Delaware County District Attorney’s Office announced that 36 year old Thomas Wright of Sidney was convicted of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Sell in Delaware County Court this week. Wright was sentenced to 4 years in state prison, to be followed by 2 years of post-release supervision, he was remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility without bail, pending his transfer to State Prison. Wright was indicted with co-defendant Alexa Tefft, who previously pleaded guilty to Reckless Endangerment, During Tefft’s plea proceedings, she admitted to recklessly endangering the life of her 1-year-old child by permitting the baby to be near the methamphetamine that Wright was selling. Sidney Police are currently pursuing additional unrelated charges against Thomas Wright, if he is convicted of the new charges, he would face an additional consecutive state prison sentence.
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The State Labor Department announced that the number of private sector jobs in New York State decreased over the month by 25,700, or 0.3%, to 8.22 Million in April. New York State’s unemployment rate decreased from 4.1% in March to 4.0% in April, the labor force participation rate increased 1/10th to 60.8% in April.
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The tickets sales are going well for the 1st Southern Tier Music Festival, to be held July 1st at the Sidney Airport, Ed Curley is one of the organizers of the event
(Ed Curley 5-18-23)
Curley said that anyone interested in getting the tickets for the show should go to Brownpapertickets.com
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The Sidney Chamber of Commerce will hold their annual dinner will be on Thursday June 1st at the Sidney Fire Hall, Chamber President Teri Schunk explains:
(Teri Schunk 5-18-23)
The Sidney Chamber will honor Dr. Rohan Jayasena as the Citizen of the Years, Waste Recovery Enterprises as the Business of the Year, Kyle Westcott for the Commitment to Community Award, and their will be a special recognition for Andy Matviak for his years served as Mayor of Sidney.
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The Broome County Special Investigations Unit Task Force executed search warrants in Binghamton Wednesday, resulting in the arrests of Valentino & Dominick Mondolfi. Investigators recovered methamphetamine, fentanyl, pills and over $8300 cash from drug sales, assault rifles and items used to prepare drugs from sale. Valentino Mondolfi was charged with 8 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance & 4 counts of Criminal Using Drug Paraphernalia, Dominic Mondolfi is charged with 3 counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon. Both will face court action shortly
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Delaware County Public Health Services and Friends of Recovery- Delaware Otsego will be sponsoring a Science of Addiction and Recovery 1 day training on June 30, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at 84 Main St. Delhi, New York, to register for this course, contact Friends of Recovery Coordinator Kyle LaFever at (607) 376-4388. The deadline to register is June 23,
Commerce Chenango will hold another local Hiring Event today from 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM for students and 3:30 – 5:30 PM for adults. The event will take place at the High School on Midland Drive in Norwich. The Hiring Event is specifically for employers with immediate entry-level job openings, more information is available at 607-334-1401.
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]]>Attorney General Letitia James announced that Cross Tie Disposal of Kentucky and company Vice President Harold Young are charged in a 42-count indictment that includes 30 counts of Falsifying Business Records and 11 counts of Endangering Public Health, Safety or the Environment. Cross Tie was supposed to dispose of old wood beams that were coated with creosote at a regulated site in Erie County but instead dumped the ties, contaminated with 11 hazardous substances at a property in Chenango County. The railroad ties have been removed as part of the Chenango County Industrial Development Agency’s Chenango County Rail Revitalization Services project in 2015 to repair and improve railroad tracks throughout the county.
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Governor Kathy Hochul’s administration has lifted a 3-month pause on a new law that will require nursing homes to meet minimum standards for staffing and patient care. The law creates minimum staffing ratios and requires that nursing home residents get at least 3.5 hours per day of direct nursing care, it was approved in 2021 in response to the nursing home crisis during the pandemic, when thousands of Nursing Home residents died from the virus.
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New York State has reverted to calling the “TASC” program back to it’s original name “GED”, for those interested in earning their High school Diploma, local Program director June White told WCDO News of the programs origins & of their current programs:
(June White 4-4-22)
White said that a home study course call “GRASP” is available for those who can’t attend classes in person, more information about the GED programs is available by calling White at the Afton Central School at 639-2811.
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Another Area Middle School student is heading to the National Spelling Bee in Washington in May, Martha Ryan of the DCMO Boces told WCDO News that local funds are needed to send Daanya Butt to DC:
( Martha Ryan 4-4-22)
Daanya Butt is a middle school student at the Oneonta Central School District, she recently won The Daily Star Spelling Bee, BG Student Melodie Loya went to the National Spelling Bee twice. More information is available by calling 334-7526.
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Delaware County Public Health & Friends of Recovery -Delaware Otsego announce Recovery Coach Academy & Ethical Considerations training next week in Delhi. Spokesman Kyle LaFever told WCDO News who they are looking for:
(Kyle LaFever 4-4-22)
LaFever said that the deadline to register is today, but that could be extended for the right interested candidate, the number to call for more information is 607-267-4435.
A.M. NEWS MONDAY 4-4-22
Fire destroyed 3 commercial buildings in Worcester Friday Night into Saturday Morning. The buildings were not occupied when the fire broke out, several area fire departments assisted Worcester Firefighters with the blaze. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office assisted the US Marshals in executing an arrest warrant in the Town of Maryland on 59 year old Michael Hawkins for failure to register as a sex offender. Hawkins was convicted in 1997 for child molestation in Rhode Island, he faces a maximum term of 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.
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Governor Kathy Hochul & the State Legislature failed to pass the state budget on time Friday. Negotiations over bail reform, to-go drinks and New York City casinos stalled the completion of the budget, If the budget isn’t passed today, paychecks for state government employees will be delayed, according to state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.
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The 28th annual Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival will be held September 10th & 11th in East and West Parks in Norwich in Norwich. 95 exhibitors will be at the annual Arts Festival, organizers are also inviting all high school art seniors in Chenango and adjacent counties to apply for Colorscape’s 2022 Francis K. Wilcox Emerging Young Artist Scholarship. The application form is available at colorscape.org, The application deadline is June 17th.
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State Senator Fred Akshar was filing his petitions to run for the office of Broome County Sheriff at the Broome County Board of Elections office in Binghamton today. Akshar has collected over 3,100 signatures from registered Republicans in Broome County in support of his run for Broome County Sheriff, Akshar declined to run for re-election after serving in the State Senate for 3 terms.
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]]>Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the Public Health and Health Planning Council passed an emergency regulation and the Health Commissioner issued a determination requiring all teachers, administrators and other school employees to submit to weekly COVID-19 testing unless they show proof of vaccination, with either a CDC vaccine card or the Excelsior Pass. The Governor also announced that the State Department of Health has finalized and released official guidance for classroom instruction regarding Facemasks, which closely echoes the CDC guidance which districts were advised to follow. More information is available at coronavirus.health.ny.gov.
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Bassett Healthcare Network will be showcasing its school-based health center at Gilbertsville-Mount Upton Central School with a ribbon-cutting on Tuesday, September 7, at 5:00 pm. The event is being held in conjunction with the school’s annual open house, Bassett Healthcare Network President & CEO Dr. Tommy Ibrahim will offer remarks. Available Care will include Annual physical exams, Immunizations, Diagnosis and treatment of both short-and long-term illnesses, mental health services & Preventive dental care
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CDO Workforce, serving Chenango, Delaware, Otsego counties, is partnering with Otsego County Chamber of Commerce, Commerce Chenango, and Delaware County Chamber of Commerce for the 2nd Virtual Career Fair, on Tuesday, September 14th from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. The free event will allow local companies and job seekers to connect one-on-one for immediate placement opportunities, especially in industries that are in high demand including Healthcare, Hospitality, Tourism, & Manufacturing, more information is available at 432-4800.
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The Mid York Concert band is looking for area musicians to join, with rehearsals starting this month in Norwich, Band conductor Mark Sands explains:
(Mark Sands 9-3-21)
Anyone interested in joining the band can call sands at 334-4307, or email him: Midyorkcb@gmail.com, rehearsals will start Tuesday September 14th from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at the Norwich Middle School band room.
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The Susquehanna SPCA in Cooperstown has 4 male Beagle puppies up for adoption, and they have named the dogs after the 4 men being inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame next week, Executive Director Stacie Haynes explains:
(Stacie Haynes 9-3-21)
Haynes said that next Thursday, the winning puppy will be announced. Visitors can stop at the new facility on State Route 28 in Cooperstown; pictures of the pups are also available on their website sqspca.org.
A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 9-3-21
The operator of Prestige Limousine, 31 year old Nauman Hussain, has pleaded guilty to 20 counts of negligent homicide in connection with the fatal Limo crash in Schoharie in 2018. Hussain will be placed on interim probation for 2 years, will serve 1,000 hours of community service, he will not serve jail time & he was ordered to pay an undisclosed amount of money in restitution to the families of the deceased. The October 6th, 2018, crash killed 18 people in the limo including the driver, plus 2 pedestrian in the parking lot of the Apple Barrel Convenience store at State Routes 30 and 30A in Schoharie.
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The Summer Fest/ Bainbridge Days event will be held today & tomorrow, Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce spokesperson June White explains:
(June White 9-3-21)
The activities will start this afternoon at 5:00 PM, and continue on Saturday at 9:00 AM, with Events will be in the park and on Main Street.
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The Friends of Recovery of Delaware & Otsego County announced the Rothenberger Run for Recovery event on Saturday at Neahwa Park in Oneonta, Spokesman Kyle LaFever explains:
(Kyle LaFever 9-3-21)
Registration for the virtual or in-person run is available at rothenbergerrun.itsyourrace.com/register; online registration will remain open until this morning at 9:00 AM. Day of registration will be held from 7:30am-8:30am in Neahwa Park on Saturday, September 4th. Packet Pickup will take place today from 3:00 to 6:00 PM, or at day of registration.
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6zero7 Events presents the Afton Open Air Market, Labor Day edition featuring music, food and local vendors participating, organizer Melissa Matthews explains:
(Melissa Matthews 9-3-21)
The event will be set up at its usual location next to Suburban Propane on State Route 7 just outside of the village of Afton, Starting at 9:00 AM Saturday.
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The remainder of the Binghamton Rumble Ponies series with Richmond has been canceled as COVID 19 testing and contact tracing continues. Fans with tickets to Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday’s games can exchange their tickets to go to any future Rumble Ponies home game this season.
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Delaware County Public Health reported 63 new cases of COVID 19 in the last week, with 84 active cases, 6 Hospitalized and 122 quarantined. Delaware County has had 2742 total cases, with 2606 recoveries & 52 deaths during the pandemic.
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Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation extending virtual access to public meetings under the State’s Open Meetings Law, which allows New Yorkers to virtually participate in local government meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic, as long as the public has the ability to view or listen to the meeting and as long as the meeting is recorded and later transcribed. This change will reduce the need for congregation at public meetings while the Delta variant is prevalent, while ensuring public business can continue.
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]]>Governor Kathy Hochul today announced new measures for mandatory weekly COVID-19 testing for unvaccinated public and charter school employees, and to establish a vaccination requirement for all staff at state-regulated facilities and congregate settings. The state Health department reported over 95,000 COVID tests were conducted on Monday, with a positivity rate of just under 4%, patient hospitalizations were up to 2234, the number of ICU patients went up to 484, & the number of ventilators increased to 247, 22 new COVID deaths were reported.
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The Delaware County Landfill has been approved for a variance by the State DEC to expand & improve its viability for many decades; County Public works Commissioner Sue McIntyre told WCDO News how the plan will work:
(Sue McIntyre 8-31-21)
McIntyre said that the plan was about 8 years in the making, makes sure that the landfill has the latest double lined protection to prevent environmental issues, and should add 40 to 60 years of life at the existing landfills Walton site
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Chenango County Public Health reported their 82nd death from the COVID 19 virus. Officials reported 92 active cases, 24 of those are vaccinated. They have 189 active quarantines, 5 are hospitalized, and 3622 have recovered out of 3872 total cases since the beginning of the pandemic.
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Delaware County Public Health announced that the State Health Department has authorized a 3rd COVID 19 Vaccine, but it will only be for people with specific issues, according to DCPH Spokesperson Heather Warner:
(Heather Warner 8-31-21)
Warner said that the people with those issues should take the Moderna 3rd shot if they have had the 2 previous Moderna vaccines, or the 3rd Pfizer shot if they have had the first 2 Pfizer shots.
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Counseling services have been set up at the Worcester Central School district, following the death of 7 year old Hunter Hornbeck Saturday. Hornbeck was injured while riding an ATV Saturday in Decatur; he succumbed to his injuries after being airlifted to Albany Medical Center.
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A full day of events is scheduled today at the Friends of Recovery of Delaware & Otsego Counties, to coincide with International Overdose Awareness Day. Spokesman Kyle LaFever told WCDO News why it is important to have this commemoration:
(Kyle LaFever 8-31-21)
The Friends of Recovery of Delaware & Otsego Counties locations are 22 Elm Street in Oneonta or 84 Main Street in Delhi, more information is available at 267-4435 or friendsofrecoverydo.org
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Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that applications are now open for the next New York State Police Trooper Entrance Exam. The exam will be administered from January through April of 2022, & will be given online at authorized testing centers for the first time in State Police history, part of an effort to make the exam more accessible to the general public. More information is available at joinstatepolice.ny.gov.
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Tonight’s series opener with The Binghamton Rumble Ponies & Richmond at Mirabito Stadium has been postponed to allow for additional testing and contract tracing of members of the Binghamton Rumble Ponies Organization. The Rumble Ponies are adhering to Minor League Baseball’s health and safety protocols and will continue to practice caution and follow the guidance of medical experts. Further updates will be provided as soon as they are available.
A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 8-31-21
The New York State Board on Electric Generation Siting and the Environment will meet today at 10:30 A.M., in Albany and New York City; the meeting will be online at dps.ny.gov. The Siting Board agenda includes Application of Bluestone Wind, LLC for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need for the Construction of the Bluestone Wind Farm Project in the Towns of Windsor and Sanford.
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]]>(Melissa Oakley 9-24-18)
Sponsors who are interested in participating can contact Oakley by email: moakley8866@gmail.com or by calling 369-4174.
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O’Connor Hospital in Delhi will host it’s annual Family Flu Clinic this Saturday, Spokesperson Carol Howard said that it is important to get the flu vaccination early this year, as some cases have already been reported in New York State:
(Carol Howard 9-24-18)
The clinic will run from 8:00 AM to 12:00 Noon Saturday, more information is available at 746-0334.
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The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Town of Sherburne man for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs, Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident, and additional vehicle and traffic law violations. Deputies arrested 32 year old Kyle Lafever of Sherburne following a 1 car motor vehicle accident on County Road 32 in the Town of Norwich. Lafever allegedly was involved in 2 separate motor vehicle accidents and leaving the scene of the first accident. In the second motor vehicle accident deputies responded to the scene and administered first aid to Lafever. He was found to be in possession of heroin and a hypodermic syringe. He was transported to Chenango Memorial Hospital. Lafever is scheduled to appear in the Town of Norwich Court at a later date.
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The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Town of Plymouth man for Burglary and Grand Larceny in the Town of Pharsalia. 23 year old Austin Demuth of Plymouth is accused of unlawfully entering the residence of a victim and stealing several items, valued at more than $1,000, in July. Demuth was located hiding in his residence in the Town of Plymouth, he was arraigned in the Town of North Norwich Court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $5,000 cash bail. The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are expected.
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The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce announced their annual small business and Entrepreneurial spirit award recipients. Directive, of Oneonta, is the recipient of the Key Bank, 19th Annual Small Business of the Year Award; The Otsego ReUse Center is the recipient of the Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield Breakthrough Business of the Year. The award winners will be honored at the Chamber’s Small Business Banquet that will be held on Thursday, October 11th at The Otesaga Hotel in Cooperstown, beginning at 5:45 PM.
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The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce will hold their Reunite Bainbridge Committee Kick-Off Meeting this evening. The meeting will begin at 7:00 pm in the Back of Bob’s Diner.
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