WCDO Radio News

Chobani and several Chenango County businesses announced that they will provide funds for a new firehouse and community center in New Berlin.  The Chobani Foundation statement said that the 7,000 square-foot firehouse will include 6 garage bays, offices and separate rooms for gear; meetings, training and storage, and the 2,400 square-foot community center will contain a kitchen area and large gathering space for local residents to host a variety of events. Construction is scheduled to begin later this year.

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Bassett Hospital officials announced that their recent Drug Take-Back campaign yielded 225 pounds of unwanted, expired and unused prescription medicines that were dropped off at 3 locations.  The successful Drug Take-Back program was designed to encourage people to clean out their medicine cabinets, to keep them out of the waste stream & out of the wrong hands, Drop-off points were set up near the Pharmacy Departments at Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, O’Connor Hospital in Delhi, and FoxCare Pharmacy in Oneonta.

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Friday night May 24th will be packed with activities to start this year’s General Clinton Canoe Regatta, chairman John Harmon comments:

(John Harmon 5-7-19)

Friday Night’s activities are free & open to the public & there is no charge for parking.

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Governor Cuomo announced that more than 2 dozen drop-off locations from Long Island to Buffalo are accepting work out tattered flags starting Today through May 22nd.  New Yorkers are urged to bring their old flags to the locations so that they can be retired “properly with respect and honor.”  The state Office of General Services will collect the flags, they will be taken to the State Fair outside Syracuse, where they’ll be disposed in a bonfire during the May 26 Memorial Watchfire organized by a local chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America.

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The names of 63 law enforcement officers are being added today to the New York State Memorial honoring fallen officers.  The names were unveiled during Today’s annual ceremony at the State of New York Police Officers’ Memorial in the Empire State Plaza in downtown Albany. It’s the largest single group of names to be added to the granite memorial since it was dedicated in 1989.  The names are divided into 3 categories: line of duty deaths in 2018, a death that occurred decades ago, and ground zero-related illness deaths.

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Scams regarding the Social Security System are continuing, & those who have received such a call are advised to contact the Social Security Fraud Hotline.  The telephone number is 1-800-269-0271, it is available from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and a fax line is available at 410-597-0118

Binghamton Police are investigating the beating of a 50 year old woman & her 76 year old Father, by a group of teenaged girls Saturday night on Oak Street.  The man has been hospitalized for multiple injuries after getting thrown to the ground,  The investigation is ongoing, Anyone with information is urged to contact the Binghamton Police Detective Division at 607-772-7080 and or the Detective Juvenile Unit at 607-772-7088.

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Delaware County Public Health will hold their next Free Rabies Vaccination Clinic For dogs, cats and ferrets today from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Town Clerk Building at 3 Elm Street, Deposit.  More information is available at 832-5200 or delawarecountypublichealth.com

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The Oneonta Common Council will hold their next meeting this evening at City Hall.  The Meeting will begin at 7:00 PM in the 2nd floor council chambers; it is open to the public.

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60-year-old Robert Doyle of Windsor was arrested on a variety of drug charges, by the Broome County Special Investigations Task Force.  Police searched Doyle’s home at 118 Main Street in Windsor, they seized Crystal Meth, Mollies, drug packaging materials and digital scales used to weigh narcotics & a stolen 12-gauge shotgun.  Doyle was charged with multiple counts of Criminal possession of a controlled substance, criminal possession of stolen property & criminally using drug paraphernalia, he faces court action shortly.

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State Police arrested 27 year old Gary Garbera of Oneonta for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a motor vehicle, DWI, Refusal to Submit to a Breath Test, Operating a Motor Vehicle without an Inspection among other charges.  Troopers initiated a traffic stop on Clinton Street in the city of Oneonta after they observed Garbera with an equipment violation, he was arrested & Troopers learned that Garbera’s licensed was revoked and he had a bench warrant with the city of Oneonta Police Department.  He was arrested and processed then released to Oneonta Police. 

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State Commissioner of Health Dr. Howard Zucker today announced that influenza is no longer prevalent in New York State. The declaration means that healthcare workers who are not vaccinated against influenza are no longer required to wear masks in areas where patients are present.  Flu activity in the state peaked during the week ending February 23^rd, when there were more than 9,600 confirmed cases in 1 week.   There were 106,755 cases of influenza with 18,513 hospitalizations, & 6 pediatric influenza-associated deaths.

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The Village of Sidney Spring Brush & Leaf Pick Up will be held next week, on May 6th through May 10th.   Village residents can also drop off appliances, tires & metal at the Sidney Village Garage on Friday & Saturday May 10th & 11th.  More information is available at 561-2329.

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The Jericho Arts Council Fine Arts Show will conclude on Saturday afternoon, at the Gallery in the Bainbridge Town Hall.  Gallery Spokesperson Elise Craver comments:

(Elise Craver 5-3-19)

More information about the gallery is available at jerichoarts.com.

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The Greater Afton Area Chamber will hold their annual reception this Sunday at 1:00 PM at the Silo Restaurant in Greene.  The Chamber will honor McDowell & Walker as the Business of the year, Hickory & Doc as the Startup Business of the year & Friends of Afton as the Organization of the year.

The General Clinton Canoe Regatta will be coming up later this month, with activities at General Clinton Park & in the Susquehanna River from Friday through Monday, Memorial Day, Regatta chairman John Harmon said that he needs some volunteers to help out:

(John Harmon 5-3-19)

Harmon’s’ Number is 237-6008,  His email is JHarmon80@outlook.com, the Regatta weekend is May 24th though the 27th this year.

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The Town of Bainbridge will be holding their annual Spring Clean up Day tomorrow from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon at the town Highway Garage on Lawrence Road.  Residents can drop off tires, white goods & electronics, more information is available at 967-3781.

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Otsego County Residents who ordered a Compost Bin or Rain Barrel, are reminded that they must pick them up tomorrow between 8:00 AM & 1:00 PM, at the Meadows office complex in Cooperstown.  More information is available at enviroworld.us/otsegocounty.

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The Copes Corners Park Spring Fest will take place Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.  Children’s activities will include a fishing derby, a boat-float contest, and more.  Spring Fest will also feature fire department competitions, the Ross Park Zoo mobile, Zumba, yoga, food and music throughout the day.   Copes Corners Park is located at 620 State Hwy. 51, between Gilbertsville and Mount Upton.

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The Sidney Center Improvement Group is hosting the annual Spring Clean Up this Sunday, Group Spokesman Mike Sellitti explains:

(Mike Sellitti 5-3-19)

Sellitti said that both events will run from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm starting at the community sign.

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Delaware County Chamber of Commerce will host their monthly First Friday Eat & Meet Breakfast this morning at the Hancock House Hotel from 8:30 to 10:00 am.  The featured speaker is Jeff Bump, of Grow Hemp New York, LLC, of Windsor, regarding hemp legalization, regulatory requirement, & best growing practices.

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The Delaware County Relay For life event held last weekend at the fairgrounds in Walton raised almost $42,000 for the American Cancer Society.  The Tri Town Relay For Life will be held on June 7th at General Clinton Park in Bainbridge, starting at 6:00 PM.

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State Police arrested 26 year old Alexander Donenko of Lisle for Criminal Mischief, Criminal Trespass, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana.   A trooper was dispatched to the Broome County Fairgrounds in Whitney Point for the report of a Pick-up truck ripping up the lawn.  Donenko was arrested the following day & was found to be in possession of a small quantity of marijuana, a suspended license and an active bench warrant with the city of Binghamton Police Department, he was processed and will be appearing in the town of Triangle Court on May 14^th, & he was turned over to the Binghamton Police Department.

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The Oneonta City School District Board of Education announced that they accepted the retirement of Joseph Yelich as Superintendent and appointed Assistant Superintendent Thomas Brindley as his replacement. Both actions will become effective on July 1^st.  Yelich has served as superintendent in Oneonta since 2013.

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State Police arrested 44 year old Daniel White of Meredith for DWI, Refusal to Take Breath Test, Leaving the Scene of Property Damage Accident, Possession of Open Container, Unsafe Speed and Moving from a Lane Unsafely.  Troopers were dispatched to a 1-car accident on Dry Brook Road in the town of Meredith.  When troopers arrived, they were told by Meredith Fire fighters that White left the scene; he was located hiding in a ditch a short distance from the scene. White was processed and arraigned in the town of Davenport court where he was released on his own recognizance; He will appear in the town of Meredith court on June 5^th.

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The Oneonta Municipal Civil Service Commission announced open-competitive exams 2 jobs to be held on June 1^st.  The open positions are Library Clerk & Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator / Operator Trainee.  Application deadlines are May 22^nd; Applications are available at the Personnel Office, 258 Main St. or at oneonta.ny.us/personnel.

The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce will hold their Annual Diner & Celebration of Business today at the Foothills Performing Arts Center.  The Chamber will honor Les Grummons as the Distinguished Citizen & Pathfinder Village of Edmeston as the Distinguished Business of the Year.

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Hartwick College Athletics will host its annual benefit auction from 6:30 to 9:00 PM tonight at the Carriage House Event Center on South Side Drive, in Oneonta. Proceeds from the event will benefit the College’s athletics program.

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The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting tonight in the Guilford Elementary School Cafeteria at 6:30 PM. The business portion of the meeting will start at 7:00 PM.

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The Chenango County Health Department announced that the next free rabies clinic for Dogs, Cats & Ferrets will be held today in Bainbridge.  The clinic will be held at the Village Garage from 5:30 to 6:30 PM, more information is available at 337-1673.

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Tomorrow, Law Enforcement Agencies around the state will participate in Operation Safe Stop Day.  Police officers will be on board school buses and in marked and unmarked patrol units on selected bus routes that have a history of illegal passing complaints.  Police will be issuing tickets to drivers who pass stopped school buses during tomorrow’s program.

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Chenango County Sheriff’s Department arrested a Town of Willet man for 2nd degree Grand Larceny following an investigation in the Town of Pitcher.  36 year old Clinton Hill is accused of stealing $200,000 worth of materials from Aluminum Fixtures and Tooling in the Town of Pitcher business. Detectives recovered over 8,000 pounds of stolen material from scrap facilities in Broome County, additional stolen property was recovered from Hill’s residence, he was arraigned in the Town of Pitcher Court; he is scheduled to reappear in court at a later date.

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State Police arrested 30 year old Jameson Kincer of Triangle, for 3rd degree Assault + Criminal Mischief and Menacing, following the report of a domestic dispute.   Kincer allegedly struck a victim with a bat, and broke property of another victim with the bat, he was arrested & arraigned at Broome County Central Arraignment and Processing.  An order of protection was issued to both victims.

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State Senate Minority Republicans have forwarded a package of bills called the “Victim’s Justice Agenda”, Local State Senator Jim Seward discussed one of the bills he sponsors:

(Seward 5-1-19)

Seward said that the current majority leadership is more concerned with the rights of the criminals this year, and not the victims of those criminals.

Governor Cuomo launched Round 9 of the Regional Economic Development Council initiative, officially kicking off the 2019 competition for more than $750 million in state economic development resources. The Consolidated Funding Application will open to applicants today, enabling businesses, municipalities, not-for-profits and the public to begin applying for assistance from dozens of state programs, through a single application, for job-creation and community development projects.

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Commerce Chenango will hold their annual Report to the Membership luncheon today at the American Legion on Sheldon Street in Norwich, Commerce Chenango CEO Steve Craig comments:

(Steve Craig 5-1-19)

The event begins at 11:30 AM; more information about Commerce Chenango is available at 334-1400.

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The Chenango County Department of Public Works would like to announce a rate increase at all of their facilities.  Starting today, new tipping fees will be $2 per bag of garbage and $60 per Ton of garbage. There will be a charge of $3.50 per tire up to 20 inches and $155 per ton for tires over 20 inches.  They will continue to accept source separated recycling for free.  More information is available at 337-1792.

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The State Senate unanimously passed a bill sponsored by Senator Jen Metzger to establish labeling standards for use of the term, “local,” in food products. Currently, there are no standards to ensure that the main ingredients of products marketed as “local” are actually produced in New York. According to Packaged Facts, local foods generated $11.7 billion in sales in 2014, and will climb to $20.2 billion by 2019.

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The Village of Bainbridge will be conducting a water main operation near the Lambrecht Auction building, from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM today, which will require the shutdown of Water Mains feeding Guilford Road, Crest Drive, Bliss Road, Grigoli Lane, Dew Drop Lane & Williams Lane.  Officials urge area residents to store extra water for drinking, cooking & other purposes.

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The Sidney Chamber of Commerce will hold their next meeting will be at THE TRACKSIDE DINER this morning at 7:45am, members & Directors are urged to attend.

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There have been some changes in the way that property owners will see their saving in the Star Property tax program this year, local Assemblyman Cliff Crouch explains:

(Cliff Crouch 4-30-19)

More information about the STAR program is available at tax.ny.gov/star.

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The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention announced that Measles continues to spread in the United States, with more 704 cases reported this year in 22 states, the highest amounts reported since 1994.  The CDC reported that 44 people caught the disease while traveling in another country & the largest outbreaks was from an in Orthodox Jewish community in Rockland County, No deaths have been reported but 66 patients were hospitalized.

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the availability of nearly $87 million in grant funding to assist states, tribes, and territories with improving drinking water. New York is eligible to receive up to $3.7 million in available funding.  Program participants will be asked to submit work plans to EPA outlining their proposed project for approval and funding.   More information is available at epa.gov/safewater/grants

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The Town of Unadilla will be holding its annual Metal Day on May 16 from 6:30AM to 4:00 PM at the Town Barn on Martin Brook Road.  Town officials said that they will accept Tires without rims or large truck/agricultural tires, plus Scrap Metal, Appliances, Waste Oil, & Electronics.  More information is available at 369-4433.

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The State DEC announced that spring turkey season opens tomorrow May 1st, in all of the Upstate Counties north of the Bronx-Westchester County boundary.   Turkey hunters took an estimated 19,000 birds in New York during last year’s spring season. More information is available at DEC.NY.GOV.

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The National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum announced today that Tim Mead has been named as the new President.  Mead has spent the last 22 years with the Los Angeles Angels organization as its Vice President of Communications; Mead will replace Jeff Idelson, who recently announced his retirement as Hall of Fame President.

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Deputies responded Sunday night to a report of a car crashing into the Town of German Town Hall.   The cause of the crash was distracted driving, the unidentified driver was ticketed & faces court action at a later date, the court action will have to be held elsewhere as the court room was destroyed in the crash, and the building will have to be replaced.

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Organizers for Woodstock 50 announced that it has been canceled.  The 3 day festival was due to be held on the 50th anniversary of the original Woodstock Festival in August at Watkins Glen International, the festival was cancelled due to reported permit issues.

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The Family Resource Network & the Oneonta School District will hold Community Resources Fair & Transition Night tonight, for families of individuals or students with various disabilities, Robin Piefer of the Family Resource Network explains:

(Robin Piefer 4-30-19)

The event will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at the Foxcare Center in Oneonta.

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Several fire companies responded to the report of a structure fire at 754 State Route 7 between Sidney & Unadilla at around 8:10 this morning.  Fire fighters from Sidney Center, Unadilla Wells Bridge & Sidney responded to the fire at Lot 38, initial reports stated that all occupants escaped the fire, the trailer sustained heavy damage, the cause of the fire is under investigation.

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Rain once again stalled plans for the drivers to get a practice in at the Afton Motorsports Park, Organizer Ron Ford that they will get a practice in today:

(Ron Ford 4-29-19)

More information about racing each week this season is available at aftonmotorsportspark.com.

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The Afton Central School District will hold a public meeting this evening, regarding a proposed 18.8 Million Dollar Capital Project.  The meeting will begin at 7:00 PM in the Secrest Auditorium.

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NYSEG announced that during 2018 they provided more than $8 million in economic development assistance to 95 businesses and organizations across New York State.  In Broome County, Binghamton University has opened its new $70 million, 114,000 square foot Smart Energy Building to accommodate research and development initiatives for its chemistry and physics departments. This project includes space for faculty, students and industry scientists and engineers to work side by side to create new energy technologies and maintain and expand the regional workforce.  NYSEG worked with its community partners to help offset the costs associated with electric infrastructure upgrades required for this project.

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State Senator Fred Akshar acknowledged that he had a sexual relationship with the mother of a murder victim, whose case he helped to investigate when he was a Captain in the Broome County Sheriff’s Department.   Akshar admitted to the affair with Mirella Masciarelli, whose son Mario was killed along with Christina Powell, by Powell’s estranged husband Aaron Powell, after Powell’s first trial, that ended in a conviction, but before Aaron Powell was granted a retrial, and was convicted a 2nd time.   The affair occurred before Akshar was elected to the State Senate; Broome County Sheriff David Harder told reporters that there is nothing in the Sheriff’s Department manual prohibiting such behavior.

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A.M. NEWS MONDAY 4-29-19

A.O. Fox Hospital will hold their Carson Lecture Series at the Foothills Performing Arts Center this evening, featuring Oneonta Native Dr. Joseph Campbell, regarding Human Trafficking, Fox Spokesperson Gabby Argo explains:

(Gabby Argo 4-29-19)

The event tonight is free & open to the public.

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The Chenango County Department of Public Works announced that COUNTY ROAD 32 BETWEEN STATE ROUTE 320 AND STATE ROUTE 12 in the TOWNS OF NORWICH AND NORTH NORWICH will be closed on THURSDAY MAY 9TH, for COLD IN-PLACE RECYCLING.  The Suit-Kote Corporation, with the assistance of the Chenango County DPW will be performing the work, it is anticipated the procedure will take about a week to complete, weather permitting.  The traveling public is asked to find alternate routes if possible.  More information is available at 337-1710.

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The band “America” are bringing their 50th Anniversary Tour to Binghamton on Saturday, July 20 at the Osterhout Concert Theater   America harmonized their way to the top of the charts in 1971 on the strength of their signature song “A Horse With No Name,” which they followed up with a string of hits including “Ventura Highway,” “Sister Golden Hair” and “Tin Man.” Almost five decades later, these friends are still making music together, touring the world and thrilling audiences with their timeless sound.  TICKETS ON SALE at anderson-center.secure.force.com at 11:00 this morning.