UPPER SUSQUEHANNA WATERSHED PROJECT – WCDO Radio News

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 8-21-14

wcdonews — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 18:54:15 +0000

Governor Cuomo opened up the New York State Fair in Syracuse this morning, with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Cuomo is currently running for a 2nd term as governor, his republican challenger Rob Astorino also made the rounds at the State Fair today, he is trailing Cuomo in the most recent polls by a 2 to 1 margin. Green Party Candidate Howe Hawkins held a press conference at the main entrance to the fair at 12:00 Noon.

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The 3rd murder trial of Owego Businessman Calvin Harris has been rescheduled to begin in October, instead of the original September 15th date, in Schoharie county court. The move was made following arguments by Harris’s defense team during pre-trial proceedings. Harris was first convicted in 2007 for the September 11th 2001 murder his estranged wife Michelle, that conviction was set aside when an eyewitness came forward claiming to have seen Michelle Harris after the original murder date. Harris was convicted at his 2nd trial in 2009, which was also overturned, Michelle Harris’s body, and the murder weapon have never been found.

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Governor Cuomo is calling on the state to outlaw discrimination against transgender people, claiming that gender identity should be included in the state’s civil rights law alongside race, religion, and disability. Cuomo said that if he is re-elected, he would push to outlaw discrimination based on a person’s gender identity when it comes to housing, employment or public accommodations.

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Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced a $16.65 billion settlement with Bank of America. The settlement includes $800 million that will be allocated to New York State; Bank of America acknowledged it made serious Misrepresentations to the public from the packaging, marketing, sale and issuance of residential mortgage-backed securities

The State Police CNET team, along with Endicott and Vestal Police arrested 32-year-old Greg Potter of Endicott, for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Manufacture of Methamphetamine, and 2 counts of Criminally Using of Drug Paraphernalia. Potter was arrested after police executed a search warrant. Items seized included liquid and powder methamphetamines; liquid anabolic steroids, packaging materials and scales, as well as components used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Potter was arraigned in Village of Endicott Court and sent to the Broome County Jail without bail.

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The State Police CNET Gun Investigation Unit, arrested 50 year old John Hamilton of Binghamton on 4 counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon, 3 counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon, Unlawful Possession of a Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device, Unlawfully Possessing or Selling Noxious Material and Unlawfully Growing Cannabis. Hamilton was charged after police executed a search warrant at his residence. Police seized illegally possessed weapons, explosives and marihuana. Hamilton was arraigned in Binghamton City Court and sent to the Broome County Jail without bail.

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The Upper Susquehanna Watershed Project held annual conference at Sidney High School this afternoon, to present the projects of 7 students who collected data for a variety of projects all tied to the water quality of the Susquehanna River Basin. Sidney Science Teacher Rich Townsend said that this summer, soil gauges were added:

(Rich Townsend (8-21-14)

Townsend said the data from the new soil gauges should give sufficient data on how the water saturation affects area-flooding issues over the next 1 to 5 years.

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A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 8-21-14

wcdonews — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 16:27:48 +0000

The Upper Susquehanna Watershed Project will hold its annual conference at 1:00 PM in Room N509 at Sidney High School. Students and teachers from the project will present reports on their research on the upper Susquehanna River basin. There will also be updates by faculty on Sidney High School’s Flood Monitoring Project. The public is invited to attend. Refreshments will be served.

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Opponents of Hydraulic Fracturing for natural gas are planning to rally at the first day of the New York State Fair today, the day when the Governor of the state traditionally opens up the fair. The protestors will be at the Main State Fair entrance from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm in Syracuse.

P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 8-14-14

wcdonews — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 18:12:11 +0000

State Police and New York Alert announced the disappearance of 2 Amish children from the North Country. Missing are 12 year old FANNIE MILLER, with Brown Hair, Brown Eyes, about 5 feet tall and weighing about 90 pounds, Police said that Fannie is Cross-eyed. Also missing, 7 year old Delila Miller, also with Brown Eyes & Hair, about 4 feet tall and weighing about 50 pounds, she has a round scar on forehead and is missing front teeth. Both victims last seen wearing dark blue dresses with blue aprons and black bonnets, Police said that both girls went to a roadside stand to wait on customer in a small white 4-door sedan. A Witness saw the suspect throw something into back of car then get into the back seat, the Vehicle then left scene and victims were gone. Any one with information is asked to call 1-866-NYS-AMBER or 911.
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Published reports out of Albany suggest that the FBI and state Attorney General’s Office raided the home of State Senator Tom Libous of Binghamton last Friday. Libous and his son were indicted in July in connection with a FBI investigation; Senator Libous is accused of using his influence to get his son a job with a downstate Law Firm. Records and a computer belonging to Frances Libous, the wife of Senator Libous were seized.
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Emergency Crews from North Norwich & Norwich responded this afternoon to State Highway 12 and County Road 32 for a tractor-trailer accident. Initial reports stated that the tractor-trailer was flipped onto its side, & the driver was out of the vehicle. WCDO will have further details as they become available.
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The Chenango Arts Council has a new executive director, Diane Batson-Smith; she brings major theater & film industry credentials to Norwich venue. Batson-Smith told WCDO News of her plans to make the Martin W. Kappel Theater a community hub of activity:

(Diane Batson-Smith 8-14-14)

A line up of events is already scheduled through next may, the lineup and membership applications can be found online at chenangoarts. org.
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The Upper Susquehanna Watershed Project will hold its annual conference on August 21st at 1:00 PM at Sidney High School. Students and teachers from the project will present reports on their research on the chemistry, biology,& hydrometeorology of the upper Susquehanna River basin. The project is an effort between area high schools from Cooperstown to Afton, and is directed by teachers from Sidney High School. The program is funded by ACCO & private donations. The public is invited encouraged to attend.
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NYSEG is warning customers about callers who say they represent NYSEG about billing matters. Some customers have been contacted and warned that their service would be shut off & they should purchase a “Green Dot MoneyPak Card” and contact the caller with the card information. Customers who have any questions about a call for an overdue payment are urged to contact NYSEG at 1-800-572-1111.
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The latest Siena College poll asked New Yorkers about the most important issues for the fall election. 28% said jobs, 21% said taxes, and 20% said education and 17% corruption. Only 2% of those polled said hydraulic fracturing natural gas reserves was their top issue, 1% involved guns and the state’s gun-control law.
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Governor Cuomo signed a new law that bans direct contact between people and lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars and cougars. The “Tiger Selfie” bill, is also directed at roadside zoos that charge people for photos with big cats. The governor said despite any level of training, big cats have instincts to kill. The penalty is $500 for the first offense.