Steuben County Public Health Reports That A 48 Year Old Covid Positive Man Has Died

 The Steuben County Public Health Department received notification of a COVID-related death.  This brings the total number of COVID-19 deaths in Steuben County to 293.  The individual was a male resident from the Town of Wayne who died at the age of 48.  Also, 72 new COVID positive tests have been reported since Friday's update.

Governor Hochul Is Lifting The Mask Mandate For Students, Starting Wednesday

Statement From Governor Kathy Hochul: “We believe that by Wednesday, we’ll be able to have a situation where we’ll have the lifting of the mask requirement and children, that includes children who are in childcare centers, ages two and up who are covered right now. Now this is an important point to make – we will lift the statewide requirement based on all the data that I’ve just outlined. However, there are some states, some counties, in the State of New York where they have a higher rate of transmission. We will allow them the flexibility to determine what’s best for their county.

Statement From State Teachers Union NYSUT, About The Mask Mandate Ending Wed

“We welcome this step toward normalcy. The governor is striking the right balance by empowering local officials to use data to determine if and when the mitigation strategies need to change in their areas. As the guidance changes, one thing must remain constant: It’s essential that districts work closely with educators to ensure there is confidence in their health and safety plans.”

Update From Wayland Mayor Michael Parks, Regarding Fire Recovery

Last Tuesday, February 22, numerous Wayland residents who lived in a rental apartment, lost everything.  Several businesses were negatively affected as well.  WVIN News caught up with Wayland Mayor Mike Parks, who told us, that the insurance agents have seen the site of Tuesday’s fire.  “The insurance people have been here, and our code enforcement officer has cleared a couple of the buildings,” Parks said.  “The other buildings are going to have to have some structural engineer come in and see what kind of shape that they are in.”  Mayor Parks also says, there will be an important meeting about the fire on Thursday, March 3, at 1pm. 

Livingston County State Police, Release The Name Of Hit And Run Fatality, In Groveland

The State Police have identified the individual struck and killed on I-390 in Livingston County early Sunday morning. Steven Drachenberg, age 36, from Buffalo was struck and killed by a passing motorist as he walked in the passing lane of I-390 southbound in the town of Groveland shortly after 3:00 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022. State Police Investigators believe he ran out of gas and had exited his vehicle and was struck.  Anyone with information is asked to call the State Police at 585-398-4100.

An Interim CEO Has Been Named By Hornell Hospital

The St. James Hospital board of directors announced Friday that Wendy Disbrow, MBA, RN, has been named interim president and CEO effective March 12, 2022. Disbrow is taking the position currently held by Bryan O’Donovan, who is resigning as of March 11.  Disbrow currently serves as vice president, physician network for Finger Lakes Health, which operates Geneva General Hospital and Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital (Penn Yan), among other community healthcare services. She has more than 15 years of experience in nursing staff and nurse-manager roles.  The St. James board and UR Medicine are collaborating on the search for a permanent CEO.

Congressman Tom Reed Issues Another Statement, Critical Of Pres Biden

“President Biden has shown his true alliance with Putin when he specifically promised, under the announced ‘sanctions package,’ that the US will continue to pay Putin and his oligarch friends billions of dollars for oil and gas production and sales. The United States has the energy resources to knock Russia out of the oil and gas market entirely, but we don’t use those resources because of President Biden’s partisan pandering to the environmental extremists of the Democratic party. Instead of pandering to extremists, we must take the bold actions needed to ensure an evil dictator like Putin and other adversaries existing on the horizon know we will ensure peace is achieved through strength. Enough is enough. We need real and honest leadership, and we need it now.”

How A Wayland Fire Fighter Saved Lives During Tuesdays Fire 

By Jasmine Willis     Cohocton Fire Department Fire Fighter Stephanie Jo Feely had just gotten to working on a client at Shannon’s Family Barber Shop, which is right across the street from the fire. When she heard over the scanner it was 12 N. Main St. she raced to help out.  “I left my client in the chair. Shannon and I went to help assist getting my client and her children who live upstairs out of the front window and down a ladder. They were unable to go down the hallway because of the amount of smoke.”  Feely also says, that the ladies brought business owners and families into the shop to get them out of the cold and smoke.

One Animal Died In Friday’s Barn Fire In Bath

At 12:58pm Friday afternoon, the Bath Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched for a possible Barn fire at 5641 Thomas Road in the town of Bath. First unit on scene was Bath 3rd Assistant Chief Matt Morse who called working barn fire that was fully engulfed, and all operations will be strictly defensive.  Assistant Chief Morse then called for a second alarm calling for Tankers from Avoca, Hammondsport, Kanona, and manpower from the Bath VA and Avoca, and Savona Engine to stand by at the Bath fire Station. Pultney fire was dispatched for a Rapid Intervention Team but was told to stand down as fire was defensive. Wayne fire stood by at the VA until they were back in service then moved to Bath Fire Station to stand by for Bath as Savona was moved to the scene.  The barn housed four horses and a calf. All the horses were in the pasture but unfortunately the calf was lost in the fire. Strong winds caused rapid spread of the fire and hampered fire-fighting efforts. The cause of the fire is undetermined currently and is under investigation by the Steuben County Fire Investigation Team.

Assemblywoman Byrnes Makes Two Visits To Wayland, Since Tuesday’s Fire

The Wayland American Legion held donations from the entire area for those who lost everything in the Feb.22 blaze. Assemblywoman Marjorie Byrnes offered her support and condolences and has visited Wayland twice, speaking ethere with the legion and local officials.

“It’s very sad. We have all been down here for so many events. These older villages have such a phenomenal history. People in these communities have rebuilt over the years, and this history is part of them. Hopefully they will be able to rebuild. We need to get these people taken care of, and I hope they won’t have to relocate. We need to make sure these people have homes. When I saw the pictures of the fire bursting out of the roof it was very heartbreaking,” Byrnes said.

County Covid Update

Steuben County Public Health announced on that there were 72 new cases that were diagnosed, between Wednesday, February 23 and Friday, February 25.  The county public health office also reports that hospitalizations and the positivity rate are the lowest they've been since August 2021. 

Palmesano Announces Scholarship Opportunity

Assemblyman Phil Palmesano and fellow members of the Conference of Italian-American State Legislators are announcing that applications are now being accepted online for their annual scholarship program.  Four scholarships will be awarded, each totaling $3,000. Two will be awarded based on academic achievement and two will be athletic scholarships.  The application deadline for the scholarships is the close of business on Friday, March 18, 2022. Students residing in the 132nd Assembly District need to submit a scholarship application online by visiting the New York Conference of Italian-American State Legislators website at https://www.nyiacsl.org/.

There Was A Fire In Bath On Friday Afternoon

There was a barn fire today on Thomas Road in Bath.  That news comes to us from  the Bath Volunteer Fire Department, they report that as of the 3:00pm hour Friday, the fire was under control.  The barn housed four horses and a calf. All the horses were in the pasture but unfortunately the calf was lost in the fire. Strong winds caused rapid spread of the fire and hampered fire fighting efforts. The cause of the fire is undetermined currently and is under investigation by the Steuben County Fire Investigation Team.    The Bath Volunteer Fire Department was assisted by Tankers from Avoca, Hammondsport, Kanona, and manpower from the Bath VA and Avoca, and Savona Engine to stand by at the Bath fire Station. Pultney fire was dispatched for a Rapid Intervention Team but was told to stand down as fire was defensive. Wayne fire stood by at the VA until they were back in service then moved to Bath Fire Station to stand by for Bath as Savona was moved to the scene.

Governor comments on Ukraine

Governor Kathy Hochul issued the following statement:

"Our prayers are with the Ukrainian people, including those in New York who are scared for their family and loved ones. Just as the Statue of Liberty stands tall in our harbor, New York stands ready to welcome Ukrainian refugees. We remain engaged with the Biden Administration and we will be prepared to accept and support those who seek shelter in our state."

Steuben County Covid - 19 Count Update

Steuben County Public Health reports that there have been 72 new cases of the covid, since this past Wednesday, February 23. 

Fundraiser in Woodhull

In the Steuben County Town of Woodhull, the planning board is doing a shoe drive fund raiser.  This is being done to bring in money to pay for upgrades to the community playground in Woodhull.  "They'll be conducting this shoe drive, at the Peck Center," said Planning Board member Kenny Schupp.  "That's the old Woodhull Methodist Church, located right in downtown Woodhull."  The time and date: tomorrow, Saturday, February 26, from 10am-2pm.  Just bring new and slightly worn shoes, to that location and the money will go towards both the playground and help families in developing nations.

Amazon Update

Steuben County Industrial Development Agency Director Jamie Johnson tells WVIN that the bid for work on the access improvements to the industrial park, is going to be advertised on Monday, February 28.  “Contractors who are interested in submitting a proposal will have until 3pm on Monday March 21^st to submit it to the County IDA,” John said.  Also, the IDA will be  opening those proposals that afternoon (March 21^st).