The Smoke From the Quebec Canada Wildfires is affecting much of the state and will lingers from the next several days, according to local meteorologist Rich Townsend:

(Rich Townsend 6-6-23)

Townsend that that any scattered Thunderstorms would only alleviate the smoky situation briefly, the best chance for local thunderstorms will be on Thursday.

—————————————————

41 year old Steven Baker of Sidney pleaded guilty to 1 count of Animal Cruelty. On May 3, Sidney Police responded to a complaint of animal abuse at 40 River Street in the Village of Sidney, the officer observed an 8-month-old puppy with a gash on its left hind leg. The puppy was treated, Baker admitted that he became upset with the dog and threw a knife at it causing the gash in its hind leg. Baker appeared in Sidney Court today & pleaded guilty to Animal Cruelty, he will be sentenced to 1 year of in the Delaware County Correctional Facility, he will be required to register as on the Animal Abuser Registry, he will be prohibited from owning, possessing, residing with, or having contact with any companion animal. Baker was remanded to the Delaware County jail pending sentencing.

————————————————

Helios Care is offering “The Art of Bereavement” workshop over a 4 week period, Helios Care Spokesperson Jessica Weeden explains:

(Jessica Weeden 6-6-23)

The program will take place in Delhi at the Office of the Aging on June 14th, 21st, 28th and July 7th, from 10:00am to 11:30am, the program is free, but registration is required to attend. Registration of more information is available at (607) 432-5525.

——————————————————

Forbes Magazine announced that for the 3rd straight year, the Raymond Corporation in Greene was chosen as 1 of America’s best midsize employers from the engineering and manufacturing sector. The list recognizes employers from among 500 companies, based on an independent survey and polling of an anonymous group of employees. The Raymond Corporation is hiring for more than 200 manufacturing positions on the first, second and third shifts, as well as for a number of engineering disciplines, more details about open positions and the job fairs are available at careers.raymondcorp.com.

————————————————————

Former Saturday Night Live cast member, actor & comedian Rob Schneider will perform at the Broome County Forum Theatre on October 7th, Tickets go on sale this Friday, at 10:00 AM through Ticketmaster and at the Mirabito Box Office at the Visions Veterans Memorial Arena.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 6-6-23

The State DEC has issued a Air Quality Health Advisory for Fine Particulates until midnight tonight, across most of the state, due to wildfire burning in Quebec. The State Health Department reported that short-term health effects include irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and shortness of breath. Exposure to elevated levels of fine particulate matter can also worsen medical conditions such as asthma and heart disease. More information is available at on.ny.gov/nyaqi or 800-535-1345.

————————————————————————–

The Broome County District Attorney’s Office announced that charges or rape & sexual abuse charges have been dropped against Leor Kweller. Kweller is the brother of one of the former owners of The Colonial restaurant in downtown Binghamton, he was charged with 3rd degree rape, the Broome County Court decision could be appealed, charges against the other 2, charges against Yaron Kweller and Jordan Rindgen are still pending.

————————————————–

Oneonta City Police are investigating the death of a man found in a Fox Hospital Bathroom on May 31st. The identity of the deceased has not been announced, Fox Hospital officials said that the man was not a patient, Emergency personnel attempted to revive the man unsuccessfully. The results of an autopsy performed Monday in Binghamton have not been released, foul play is not suspected.

————————————————–

The Free Rabies Clinic scheduled for tonight in Unadilla has been canceled, The Otsego County Health Department said that the cancellation was due to the poor air conditions, it will be rescheduled shortly.

————————————————–

The Gus Macker Basketball Tournament is returning to Norwich this summer after a 2 year break due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Organizer Tom Revoir told WCDO that the tournament will be in a new location, and that volunteers & sponsors are needed:

(Tom Revoir 4-1-22)

Those who would like to register a team to play in this summers Macker Tournament can go online by June 20th at Macker.com, sponsors can call Tom Revoir or Jamey Mullen at the Norwich YMCA at 336-9622.

——————————————————–

Andrew Amodeo of Westchester County is facing charges in Otsego County for unlawful surveillance, for allegedly putting a camera in the bathroom of his vacation home in Fly Creek. Amodeo pleaded guilty to 1 count of unlawful surveillance & he is scheduled to be sentenced in March of 2023.

————————————————

The Spring Concert series continues at the Community Cultural Center at 1 Bridge Street in Sidney Saturday Night at 8:00 PM with the Driftwood & special Guest Jason Wicks. Tickets are available at 607-604-4584.

————————————-

A new state law goes into effect today that will fine motorists with vehicle mufflers and exhaust systems modified to make them louder than the stock applications. The maximum fines for installing the illegal equipment will increase from $150 to $1,000, and if repair shop owners are caught installing the equipment three times within 18 months, they risk losing their certificate of inspection stations and operating certificate. The legislation also adds a requirement for inspection stations to check motorcycles for mufflers and exhausts that have been illegally modified.

————————————————

The Habitat for Humanity of Otsego County is now accepting applications from Otsego County residents currently living in unsuitable or unaffordable housing, to work with them on obtaining a loan and are willing to help build homes for others through the program. For more information or to apply, click on habitatotsego.org/homeowner-application. The application deadline is May 31.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 4-1-22

Broome County District Attorney Mike Korchak announced that Jordan Rindgen, Yaron Kweller & Leor Kweller were arraigned in Broome County Court. Rindgen was charged with Criminal Sale of a controlled substance, Criminal Possession of a controlled substance, sexual abuse, criminal sexual act, Criminal facilitation & Unlawfully dealing with a child. Yaron Kweller was charged with 1st degree Rape & Criminal Sexual act, Leor Kweller was charged with 1st degree rape & Sexual Abuse. The charges stem for an incident near the Colonial Bar in Downtown Binghamton that the 3 men owned, on November 27th of 2021. All 3 pleaded not guilty to the Charges from the Indictment handed down in Broome County Court.

——————————————-

A judge has ordered New York’s Democrat-controlled Legislature to redraw the state’s congressional and legislative districts after finding they were unconstitutional. Judge Patrick McAllister ruled that maps redrawing the state’s congressional districts were gerrymandered to benefit Democrats, he gave lawmakers until April 11 to draw new maps, if those fail, the judge said he would order the state to pay for a court-approved expert to redraw the maps.

—————————————————-

The Big & Tall Comedy Show featuring Big Ern & Mike Bova, will be performing at the Foothills Performing Arts Center in Oneonta this Saturday April 2nd, Foothills Spokesman Geoff Doyle explains:

(Geoff Doyle 3-28-22)

Tickets are available at foothillspac.org or at the door the night of the show.

———————————————

Beginning Today, the State DEC will be adopting changes to fishing regulations, including year-round fishing for Atlantic salmon as well as other lake and pond fish. Ice fishing will also be permitted on all waters, except for a few limitations. There are also new season opening dates for several species of fish, as well as changes to harvest sizes. The full list is available on the DEC’s website.

——————————————-

A Wind Chill Advisory is in effect through tomorrow morning, area Meteorologist Rich Townsend comments about the danger of frostbite & Hypothermia in extreme cold weather conditions:

(Rich Townsend 1-10-22)

The Nation weather Service has the Wind Chill Advisory from 1:00 AM Tuesday to 10:00 AM Tuesday.

———————————————

Chenango County Health department continues to report a major increase in COVID 19 cases; they have 840 active cases, 1254 quarantined, with 10 patients hospitalized. Vaccine clinics can be located through the health department website or covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov.

———————————————-

Firefighters from area department responded Sunday night to a fire at a house an garage on Riverstone Road near Otsego County route 58 in the town of Oneonta. Otsego County Fire officials reported that Oneonta Firefighters received Mutual Aid from Milford, Pindars Corners, West Oneonta, Laurens, Otego & Schenevus departments; both structures were destroyed, the cause of the fire is under investigation.

—————————————-

The Colonial Bar and restaurant, Dos Rios & The Stone Fox all re-opened Friday, after being closed following accusations of sexual misconduct against a member or Members of the ownership group of the 3 establishments. The Binghamton Police Department is investigating claims, no arrests have been announced, and the restaurant group announced on its Facebook page that they have revised their management team, hired an outside law firm and a Human Resources firm.

————————————————

The Internal Revenue Service announced today that the IRS kick off to the tax season begins on January 24th this year. The deadline for filing federal income tax this year will be April 18th, instead of the usual April 15th.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 1-10-22

Governor Kathy Hochul announced new guidance recommending booster doses for all New Yorkers ages 12 and older. The guidance, following action by the CDC, recommends that people, including the newly authorized 12-15 year-old age group, who received the Pfizer vaccine should receive a booster dose at least 5 months after their 2nd dose; the previous recommended interval was 6 months. Moderately to severely immunocompromised 5-11-year-olds can receive an additional primary dose of the Pfizer vaccine 28 days after their 2nd dose. The CDC recommended the same change to a 5 month booster interval for the Moderna vaccine, which is only authorized for people 18 years and older.

—————————————————

Delaware County Public Health reported 252 new COVID cases on Thursday & Friday, they now have 697 active cases, 14 hospitalized & there was 1 new death reported.

——————————————-

The State Department of Health supports “Test to Stay” as a strategy that allows asymptomatic unvaccinated school-based close contacts, such as students, teachers or staff, to avoid school exclusion by testing negative through serial testing using rapid or antigen tests. Delaware County Public Health is allowing school districts to implement Test to Stay; It is the decision of each individual school district to implement the program, as early as today. Sidney Central School District will begin the Test To Stay Program today.

——————————————–

The City of Oneonta Fire Department announced that they responded to 3422 calls for service last year. 55 of the calls were for Fires, 2 for Over-pressure or ruptures, there were 2472 EMS calls, and 370 calls were canceled while in route, 336 False Alarms, 16 Natural Disasters & 6 Special Incidents among those calls.

————————————-

State Police announced that During the month of December, 37 impaired drivers were taken off the roadways of Troop C. Troop C encompasses seven counties; Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego, Tioga and Tompkins.

—————————————————–