P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 8-21-25

37 Year Old Devin LaValley of Burlington, 29 year old Melissa McDougal of Altmar, 33 year old Grace Balthazor of Elmira and 43 year old Roxanne Clark of Bristol, Vermont, appeared in US District Court, charging them with child exploitation offenses. LaValley & the others are accused of video recording the sexual abuse of 2 minor children, which were released to the internet, LaValley distributed some of the depictions he created with McDougal and Balthazor to Clark online. All 4 were arraigned on the charges & are being held pending additional court action. The conspiracy and sexual exploitation charges carry a term of between 15 and 30 years in federal prison, the receipt and distribution of child pornography each carry a term 5 and 20 years in prison, each charge carries a fine of up to $250,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 5 years to life, all would be required to register as sex offenders upon their release from prison.

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The Delaware Valley Humane Society is teaming up with Forged Brewery this Saturday, from 12-6 at the Brewery called “STOUTS, ALES AND PUPPY DOG TAILS”. Mike Andres of Forged Brewery & Erin Insinga from the Humane Society visited with WCDO this morning to explain the fundraiser & the special concoction for the event:

(Mike Andres-Erin Insinga 8-21-25)

There will also be live music, food trucks, Santa photos, raffle baskets this Saturday at Forged Brewery, 1732 State Highway 41.

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The Clean Sweep Delaware Household hazardous waste Collection days are coming up on October 10th & 11th, Solid Waste Coordinator Tyson Robb told WCDO News of the things that they will & will not accept at that collection:

(Tyson Robb 8-21-25)

Online registration continues at cleansweepdelaware.eventbrite.com, phone registration will begin September 16th through October 1st.

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The State Health Department continues to monitor the outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease, with 5 deaths, 14 hospitalized & more than 100 cases confirmed in New York City & a small number of cases in the lower Hudson Valley. The outbreak has been linked to cooling towers on 12 buildings in the Harlem neighborhood, Legionnaires’ disease cannot be spread from person to person and can be treated with antibiotics, and a spread beyond upper Manhattan is unlikely.

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State Police in Troop C are hosting 2 child car seat check points over the weekend, 1 on Saturday from 11 am. – 2 pm. at Glimmerglass State Park in Cooperstown, another on Sunday from 11 am. – 2 pm. at Chenango Valley State Park in Chenango Forks. New York State Law requires that all children must be restrained in an appropriate child restraint system while riding in a motor vehicle until they reach their 8th birthday. All children under the age of 2 must ride in a rear-facing car seat, more information is available by calling Troop C at (607)561-7400 and ask for Traffic.

A.M. Thursday 8-21-25

Delaware County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call reporting that 36-year-old Gerald Walke of Walton made threats to harm himself by use of a firearm.  Deputies took Walke into custody, transporting him to a treatment facility. Investigators received a Temporary Extreme Risk Protection Order, from the County Supreme Court, requesting the removal of Walke’s right to possess rifles, shotguns, or firearms. Explosive Detection K-9 Edge was deployed, the team located precursors for bomb and explosive device construction, a rocket launcher, a rifle, drug paraphernalia & a device believed to be a homemade explosive device. A 2nd warrant was issued, the State Police Bomb Disposal Unit responded and disabled devices, & they seized controlled substances, a handgun, explosive devices, and items used for the construction of explosive devices. Walke was charged with Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Criminal Possession of a Weapon, 4 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance with intent to sell, he was arraigned & was remanded to the Delaware County Jail on $25,000 cash bail or $50,000 secured bond.

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Hartwick College welcomes back students for the Fall Semester this weekend. Highlights include the Student Move-In and Opening Convocation on Friday, & on Sunday, the traditional “First Walk” will be held, The full schedule can be found at hartwick.edu.

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The summer 2025 series of Concerts at the Dunderberg will present “Electronic Music/New Media” today at 7:00 PM, the final show of the season will be “All Flutes” on Sunday night, the shows are held at the Dunderberg Gallery in Gilbertsville starting at 7:00 PM at 118 Marion Avenue, more information is available at 607-783-2010 or at dunderberggallery.com

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An American Red Cross Blood Drive is scheduled today in Norwich from 11:30AM TO 4:30PM at the GUERNSEY MEMORIAL LIBRARY, 3 COURT STREET. Appointments can be made with the Blood Donor App, at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS.

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