A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 6-10-14

by wcdonews Posted on June 10, 2014

State Police arrested 53-year-old William Quigley of Sidney, on charges of 1 count of Course of Sexual Conduct Against a Child, & 5 counts of 1st degree Criminal Sexual Act. The arrest followed an investigation into inappropriate sexual acts with a child under the age of 13, Quigley was arraigned in the Oxford Town court and remanded to the Chenango County Jail on $50,000.00 cash bail, pending future court appearances.
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The Utica School of Commerce hosted an open house at the new Sidney location at the Tri Town Regional Hospital building on Pearl Street West last night. USC Vice President Don Reese explains:

(Don Reese 6-10-14)

Reese said that those interested in signing up can call Kerri Green at 287-4621; more information is also available at uscny.edu.
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A “Communities that Care” Blood Drive will be held today at the Sidney Fire Hall from 12:00 to 6:00pm there will be FREE T-SHIRTS and Community Goody Bags for ALL Donors, the Life Net Helicopter will be on display.
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The 30th annual Senior Council Barbecue and Pie Auction will be held Today at 4:30 at the Delhi American Legion. The event is a fundraiser by the Senior Council to raise money for programs and services for the elderly.
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NEWS MONDAY 6-9-14

by wcdonews Posted on June 9, 2014

The Sidney Chamber of Commerce and Utica School of Commerce will hold an Open House on today from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at their New Sidney Location at Tri Town Regional Hospital.  This event is open to Sidney Chamber of Commerce members, directors and the public.  USC will have classes starting on June 16th.

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26-year-old Michael Golotty of Elmira, pleaded guilty to 3rd degree arson in Chenango County Court, for the fire that destroyed storage units in Norwich last November, which housed donations for Toys for Tots.  Gulotty was sentenced to 5 to 10 years in state prison, as well as restitution to the victims to be paid in installments after his release.

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Former Otsego County Chamber of Commerce President Rob Robinson pleaded guilty in Otsego County Court to 1st degree scheming to defraud. Robinson was arrested & fired in 2011, following charges of insurance fraud, grand larceny & falsifying business records, for an insurance scheme that enrolled more than 400 downstate residents in an MVP Health Care Insurance program offered by the Otsego Chamber. The sentence includes a 3-year conditional discharge & a $2,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for July 28th.

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The Chenango county sheriffs department arrested a Town of Unadilla resident and a Town of New Berlin resident for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and Unlawful Possession of Marihuana.  Deputies arrested 28-year-old Jason Lindroth and 28 year old Antonio Felice following an investigation into a suspicious vehicle. Deputies found that Lindroth and Felice were both in possession of heroin, prescription pills, hypodermic needles, and marihuana, they were arraigned in the Town of Oxford Court and were remanded to the Chenango County Correctional Facility on cash bail.

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The New York State Fair was named America’s 4th-best state fair by Yahoo! Travel, beat only by Texas, California and Ohio. The news comes just a few weeks after Hopper.com ranked the Fair as the No. 1 State Fair.  An independent survey, conducted at the conclusion of the 2013 Fair, fairgoers cited food as the #1 reason for visiting every year. Last year, the Fair introduced Taste NY Wine and Cheese seminars to engage fairgoers about the various wines and cheeses that are made in New York

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As state lawmakers wrap up the current legislative session, there are still a few items on the Governor’s agenda that might not get acted on this year.  Assemblyman Cliff Crouch said that the proposal to increase the state’ minimum wage again is another unnecessary cost to business:

 

(Crouch 6-9-14)

 

Crouch said that the bill would probably only pass one of the 2 houses, which should kill it off for this year.

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The State Public Service Commission is seeking comment on a request by Time Warner Cable and Comcast Corporation to transfer certain Time Warner Cable telephone systems, cable systems, franchises and assets to Comcast. Under the proposal, Comcast will retain all of Time Warner Cable’s existing assets in New York State. The Commission will use its new regulatory powers to conduct an investigation into the proposed merger to determine whether the transaction is in the best interest of the customers.  More information is available at dps.ny.gov.

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The New York State Gaming Commission reported that the Lottery sales for 2013-2014 totaled $9.2 billion, a profit of $3.1 billion for education, & a 4.2% increase over previous year, the 14th consecutive year of Lottery revenue growth.  Total sales rose $292.2 million; All Lottery profits go to funding education in the State.

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There have been several black bear sightings in the Southern Tier, with reports of bears climbing trees & rummaging near homes.  The DEC reports that you can prevent bears from visiting by removing bird feeders, not leaving food or garbage outside, don’t feed pets outside and don’t run refrigerators outside.  More information is at dec.ny.gov

 

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P.M. NEWS FRIDAY 6-6-14

by wcdonews Posted on June 6, 2014

The Sidney Chamber of Commerce will honor their choices for “Citizen of the Years” & Business of the Years “ tonight. Long time Firefighter Barry Cole was chosen as Citizen of the year, he told WCDO News that he just likes to help people:

 

(Barry Cole 6-6-14)

 

Video Entertainment Plus was chosen as the “Business of the Years” Owner Andy Matviak comments:

 

(Andy Matviak 6-6-14)

 

The Awards will be given out at tonight’s annual Sidney Chamber Of Commerce dinner at the Sacred Heart Church on Liberty Street starting at 5:30 PM.

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New York State is no longer requiring transgender people, to offer proof of surgery, when asking the state to change the gender on their birth certificate. The state will now issue a new birth certificate, if the person provides an affidavit from a medical provider, stating they have received “appropriate” treatment. The policy change had long been sought by advocates, who say an individual’s official gender, shouldn’t depend on whether they had a medical procedure. Five states have already made similar policy changes.

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Cal Harris, the Tioga County businessman who has been convicted of murdering his wife twice, spoke for the first time in a special interview with CBS. Facing his third trial in the fall, Harris gave his first TV interview to the 48 HOURS program.   The interview will air Monday at 10 p.m. Michele Harris went missing the night of Sept. 11th, 2001. Although amidst a bitter divorce, Michele and Cal were living in the same Tioga County home when she vanished after leaving a boyfriend’s house. Harris has been convicted twice of murdering Michele, but both cases have been thrown out on appeal.

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State Troopers arrested 34 year old Craig West of Windsor for 3rd & 4th degree Criminal Mischief 3rd, Disabling Equipment to Prevent Request for Emergency, & 2nd degree Harassment.  The arrest resulted from a complaint in Windsor, where West has allegedly engaged in a physical altercation, and smashed a phone that the victim was using to get help from Police, damaged other property and injuring the victims head & jaw. West apprehended and arrested, he was arraigned in the Town of Colesville Court and remanded to the Broome County Jail on bail, an order of protection has been requested against him.

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Greek yogurt maker Chobani has laid off employees at its plant in Chenango County, but has also charted a new direction for growth. Chobani would only say it reduced certain positions at the plant in New Berlin, as well as temporary positions at the facility in Idaho. The local plant will continue to produce for east coast customers, as well as markets in Latin America and the Caribbean. Chobani also opened a new business service center in Norwich.

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National Guard members may soon have the right for memorial headstones, thanks to a push from Rep. Richard Hanna. The House of Representatives passed the Guard Units and Reservists Deserve Remembrance Act. The act allows National Guard and Reserve members, who have served more than six years, to receive a memorial headstone or marker when they pass away. The GUARD Remembrance Act is part of the National Defense Authorization Act. It will head to the Senate for a vote.

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A.M. NEWS FRIDAY 6-6-14

by wcdonews Posted on June 6, 2014

The Chenango Arts Council announces that Diane Batson-Smith be Executive Director effective July 1st, replacing Victoria Kappel who announced her retirement in January. Batson-Smith has enjoyed a varied career in the arts including her own repertory company in Roanoke, Virginia, an independent film producer, Senior Producer & Project Supervisor for Dreamworks SKG, & a studio executive for Walt Disney Productions, and a Co-Producer for Paramount Pictures.
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The New York Better Business Bureau is warning residents of summer scams, involving discount paving jobs from door to door salesman. Salesmen promise discount paving jobs, begin the process, only to find out they don’t have enough materials, promise to come back, & never return. Consumers are then left with a partial job, when they’ve paid for more. The Bureau said to watch out for anyone who pushes for a quick decision, requires cash only sales, or has an unmarked vehicle with out of state plates. A list of legitimate contractors can be found on bbb.org
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Greater Maywood Rural Community Services is hosting a “Raise the Roof” fundraiser at Covered Bridge Gardens today, with a spaghetti dinner & Blue Grass music, starting at 5:00 PM. $10.00 donations are requested.
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The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum will host a blood drive, sponsored by the American Red Cross & Bassett Healthcare, on Saturday, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM in Cooper Park adjacent to the Hall of Fame in a Red Cross bloodmobile. Blood donors will receive free admission to the Museum on Saturday. Volunteer donors who have not donated within the last 56 days of June 7 are eligible to donate blood on Saturday. The Museum will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday as it observes summer hours through the day before Labor Day.
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Delaware county Public Health will hold a free rabies clinic today in Masonville. The clinic for dogs, cats & domesticated ferrets runs from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Masonville Fire Hall

 

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P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 6-5-14

by wcdonews Posted on June 5, 2014

Governor Cuomo announced that more than 96,000 jobs are currently available and listed on the State’s Jobs Express website at jobs.ny.gov.   The site sorts jobs by region and occupation, and also allows users to search jobs based on zip code and travel distance. The occupational categories with the most jobs listed now are: Sales, Clerical and Secretarial, Management, Computer and Mathematical, and Healthcare Practitioner and Technical. Currently, there are 4,550 jobs listed in the Southern Tier.

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Michael Buck pleaded guilty to 1st degree manslaughter in Otsego County Court following an incident September 21st at the Middlefield home that Buck shared with his father, 64 year old Joe Buck. Joe buck was killed, Michael Buck suffered a gunshot wound to the left cheek. Under the agreement Buck will be sentenced to 20 years in prison, followed by 5 years of post-release supervision. Buck had been indicted on 1 count each of 2nd degree murder, 1st degree assault, & criminal use of a firearm & 2 counts of 3rd degree criminal weapons possession.

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A Franklin woman was arrested Tuesday night after fleeing an officer who had initiated a traffic stop for a headlight that wasn’t working. The chase started on Main Street in Oneonta at about 9pm, and continued into Franklin when it was called off due to road conditions. The driver was picked up by state police at her residence in Franklin and turned over to Oneonta police. 39 year old Patricia McNeilly was charged with 2nd degree reckless endangerment, 3rd degree unlawful feeling a police officer in a motor vehicle, reckless driving, 3rd degree aggravated unlicensed operation and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration. McNeilly was arraigned in Oneonta city court and released pending a future court appearance

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The Utica School of Commerce will begin classes at the Tri-Town Regional Hospital building on Pearl Street in Sidney this month.   USC Vice President Done Reese explains:

 

(Don Reese 6-5-14)

 

USC will hold an open house the Sidney location Monday from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, classes will begin June 16th.

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State Police in Deposit were dispatched to a tractor-trailer rollover this morning at around 4:30 a.m. by exit 81 on Route 17 East. The unidentified driver veered left to avoid hitting a car that cut in front of it, but the tractor-trailer went off the road and rolled on its side. The tractor-trailer was carrying about 24,000 pounds of candy bars. Route 17 East, between exits 80 and 81, was reduced to one lane and re-opened this afternoon. The driver suffered minor burns to his arm. No tickets were issued and police are investigating.

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The Chenango County Health Department will hold a community awareness presentation this evening on ticks & Lyme Disease from 6:00 to 7:00 PM at the Bainbridge Town Hall.   A Rise in the number of ticks has been reported In Afton & Bainbridge, the event is open to the public, more information is available at 337-1673.

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The AARP released a poll showing 80% of voters, over the age of 50, think state consumers need an independent advocate to protect them from utility rate increases. The AARP and other consumer groups are pressing the state Senate, to vote on legislation that was passed by the Assembly last month, to create an Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate. Roughly 40 states have an independent utility advocate. The state legislature will wrap up its current session later this month.

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A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 6-5-14

by wcdonews Posted on June 5, 2014

New York state is partnering with a British company, to hold clinical trials for marijuana-based medication for children, who have seizures that are resistant to their medicine. An agreement was signed between Gov. Cuomo and GW Pharmaceuticals. The state health department, and the company, will develop the framework for a clinical trial for a marijuana-based drug for people under the age of 18. The health department is working on the framework for the protocol, which needs to be approved by the FDA before it is enacted

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The Sidney town board has scheduled a special meeting for today. The meeting   will begin at 6:00 PM in the Civic Center Board room; the board will discuss the Sidney center stream relocation project.

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The Bainbridge-Guilford Central School will hold a Board of Education Meeting in the District Conference Room at 6:30 PM. The business portion of the meeting will start at 7:00 PM. They will also hold a public hearing on the CODE OF CONDUCT at 7:00 PM.

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P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 6-4-14

by wcdonews Posted on June 4, 2014

Governor Cuomo noted the importance of the state’s dairy industry, with June being celebrated as “Dairy Month”. Dairy accounts for ½ of the state’s total agricultural income, New York is the 3rd leading producer of milk in the country and also the is now the largest producer of yogurt, cream cheese, sour cream and cottage cheese.   New York is a net supplier of milk to the Northeast region, with 2.8 billion pounds of milk shipped from farms to out of state plants in New England, Pennsylvania and New Jersey; the state has also experienced a 16.4% increase in dairy-related employment from 2010 to 2013.

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Mergers of school sports program will be implemented soon, for the Harpursville, Afton & for one sport, Bainbridge Guilford School. Harpursville Athletic Director Dave Groover told WCDO news about the sports mergers:

 

(Dave Groover 6-4-14)

 

Groover said that the school fell short in some of the sports in terms of the number of students participating, so merging those teams made sense. Groover said that cost cutting also factored into the decision. The changes will begin with Fall sports.

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State police have arrested a Gilbertville man on felony weapons charges. 46-year-old Edward McCarthy was charged with 3rd & 4th degree criminal possession of a weapon, and criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.   McCarthy was charged after a state police investigation into stolen property in the town of Butternuts Monday.

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Otsego county sheriff’s department arrested 27 year old Justin Quakenbush on 3 counts of 2nd degree attempted assault, 1st degree promoting prison contraband, & 3rd degree menacing, following attempted attacks against Otsego county corrections officer, in the Otsego county jail. Quakenbush was being held in the county jail on separates charges, he had his bail increased to $5000 bail at arraignment in town of Middlefield court, he could face an additional 19 years in jail if convicted on all of the latest charges.

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Congressman Chris Gibson is calling on federal regulators to make changes to the Delaware River Basin Flexible Flow Management Plan to better protect Upstate New Yorkers from flooding. Last week the Delaware River Basin Decree Parties extended the current Flexible Flow Management Plan for another year, delaying the implementation of measures to mitigate flooding in surrounding communities. Gibson said that releases from the Cannonsville, Neversink, and Pepacton reservoirs are regulated by a 1954 United States Supreme Court decision, where New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New York City must agree on changes to the management of the Delaware River Basin.

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The American Red Cross is urging people to donate blood this summer. It’s part of the Red Cross 100 Days of Summer Campaign. It encourages people to give blood to those in need. Organizers said one pint of blood can save up to three lives. In New York State, 1,200 units of blood are needed each day just to keep up with hospital needs. To find the schedule of local blood drives, go to redcross.org.

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Governor Cuomo announced a wager with California Governor Jerry Brown on the matchup between the New York Rangers and the Los Angeles Kings in the Stanley Cup Final. If the Rangers win, Governor Brown will send Governor Cuomo the book “California: A History” by Kevin Starr and Lundberg Organic Brown Rice Cakes. If the Kings win, Governor Cuomo will send Governor Brown: A Taste NY Gift Basket, featuring products from businesses across the state, and a commemorative hockey puck from the 2013 “Hat Trick” of three on-time budgets in a row. Game one is tonight in Los Angeles.

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A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 6-4-14

by wcdonews Posted on June 4, 2014

About 1000 members of Law Enforcement agencies and hundreds of civilians paid their respects to Trooper Christopher Skinner at his funeral in Johnson City Tuesday.  Trooper Skinner was killed in the line of duty while conducting a traffic stop on I-81 last Thursday.  State Police Superintendent Joseph D’Amico said that Officers from as far as Alaska, Florida attended the funeral of Trooper Skinner.

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Firefighters in Walton responded to a garage fire at 5 Sewell Place last night.  Early reports suggested that the fire started due to a lightning strike.  Further details are expected to be released shortly.

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