Statement From Steuben Co Emergency Services

The Office of Emergency Services has been advised that a local distribution facility is working with mercaptan today as part of their normal operations.

Mercaptan is commonly used as an odorant in natural gas and propane to help detect leaks. The facility reports there is NO gas leak. This is standard operation for their mercaptan system.

The strong odor will move based on prevailing winds and relative humidity. It will dissipate fairly quickly, but has been noted in the areas from Savona to Bath. Please be advised.

 

Wendell Weeks Is In A Recent Wall Street Journal Podcast

From Corning Incorporated:  We’re excited to be featured on The Wall Street Journal’s “Bold Names” podcast as we celebrate 175 years of innovation. Corning Inc. Chairman and CEO Wendell Weeks shares how our people, our values, and our passion for solving tough problems have shaped Corning across generations.

Watch the episode here: http://ms.spr.ly/6183QMuYl.

 

A Makerspace Event Tonight At Corning Community

From Corning Community College:  Join us February 6, 2026 at 7:30pm at the Eileen Collins Observatory for a special Elmira/Corning Astronomical Society meeting featuring John van Otterloo, Makerspace Manager at Corning Community College!

Discover how CCC’s new Makerspace can launch your astronomy creativity:

3D?printed telescopes & accessories

Moon models

Raspberry Pi star trackers

Astronomy themed jewelry

…and so much more!

The Observatory will also be open for public viewing on Feb 6 & Feb 20, 8–10pm. Weather permitting, we’ll explore the night sky through our telescopes and offer tours, including our 1/10?scale model of the Hale Telescope and images captured on campus. This event is free and open to the public.

Learn more www.corning-cc.edu/about/observatory.php

 

Hochul: The D.E.C.'s Free Fishing Days For This Year

Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the 2026 dates for Free Fishing Days in New York. The requirement for a freshwater fishing license is waived during the following six days in 2026: February 14–15, June 27–28, September 26 (National Hunting and Fishing Day), and November 11 (Veterans Day).  

 

List Of September 11th First Responders From This Region, Who Are Enrolled In World Trade Center Health Program

On September 11 2001, many first responders from the Southern Tier and Western New York regions, went down to Ground Zero in Manhattan to assist, in the aftermath of the attacks. Below are the numbers of people from these areas, who are enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Program.  The numbers on this list are from US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.   

407 people from the 23rd Congressional District who went down are enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Program. New York’s 23rd Congressional District includes Chautauqua, Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Tioga Counties, and parts of Erie, Schuyler, and Steuben Counties.

269 people in the 24th Congressional District are members of the World Trade Center Health Program. New York’s 24th District includes all Wayne County, Oswego County, Seneca County, Yates County, Livingston County, Orleans County, Wyoming County, Genesee County, almost all of Niagara County, Ontario County, the western half of Jefferson County, the northern half of Steuben County, Schuyler County, and Cayuga County.

 

FROM THE CDC:
Who We Serve
The WTC Health Program is dedicated to helping those who were there during and after the attacks of September 11, 2001. The Program provides services to the following categories of individuals when the individual meets activity, location, time period, and minimum hour requirements.

WTC Responders
Workers or volunteers who provided rescue, recovery, debris cleanup, and related support services on or in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, attacks for certain amounts of time during the period between September 11, 2001, and July 31, 2002.

There are three types of responders: FDNY Responders, WTC General Responders (including NYPD), and Pentagon and Shanksville, PA, Responders.

WTC Survivors
Individuals who were present in the New York City (NYC) Disaster Area in the dust or dust cloud on September 11, 2001; who worked, resided, or attended school, childcare, or adult daycare in the NYC Disaster Area from September 11, 2001, to July 31, 2002; who were eligible for certain residential grants; or whose place of employment was eligible for certain grants following the September 11, 2001, attacks.

 

A Wine Tour Is Scheduled For Later This Month In Steuben

From Cornell Cooperative Extension:  Join Steuben County Farm Bureau for an exclusive wine and spirits tour on Saturday, February 28th! The event is open to the public but attendees must be accompanied by a Farm Bureau member.

Space is limited! Please RSVP to MacKenzie at 607-661-6304

 

Assemblyman Palmesano Meets With Young Farmers 

Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C-Corning) recently met with Future Farmers of America (FFA) students to support agriculture and farming into the future. Pictured from left to right are Jenna Kuhn, Elaine Vaughn, Emery Sirkin, Assemblyman Palmesano, Emma Mae White and Ava Gage.

“I’ve said it before, and I will say it again, No Farms, No Food! These young people represent the future of farming in New York, and it was my honor to meet with them and let them know they have my total support. I will continue to fight to support our family farms in New York state,” said Palmesano.

 

Sheriff Jim Allard's Monthly Newsletter, February 2026

It’s a beautiful day in Steuben County.  The hills are covered in snow, Waneta Lake is solidly iced over and Keuka has ice fishermen on the north end.  Winter is here as I remember it as a child, with February holding us in its icy grip.

Our agency is about to go through a growth spurt.  Undersheriff McNelis, who has been with us since I was elected in 2016, has decided to take a great opportunity in the private sector and will be leaving us in March.  He has a long and distinguished career in law enforcement, and I am very sad to see him go, but feel blessed to have been able to work with him and call him friend.  John started his career in the Steuben County Jail as a Correction Officer.  He then was hired at the Hornell Police Department as a Patrolman and worked there until he was appointed to the New York State Police.  He served as a Trooper and Criminal Investigator, working primarily in the Hudson Valley region until being chosen to work on Governor Pataki’s protection unit, often driving the Governor around New York State.  He then continued investigating crimes for the New York State Police and eventually returned home to work both in the Bath and Wayland Barracks as an Investigator.  After retiring from the State Police, he worked as a School Resource Officer in Canisteo, which is where I met him.  Upon meeting John I was immediately struck by his integrity and intelligence.  When it came time to interview for potential Undersheriffs, which we did with a three-panel interview procedure, he consistently rose to the top and was recommended at every turn.  Since becoming Undersheriff, he has consistently and successfully managed every program we have created.   Steuben County has greatly benefited from the knowledge and experience that Undersheriff McNelis brought to this Office.  None of the many programs brought to life here would have occurred without his diligence and attention to detail.  I am happy for my friend that he can spend more time with his wife, Beth, and family, but I will miss seeing him every day.

One of Undersheriff McNelis’ greatest achievements was to prepare and train a successor.   Lieutenant Brian Logsdon, who served his first five years as a Steuben County Correction Officer, then served as a Deputy Sheriff, Sergeant and Lieutenant will soon be promoted to the rank and position of Undersheriff.  Brian has the respect and confidence of both the Patrol and Correction Divisions as well as my confidence and respect.  Brian has served with distinction as an evidence technician, SWAT member, Field Training Officer, Records Management Administrator, Staffing Officer, as well as any other task presented to him.  He has successfully completed the FBINAA Trilogy Leadership Training and was the project manager for the new county wide law enforcement records management system.  He will continue Undersheriff McNelis’ legacy of excellence.

January brought another busy month for our agency.  Sheriff Allard commended Deputy Ryan Andrews and Deputy Ethan Hurd for successfully disarming an alleged knife wielding suspect who attempted to stab Deputy Hurd in the face.  We swore in two new Deputy Sheriffs, Deputy Spencer Gibson and Deputy Collin Hammond who are now attending the Southern Tier Law Enforcement Academy.  Deputy Gibson is a former Steuben County 911 dispatcher and Deputy Hammond is a former Steuben County Correction Officer.  Welcome Spencer and Collin!  We also swore in two new Correction Officers, Officer Collin Cantrell was sworn in as a Provisional Full-time Correction Officer and Officer Steven Cantando was sworn in as Permanent Part-time Corrections Officers assigned to Court Security.  Welcome Collin and Steven!  Sergeant Shutt delivered over 100 donated coats and hats to area schools.  Sergeants Ames, Erskine, Gardiner, Kester, Sciotti, Towner, Valentine and Waight completed the International Association of Chiefs of Police; The Emerging Leader training.  Sergeants Ames and Waight completed the New York State Homeland Security and Emergency Services Fire Safety Inspections at Correctional Facilities Course.  Captain Mills completed the National Command and Staff College MAGNUS Leadership Program.  Sergeant Sorge and Deputy Butler taught another NYS Boater’s Safety Course, continuing our monthly presentation of this course.  Investigators Day, Shepherd and Dininny completed the NYS DCJS Background Investigations Course.  Sheriff Allard attended the NYS Sheriff’s Association Winter Training Conference, with classes on AI, the Dark Web, Border Security and Financial Crimes.  Sheriff Allard was also honored to be the emcee at the annual awards ceremony as Chair of the NYS Sheriff’s Institute.      

All of our deputies and officers performed in an outstanding fashion, and we received multiple commendations from the public regarding their outstanding performance.