The Smoke & Haze from the Quebec Wildfires are continuing today, and may even worsen throughout the day, local meteorologist Rich Townsend explains:

(Townsend 6-7-23)

State Officials are urging New Yorkers to not perform any strenuous exercise outside, those with asthma or Heart Disease should try to stay indoors in air conditioning is possible.

————————————————————-

The Broome County District Attorney’s Office announced that 34 year old Bayso Vannavongso pleaded guilty to 3 counts of criminal possession of a weapon, he admitted that on July 26, 2022, he illegally possessed a loaded .38 revolver, a 12-gauge sawed-off shotgun and a semi-automatic rifle, in the Town of Binghamton. Police responded to the Vestal Hills Country Club in the Town of Binghamton to a report of a man shot with a crossbow. Vannavongsa was shot by Carson Vanco after a dispute, where Vannavongsa fired shots at Vanco from the revolver but missed, he recovered from being shot with the arrow.

—————————————————————-

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office is once again teaming up with the National Child Safety Council, who help fund a variety of programs benefiting Delaware County Children, according to Delaware County Sheriff Craig DuMond:

(Sheriff DuMond 6-7-23)

Sheriff DuMond said that County Residents received a legitimate mailing from the Sheriff’s Department with an envelope, Checks can be placed in the envelop & they should be made out to the National Child Safety Council, or call the Council at 1-877-472-3377

—————————————————————

Tickets are still available for the raffle of a 1967 Ford Mustang Convertible, from the Northeast Classic Car Museum. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit the operation of the museum in Norwich, more information is available at classiccarmuseum.org, the winner of the mustang will be unveiled on October 11th.

A.M. NEWS Wednesday 6-7-23

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce & The Franklin Stage Company are hosting a Business After Hours event tonight at the theater in Franklin, Artistic Director Patricia Buckley comments:

(Patricia Buckley 6-7-23)

The event begins at 5:00, the next play “Good People” will begin June 30th, more information is available at franklinstagecompany.org.

———————————————–

Delaware County Public Health will hold a free Rabies Vaccination Clinic for dogs, cats and ferrets today from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at the Arkville Fire Hall. More information is available at 607-832-5200 or delawarecountypublichealth.com.

—————————————————

An American Red Cross Blood drive will be held in Oneonta today from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the AO Fox Memorial Hospital Levine Center, in Oneonta. To make an appointment, simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS.

————————————————-

The Sidney Chamber of Commerce will hold their next regular meeting this morning, the meeting will begin at 8:00AM at the Sidney Golf & Country Club.

————————————————-

In the men’s NYMCRA stock Race, Mike & Wayne Himes of Otego took 1^st place; they spoke with WCDO’s Craig Stevens:

(Himes 5-29-19)

In one of the largest C1 Pro fields Rod McLain from Maine was able to use high water conditions from Milford down to his advantage to take 1^st place: he talked to WCDO’s Craig Stevens after the race:

(Rod McLain 5-28-19)

Oneonta resident Trevor LeFever took 2^nd place in the C2 Pro class with his partner Ben Schlimmer of Camillus; he discussed what it is like to race against Canoe Racing Legend Serge Corbin:

(Trevor LeFever 5-29-19)

Complete results of the races are available at canoeregatta.org.

———————————————–

A Ribbon Cutting ceremony was held at the Sidney Central School District today along with the Raymond Corporation of Greene, for the opening of their Raymond welding Center.  Sidney Welding Program Advisor Joseph Waltz told WCDO News about the full year course

(Joseph Waltz 5-28-19)

Raymond Corporation representative Dan Quiter Jr. told WCDO News that this program is the first of its kind locally:

(Dan Quiter Jr 5-28-19)

The program was started through the efforts of 6 Sidney Students and a Raymond Corporation Advisor.

————————————————————————

Communities & Educators are looking at ways to curb tobacco use & the use of fruit flavored E-Cigarettes like Juul, that are hooking a whole new generation of people getting addicted to Nicotine.  Linda Wegner of Advancing Tobacco Free Communities of Delaware, Otsego & Schoharie Counties explains;

(Linda Wegner 5-28-19)

Wegner said that 1 Juul packet contains as much nicotine as an entire pack of tobacco cigarettes and her group is continuing to try to educate local residents not to be tricked into nicotine use & addiction.

—————————————————-

An amended marijuana legalization bill was introduced on Friday by lawmakers in Albany, which more closely echoes what Governor Cuomo wanted in the bill earlier this year.  The bill includes the Office of Cannabis Management to regulate commercial and medical marijuana; it would also expunge the records of those who have committed marijuana-based offenses in the past.   Opponents to Marijuana legalization site potential issues with traffic safety and increased links to mental illnesses such as Schizophrenia & violence.

————————————————–

Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies charged 40-year-old Jeffrey Bosket of Tompkins with 2 counts of harboring a dangerous dog in violation of Agriculture and Markets Law. The charge follows an investigation where an individual was allegedly bitten by 2 dogs owned by Bosket in the Town of Tompkins. Bosket was issued tickets and was scheduled to appear before the Town of Tompkins Court at a later date to answer for the charges.

——————————————–

State Senator Fred Akshar released a new Community Voice Survey on a proposal to end religious and any other non-medical exemptions for vaccination for children attending school in New York State.  All 50 states require that students be vaccinated for diseases like measles, mumps, chicken pox and polio among many others, all states allow exemptions for medical reasons, but 47 (including New York) allow exemptions for religious reasons.   The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that measles was eradicated in 2000; however 940 measles cases were reported nationwide this year, with more than half of those reported in New York City & Rockland County.   Akshar is asking his constituents to weigh in on Senate bill S.2994 which would repeal all non-medical exemptions from vaccination requirements for children; the survey is available at Akshar.NYSenate.Gov.

—————————————————

New York State will not be funding a housing development with 64 units in Oneonta’ 6th Ward.  The RSS development announced their plans last year, with residents speaking out about the plans to have some people in the development recovering from substance abuse.  Governor Cuomo recently announced that 6 organizations in The Southern Tier would receive $21.3 million in tax credits and low-interest loans from the State Homes & Community Renewal’s 2018 Unified Funding applications; the Oneonta RSS project was not included.

The 57th General Clinton canoe regatta was held over the Memorial Day weekend, with over 1000 pro & Amateur Paddlers from 22 states & 5 Canadian Provinces participating.

The 2 person pro race was won by Steve Lajoie & Jimmy Pellerin, who completed the 70 mile course in 7:15:23, they spoke with WCDO’s Craig Stevens

(Lajoie/Pellerin 5-28)

The Duo beat 2nd place finishers Trevor LeFever of Oneonta & Ben Schlimmer of Camillus by 2 minutes, but 2nd place wasn’t easy as they beat out Guillaume Blaise & Samuel Friggone for Quebec by just 1 second, Schlimmer spoke to Craig Stevens about the close ending:

(Schlimmer 5-28)

62 year old Regatta champion Serge Corbin & his partner Normand Mainguy finished 4th in the pro race, he talked with WCDO’s Craig Stevens after the race;

(Serge Corbin 5-28)

– – – – – – – – – – – – –

The Michigan Team of Bruce & Roxanne Barton, Tim Triebold & Weston Willoughby won the C4 Race with a time of 7:37:45;  Local Paddler Bob Zaveral of Mount Upton spoke to Craig Stevens after his 4 person team finished 2nd in the C-4 race yesterday:

(Zaveral 5-28)

Walton father Son team Bill & Lucas Walley won the tough stock aluminum race by 40 minutes over the 2nd place finishers, Lucas Walley talked about racing with the heavier canoes to WCDO’s Craig Stevens:

(Lucas Walley 5-28)

Complete results can be found at canoeregatta.org.

——————————-

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce will host a FREE workforce development event today aimed at business owners and managers who are struggling to hire staff or have employees in drug and/or alcohol treatment and recovery.  Representatives from the Delaware County Probation Department, Delaware County Drug Treatment Court, CDO Workforce and the Department of Labor will participate, the session will be held at 10:00 AM at the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce at 5 1/2 Main Street, Delhi, more information is available at 746-2281.

—————————————-

Congressman Anthony Brindisi will be hosting a listening session on rising prescription drug costs in Binghamton Today.  The event will include health care professionals, seniors, and community leaders, at the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator at 120 Hawley Street at 11:30 a.m. 

—————————-

Attorney General Letitia James announced a settlement with Oneonta Elks, over their wrongful use of over $480,000 charitable assets from the estate of a benefactor whose last will and testament directed that the funds be used to help the needs of children, people with disabilities, and the elderly.   The Oneonta Elks are required to repay those funds, after the investigation determined that the Oneonta Elks repeatedly appropriated and expended almost $170,000 to pay for capital improvements to its lodge building and property, as well as covering general operating expenses, rather than for the intended purposes. 

————————————-

Jury selection began today in the corruption trial of Joseph Percoco, who was a top aide to Governor Andrew Cuomo. Percoco is charged with taking $300,000 worth of bribes from 2 companies working with the state. Prosecutors say he used his relationship with Cuomo to win those companies favorable treatment.
—————————————-
Governor Cuomo may be softening his stance against recreational marijuana against the state’s increasing economic problems, which have been made more difficult by the new Federal Tax plans:

(Cuomo 1-22-18)

The Governor made those remarks during his budget presentation earlier this month, as a way to raise revenue for the state.
————————————-
Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputy’s arrested 53-year-old Michael Rogers of Stamford for Forcible Touching & Resisting Arrest, following a report of a domestic incident in the Village of Stamford. Rogers is accused of forcibly touching another person and resisted arrest as Deputies were attempting to take him into custody. Rogers was arraigned & was remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility on $2500 cash bail or $5000 bond, pending future court action.
———————————–
Utica Police arrested 20-year-old Jason Nieves of Utica Saturday on a murder charge, for allegedly causing fatal head injuries to 7-month-old Emelina Sanchez. The infant was taken to an area hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries, Nieves has been charged with 2nd degree murder.
———————————-
Leadership Otsego is now accepting applications for the class of 2018. There will be an Informational Session on Tuesday January 30th from 4:00 to 5:30 PM at Otsego Now and Otsego County Chamber offices located at 189 Main Street Suite 500, in Oneonta. More information is available by calling the Otsego County Chamber of Commerce at 267-4010 Ext 103.
————————————

State Police arrested 59 year old Anthony Middletown of Cobourg, Ontario for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation and other traffic violations, after a trooper saw Middletown using a cellphone while he was driving in the town of Conklin. Middletown had his li9cense suspended 12 times in New York on 11 different dates, he was arraigned in the town of Conklin Court and was remanded to the Broome County Jail with no bail set. His next court date is pending.
————————————
Governor Cuomo announced the 38th annual Empire State Winter Games will kick off on Thursday, February 1 and will run until Sunday, February 4 in Lake Placid. More than 2,500 participants will compete in 17 different sports during the 3-day festival. The Games will kick off with an inaugural Torch Relay departing from New York City.
—————————————

(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.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
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.
———————————————–
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.
———————————-
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.
———————————–
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.
———————————–
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.
————————————
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.
——————————

(Listen to regatta audio in the General Clinton Canoe Regatta Audio Vault, located here)

– – – – – – – – – – – – – –

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.

———————————–

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.

—————————————-

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.

———————–

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.

—————————————-

(Congressman Gibson 5-13-13)

Group General Manager of Aerospace and Industrial Operations division and Senior Vice President of Amphenol Gary Anderson thanked the assembled dignities and the employees at Amphenol for their drive to get this project underway:

(Gary Anderson 5-13-13)

Delaware county economic development executive director Glen Nealis was sited in several speeches today, he told WCDO News where they go from here:

(Glen Nealis 5-13-13)

State Police at Norwich arrested 21-year-old Jeffrey Montgomery of South New Berlin for Driving While Intoxicated with a BAC result of .21%, well than twice the legal limit.  The arrest resulted from a traffic stop on State Route 8 in Guilford; Montgomery was issued tickets returnable in the Town of Guilford Court on May 23^rd.

The fifth annual bicycle ride for benefit of Catskill Area Hospice & Palliative Care will be held on Sunday May 26th starting in Margaretville.  The Tour de Pepacton is sponsored by the Catskill Mountain Cycling Club and the MARK Project; the race features two choices of distance, 25 around the reservoir, or 60 miles of challenging terrain.  Registration is available at USACycling.org, and click on “clubs.” scroll down until you see “Tour de Pepacton.” More information is available at 607 326-4734.
------------------------

Classes at Broome Community College have been postponed until 5:30 this afternoon.  A power outage is blamed for the cancellation; officials expect to have electricity restored later this afternoon.