The 56th General Clinton Canoe Regatta was held over the Memorial Day weekend with over 1,000 paddlers participating. The popular 70 mile 2 person race was a close one, the team of Andy Triebold & Steve Lajoie won their 8th race by beating 2nd place finishers Serge Corbin & Guillaume Blaise by a little under 5 minutes, but the real excitement was the sprint to the finish for the 2nd place position, where Corbin & Blaise beat local pros Trever LeFever & Ben Schlimmer of Oneonta by 3 seconds. WCDO’s Craig Stevens spoke with challenging the 28 time Regatta Champ:

(Regatta18 –LeFever-Schlimmer)

There were 52 teams in this year’s 70 Mile C2 pro race Monday.
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The 56th General Clinton Canoe Regatta was held over the Memorial Day weekend with over 1,000 paddlers participating. The popular 70 mile 2 person race was a close one, the team of Andy Triebold & Steve Lajoie won their 8th race by beating 2nd place finishers Serge Corbin & Guillaume Blaise by a little under 5 minutes, Serge Corbin joked with WCDO’s Craig Stevens after the race:

(Regatta18-Corbin 2)

Corbin & Blaise outsprinted the local team of Trevor LeFever & Ben Schlimmer coming in 2nd place by just 3 seconds. There were 52 Pro Teams in the C2 pro race this year.
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In the competitive men’s NYMCRA Stock race, Local Paddlers Rob Birdsall & Todd LeFever took 1st place honors, beating the 2nd place team by over 11 minutes, Birdsall commented on the race:

(Regatta 18-Birdsall)

Jeff Newman of Unadilla & Scott Jordan of Otego took 3rd place, Newman talked about the Competition:

(Regatta18-Newman)

Over 1000 paddlers participated over the 4 day weekend of the General Clinton Canoe Regatta.
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The search for a 14-month-old boy continued today in Wayne County. Owen Hidalgo-Calderon has been missing since May 16th, his mother, Selena Hidalgo-Calderon was found dead in a wooded area last week in Sodus. Alberto Reyes has been charged with moving his girlfriend’s Selena’s body from their home, he is in Police custody, but the infant is still missing.
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2 local students are competing in today’s Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington DC, Melodie Loya of Bainbridge & Theodore Ignatovsky of Cooperstown. Loya participated last year, making it into the top 50, coverage is provided at ESPN.com.
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New York State ranked 4th nationwide in credit card debt at $58.2 billion in 2017, according to a report released today by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. Although credit card debt declined significantly in the state from 2008 through 2013, the trend reversed in 2014 as per capita balances rose by more than 14% through 2017 to $3,710, nearly 20% above the national average. DiNapoli said that the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau provides advice and resources to help consumers deal credit card issues at consumerfinance.gov.
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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputy’s arrested 30 year old Connie Zachow of Franklin for 2nd degree Assault, obstruction of governmental administration, resisting arrest, escape and 2 counts of endangering the welfare of a child, after she allegedly struck a Deputy in Franklin. Zachow was arraigned at the Town of Sidney Court and was remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility on $15,000 cash bail or $30,000 secured bond, pending action in Town of Franklin court at a later date.
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The 56th General Clinton Canoe Regatta was held this past Memorial Day Weekend; which featured the famous 70 mile races from Cooperstown to Bainbridge on Monday. In the 4 person class, the Michigan team of Bruce & Roxanne Barton, Tim Triebold & Jeff Kolka edged out the 2nd place team of Jeff Shultis, Bob Zaveral, Larry Harrison & Bob Wisse by just 15 seconds, Bruce Barton talked about the tough race:

(Regatta18-Barton)

This is the 2nd time the Michigan paddlers took 1st place in the 4 person race, Bob Zaveral commented on the tight race:

(Regatta18-Zaveral)

Both teams finished in just over 8 hours
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In Monday’s 70 mile 2 person pro race, Andy Triebold & Steve Lajoie from Quebec took 1st place for the 8th time together, beating 2nd place finishers Serge Corbin & Guillaume Blaise by just under 5 minutes. WCDO’s Craig Stevens spoke with Triebold about beating the 28-time winner Serge Corbin:

(Regatta18- Triebold)

The 61 year old Corbin said that he pleased with the 2nd place finish:

(Regatta18 Corbin)

Corbin & Blaise squeaked out 2nd place by just 3 seconds over Oneonta paddlers Trevor LeFever & Ben Schlimmer. This year’s 2 person pro race had 52 teams.
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In the 2 person pro race, Andy Triebold of Michigan & Steve Lajoie from Quebec, won for their 8th time together, Lajoie talked to WCDO’s Craig Stevens about their chemistry:

(Regatta18 –Lajoie)

The pair finished the race in 7:30:11, just under 5 minute ahead of 28 time winner Serge Corbin & partner Guillaume Blaise of Quebec; this was Corbin’s 30th Clinton race.
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Pro-paddler Mike Packard from Otego competed in the C1 pro race Monday, he told WCDO’s Craig Stevens that he ran into some rough spots during the race:

(Regatta18-Packard)

Packard finished 5th in the C1 Pro race. This Year’s Regatta attracted over 1000 paddlers from 24 states 7 3 Canadian Provinces, and continues to be North America’s longest 1 day flatwater river race.
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6 people were inducted into the General Clinton Canoe Regatta Hall of Fame Saturday in Bainbridge, including 25 year scout coordinator Eileen Tallmadge of Afton; she told WCDO how she initially became involved:

(Regatta18-Tallmadge)

This year’s Hall Of Fame class included Clarence “Tete” Pearsall, for his contributions to the event & the park, as well as paddlers Steve Collier of Cooperstown, Al Shaver Sr. of Maryland New York, Nick Lyesiek of Massachusetts & Blair Buckholtz of Wellsville New York.
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The Chenango County DPW announced that they will close County Route 37 between County Road 36 & Keach Road in the town of Guilford, on Tuesday May 29th. Crews will be replacing a large culvert, which could take between 7 & 10 days to complete. Detours are suggested along Marble Road & Keach Road, more information is available at 337-1710.
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Chenango County Sheriff’s department arrested 2 Town of Pharsalia residents following an investigation into stolen property. Chenango County Sheriff’s Detectives and Deputies performed a search warrant on a property in the Town of Pharsalia; they discovered numerous items that were reported stolen, along with cultivated marihuana. 38 year old Todd Jackson was charged with criminal possession of stolen property, criminal possession of a controlled substance & Unlawful growing of cannabis. Jackson was arraigned in the Town of McDonough Court and released on his own recognizance. 34 year old Chelsea Evanoff was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and unlawful growing of cannabis, she was released on an appearance ticket to appear in the Town of Pharsalia Court on a later date.
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Actress & Comedienne Amy Schumer will be performing Live Onstage tonight at the Foothills Performing Arts Center in Oneonta. The show was announce over the weekend, it will start at 8:00 PM, tickets were sold out in 3 hours.
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Chenango County Sheriff’s Department arrested 36 year old Zane Marvin of Pitcher for criminal contempt and criminal mischief. Marvin was charged following an investigation into a complaint of an order of protection violation, after Marvin allegedly went to the residence of the protected party and kicked in the front door causing damage to the door. Marvin was arraigned in the Town of Pitcher Court where he was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $500 cash bail.

(Dave Hamburg 8-2-16)

Chenango County Road 34 is closed from County Road 33 to Wells Road & County Road 37 is closed in the area of Phillips-Odell Road. In the town of Guilford, Stead Road, Crandall Road & Shumway Hill Road are closed. Otsego County Highway 18 from Gilbertsville to State Hwy 23 is also closed, County Officials & State DOT Officials remind motorists to never drive around barricades, as roads may be undermined below the road or along the edges.
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The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested three individuals after they were caught in the act of trying to steal catalytic converters from Menards Garage in the Town of Oxford. Detectives conducted surveillance in Menards Garage, and at approximately 12:30 am Saturday, 3 suspects attempted to remove a catalytic converter from a vehicle in the lot. After a short foot pursuit, 27 year old Casey Towndrow & 20 year old Monica Towndrow were taken into custody. 27 year old Joshua Shurock was arrested a short time later as he attempted to pick up a co-defendant from an area near the scene. All 3 were charged with Criminal Mischief, Conspiracy & Attempted Petty Larceny. They are scheduled to appear in the Town of Oxford Court at a later date. The City of Norwich Police Department and New York State Police assisted at the scene.
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Retiring Area Congressman Richard Hanna announced that he would vote for Democrat Hillary Clinton over Republican businessman Donald Trump on Election Day in November. The 3-term Republican Congressman said that Donald Trump is “unfit to serve our party and cannot lead this country.” Hanna said that he decided to take action this week after watching Trump criticize the Muslim American parents of a U.S. Army captain killed in Iraq. He called Trump a national embarrassment, adding that Trump should not be “the guy you want to have the nuclear codes”
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SEVERAL LOCAL PADDLERS TRAVELED TO MICHIGAN THIS PAST WEEKEND TO COMPETE IN THE 2ND LEG OF THE TRIPLE CROWN CANOE RACING SERIES. THE MICHIGAN RACE IS THE AUSABLE RIVER CANOE MARATHON AND COVERS 120 TOTAL MILES AS PARTICIPANTS EVEN PADDLE THROUGH THE NIGHT TIME HOURS. BEN SCHLIMMER OF ONEONTA WAS THE HIGHEST FINISHING LOCAL IN 6TH PLACE. TREVOR LEFEVER OF ONEONTA WAS 7TH. LARRY HARRISON ALSO OF ONEONTA TOOK 25TH AND THE TEAM OF MIKE PACKARD FROM OTEGO AND JEFF SHULTIS OF UNADILLA TOOK 34TH. THE GENERAL CLINTON CANOE REGATTA IS THE FIRST RACE IN THE TRIPLE CROWN SERIES AND THE FINAL RACE IS HELD IN QUEBEC IN SEPTEMBER.  (Compiled by Nate Lull)
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State police continue to investigate the November 1983 murder of 19-year-old Bessie Williams of Johnson City. Williams was reported missing when she did not return home after she picked up her paycheck at the Quality Inn Lodge and Convention Center in Endwell. In April 1985, State Police responded to a report of human skeletal remains in a wooded area in the Town of Barker, which were identified as Bessie Williams, State Police have been attempting to identify a suspect whose vehicle was towed in 1983, from a field bordering the wooded area, the suspect was described as an intoxicated white male, 25 – 30 years old, 5′ 07 – 5’10”, medium build with a noticeable “pot belly”, wearing work boots, jeans and a blue wind breaker, in a late 70s white Ford hatchback, with unknown New York license plates. Anyone with information is asked to call the State Police at 561-7497 and ask to speak with Senior Investigator Terry Shultz.
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The state Department of Health has never put to use any of the money generated through distinctive license plates and a license application check-off box to support New York’s organ donation campaign, according to an audit by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. The “Life Pass It On” Trust Fund, had a balance of more than $1 million and it has not been used since its inception over a decade ago. DiNapoli recommends that the Department of Health establish and implement fund management controls to ensure that special revenue funds are utilized for their intended purposes, Regular monitoring of fund activity; and Communicating with DMV regarding revenue deposits and possible collaboration of marketing/promotional efforts. A copy of the report is available at osc.state.ny.us.
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State Police arrested 41 year old Jerry Stone Jr. of New Berlin for aggravated DWI, with a B.A.C result of .24% and other traffic tickets after a crash. Troopers responded to a Chenango County 911 report of a two vehicle crash on County Road 34 in the Town of Norwich. Stone was arraigned in the Town of Norwich court and was released without bail required. His next court date in the town of Norwich Thursday.
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The Oneonta common council will hold their next regular meeting tonight. The meeting will begin at 7:00 PM in the common council chambers at city hall.

(Steve Lajoie)

In the new 4-person division, the local Otego Oneonta team, of Bob Wisse, Cathy Grimes, Jeff Shultis & Larry Harrison, finished 3rd, just 3 minutes behind the 2nd place team. Harrison talked about their race:

(Larry Harrison 2015)

The 53rd regatta also featured rides, games, entertainment, music & fireworks throughout the weekend.
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6 more people were inducted into the General Clinton Canoe Regatta Hall of fame this year, including paddlers Jan Whitaker, Calvin Hassel, Mike Packard, & Rodney Robinson & original Clinton organizers Dick Sloane & Don Loudon. Local Paddler Mike Packard of Otego commented after the ceremony:

(Mike Packard 5-26-15)

Paddler Rodney Robinson of Otego also commented after the ceremony:

(Rodney Robinson 5-26-15)

Special commendations were also given by the regatta Hall Of Fame Committee to the Benson Family for their decades of volunteering, John & Shirley Girton for handling race entries & results, and to WCDO for broadcasting the Regatta for 30 years.
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State Police responded to a Delaware County 911 report of a fatal ATV accident off of Apex Road in the Town of Tompkins. Troopers observed 36 year old Keith Stratton of Bellmore, New York deceased in a shallow creek by an overturned ATV. Troopers reported thar he had been at a family party at a home on Apex Road when he decided to take a ride on an ATV, without a helmet. Troopers beleive that he failed to make a right turn and overturned in a nearby creek & was killed on impact. Alcohol was a factor in the accident, he was pronoucned deceased at the scene.
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Governor Cuomo today announced that law enforcement agencies in 17 counties participating in the state’s Gun Involved Violence Elimination initiative would receive $13.3 million to target gun violence and save lives. The initiative requires the use of proven strategies to reduce shootings and firearm-related homicides in communities served by 20 police departments in those counties. Locally, The Binghamton Police Department and Broome County District Attorney’s Office and Sheriff’s Office will share $393,944.
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State Police arrested 27 year old Jonathan Robinson of Oneonta for Resisting Arrest, 2 counts of Criminal Mischief & 3 counts of Harassment. The arrest resulted from a complaint of someone damaging a vehicle and making threats at a residence on County Highway 11 in the Town of Laurens. Robinson is accused of damaging 2 vehicles, threatening people from outside & physically resisting arrest. Robinson was arraigned in the Town of Laurens Court and remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $200 cash bail pending future court action.
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The Village of Sidney announced that tonight’s board meeting has been cancelled, the meeting has been rescheduled for june 1st at 7:00 PM in the board room at the Sidney Civic Center.
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The City of Oneonta will be sweeping all 3 levels of the municipal parking garage, tonight at 10:00 PM through tomorrow morning at 11:00 AM. The garage will be closed on all levels during that time; lots at Dietz Street, Wall Street and the Westcott lot will all be open. The Clarion Hotel lot will be open for public use during that time; it can be accessed from south main street or Market Street. More information is available at 432-6465.
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(Listen to regatta audio in the General Clinton Canoe Regatta Audio Vault, located here)

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The world famous 70-mile endurance races from Cooperstown to Bainbridge were held yesterday, including the new 4-person category. Bruce Barton of Michigan told WCDO’s Craig Stevens about paddling with all those partners:

(Regatta news 2014 Bruce Barton)

Barton & his team beat the 2^nd place finishers by over 14 minutes.   This year’s 1 man pro race was won by Canadian paddler Steve Lajoie, he talked about yesterday’s hot conditions:

(Regatta news 2014 Lajwa)

Lajoie also won the 2 person pro race 6 times with Michigan’s Andy Triebold, Triebold & his new partner Daniel Frigon placed 3^rd in this year’s 2 person pro race.

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Monday’s 70 mile pro race saw new 1^st time winners Guillaume Blaise & Matthew Pellerin from Quebec win the $3300 1^st prize, edging Matthew St. Pierre & Ryan Halstead of Michigan by just 1 second. The pair spoke with WCDO’s Craig Stevens at the finish line:

(Regatta News pro 1)

The pair was asked what it was like to beat 8-time regatta Champion Andy Triebold:

((Regatta News pro 2)

Paddlers from 28 state & 3 Canadian Provinces participated in this year’s General Clinton Canoe Regatta.

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In the open stock aluminum class, brothers Bill & Brian Walley from Walton won their race by over 40 minutes, they spoke with WCDO’s Craig Stevens at the finish line:

(Regatta News 2014- Walley Brothers)

After finishing in 2^nd place last year, Shawn & Todd Lefever took the 1^st place trophy in the men’s competition cruising “Under 50 Years Of Age” category, they told Craig Stevens about the importance of winning in honor of their mother, long time regatta Chairperson Pam Lefever:

(Regatta news 2014 – Lefever Brothers)

After 8 consecutive 2-person pro wins, Andy Triebold came in 3^rd place.

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The Uncle/Nephew team of Fran & Mark Kopta from Sherman & Clymer New York raced in the men’s NYMCRA Stock Class & beat the 2^nd place canoe by over 8 minutes. They spoke with WCDO’s Craig Stevens at the finish line:

(Regatta News 2014 Koptas)

1 man pro paddlers Mike Packard for Otego finished his 30^th 70 miler & commented after the race:

(Regatta News 2014-Packard)

Over 300 paddlers attempted the 70-mile course yesterday.

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(Crouch 5-22-14)

Crouch cited education, economic development, and mandate relief for taxpayers, businesses, schools and local governments as his main goals. Crouch was first elected to the Assembly in 1995 and serves as chairman of the Assembly Republican Conference. So far, no democrats have announced any intention to seek Crouch’s Assembly seat.

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Engineers have determined the Ellis Brothers Furniture Building on Water Street in Binghamton is in danger of imminent collapse and must be demolished. An April 30^th fire damaged the building & the Demolition is expected within the next few days. A portion of Water Street will be closed to traffic for at least a week as the building is torn down and debris is removed.

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Otego resident Mike Packard will join the 2100-mile club after finishing his 30th 70-mile general Clinton canoe regatta race on Monday. Packard told WCDO News about the milestone and how he got started in canoe racing:

(Mike Packard 5-22-14)

28 time Regatta Champion Serge Corbin will not be racing this year, after 29 finishes at the General Clinton Canoe Regatta.   The 57-year-old Corbin told WCDO that he is not racing currently:

(Corbin 5-22-14)

Corbin continues to operate his Boat making business, and is enjoying his retirement from canoe racing.

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The state Senate passed a bill to make the aggravated murder of a child punishable with a life sentence in prison without parole. The bill expands on the existing law of aggravated abuse of a child, which makes it a crime when someone causes physical injury to a child under the age of 14. Dubbed the “Protect Our Children Act,” the proposed bill also seeks to create a new felony for concealing the death of a child, and for failing to notify police when the whereabouts of a child are unknown for more than 24 hours. The bill was sent to the assembly

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U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer announced the first phase of a statewide database, to help track a rising epidemic of heroin use in New York. Schumer said the President’s Office of National Drug Control Policy, agreed to meet with state and local government officials within the next three months, to determine how to track heroin and other drug-related crimes. The database would help counties set up a database to track heroin and other drug-related overdoses, deaths, hospital admissions and crimes statewide, as well as help police identify patterns and crack down on distribution rings.

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Governor Cuomo launched a new online platform called Business Mentor NY, the State’s first, mentoring program designed to help small business. The website located at businessmentor.ny.gov where participants may register online, review the profiles of potential mentors and communicate directly with them on an as-needed basis and at no charge.

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The band Barenaked Ladies will play opening night at the New York State Fair on Aug. 21st. The band will perform at 8 p.m.   at Chevy Court. Other acts announced for Chevy Court include Kellie Pickler, Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone , John Kay and Steppenwolf, Bowzer’s Rock & Roll Party, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts and The Doobie Brothers