Statement Today From Bath Electric Gas And Water 

ATTENTION VILLAGE & TOWN RESIDENTS, BUSINESS OWNERS & VISITORS

There is a strong smell of Mercaptan, which is used as an odorant in natural gas to help detect leaks, throughout our Village and areas of the Town. It’s also used at a liquified propane gas facility nearby.

We have confirmed an event took place at the facility this morning and has led to a strong smell of Mercaptan. PLEASE DO NOT BE ALARMED. We anticipate the smell will dissipate soon.

 

STATEMENT FROM STEUBEN COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES

The Office of Emergency Services was notified that a local facility has had a release of mercaptan while conducting maintenance operations.  Mercaptan is commonly used as an odorant in natural gas to help detect leaks.  The facility reports there is NO natural gas leak.  This was only a release of the odorant from the mercaptan system. 
The strong odor should dissipate fairly quickly but has been noted in the areas from Savona to Bath to Hammondsport.  If the ordor makes it into your house or building you can air out the house or building once the odor has dissipated outside.  
 
School Budget/School Board Candidate New For Bath

Bath School Superintendent Kelly Houck says, the Bath School District is looking at a possible 2.14 percent tax increase. 

There are four candidates running for two seats on the Bath School Board:  Chauncey Watches, Michael Walden, Dan Chapman and Kelsey Folckemer.  School board and school budget voting day is on May 20.  Voting will be in the Bath School District Office.

 

Law Enforcement Is Out Ticketing Drivers Today, For Passing Stopped School Buses 

From The Steuben County Sheriff's Dept: 

Operation Safe Stop is TODAY - April 24, 2025!

An estimated 50,000 vehicles illegally pass stopped school buses every day in New York State. That’s 50,000 chances for tragedy.

Operation Safe Stop Day is about protecting our kids through education + zero-tolerance enforcement.

When school bus lights are YELLOW Slow Down! The bus is about to stop.

When the lights are RED STOP! Students are getting on or off.

No Excuses. No Exceptions.

Let’s keep our children safe.

STOP for the bus. Every time.

 

There Are Local Primaries Coming Up In June 

Tuesday June 24, is primary day for town board races.   There are three candidates running for two seats on the Bath Town Board:  Brian Knowles, Mike Hann and Hal Bailey.  Also, town supervisors are being primaried in Prattsburgh, Cohocton, Campbell and Rathbone.   WVIN will be reporting more on this as we get closer to June 24.

 

Statement From Steuben County Public Health

ATTENTION: All Public Health staff will be out of the office between 9:30am to 1:30pm for a training excercise today. Please call our office at 607-664-2438 and leave a message if you need to speak with us today.  Public Health Emergency? Call 1-800-836-4444.

 

Hornell Won't Be Getting Wind Turbines, But They Will Be Having Transmission Lines For Canisteo's Project

The Steuben County IDA held a meeting at Hornell City Hall Monday night.  It was about putting transmission lines, for the proposed Canisteo wind project, in the East Avenue Extension area of Hornell, so the lines can get to the South Hornell substation on Route 36 there.  Hornell’s Common Council voted in favor of putting the transmission lines in that part of Hornell.

 

Blood Drives To Be Held, At Corning Community College

Hochul And AG Tish James, Are Suing Trump Over Tarrifs

Democrat Governor Kathy Hochul, and Democrat State Attorney General Tish James, are suing Republican President Donald Trump, over his policy on tarrifs.  The governor says, the tarrifs have made everything too expensive.  The attorney general says, the president does not have the authority to implement tariffs.  Senator Schumer, who is not involved in the lawsuit, says the president is, "hurting both Main Street and Wall Street."

Some Big Mental Health Legislation Is Up For A Vote

There are two major mental health related bills in this year’s state budget. One bill would allow for more involuntarily commitment oif mental patients who are not eating or are homeless or refusing medical care.  One of the bills would legalize assisted suicide in New York State.  Republican Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski is on the mental health and hygiene committee in the assembly.  He strongly objects to the assisted suicide bill. "If it comes to the floor, I will absolutely vote against it," Sempolinski tells WVIN News.  "It's been my position for a long time.  Also, I hope that the reports about this are incorrect, I hope that the supporters of this legislation, don't have the votes," Sempolinski said.