P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 2-24-15

by wcdonews Posted on February 24, 2015

Governor Cuomo and labor leaders applauded the State Department of Labor for its action to raise the minimum wage for tipped workers to be among the highest in the nation. Governor Cuomo attended a rally at the New York Hotel & Motel Trades Council, where he announced an increase in tipped workers wages to $7.50 per hour:

(Cuomo 2-24-15)

There are 229,000 tipped workers in the State, 70% are women. Tipped workers are twice as likely to live in poverty, & Restaurant waiters and waitresses make up more than half of tipped workers who do live in poverty.
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Criminal Investigators with the Delaware County Sheriffs department arrested 34-year-old Bryon Byriter of Sidney for 3rd degree Criminal Mischief. Byriter is accused of intentionally damaging a window at the Delaware County Correctional Facility while incarcerated; Byriter remains incarcerated on an unrelated charge and will be arraigned in the Town of Delhi Court at a later time.
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On Saturday, State Police from Binghamton arrested 33-year-old James McNeilly of Binghamton for 3rd degree Burglary, Criminal Mischief and Disorderly Conduct, after Troopers responded to a report of a suspicious man in the lobby of an apartment complex in Conklin. Troopers reported that McNeilly became irate; he is accused of kicking & damaging the patrol car’s computer. A further investigation determined that the man had entered the complex without permission and stole keys from it. McNeilly was arraigned & was remanded to the Broome County Jail with no bail set at this time.
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The Oneonta Police department is reminding city motorists that The Department of Public Works has requested the posting of the upper level of the Parking Garage for snow removal. Signs have been posted prohibiting parking after 11:00 pm tonight; any vehicles that remain are subject to ticketing and/or towing.
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Chenango Has Talent will be held this Saturday February 28th from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Martin W. Kappel Theater in Norwich. Chenango Arts Council Director Diane Batson-Smith explains:

(Diane Batson-Smith 2-24-15)

The event will raise funds for both The Chenango United Way and The Chenango Arts Council. More information is available at chenangoarts.org or at 336-2787.
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The Robert W. Harrold BOCES Campus in Masonville was evacuated at 11:30 this morning, as a safety measure after a hot water pipe broke in the Operations & Maintenance area. Deputy Superintendent of BOCES Deedrick Bertholf told WCDO News the pipe was closed off & segregated from the system, hot water steam was released from the pipe. All students & staff were sent home as a precaution, there was no impact on instructional programming & the facility will be open with normal hours tomorrow.

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A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 2-24-15

by wcdonews Posted on February 24, 2015

Former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver faces arraignment on bribery charges today, in federal court. Silver was arrested in January by the FBI on corruption charges for collecting nearly $4 million from law firms for political favors. Silver resigned as speaker after his arrest, he retains the assembly seat he has held for nearly 40 years.
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Residents of the Harpursville central school district will vote today on 2 propositions. The first proposition is for 15 million dollars, for various improvements to buildings around the district, the 2nd proposition is for using $499,000 from the capital reserve fund to help pay for the upgrades. Voting is from 2:00 to 8:00 PM in the Olmstead elementary school.
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Commerce Chenango will have their next business after hours event today, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The event will be held at RAPID REPRODUCTION at 4511 State Highway 12 in Oxford.

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P.M. NEWS MONDAY 2-23-15

by wcdonews Posted on February 23, 2015

Governor Cuomo outlined significant reforms to New York State’s ethics laws and rules, which are included in the 30 day Amendments to the 2015-16 Executive Budget. The amendments include a proposal where Public officials will be required to disclose all outside earned income, Public officials who are convicted of public corruption should not have taxpayers pay for their retirement. Another proposal will end misusing per diems as backdoor Salary supplements.
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State Police from Sidney arrested 22-year-old Josiah Wheeler of Oneonta, for DWI with a B.A.C. result of .18%, which is twice the legal limit. Troopers made the arrest after responding to a Delaware County 911 report of a motor vehicle accident on Interstate 88 in Sidney. Wheeler is accused of driving into a guide rail several times; he was issued tickets returnable to the Town of Sidney Court on March 12th.
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6 year old Cooper the Nova Scotia Duck Trolling retriever won his 3rd Westminster “Best in Breed” award at the Westminster dog competition in New York city a week ago, Cooper lives with his own Robin Haskins in the town of Bainbridge. Haskins said that not only is Cooper a major champion on the biggest stage, he is also a lifesaver:

(Robin Haskins 2-23-15)

Haskins said that her prognosis is excellent as Cooper discovered the cancer while is was only at Stage 1.
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The NY State of Health, announced a special enrollment period for individuals and families who had to pay a federal penalty for 2014 and had not been aware or had not understood that they would have to pay a penalty for not having health insurance coverage. The Special Enrollment Period will start on March 1 and end at 11:59 p.m. on April 30, 2015. Consumers who do not enroll during this period will not be able to purchase coverage during the rest of 2015 and may be subject to a federal tax penalty when they file their 2015 federal income taxes. More information is available at nystateofhealth.ny.gov/resources.
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State tax collections through the first 10 months of the state’s fiscal year rose 1% from last year to $58.9 billion, but were $367.3 million below the state’s latest estimates due to lower Personal Income Tax collections, according to the January state cash report by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli. State tax receipts in January of $9.2 billion were down 1.3% from last year. The Division of the Budget is expected to issue a revised Financial Plan with updated revenue projections this week.
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A.M. NEWS MONDAY 2-23-15

by wcdonews Posted on February 23, 2015

The Otsego County District Attorney’s office announced the arrest of 54 year old Timothy Gregory of Unadilla for violating his probation. Gregory was convicted 2 years ago of criminal possession of marijuana, he was arrested again last week on similar charges. Gregory is accused of selling marijuana out of his home and business; he appeared in Otsego County Court Friday & was sent to the county jail without bail, pending court action on March 6.
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On Friday, State Police arrested 2 Broome County residents on a variety of drug related charges. Arrested were 22 year old Joshua Diaz of Glen Aubrey, & 18 year old Angela Yager of Binghamton, after troopers stopped their vehicle in Johnson City. Troopers confiscated 36 wax envelopes of heroin, approximately 2.5 grams of methamphetamine, packaging material and other methamphetamine manufacturing materials. Both were arraigned & were remanded to the Broome County Jail.
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P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 2-20-15

by wcdonews Posted on February 20, 2015

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced plans to boost Upstate winter tourism, including a free snowmobiling weekend on March 7 and 8 for all out-of-state and Canadian snowmobilers.

Registration fees will be waived for properly registered and insured out-of-state snowmobiling enthusiasts on the state’s 10,400 miles of trails. The Governor also announced that the 2015 Winter Challenge would be held the same weekend, on March 8.
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State Senator Jim Seward has introduced legislation to prohibit sex offenders from residing near their victims or near any school. Seward’s legislation would prohibit Level 2 and Level 3 sex offenders from residing within 1,500 feet of their victim; entering or residing within 1,500 feet of school grounds; and from attending or participating in school events or activities. Violators would face up to 1 to 4 years in prison.
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State lawmakers are looking at the changing the rules for tenure for teachers, as part of education reforms this session. Area Assemblyman Cliff Crouch comments:

(Crouch 2-20-15)

Crouch said that he knows of 1 area district that has spent about $300,000 trying to dismiss 1 tenured teacher accused of inappropriate behavior, money that could have helped retain teachers & staff, or purchase equipment for student use.
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The Broadway Theater league has tickets available for the remaining shows in the 2014-2015 season. Tina Niles of NAC Entertainment explains:

(Tina Niles 2-20-15)

“Flashdance The Musical” will have 2 performances on Sunday March 1st at the Forum Theater in Binghamton, at 3:00 PM & 7:30 PM.
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A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 2-20-15

by wcdonews Posted on February 20, 2015

The Binghamton Senators, announced that today is “Do It For Daron, Power to the Purple Day in Binghamton”. The event is culminating with Do It For Daron Night with the Binghamton Senators tonight when they host the Hershey Bears at 7:05p.m. The community is encouraged to wear purple to show their support for youth mental health. Do It For Daron was created in honor of Daron Richardson, a 14-year-old girl who lost her life to suicide in November 2010. More information is available at difd.com
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Governor Cuomo announced that New York is once again the second highest producer of apples and the third highest producer of grapes in the nation, according to preliminary estimates from the USDA. New York produced an estimated 1.26 billion pounds of apples and 188,000 tons of grapes last year, combining for a total $358.4 million crop. The standings come on the heels of a series of record agriculture harvests and unprecedented international recognition of New York’s agriculture products over the last four years.

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P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 2-19-15

by wcdonews Posted on February 19, 2015

A Grand Jury has officially indicted former Speaker Sheldon Silver. Silver was arrested on January 22 on 5 federal corruption charges, for allegedly using his position to aquire millions of dollars. Silver resigned as Speaker of the Assembly after 21 years at that position, he has been in the Assembly since the mid 70’s, he has NOT residgned from his seat in the state assembly.
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The 3rd Cal Harris murder trial continued in Schohaire County court, after Harris’s attorrney tried unsuccessfully for a 3rd time to have the case against Harris dismissed. Harris has been convicted twice before in Tioga county for murdering his wife Michelle in 2001, a change of venue was granted for the 3rd trial.
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The Chenango county sheriffs department arrested 25-year-old Koty Head of Norwich, Wednesday for violation of an order of protection. Deputies responded the report of a domestic dispute in which Head allegedly threatened physical harm upon another subject, in violation of an order of protection issued out of the Town of Norwich Court. Head was arraigned in the Town of Norwich court and remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on $1,000 dollars cash bail, he will re-appear in the Town of Norwich court at a later date.
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The Sidney Chamber of Commerce is currently seeking nominations for this years “Business of the Years” and “Citizen of the Years” awards. Chamber President Tim Cutting explains:

(Tim Cutting 2-19-15)

The Winners will be awarded at the Chamber’s Annual Dinner to be held on June 5th. More information is availabel at sidneychamber.org or at 561-2642.
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The Binghamton Mets announced that the annual “Welcome Back B-Mets” Dinner is scheduled for Tuesday, April 7th at the Holiday Inn in downtown Binghamton. Tickets are $25.00 per person, dinner will be followed by a special baseball program with team and manager introductions. Tickets will go on sale on tomorrow at 723-METS or at NYSEG Stadium during normal business hours. All proceeds from this year’s event will go towards scholarships for local children to participate in the B-Mets Players Camp held in July at NYSEG Stadium. The Binghamton Mets are set to open their 24th season on April 9th in Akron Ohio, the home opener is April 16th, highlighted by a pregame ceremony to celebrate their 2014 championship.
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The Otsego County Chamber Of Commerce announced that the presentation on the Governor’s 2015 Opportunity Agenda for New York that was scheduled for today at the Otesaga has been canceled due to bad road conditions. Chamber officals announced that they will try to reschedule the event in the near future.

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A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 2-19-15

by wcdonews Posted on February 19, 2015

American Red Cross blood drives are scheduled today. One blood drive will be held in Cooperstown from 1:00 to 6:00 PM at the Christ Episcopal Church, 69 Fair Street. Another will be held in Oneonta from 12:00 Noon to 5:00 PM at Hartwick College. Appointments can be made at visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.
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Pathfinder Village will host the 1st of 3 informational Open Houses today for their New “Otsego Academy” which is a 2-year post-secondary education program for young adults with intellectual disabilities. Today’s event will be at the Village’s Kennedy Willis Center in Edmeston from 2:00 to 4:00 PM, Director of Admissions Kelly Myers explains:

(Kelly Myers 2-17-18)

Additional open house opportunities have been scheduled at Pathfinder Village on Thursday, March 19th & Saturday, April 18th. Pre-registration is recommended at 965-8377, ext. 154 or visit otsegoacademy.org.
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The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting today in the District Conference Room at 6:30 PM. The business portion of the meeting will start at 7:00 PM.

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