County Public Health and the Village of Sidney will be conducting a Car Seat Safety Event tomorrow from 9:00 am to Noon at the Sidney McDonalds.  Parents are reminded to bring their children to the event and expectant parents are welcome as well.  More information is available at 832-5200.

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Delaware County Deputies investigated a 1-car property damage auto accident Tuesday in the Town of Meredith on Coe Hill Road.  Deputies reported that 20-year-old Kaci Anderson of Delhi lost control of her vehicle, left the roadway and rolled over.  No injuries were reported, no tickets were issued.

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The Sidney village police arrested 59-year-old Kim Contreras of Sidney for 3rd degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.  Contreras is accused of possessing 40 Hydrocodone tablets, she was arraigned in Sidney village court and was remanded to the Delaware county jail on  $50,000 cash bail, pending a June 18th court appearance.

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State Police arrested Gary Conklin, of Harpursville for 3rd degree Assault. The arrest was the result of an incident on June 12th at the Red Apple Gas Station in Port Crane.  Conklin was issued an Appearance Ticket returnable to the Town of Fenton Court on June 20th.

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The Natural Resources Defense Council, Catskill Mountainkeeper, Advocates for Morris, the Butternut Valley Alliance, Otsego 2000 and the Otsego County Conservation Association, will hold a public information forum regarding the recent court cases regarding gas drilling bans or moratoriums  in Middlefield and Dryden, and how those  cases affect home rule authority in New York state.  The forum will take place at the Morris Central School auditorium tonight from 7:00 to 8:00 PM,  It will be followed by a question and answer session.

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New England Wood Pellet of Deposit was fined over $17,000 by the occupational safety & health administration, for allegedly exposing workers to hazardous conditions at their Delaware county facility.  Problems sited at the deposit plant include improper ventilation, lack of spark detection and extinguishing systems.

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Assembly minority Republicans voted against raising the minimum wage to $9.00 an hour this week.  Assemblyman Cliff Crouch said that in recessionary times, it could prove to be costly:

(Cliff Crouch 3-15-13)

Assemblyman Pete Lopez also voted no:

(Pete Lopez 3-15-13)

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New York State Labor Commissioner Peter Rivera announced that New York still has nearly $4 million available in federal funding to help businesses hire long-term unemployed workers through the On the Job Training Program. Past grants are responsible for 445 businesses hiring 844 workers since 2011.  The grant provides training subsidies of up to $23,000 per worker, they target long-term unemployed New Yorkers who have been unemployed for 20 weeks or more and go to employers to cover 50-90 percent of training-related expenses. More information is available at labor.ny.gov.

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The Chenango County Habitat for Humanity is preparing for their 2^nd annual “Souper Bowl” to be held at the Family YMCA on North Broad Street in Norwich tomorrow.  Officials are looking for donations of soup and bread from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. tomorrow, plus the public is invited to taste and evaluate more than 20 soup choices, and breads donated by the county’s restaurants. More information is available at 656-8155 or habitat.chenango.org.

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On Sunday, ecologist & Architect Bryan Quinn   will make a special presentation on “Planning for Flood Events in the Butternut Valley.”  The event, which will take place at the New Lisbon Town Hall on County Route 16, Garratsville & is sponsored by the Butternut Valley Alliance.

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The Delaware County Board of Supervisors this week approved a $96.6 million budget for 2013. The spending plan will raise taxes about 3.9 percent, after the county recently got approval to go over the 2% state-spending cap instituted by the Cuomo administration last year.
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The number of infections acquired by patients while in New York hospitals has declined since 2007,according to a new report issued by the State Department of Health. The report found that since 2007, the rate of central-line associated blood stream infections fell 41% and rates of surgical site infections fell 13%. The full report is available on the DOH web site at health.ny.gov/statistics
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State trooper in Oneonta arrested 27-year-old Stephen Baldo of Oneonta, for Criminally Possessing a Hypodermic Instrument, Unlawful Possession of Marihuana and Driving with a Suspended Registration. Baldo was issued Appearance Tickets returnable to the Town of Oneonta Court on December 4th.
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The Butternut Valley Alliance will hold its 4th annual open house on Sunday from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Empire House Hotel and Restaurant in Gilbertsville. The event will feature free refreshments and musical entertainment. Following the open house, a Fall Harvest Dinner featuring a local farm-to-table menu at reduced prices will begin at 6:00 PM. Reservations may be made by calling 783-2859.

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A group of local women will hold a fundraising effort to help 4 local charities next week in Sidney, Doreen Wakeman is one of the women who put together the “Bit Of Splendor” event:

(Doreen Wakeman)

The event will be held at the Sacred Heart church in Sidney on Liberty Street.
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The Chenango county “Toys for Tots” program is gearing up for another busy Christmas season, helping to get presents under the Christmas trees of children in economically struggling families this year. Program spokesman Roger Barnhart said that there are 3 ways to contact the organization:

(Roger Barnhart)

The “Toys for Tots” Train is scheduled to visit Bainbridge on Saturday December 8th at noon this year.

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