WCDO Radio News

Judge John Lambert ordered tenants of 195 Main Street in Oneonta out by this afternoon, after the Owner Melania Pervu failed to meet deadlines to get safety violations taken care of, that were established by the City of Oneonta.  Pervu had until January 11th to comply with the city’s building codes, and failed to do so, the retail spaces on the 1st floor will be allowed to remain; Judge Lambert declared that anyone left in the building after 4:30 this afternoon will be removed by Otsego County Sheriff’s deputies.

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A “vulnerable adult” was reported missing after he was last seen leaving Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown in January. 67 year old Chester Kucharski Jr of Oneonta was last seen leaving Bassett around 3:50 PM on Friday, January 25^th. Kucharski is described as 5’11, 150lbs, Gray Hair, Hazel Eyes, Police reported that he had been evicted from his residence in Oneonta and had been transported to Bassett Hospital. He was discharged from the hospital and has not been located.  Anyone with information on Kucharski is asked to contact the Cooperstown Police Department at 547-2500 extension 1.

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Officials from the New York Sherriff’s Association, the New York State Association of the Chiefs of Police along with the Association of County Health Officials, the state Parent Teachers Association and Triple-A New York all announced their opposition to a proposal to legalize recreational marijuana in New York State, at a press conference in Albany today.  The concerns raised included the expected negative impact on road safety with more impaired drivers, as well as an impact on children and overall public health. Despite support from many at the state level, those opposed say the risk is not worth the reward.

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The Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY) will kick off the Annual Firefighter Winter Games in Cortland this weekend.   Hundreds of volunteer firefighters from across the State, dressed in full turnout gear, will participate in a variety of events and races throughout the weekend.   More information is available at fasny.com 

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Sidney Village Public Works Superintendent Mike Mercurio announced that crews have repaired a water main break near Bird Avenue area this morning.  Residents in that section of the village are advised to let their water run for a short period of time is it appears discolored.

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The Oneonta Police Department is reminding area residents to not fall for Scam Calls and Emails Impersonating the IRS.  At this time of year, Scammers and cyber thieves use the IRS as bait to scam unsuspecting & less tech savvy people, the most common tax scams are phone calls and emails from thieves who claim to be from the IRS & ask for personal financial information.  The IRS Does not make such phone calls, and complaint forms can be filed online at ftccomplaintassistant.gov.

The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting on Today in the District Conference Room in the High School at 6:30 PM. The business portion of the meeting will start at 7:00 PM.

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An American Red Cross Blood Drive will be held in Wells Bridge today from 12:00 Noon until 5:00 PM.  The drive will be held at the Wells Bridge Fire Department, 104 County Highway 4, those wishing to donate blood can make an appointment with the Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS.  All blood types are needed.

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Otsego Express announced that Route 9 operated by The Arc Otsego will be canceled for today.

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Governor Cuomo & State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli announced today that the state budget is facing a 2.3 billion dollar shortfall, due to the Federal “Salt” adjustments that penalized the state by eliminating full deduct-ability of state and local taxes, plus Stock Market volatility and a slowing economy in the 4th quarter:

(DiNapoli 2-4-19)

Lawmakers have until April 1st to get a budget passed for the start of the next fiscal year.

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The Vestal Police Department has charged 34 year old Daniel Butash of Endicott with felony counts of vehicular assault, 2nd degree assault and DWI. Butash is accused of driving while intoxicated in the wrong direction on State Route 17 in Vestal early Friday morning, while fleeing Police; he crashed his vehicle head on into a Patrol car driving by Broome County Sheriff’s Deputy Kristy Botsford.   Butash suffered only minor injuries, Deputy Botsford suffered a broken Femur in her right leg, and both were taken to Wilson Hospital in Johnson City following Friday Morning’s crash, more charges against Butash are possible.

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Johnson City Police arrested 39-year-old Hayes Cutting of Bainbridge, following an alleged theft from the Johnson City Walmart & a pursuit on Airport Road after Cutting refused to stop for officers.  Cutting lost control of his vehicle at Barrier Road, Cutting & his passenger 35-year-old Amanda Vanhouten fled into the woods but were apprehended a short time later.  Cutting and Vanhouten were charged with grand larceny, resisting arrest & criminal possession of controlled substance, Cutting was found with heroin at the scene with intent to sell,   Cutting was also handed multiple vehicle and traffic violations, authorities say.

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State police responded to almost 1,100 crashes and issued more than 600 travel ban tickets during last week’s snowstorm.  State Police said that there were more than 1,500 disabled or abandoned vehicles from the snowfall, there were 3 deaths & 1 tractor-trailer driver ignored the ban near Rochester Wednesday afternoon & caused a 19-vehicle pileup.

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State Lawmakers may decide to eliminate “Cash Bail” this year, among other reforms involving those arrested for criminal activity.  Governor Cuomo outlined possible reforms in his “State of the State” address last month:

(Cuomo 2-4-19)

Various groups opposed to Cash bail protested in Albany earlier today, opponents claim that the Bail System unfairly penalizes the poor & minorities & allows too many people with financial resources go free. 

Firefighters from several area companies responded to a blaze at 3 Johnson Street in Bainbridge at about 4:00 PM Sunday afternoon.   Bainbridge Fire Chief Fred Bell told WCDO news that the fire was electrical, starting in the 1st floor kitchen, it spread to the 2nd floor, all occupants & their pets escaped, there were no injuries reported.    Firefighters from Afton, Sidney, Guilford, Masonville, & Coventry also responded.

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The Delaware Valley Humane Society is seeking donations for the McClancy family, who lost their belongings in Friday’s Fire at 14 East Main Street in Sidney.  Humane Society Director Erin Insinga told WCDO News that the family had adopted 2 dogs from the shelter, that eat 4-Health Grain Free Dry Food, they will also accept toiletries, Gift cards & any other donations on behalf of the family at the shelter, during normal business hours from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM.  Friday’s Fire was caused by an electrical problem, there were no injuries among fire fighters & the occupants & their pets escaped without injury.

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State Senator Jen Metzger made remarks at a press conference on Friday, expressing their deep concerns over the Governor’s proposed cuts to Aid to Municipalities funding:

(Metzger 2-4-19)

In early January, Governor Cuomo released his proposed budget for the 2020 fiscal year, slashing $59 million in funding for local governments through the Aid to Municipalities program, impacting all 19 villages and 31 of the 37 towns in her 42nd District. 

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Lawmakers in Albany are expected to deal with further Gun Safety Legislation shortly, to be added to the 2013 “SAFE ACT”.  Local Assemblyman Cliff Crouch said that he does not feel that more gun legislation is needed, but he is in agreement on one aspect of it:

(Cliff Crouch 2-1-19)

The SAFE Act was quickly rushed through the legislature in 2013 following the Sandy Hook School Shooting in Connecticut.

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Fire fighters from Sidney responded to a fire at 14 East Main Street in Sidney this afternoon, shortly before 5:00 PM.  Fire fighters at the scene told WCDO News that 1 person was in the house & escaped without injury.  WCDO News will have more details as they become available.

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The Broome County Sheriff’s Office released more information regarding this morning’s 2-car crash involving Broome County Sheriff’s Deputy Kristy Botsford.  The report stated that Deputy Botsford was driving on State Route 17 westbound with her emergency lights on assisting the Vestal Police Department in trying to stop a car that was driving eastbound in the westbound lane.  Vestal Police said the suspect, Daniel Butash stopped his car on the highway east of Exit 68, as police approached, he continued to drive the wrong way, and he drove head-on into Deputy Botsford’s Patrol car.  Deputy Botsford became pinned inside her vehicle, Emergency services used the ‘jaws of life’ to remove her from the car, and she was taken to Wilson Hospital where she was listed in critical condition, she suffered a fractured right femur among other injuries.  Butash was driving a 2018 Tesla and suffered minor facials injuries and cuts to his body, he was also taken to Wilson Hospital, and Charges against him are pending.

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State Police in conjunction with the State Liquor Authority and SUNY Delhi conducted an Underage Enforcement detail.   24 year old Codey Wood of Delhi was charged with Prohibited Sale of Alcohol to a Person Under the Age of 21.   Wood is an employee of O’Neill’s Shire Pub on Main Street in Delhi; he was issued an appearance ticket returnable to the Delhi Town Court on February 19th.   The initiative targets the sale of alcohol to minors and utilizes a member of the New York State Police and an underage undercover operative. No other locations in the village of Delhi were found in violation and were found to be in compliance.

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Governor Cuomo today announced New York’s efforts to deter underage drinking resulted in a record number of fake identification seizures in 2018. The year-round Operation Prevent initiative focuses on concert venues, bars, restaurants and alcohol retailers throughout the State. The State seized 892 fake documents as part of the initiative, 922 people were ticketed for using false identification or using another person’s identification.  18 Fake identification arrests were conducted in the Southern Tier, 18 fake ID’s were seized.

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Members from Troop C’s Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit assist the Chenango County Sheriff’s Department with a milk truck rollover on County Route 25 in the town of Columbus. The tanker actively dumped several thousand gallons of milk after crashing just before 7am. The DEC spill response, County DOT and local fire department are also on scene.

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36 year old Matthew Mazepa of Harpursville pleaded guilty today in US District Court for selling Meth in Chenango & Broome Counties & Illegally possessing a firearm.  Mazepa was arrested last April by State Police, he faces sentencing on May 21st.

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19^th District Congressman Antonio Delgado has announced he will open an office in Oneonta next week.    Delgado’s office will be located at 189 Main Street and will be open 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, as well as by appointment.

State Police will join local law enforcement agencies across the state in an effort to crack down on impaired driving during Super Bowl weekend. The STOP-DWI campaign will include underage drinking enforcement; drivers can expect a number of sobriety checkpoints and DWI patrols. Law enforcement will also be looking for motorists who are using their phones and other electronic devices while behind the wheel. Drivers should also remember to “move over” for stopped emergency and hazard vehicles stopped on the side of the road.  The campaign runs from Saturday until 4:00 AM Monday.

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Aaron Powell was found guilty on all charges Thursday in Broome County Court, for the 2013 murders of his estranged wife Christina & Mario Masciarelli, in Binghamton.  Powell was granted a 2nd trial by a higher court, which led to this week’s trial, and a 2nd conviction for these murders.

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With the National Weather Service forecasting Wind chills approaching 30 degrees below 0, it is advised that people try to limit their time outside, according to area meteorologist Rich Townsend:

(Rich Townsend 1-30-19)

The Wind Chill Warning is remaining in effect until Thursday at 6:00 PM.

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At approximately 7:35 p.m. on Tuesday evening, Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies and Emergency Crews responded to a tractor trailer roll-over accident, with entrapment, on State Highway 10 in Town of Hamden.   The tractor trailer had struck and severed a utility pole, bringing power lines down on the overturned truck. The driver of the truck, 77 year old James Updyke of Homer was pronounced dead at the scene.  The highway was closed down for several hours for the investigation & clean up; it was re-opened for traffic Wednesday morning.  Investigators determined that Updyke failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway, crossed the roadway and ran off the southbound shoulder where the truck struck a utility pole and tree and overturned.  The cause of the accident remains pending upon the completion of an autopsy.

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Governor Cuomo has directed the State Police & The State Education Department to launch an investigation into the allegations that 12-year-old girls were strip searched for drugs at the Binghamton middle school recently.  Cuomo said that the girls were strip searched as they were perceived as “’hyper and giddy” and it raises concerns of racial and gender bias.

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Congressman Antonio Delgado will open an office at the County Office Building, 111 Main Street in Delhi on Monday, February 4th.  An open house will be held from 12:00 Noon until 2:00 PM, the Delhi office regular hours will be from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Tuesdays and Wednesdays and by appointment.

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27 year old Steven Barrows of Sidney has Pleaded Guilty in Chenango County Court for 3rd degree Burglary.  Barrows was arrested along with Nicole Bell of Oneonta & Zachery England of Sidney last year, for allegedly burglarizing buildings & stealing lawn care equipment, Barrows will serve 1 1/2 years in prison & was ordered to pay restitution.

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Delaware County Corrections Sergeant Alan Weaver of Andes was named “Corrections Officer of the Year” by the New York State Sheriff’s Association winter conference held in Albany, last week.  Corrections Officer of the Year is an award that is bestowed on a Sheriff’s Correction Officer who has demonstrated an exceptional degree of dedication and commitment to the duties of the Sheriff’s Office in operating County Jails.

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Franklin Fire Fighters along with assistance from firefighters Sidney Center, trout Creek & Treadwell responded to a structure fire to an unoccupied farm house at 6402 County Highway 21 at about 1:30 AM Tuesday.  The building had been in the process of being renovated, it was listed as a total loss; the cause of the fire was under investigation. 

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The Murder Trial of Aaron Powell has been turned over to the jury in Broome County Court for deliberations this afternoon.  Powell is facing a 2nd trial for the murder of his estranged wife Christina & Mario Masciarelli in Binghamton on March 22nd, 2013. Powell’s early conviction had been overturned by a higher court & this 2nd trial was ordered.

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State Police received a report Monday that 30 year old Nicholas Philhower had taken his mother’s vehicle without permission and she requested he be located and arrested.  Trooper Timothy Conklin observed the suspect vehicle on State Route 17 in the Town of Kirkwood,  Philhower took evasive action, traveling through the median and then onto State Route 17 east bound, coming to a stop shortly thereafter.  Philhower was armed with a military style semi-automatic rifle, immediately opened fire on Trooper Conklin through the rear window of the vehicle.  Trooper Conklin returned fire through the windshield of his troop car as Philhower exited his vehicle and continued to advance and fire upon the trooper.  Trooper Conklin was able to reload, exit the troop car and continue to exchange fire.   Philhower was struck several times and died at the scene.  Trooper Conklin sustained a minor shrapnel injury to his upper right arm and was taken to Wilson Hospital in Johnson City where he was treated and released.  An autopsy on Philhower will be performed today at Lourdes Hospital.  The investigation is on-going.

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Governor Cuomo today announced that $30 million in Upstate Revitalization Initiative funding has been awarded to Binghamton University to complete its Health Sciences Campus in Johnson City. This latest investment will finalize the nursing school building that will be housed in an historic, former Endicott Johnson shoe box factory, and co-located with the University’s new School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

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The Southside Mall Job Fair will be held today, with a number of area businesses participating.  The Job Fair will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 PM today, a list of area businesses that will have representatives at the job fair, can be found at the CDO Workforce face book page.

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The Pink Door Thrift Shop, operated by the Chenango Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, has relocated to 13 South Broad Street in Norwich.  An Open House will be held today from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM; it will be free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.  More information about the shop, including upcoming promotions and specials, can be found on the store’s Face Book page.  For more information on the Chenango Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, is available at 337-4151.

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30 year old Nicholas Philhowe of Windsor has been identified by State Police as the shooter in Monday Night’s exchange of gunfire in the town of Kirkwood.  A State Trooper observed a vehicle wanted in connection with an unauthorized use of a motor vehicle complaint, as he attempted to stop the vehicle, the vehicle took evasive action and subsequently stopped on State route 17, Philhowe got out of the vehicle & with an illegal military type weapon, opened fire and exchanged gunfire with the Trooper.  Philhowe died from the wounds sustained in the shooting, the Trooper was transported to Wilson Memorial Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

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Governor Cuomo met with gun safety advocates today to discuss legislation to help curb gun violence.  The Red Flag Bill is designed to keep guns away from mentally ill and other potentially dangerous individuals, it also proposals the banning of bump stocks and extend the waiting period for purchasing a gun:

(Cuomo 1-29-19)

The Governor committed to passing these measures in the first 100 days of the 2019 Legislative Session, in his State of The State address earlier this month.

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The precipitation associated with the current winter storm will be a lot less than initially expected, but very cold conditions are coming in the next few days, according to area meteorologist Rich Townsend:

(Rich Townsend 1-29-19)

The possibility of Frostbite exists with the cold weather, Townsend said to wear gloves, cover exposed skin & try not to stay out for long periods of time with the extreme cold temperatures.

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The Airport Inn on the Airport road in the town of Maine in Broome County was destroyed by fire early this morning.  Endwell fire fighters responded at about 4:20 this morning, the cause of the fire is under investigation.

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The Schoharie County District Attorney’s Office and the National Transportation Safety Board reached an agreement in court regarding access to the limousine involved in the Schoharie crash in October that killed 20.  The NTSB was expected to conduct a visual examination of the limousine today & the judge in the court ruling will allow for a search warrant for the limo’s transmission and torque converter for the NTSB inspection.  The NTSB investigation had been stalled due to a lack of access to the limo, as the Schoharie County District Attorney wanted an inspection of the transmission for its criminal case against Prestige Limousine operator Nauman Hussain.

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The Village of Bainbridge announced today that the Boil Water order from last week has been lifted.  The order was deemed necessary following the water main Break at Kirby Street & the subsequent repair. 

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The New York State of Health Marketplace Open Enrollment ends Thursday January 31. Those looking to enroll can go to nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 1-855-355-5777.

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Peaches, nectarines and plums that were distributed in 18 states, including New York, have been recalled due to potential listeria risks.  According to the FDA, the peaches and nectarines are sold as a bulk retail produce item with PLU sticker number 4044, 3035 and 4378 showing the country of origin of Chile.  More information is available at fda.gov/Safety/Recalls. Walmart stores in New York sold some the nectarines & peaches in question

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State Police arrested 20 year old Heaven Parrish of Smithville Flats, for allegedly having sexual contact with a child under the age of 15.  Parrish was charged with 2nd degree Rape, Criminal Sexual Act & 2 counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child.  The arrest comes after Police investigated an anonymous complaint.  Parrish was arraigned in the town of Norwich Court & she was remanded to the Chenango County Jail on $5,000 cash bail.  An order of protection was also issued for the victim. The investigation is continuing.

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