The State Comptroller’s Office conducted an audit of the State Department of Health, they found that the Department was unprepared to respond to infectious disease outbreaks at nursing homes, even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit New York. A lack of funding for public health forced the Department to operate without critical information systems and staff that could have identified and helped limit the spread of COVID-19 at nursing homes, also the department did not provide the public with accurate COVID-19 death counts and became entangled in the undercounting of those deaths as Governor Cuomo took control of information provided to the public. The Auditors believe that the actual number of nursing home residents who died is still uncertain.

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The US Air Force Band will be performing a free concert in Oneonta this evening, spokesman Gene Schmidt explains:

(Gene Schmidt 3-16-22)

Schmidt said that proof of vaccination & masks are required for tonight’s concert at the Foothills Performing Arts center on Market Street in Oneonta.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies observed a vehicle traveling on Main Street in Delhi last Friday with a non-functional headlight. Deputies stopped the vehicle, the driver was identified as 19-year-old Skylar Pesout of Sidney Center, Deputies charged him with DWI and driving with blood alcohol content of .14%. Pesout was also issued Traffics Tickets & was released on an appearance tickets and is to appear in the Town of Delhi Court on a later date to answer the charges.

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Commerce Chenango Tourism announced their Inaugural “Wine Beer Food Festival” on July 30th at the Chenango County Fairgrounds in Norwich, Commerce Chenango President & CEO Kerri Green told WCDO News about the new venture on the WCDO Morning show this morning:

(Kerri Green 3-16-22)

More information is available at chenangowbffest.com, as well as their Facebook, Twitter & Instagram pages.

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The Afton Community Theater & the Tri-Town Theater are teaming up for “Into The Woods” later this month in Norwich. Cast Members Sarah Norris and Mikaela Sepulveda talked about the characters they portray in this musical, on the WCDO Morning show this morning:

(Sarah Mikaela 3-26-22)

The show will be at the Martin W. Kappel Theater in Norwich on Friday & Saturday Nights, March 25 & 26th with a Sunday Afternoon Matinee on March 27th, Tickets are available at tritown.booktix.com more information is also available on their Facebook Page.

A.M. NEWS Wednesday 3-16-22

Norwich City Police officers conducted a traffic stop on Mitchell Street Friday Morning, the driver left the vehicle & ran, & was apprehended after a short foot pursuit. Norwich police charged 23 year old Dylan Keenan of Bridgewater for criminal possession of a controlled substance, obstruction of governmental administration and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, plus Keenan was wanted on several outstanding warrants from different police agencies. Police confiscated methamphetamines packaged for sale, Keenan was processed & was was released on an appearance ticket, but was turned over to State Police for additional processing on the warrants.

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The New York State Department of Labor released preliminary local unemployment rates for January 2022. The State’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 5.4% in December 2021 to 5.3% in January 2022. Delaware & Chenango Counties reported at 4% Unemployment, Otsego had 4.1% unemployment in January.

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Jake Cotten was elected as Unadilla’s new village mayor over challenger Christopher Price in village elections Tuesday, by a vote of 117 to 82. Democrat Paul Baldwin and Republican Joseph Paliotta won trustee seats on the Unadilla Village Board. In Otego, Democrat David Clapper & Republican James Salisbury were elected to the village board.

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The State DEC announced that the annual brush burning ban begins in New York State today, the ban runs through May 14 this year, more information is available at dec.ny.gov.

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NYSEG reports that thousands were still without power this afternoon, following last night’s Thunderstorm & High Winds, Which knocked down trees & Power lines. NYSEG Crews were working to restore the power as quickly as possible, almost 10,000 were without power in the Tri-County Region this morning, the number was down to around 6600 by mid-afternoon.

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Delaware County Public Health Services and Friends of Recovery- Delaware Otsego will be sponsoring a Recovery Coach Academy & Ethical Considerations training, April 11th through April 16th from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM in Delhi. The academy is for individuals who want to become a personal guide and mentor for people seeking or already in recovery. For more information or to register by phone call (607) 267-4435. The deadline to register is April 4th, the location is expected to be announced shortly.

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The Susquehanna SPCA is collecting financial contributions to help animals in Ukraine and neighboring countries, by partnering with International Funds for Animal Welfare. To donate, go to sqspca.org/donate, Donations will be accepted through March 14th.

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Commerce Chenango announced that their annual Economic Outlook Breakfast will be held Tuesday, April 5th at 7:30 AM at the Canasawacta Country Club in Norwich. The Keynote speaker will be Economist Ken Entenmann. Members can register online at the Commerce Chenango website or by calling 607-334-1400 by March 29th.

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State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation arrested 24 year old Austin Kuczek of Newfield for 2 counts of Disseminating Indecent Material to Minors, for allegedly sending inappropriate images to juveniles. Kuczek was formerly a member on the Newfield Town School Board and a teacher’s aide in the Ithaca City School District. He is currently the Recreation Director in the Town of Newfield, he was released on appearance tickets to the Newfield Town Court at a later date.

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The US Air Force Band will be performing a free concert in Oneonta next week, spokesman Gene Schmidt explains:

(Gene Schmidt 3-8-22)

Schmidt said that proof of vaccination is required for next Wednesday’s concert at Foothills.

A.M. NEWS Tuesday 3-8-22

The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office arrested 33 year old Felix Hartman of Unadilla for Burglary, 3rd degree assault, Attempted Rape, forcible touching Stalking & Criminal Impersonation for an incident in the Town of Unadilla Friday evening. Hartman claimed to be with a fire department, he allegedly sexually assaulted the victim, who sustained an arm injury & was treated & released at A.O. Fox Hospital in Oneonta. Several hours later, State Police received an additional sexual assault complaint in the Town of Otego. Hartmann was located by Troopers at his residence, he was arraigned & was remanded to the Otsego County Correctional Facility on $15,000 cash bail or $30,000 bond. An order of protection was issued, more charges are expected.

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The DRI program in Norwich will hold the 2nd Local Planning Committee meeting virtually today at 3:00 PM as they plan what to do with the $10 Million Dollar Award from the state. Commerce Chenango President & CEO Kerri Green explains:

(Kerri Green 3-8-22)

The meeting is open to all members of the public, with time reserved at the end of the meeting for public comment, the ZOOM link can be found at the WCDO Facebook page.

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Former Oneonta Mayor David Brenner passed away Friday at the age of 90. Brenner served on the Otsego County Board of Representatives for many years, in 1985 he was elected Mayor of the City of Oneonta, a position he held for 12 years. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 PM Friday, at the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz Street in Oneonta. The funeral service will be 11 am., Saturday at St. James Episcopal Church, 305 Main St., Oneonta,

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