The New York State Department of Labor today released preliminary local area unemployment rates for February 2023. Rates are calculated using methods prescribed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. New York State’s seasonally adjusted unemployment held constant at 4.2% in February 2023. Locally, Chenango County had 4.1% unemployment, Delaware County had 4.5% and Otsego County 4.4% unemployment in February.

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The State DOT announced that construction began to replace the existing bridge carrying NY Route 79 over the Chenango River in the Towns of Fenton and Barker in Broome County, with a new bridge realigning NY Route 79. State and Federal funding totaled $12.6 million for the project, which is scheduled for completion this Fall.

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The twice Annual “Coffee with the Chiefs” event will be held in Norwich on Saturday April 15th from 9:00 to 11:00 AM at the Norwich McDonald’s in Norwich. Norwich residents will have the change to talk to new Norwich Police Chief Reuben Roach and City of Norwich Fire Department Chief Jan Papelino,

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Livestock Foundation is proud to announce that we are offering one or more $1000 scholarships to Delaware County high school students graduating in 2023 with acceptance to a college or university where they will pursue a career in agriculture. To apply, students must fill out the application form and email a 500 word essay to info@livestockfoundation.org, Applications open March 31 and are due on May 31. Awards will be announced June 15^th more information is available at livestockfoundation.org

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The Broome County District Attorney’s office is still pursuing the Colonial restaurant Rape case, after the owners sought to have the charges dismissed against them last month. The DA’s office said that Jordan Rindgen, Yaron Kweller and his brother Leor Kweller are accused of supplying cocaine to 2 young women and then raping them in a basement on Washington Street in downtown Binghamton on November 27th, 2021. The Colonial Restaurant and Bar and Dos Rios Cantina, both owned by the defendants, have both since closed since the allegations went public & the charges were filed.

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A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 3-28-23

Walton fire fighters responded to 14 Tripp Avenue in Walton last Wednesday for a shed and a garage fire that spread to a nearby house. Firefighters arrived to the scene, 2 occupants had escaped the fire, 2 neighboring homes were evacuated, The shed and garage were destroyed, home suffered significant damage on the second floor, 1 firefighter suffered a minor injury and was treated at the scene. Walton was assisted by Delhi and Trout Creek Fire Departments, Sidney Fire Department’s FAST team. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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Broome County Sheriff’s Office arrested 63 year old Patrick Logan for failure to register under the sex offender registration act; Logan was taken to the Central Arraignment Part Court at the Broome County Correction Facility for arraignment.

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Broome County Sheriff’s Office arrested 34 year old Justin Terenzi of Berkshire, for failing to appear for a court date in January of 2023 after being previously arraigned on a charge. Terenzi was charged with Bail Jumping & was taken to the Central Arraignment for arraignment.

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The Village of Sidney announced that today water lines will be shut off beginning at 9:00 am until approximately 6:00pm. This will affect Route 7, Deshaw Lane, Route 8, Old County Route 43, Junction Road and County Road 35. This is due to new water main connections being installed.

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Town of Colchester Police announced that 81 year old George Fredericks of Roscoe died in a Sunday afternoon car crash. Delaware County 911 Center received multiple reports of a 2-car, head-on crash at about 12:38 pm. on Delaware County Route 7 near Hill Top Lane in Colchester. Fredericks was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the 2nd vehicle, 49 year old Angelo Zayas and a passenger were taken to Delaware Valley Hospital in Walton for treatment of their injuries. the preliminary investigation reported that Fredericks crossed over into the opposing lane striking the Zayas vehicle, both vehicles were engulfed in flames. The State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit is investigating the crash.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s Office arrested Level 2 Registered Sex Offender Martin Planty Jr. last week for failure to register as a sex offender. Planty is accused of failing to notify the Sheriff’s Office of his change of address within 10 days; Planty has been convicted of 2 prior sex offenses in 2 separate states, Planty was arraigned in Town of Walton Court and was remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility on $1,500.00 cash bail, $2,500.00 bond, and $5,000.00 partially secured bond, and will reappear in the Court at a later date.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s Office arrested 46 year old James Amato of Downsville for driving with a suspended license. Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies observed a vehicle traveling on State Highway 10 last Thursday in the Town of Walton, failing to maintain lane position. Deputies stopped the vehicle, they discovered that Amato’s Driver’s License was suspended for Insurance Not in Effect and Dishonored Check. Amato was charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle & Failure to Keep Right. Deputies discovered that there was an active Bench Warrant for Amato’s arrest, issued by the Town of Hancock Court, for failure to appear to a prior Aggravated Unlicensed Operator charge. Amato was arrested on the Bench Warrant and additionally charged with Bail Jumping in the 3rd Degree, relative to that Warrant. Amato was arraigned in the Town of Walton and, despite the District Attorney’s request for bail to be set, was released on his own recognizance.

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Bassett Healthcare Network has partially lifted visitation restrictions in its emergency departments, at A.O. Fox Hospital in Oneonta, the Tri-Town Campus in Sidney, Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, Cobleskill Regional Hospital, Little Falls Hospital, and O’Connor Hospital in Delhi. More information is available at bassett.org.

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The American Red Cross continues to report low blood supplies, and is continuing to schedule blood drives across the region. The Laurens Fire Department is hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive today from 2:00 to 7:00 PM Also, a blood drive will be held at the Gilbertsville Mount Upton School from 1:30 to 6:30 PM. Appointments can be made at 1-800-RED CROSS.

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The Delaware County Department of Public Works announced that several County Roads are temporarily closed to any vehicle with a gross weight in excess of 4 tons on any one axle. Affected roads include County Route 10, from State Route 28 to County Route 12, County Route 16, from State Route 10 to Treadwell, County Route 23, from County Route 21 to Sidney Center & County Route 35, from County Route 23 to State Route 206

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A meeting of the General Clinton Canoe Regatta Committee will be held tonight in Bainbridge The meeting will be held at Galaxy Bowl in Bainbridge starting at 7:00 PM

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The Chenango SPCA has implemented an adoption program called “Love is in the Air,” to get animals into their forever homes, SPCA Executive Director Annette Clark explains:

(Annette Clarke 3-1-22)

The Chenango SPCA adoption fees are cut by 50% until March 31st, more information is available by calling 334-9724, more information is also available at chenangospca.org or at their Facebook page.

A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 3-1-22

Binghamton Police announced the arrest of 42 year old Leor Kweller of Brooklyn, who is the brother of Colonial restaurant owner Yaron Kweller, both men have been charged now with 3rd-degree rape. Both Kwellers & 33 year old Jordan Ringden of Binghamton, have been charged in connection with an incident in November at 141 Washington Street, the investigation is continuing.

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State Police are looking to identify a man in surveillance video captured at the Walmart in the town of Oneonta. Police reported that On February 26th, at approximately 8:40 AM, the man exited the store with a cart full of items that he did not pay for & he left in a pick up truck, anyone with information should contact State Police at (607)561-7400. Pictures of the man & the pickup truck can be found on the WCDO Facebook page.

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A WINTER STORM WARNING will be in effect tonight through Friday Afternoon, Local Meteorologist Rich Townsend told WCDO News what the storm is expected to do:

(Rich Townsend 2-24-22)

The Winter Storm Warning remains in effect through Friday at 4:00 PM. Governor Hochul directed State agencies to prepare emergency response assets in advance of the winter storm system.

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Governor Hochul Announced the availability of $65 Million in Federal Emergency Home Heating Aid. Income qualifying households that have exhausted the available regular HEAP benefit and the first emergency benefit may now apply for a second round of assistance, provided they are facing either a heating utility shutoff, or an electric utility service disconnection that will impact their primary heating equipment. More information is available at otda.ny.gov.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies observed an SUV on Friday February 18th traveling 80 MPH in a 55 MPH zone on State Highway 17 in the Town of Hancock. Deputies stopped the vehicle and identified the driver as 19-year-old Albierys Connor of New York City. Further investigation revealed that Connor’s NY driver’s license had been previously suspended in the Bronx, Connor was charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the 3rd Degree and operating an Unregistered Motor Vehicle. Connor was released with an appearance ticket, returnable to the Town of Hancock Court at a later date.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies observed a vehicle traveling on State Hwy 206 in the Town of Colchester on February 13th, with an expired inspection sticker. Deputies stopped the vehicle, they learned that the operator, Dustin Howe, had his driving privileges suspended for failing to answer previous summonses. Howe was charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, Unlicensed Operator, Uninspected & Unregistered Motor Vehicle and Obstructed License Plate, Howe was released on Traffic Tickets, and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Colchester Court at a later date to answer for the charges.

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The Broome County Health Department reports that the number of COVID-19 cases has decreased in the past month. The Health Department reported that in 1 months time, active cases went from 1421 to 313 currently, and hospitalizations from the virus decreased from just over 1100 to 72 on Wednesday.

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The Musical version of “AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN” hits the stage tonight for the 2nd of 2 performances at the Forum Theater in Binghamton. Show Time is 7:30 tonight, tickets are available through Ticketmaster.

A.M. NEWS Thursday 2-24-22

2 of the owners of The Colonial in Binghamton have been arrested by Binghamton Police after an investigation that began in November. Yaron Kweller has been charged with 3rd degree Rape and Jordan Rindgen for criminal sale of a controlled substance. Binghamton Police expect another arrest in this case shortly, Kweller and Ringden were arraigned in Binghamton City Court and released.

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The City of Norwich DRI Local Planning Committee will hold An informational session for an Open Call for Project Proposals, virtually tonight at 6:00 PM. Projects submitted under this Open Call will be reviewed by the Norwich DRI Local Planning Committee to be considered for inclusion in the Norwich Strategic Investment Plan. Commerce Chenango CEO & President Kerri Green explains:

(Kerri Green 2-24-22)

Green said that the Projects submitted must be capital projects that can be implemented quickly and will transform the physical environment of downtown Norwich, more information is available at NorwichDRI.com. The ZOOM Link for Tonight’s meeting can be found on the WCDO Facebook page.

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