The Afton Arts & Crafts Festival will be held this weekend, August 19th & 20th in Downtown Afton, Spokesperson Judy Hinman told WCDO News about the event:

(Judy Hinman 8-14-23)

Hinman said that the bands will be performing each day after the event, more information is available at the Afton Arts and Crafts Festival Facebook page.

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Sidney Police are investigating a round of thefts of cash & items from vehicles, most recently around Willow Street Friday. Sidney Police Chief Eric Oliver comments:

(Chief Oliver 8-14-23)

Chief Oliver said that there could be an arrest relating to vehicle thefts shortly, he also said that people should not leave any valuables in their vehicles in plain sight.

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NBT Bancorp announced that it completed the merger of Salisbury Bancorp, with and into NBT on Friday. The Merger added 13 banking offices to the NBT franchise in complementary markets, including northwestern Connecticut, the Hudson Valley region of New York and southwestern Massachusetts. NBT Bank now has 153 banking offices across its 7-state footprint.

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SUNY Oneonta will welcome more than 5,000 students for the fall semester, including more than 1,600 new students. New students will move in Wednesday, Aug. 23, Thursday, Aug. 24, and Friday, Aug. 25, followed by returning students over the weekend on Aug. 26 and 27. Classes will begin Monday, Aug. 28.

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The Bainbridge Chamber of Commerce will hold their next General Membership Meeting Tuesday Morning in Bainbridge. The meeting will begin at 7:30 AM in the back of Bob’s Diner.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 8-14-23

Chenango County Sheriff’s Office received on August 8th for a call of shots fired at a residence along State Highway 220 in the Town of Smithville, 49 year old April Chandler of Endicott was charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon, Reckless Endangerment and Menacing. Chandler was processed and arraigned & was released & was ordered to return to the Town of Smithville Court at a later date. An order of protection has been issued for the victim. The investigation is ongoing, and more charges may be filed.

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U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was at Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown Sunday, as she talked with local leaders & members of the New York State Craft Brewers Association regarding the upcoming Federal Farm Bill. The craft beer industry currently has an economic impact of $3.4 billion with almost 20,000 full time jobs in New York.

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Commerce Chenango’s “Taste of Chenango” Event Saturday at the Chenango County Fairgrounds in Norwich went extremely well, according to Commerce Chenango CEO & President Sal Testani:

(Sal Testani 8-1-23)

Testani said that they were hoping to get about 1000 to the event, their estimates suggest that about 3000 people attended the event.

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The Village of Sidney Police Department announced that K9 Riggs has become certified to sniff out crime in Sidney, Chief Eric Oliver explains:

(Chief Oliver 8-1-23)

Chief Oliver said that initial testing with Riggs prior to certification went well, and they are looking forward to working with K9 Riggs to positively effect slowing down the drug crimes in the village.

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Hospice & Palliative Care of Chenango County has a new fundraiser underway through October, spokesperson Sarah Greene told WCDO News about “100 for Hope”:

(Sarah Greene 8-1-23)

Tickets can be purchased by calling 607-334-3556 or going to their offices at Court Street in Downtown Norwich.

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Chenango County Department of Public Health announced a new permanent building at the Chenango County Fairgrounds at 168 East Main Street in Norwich. The new office is next to the Emergency Services Building, it will also serve as a location for other events and activities, such as drive-through shot clinics, rabies clinics, and community educational events. The new structure was placed at the fairground on July 17th. additional information may contact the Chenango County Health Department at (607) 337-1660.

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The CDC reports that Pennsylvania is 1st & New York State 2nd for reported cases of tick-borne diseases. The CDC report said that in New York, the most common tick-borne illness is Lyme disease, which can cause flu-like symptoms, joint pain, fatigue, and, if left untreated, severe complications. The CDC suggest that those hiking in wooded areas should be fully clothed with footwear that covers the entire foot, they also suggest using EPA-approved insect repellent on any exposed skin and clothing and follow instructions

A.M. NEWS Tuesday 8-1-23

Delaware County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest 46 year old Renee Bueller of New Kingston for DWI, following an investigation into a motor vehicle accident in the Town of Middletown, where the operator left the scene. Deputies located Bueller, who was charged with DWI, leaving the scene of a property damage accident, moved from lane unsafely, speed not reasonable and prudent and failing to remove debris from a highway. Bueller was subsequently released on appearance tickets and directed to appear at the Town of Middletown court at a later date to answer for the charge.

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The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive in Edmeston today from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Pathfinder Village, to make an appointment, simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS

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Fire Investigators in Chenango County are continuing their investigation into what started the fire that Destroyed the Silo Restaurant in Greene early Sunday Morning, Silo Owner Gary Kurz told WCDO News what he was told so far:

(Gary Kurz 11-30-21)

Kurz told WCDO News that he was ready to sign papers this week to turn the ownership of the restaurant over; instead he will talk with his insurance company & also try to help the 35 employees at the SIlo, who now find themselves unemployed.

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Today is “Giving Tuesday” a day where people are encouraged to donate to their favorite charities, Commerce Chenango President & CEO Kerri Green explains:

(Kerri Green 11-30-21)

Green said that early reports from Chenango County businesses is that they were busy & did well on “Small Business Saturday” this past Saturday, many businesses are anticipating a return to activity like they had prior to the pandemic.

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The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce held it 1st steering committee meeting recently as they try to implement a “Micro-Transit” plan to get Delaware County residents to & from Delaware County jobs, Chamber President Ray Pucci explains:

(Ray Pucci 11-30-21)

Pucci said that they are working with Getthere New York to try to implement a micro transit system similar but different than current Ride Sharing systems in place around the county, to accommodate Delaware County’s rural nature.

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Long Island Democratic Congressman Tom Suozzi announced that he is running for New York Governor in 2022. Suozzi becomes the 4th Democrat to announce a run for Governor, following current Governor Kathy Hochul, Attorney General Letitia James & New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. Suozzi has been a congressman since 2016, he recently ruened down an invitation to Join the administration of the next New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

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Local car dealers have been having issues with people stealing Catalytic Coverters off of the bottom of the cars they have for sale, Sidney Police Chief Eric Oliver comments about the recent crimes & what local residents can do:

(Sidney Police Chief Eric Oliver 11-30-21)

Chief Oliver said that while some of the dealerships are technically out of their jurisdiction, they still patrol that area, and they work cooperatively with the State Police & local Sheriff’s Departments if an issue arises.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 11-30-21

Delaware County Public Health continues to see a high positivity rate of COVID 19, 12.08% of all tested Saturday through Monday have the virus, there were 76 new cases, there are 202 active cases, 14 hospitalized & 218 quarantined. 53.2 of Delaware County Residents are fully vaccinated, 80% of the positive cases are unvaccinated.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies responded on November 16th, to a two car accident on County Highway 11 in the Town of Davenport. Deputies determined that one of the drivers, 29-year-old Eli Stapleton was driving with a suspended driver’s license. Stapleton was subsequently arrested and charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operator of a Motor Vehicle, he was released and is scheduled to appear at the Davenport Town Court at a later date.

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The American Red Cross urges eligible blood donors to give blood at their next community blood drive. 2 Blood Drives are being held locally today, one at the Garrattsville Fire Department from 1:00 to 6:00 PM, & another at the Sidney Elks Lodge on River Street from 2:00 to 6:00 PM, Appointments can be made with the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

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Attorney General Letitia James today released her annual “Pennies for Charity: Fundraising by Professional Fundraisers” report, which found that charities that retained professional fundraisers received about two-thirds of every dollar donated in 2020, earning more than $380 million. After analyzing 718 campaigns conducted by professional fundraisers in 2020, the report concludes that charities earned 73% of donations from those campaigns, a small increase from the previous year and in line with the last 4 years’ results.

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(Sidney Police Chief Eric Oliver 2-13-20)

Officer Parry will also be receiving the American Red Cross Real Heroes award later this year for his action in November.

State Police arrested 19 year old Lucian Decker of New Berlin for 2 counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child.   Troopers were dispatched to a domestic dispute in the town of Pittsfield; Decker is accused of slapping & kicking an infant & another victim that didn’t want to press charges.    Decker was arraigned; an order of protection was issued for the victim.

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Following the murder of Upstate resident, 17-year-old Bianca Devins in Utica, and the dissemination of graphic images, Congressman Anthony Brindisi convened a meeting of members of Congress and Social Media representatives from Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google, Reddit, and Tumblr, regarding the companies content moderation policies.  22 Year old Brandon Clark posted pictures on social media platforms of Devin’s deceased body after he killed her in Utica last July.

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Governor Cuomo stood with environmental leaders today to discuss the need to pass the $3 Billion Restore Mother Nature Bond Act in the State Budget; he first mentioned the proposal in the State of the State address in January:

(Cuomo 2-13-20)

If approved by the voters in November, the Bond Act would fund environmental restoration projects across the state to ensure New York is able to withstand the threat of more intense and frequent storms fueled by climate change.

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State Police arrested 2 juveniles, ages 14 and 17 for Burglary and Grand Larceny.  Troopers were dispatched on February 5th to the 14-year-old’s residence after the teen’s family reported that the juvenile had left home some time overnight, possibly with a 17-year-old who was also reported missing.  Troopers discovered that a vehicle was missing from the town of Morris & that the 14 and 17-year-old teens allegedly stole it & drove to Lafayette to pick up another minor.  The teens were found in Cortland and taken into custody.   The 17-year-old was arraigned and released to Otsego County DSS.  The 14-year-old was issued a family court appearance ticket.

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The Delaware County Sheriff’s Department has called a press conference for tomorrow morning in Sidney, regarding the recent seizure of 20 dogs from a town of Franklin Property, the dogs were used for illegal dog fighting, and more details will be released Friday.

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State Police announced that 23 year old Christian Wilson of Endicott was arrested twice, on February 4th in Cortland County & February 11th in Tioga County.   State Police arrested Wilson on the 4th for Criminal Possession of Stolen Property & Criminal Mischief after an investigation of a man wearing only black plastic garbage bags entered a home & left the area, he also allegedly wrecked a car nearby that was reported stolen from Broome County.  On February 11th State Police arrested Wilson for Criminal Trespass for being at a property in the town of Nichols where he did not belong. Wilson was released on an appearance tickets both times.

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Local State Senator Jen Metzger announced yesterday that fellow Senate Majority Democrats are working to give judges the ability to set bail on a number of charges, following multiple problems around the state, after the passage of a controversial package of Bail reforms.  There have been several instances of someone being released on an appearance ticket for a serious crime, and immediately committing another crime.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 40 year old Mohamed Mursal of Minneapolis, Minnesota with one count of Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, as well as traffic violations for operating a motor vehicle with inadequate head lights and operating a motor vehicle in excess of the allowed gross vehicle weight. The arrest occurred as a result of an investigation into disabled Commercial Vehicle on Rathbun Hill Road in the Town of Davenport. Mursal was arraigned at the Town of Kortright court and was released on his own recognizance.  Mursal is scheduled to appear before the Town of Davenport Court at a later date to answer the charges.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 42 year old Daniel Berry of Woodbourne for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, as well Operating a motor vehicle without a required Ignition Interlock Device, Unlicensed Operator, and Inadequate headlights following a traffic stop on State Highway 28 in the Town of Middletown. Berry was later released on ticket, and is scheduled to appear before the Town of Middletown Court at a later date.

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