The Broome County District Attorney Mike Korchak announced that a grand jury has filed charges against 2 murder suspects in Broome County Court regarding unrelated homicide cases. Mitchell Lindow was charged with 1st degree murder in connection to a December 2nd stabbing, where Lindow allegedly killed David Royes while committing a felony burglary at 110 Main Street in Binghamton by stabbing him multiple times. Korchak also said that Kyle Babola is charged with 2nd degree murder for the killing of Scott Grover with a machete in Johnson City. Both face court action at a later date.

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Bassett Healthcare Network has partially lifted visitation restrictions at its inpatient and clinic locations across the region. Spokesperson Gabby Argo told WCDO news about some of the changes:

(Gabby Argo 2-16-22)

Argo said that the Emergency Departments across the Bassett Network will remain closed to visitors, the full list of restriction changes can be found at bassett.org.

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Oneonta Mayor Mark Drnek delivered his first State of the City address to the Common Council Tuesday night, he told WCDO News that the main theme of his speech & agenda is “Collaboration”:

(Mark Drnek 2-16-22)

Oneonta City meetings returned to in person events this week, with certain restrictions regarding the ongoing COVID 19 issue.

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The State Office of Cannabis Management announced proposed regulations for the Medical Cannabis Program that implement certain provisions of the state’s new Cannabis Law. The Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act included updates to the program designed to consider environmental impacts and create efficiencies, & also includes technical changes to the regulations to formally shift the program from the Department of Health to Office of Cannabis Management. The regulations were submitted to the Cannabis Control Board for its review and approval at its meeting on Thursday, i the Board approves, the regulations will advance to a 60-day public comment period.

A.M. NEWS Wednesday 2-16-22

The Binghamton Police Department arrested 36 year old Marquetta James of Connecticut for 2nd degree arson, in connection with the fire at 159 Conklin Avenue yesterday. Binghamton Police Detectives found James at a local hotel, Authorities stated that James was an acquaintance to 1 of the residents in the building. 20 adults and 9 children were displaced by the fire.

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The City of Norwich was selected as one of the Southern Tier region recipients of a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant. A public workshop will be held virtually tonight at 6:00 PM, Commerce Chenango President & CEO Kerri Green explains:

(Kerri Green 2-16-22)

All members of the public are invited to learn more about the DRI program and share their ideas on downtown revitalization strategies and projects in Norwich. The ZOOM links to the meeting can be found at the WCDO Facebook page.

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State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced the results of an audit of the Delaware-Chenango-Madison-Otsego BOCES Procurement practices. The audit found that the purchasing agent made 22 purchases with 7 purchases totaling $49,300, where competition was not sought, as required. Staff could not provide documentation to support efforts were made to obtain the best price.

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The U.S. Department of Justice announced that 42 year old Brian Whipple of New Berlin pleaded guilty to child pornography charges on Monday. Whipple was arrested in June 2020, he had over 5,000 child pornography images and videos, he will likely serve 5 to 20 years in jail & will have to register as a sex offender upon his release.

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State Police responded Monday to a 2-vehicle crash on State Route 26 in the town of Maine. The investigation revealed that 32 year-old  Alainna Stemple of Binghamton and 19 year old Nathan Baker of Glen Aubrey collided on State Route 26. Both operators were extricated by fire personnel, Stempel was taken to a Wilson hospital, where she later died, Baker was airlifted to Upstate Medical Center. The investigation continues.

Oneonta Mayor Mark Drnek announced that the Common Council meeting tonight will be back in the Chambers at Oneonta City Hall. Mayor Drnek will be delivering his first State of the City Address, masks will be required at tonight’s meeting, which will also be broadcast at 7:00 PM on YouTube.com/cityofoneonta

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Delaware County Public Health will be conducting a COVID-19 vaccination clinic for people 12 and older on Thursday at 97 Main Street in Delhi. Pfizer 1st or 2nd doses will be available from 2:00 to 3:00 PM for walk-ins only. Pfizer boosters will be available from 2:00 to 3:00 PM for those who pre-register at apps2.health.ny.gov. For more information, call Delaware County Public Health at 607-832-5200.

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State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced the results of an audit of the Otsego County Industrial Development Agency regarding the Oneonta Rail Yards Acquisition. The audit stated that the agency did not adequately plan for the 2017 acquisition of the rail yards, which was acquired based on a $6 million to $20 million development plan, but without an interested developer. Auditors found no indication that the board of directors had significant discussions of the pros and cons of developing the property, they then learned that a large-scale timber operation would be the only type of local industry that could profitable at the Rail Yards property.

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The Friends of Recovery of Delaware and Otsego Counties will be expanding into Chenango County with a new site being prepared in the City of Norwich. The new location will be located at at 24 East Main Street in Norwich, they hope to open up the facility sometime this spring, more information about the program is available at friendsofrecoverydo.org.

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The Chenango Arts Council’s annual Chenango Student Art Show will take place from March 4th to March 31st, the exhibit will open with a reception and awards ceremony on Friday March 4 beginning at 5:30 pm. In addition to a number of awards for different categories, 2 scholarships will be awarded for Chenango County seniors intending to pursue a degree in the Arts. The exhibit will be displayed in the Mariea Brown and Raymond Loft Galleries, located at the Chenango Arts Council, 27 West Main Street, Norwich and on the Arts Council’s social media. More information is available at 607-336-2787.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 2-15-22

The Otsego County Office of Emergency Services were requested to respond to a reported structure fire at 22 Maple Street in the Village of Gilbertsville Monday morning at about 9:15 AM. Firefighters from Gilbertsville, Morris, Mount Upton, Otego, Sidney, Wells Bridge and Otsego County EMS, all responded to the scene, 64 year old Louise Dubben was located deceased inside her residence. The Otsego County Office of Emergency Services, New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control and the New York State Police are leading investigation efforts. An investigation into the fire is ongoing.

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The City of Oneonta Police Department has arrested 29 year old Elijah Vergari of Oneonta in connection with the NBT bank robbery that occurred at 1 Wall Street in the City of Oneonta on December 29th. An indictment was handed down by a Grand Jury for the arrest of Vergari, Vergari was delivered to the Otsego County Court Monday, he was arraigned for 3rd degree Robbery, Due to the existence of pending felony charges in Delaware County, bail was set for $10,000 cash bail and he was remanded to the custody of the Otsego County Sheriff. The Oneonta Police Department worked in conjunction with the New York State Police Forensic ID unit, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations, and NBT bank security services.

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An Oneonta man died in a two-car crash on Route 365 in Westmoreland late Sunday night. The Oneida County Sheriff’s Office stated that 20-year-old Joshua Parker of Utica, was driving westbound on Route 365 when he started to have car trouble and put his flashers on while trying to make it to a gas station, Parker’s vehicle was hit from behind by 40-year-old Lance Johnson of Oneonta, who was transporting medical test samples to a lab. Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene. Parker was taken to St. Elizabeth Medical Center to be treated for injuries that are not considered to be life-threatening. The investigation is ongoing.

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Assemblyman Joseph Angelino is announcing his re-election campaign. Angelino is serving in his first term, He is the ranking Republican on the Assembly Committee on Oversight, Analysis and Investigation. Angelino will be running in the new 121st Assembly District which includes the majority of Chenango and Broome counties, and portions of Madison, Otsego, Sullivan and Delaware counties.

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