P.M. NEWS THURSDAY 5-22-14

by wcdonews Posted on May 22, 2014

Area assemblyman Cliff Crouch announced his intentions to seek the office for another 2-year term in the 122nd district:

 

(Crouch 5-22-14)

 

Crouch cited education, economic development, and mandate relief for taxpayers, businesses, schools and local governments as his main goals. Crouch was first elected to the Assembly in 1995 and serves as chairman of the Assembly Republican Conference. So far, no democrats have announced any intention to seek Crouch’s Assembly seat.

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Engineers have determined the Ellis Brothers Furniture Building on Water Street in Binghamton is in danger of imminent collapse and must be demolished. An April 30th fire damaged the building & the Demolition is expected within the next few days. A portion of Water Street will be closed to traffic for at least a week as the building is torn down and debris is removed.

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Otego resident Mike Packard will join the 2100-mile club after finishing his 30th 70-mile general Clinton canoe regatta race on Monday. Packard told WCDO News about the milestone and how he got started in canoe racing:

 

(Mike Packard 5-22-14)

 

28 time Regatta Champion Serge Corbin will not be racing this year, after 29 finishes at the General Clinton Canoe Regatta.   The 57-year-old Corbin told WCDO that he is not racing currently:

 

(Corbin 5-22-14)

 

Corbin continues to operate his Boat making business, and is enjoying his retirement from canoe racing.

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The state Senate passed a bill to make the aggravated murder of a child punishable with a life sentence in prison without parole. The bill expands on the existing law of aggravated abuse of a child, which makes it a crime when someone causes physical injury to a child under the age of 14. Dubbed the “Protect Our Children Act,” the proposed bill also seeks to create a new felony for concealing the death of a child, and for failing to notify police when the whereabouts of a child are unknown for more than 24 hours. The bill was sent to the assembly

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U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer announced the first phase of a statewide database, to help track a rising epidemic of heroin use in New York. Schumer said the President’s Office of National Drug Control Policy, agreed to meet with state and local government officials within the next three months, to determine how to track heroin and other drug-related crimes. The database would help counties set up a database to track heroin and other drug-related overdoses, deaths, hospital admissions and crimes statewide, as well as help police identify patterns and crack down on distribution rings.

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Governor Cuomo launched a new online platform called Business Mentor NY, the State’s first, mentoring program designed to help small business. The website located at businessmentor.ny.gov where participants may register online, review the profiles of potential mentors and communicate directly with them on an as-needed basis and at no charge.

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The band Barenaked Ladies will play opening night at the New York State Fair on Aug. 21st. The band will perform at 8 p.m.   at Chevy Court. Other acts announced for Chevy Court include Kellie Pickler, Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone , John Kay and Steppenwolf, Bowzer’s Rock & Roll Party, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts and The Doobie Brothers

 

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A.M. NEWS THURSDAY 5-22-14

by wcdonews Posted on May 22, 2014

President Obama will visit the national baseball hall of fame in Cooperstown today. The President & Governor Cuomo will promote the importance of tourism to the state & national economies this afternoon, the Hall of Fame will be closed to the public today, and re-open with normal hours on Friday.

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Governor Cuomo announced that former congresswoman Katherine Hochul will be his running mate as the lieutenant governor candidate in this year’s gubernatorial race. Hochul replaces Robert Duffy, who decided to step aside due to health concerns.

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P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 5-21-14

by wcdonews Posted on May 21, 2014

Republicans in both houses of the legislature are urging the Assembly leadership to pass Brittany’s Law, to create a registry of violent felony offenders, similar to the sex offender registry created under Megan’s Law. Assemblyman Cliff Crouch supports the bill:

 

(Crouch 5-21-14)

 

Brittany’s Law has advanced in the Senate in each of the last 4 years, it is named after 12 year old Brittany Passalacqua who was murdered in 2009 in Geneva, by John Edward Brown, who was on parole after serving time for violently assaulting his infant daughter, Brittany’s family was unaware of his violent history.

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All area school Budget votes and assorted propositions passed around the tri-County region yesterday. The state education department noted that 97% of district proposed budgets at or below the state’s property tax cap, and close to that percentage passed. Unadilla Valley Voters elected Victoria Gregory, Richard Potter and Kimberly Murray to school board, Oneonta District voters elected Amy Burnsworth and Daniel Buttermann to the school Board to 3-year terms.

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Long time general Clinton canoe regatta participant Dave Price is being elected to the Regatta Hall of Fame on Saturday, for his contributions to the Clinton since the late 60’s. Price was asked if there was a moment along the way containing special memories:

 

(Dave Price 5-21-14)

 

Price has been a Regatta committee member and 2 time chairman, he helped initiate the famous “700-Mile Club” & he will be the Race starter in Cooperstown for the 37th time on Memorial Day.

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State lawmakers & advocates for the disabled are pushing legislation to change the “Handicapped” sign picture and also remove the word “Handicapped” from those signs. Advocates claim the word is outdated & offensive; the new sign would portray a person in a wheelchair in motion. Bills have been introduced in the Assembly & the Senate, however its unclear if the proposal will be voted on before the end of the session in mid-June.

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Former Governor David Paterson will take over as chairman of the state Democratic Party, as party leaders from across New York kick off their convention today on Long Island. Paterson became governor in 2008 when Governor Eliot Spitzer resigned following a prostitution scandal. Democrats will begin nominating their statewide ticket today; a new poll shows their candidates with commanding leads.

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The state health department is releasing a “Youth Sexual Health Plan” to address HIV, sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy prevention. The health department said the plan is a guide to ensure that age-appropriate, medically accurate and unbiased sexual education programs are available to all youth. Goals include reducing teen pregnancy; providing HIV and STD screening through school-based centers; increasing access to contraception services; and promoting healthy and safe relationships and decision-making. The plan can be viewed at health.ny.gov

 

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A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 5-21-14

by wcdonews Posted on May 21, 2014

The 3rd murder trial for Calvin Harris will begin September 15th in Schoharie County Court.   Harris was convicted twice in Tioga County Court for the murder of his wife Michelle in September 2001, both convictions were overturned on appeal. The 3rd trial has been moved out of Tioga into Schoharie county court at the request of Harris’s attorney. Michelle Harris’s body has never been found.

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After being found not guilty in a corruption trial Friday, former Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno said he will seek state reimbursement for his legal bills; as much as $4 million. Bruono stated that state law gives him the right to seek money from the state Attorney General’s Office, after approval by the state Comptroller’s Office, as state law allows public officials to recoup legal fees if they are found innocent in relation to their official duties. Bruno spent $1.5 million from his campaign account on legal fees, and there was a legal fund to help his cause

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Ribbons fluttering from trees will mark the fourth annual emerald ash borer awareness week in New York state. The state DEC said the awareness week runs until May 24th. The emerald ash borer is a beetle native to China that kills ash trees. It was first spotted in North America in Michigan in 2002 and has spread across New York since 2008. The beetles have destroyed tens of millions of ash trees in the U.S. Volunteers will tie ribbons on ash trees to raise awareness of the insect.

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P.M. NEWS TUESDAY 5-20-14

by wcdonews Posted on May 21, 2014

State police at Troop C in Sidney held their annual Memorial Service today, to honor those who lost their lives in the line of duty. Troop C Commander Major Donald Faughnan comments:

 

(Major Faughnan 5-20-14)

 

Major Faughnan noted that 4 troopers died in the line of duty in the last year, he also noted that it was 20 years ago today, that Investigator Rick Parisian died while trying to stop an armed robbery at an Oneonta Supermarket.

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New traditions will continue at this year’s General Clinton Canoe Regatta on Saturday. Regatta Chairman John Harmon explains:

 

(John Harmon 5-20-14)

 

Also on Saturday, the next class of Regatta Hall Of Fame will be inducted at a dinner & ceremony at General Clinton Park at 4:00 PM

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The Utica School of Commerce will begin offering classes at a Sidney location starting next month. USC Vice President of corporate & workforce development Don Reese gave WCDO News the details:

 

(Don Reese 5-20-14)

 

Reese said that courses would be available day & evenings accounting, computer skills, business math, & medical coding & billing as well as their businesses courses.

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Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested 52-year-old Donna Whelan of Long Beach for Promoting Prison Contraband & Criminal Possession of a Controlled substance. Whelan was being booked in at the Delaware County Jail on unrelated criminal charges, a quantity of cocaine was found while searching her purse.   Whelan was arraigned in Delhi Town Court and was returned to jail on $1000 cash bail or $2000 bond, pending future court action.

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Senator Chuck Schumer announced his support for a plan that would allow young professionals, with outstanding student debt, to refinance at the lower interest rates currently offered to new borrowers. Under the Senate Democrats’ new plan, students would get an opportunity to apply for an affordable college education, by allowing borrowers with both federal and private undergraduate loans, at interest rates of up to 14 percent, to refinance at today’s lower rates of 3.86 percent

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A groundbreaking ceremony will be held on Tuesday May 27th, for the new Skateboard Park in Keith Clark Park in Sidney.   The groundbreaking ceremony will begin at 6:30 PM at the site, preparations & groundwork is scheduled to begin this week.

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Commerce Chenango will hold their next “Business After Hours” event today. UHS Home Care sponsors the event, it will be held at the Eaton Center in Norwich from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.

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

 

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A.M. NEWS TUESDAY 5-20-14

by wcdonews Posted on May 21, 2014

Binghamton Police revealed the identities of the 2 people killed in a motorcycle crash Sunday night in Binghamton. Binghamton Police Officer Katie Brown and former Binghamton Police Officer Christopher Stoeckel, both of Binghamton, were killed in the crash that was reported around 10:15 PM   at State Route 434 &   Pennsylvania Avenue on the city’s Southside. Stoeckel was dead at the scene, Brown was taken to Wilson Hospital where she was pronounced dead. Police believe Stoeckel lost control of the motorcycle, struck a guide rail and both were ejected, Speed was also a factor,   and toxicology results are pending. Brown’s funeral services are being arranged by her family and will be held in her home state of Indiana. Stoeckel was a Binghamton police officer from 2008 to 2012, he resigned after a DWI arrest.

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Delaware County Deputies arrested 44 year old Ralph Fuller of Walton on a warrant issued in the Franklin Town Court for Aggravated Sexual Abuse. Sidney Village Police also arrested Fuller, for predatory sexual assault, 1st degree burglary, & criminal possession of a weapon, for allegedly breaking into a Sidney resident’s home, using a taser and raping the victim, he is being held in the Delaware County Jail without bail pending future court action.

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New York State will host a special ceremony this morning at 11:00 AM on the Empire State Plaza in Albany to honor the nearly 60,000 Emergency Medical Services personnel in the State and pay special tribute to 12 EMS providers who lost their lives in the line of duty on 9/11. the names of 12 fallen EMS members will be added to the “Tree of Life” Memorial on the Plaza, there will now be 56 names of EMS personnel enshrined on the memorial.

 

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SCHOOL BUDGET VOTES 5-20-14

by wcdonews Posted on May 21, 2014

School Budget Votes May 2014:

Sidney Central School: Budget approved 186 to 58, Sidney Library Budget passed.

Walton Central School District: Budget approved 597 to 380

Deposit School Budget passed- 275 in favor, 100 Opposed, Voters approve of Bus Purchases & Land Acquisition.

 

Afton Central School District: Yes: 142 No: 64 Bus proposition also passed

 

Bainbridge-Guilford Budget – passed – Yes-205; No-94 Bus Proposition Passed.

 

Greene Central School District: Budget Votes: Yes: 181 No: 73

Unadilla Valley Voters approved budget, school bus & library budgets, elected Victoria Gregory, Richard Potter and Kimberly Murray to school board.

 

Norwich City School District: Budget approved 335 to 104

 

Oxford Academy Budget passed 201 to 59. Bus Purchase & Library Appropriation propositions passed. Board of Education Vote: Julie Gates -196, Eugene Rood 172.

 

Unatego Budget passed 161-59

 

Laurens budget vote was 163 Yes and 40 No. The bus passed 184 Yes and 17 No.

 

Gilbertsville Mount Upton Budget vote: Yes: 161     No: 52

 

Oneonta City School District: Yes: 657 No: 158, Amy Burnsworth and Daniel Buttermann were elected to school Board to 3-year terms.

Morris school Budget approved 145 to 53

 

Harpursville School District: Budget approved 169 to 66

 

Windsor School District budget approved 366 to 100

 

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P.M. NEWS MONDAY 5-19-14

by wcdonews Posted on May 19, 2014

Tomorrow, residents across the state will vote on school budget, and elect candidates to school boards.  Most of the area school districts kept their tax levy increase at 1% to 2%, the Sidney school district actually has a decrease of 2.5% in their tax levy, Norwich & Greene have 0% increases, the Walton central school district is requesting a 5,5% increase, & the Greene school district is seeking a 3% increase.  School board races will be on the ballot in the Oneonta, Oxford & Unadilla valley district.

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The Sidney village police arrested 44-year-old Ralph Fuller of Walton for predatory sexual assault, 1st degree burglary, & criminal possession of a weapon, Fuller is accused of breaking into a Sidney residents home, using a taser and raping the victim, he is being held in the Delaware County Jail without bail pending future court action.

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State and local law enforcement will hit the roads looking for people who are not wearing seat belts, as part of the “Click It or Ticket” Campaign through the end of May. In New York State, drivers and passengers can be fined if they are caught without their seat belt. Drivers can even receive points on their license. 21% of highway deaths in the State happen to occupants who were not buckled up.

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The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum hosts the 6th Hall of Fame Classic Weekend this coming weekend.  The Classic will be played Saturday, and will feature representatives from all 30 Major League Baseball teams. Hall of Famers Roberto Alomar, Andre Dawson, Rollie Fingers, Eddie Murray, Phil Niekro and Ozzie Smith will serve as managers and coaches for the Memorial Day Weekend legends game.  The festivities will start with a parade down main street in Cooperstown at noon, to Doubleday Field where the Home Run Derby starts at 1:00 and the game will start at 2:05 PM. Tickets are available by calling at 1-877-726-9028 or baseballhall.org, or at Doubleday Field starting at 8:00 AM Saturday.

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Former Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno was acquitted on all charges relating to alleged political corruption on Friday.  The jury in this 2nd trial deliberated for about 4 hours, Bruno was convicted of the fraud charges in 2009 in a trial at which jurors acquitted him of five other fraud counts and could not decide on a sixth count.  Bruno plans to ask state taxpayers to reimburse his legal expenses which cost into the millions.

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The Northeast Classic Car Museum and NBT Bank announced interior improvements at the Museum, which are being underwritten by NBT Bank.  The donation will enable the Museum to upgrade and enhance its banquet facility, revamp a catering preparation area, enclose a storage area, install a sliding door room divider, purchase matching chairs and tables to complete seating for 250 people, and purchase a new 14′ X 10′ projection screen. The new NBT Bank Event Center will provide a multifunction area for future large events.

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Howie Hawkins of Syracuse won the Green Party nomination for governor of New York again. Hawkins won the nomination on Saturday in Troy. In 2010, Hawkins received 59,906 votes, more than any other 3rd party candidate who ran against Democrat Andrew Cuomo.  The centerpiece of the Green Party is a proposal to build a 100 percent clean energy by 2030, which they claim could create 4.5 million new jobs over the next 15 years.

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The Robert W. Harrold BOCES on Route 206 in Masonville will have their annual open house tomorrow, to highlight student accomplishments this year.  BOCES Work Base Learning Coordinator Danielle Macy comments:

 

(Danielle Macy 5-19-14)

 

WCDO will be broadcasting live from the annual BOCES open house from 5:00 to 8:00 PM Tuesday.

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