P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 3-24-15

by wcdonews Posted on March 24, 2015

Bidding has been opened up for a casino in the Southern Tier by the state Gaming Commission. The commission chose only 3 casino bids instead of 4 in December, bypassing the Southern Tier entirely, in favor of a casino to be placed in Seneca County, about 85 mile north of the region. Governor Cuomo requested that the commission re-open the bidding process for a southern tier casino; Tioga Downs in Nichols would be considered a front-runner for that southern tier casino.
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State Police arrested 54-year-old Scott Wade of Binghamton in connection with 2 bank robberies that occurred on November 14, 2012 and November 28, 2012 at the First Niagara Bank, in Conklin. Wade has been indicted by a Broome County Grand Jury on 2 counts of 3rd degree Robbery; he was arraigned in Broome County Court & was remanded to the Broome County Jail without bail.
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The Governor and the legislative leaders are in the midst of ongoing budget discussions, which have intensified as the budget deadline approaches. Governor Cuomo repeated that ethics reform is a top priority and that he wouldn’t sign a budget without ethics reform legislation included. The Assembly leadership agreed with the Governor’s ethics package, the state senate has not yet agreed with the Governor’s plans for ethics reform. The push for the reforms followed yet another arrest of a top-level state lawmaker, when Sheldon Silver was arrested in February on federal corruption charges.
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State Senator Jim Seward announced senate passage of a legislation that targets criminals who stage auto accidents & fake injuries in order to collect on false insurance claims.

(Seward 3-24-15)

The bill is named after Alice Ross of Queens, who died in a staged accident in 2003; Assemblyman David Weprin of Queens sponsors the bill in the state assembly.
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The Cooperstown girl’s basketball team won their 1st New York state Class c title in school history last Sunday in Albany, by defeating Northern Adirondack 61-34. The team was welcomed back into town with a Main Street Parade, Lady Hawkeye’s Head Coach Mike Niles comments:

(Mike Niles 3-24-15)

Cooperstown graduates only 1 senior from this year’s team that finished with a record of 25-1. The full interview of Coach Niles with WCDO Sports Director Nate Lull can be heard at WCDOSPORTS.COM.
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The Upstate New York rock group Orleans will perform at the Chevy Court at the New York State Fair at 2:00 PM on Friday, August 28th. Officials said that former members of the Southern Rock Band Little Feat would join Orleans. Orleans was formed in Woodstock in 1972, and had major hits in the 70’s with “Dance With Me,” “Love Takes Time,” and “Still the One”. The Fair has previously announced Chevy Court shows with Everclear & Rick Springfield on August 27th, The Oak Ridge Boys, September 1st & Meghan Trainor on September 3rd.
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A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 3-24-15

by wcdonews Posted on March 24, 2015

Binghamton mayor Rich David announced that Binghamton Police Chief Joseph Zikuski has been placed on paid administrate leave beginning today. Chief Zikuski has recently been accused of sexual harassment by women working in & around the Binghamton police department.
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The Local Early Intervention Coordinating Council will meet on Today from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at the Delaware Opportunities Building, 35430 State Highway 10 in Hamden. more information is available at 865-5200.
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Commerce Chenango announced that the next “BUSINESS AFTER HOURS” event will be held today at McCREDY MOTORS in Norwich, along with WCDO. The event will be held at the McCredy’s showroom at South Broad Street in Norwich from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
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P.M. NEWS MONDAY 3-23-15

by wcdonews Posted on March 23, 2015

A “Protect Our Schools” demonstration will be held in Oneonta Thursday as part of a state wide awareness campaign, to let Governor Cuomo know that parents & teachers feel that school are underfunded, over-mandated and that they fear an eventual statewide take-over of schools. Area schoolteacher Michelle Decker comment:

(Michelle Decker 3-23-15)

Kjersti Van Slyke-Briggs is an area parent that co-founded an area grassroots campaign regarding common core & increased testing of students, she told WCDO News of the purpose of Thursday’s event:

(Kjersti Van Slyke Briggs 3-23-15)

The demonstration will begin at 4:30 Thursday at the former Center Street School In Oneonta, more information is available at NYSAPE.org.
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Governor Cuomo & Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie have agreed to an ethics reform package for the legislature to follow, which may lead to getting another budget completed on time. Assemblyman Pete Lopez said that republicans in both houses feel that ethics reforms should be tackled separately from the budget process:

(Lopez 3-23-15)

Conference Committees are tackling the differences in the budgets passed in the Senate & Assembly, both of those plans spend substantially more than Governor Cuomo’s Budget Proposal.
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The 11th annual American Cancer Society Tri-Town Relay For Life will be held at the General Clinton Park in Bainbridge on Saturday May 9th this year. The 2015 theme is Hero’s of Hope & this year’s event will be ONE day only, running from 11am to 11pm. Officials announced that it is not too late to become involved by either registering a team or volunteering, more information is available at relayforlife.org/tritownny or at the next meeting on Monday April 6th at 5:30 at the United Methodist Church, Liberty Street in Sidney.
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The Delaware County Republican Committee has endorsed Porter Kirkwood for Family Court Judge. Kirkwood currently serves as Delaware County Attorney. The Delaware County Family Court Judgeship is a new position that was created by the Governor and State Legislature in 2014 in an effort to relieve the backlog of cases in Family Courts around the State. 25 new Family Court Judgeships were added in New York. No Democratic Party Candidate has been announced.
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The Guilford town planning board has cancelled their meeting originally scheduled for this evening. The meetings will return to the normal schedule of the 4th Monday of every month in April, more information is available at 895-9966
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The Oneonta Common Council announced 2 meetings for today. The facilities-technology- operations-community improvement committee will hold their next meeting at 4:00 this afternoon, the finance & administration committee will hold their next meeting at 5:00 PM, both meeting will be held in the common council chambers at city hall.
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A.M. NEWS MONDAY 3-23-15

by wcdonews Posted on March 23, 2015

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Town of Plymouth Man for Criminal Mischief. After an investigation of a Domestic Dispute, 21 year old Daniel Brazee was found to have destroyed a family member’s property during the argument; he was arraigned in the Town of Plymouth Court and was remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $2500 cash bail.
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Last Thursday evening, the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office 911 Center received a 911 call of a tractor trailer accident on State Highway 8 in South New Berlin. The South New Berlin Fire Department closed off State Highway 8 between the State Highway 23 & County Road 15. A tractor trailer operated by 50 year old Anthony Johnson of Mississippi overturned, with a load of about 40,000 pounds, Johnson was uninjured; the removal of the tractor trailer and cargo closed the highway for over 3 hours. No tickets have been issued and the accident is still under investigation.
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Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 44 year old Charles Slate of Plymouth for 3rd degree Assault & Criminal Trespass, following an investigation of an attack in the town of Plymouth. Slate was arraigned in the Town of Norwich Court and released on his own recognizance.
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The Sidney central school district announced that registration for all Sidney students eligible to enter Kindergarten in September will be held this week through the Friday the 27th. Parents must call 561-7728 to set up an appointment to register their child. More information is available at 561-7701 or 561-7728.
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P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 3-20-15

by wcdonews Posted on March 20, 2015

The Chenango County Sheriff’s Office arrested 51 year Donald Scott of Afton following an investigation into the manufacturing of methamphetamines. Deputies responded to 9 Blowers Hill in the Town of Afton after receiving information of a “1- pot” meth lab. Deputies reported that Lab equipment & chemicals used in the cooking process. The State Police assisted with the investigation & with the destruction of hazardous materials. Scott was charged with Unlawful Manufacturing Methamphetamines, he was arraigned in the Town of Afton Court and remanded to the Chenango County Jail on $25,000 cash bail.
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Governor Cuomo announced that the state Troopers PBA, the State Association of Chiefs of Police, & 28 Sheriffs have joined the “Enough is Enough” campaign to combat sexual assault on the state’s college campuses. The Governor’s proposal would codify uniform sexual assault prevention and response protocols for all colleges and universities in New York. Among the local law enforcement that have now expressed support are Broome County Sheriff David Harder & Delaware County Sheriff Tom Mills. The “Enough is Enough” hotline is 1-844-845-7269; more information is available at ny.gov/EnoughisEnough.
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The “Take A Shot at Diabetes” fundraiser is being held on March 28th to raise money for those suffering with Diabetes locally. Terry Potter of Millennia Entertainment explains:

(Terry Potter 3-20-15)

Tickets are available at NBT Bank, Hummel’s office supplies in Norwich or at Brown paper tickets.com.
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The South Kortright Girls Basketball team is 1 of the last local teams playing in the state tournament, they take on Fort Edward in the state Class D Final 4 Saturday at 10:45 AM at Hudson Valley Community College. Lady rams Coach Josh Burrows comments:

(Josh Burrows 3-20-15)

The South Kortright Lady Rams are undefeated this season & are currently ranked #1 in the state for Class D Schools. The full interview with WCDO Sports Director Nate Lull is posted at WCDOSPORTS.com.
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There will be a Celebration luncheon hosted by Donna Pinney Saturday @ 1:30pm at the Track Side Dining in Sidney. Pinney is an open heart-valve surgery survivor; she explains why she is holding the Luncheon:

(Donna Pinney 3-20-15)

Proceeds raised tomorrow will benefit the American Heart Association Southern Tier Heart Walk, in April at the BCC College campus. More information is available at 563-1638.
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There are tickets still available for the Canal Street String Band at the Martin W. Kappel theater in Norwich Saturday night. Chenango arts council executive director Diane Batson Smith explains:

(Diane Batson Smith 3-20-15)

Tickets are available at 336-2787 or at chenangoarts.org.
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A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 3-20-15

by wcdonews Posted on March 20, 2015

The Otsego County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the finding of a deceased woman in a creek Thursday. The body was found in a creek at the intersection of Buel and Ray Mower Spur roads in the town of Cherry Valley. An autopsy has been scheduled, the identity of the woman and the cause of death are under investigation.
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The Chenango county health department will hold a free rabies clinic tomorrow in Norwich. The clinic for dogs cats & ferrets will be from 9:30 to 11:30 AM at the Norwich Fire Station at 341 east main Street. More information is available at 337-1673.
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P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 3-19-15

by wcdonews Posted on March 19, 2015

State Police in Deposit arrested 24 year old Stephen Esolen of Hancock Tuesday for 2nd & 3rd degree Burglary, and 3 counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon. While investigating the burglary of an estate property in Hancock, Police developed a suspect, who allegedly possessed several blasting caps and a large quantity of C4 explosives. State Police BCI and Bomb Disposal Unit executed a search warrant at Esolen’s residence at 2488 County Highway 67 in Hancock, resulting in the seizure of 12 electric detonators, 4 M60 Igniters, a rifle with a home-made silencer & stolen jewelry. Further investigation led to the recovery of approximately 20 pounds of C4 explosives buried on an adjacent property. Esolen was arraigned in the Town of Hancock Court and remanded to the Delaware County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash bail. On Wednesday, Investigators continued the search of the estate property and the seizure of numerous grenades, signal flares, packs of fuse igniter and 2 aerial bombs.
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State Police announced that Law enforcement officers from all over the country paid their respects as Trooper Donald Fredenburg in Utica. Trooper Fredenburg collapsed last Friday while running with other recent graduates from the state Police Academy in Albany, the autopsy said that Fredenburg died from a blocked artery to his heart, he was 23.
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The Afton town board is inviting the public to an open house at the IVCI building at 209 County Road 39 this Saturday. Town board members will be on hand to answer questions regarding the proposal to have the town purchase the building & make it into a new Town Hall Complex. The event will run from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 PM Saturday.
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Governor Cuomo is campaigning for state wide Broadband services, as many New Yorkers still don’t have access to the internet. The Broadband4All campaign calls for Matching private-sector investments, increased broadband speed, & Local input to guide development, through the Regional Economic Development Councils.
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There were few surprises from Wednesday’s local Village elections. many candidates ran unopposed; one close race had Sheri Youngs defeat Cathy Treffeisen 39 to 37 for a Sidney Village Board seat.
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A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 3-19-15

by wcdonews Posted on March 19, 2015

Governor Cuomo announced that 11 counties will be eligible under the proposed $30 million Southern Tier Agricultural Economic Development Initiative, including Broome, Chenango, & Delaware Counties. $25 million would help farmers increase agricultural production on farms and improve profitability, as well as support farmers in better managing environmental resources. Projects that are awarded state funding may receive up to $100,000, which will go toward funding up to 75% of an eligible project. Applicants are responsible for the other 25%, and all projects should be completed within one year of the contract.
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The New York State Office of General Services announced that surplus vehicle auctions have been scheduled through the month of August. Information on specific items and terms of sale are available at nysstore.com, or at 518-457-6335. Locally, Auctions will be held on Wednesday, May 20th at 9:30 AM at the DOT at 241 Colesville Road, Binghamton & on Thursday, July 23rd at 9:30 AM at State Police Troop C Headquarters on State Route 7.
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The Otsego Academy will host another Open House for Prospective Students at Pathfinder Village on State Route 80 in Edmeston today. Otsego Academy is offering a 2-year post-secondary education program for young adults with intellectual disabilities. Today’s event will begin at the Village’s Kennedy Willis Center from 2 to 4 p.m., another will be held on Saturday, April 18, from 1 to 4 p.m. more information is available at 965-8377, ext. 154 or at otsegoacademy.org.
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The State Division of Human Rights announced the launch of a public information campaign to educate the public about the protections afforded to people living with HIV/AIDS under the State’s Human Rights Law. A series of meetings will be held throughout the state, the next meeting will take place today from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at the State Office Building, 44 Hawley Street in Binghamton, a full list of events is available at dhr.ny.gov. or at 1-888-392-3644.
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The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting on today in the Guilford School Cafeteria at 6:30 PM. The business portion of the meeting will start at 7:00 PM.

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