P.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 2-26-25

State Police arrested 60 Year Old Christopher Rayford of Worcester Tuesday Night, following a physical domestic dispute involving a firearm. Troopers were dispatched to County Road 39 in Worcester, they determined that after physically assaulting a victim, Rayford destroyed property within the home and shot several rounds into the ceiling. Rayford is also accused of taking the victim’s cell phone and preventing the victim from calling for help. Troopers took Rayford into custody and the victim was checked out by Worcester EMS for injuries on scene but did not wish to be transported to a local hospital. Rayford has been charged with Reckless Endangerment, Strangulation, Criminal Possession of a Weapon, Assault, Menacing & Criminal Mischief, he was processed and was transported to the Otsego County Correctional Facility for centralized arraignment.

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State Police arrested 46 year old Clyde Stevens of Binghamton following an investigation into fraudulent prescription practices at a Rite Aid pharmacy in Endwell. Stevens is accused of illegally dispensed both controlled and non-controlled substances, The inquiry began after the company identified discrepancies in medication distribution, revealing that Stevens had dispensed quantities exceeding doctors’ prescriptions on multiple occasions. These actions resulted in a financial loss of more than $4,000 to the pharmacy. Further investigation found that Stevens also unlawfully filled prescriptions for controlled substances that had never been authorized by a medical professional. Stevens was charged with 5 counts of Criminal Sale of a Prescription for a Controlled Substance by a Practitioner or Pharmacist, 11 counts of Forgery plus Grand Larceny & 5 counts of Fraud and Deceit Related to Controlled Substances. Stevens was transported to the Broome County Correctional Facility for arraignment.

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The Norwich Police Department announced today that they have been awarded a New York State Office of Mental Health Division of Forensic Services grant and have partnered with Chenango County Behavioral Health to create a Crisis Intervention Team in the City of Norwich. The first goal of CIT programs is to transform crisis response systems to minimize the times that law enforcement officers are the first responders to individuals in emotional distress, the 2nd goal is to ensure that, in situations where their presence is required, police have the knowledge, skills, and support to deescalate situations and divert individuals from the criminal and juvenile justice systems whenever possible.

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The Chenango County Historical Society is currently accepting submissions for the 2025 issue of their annual Journal, Society Executive Director Jessica Moquin comments:

(Jessica Moquin 2-26-25)

Moquin said that complete submission guidelines or more information regarding the Journal, is available by calling (607) 334-9227 extension 2 or by email at info@chenangohistorical.org, the deadline to submit entries is March 1st.

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The Foothills Performing Arts Center has several notable shows coming up, 2 of them coming up in the next week & another in April, Spokesman Geoff Doyle explains:

(Geoff Doyle 2-26-25)

Tickets and more information about these & other shows can be found at foothillspac.org.

A.M. NEWS WEDNESDAY 2-26-25

Delaware County Public Health Services was notified of a positive flock of highly pathogenic avian influenza, also known as H5N1. The flock consists of 150 chickens, geese and ducks. Federal & State agencies are on site at the farm advising on depopulating, cleaning, and disinfection activities. Contact with the flock was limited to the owner. Heather Warner of the Delaware County Public Health told WCDO News what people should look for in their own flock or among wild birds near their homes:

(Heather Warner 2-25-26)

To date, there have been no human cases of avian influenza and no detections in cattle or domestic pets; it is advisable to keep children & pets away from dead birds or animals. National surveillance of milk is currently in place in multiple states including New York.

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The State Department of Health recently launched a campaign, Clear the Air!, to highlight the dangers of secondhand smoke exposure for children with asthma. Children exposed to secondhand smoke can have more frequent and severe asthma attacks; are more likely to get ear infections, bronchitis and pneumonia. There are more than 7,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke, including hundreds of toxic chemicals. About 70 of the chemicals in secondhand smoke can cause cancer. More information about secondhand smoke can be found at cdc.gov/tobacco/secondhand-smoke

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Mediation began Monday regarding the illegal walkout of Corrections Officers at a number of state facilities last week. Correction Officers who walked out are in violation of the Taylor Law & a temporary restraining order to return to work. Governor Hochul said that they state has offered an amnesty period where they could go back to work, no questions asked and they suspended portions of the HALT law, & they had to deploy 6,500 members of the National Guard to cover the inside of correction facilities and the mediation is continuing.

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