Attorney General Letitia James today secured the largest multi-state agreement with JUUL Labs and its former directors and executives for their alleged role in contributing to the nationwide youth vaping epidemic. As part of a multi state agreement, JUUL will pay $462 million to 6 states and the District of Columbia, New York will receive $112.7 million, which will support underage vaping abatement programs across the state.

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Firefighters in Mount Upton & South New Berlin have responded to a reported Structure Fire at 415 Copes Corners Road, in the town of Butternuts. The fire was called in at about 1:00 PM this afternoon, early reports suggest that it is contained to a barn, WCDO News will have more details as they become available.

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Governor Kathy Hochul has nominated Rowan Wilson as chief judge of the state’s Court of Appeals, which is the state’s highest court. Wilson is a Harvard Law School graduate who currently serves as an associate judge of the Court of Appeals, which he has held for 6 years. Wilson is Hochul’s 2nd nomination for the position, she previously nominated Hector LaSalle, that choice was rejected by lawmakers in the Governor’s own party.

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The Broome County Court District Attorney’s Office announced that 30-year-old Dominick Howe pleaded guilty to felony Criminal Mischief. In December of 2022, Howe was accused of cutting off his GPS monitor and damaging it, he was required to wear it because of a previous felony conviction for Attempted Robbery, he will be sentenced to 2 to 4 years in State prison on June 23rd in Broome County Court.

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National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is April 22nd from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. To find out what local law enforcement agencies are participating this year, go to deadiversion.usdoj.gov.

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 4-12-23

The National Weather Service announced that there is an Elevated Risk of Wildfire today & into this evening across the entire region. The combination of low relative humidity, gusty winds and dry fine fuels could lead to fires spreading today, Everyone is urged to exercise caution if handling any potential ignition source, including machinery, cigarettes, and matches. The annual statewide burn ban is in effect until May 14.

Animal Adventure Park & Preserve opens for the season today, a series of new exhibits & events will be featured this year, the full schedule is available at theanimaladventurepark.com/events.

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A free virtual job fair will be held Today from 11:00am to 1:00pm. Many area businesses are participating, job seekers from across 6 counties can participate, including those in Chenango, Delaware & Otsego Counties. More information is available at working-solutions.org.

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The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce will hold their Legislative Leadership program today at the Old Schoolhouse Inn in Downsville. The event will run from 9:00 to 11:00 Am & will feature Congressman Marc Molinaro, State Senator Peter Oberacker & assembly-members Joe Angelino, Brian Maher & Chris Tague.

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The State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Units are participating in a national effort to call attention to human trafficking. Members are educating Commercial Drivers about human trafficking, and providing a card that contains the number for the National Human Trafficking Hot-line, which is 888-373-7888.

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Broome County Sheriff’s Deputies responded last Tuesday to a domestic incident at the Knights Inn in the Town of Union and arrested 60 year old Samuel Stukes of Endicott. Stukes was in violation of an order of protection and was wanted by the Binghamton Police Department. Deputies heard a disturbance coming from the rear of the motel building at the same address, 43 year old Keith Johnson of Endicott was found engaging in a physical fight a 15-year-old child, he resisted arrest, tried to fight with deputies and was tased and subdued. Johnson was charged with 5 counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, & 1 count each of Obstruction, Resisting Arrest & Harassment. Both Stukes and Johnson were taken into custody.

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The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce is holding a Legislative Leadership Forum with area lawmakers, on Wednesday April 12th at the Old Schoolhouse Inn & Restaurant in Downsville. The event will begin at 9:00 AM, Chamber members can register at delawarecounty.org/events.

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The Getthere Mobility Program is looking for Volunteer Drivers in Delaware County. Drivers will bring County Residents to Appointments, Shopping, Drivers are reimbursed at 62.5 cents a mile as well as $100 for training. More information is available at gettherescny.org, or by calling 833-373-4040. Getthere is a program of the Rural Health Network of South Central New York.

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State Police are searching for 58 year old Jan Dager of Salisbury in Herkimer County. Dager has been missing since January 10th, he was last seen wearing black sweatpants and a black T-shirt, with no jacket, he is 5’8″ & about 225 pounds with white hair, he left in an unknown direction, he did not have a cell phone with him. Anyone with information should call 315-366-6000.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 1-16-23

The City of Oneonta Police Department is investigating the discovery of a deceased individual in Neahwa Park Saturday. No other details have been released, pending the results of an autopsy.

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U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced her plans to seek re-election to another 6 year term in the U.S. Senate. Gillibrand has served in the Senate since 2009, prior to that she served in the House of Representatives serving much of the WCDO listening area.

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An American Red Cross Blood Drive is being held in Oneonta today at the Quality Inn on State Route 23. The Blood Drive runs from 1:00 to 6:00 PM, Appointments can be made with the Red Cross App, calling 1-800 RED CROSS or going online to redcrossblood.org.

(Dr. Howard Zucker 3-6-20)

Dr. Zucker & Governor Cuomo said that the number of people who have tested positive for the Corona Virus doubled again overnight to 44 cases in New York State, 5 are currently hospitalized.

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State Attorney General Letitia James sent a Cease & Desist order to televangelist Jim Bakker, for selling fake Corona Virus cures on his television show.  James, on advice from the state Health department officials, threatened legal action if he fails to stop selling his “Silver Solution” as a treatment for the virus, there is no cure for the coronavirus according to the CDC. 

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The prosecution rested Thursday in the Manslaughter Trial of Kimberly Steeley in Otsego County Court.  Steeley is accused of the asphyxiation deaths of her 2 infants 11 days apart in East Worcester in June of 2018. 

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As New Yorkers prepare to set their clocks forward one hour this Sunday for Daylight Saving Time, the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York is urging everyone to change the batteries in their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Homeowners with alarms that have sealed, non-removable batteries should test the alarms to see if they are functional.  Batteries should be changed twice a year, because according to the National Fire Protection Association, almost 3 of every 5 home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or without working smoke alarms. Last year New York State led the nation in home fire deaths with 126 fatalities, more information is available at fasny.com.

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Beginning Saturday, the Greater Oneonta Historical Society will present a display of the history of the local chapter of the League of Women Voters.  There will be an opening reception on Saturday from 2:00 to 3:00 PM at the Oneonta History Center, 183 Main Street.  The reception is free and open to the public, more information is available at 432-0960.

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State Police have located the body of a white a female Thursday afternoon near the area of State Route 17 & State Route 434 in Apalachin.   The female has been identified as 37 year old Casie Weese, who was reported missing early Sunday morning, after she left a party with her husband, they had a flat tire near Main Street Apalachin, & she left the scene following a disagreement.   An Autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death.

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The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce will hold their next First Friday Networking Breakfast this morning, from 8:30 to 10:00 am.  The meeting will be held at the Old School House Inn & Restaurant in Downsville,   The featured speaker for this event is Sean Leddy from the Delaware County Planning Department who will be speaking about the county’s outreach efforts and importance of participation in the 2020 Census, which will begin in earnest in Mid-March.

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The DCMO BOCES Spelling bee will be held tomorrow in at the SUNY Oneonta Goodrich Theater Saturday at 10:00 AM, Spokesperson Martha Ryan comments:

(Martha Ryan 3-6-20)

Melodie of course is Melodie Loya of Bainbridge, who made it into the top 50 the last 2 years at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington DC.  Ryan also said that the fundraising effort is continuing to help the families of tomorrow’s winner, to make it to the Scripps competition & stay in Washington for all the days of the event, more information is available at 335-1292.

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Governor Cuomo has proclaimed today “Special Olympics New York Day” as the nonprofit organization marks the 50th anniversary of its founding.   Special Olympics New York is the largest state chapter in the country, serving more than 67,000 athletes across New York; more information is available at specialolympicsNY.org.