Steuben County Budget Has Been  Passed 

County officials say the Steuben Legislature met in special session yesterday and adopted the 2024 county budget pegged at $246 million with a property tax levy of $52.8 million.  While the levy is up 1 percent compared to 2023, property owners can expect, on average, a drop in the tax rate of $0.55 per $1,000 full assessed value down to $6.80 per $1,000.  County Legislature Chairman Scott Van Etten noted the hard work of county Manager Jack Wheeler and Deputy County Manager Christopher, was what made the budget come together so well.

The Driver In Bus Accident In Wellsville Has Been ID'd

State Troopers out of Wellsville report that the driver who collided with a school bus Monday morning on Route 19 in Wellsville, was a Hornell teen.  Officials say that a 2012 Chevrolet Impala being driven by 19 year old Troy O’Brien of Hornell, was traveling south bound on State Route 19 and crossed into the north bound lane striking a 2023 bus head on. The bus driver and the nineteen children of the Wellsville Central School District were treated for minor injuries at Jones Memorial Hospital.  Troopers say O’Brien was extracted from the Chevrolet and transported to Jones Memorial Hospital for life-threatening injuries.  The New York State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit, Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Wellsville Central School assisted in this investigation.  Troopers say that this is still an ongoing investigation.

Toys For Tots Events Are Coming Up

Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard reports that on Saturday, December 2, deputies will host the “Toys for Tots Fill the Patrol Car and Coats for Kids” event at both Erwin and Hornell Walmart plazas. From 10am to 12pm that day, toys and children’s coats will be collected for Steuben County children. The toys will be distributed to Steuben County children in need and the new or gently used coats are distributed to Steuben County school districts for children in need of cold weather clothing.