Rain Expected Again Tonight In Steuben County

4:58pm FROM STEUBEN READY:  A line of showers and thunderstorms will push eastward across the region this evening.  Although it is unlikely that these storms will be severe, a few storms may be capable of producing brief, heavy rainfall and gusty winds up to 45 miles per hour.  A quick half inch of rain to an inch of rain is possible in 30 to 60 minutes with these storms.  This could lead to some isolated instances of urban and or poor drainage flooding, especially in areas already saturated.  Please be mindful of the potential for rapidly changing weather conditions especially if outdoors this evening.  

 

FATAL ACCIDENT IN WOODHULL YESTERDAY

FROM NYSP:  On June 18, 2025, at approximately 11:34 a.m., the New York State Police in Painted Post responded to a fatal motor vehicle crash on State Route 417 in the town of Woodhull, Steuben County.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 was traveling northbound from a field and attempting to cross State Route 417 to access a driveway at 5977 State Route 417. 

A 2019 Chrysler Pacifica, operated by Kelly A. Bills, age 46, of Woodhull, NY, was traveling eastbound on SR 417 when it struck the Dodge Ram as it crossed the roadway. The impact caused both vehicles to become fully engulfed in flames.

The operator of the Dodge Ram, an 84-year-old man, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Bills was able to exit the vehicle and was transported to Guthrie Corning Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The New York State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) responded and is assisting with the investigation.

The New York State Police were assisted by the Jasper Fire Department, Addison Fire Department, Woodhull Fire Department, Woodhull Ambulance, Tuscarora Fire Department, AMR Ambulance, Steuben County Sheriff's Office, New York State Department of Transportation, and the Steuben County Coroner. 

This is an ongoing investigation. 

 

Steuben County Was Under A Flood Warning Last Night 

Heavy rains hit the county once again, that happened Wednesday night.  Steuben County was under a flood warning from 3:47pm until 9:00pm last night.  According to Steuben County Emergency Services Director Tim Marshall, there were some washouts and water came over the river banks of a couple of creeks, "but overall, the area is okay, from last night's rain," Marshall tells WVIN News.

 

Corning Woman Is Charged With Kidnapping 2nd, Rape 3rd

FROM NYSP:   On June 18, 2025, the New York State Police in SP Bath arrested Jolene D. Spaulding, age 45, of Corning, NY, following an investigation into an inappropriate relationship with a juvenile resident at Hillside Children’s Center-Snell Farms, a residential treatment facility for at-risk youth located in the town of Bath, Steuben County.  Spaulding, employed as a Youth Care Professional at Snell Farm for approximately four months, was placed on administrative leave on June 15, 2025, after facility administrators raised concerns regarding possible misconduct involving a juvenile resident.

On June 18, 2025, law enforcement responded to a report that a juvenile resident was missing from Hillside Children’s Center-Snell Farms.  Snell Farms conducted a facility-wide search and notified Steuben County 911 of the missing juvenile resident.

Shortly thereafter, SP Painted Post Troopers and Corning Police Department located Spaulding and the juvenile in a parked vehicle at a local park. Both were transported to SP Painted Post for interviews. Through the course of the investigation, it was determined that Spaulding had engaged in a sexual relationship with the juvenile, who had been reported missing from the facility.

Spaulding was arrested and charged with the following:

• Kidnapping 2nd (B Felony)
• Rape 3rd (E Felony)
• Endangering the Welfare of a Child (A Misdemeanor)

This is an ongoing investigation. 

 

One Part Of Steuben County Has Food Desert Issues

There is at least one part of south western Steuben County, which can be considered a food desert – that is, an area without a grocery store.   Steuben County Manager Wheeler says, the county and Cornell Cooperative Extension have a vehicle that goes around selling produce –it’s called the Veggie Van.  Also, Democrat U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is working to get $50 million dollars annually in mandatory funding for a USDA program to get money to grocery stores, to set up more locations in areas needing them.