Chenango County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant in the Town of Smithville on December 8, that resulted in the arrest of 37 year old Troy Dibble of Smithville. Dibble was taken in custody, he was wanted on a felony arrest warrant for Reckless Endangerment, for allegedly firing numerous rounds from a handgun into a vehicle that was occupied. The investigation also uncovered Dibble’s drug sales from within the residence, Office members recovered Heroin, Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and numerous handguns. Dibble was charged with Criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal possession of stolen property, criminal possession of a weapon, Criminally using drug paraphernalia, resisting arrest & several other charges, he was arraigned & was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on cash bail pending future court action.

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A new federal charge was filed Monday against 28 year old Mufid Alkhader, who is accused of firing a shotgun outside a synagogue in Albany. Alkhader was arrested Thursday for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, he was additionally charged Monday with conspiracy to make a false statement during the purchase of a firearm, he was not eligible to buy a firearm because of a previous protective order, so he had a friend buy the shotgun on his behalf. Alkhader is being held without bail.

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Donations are being submitted to the family of Jose Martinez, who died in the fire at on Colfax Avenue in Binghamton Friday Night. Martinez died as a result of the fire, also 1 firefighter was injured when he fell 5 feet and dislocated a shoulder. over 150 people have donated to a go fund me page for the Martinez family to cover funeral expenses.

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2024 could bring a host of new laws next year in Albany, Local Assemblyman Joe Angelino told WCDO News that he is concerned about the pro-criminal and anti-police attitude of some of his New York City Colleagues:

(Angelino 12-12-23)

Angelino said that he felt that the new Clean Slate bill was unnecessary as there was already a mechanism to have criminal records expunged through the courts for those who have stayed out of trouble after jail, and he felt that the adjustments to the Bail Reform Laws have had little consequence.

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The State Office of Cannabis Management has issued a recall on “Jenny’s Zee Zee Gummies” adult-use cannabis product.” The recall states that the products did not undergo the required testing for consumer safety and product quality. the product in question was sold between September 4th and November 1st, consumers should contact the dispensary where it was purchased for more information.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 12-12-23

Otsego County Sheriff’s Office announced that the investigation into Saturday’s gas explosion on Richards Avenue in Oneonta is still ongoing, and following acquiring information from examination of the scene, interviews, and forensic examinations, they concluded that an action by the resident, 60 year old Desmond Moan resulted in a non-intended natural gas leak, The escaping gases made contact with an ignition source which resulted in the explosion. Inspections and damage assessment is still ongoing, but currently there has been over 50 property parcels, and over 60 residents and their families affected. Initially 43 residents were displaced. The American Red Cross is working with the families providing community resources and services, The State of Emergency remains in effect.

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NYSEG reports that about 600 customers are still without power in Delaware & Otsego Counties, following Sunday’s heavy rain & snowfall., crews are working to restore power as soon as possible.

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The State Police announced it had the highest Trooper candidate processing turnout in over a decade. Over 1,100 candidates attended processing weekend. Trooper candidate processing took place at the New York State Police Academy in Albany, on the weekend of December 2. Candidates can learn about becoming a New York State Trooper and sign up to take the exam today at joinstatepolice.ny.gov. Applications are being accepted until March 4, 2024.

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On December 3, 2023, Delaware County Sheriffs Deputies observed a vehicle in a field and observed a person running with a flashlight toward the vehicle. Deputies identified the person with the flashlight as the operator of the motor vehicle as 34 year old Michael Hunter of Walton, who is accused of driving while under the influence of alcohol, he was charged with DWI and moving from lane unsafely. The property that Hunter was on was owned by New York City Department of Environmental Protection, DEP Police charged Hunter with Trespass & Criminal Mischief, Hunter will appear in Andes Town Court at a later date.

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Commerce Chenango announced that their next Business after hours event will be hosted today as a Leadership Chenango Business After Hours recruitment for the Class of 2024 Recruitment. The event will be held at the Commerce Chenango Community Room, 15 South Broad Street, Norwich, from 4:00-6:00 PM

The village of Cooperstown will receive $4.5 Million Dollars as one of the Mohawk Valley Winners of 1st Round of New York Forward Program. Cooperstown seeks to revitalize historic facades, enhance infrastructure, renovate buildings and assist in the creation of downtown apartment-style housing with the funding.

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The House Ethics Committee announced Thursday it is launching an investigation into embattled Republican Congressman George Santos, who admitted to lying & embellishing his resume while running for Congress last year. Santos is being investigated for unlawful activity in his 2022 congressional campaign, since he was inaugurated, Santos removed himself from his committee assignments, this week, local 19th District Congressman Marc Molinaro said that he feels that Santos needs to step down, he join fellow New York Republican congressional members who announced that they would vote to kick Santos out of Congress.

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The State DEC announced the 2022 hunting season tied 2021 for being the safest-ever year. There were a total of 9 accidental shootings recorded in 2022, with 1 fatality. After analyzing the shootings, the DEC found all shooters had an average 30 years of hunting experience. every incident would have been prevented if those hunters followed the correct safety rules as taught in Safety courses.

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The State Department of Public Service is continuing to follow up on thousands of complaints that New York State Electric and Gas and their sister company Rochester Gas and Electric regarding their billing issues last year, where customers reported double billing or the doubling of the amount of a monthly bill, as well as long waits trying to reach customer service by phone. Public hearing in the affected areas will be announced shortly, The investigation into NYSEG and RG&E is still ongoing.

A.M. NEWS 3-3-23

A Neil Young Tribute band will be coming to the Foothills Performing Arts Center in oneonta This weekend, spokesman Geoff Doyle explains:

(GEOFF DOYLE 3-3-23)

Tickets and more information about this & future events can be found at their website foothillspac.org.

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The Chenango Arts Council will have the Ryan Clan performing this weekend at the Martin W. Kappel Theater in Norwich, spokesperson Mary Beth Miller explains:

(Mary Beth Miller 3-3-23)

Tickets & More information about future shows & events are available at chenangoarts.org.

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The State Office of Cannabis Management is doubling the number of retail dispensary licenses from 150 to 300 statewide. The office announced the decision after 900 applications were submitted.

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The 55th annual Binghamton St. Patrick Day’s parade returns to downtown tomorrow. City officials announced that 5 bagpipe bands will march tomorrow, Binghamton Police will be enforcing open container laws, thousands of spectators are anticipated.

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Otsego County Department of Health & the CDC recommends that everyone who is not fully vaccinated to contact their Health Care Provder & complete the polio vaccination series as soon as possible, especially children. In Otsego County, only 80.4% of 2 year olds are recorded as having the recommended doses of polio vaccine, locally, Delaware County has a vaccination rate of 89.4%, and Schoharie County 88.8%. So far, 8 polio cases are being investigated in Rockland, Sullivan and Orange Counties.

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The 7th Annual Binghamton Porchfest returns this Sunday, from 12:00 noon to 7:00 PM. Porchfest invites thousands of community members each summer for a free afternoon of live music performed from the residential porches, stoops, this year 165 local and regional bands and 59 host locations will participate. Food vendors and restroom locations will be set up and a free shuttle service is available throughout Binghamton’s West End neighborhood.

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The State Office of Cannabis Management announced that the State has begun accepting applications for the first adult-use cannabis retail dispensary licenses. The 1st legal retail dispensaries will be operated by those most impacted by the enforcement of the prohibition of cannabis, and those first sales will be made with products grown by New York farmers. New York’s recreational cannabis market is expected to reach $4.2 billion by 2027 and to create up to 60,000 jobs.

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The J/C Cruise In Car Show will be held at the Unadilla Drive In Saturday, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. trophies will be awarded in a variety of categories, more information is available at 845-332-4144.

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The Broome County Health Department reports a continuing increase in Overdoses in 2022, with 54 fatal overdoses & 333 Non fatal overdoses from January to this week. Broome County had as many as 76 fatal overdoses in 2016, the number was down to 32 in 2018, but the number of cases has increased every year since, with 54 last year. More information is available at gobroomecounty.com/boac.

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A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 8-26-22

Delaware County Public Health’s Children & Youth with Special Health Care Needs program is sponsoring Art in the Park, hosted by The Oneonta World of Learning, tomorrow from 1:00 pm to 4:00 PM, at 167 Youngs Road in Oneonta. More information is available by calling Oneonta World of Learning at 607-353-9503.

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3rd Annual Windsor Partnership Corn Festival & Tractor Show will be held tomorrow at Klumpp Park in Windsor. The event runs from 12:00 Noon until 5:00 PM, admission is free, but a canned good donation will be accepted for Windsor’s Human Development Food Pantry, more information is available at WindsorPartners.org.

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69 year old Michael Murray of Sidney was arrested and charged yesterday with possessing child pornography. Murray allegedly possessed child pornography images and videos on his phone, he appeared in federal Court and was detained pending further proceedings, Murray could face 10 to 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 5 years and up to life, if convicted.

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Joshua Taylor was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the July 15, 2015 murder of James High. Taylor was found guilty of 2nd degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon killing High on Chenango Street in Binghamton outside of a bar. Taylor was convicted previously in 2017 but was granted a new trial by the New York State Appellate Division after ruling that the jury received insufficient instructions regarding circumstantial evidence.

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Governor Kathy Hochul signed a package of legislation Wednesday to address workplace harassment and discrimination. One of the bills will require the Division of Human Rights to establish a toll-free confidential hotline for complaints of workplace sexual harassment, another bill establishes the release of personnel records to discredit victims of workplace discrimination counts as a retaliatory action under the Human Rights Law.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 40 year old Ramon Ortiz of Queens for promoting prison contraband. Ortiz is accused of possessing contraband within his body while confined as an inmate at the Delaware County Correctional Facility. A Search Warrant was obtained and Ortiz was transported to Bassett Hospital to verify and facilitate the medical removal of tobacco concealed in a body cavity, Ortiz taken to Town of Kortright Court for arraignment and was released on his own recognizance, to appear in the Town of Delhi Court on a later date to answer the charge. Ortiz remains incarcerated on the unrelated federal charge.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 39 year old Martin Planty of Walton for violating the terms of an Order of Protection. Planty is accused of electronically contacted the protected party on an Order of Protection twice, while incarcerated in the Delaware County Correctional Facility, he was charged with 2 counts of Criminal Contempt & he was issued an appearance ticket returnable to the Town of Walton Court on a later date. He remains incarcerated at the Delaware County Correctional Facility on an unrelated charge.

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A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 3-17-22

US. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who is the chair of the Subcommittee on Personnel, conducted a hearing Wednesday on the negative health effects of burn pits on military veterans. Gillibrand said Wednesday that if they served, they should be covered & treated:

(Gillibrand 3-17-22)

Senator Gillibrand’s “Presumptive Benefits for War Fighters Exposed to Burn Pits and Other Toxins Act” passed in the House of Representatives two weeks ago as part of the Honoring our PACT Act, she is working to get it passed in the Senate.

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State and local law enforcement agencies across New York will be stepping up patrols and targeting impaired driving before, during and after St. Patrick’s Day. The enforcement campaign will run through Sunday, During the 2021 campaign, law enforcement throughout the state issued 47,349 tickets for vehicle and traffic law violations, including 1,403 arrests for DWI.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s deputies arrrested 69-year-old Harvey Sandig of Stamford for driving with a suspended license. On March 10th, Deputies observed a vehicle traveling on State Highway 23 in the Town of Kortright, at a high rate of speed. Sandig was stopped, the investigation revealed that his driving privileges were suspended for failure to answer a previous summons & there was an active warrant for Sandig’s arrest issued by the Village of Sidney Court for failure to appear. Sandig was charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle an d speeding, he was issued Tickets returnable to the Town of Kortright Court, he was turned over to Village of Sidney Police Department for the Arrest Warrant.

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Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the opening of the web-based application portal for hemp farmers seeking to obtain a conditional license to grow cannabis in the 2022 growing season. The license was made possible by a law the Governor signed last month. The portal was opened this week by the New York State Office of Cannabis Management, it allows hemp farmers to apply at businessexpress.ny.gov.

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HELIOS CARE of Oneonta will have a new program,”The Art of Bereavement” in which grieving individuals will using art to explore grief and loss. The 5 part series will be run by 2 facilitators, one of them is Jessica Weeden , who told WCDO News about the program:

(Jessica Weeden 3-17-22)

The Art of Bereavement sessions run from 10:30 am until 12:00 pm, The event is free, and registration is required by calling (607) 432-5525 by March 25th.

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The State Division of Consumer Protection assisted 21,855 New Yorkers with a variety of consumer protection matters in 2021, resulting in a record $2,918,025 being returned to consumers’ wallets; the top five areas for complaints relate to errors in delivery, insufficient refunds, defective products, online scams, and COVID cancellations.

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Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the launch of an initiative to expand and create child care centers across all SUNY campuses for students and faculty. The initiative includes the distribution of $4.5 million in federal and state funding to support current centers, & a program to train the next generation of child care professionals, SUNY universities receiving funding locally include; SUNY Broome, SUNY Cobleskill, SUNY Cortland, SUNY Delhi, & SUNY Oneonta.

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The Northeast Classic Car Museum is raffling off a 1965 Mustang Convertible this year. The drawing will be held on Wednesday, October 12th, in the Lobby of the Museum on Rexford Street in Norwich. The raffle is open to U.S. residents age 18+. Official Rules are available at classiccarmuseum.org.

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The State Police are looking to recruit people to become part of the New York State Police Family. Troop C Commanding officer Jeffrey VanAuken told WCDO News that the process to join is easier than ever:

(Major Jeffrey VanAuken 2-10-22)

Major Van Auken said that the State Police currently have specialized units such as the Special Operation Response team, Underwater recovery Team, positions in forensics, canine handlers & even a snowmobile unit for extreme winter issues.

A.M. NEWS MONDAY 3-14-22

Oneonta Police reported that the investigation into the death on January 27th, of 20-year-old, SUNY Oneonta Student Tyler Lopresti-Castro continues. There remains no indication of a crime being committed and the investigation is being conducted as a suspicious death. Lopresti-Castro left a party in the center city around midnight, cell phone data collected indicates he was on foot in the neighborhood where he was living in an apartment. Preliminary findings indicate alcohol and caffeine were present in Tyler Lopresti-Castro, but his actual blood alcohol concentration was unknown in the hours before his discovery. The public is encouraged to contact the Oneonta Police Detectives with any additional information at (607) 432-1111.

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State Police reported that 1 person was killed in a single-car crash on Route 11 in Kirkwood Thursday morning. State Police identified the victim as 30-year-old Eric Marks of Conklin. Troopers were dispatched to the crash around 10:15 am. an investigation showed that Marks was traveling southeast when he left the roadway, struck a culvert, went into a ditch, struck a tree and then came to a rest in the ditch.

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The New York Office of Cannabis Management announced Thursday the first 100 cannabis retail licenses will be awarded to those with previous marijuana convictions. Also, hemp farmers will be able to start growing cannabis in the summer, supply of products will be seen in the fall, and retail stores will be open by the end of the year.

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State Police arrested 29 year old Brandon Hilts of Cherry Valley for 2nd degree Assault, Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, Unlawful Imprisonment, Criminal Mischief, Menacing, Reckless Endangerment and Criminal Obstruction of Breathing. Troopers were dispatched to a report of a domestic dispute in a vehicle in the town of Edmeston, the investigation revealed that a verbal argument became physical. Hilts is accused of seriously injuring and choking the victim & that he threatened the victim with a knife and prevented the victim from leaving, from calling 911 and for trying to hit the victim with the victims vehicle. The victim was Bassett Hospital to be treated for injuries sustained during the dispute, Hilts was remanded to the Otsego County Jail pending court action in Edmeston Town Court on February 7.

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The Delaware County Tourism Advisory Board is now accepting applications for funding under the 2022 Tourism Promotion & Development Grant program, spokesman Evan Bowker explains:

(Evan Bowker 1-26-22)

Bowker said that the grant program is funded through the Delaware County 2% Occupancy Tax, the deadline for application to the Department of Economic Development is 5:00 pm on Friday, February 25th. More information is available at dcecodev.com.

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Hartwick College announced the Hartwick Heroes Award, which will provide a minimum of $140,000, payable over four years, toward the tuition of all incoming students accepted into its nursing program. This award reaffirms the College’s commitment to developing nurses who are ready to make an impact immediately upon entering the workforce, while easing the financial burden they often face after graduation. More information is available at hartwick.edu/nursing.

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The State Labor Department released their December breakdown for unemployment in each County. Locally, Chenango & Delaware Counties had 2.8% unemployment, Otsego county had 3% unemployment, the statewide rate was at 6.2%.

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The State Office of Cannabis Management reported that 10% of cities and 34% of all municipalities have opt-ed out of all cannabis sales. The Marijuana Regulation & Taxation Act enacted last March gave cities, towns, and villages until December 31st to pass a local law that makes a request to the state Cannabis Control Board to opt their jurisdiction out of hosting retail and/or on-site cannabis consumption licensees. In November, the OCM opened a web-based portal to help localities fulfill this requirement. Municipalities that opted out can opt in at any time.

A.M. NEWS Wednesday 1-26-22

Governor Kathy Hochul announced a plan to help address a critical shortage of truck and bus drivers by significantly expanding the availability of road tests for Commercial Driver License applicants. The initiative would allow qualified 3rd parties to offer the road tests, which would create more testing locations statewide and expand capacity at the existing state-run sites, reducing the time it takes to get qualified CDL drivers on the road. The DMV will hold a virtual public hearing TODAY through WebEx from 10:00 am. to 12:30 pm.

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Governor Hochul & Attorney General Letitia James announced that New York’s indoor mask mandate is back in effect just one day after a Nassau County judge ruled that it couldn’t be enforced. New York State filed an appeal Tuesday following the ruling, and Judge Robert Miller granted the state’s request for a stay of the the previous ruling that the governor and health officials lacked authority to require masks. The State Department of Education already sent a notice to schools Tuesday saying regardless of Monday’s ruling, masks would still be required. Another hearing on the mandate is scheduled for Friday.

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The Greene Police Department, State Police & The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a shooting in Greene Tuesday Morning at around 8:00 AM. The hooting took place at 8 1/2 Jackson Street, the victim was listed in stable condition at Wilson Hospital in Johnson City, an unidentified person has been arrested, the investigation is continuing.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies stopped a vehicle operated by 19-year old Levi R. Shambaugh, of Delancey on sun Day January 16th for allegedly driving 70 Miles per hour in a 55mph zone, on State Highway 10, in the Town of Delhi. Shambaugh’s New York State driver’s license was suspended due to a failure to answer a summons. Shambaugh was charged him with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, speeding among other charges, he was released on appearance tickets for the Town of Delhi Court at a later date.

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Otsego County Office of Emergency Services announced that COVID test kits, one kit per person, are available today at the Schenevus Fire Department from 6:00 to 8:30 PM, and Thursday at the Cherry Valley Fire Department from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, the Hartwick Town Hall from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, and Sunday, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon, and Thursday at the Unadilla Fire Department starting at 4:30 pm until gone.

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Tri-Town Theatre will present “All Together Now” this weekend in Sidney, Cameron Kinnear & George Wells stopped by WCDO this morning to talk about the production:

(Cameron Kinnear-George Wells 11-10-21)

Performances will take place at the Community Cultural Center in Sidney at 8:00pm Friday & Saturday and 7:00pm on Sunday, Tickets can be purchased online at tritown.booktix.com or at the door.

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Governor Kathy Hochul announced the “Bring Back Tourism, Bring Back Jobs” initiative, to revitalize the industry that was severely curtailed because of the pandemic. $100 million will be used for a worker recovery fund, which will pay up to 36,000 workers $2,700 if they qualify, another $100 million will go toward the tourism return-to-work grant program, which will pay businesses for employee retention. Companies can get up to $5,000 for each new full-time employee and $2,500 for part-time workers, as long as they stay for more than 6 months.

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The State Health Department reported that 75% of all New Yorkers have received at least 1 COVID 19 vaccine dose, the numbers are expected to go up quickly as children ages 5 to 11 are now eligible for a children’s dose of the vaccine. On Monday, there were 1,878 New Yorkers hospitalized with COVID-19, the 7-day rolling positivity average was 2.65%, which is up from 2.24% in the previous week, local County Health Departments have reported lower vaccine rates & higher positivity rates in their COVID testing.

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Following Monday’s announcement of the closing on the merger of the Price Chopper/ Market 32 & Tops Supermarkets, 12 of the stores that were divested out of the merger were sold to C&S Wholesale Grocers. Today, C&S announced that their stores will bring back the name “Grand Union”, the current Tops Supermarkets locally in Cooperstown & Norwich will be Grand Union Supermarkets, the changeover is expected to be complete in February.

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New York Attorney General Letitia James announced an agreement had been reached with Ticket Fulfillment Services and 5 ticket resale websites to give money back to people who had tickets to an event that was canceled because of COVID-19 pandemic. The $4.4 million settlement means that thousands of New Yorkers who were denied refunds for events, will be refunded. New Yorkers who purchased tickets to an event through TFS or its affiliates go to customer support on the website where the tickets were purchased initially, for a full refund.

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The New York State Office of Cannabis Management announced the availability of a web-based portal at cannabis.ny.gov/local-government, through which localities seeking to opt-out of hosting cannabis retail dispensary and/or on-site cannabis consumption licensees within their jurisdictions, can easily send their requests to the state Cannabis Control Board. The new state Marijuana Regulation & Taxation Act gives cities, towns, and villages until December 31, 2021 to pass a local law that makes a request to the state Cannabis Control Board to opt their jurisdiction out of hosting retail and/or on-site cannabis consumption licensees. Localities that opt-out by December 31, 2021, can always opt back in. After the December 31 deadline has passed, the Office of Cannabis Management will compile the information provided by localities and make it public so that those seeking a license will have the information they need to find jurisdictions in which they can operate.

A.M. NEWS Wednesday 11-10-21

State Police responded to a fatal accident Saturday involving a pedestrian. The incident occurred on State Highway 17C near exit 69 in the town of Union, where 38 year old Wesley Conklin entered the roadway and was stuck by 2 vehicles. Conklin was pronounced deceased at the scene, no criminal charges will be filed. State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Collision Reconstruction Unit, Johnson City Fire and the Broome County Sheriff’s Department assisted at the scene.

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The Otsego County Department of Health is holding a COVID vaccine clinic for children age 5-11 on Thursday at the Oneonta High School Gym from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. You MUST register online for an appointment at otsegocounty.com, all students must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

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