New York State plans to start testing wastewater in all counties across New York State for variants of the coronavirus and track changes in concentration. The sub-variant is responsible for an uptick in cases, making up about 42% in the state. State health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett and Governor Hochul stressed that vaccines continue to be a critical tool & people should take advantage of vaccines, and to contact their physician if they get sick, in order to avoid more serious illness.

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Otsego County Sheriff’s Office arrested 28 year old Robert Wehrenberg on a warrant for failure to appear in Otsego County Court. Wehrenberg previously failed to appear in Otsego County Court, a bench warrant was issued through Otsego County Court, he did make an appearance in court and was remanded to the Otsego County Correctional Facility, & will appear in Otsego County Court at a later date.

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The Sidney United Way is hosting an event to support their “Share The Love” Campaign this weekend, spokesperson Teri Schunk explains:

(Teri Schunk 3-23-22)

More information is available at SIDNEYUNITEDWAY.ORG or on their Facebook Page.

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U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced the introduction of the “Rural Prosperity Act” today to stream line local governments ability to access federal programs that are spread out & inefficient:

(Gillibrand 3-23-22)

Senator Gillibrand said that currently, there are more than 400 federal programs dedicated to helping rural communities, spread across 13 departments, and over 50 offices and sub-agencies. This bill would cut federal red tape by establishing the Office of Rural Prosperity, a permanent office in the White House tasked with coordinating federal efforts to support and connect New York’s rural communities to federal programs.

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 3-23-22

State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett said that she doesn’t expect to see a “steep surge” in COVID-19 cases as a new omicron subvariant grows more prevalent in the state. Dr. Bassett said that the BA.2 variant comprises about 42% of all New York State cases, the positivity rate of COVID tests on Monday was back up to 2.36%.

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State Police arrested 42 year old David Hook & 41 year old David Alleyne, both of Delhi for Criminal Mischief, Auto stripping, Falsifying Business Records & Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, after an investigation into the theft of catalytic converters from vehicles at a private residence in the town of Delhi. Hook allegedly took a stolen catalytic converter to Otsego Auto Crushers in the town of Davenport and signed a receipt that he was the owner of the stolen catalytic converter, Alleyne was found to be in possession of a stolen catalytic converter, Both men were issued appearance tickets and released & will appear in the Davenport & Delhi Town Courts shortly.

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Fantasy sports contests like those operated by FanDuel and DraftKings were declared constitutional in New York on Tuesday by the state’s highest court. The state Court of Appeals reversed an appeals court’s decision last year that found daily fantasy sports violated the state constitution’s ban on gambling.

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Chenango River Theatre’s 14th annual Winter Gala will be held at the Genegantslet Golf Club this Saturday from 6:00 – 9:30pm.  The evening includes both a Silent and Live Auction, according to Theater Director Zach Curtis:

(Zach Curtis 3-23-22)

Curtis said that they will also be announcing the schedule of shows this year, at Saturday night’s event, Tickets for Saturday Night are available online at chenangorivertheatre.org or by calling 607-656-8778.

Delaware County Public Health reported that a raccoon in the Town of Tompkins has tested positive for rabies. The raccoon attacked and exposed one dog; no human exposures were reported. The dog was up to date on its rabies vaccinations and received a booster. To report a suspected rabid animal call Delaware County Public Health Services at 607-832- 5200. For more information call 607-832-5200 or visit our website at delawarecountypublichealth.com.

Broome County District Attorney Mike Korchak announced today that Larry Harris received a 79 years to Life sentence this morning in Broome County Court. Harris was found guilty of killing 11 year old Jerome Smith in 2019, raping an 11 year old female in 2013 and dealing narcotics.

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State Police at Binghamton and multiple fire agencies responded to a house fire Thursday on Old State Road in the town of Kirkwood. Once the fire was extinguished by fire crews, Broome County Fire Investigators, State Fire Investigators, State Police BCI and State Police Forensic Identification Unit located 2 deceased individuals. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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Firefighters responded to a structure fire reported at the former Carpet Master building on State Route 12 in North Norwich early this morning. The fire was reported at about 3:05 AM, the fire did not affect a building located in front of the former flooring store building. North Norwich Fire Fighters were assisted by 3 other area companies, no injuries were reported & the cause of the fire is under investigation.

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Chobani announced an expansion of its Scholars Program, adding a pledge of $1 million for those who wish to pursue agriculture. Through its partnerships with Cornell University and the University of Idaho, the Chobani Scholars Program will offer eight $20,000 scholarships ($5,000 each year) over 5 years to historically underserved students interested in studying agriculture, dairy, food science, and/or food entrepreneurship. Chobani Scholars will have an opportunity to intern with Chobani during their college careers. More information is available at the Chobani website.

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The Community Cultural Center at 1 Bridge Street in Sidney will be holding another Comedy Night, this Saturday night at 8:00 PM. Tickets are available by calling 607-604-4584.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 1-21-22

Endicott Police arrested 31 year old Dominique Wortham of Endicott for attempted Murder, following an investigation into shots being fired in front of 140 Washington Avenue on December 14th. One person was shot in the leg, during that incident, an arrest warrant was issued, Wortham was arrested Wednesday in Binghamton by members of the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, and he was processed and was transported to the Centralized Arraignment Facility at the Broome County Jail.

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The State Health department reported that 277,241 were tested for COVID 19, with over 30,600 testing positive, the positivity rate was down to 11%. Patient Hospitalization declined by 457 to 11,370, the number in an ICU Unit went down slightly to 1,583, with 885 on ventilators. 185 died from COVID in a hospital or nursing home Wednesday.

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The State Department of Health announced that Dr. Mary Bassett was confirmed by the State Senate to be the next State Health Commissioner; She replaces Dr. Howard Zucker, who served in the position for 7 years.

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State Police arrested 36 year old William Sabines of Preston after he was indicted by a Chenango County Grand Jury Thursday. Sabines was charged with 2nd degree Murder, Concealment of a Human Corpse and Tampering with Physical Evidence. Sabines was arrested following an investigation into the disappearance of Jesse Donlin, formerly of Sidney, Unadilla and Afton locally. Donlin was reported missing in September of 2019 after failing to appear for a court appearance in Utica, the investigation ultimately led to Sabines arrest. Sabines was remanded to the Chenango County Jail on $250,000 cash bail or $500,000 bond pending future court action.

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Chenango County Sheriff’s Office received a missing person complaint regarding 32 year old Amanda Lanfair, who was last seen on November 26th, and stated that she was going to Long Island and was to return on November 28th. Lanfair was last seen wearing a black baseball cap, green Carhartt jacket and black Puma sneakers. Any information on her whereabouts please contact the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office at 607-334-2000.

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Former New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett became the State Health Commissioner on Wednesday, replacing Dr. Howard Zucker, who had been the state Health Commissioner since 2015. Bassett takes over as the state’s COVID-19 hospitalizations are increasing across the state. Bassett was credited, along with Dr. Zucker & Dr. Anthony Fauci of the CDC with stopping a potentially deadly Ebola Outbreak after 1 case was found and contained in New York City in 2013.

A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 12-3-21

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the first 5 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 Omicron variant in New York State. So far, the cases appear unrelated and have been confirmed through sequencing of the SARS-CoVID-2 virus. 1 case is from Suffolk County, 4 others are in New York City, 4 other states have also reported cases of the new COVID variant. On Thursday, Governor Hochul announced that the State has ordered 1 Million Testing Kits to Distribute to Local Health Departments & 40 New Pop-Up Vaccine Sites will be launched this month.

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Oneonta Fire Department responded to a structure fire last night at Monser Brothers Tire & Auto on Chestnut Street in Oneonta. Fire fighters responded to the report of flames through the roof of the building late last night, Multiple fire departments also responded including West Oneonta, Laurens, West Laurens, Mount Vision, Franklin, Sidney, Worcester, Pindars Corners & Otego.

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The Sidney Chamber of Commerce will hold their Jolly Holly days parade tonight, Chamber President Teri Schunk comments:

(Teri Schunk 11-9-21)

Anyone needing more information can call 561-2642.

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The Afton Annual Christmas Parade, will be part of the scheduled activites tomorrow, Greater Afton Area Chamber of Commerce President John Hinman told WCDO News what activites are planned:

(John Hinman 12-3-21)

Hinman said that floats and vehicles will line up at Corporate Park off Route 7, Walking groups, bicycles, and golf carts will gather at the Afton Edge Apartments.

Also on Saturday, Unadilla’s Santa Saturday & Holiday Magic Parade will be held, sponsored by the Unadilla Chamber of Commerce & The Unadilla Historical Society, spokesperson Linda Bickos explains:

(Linda Bickos 12-3-21)

More Information is available at the Unadilla Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.

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Destination Oneonta’s Festival of Trees will be held at the Foothills Performing Arts Center in Oneonta today & tomorrow; all trees are decorated by local businesses and community members and can be viewed at Foothills today from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm and on Saturday, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Winners of each tree will be drawn on Saturday at 2:15 pm; more information is available at destinationoneonta.com.

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Bassett Healthcare Network will be holding a COVID-19 vaccination clinic open to community members, including children, on Saturday, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Bassett Medical Center’s outpatient clinic building in Cooperstown. The clinic will offer boosters for Moderna, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson; first- and second-dose Pfizer shots for children ages 5 to 17; and flu shots. No appointments are needed for this walk-in clinic. Patients should bring their vaccination cards and prescription insurance cards.

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