State Attorney General Letitia James announced the results of a report from independent counsel Ann Clark & Joon Kim, regarding allegations of sexual harassment against Governor Cuomo:

(Letitia James 8-3-21)

Governor Cuomo issued a response Tuesday afternoon denying the charges in the report: 

(Cuomo 1)

Cuomo said that his physical presence is a misunderstood cultural tradition in his family:

(Cuomo 2)

Governor Cuomo said that he is not stepping down; Attorney General James said that next steps are up to Governor Cuomo, the State Assembly, and the general public, but her office’s investigation is considered to be over.  State Leaders from both parties are calling for the Governor Cuomo’s resignation.

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The Deadline is approaching on August 13th for Sidney Central School District to get a free backpack with school supplies, from Catholic Charites in Sidney, spokesperson Penny McKnight explains:

(Penny McKnight 8-3-21)

More information is available by calling the Catholic Charities Sidney Office in the Civic Center at 604-4071.

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The Otsego County Health Department announced 2 COVID 19 Vaccination opportunities this week at the Otsego County Fair.  The shots will be available at the Walk up EMT tent today & Friday from 12:00 Noon until 6:00 PM. More information is available by calling the Otsego County Department of Health at 547-4230

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The Catskill Symphony Orchestra announced its 2021-2022 Season is on, after a nearly 2-year hiatus. The Orchestra is partnering with Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center on Market Street in Oneonta to present 2 fall concerts & 2 spring concerts, including the popular annual Cabaret fundraiser.  For more information about the shows & tickets, visit catskillsymphony.org.

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WCDO News has learned that a motocross rider at Unadilla Valley Motocross in New Berlin died as a result of his injuries sustained in an accident at the track Sunday.  Ed Ladd of Hudson Falls New York passed away from severe injuries at Wilson Hospital in Johnson City, Ladd was an organ donor & there will be a “Hero Walk” in his honor At Wilson Hospital at 7:00 PM, those wishing to participate should be at the hospital at 6:00 PM. 

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 8-3-21

The Otsego County Fair begins today at the fairgrounds in Morris, spokesperson Lisa Jones told WCDO News about changes with their new box office:

(Lisa Jones 8-2-21)

Today is Dollar Day, with Admission Only $1.00.  The fair runs through Sunday, more information is available at Otsegocountyfair.org.

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Delaware County Public Health will have a Free Rabies Vaccination Clinic For dogs, cats and ferrets today from 6:30PM to 8:00PM at The Sidney Fire Station.  More information is available at 832-5200 or delawarecountypublichealth.com

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Organizers for the Annual “Pit Run” announced that it will be held on October 3rd in Oneonta.  The 28th Pit Run will take place as an in-person event, and they will be adhering to CDC and DOH guidelines as they unfold.  An option to participate virtually will also be available.  Money raised from the event goes for scholarships in the name of Former State Police Investigator Rick Parisian of Oneonta, who died while trying to stop an armed robbery.  More information & registration is available at runsignup.com.

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The Sidney Elks Lodge annual Looking Back Car Show & Chicken Barbecue will return this year, on Saturday August 7th behind the Lodge at 104 River Street in Sidney.  Spokesperson Lori Lang explains;

(Lori Lang 7-22-21)

The event will run from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM on August 7th, many area businesses are sponsoring this year’s effort, which missed last year due to the COVID shutdown.

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The Boards of Directors for the Chenango United Way and the United Way of Delaware and Otsego Counties have unanimously approved the formal affiliation of the 2 agencies today with the intent to complete an application for merger in the first quarter of 2022.  Chenango United Way Executive Director Elizabeth Monaco explains:

(Elizabeth Monaco 7-22-21)

Monaco said that the affiliated organization will serve approximately 153,000 people across the 3-county region and will continue to maintain a physical presence in Norwich and Oneonta where its offices are currently located.

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State Attorney General Letitia James is proposing a $26 billion agreement to give relief to those struggling with opioid addiction.  James said that the move would resolve claims against some of the nation’s biggest opioid distributors over their roles in creating and fueling the opioid epidemic.   New York communities that have been affected will get up to $1.5 billion to fund prevention, treatment, and recovery programs.  The agreement also requires industry changes to end the opioid epidemic and preventing similar situations from occurring in the future.

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Governor Cuomo signed legislation raising the age of consent to be married in New York State to 18. This new measure builds upon legislation eliminating child marriage that the Governor signed in 2017 by removing the ability for 17-year-olds to be married with parental and judicial consent.  The legislation takes effect 30 days after becoming law and will apply to licenses issued after that date and marriages that had not been solemnized prior to that date.

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A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 7-22-21

Delaware County Public Health will be conducting a Single dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccination clinic today at the Union Grove Distillery in Arkville from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon.  The vaccination clinic is open to people over the age of 18.   No appointment or pre-registration needed, walk-ins only.  For more information, call Delaware County Public Health at 607-832-5200.

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Governor Cuomo announced today that travelers from Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Maryland and Montana will no longer have to self-quarantine for 14 days when arriving in New York.  The U.S. territory of Guam was added to the states quarantine list, the full list can be found at coronavirus.health.ny.gov.

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The Federal EPA is planning to complete the clean-up of the GCL Tie & Treating plant in Sidney that closed over 26 years ago, and was included on the Federal Superfund site in 1994.  The plant was contaminated by creosote, which was used to treat railroad ties, the owners abandoned the business & the creosote contaminated groundwater.  The EPA will hold an online public meeting September 3rd at 7 PM at Eventbrite.com.

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Chenango County Public Health released their latest COVID 19 statistics this morning.  They report that they are up to 223 total confirmed cases since March, there are 84 people in quarantine, 1 is hospitalized, there have been 7 deaths, 200 recoveries, & over 21,300 tests have been performed.

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The Broome County Health Department announced that they were up to 1165 COVID 19 cases, with 75 deaths, 1009 recoveries, 536 are being monitored by the department. They have conducted over 35,700 tests.

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The Broome County Sheriff’s Office arrested 27 year old Ridge McCollum of Whitney point following an investigation into the report of a car in a ditch in Windsor.  Deputies accuse McCollum of trying to ingest cocaine that was discovered by sheriff’s deputies during their investigation.  McCollum was charged with tampering with physical evidence, DWI, Criminal Possession of a controlled substance & obstructing governmental administration, he faces court action at a later date.

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Oneonta Fire Fighters responded to a garage fire on Railroad Avenue at about 4:00 this morning.  Early reports indicated that there were 3 vehicles inside; WCDO NEWS will have more information as it becomes available.

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Attorney General Letitia James today announced an $85 million multistate settlement with American Honda Motor Company over allegations that Honda concealed safety failures in the airbags of certain Honda and Acura vehicles sold in the United States. The settlement was reached between a coalition of 48 attorneys general and Honda & it concludes a multistate investigation into Honda’s alleged failure to inform regulators and consumers of issues related to the frontal airbag systems installed in certain model cars, which resulted in at least 14 deaths and over 200 injuries in the United States alone.   Customers can learn about the class action settlement at AutoAirbagSettlement.com or visit Honda’s airbag recall website at HondaAirbagInfo.com.

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The Otsego County Health Department announced that they will hold another free COVID 19 testing on Thursday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 NOON at the former “Greenies” site on state route 7 in Otego, near the Unatego school campus.  This testing site is for people who are not sick but want to be tested by a nasal swab.  This is a drive up testing site. Individuals will be required to remain in their vehicle and wear a mask when pulling up to the testing tent.  This testing site is for Otsego County residents only who preregister by calling 547-4279.

A.M. NEWS Tuesday 8-25-20

State Police arrested 48 year old Robert Gregory of Oneonta for 3 counts of Forcible Touching, 3 counts of Sexual Abuse and 2 counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child.  An investigation was opened when the parents of two victims under the age of 17 contacted State Police, an investigation revealed that Gregory allegedly made inappropriate sexual comments and forcibly touched the intimate parts of 2 under aged victims. Gregory was virtually arraigned and remanded to the Otsego County Jail on $500 cash bail or $1,000 bond.  The judge issued orders of protections to each of the victims.

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Governor Cuomo issued an executive order that requires county boards of elections to be ready for the changes in voting in the November elections.  The executive order requires county boards of elections to Send a mailing outlining all deadlines for voters by Tuesday, September 8, Send staffing plans and needs to the State Board of Elections by September 20th so they can assist them in ensuring adequate coverage, make sure that boards are ready to count votes and reconcile affidavit and absentee ballots by 48 hours after elections & Provide an option for New Yorkers to vote absentee in village, town and special district elections.

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Delaware County received no new positive test result for COVID-19 since Friday, 1 additional recovery has been reported. The known active cases in the County as of today is 3, all are recovering at home. To date there have been 101 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Delaware County, with 29 people now under mandatory quarantine, 6 people have died and 92 have fully recovered.

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The Cancer Services Program’s mobile screening coach will be at the Oneonta Southside Mall, Today from 9:00am to 2:30pm to provide NO COST mammograms and Pap tests to women 40 and over, more information is available at 1-888-345-0225.

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Chenango County Public Health released their latest COVID 19 statistics today.  They remain at 212 cases, with 134 Active Quarantines, 1 Active Hospitalization, 189 Recoveries, 7 deaths & a Total of 17,454 Tests Performed.

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The Broome County Health Department added 14 more positive cases of COVID 19 today, bringing their total since March TO 1043.  They no report 70 deaths, 848 recoveries, & 678 are being monitored by the Department; they have conducted over 30,300 tests.

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Governor Cuomo officially became the chairman of the National Governor’s Association Wednesday, replacing Governor Larry Hogan of Maryland.  Cuomo served as Vice-Chairman under Hogan, he is the 1st New York Governor to become the Chairman of the Association, and Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson becomes the new Vice Chairman of the Association.

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State Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit seeking to dissolve the National Rifle Association for the illegal diversion of millions of dollars away from the mission of the organization for personal use by senior leadership, awarding contracts to the financial gain of close associates and family, trips to the Bahamas, private jets, expensive meals, and other private travel, the lawsuit seeks to shut down the NRA & recoup millions in lost assets and to stop the Wayne LaPierre & 3 other defendants from serving on the board of any not-for-profit charitable organization in New York again.

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Casinos, Racinos Gyms and several other businesses have still not been given the go-ahead to re-open, when the last regions of the state reached Phase 4 a few weeks ago.  Todd Chandler is the Assistant General Manager & Regional Director of Marketing for Tioga Downs; he told WCDO News that they have taken all the precautions for reopening:

(Todd Chandler 8-6-20)

Chandler said that they have invested heavily in every type of disinfecting equipment and gear for the facilities & staff; he said that if they do not reopen by October 1st, the furloughed employees would officially become unemployed.

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The State Division of Consumer Protection issued guidance to New Yorkers about Census takers who will be visiting homes that haven’t yet responded to the Census beginning this week.   The Office for New Americans is also hosting a Census Hotline Phone Bank Event this afternoon from 2:00 to 4:00 PM to provide information and answer questions about the Census.  The Hotline can be reached at 1-800-566-7636.

Delaware County Public Health received no new positive test results for COVID-19 Wednesday and 1 additional recovery has been reported. The known active cases in the County is now 1. To date there have been 96 confirmed positive cases, with 19 people under mandatory quarantine, 1 person is isolated at home, 6 people have died and 89 have fully recovered.

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NYSEG announced that the company made significant progress in restoring power to customers impacted by the Tropical Storm.  More than 1,900 out of the total 21,151 impacted customers in the company’s Liberty division, which includes Delaware County, are without power. The company expects to restore 95% of customers impacted in the division by 11 p.m. tonight.

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The Otsego County Health Department announces  free testing for COVID 19 on Today  from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon in the Town of Worcester Municipal Building at 19 Katie Lane.  This testing site is for people who are not sick, but want to be tested, by the nasal swab method.   This is a drive up testing site. Individuals will be required to remain in their vehicle and wear a mask when pulling up to the testing tent.  This testing site is for Otsego County residents only; registration is requested at 547-4279.

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(Cuomo 5-8-20)

Governor Cuomo also said that Professional Sports teams should start thinking about getting ready for play, in empty stadiums, if that is economically feasible, he also said that Courts may start reopening as well.

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The Capital District still needs more Contact Tracers, in order to be added to the 1st phase of the reopening of several types of businesses.  People can apply at careers-pcgus.icims.com/jobs.

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State Attorney General Letitia James announced that due to the continuing Coronavirus issue, the state has again renewed an order to halt the collection of medical and student debt owed to the State of New York that was specifically referred to the Office of the Attorney General for collection for an additional 30-day period through June 16th.   After this 30-day period, the Office of the Attorney General will reassess the needs of state residents for another possible extension.

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The State Health Department announced that 1,250 new cases of the Coronavirus were discovered Sunday; bring the state to over 351,000 cases.  Hospitalizations from the virus are decreasing to about 6100, another 106 people died Sunday, and the state death toll is at 22,729.

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The Broome County Health Department announced 9 new cases of the Coronavirus today, bringing their total to 419; they also had 2 more deaths, bring their death toll to 30.  292 have recovered & 289 are being monitored by the Health Department

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Bassett Healthcare Network has established a new dedicated emotional support helpline, 607-322-0157. The helpline is available 24/7 and provides free, confidential support to help callers experiencing increased anxiety, a sense of being overwhelmed, depression or similar feelings during this pandemic. Trained mental health professionals staff the emotional support helpline and if needed, they can connect the caller with follow-up professional help after the initial counseling call.

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The State Health Department is investigating more than 100 cases of the effect of the Coronavirus on children, after 3 children died & several others presented with a different set of symptoms, including blood vessel & Heart inflammation, Governor Cuomo said that they will continue the studies before opening summer camps for children.

(Cuomo Children)

The State Labor Department has put together a new feature in their streamlined unemployment process to get the last group of people who filed for unemployment to finally get their benefits, Secretary to the Governor Melissa DeRosa explains:

(DeRosa Unemployment)

The State Health Department announced Sunday that they now have over 350,000 positive Coronavirus cases.  Hospitalizations were down to about 6000 Sunday, the state death toll is 22,619 since March.

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Another American Red Cross blood drive is being held in Oneonta today.  All Blood types are needed, the blood drive will be held at the Elm Park Methodist Church from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM, appointment are requested at redcrossblood.org, or 1-800-red cross.

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Delaware County is reporting 1 new case of COVID-19 Sunday and no additional recoveries. The known active cases in the County is now 9. To date there have been 65 confirmed positive cases, with an 4 people under mandatory quarantine and 2 people under precautionary quarantine, 3 are in a hospital, 6 are recovering at home, 4 people are deceased and 52 have fully recovered.

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Chenango County Public Health announced Monday that they are up to 117 positive cases for COVID-19.  There are 43 people in Quarantine, 4 are hospitalized, and there have been 82 Recoveries, 4 deaths and 1903 Tests Performed.

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Broome County Health Department announced Sunday that they are up to 410 positive Coronavirus tests; they have 292 recoveries, 28 deaths, & 275 patients being monitored by the Health Department.

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