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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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The New York State Department of Labor today released preliminary local area unemployment rates for February 2023. Rates are calculated using methods prescribed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. New York State’s seasonally adjusted unemployment held constant at 4.2% in February 2023. Locally, Chenango County had 4.1% unemployment, Delaware County had 4.5% and Otsego County 4.4% unemployment in February.

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The State DOT announced that construction began to replace the existing bridge carrying NY Route 79 over the Chenango River in the Towns of Fenton and Barker in Broome County, with a new bridge realigning NY Route 79. State and Federal funding totaled $12.6 million for the project, which is scheduled for completion this Fall.

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The twice Annual “Coffee with the Chiefs” event will be held in Norwich on Saturday April 15th from 9:00 to 11:00 AM at the Norwich McDonald’s in Norwich. Norwich residents will have the change to talk to new Norwich Police Chief Reuben Roach and City of Norwich Fire Department Chief Jan Papelino,

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Livestock Foundation is proud to announce that we are offering one or more $1000 scholarships to Delaware County high school students graduating in 2023 with acceptance to a college or university where they will pursue a career in agriculture. To apply, students must fill out the application form and email a 500 word essay to info@livestockfoundation.org, Applications open March 31 and are due on May 31. Awards will be announced June 15^th more information is available at livestockfoundation.org

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The Broome County District Attorney’s office is still pursuing the Colonial restaurant Rape case, after the owners sought to have the charges dismissed against them last month. The DA’s office said that Jordan Rindgen, Yaron Kweller and his brother Leor Kweller are accused of supplying cocaine to 2 young women and then raping them in a basement on Washington Street in downtown Binghamton on November 27th, 2021. The Colonial Restaurant and Bar and Dos Rios Cantina, both owned by the defendants, have both since closed since the allegations went public & the charges were filed.

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A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 3-28-23

Walton fire fighters responded to 14 Tripp Avenue in Walton last Wednesday for a shed and a garage fire that spread to a nearby house. Firefighters arrived to the scene, 2 occupants had escaped the fire, 2 neighboring homes were evacuated, The shed and garage were destroyed, home suffered significant damage on the second floor, 1 firefighter suffered a minor injury and was treated at the scene. Walton was assisted by Delhi and Trout Creek Fire Departments, Sidney Fire Department’s FAST team. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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Broome County Sheriff’s Office arrested 63 year old Patrick Logan for failure to register under the sex offender registration act; Logan was taken to the Central Arraignment Part Court at the Broome County Correction Facility for arraignment.

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Broome County Sheriff’s Office arrested 34 year old Justin Terenzi of Berkshire, for failing to appear for a court date in January of 2023 after being previously arraigned on a charge. Terenzi was charged with Bail Jumping & was taken to the Central Arraignment for arraignment.

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The Village of Sidney announced that today water lines will be shut off beginning at 9:00 am until approximately 6:00pm. This will affect Route 7, Deshaw Lane, Route 8, Old County Route 43, Junction Road and County Road 35. This is due to new water main connections being installed.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Town of Colchester Police announced that 81 year old George Fredericks of Roscoe died in a Sunday afternoon car crash. Delaware County 911 Center received multiple reports of a 2-car, head-on crash at about 12:38 pm. on Delaware County Route 7 near Hill Top Lane in Colchester. Fredericks was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the 2nd vehicle, 49 year old Angelo Zayas and a passenger were taken to Delaware Valley Hospital in Walton for treatment of their injuries. the preliminary investigation reported that Fredericks crossed over into the opposing lane striking the Zayas vehicle, both vehicles were engulfed in flames. The State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating the crash.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s Office arrested Level 2 Registered Sex Offender Martin Planty Jr. last week for failure to register as a sex offender. Planty is accused of failing to notify the Sheriff’s Office of his change of address within 10 days; Planty has been convicted of 2 prior sex offenses in 2 separate states, Planty was arraigned in Town of Walton Court and was remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility on $1,500.00 cash bail, $2,500.00 bond, and $5,000.00 partially secured bond, and will reappear in the Court at a later date.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s Office arrested 46 year old James Amato of Downsville for driving with a suspended license. Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies observed a vehicle traveling on State Highway 10 last Thursday in the Town of Walton, failing to maintain lane position. Deputies stopped the vehicle, they discovered that Amato’s Driver’s License was suspended for Insurance Not in Effect and Dishonored Check. Amato was charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle & Failure to Keep Right. Deputies discovered that there was an active Bench Warrant for Amato’s arrest, issued by the Town of Hancock Court, for failure to appear to a prior Aggravated Unlicensed Operator charge. Amato was arrested on the Bench Warrant and additionally charged with Bail Jumping in the 3rd Degree, relative to that Warrant. Amato was arraigned in the Town of Walton and, despite the District Attorney’s request for bail to be set, was released on his own recognizance.

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Bassett Healthcare Network has partially lifted visitation restrictions in its emergency departments, at A.O. Fox Hospital in Oneonta, the Tri-Town Campus in Sidney, Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, Cobleskill Regional Hospital, Little Falls Hospital, and O’Connor Hospital in Delhi. More information is available at bassett.org.

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The American Red Cross continues to report low blood supplies, and is continuing to schedule blood drives across the region. The Laurens Fire Department is hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive today from 2:00 to 7:00 PM Also, a blood drive will be held at the Gilbertsville Mount Upton School from 1:30 to 6:30 PM. Appointments can be made at 1-800-RED CROSS.

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The Delaware County Department of Public Works announced that several County Roads are temporarily closed to any vehicle with a gross weight in excess of 4 tons on any one axle. Affected roads include County Route 10, from State Route 28 to County Route 12, County Route 16, from State Route 10 to Treadwell, County Route 23, from County Route 21 to Sidney Center & County Route 35, from County Route 23 to State Route 206

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A meeting of the General Clinton Canoe Regatta Committee will be held tonight in Bainbridge The meeting will be held at Galaxy Bowl in Bainbridge starting at 7:00 PM

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The Chenango SPCA has implemented an adoption program called “Love is in the Air,” to get animals into their forever homes, SPCA Executive Director Annette Clark explains:

(Annette Clarke 3-1-22)

The Chenango SPCA adoption fees are cut by 50% until March 31st, more information is available by calling 334-9724, more information is also available at chenangospca.org or at their Facebook page.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 3-1-22

Binghamton Police announced the arrest of 42 year old Leor Kweller of Brooklyn, who is the brother of Colonial restaurant owner Yaron Kweller, both men have been charged now with 3rd-degree rape. Both Kwellers & 33 year old Jordan Ringden of Binghamton, have been charged in connection with an incident in November at 141 Washington Street, the investigation is continuing.

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State Police are looking to identify a man in surveillance video captured at the Walmart in the town of Oneonta. Police reported that On February 26th, at approximately 8:40 AM, the man exited the store with a cart full of items that he did not pay for & he left in a pick up truck, anyone with information should contact State Police at (607)561-7400. Pictures of the man & the pickup truck can be found on the WCDO Facebook page.

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