Steuben County Legislature to meet Monday, face a packed agenda

The Steuben County Legislature is set to meet this Monday, July 26^th in regular session in the county Annex on East Morris Street. The legislation will be asked to approve tax incentives road agreements in connection with the proposed 25-turbine Eight Point Wind Project in the towns of Greenwood, Hartsville, Hornellsville, and West Union. The tax incentives will reduce Eight Wind’s property taxes in return for annual payments divided between the town, county and school districts affected by the project. Legislators will also be asked to require the wind farm developer to compensate Steuben for damage and degradation to county roads caused by the hauling and traffic of materials and equipment used for the wind turbine construction. Also on their packed agenda, county lawmakers will officially request Governor Andrew Cuomo and the state Legislature reinstitute the office of Advocate for People with Disabilities, the appointment of county Director of Public Safety, and the acceptance Medication Assisted Treatment grant funding to provide medication assisted treatment for individuals with opioid dependence in excess of $33,000.

5 active warrant arrests made in the month of July

Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard reports from July 1^st to July 18^th, deputies of the Steuben Sheriff’s Office Warrant Squad arrested the following persons due to active warrants:

Wayne L. Fish, age 29, of Starr Road, Campbell

Kaitlyn R. Pragle, age 25, of Mount Morris

Austin Jay Burdick-Comfort, age 25, of Dwight Avenue, Corning

Michael Joseph Petix, age 46, of E. Steuben Street, Bath,

Kaleb Eugene Heidrick, age 32, County Route 86, Addison. Mr. Heidrick was arrested on a Fugitive of Justice Warrant from Pennsylvania and remanded to the Steuben County Jail.

Early morning barn fire in Addison

15 fire units were called to a barn fire shortly after 2 a.m. Friday morning on 2952 John Rial Road in Addison. Officials say no people were in the barn, only animals, all of which were released from the barn. The cause of the blaze is under investigation.

Corning Inc. announces new type of Gorilla Glass for smartphone cameras

Corning Inc. announced recently they will be rolling out a new category of Gorilla Glass to be used as a cover on smartphone cameras. The company says the new line, Gorilla Glass with DX and Gorilla Glass with DX+ will improve image quality by allowing 98% of light into the camera, as well as being nearly as scratch resistant as sapphire. Samsung will be the first smartphone manufacturer to feature the Gorilla Glass lens covers.

House fire on Corning’s south side

Fire crews responded to a house fire yesterday on Corning’s south side, 391 East 2nd Street, at the three-way intersection with Park Avenue and Canisteo Streets. The blaze was accidental, believed to have been caused by a generator being used for construction on the second floor of the home. There were no injuries, as nobody lives there while the home is in the process of being remodeled.

Hornell man arrested after Elmira robbery

Sean M. Battle, age 34, of Hornell has been arrested in connection to the robbery of a 7-Eleven in Elmira early Thursday morning. Just before 1 a.m., Mr. Battle entered the 7-Eleven to pay for gas. Upon giving the clerk money, Mr. Battle allegedly brandished a gun and demanded money. He was given an unknown amount of cash by the clerk before fleeing the scene. He was apprehended later that day.

Doorman Library announces number of positive changes

In a recent press release, the Doormann Library has shared a number of positive announces and changes coming to the library. The Doorman Library announced they will be one of 300 libraries to receive a $3,000 grant as part of the Libraries Transforming Communities program, an initiative of the American Library Association. They also announced the launch of the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program, their Discovery Kids program has been selected for an allocation of $500 worth of Tyrtle Beach funds by the Steuben Youth Services Fund Board of Directors, and The Dormann Library Book Barns, which sells donated and discarded books to raise money for the library has raised almost $2,000 through 2021.

Early morning barn fire in Addison

15 fire units were called to a barn fire shortly after 2 a.m. this morning on 2952 John Rial Road in Addison. Officials say no people were in the barn, only animals, all of which were released from the barn. The cause of the blaze is under investigation.

Hornell man arrested after Elmira robbery

Sean M. Battle, age 34, of Hornell has been arrested in connection to the robbery of a 7-Eleven in Elmira early Thursday morning. Just before 1 a.m., Mr. Battle entered the 7-Eleven to pay for gas. Upon giving the clerk money, Mr. Battle allegedly brandished a gun and demanded money. He was given an unknown amount of cash by the clerk before fleeing the scene. He was apprehended later that day.

9 new COVID-19 cases in Steuben County

The Steuben County Public Health Department received notification that nine Steuben County residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since Monday's update. This brings the county total to 6,985 confirmed cases, 16 of which are currently active. The individuals are residents of the City of Hornell, Towns of Bradford, Cameron and Erwin and, the villages of Addison and Canisteo.

NY amends rules for teenage marriages

There are now new rules for teenage marriages in New York. Legislation as been approved and signed raising the age of consent to be married in New York State to 18. This legislation takes effect 30 days after becoming law and will apply to licenses issued after that date.

Normal Temps & Precipitation for End of July-Early August Forecasted
After our area experienced a July with above average temperatures and heavy precipitation, we could be getting a break these next couple weeks. The end of July and beginning of August is forecasted to have near and below normal temperatures through the end of the month according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo. Also predicted is normal precipitation.

Ride for Wishes This Weekend in Canisteo
The annual Ride for Wishes family event is coming to Canisteo. Reinbold Horsemanship launches their first giddy-up and give-back event this weekend from Saturday July 24th to Sunday July 25th with proceeds going to Canines for Disabled Kids. Canines for Disabled Kids helps children become independent through the use of service dogs . Ride for Wishes will have horses, cattle, barrels, trail rides, and an obstacle course. You do not need a horse to join in on the fun and watch the competitions.

Hundreds of NY EMTS Still Await Certification During EMT Shortage
EMTs in New York are waiting for their certification during statewide shortage of ambulance service workers. People who wanted to be certified during the pandemic could take one of two tests (a state or national exam) under the emergency order. In June, the emergency order was lifted, causing hundreds who passed the national exam wait for certification. Ambulance services report an increase in call volume as people are more active since the pandemic has ended. Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh has urged health officials the state needs to fix the problem by allowing EMTs to be certified under both tests.

County Public Health Relocates Weekly COVID Vaccine Clinics
The Steuben County Public Health Department is relocating their weekly COVID vaccine clinics from the Hornell Community Arts Center and the Civil Defense Training Center to the Public Health office at the Steuben County Office Building in Bath starting next Friday, July 30th.  COVID vaccines will be offered at the office location on Fridays from 10 AM to 2 PM, with clinics currently scheduled for July 30, August 6 and August 13. Additional office clinics will be scheduled as interest warrants. Participants will have their choice of receiving any of the authorized vaccines.  Public Health Director Darlene Smith says "With the new school year around the corner and the delta variant spreading, vaccines are the best protection against serious illness and death related to COVID.  Anyone who lives, works, or goes to school in New York can attend the clinics to be vaccinated.  Participants can register for their appointment on Public Health's website or call the office.   All vaccines are completely free to participants, and free transportation to clinics is also available through 211. All clinic attendees must wear appropriate face coverings and will be expected to wait 15-30 minutes after vaccination for observation.  Attendees should wear short sleeves or appropriate clothing for vaccination.

New York State Fallen Below Federal EB Rate
New York State has fallen below the rate established by the Federal government in order for the state to qualify for the highest level of Federal Extended Benefits (EB). Effective August 9, EB will be available for a maximum of 13 weeks.

State COVID Positivity Rate Rises to 1.75%
38 more people have been admitted to a New York hospital with COVID-related symptoms. 11 more have been sent to the ICU. The COVID-19 positivity rate has risen to 1.75%. Five more deaths have also been reported. In the Southern Tier Region, the rate has jumped to 0.79% while in WNY, the rate has grown to 1.56%. Steuben County reports three new cases.

Bath Man Arrested for Criminal Contempt
State Police this week arrested 44-year-old William Furlong of Bath. He was charged with criminal contempt for allegedly violating an order of protection. He’ll appear in court a a later date. 

NY DOL Report Steuben Unemployment Rate at 5.3% for May-June
The New York State Department of Labor has released preliminary local area unemployment rates for June. To recap last week’s statewide press release, New York State’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 7.8% in May to 7.7% in June 2021. In Allegany and Steuben counties, the unemployment rate stood at 5.3%. 

PUL Finds New Yorkers Currently $1.5 billion Collectively in Utilities
A new Public Utility Law analysis project found the number of households in New York with owed electric and gas bills increased by over 30% over the last year. Last year, there were 948,177 accounts totaling $745 million but there are currently 1.2 million households that collectively owe in excess of $1.5 billion. Activists say the problem was caused when the public health emergency ended in New York and the moratorium on utility shutoffs ended, causing  thousands of households and businesses across the state to be at risk of having their utilities shut off due to owed payments. After December 21st, a total of 1.5 million households are in danger of being shut-off.

Grassroots Microburst Results in General Admission &  Refunds 
During last weekend’s Grassroots Summer Festival weekend live series, a microburst hit the Trumansburg Fairgrounds and damaged the Infield stage, which will not be repaired in time for this weekend. Instead, the 24 local bands like Donna and the Buffalo will perform on the Grandstand stage.  Yesterday, organizers announced the show will be general admission and people that bought PODS, some for as much as $399 for the weekend, will get a refund. Grassroots organizers sold PODS-or personal outdoor dances spaces, good for up to four people. Organizers this year planned to spread people out at the Trumansburg Fairgrounds for a series of live concerts each weekend this month.

NY’s COVID Positivity Rate Jumps
The COVID numbers in New York have become even more concerning. In the latest state report, the positivity rate has jumped to 1.67% with 46 more people admitted to the hospital with virus-related symptoms. Admissions to the ICU also spiked. Two additional deaths were also reported. The Southern Tier Region is holding steady at 0.69%. Western New York and the Finger Lakes Regions have been steadily climbing. 

NYIRC Seeks Testimony for Public Redistricting Hearings
Residents in the Southern Tier and Central New York will have the chance to sound off as New York evaluates how congressional districts will be shaped. The New York State Independent Redistricting Commission will hold a virtual public hearing on August 9 at 2 p.m. as the future of several local congressional districts remain up in the air amid New York’s decline in population. Participants will have up to three minutes of speaking time and are encouraged to submit written testimony. All hearings will be recorded for public record, as well as live-streamed. These virtual public hearings with communities throughout the State will occur before the Census data is released next month. To submit your questions for the hearing, visit the New York State Independent Redistricting Commission website https://nyirc.gov/meetings.

Cuomo Says 4 Vaccination Sites Will Shut Down
Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced that four mass vaccination sites will cease operations as part of the ongoing downscaling that will allow the State to focus on localized vaccination efforts. As part of the downscaling which followed the achievement of milestones that allowed the State to lift COVID-19 restrictions, the sites at Binghamton University and others will cease operations following vaccinations on Monday.

At Least One Person Dead After Lackawanna Explosion
At least one person is dead as police continue to investigate an explosion that occurred Tuesday morning in a residential area in the WNY community of Lackawanna. According to fire officials, a total of seven homes were damaged, but it’s not yet clear what caused the explosion.

Hornell IDA Wins $3.4 Million Grant to Support Alstom Expansion
Hornell Industrial Development Agency announced it won a $3.4 million federal  grant to support train manufacturer Alstom expand its operations in Hornell. The grant announced yesterday will support expansion by making improvements to Shawmut Industrial Park. Chuck Schumer pushed for the grant during a June call to Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and said that this expansion will create 250 new jobs.  Executive Consultant for the Hornell Industrial Development Agency & Former Hornell Mayor Shawn Hogan remarked: “This project and the resulting job creation, is tremendous news for the entire region, the State and Nation.  This project will result in technology transfer and onshore production of Car Shells that are currently imported.” Hogan remarked he and the rest of the IDA were “forever grateful” for the grant and the EDA’s work. The grant follows the Alstom recently securing an up to $1.8 billion contract to manufacture passenger rail cars for the Chicago Metra Commuter Rail System and vowed to invest $35 million to build a new manufacturing facility in Hornell.

Steuben Ice Cream Trail Announced Featuring 10 Local Shops
The exciting and delicious new Steuben Ice Cream Trail features the top 10 local favorite ice cream shops in Steuben County. Over two-thousand local residents nominated and voted for their favorites to make up the Steuben Ice Cream Trail which includes both Bath favorites Emmie’s and Twin Kiss which ranked 5th and 6th, respectively. Peaches ’n Cream in Painted Post topped the 2,259 votes by 20 percent. In all, 31 ice cream shops were nominated.

• Beartown Peaches 'n Cream (Painted Post)

• Gauss' Sweet Shoppe (Campbell)

• The Udder Place (Hornell)

• Dippity Do Dahs (Corning)

• Emmie's Ice Cream (Bath)

• Twin Kiss Ice Cream (Bath) 

• The Pit Stop (Hornell) 

• The Sweet Spot (Painted Post)

• The Scoop Ice Cream (Hornell)

• Crooked Lakes Ice Cream Company (Hammondsport)

For more information about the specific Steuben Ice Cream Trail shops, visit https://www.corningfingerlakes.com/things-to-do/itineraries-and-trails/steuben-ice-cream-trail/. You can also find the trail on the Explore Steuben app where you can access nearby stops right from your phone.  

Gas Prices Will Continue to Rise
Gas prices are expected to continue climbing throughout the summer. While gas demand declines, oil prices remain high. This week, prices rose one cent in New York State with the price per gallon averaging at $3.20. 

Police No Longer Confiscating Marijuana in NY Airports
Police in New York state will no longer confiscate marijuana or make arrests over a low-level possession in New York airports. Officers will check to make sure people with marijuana are carrying under the legal limit of 3 ounces and write possible tickets. Instead, police will focus on seizing guns, knives and explosives according to the security director of 15 airports in New York.

4 More Steuben County Residents Test COVID-Positive
The Steuben County Public Health Department received notification that four Steuben County residents tested positive for COVID-19 since Thursday's update. This brings the total to 6,976 confirmed cases, 13 of which are currently active. The individuals are residents of the Towns of Cameron, Erwin and the Village of Canisteo. The investigations indicate that two of the individuals returned from travel outside New York State, and none reported visiting any public locations that could pose an exposure risk during their investigation timeframes.

Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards Renewed as WGI Sponsor
Watkins Glen International has announced Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards has renewed as a presenting sponsor on “The Bog Sponsored By Red Cat” hospitality area for the upcoming Go Bowling at The Glen NASCAR race weekend. Founded in 1985, Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards is part of a 160-year family farming legacy on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake. Best known for their flagship wine brand Red Cat, Hazlitt has been a partner of WGI for a decade and a half.

Congresswoman Tenney Leads GOP Amicus Brief Filing
NY Congresswoman Claudia Tenney is leading 175 of her House Republican colleagues in filing an Amicus Brief to the Supreme Court defending the right to conceal carry under the Second Amendment to the Constitution for the case New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Corlett. According to a partisan press release, they say the case is slated to be the biggest Supreme Court decision regarding the Second Amendment since the District of Columbia v. Heller case that reaffirmed the right to keep and bear arms.

Canada Will Allow Fully-Vaxxed US Citizens Into Country
Canada announced Monday it will begin letting fully vaccinated U.S. citizens into Canada on Aug. 9, and those from the rest of the world on Sept. 7. Canadian officials said the 14-day quarantine requirement will be waived as of Aug. 9 for eligible travelers who are currently residing in the United States and have received a full course of a COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in Canada.

SUNY Campuses to Fully-Reopen for In-Person Classes This Fall
All 64 SUNY campuses across New York State plan to fully reopen with in-person classes this Fall. The Chancellor says that vaccination rates for SUNY students are outpacing the general state population, meaning schools like Binghamton University and SUNY Corning Community College will return to the classroom with no capacity limits. The only restrictions will be for those who remain unvaccinated, who will be required to continue masking and social distancing, as well as be subject to weekly COVID testing. They may also be barred from sports and special events.

State Investigators Planning Summer Underage Drinking Crackdown
Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced that state investigators will be on patrol at popular summer concert venues to crack down on underage drinking and the use of fake IDs to purchase alcohol. Beginning this week and throughout the summer, Operation Prevent enforcement sweeps will be conducted at venues like Darien Lake Performing Arts Center. Operation Prevent is an ongoing effort to stop and prevent underage drinking, promote healthier choices among young New Yorkers and enhance roadway safety.

Latest NY COVID Report Shows Conflicting Results
The latest New York statewide COVID report has more conflicting results. The positivity rate has lowered to 1.18% with a 7-day average rate of 1.26%. However, the last week, hospitalization have noticeably increased. On Monday, 26 new people were admitted with COVID-related illnesses. The ICU admissions remain flat. In the Southern Tier Region, the positivity rate has been increasing since Saturday.

Village of Bath Reminds Public of Planting and Right of Way
The Village of Bath reminds the public it maintains responsibility for planting, pruning and removal of all trees in the village street right of way and Village parks. They also remind residents the street right of way is between the sidewalk and the edge of the pavement. In case of no sidewalk, the street right of way is normally 25 feet from the middle of the street with a few exceptions. Any questions can be directed to the Village Street Department at 607-776-6321.

Sheriff Deputy Brooke Payne Sworn In As County Criminal Investigator
Sheriff Jim Allard reports July 15th, Deputy Brooke Payne of the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office, was sworn in as a Criminal Investigator.  Investigator Payne is an eleven year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office and has served as an instructor, physical training instructor, field training officer, car seat technician, Emergency Medical Technician, on the bicycle patrol team, the Safe Harbor CSEC team, and has attended the undercover narcotics investigations course, animal cruelty investigation course, and assisted in many investigations. Investigator Payne joins the Criminal Investigations Unit and will complete her field training in that capacity.

Reed Speaks About Sex Harassment Allegations at Local Appearance
Congressman Tom Reed spoke recently about the allegations of sexual harassment made against him in 2017. At an appearance in Chautauqua County on Thursday,  Reed said that incident 3 and a half years ago, was caused by him being intoxicated, and has been sober since. The Congressman thanked his supporters for reaching out after the allegations were made by a junior lobbyist who claims Reed rubbed her back as well as unhooked her bra without her consent. Reed apologized to the lobbyist and also announced he decided even before the accusations were published, he would not be running for re-election to Congress or for New York Governor.

DEC Offers Bear Season Advice
Bears in the Southern Tier have become more common now as the summertime mating season coincides with young bears looking for new homes. Sightings have grown in the area in recent weeks and the DEC is now encouraging New Yorkers to respect bears and keep your distance if you encounter one. Also, keep your house free of smells and secure your garbage because bears are said to have the best sense of smell of any animal in the world.

NY State COVID Positivity Rate Climbs to 1.51%
New York’s statewide COVID positivity rate has now climbed to 1.51%. While the rate has increased, hospitalizations have dropped slightly. In the Southern Tier Region, the positivity rate is 0.61%. 

Corning Man Arrested for Petit Larceny
State Police report the arrest of 52-year-old Robert Babcock of Corning. He was charged with 46 counts of petit larceny. He was processed and released to appear in Town of Corning court at a later date.

State Voting Reform Package Signed to Law by Cuomo
Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed a sweeping package of voting reforms into law. The reforms he says will help voters, candidates and boards of elections more easily perform their functions. A few of the reforms include eliminating signed absentee ballot applications and allowing absentee ballots postmarked by Election Day to be considered timely; Allowing voters to request absentee ballots through electronic means and allowing candidates who have lost primaries to be removed from ballots as candidates for different parties. 

WGI Hosting Job Fair Saturday @ WGI Media Center
Watkins Glen International will be hosting a job fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, in the WGI Media Center in advance of the Go Bowling at The Glen NASCAR race weekend. Applicants will be considered for positions as guest services attendants, event operations staff, event staff – cleaners, and gate staff. Attendees should enter through Gate 2. Job fair attendees are reminded that they will be required to fill out an application in full, and supply two forms of identification to WGI. Resumes are encouraged, but not mandatory.

New State Memorial Honoring Fallen Highway Workers Announced
Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced a new memorial honoring fallen highway workers across New York is currently under construction and will be unveiled at the 2021 Great New York State Fair.  The memorial, which will be located near the midway entrance and west of the Horticulture Building on the fairgrounds, is meant to honor all transportation workers killed while performing their job duties on or near New York's thousands of miles of highways, including State Department of Transportation and Thruway Authority employees, municipal highway workers, contractors, consultants and towing service employees. The State Department of Transportation alone has lost 56 workers during its existence.

IRA Davenport Memorial Hospital to host vaccination clinic

All three COVID-19 vaccines will be offered by Arnot Health as part of a COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the IRA Davenport Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, July 20^th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. One can register on the Arnot Health website or by calling 1-800-952-2662. Walk-ins will also be accommodated until 1:30 p.m.

Governor Cuomo signs new voting reform laws

Governor Andrew Cuomo yesterday signed a multitude of new voting reforms into law, namely focusing on absentee and mail in ballots. The new reforms include eliminating signed absentee ballot applications and allowing absentee ballots postmarked by Election Day to be considered timely, allowing voters to request absentee ballots electronically means, requiring boards of elections to post information about changes in polling places, conforming deadlines for the mailing of applications for absentee ballots to USPS guidelines, allowing candidates who have lost primaries to be removed from ballots as candidates for different parties, and increasing election district registrant enrollment from 1,150 to 2,000.

Guthrie warns of new phone scam

Guthrie is warning patients about a new caller ID scam, in which people receive phone calls showing The Guthrie Clinic as caller ID, and are told they have overpaid for services and due for a refund in an attempt to elicit their credit card information. Guthrie says it does not use automated calls when dealing with payment or making other account adjustments, those calls are made Guthrie Financial Counselors or Patient Representatives. If unsure whether a call from Guthrie is a scam, hang up and call back to verify the call. Those who have come across the scam are asked to contact local law enforcement.

WGI to host job fair July 24^th

Watkins Glen International will host a job fair next Saturday, July 24th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the WGI Media Center prior to the Go Bowling at The Glen NASCAR race weekend. Open positions include guest services attendants, event operations staff, event staff – cleaners, and gate staff. Attendees should enter through Gate 2 (2790 County Route 16, Watkins Glen, NY 14891) and will be required to fill out a full application in addition to supplying two forms of identification to WGI. Resumes are encouraged, but not mandatory.

One new COVID-19 death in Steuben County; two more cases

The Steuben County Public Health Department received notification of the death of an individual who died from complications related to COVID-19 earlier this year.  This brings the total number of known COVID-19 related deaths in Steuben County to 190.  The individual was a female resident of the City of Hornell who died at the age of 66. Also reported yesterday were 2 new cases of COVID in Steuben County.

Tops Offers Instacart Shopping for SNAP Recipients
Tops Friendly Markets now offer Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligible customers the ability to shop with Instacart in New York State. Shoppers that have SNAP can now pay for same-day pickup or delivery orders with their EBT card while shopping online at participating Tops partnered with Instacart within the state. 

WGI Hosts Job Fair July 24th
Watkins Glen International hosts a job fair next Saturday, July 24th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the WGI Media Center in advance of the Go Bowling at The Glen NASCAR race weekend. Open positions as guest services attendants, event operations staff, event staff – cleaners, and gate staff. Attendees should enter through Gate 2 (2790 County Route 16, Watkins Glen, NY 14891) and will be be required to fill out an application in full, and supply two forms of identification to WGI. Resumes are encouraged, but not mandatory.
This year, Watkins Glen International hosts:
-NASCAR Go Bowling at The Glen weekend August 6-8th.
-Clean Harbors 100 at The Glen ARCA Menards Series  Friday, August 6th at 6 p.m. -United Rentals 167 at The Glen NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Saturday, August 7th at 12:30 p.m.
- NASCAR Xfinity Series Race August 7th at 4 p.m.
- NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen Sunday, August 8th, at 3 p.m.
WABH Will Broadcast some of the coverage of this year’s WGI events.

Savona Man Arrested for DWAI & Other Charges After Bath Traffic Stop
Steuben County deputies arrested 42-year-old Rendell D. Hyer of Manning Street in Savona following a traffic stop on Steuben Street in Bath. Hyer allegedly operated a motor vehicle while his ability was impaired due to drug use.  It is also alleged that his license or operating privileges were suspended or revoked and that his vehicle had an insufficient exhaust.  Deputies also say he had a quantity of suspected narcotics and tampered with evidence. Hyer was charged with Driving While Ability Impaired due to Drugs, Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the Third Degree, Tampering with Physical Evidence, a Class E Felony, Insufficient Exhaust and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree.  

County Health Dept Reports Another COVID Death; 2 More Cases
The Steuben County Public Health Department received notification of the death of an individual who died from complications related to COVID-19 earlier this year.  This brings the total number of known COVID-19 related deaths in Steuben County to 190.  The individual was a female resident of the City of Hornell who died at the age of 66. Also reported yesterday were 2 new cases of COVID in Steuben County.

Latest New York COVID Report Shows Mixed Results
The latest COVID report for New York shows mixed results. Close to 1,000 new positive cases were reported in the most recent report…and for the first time in weeks, the positivity rate has grown above 1%, today at 1.17% The good news is, hospital admissions and those admitted to the ICU have declined, slightly. Southern Tier cases have been on the rise and two new positive cases were confirmed in Steuben. 

NY Labor Dept. Reports Increase of Private Sector Jobs
According to preliminary figures just released by the New York State Department of Labor, the number of private sector jobs in New York State increased over the month by 9,800, or 0.1%, to 7.4 million in June. By comparison, the number of private sector jobs in the U.S. increased by 0.5%. New York State's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 7.8% to 7.7% last month.

Bath Replaces Infrastructure for Leak Prone Pipe Program
The Village of Bath says it will be upgrading old water infrastructure as part of a plan from the 2018 New York State Public Service Commission’s Leak Prone Pipe Replacement Program to enhance the safety and reliability of services provided by Bath Electric, Gas, and Water Systems. Since 2018, Bath Electric, Gas and Water Systems has replaced over 3 miles of leak-prone pipes. Currently, crews are working on Robie Street where they will replace and relocate gas meter sets outside of residences on the street for safety purposes.

City of Hornell Votes to Ban Marijuana in its Public Parks
Though marijuana is now legal in New York State, the City of Hornell has banned all smoking and vaping in its public parks following a vote during a meeting last month. The City’s Quality of Life committee came up with the idea to ban smoking pot in parks before it was approved by the Law and Ordinance Committee then voted on by the full council. Hornell is the first local government to take action to restrain the use of cannabis since it’s been legalized in the state, according to the Star-Gazette. Smoking is prohibited within 30 feet of where a school bus stops when students are around and anyone caught smoking in restricted areas will be fined up to $250 by Hornell Police.

“Kayak with the Sergeant and the Sheriff” on Wednesday July, 28th
The Hammondsport Village Police Department and the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office announces “Kayak with the Sergeant and the Sheriff” on Wednesday July 28th from 8:00am – 10am where Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard will be joining Sergeant Dininny at Champlin Beach on Keuka Lake to demonstrate safe kayaking for members of the Hammondsport Summer Recreation Program and for any community members that wish to receive safety information or just interact with your partners in law enforcement on beautiful Keuka Lake. Keuka Watersports will supply kayaks for the children’s use and is supporting this event. For more information visit www.hammondsport.us, the Village of Hammondsport Police Department or the Steuben County Sheriff’s Facebook pages. You can also email Sergeant Dininny at pd@hammondsport.us or Sheriff Allard at jallard@steubencountyny.gov

CCC & Steuben Health Dept Holding COVID Vaccine Clinics August 4th
The Steuben County Public Health Department partners with Corning Community College for a COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Health Education Center in Corning next month on Wednesday, August 4th from 10 AM to 2 PM. Both Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be offered at this clinic. Register at: www.steubencony.org/covid. Walk-ins will also be accepted. The clinic is open to anyone who lives, works or goes to school in New York State. Proof of date of birth is necessary for vaccination, and those under age 18 need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Savona Man Arrested for Raping Child
A Savona man is facing serious accusations. Bath-based Troopers this week arrested 53-year-old Joseph Thompson. He was charged with felony first-degree rape involving a child victim under age 11, felony first-degree sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child. The charges stem from an incident reported June 29th. Thompson was detained. 

Bath Man Arrested for Sex Crime
A 15-year-old boy from Bath has been accused of committing a sex crime. The teenager was charged by State Police with forcibly touching the intimate parts of a victim. Court action is pending for the teen boy.

AG James Calls on Regulators to Change Child Car Seat Standards
New York Attorney General Letitia James is calling on federal regulators to make some changes to child car seat safety standards. The AG co-led a coalition of 18 Attorneys General, calling out to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. They're asking for side-impact testing standards for child car seats. The coalition is also urging for a requirement that all car seat labels include guidance that says every child should remain in their current car seat until exceeding its height or weight maximum.

COVID Cases in NY State Continue to Climb
The number of COVID cases in New York continues to climb. According to the latest report, the statewide 7-day average positivity rate has climbed to 0.95%. Hospitalizations have remains steady during the past 24 hours. Cases in the Southern Tier Region have declined slightly, but steadily increased.

Gillibrand Urges Expansion of Student Debt Relief
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined nearly two dozen of her Senate colleagues in urging the Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona to expand student debt relief in the Department’s upcoming higher education rulemaking. In a letter to the Secretary, Gillibrand highlighted the need for polices that improve and expand the existing student loan repayment and forgiveness programs to ensure borrowers can access the relief they are owed.

Bath PD Need Public’s Help Identifying Vandals
Bath Police are asking for help from residents in identifying whomever is responsible for vandalizing a school building and the Fire Department with spray paint. The initial incident at the Fire Department happened around 3:30am on July 6th. A surveillance photo of the suspect (below) has been distributed by police.

County Offering 4 Pistol Permit Safety Courses from July to October
The Steuben County Sheriff’s Office announced 4 upcoming Saturday pistol permit safety courses at the County Public Safety Building on 7007 Rumsey Street Extension in Bath. All attendees must be at least 21-years-old and never convicted of a felony as well as either Steuben County residents, landowners or primarily employed in the county. Those passing the written exam and complete a practical exercise will receive a certificate of training, which can then be used to apply for a pistol permit through the county (which available through the Clerk's Office). These sessions do not have a lunch break, so attendees are encouraged to bring snacks and drinks. No live ammunition is allowed in the classroom. All attendees must be pre-registered and receive confirmation to attend. To reserve a spot, call Terri Moir at 607-622-3930 or email TMoir@steubencountyny.gov.
The scheduled sessions for the rest of 2021 are:

Saturday, July 24, 2021 @ 10am – 3pm

Saturday, August 14, 2021 @ 10am – 3pm

Saturday, September 4, 2021 @ 10am – 3pm

Saturday October 9, 2021 @ 10am – 3pm

Allard Says County’s Addiction Recovery Seeing Setbacks
Efforts at the Steuben County Jail to assist inmates’ recovery from addictions received a serious setback during the past 1.5 years, according to county Sheriff Jim Allard. During Allard’s report on Monday to the county Legislature’s Public Safety and Corrections Committee on his department’s goals, he said the jail’s program had successfully aimed at evaluation, daily counseling and recovery follow-throughs. However, the state’s pre-bail reform law and COVID-19 restrictions put many of the recovery efforts on hold. Allard also noted “Now, post-bail reform means all drug charges except an A1 Felony of trafficking over $75,000 are mandatorily arraigned and released.” Allard  said the population they were treating before bail reform and the pandemic no longer has that opportunity to access the jail’s addiction treatment program. Allard warned a bill awaiting Governor Cuomo’s signature would require county jails to assist in the medical treatment of those addicted to opiates with annual county costs estimated to be as high as $75,000 in prescriptions alone.

Urbana's Bridge & Boardwalk Construction Could Start in August
It’s been a long time in the making, but a proposed project in Urbana is starting to take shape. The plan is to construct a bridge and boardwalk from Depot Park to Champlain Beach. Deputy Town Supervisor Jim Presley says things are starting to move forward with construction beginning possibly next month.

BEGWS Starts Fixing West Morris St. Water Leak Tomorrow Night 
During routine leak surveying activities, Bath Electric, Gas and Water Systems recently located a water leak on West Morris Street at State Route 415. The utility says to minimize the disruption to businesses and residents to the extent possible, along with vehicular and pedestrian traffic, they will be mobilizing at approximately 10:00pm on Thursday and plan to work through the night and into Friday morning. The repair work may leave commercial and residential customers without water for a short period of time. Additionally, as a result of the repair activities, there will be a high potential for dirty water. The utility asks all water customers in this area, those located both on and off of West Morris Street/State Route 415, along with those located nearby on and off of West Washington Street, to avoid running hot water and avoid washing whites until the repair is complete and water service is restored.

NY’s Statewide COVID Positivity Rate Continues to Rise
More disturbing news on the COVID front in New York; The statewide 7-Day positivity rate has increased again…it’s now at 0.93%. Hospitalizations and those admitted to the ICU have also increased as well. In the Southern Tier, the positivity rate has been a rollercoaster, currently at 0.51%.

NY’s DEC Rangers & Firefighters Deploy to Contain OR’s Bootleg Fire
A New York State DEC Forest Ranger and expert wildland firefighter has been deployed to assist with efforts to contain the Bootleg Fire in Oregon. Nearly every year, New York State deploys its highly trained wildland firefighters to help battle fires in western states. This is DEC's first wildland firefighting deployment after 2020's busy fire season. 

SNAP Recipients to Get Maximum Allowable Food Benefits This Month
Governor Cuomo announced that all New Yorkers enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will receive the maximum allowable level of food benefits for July. The agency is also working with the federal government to ensure this aid, which has brought in more than $2.5 billion in food assistance to New Yorkers since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, will continue beyond July. Nearly 1.6 million households in New York State will receive the supplemental benefits later this month, which will result in the state receiving roughly $200 million in federal assistance. 

NY Legislation Expands Protections Against Spam Text Messages
New Yorkers now have increased protections against spam text messages. Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation expanding the state’s definition of telemarketing to include marketing by text message. Previously, under state law, telemarketing only included phone calls, so text messages were exempt from existing protections.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch in Effect Until 11PM
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for Steuben county effective this afternoon and evening until 11:00 PM. Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph are possible, along with isolated large hail up to 1.5 inches in diameter, and a tornado or two.

BEGWS Repairing Water Leak Thursday-Friday
Bath Electric Gas and Water Systems report a water leak on West Morris Street/State Route 415 and say they will be mobilizing at about 10:00pm this Thursday, July 15th and plan to work through the night and into the morning of Friday, July 16th to minimize the disruption to businesses and residents to the extent possible, along with vehicular and pedestrian traffic.  BEGWS Lines and Mains Department crew will expose the leak, isolate the section of water main as required, then repair the leak as safely and quickly as possible. Some commercial and/or residential customers may be without water for a short period of time and have a high potential for dirty water. Those located both on and off of West Morris Street/State Route 415, along with those located nearby on and off of West Washington Street, should avoid running hot water and avoid washing whites until the leak has been fixed and water service has been restored.

Any questions can be directed to (607) 776-2173, Option 2.

Fremont Bridge Posted for “Commercial Vehicles Excluded"
County Public Works Commissioner Vince Spagnoletti says Steuben County Bridge 70A-3 and 70A-4 on County Road 70A crossing Big Creek in the Town of Fremont is currently posted for “Commercial Vehicles Excluded". Spagnoletti said the exclusion of commercial vehicles from using the bridge, located between Big Creek Road (west) and Big Creek Road (east), is in accordance with the provisions of the NYS Vehicle & Traffic Law.

Hornell Woman Arrested for Assault and Trespass
A Hornell woman has been arrested following an assault and trespass investigation in the Town of Hartsville. Steuben County Sheriff’s Offices reports Kimberly Bancroft allegedly entered or remained unlawfully in a residence, injured another person, and endangered a person under the age of 17 on June 22nd. Bancroft was charged with Assault in the Third Degree, Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. She was arraigned in the Centralized Arraignment Court and released.

Bath Man Arrested for Selling Opiates
Bath man Adam Greenberg was arrested for allegedly selling fentanyl and suboxone. Greenberg is commonly known as Taz and faces a list of charges. He was indicted by a grand jury. A sealed indictment warrant was also issued. Greenberg was arraigned in Steuben County then released without bail.

NY’s COVID Positivity Rate Grows to 0.88%
New York State’s COVID rate continues to edge up. In the latest report, the statewide 7-day average positivity rate has grown to 0.88%. Hospitalizations have also increased, now standing at 348 – an increase of nine from the last report. Patients admitted to the ICU has also increased. 

Troopers Arrest 195 for DWI During July 4th Weekend Enforcement
More than 10,000 traffic tickets were issued by state police in New York during the July 4th weekend enforcement campaign. Troopers arrested 195 people for DWI and investigated 648 crashes, including 122 personal injury crashes and two fatalities. As part of the enforcement, Troopers also targeted speeding and aggressive drivers across the state. Just shy of 4,000 speeding tickets were issued and 202 for distracted driving. 

DMV Warns New Yorkers of Text Message Phishing Scam
The New York State Division of Consumer Protection and the Department of Motor Vehicles today warned New Yorkers of a text message phishing scheme. Phishing texts are fraudulent messages designed to obtain data or sensitive personal information to be used to commit identity theft or trick the recipient into installing malicious software onto a computer or mobile device. The illegitimate text messages reference the Secretary of State NY Drivers License Facility and tells recipients they are required to update their data for their current NY Drivers License. Anyone who received such a text message should delete it right away.

Steuben Reported 3 More COVID Cases Yesterday
The Steuben County Public Health Department received notification that three Steuben County residents tested positive for COVID-19 since Thursday’s update. This brings the total to 6,970 confirmed cases, 14 of which are currently active. None of the new positive cases were vaccinated and one person is hospitalized in the ICU.

Painted Post Man Arrested for Selling Crack Cocaine
A 63-year-old Painted Post man was arrested for a Superior Court Warrant indictment following a four-month investigation into the sale of crack cocaine in Steuben County. According to the Steuben County Sheriff, Terry Campbell allegedly possessed and sold a quantity of suspected crack cocaine in early 2021. He was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a class B Felony, and Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a class B Felony. After Campbell was arraigned in Steuben County Court, he was remanded to the Steuben County Jail.

Corning Man Arrested After Domestic Incident
Steuben County Sheriff’s Office reports deputies arrested 25-year-old Kaseem J. Webster of Corning. Webster allegedly choked and struck a member of his family or household while in the Town of Erwin. He was charged with Strangulation in the Second Degree, a class D Felony, and Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree. Webster was arraigned in the Centralized Arraignment Court and remanded to the Steuben County Jail.

Corning Man Arrested for Possession & Sale of Controlled Substance
Steuben County Sheriff’s Office reports deputies arrested 41-year-old David L. Turner of Corning in the Town of Corning due to an active Superior Court Warrant based on a three month investigation. Turner allegedly both possessed and sold narcotics and suspected methamphetamine in the Town of Erwin in late 2020. He was charged with Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a class B Felony, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third, Fourth and Fifth Degrees, class B, C and D Felonies. Turner was arraigned in Steuben County Court and remanded to the Steuben County Jail.

Wegman’s Will Offer Hot Food Bars at Some Stores Soon
Today, Wegman’s announced in the next few weeks the grocery chain will begin offering hot food bars at some area stores. Wegmans officials announced in May that they had no plans of bringing back the hot and cold food bars in stores, which were removed as a result COVID-19 restrictions earlier in the pandemic. Wegman’s said while they do not have plans to bring back additional self-serve bars at this time, they have launched a new concept at Pittsford and several other stores, where customers can order fresh, delicious meals prepared at a station during lunch and dinner hours. Spokespeople from Wegman’s added: “We will continue to explore additional opportunities to deliver the restaurant-quality food to our customers.”

Bath VFD Holding Drive-Thru Chicken BBQ, Saturday July 23rd
The Bath Volunteer Fire department is having a Drive Thru chicken BBQ Friday July 23rd. Presale tickets can be purchased from any Bath Firefighter or through:
Brian McDonald - State Farm Insurance (See Karen Causer)
Bath Credit Services (See Dan Chapman)

Congressman Reed Says Biden’s Firing of Commissioner Saul “Partisan”
Congressman Tom Reed, Republican Leader of the Social Security Subcommittee released a statement on President Biden’s decision to fire Social Security Administration Commissioner Andrew Saul. Reed said instead of preserving the agency’s longstanding independence, the President has decided to reject the large bipartisan consensus that confirmed Commissioner Saul and embrace partisan politics.

Schumer Calls on Dept of Justice to Investigate NRA's NY Bankruptcy
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called on the DOJ to investigate the National Rifle Association for bankruptcy fraud. Schumer said in a Tweet that the NRA claimed bankruptcy to escape New York Attorney General Letitia James' jurisdiction. Schumer said despite claiming to be bankrupt, the organization has been spending millions on ads, emails, texts and TV, in efforts to stop gun reforms. The NRA said it wanted bankruptcy protection in order to change its state of incorporation from New York to Texas, which is considered to be a more gun-friendly state. The NRA also told the Associated Press that they're working on a formal statement.

65-year-old Woman Dies in Seneca Lake Boating Accident
The investigation continues following Saturday deadly boating accident on Seneca Lake. Pronounced dead at the scene was 65-year-old Cynthia Stuck. Three others were injured while another suffered no injuries. Preliminary finding found a high-performance boat turned sharply while at a high speed, ejecting people off the boat. 

Bath Woman Arrested in Urbana for DWI
During a traffic stop in the Town of Urbana, State Police arrested 36-year-old Eliza Taylor of Bath. She was charged with driving while intoxicated and a felony count of having a BAC above .08%. She’ll answer the charges in court at a later date. 

Bath Man Arrested for Criminal Contempt
State Police arrested 29-year-old Kyle Stone of Bath. He was charged with felony first-degree criminal contempt. The charge stems from an incident in the town. He was initially detained.

NY State Sees Recent COVID Uptick
While New York state has made significant strides in managing the coronavirus, there has been a recent uptick. The statewide 7-day average positivity rate has climbed to 0.84%. However, hospitalizations, now at 339, continue to decease. 65% of New Yorkers age 18 and older have complete the vaccine series.

Bath fire department, school building vandalized; police searching for suspect

The Bath Police Department in searching for the person or persons responsible for vandalizing two local buildings. Police say the Bath Fire Department was vandalized with spray paint a few weeks ago, and on July 6^th at approximately 3:30 a.m., a Bath school building was also defaced with spray paint. The suspected perpetrator was caught on surveillance, that image has been shared by the Bath Police Department.  Anyone with information is asked to call the Bath Police Department at 607-776-2175.

NYS releases report on use of force incidents

The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services has released their inaugural report on “use of force incidents” by police from July 11^th, 2019 to October 31^st, 2020. State law mandates each department, sheriff’s office, and the New York State Police to report incidents where a police officer or peace officer used force against an individual while on duty. In Steuben County, Hornell Police reported seven total use of force incidents, 17 total types of force reported, 11 incidents involving a firearm, one involving a chemical agent, and five with an “Impact or Electronic Control Weapon.” Corning Police reported only one use of force incident, which involved an Impact or Electronic Control Weapon. The Steuben County Sheriff’s Office reported only three use of force incidents, all of which were using a chemical agent. The Elmira Police Department had 101 use of force incidents, tied for 6^th most in the state, and 3 deaths that resulted from the use of force, tied for most in the state.

Future of Elmira’s First Arena in Jeopardy

The contract between Robbie Nichols and the owner of Elmira’s First Arena, the Chemung County Industrial Development Agency, is set to expire on July 16^th unless the two sides can come to an agreement on new terms before then. The IDA says they are keeping all options open for the First Arena with other organizations that may take the building over. Should an agreement not be reached, the Elmira Enforcers hockey team would be in jeopardy as well as events such as WWE and the Harlem Globetrotters.

3 Valu Home Center locations closing in NY, including Hornell

Home improvement retailer Valu Home Center has announced the Hornell location is one of three underperforming stores that will be shut down, along with the Springville and Geneva locations. The company began a liquidation sale this week. The company says the closings are occurring in part due to customers moving from brick-and-mortar shopping to online. There are currently 38 Valu Home Center locations in New York and Pennsylvania.

Hornell One of 3 Valu Home Center Locations Closing
Buffalo-based home improvement retailer Valu Home Center says that the Hornell location is one of three underperforming stores that are being shut down, along with the Springville and Geneva locations also closing. The privately-owned company began a liquidation sale this week and says the closings are occurring as a result of customers moving from brick-and-mortar shopping to online. There are currently 38 Valu Home Center locations in New York and Pennsylvania.

Arnot Files Suit About Chemical Dependency Funds Against NY DOH
Earlier this year, Arnot Health, and two other New York hospitals filed a lawsuit against the New York State Department of Health regarding a lack of Medicaid reimbursement funding for their respective Chemical Dependency Units. The 3 plaintiffs say the base reimbursement was set 15 years ago in 2005. Since, the treatment for chemical dependency has changed significantly, especially after the opioid epidemic. Arnot is asking for more money from the state for treatment of chemical dependency. According to the lawsuit, under New York State Health Law, petitioners claim they need state funds to adequately and efficiently run their specialized units that are licensed by New York State. The lack of funding creates difficulty in keeping up with new substance abuse treatments and puts the burden of payments on the provider and patients. Yesterday, New York and two other states announced a $4.5 billion settlement with Purdue Pharma for contributing to the nation’s opioid addiction crisis.

County Route 21 Closing July 21st
The County Route 21/Canisteo-Rathbone Road bridge in the Town of Canisteo, will be closing for construction. The bridge is scheduled to close on July 21 for approximately seven weeks with an onsite detour. The bridge will be removed and replaced with a new concrete box structure.

9 More Steuben County Residents Test Positive for COVID
The Steuben County Public Health Department received notification that nine more County residents tested positive for COVID-19 since Thursday’s update. This brings the total to 6,967 confirmed cases, 15 of which are currently active. The individuals are residents of Painted Post, Town of Hartsville, City of Hornell, Village of Hornell and town Greenwood. Public Health Director Darlene Smith says none of the positive cases included have been vaccinated. 

NY No Longer Requiring Face Masks in Summer School
New York no longer requires students to wear face masks in summer school. The Department of Health (DOH) released new guidance suggesting they would treat school programs like summer camps—encouraging face masks without mandating them. A spokesperson with the Department of Health (DOH) says the new guidance was included in three updates they sent to schools and educators this week. Districts also no longer need to report daily to the COVID-19 Report Card.

National Warplane Museum Air Show Returns to Geneva
The National Warplane Museum’s annual airshow in Geneseo is getting ready to take off once again. Grounded by the pandemic last year, the show returns Saturday and Sunday. This year’s show will feature an F-22 Raptor demonstration. Officials say it’s the most powerful, most maneuverable aircraft the military has ever flown. This weekend’s show will also feature the famous “Whiskey 7”. The C-47 WWII-era plane served as the lead aircraft in the second wave on D-Day. Gates open at 9 a.m. Saturday. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to nationalwarplanemuseum.com. 

NY State’s Daily COVID Report
The number of people hospitalized for COVID in New York has dropped by seven, and now stands at 347. However, patients in Intensive Care ticked up by three to 80. Three more deaths were also reported, bringing the statewide total to more than 43,000.

Cuomo Says NY Will Explore Green Hydrogen for Decarbonization
Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced that New York plans to explore the potential role of green hydrogen as part of the State's comprehensive decarbonization strategy. To support this effort to study green hydrogen and its possible applications, the state is collaborating with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, joining two hydrogen-focused organizations to inform State decision-making and making $12.5 million in funding available for long duration energy storage technologies and demonstration projects that may include green hydrogen.

Former Corning Inc Scientist Indicted for Espionage
A former lead scientist at Corning Inc. was arraigned in an economic espionage case this week after a federal grand jury returned an indictment. 59-year-old Ji Wang was charged with theft of trade secrets, and violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Court documents allege Wang was employed at Corning Inc. from 1998 to 2019 as the lead scientist on a fiber laser research and $16 million development project initiated by DARPA, or the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency resulting in a 1000-fold increase in power for the fiber lasers and a large accumulation of non-public, technical and scientific information about methods and processes used to produce the fiber lasers. Prosecutors say this information was trade secret and controlled for export by the U.S. government. Corning Inc. said in a statement. “We will continue to monitor the case and cooperate with law enforcement as appropriate.”

Steuben County Woman Indicted for Selling Opiates
A 24-year-old Steuben County woman was indicted by a County Grand Jury for allegedly selling fentanyl and suboxone in the Village of Bath. According to the Bath Police Department, Paige Palmer was indicted for criminal sale of the controlled substance in the third and fourth degree, and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third and fifth degrees, all felonies. She was arraigned by a county court judge and released without bail.

County Route 21/Canisteo-Rathbone Road Bridge Closing July 21st
The County Route 21/Canisteo-Rathbone Road bridge in the Town of Canisteo is scheduled to close for construction on July 21st for approximately seven weeks with an onsite detour. The project will remove and replace the bridge with a new concrete box structure.

DEC Says to Clean Boats to Prevent Invasive Species
Finger Lakes DEC battles invasive species like the Hydrilla plant,  that spread easily and overtake bodies of water. These species will change the ecosystem and disrupt the life of fish and plants in the lake as well as recreational activities. There aren’t many tools to get rid of harmful organisms but you should take extra steps to clean your boat to prevent the spread.

CCC Names Dr. Canfield New Provost
SUNY Corning Community College announces Dr. Barbara Canfield has joined the College as its new Provost as of July 1st. She assumes the position previously held by Interim Provost, Fred Herbst, who will remain at the College and return to the faculty, where he teaches ceramics and the arts. Dr. Canfield previously held the position of Dean of Math, Science, Technology and Business at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA). 

Arnot Health Expands Visiting Hours
Based on an analysis of the current COVID-19 situation, Arnot Health is expanding hospital visiting hours. These guidelines apply to Arnot’s hospitals only and not to their nursing homes. Visiting hours at Arnot Ogden Medical Center and Ira Davenport Medical Center have been expanded to Noon to 8 pm daily. Patients will be allowed two visitors for each day, who must be 18 years of age or older. Please note masks are still required in all Arnot Health facilities.

Lyme Disease Rates Surged in NY
Lyme disease season is here again. While you can get bit by a tick year-round, there is typically a surge in the spring and summer months. In 2019, New York State had 2,847 confirmed cases of Lyme. It is likely that these numbers were even higher, as many cases remain undiagnosed. Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks, also known as deer ticks. There is a wide range of early signs and symptoms, which include: fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, and/or a bull’s-eye rash. Serious health complications can occur if Lyme is left untreated. If you find a tick on you, remove it as soon as possible. 

Governor Cuomo Signs Law for Sidewalk Outdoor Dining
Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed legislation that will allow restaurants to utilize municipal spaces like sidewalks and streets for outdoor dining. First granted under an executive order by the Governor, this law allows restaurants to continue using these public spaces for another year as they recover from the economic devastation brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. Restaurants were especially impacted by the pandemic, with many continuing to struggle as New York recovers. 

Bath Man Arrested for Possesion of Controlled Substance
Chemung County deputies arrested 42-year-old Christopher M. Aldrich of Bath on an outstanding Bench Warrant for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th Degree, a class A Misdemeanor, issued by the Southport Town Court. ALDRICH was arraigned in the Southport Town Court and released.

Vaccine Clinic At United Steelworkers Local 1000 Union on 7/15
The Steuben County Public Health Department is partnering with the United Steelworkers Local 1000 Union to hold a COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Union Hall, 100 Nasser Civic Center Plaza in Corning on Thursday, July 15 from 1:00 to 5:00 PM.  Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be offered at this clinic for anyone age 18 and older.  Registration is preferred at www.steubencony.org/covid, but walk-ins will also be accepted.  The clinic is open to anyone who lives or works in New York State, not just union members.  Proof of date of birth is needed for anyone seeking vaccination.

AG James Files Lawsuit Against Google for Anticompetitive Conduct
New York Attorney General Letitia James is co-leading a bipartisan coalition of 37 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against Google LLC for what she calls its illegal and anticompetitive conduct that has sought to maintain the company’s monopoly power in the mobile app distribution and in-app payment processing markets. Through a series of exclusionary contracts and other anticompetitive conduct in the Google Play Store, Google has deprived Android device users of competition that could lead to greater choice and innovation, as well as significantly lower prices for mobile apps. 

Batavia Assemblyman Pushing for Paula’s Law
Assemblyman Steve Hawley of Batavia is demanding the immediate passage of a bill known as Paula’s Law, which aims to ensure that persons who sexually assault and then murder a child under the age of 18 will never be released from prison. This push to pass the bill comes in response to the granting of parole to Robert McCain, one of two men who brutally raped and murdered a 16-year-old New York girl. Hawley is also calling for the resignation of every member of the New York State Parole Board under Gov. Cuomo’s administration, following their decision to grant McCain his release. Hawley adds that his release is just one of many instances of releasing offenders known to be highly violent into the public by the parole board.

Sweet Confirms Amazon is Coming to Bath
Mayor Mike Sweet confirmed Amazon will be coming to Bath today at his first Coffee With the Mayor session at Chat-A-Whyle restaurant this morning. Despite rumors that the Amazon deal fell through, Sweet says the delivery chain has secured its building permit and will be coming to the old Mercury plant behind Simmons-Rockwell on State Route 54. Sweet says the company will hire 100-150 full-time employees and up to 250 part-time workers.
 

Bath PD Chief Colin Taft (far left) joins Mayor Sweet (far right) for the first monthly Coffee With the Mayor series at ChatAWhyle.

Sweet Talks Sidewalks at Coffee With the Mayor
At Coffee With the Mayor this morning, Sweet talked more about the state's ongoing sidewalk project on Washington Street and on State Route 54. He said that the issue with the sidewalk paving on Route 54 and Geneva Street is that mailboxes must be moved and driveways must be shut off, which is what is taking so much time and there is not much the Village can do about it. Sweet said to expect some inconveniences when traveling there for at least the next 2 or 3 weeks. The Mayor said he did not know what the targeted completion date is but expects the project to be done likely by November 1st.  
 

Taft Says Bath’s Community Service Program Now Fully-Funded
Bath Police Chief Colin Taft joined Mayor Mike Sweet for Coffee With the Mayor at Chat-A-Whyle this morning and spoke about how after a decade of being out-of-order, the Community Service Program has now been fully-funded with the help of Mayor Sweet. Taft reports downtown is much cleaner thanks to this court-ordered service program. Mayor Sweet says ideally, Liberty Street and downtown should be the cleanest part of Bath.  
 

Bath PD Will Have K9 Purchased by October
Bath Police Department should have a K9 staff purchased by October 1st and the K9 program fully-ready for court testimony by May 1st according to Police Chief Colin Taft. Taft was special co-host for Coffee With the Mayor with Bath Mayor Mike Sweet this morning at Chat A Whyle.
 

Two Arrested for 2020 Assault With Knife & Car Robbery in Urbana 
Steuben County Sheriff's Office announced two recent arrests that stem from a car robbery and an assault with a knife that happened last year. Prattsburgh resident Corey Sloan was arrested June 30th in Danville, Virginia before being extradited back to New York State. Thursday, July 1st, Bath resident Dylan Little was arrested on multiple charges. Deputies say last year both men attacked someone in the Town of Urbana with a knife and robbed the victim, who sustained serious injuries from the incident. Deputies allege Sloan took a vehicle and left New York for another state after the incident. Sloan faces charges of: Robbery, 1st Degree Assault, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon. Little faces charges that include Robbery, 1st Degree Assault, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon. Both were remanded to the Steuben County Jail.

Multiple-County Pursuit by Troopers Ends With Crash in Corning
State police report a pursuit during the afternoon hours on Sunday that led them through several counties after Troopers attempted to initiate a traffic stop in Chemung County on I-86. The driver resisted and took off with the chase continuing into Steuben County. State Police say they made several attempts at stopping the vehicle and verified it was stolen through a license plate check. The unidentified driver crashed into a fence behind the Corning Middle School and face charges including criminal possession of a stolen vehicle, reckless endangerment, driving while ability impaired and other traffic infractions. Troopers say no one was injured and the investigation remains active.

Two Killed in Wayland Crash
Two Elmira residents were killed in a weekend crash on I-390 northbound in the Steuben County Town of Wayland. The crash involved a pick-up truck and tractor trailer. The investigation found that the tractor-trailer was in the driving lane when it was rear-ended by the pick-up truck near the Livingston County border. State Police said the driver of the pick-up truck, 58-year-old Harold Novitsky and his daughter, 19-year-old Miranda were killed in the collision. The operator of the tractor-trailer, Randolph Notice, from Mississauga, Ontario was also taken to a hospital. In a press release, State Police said the speed of the pickup truck was a factor in the accident and the investigation is continuing. Miranda was an aspiring young athlete and soccer player about to enter her sophomore year at SUNY Geneseo. A GoFundMe page for funeral expenses has already raised over $30,000.

Bill Would Limit Outside Income to State-Elected Officials
State legislation that would limit outside income for elected officials in New York is being proposed by State Senator Liz Krueger following reports that surfaced earlier this year that Governor Cuomo made over $5 million for his book about governing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill would limit those who are state-elected officeholders and legislators to 15% of their public salary. This legislation is modeled after a federal law that limits outside income that can be earned by those in Congress. Cuomo remains under investigation for his handling of the pandemic.

Child Tax Credit Checks To Be Distributed Next Week
Child tax credit checks that will begin being distributed next week on July 15^th, likely won’t be checks. Americans that have filed their taxes using direct deposit will receive the tax credits that way, much like the stimulus. Parents who did not file their taxes using direct deposit will receive checks, but are encouraged by the IRS to utilize direct deposit to receive the money sooner.  This year, if you don’t owe taxes, you can still get the child tax credits, unlike in the past. People that qualify can claim certain expenses of up to $8,000 for one eligible child or $16,000 for two or more. These benefits are meant to bridge the gap for lower-income families.

COVID Hospitalizations Decrease Statewide
The number of people in the hospital with COVID-related illnesses is now 330- down a dozen from the last report. Patients in Intensive Care has also dropped to 80. The governor said “We’re working to beat back COVID-19 on all fronts, and with more New Yorkers getting vaccinated every day, our future looks bright.” The seven-day average positivity rate currently stands at 0.56%. As of Sunday, no new COVID cases were reported.

Three years since the death of NYS Trooper Nicholas Clark

Yesterday, July 2^nd, marked the three-year anniversary of the death of New York State Trooper Nicholas Clark. Clark was a native of Canisteo, graduating from Canisteo-Greenwood High School in 2006. He was a gifted athlete, not only a state wrestling champion in his senior year at C-G, he was a decorated football player at Alfred University and even tried out for the Buffalo Bills in 2012. Trooper Clark was working out of New York State Police – Troup E in Bath, when he was tragically killed in the line of duty on July 2^nd, 2018, after responding to a report of a suicidal man in the Town of Erwin. Police exchanged fire with the man, who was barricaded in the home, when he struck and killed Trooper Clark. The memory of Trooper Clark lives on, he is memorialized at the Steuben County Law Enforcement Memorial in Bath, and the Trooper Nicholas F. Clark Memorial bridge along Interstate 86 bears his name as well.

Bath mayor announces new monthly series

In the latest installment of WVIN’s ‘Community Focus’ series, Bath Mayor Mike Sweet teased a new monthly “series” of his own, “Coffee with the Mayor”, in which residents of the village of Bath can meet with the mayor, and other village department heads at various restaurants in the village and have an open dialogue. The first “Coffee with the Mayor” will take place at the Chat-A-Whyle restaurant on July 7^th at 8:30 a.m., featuring the newly minted Chief of Police, Colin Taft.

Wood Road Bridge in Campbell to close for construction

The Wood Road Bridge over the Cohocton River between County Route 125 and the Savona Campbell Road, in the Town of Campbell is set to close to all through traffic, per the Steuben County Department of Public Works. The closure will begin on or around Tuesday, July 6^th, and is expected to last approximately six weeks. The existing bridge deck will be removed and completely replaced with a new wooden deck. A detour using Savona-Campbell Road and County Route 333 will be posted in advance of the closure.

Hammondsport Fireman’s Carnival continues today

Today marks the second day of the Hammondsport Fireman’s Carnival. The festivities, beginning at 11 a.m., include a number of family-oriented activities, such as fire truck rides for the kids beginning at 11 a.m., a cornhole tournament beginning at 12 p.m., a parade up lower Lake Street, down Main Street, and back to the fire house at 6 p.m., culminating with a display of fireworks at 10 p.m.

“Rediscover Corning” event continues this weekend

The Rediscover Corning event continues this weekend, the back half of a six-day event in total. Today features an art exhibit from 2-5 p.m. and live music from 6-8 p.m. Tomorrow features live music from local songwriters from 7:30-9 p.m., and a fireworks exhibit beginning at 9:15 p.m. As a result, Market Street will be closed off to traffic until Tuesday, July 6^th.

Steuben Land Bank Crop Meeting July 6^th
Steuben County Land Bank Corporation meets Wednesday July 6^th with the meeting information and agenda available on the County website at www.steubencony.org. The meeting will be held in the Legislative Chambers, 3^rd Floor of the Annex Building and may also be accessed via Zoom teleconference at:

https://steubencountynygov.zoom.us/j/92410115408?pwd=WTUyOEdSWFV1bjZJSmQxTENZcGxhUT09

Meeting ID: 924 1011 5408

Passcode: 77906462

One tap mobile

+16465588656,,92410115408#,,,,*77906462# US (New York)

+13017158592,,92410115408#,,,,*77906462# US (Washington DC)

NY Suspends Bridge and Road Construction for Holiday Weekend
Bridge and road construction is temporarily suspended in New York State this holiday weekend to alleviate traffic. The suspension began 6am this morning and will end Tuesday, July 6^th at 6am. Drivers are urged to slow down, drive cautiously, and move over for emergency vehicles, a requirement of the state’s Move Over law.

Schumer Amendment May Have Caused NY To Lose Pandemic Aid
New analysis finds that some states, including New York, have been shortchanged because of a provision under the American Rescue Plan. The ARP provided $350 billion of assistance allocated directly to state, local, and tribal governments for pandemic relief. New York’s small towns currently will receive $104 per resident from the Rescue Plan, while states with large unincorporated populations, which are accounted for, will see $1300 per resident. “Unincorporated” means living in an area or a community with no town. According to research by Civilytics, Senator Chuck Schumer introduced an amendment that changed the funding formula to its final form resulting in $5 billion being shifted away from states like New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, and given to Nevada, Virginia, and Maryland. According to WSKG, Senator Schumer’s office did not respond to a request when they called for comments yesterday. Congress will likely have to pass a new law to address this discrepancy as the Treasury Department accepts public feedback on ARP funding rules until Friday, July 16th.

Troopers Launch STOP-DWI Campaign
The New York State Police will increase patrols and crack down on drunk and drugged driving and other traffic infractions this 4th of July weekend. State Troopers will conduct sobriety checkpoints and target reckless and aggressive driving statewide to keep New York highways safe during one of the busiest summer holidays for travel. The campaign begins today and runs through Monday. Last year, the State Police issued nearly 9,214 vehicle and traffic tickets during the 4th of July weekend. Troopers arrested 180 people for DWI and investigated 456 crashes and one fatality.

Sempolinski Declares Candidacy for Congress
Steuben County Republican Committee Chairman Joe Sempolinski declared his candidacy for Congress on Thursday. Earlier in his career, the Elmira native led Tom Reed’s New York-based staff for the 23rd Congressional District. More recently, he served as Director of Development at Archbishop Walsh Academy in Olean.

Cuomo Signs Law Authorizing Park Rangers to Administer EpiPens
Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed legislation authorizing forest rangers, park rangers and environmental conservation police officers to possess and administer EpiPens. Epinephrine is commonly used to treat serious allergic reactions such as bee stings, insect bites & more. Cuomo said this commonsense legislation allows a wider range of professionals in state parks and other natural areas to use EpiPens and keep New Yorkers safe in the wild. Cuomo added…This will give hikers, bikers and other outdoor travelers a greater sense of security as they navigate New York's natural areas.

Siena Poll Finds Voters Overall Approve of Cuomo 51-32
In a recent Siena Poll, overall voters approve of how Governor Cuomo handled the pandemic by a 51-32% margin. Of those polled, voters say that Cuomo did a good job with managing vaccines, keeping NY informed, and the reopening of the state. (54-33%). What continues to plague the Governor is the nursing home scandal, as 60-22% say he did a bad job answering questions on nursing homes and COVID.

Wood Road Bridge Replacement Begins Tuesday July 6th
Steuben County Public Works announces The Wood Road Bridge over the Cohocton River between County Route 125 and Savona- Campbell Road, in the Town of Campbell will be closed to all through traffic on or about Tuesday, July 6th for about 6 weeks. Plans call for the existing bridge deck to be removed and completely replaced with a new wooden deck. There will not be an on-site detour but a detour using Savona-Campbell Road and County Route 333 will be posted in advance of the bridge replacement.

STOP-DWI Crackdown Launches Tomorrow for July 4th Weekend
Governor Cuomo announced New York will launch a statewide drunk and drugged driving crackdown over the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Troopers and local law enforcement  will be out in full force across the state to keep impaired drivers off the roads. The crackdown starts tomorrow and ends Monday, July 5th. Expect increased patrols and sobriety checkpoints for the summer's busiest weekend for travel.

Avoca Woman Injured in Jerusalem Crash
A Steuben County woman was injured yesterday morning just before 8am in a one-car accident on Italy Hill Road in the town of Jerusalem. 26-year-old Rachel Patten of Avoca was traveling east when she says she lost control of her car, which went off the south side of the road and into the ditch. Sheriff Deputies say her car returned the road then exited the northside before ending up in the ditch. Patten was taken to Soldiers and Sailors Hospital for treatment of head pain and nausea.

Minimum Wage for Fast Food Workers Rises to $15 in NY Today
Beginning today, the minimum wage for fast-food workers will increase to $15 per hour throughout New York state as part of gradual wage increases that began in 2015 as set by the Department of Labor. The wage increase for fast food workers will affect establishments with 30 or more employees, including individually-owned franchises.

O’Mara Co-sponsors “Opioid Settlement Fund” Legislation
Legislation co-sponsored this year by State Senator Tom O’Mara to establish an “Opioid Settlement Fund” has been signed into law. The new law requires that any settlement funds New York State receives from lawsuits and other actions against opioid manufacturers and distributors be dedicated to opioid prevention, treatment, and recovery programs and services. The legislation was unanimously approved by the Senate and Assembly in the closing days of this year’s legislative session and signed into law this week by Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Prevent Child Abuse Steuben Task Force Gets CPA Award
An agency dedicated to the welfare of children in Steuben County for nearly 50 years was presented this week with the county’s annual Child Abuse Prevention Award. The Crystal City Police Benevolent Association (PBA) was recognized by the county Legislature and the Prevent Child Abuse Steuben Task Force for its significant efforts to benefit children. The award was presented by County Department of Social Services Commissioner Kathryn A. Muller, who told county lawmakers the association stood out from other nominations.

Corning Inc. Declares Quarterly Dividend of 24 Cents
Corning Incorporated’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.24 per share on the company’s common stock. The dividend will be payable on Sept. 29, 2021, to shareholders of record on Aug. 31, 2021.

Guthrie Continues Masking Requirements for Hospitals
While they are encouraged that Pennsylvania and other states across the country have discontinued certain masking requirements, Guthrie says it continues its commitment to protecting patients, visitors and staff by requiring masking in all of its facilities in both New York and Pennsylvania.

NYGC Joins Other States in Adding Monday Drawings Starting 8/23
If you haven’t won Powerball yet, you’ll have more chances at it soon enough. The state Gaming Commission on Tuesday voted to join other states in adding Monday drawings for the lottery game after the Multi-State Lottery Association, which

administers Powerball game, mandated a third weekly drawing. The new drawings

will start Monday, Aug. 23.

Buffalo Wing Festival Set for Labor Day in Orchard Park
The National Buffalo Wing Festival is back on this year and it’s moving to Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, NY. The festival is planned for Labor Day weekend. Right now, organizers are planning to operate at 50% capacity, and ther will be five pre-ticketed sessions.

Sweet Talks Bath's Sidewalk Confusion on Community Focus 
There’s a growing sidewalk controversy in the Village of Bath. Mayor Mike Sweet spoke as a guest on this morning's Community Focus to clarify some issues and explains there are two different projects. The sidewalk paving on Washington to Geneva Streets and Route 54 is a state project.  Sweet says the village is aware of some of the concerns expressed by residents and has put pressure on the state to make changes as  the Board discusses responses. Sweet says the Village's sidewalk project continues on Liberty and Washington which includes new crosswalks. Hear the full interview at:
 https://wvinbath.com/assets/podcaster/215/2021_06_29_215_105082_4795.mp3

 Risk of Severe Thunderstorms with Heavy Wind & Rain Today
While today's temperature is a cool change from the past few days of heatwave, there is still a slight Risk for severe thunderstorms with potential to produce damaging wind gusts and heavy rainfall at times.

Bath PD Continues K9 Fundraising 
Fundraising efforts continue to establish a new K-9 program for the Bath Police Department with the goal of raising $15,000 by October according to Bath Mayor Mike Sweet, who spoke about the issue in a Community Focus interview this morning. Officer-in-charge Colin Taft is spearheading the effort. The mayor said the Elks Clubs also wants to make a significant donation. 
 

Sheriff Allard & Local Officials Offering Community Coffee Sessions
Mayor Mike Sweet shared that Wednesday, July 7th will be Bath's first Coffee with the Mayor and Chief of Police at the Chat-A-Whyle Restaurant 8:30am. The program is the first in a monthly series of meetins set at rotating community restaurants. Friday July 2nd at 8am, the North Hornell Village Police Department and Steuben County Sheriff’s  holds“Coffee with the Chief and Sheriff”as Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard will join Hornell Police Chief Amidon. Later, at 9am, Allard joins the Canisteo Village Police Department for "Coffee with the Chief and Sheriff". This program is open to all community members who may want to know more about crime prevention or further understand police or the Sheriff’s Office in a casual atmosphere to discuss any areas of concern or for local law enforcement. For more information about the Canisteo event, visit www.villageofcanisteo.com , the Village of Canisteo’s or the Steuben County Sheriff’s Facebook pages. You may also contact the Village Clerk’s Office at 607-698-4553 Monday-Friday 9AM-4PM or by emailing canisteo_pd@yahoo.com
 

State Bill Seeks to Improve Water Quality in Schools
A state bill that received bipartisan support from New York Assembly's lawmakers that would work to improve water quality in schools while preventing children being exposed to lead, which can lead to health defects. The legsilation requires more water testing and for the results to be made public and if passed, will result in new funding revenues to repair outdated infrastructure. 

WVIN's Own Dave Taylor Smith Inducted in County Hall of Fame
A former US Congressman, WVIN's own longtime radio personality and a Civil War-era married team of physicians will be inducted into the Steuben County Hall of Fame later this summer. U.S. Rep. Randy Kuhl, of Hammondsport, our station's own  morning host Dave Taylor Smith and Drs. Joseph Seeley Dolson and Amelia Smith Dolson were formally approved for induction by the county Legislature when it met Monday in regular session.

State Troopers Planning July 4th STOP-DWI Crackdown
New York State Troopers are planning a special DWI prevention campaign for the July 4th holiday. Pennsylvania Troopers have just issued a press release saying, they’ll be having DUI patrols and checkpoints as well. 

WIC Benefits Temporarily Increasing 
The New York State Department of Health will temporarily increase the Women, Infants and Children’s nutrition program’s fruit and vegetable benefit through the American Rescue Plan. For the next four months, WIC participants will now receive $35 per month for fruits and vegetables instead of $9 or $11. The goal of the program is to increase the nutritional quality of WIC-approved foods and reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity. New York State began implementing the increase June 1 and will continue until September 30th.

Empire Access Named Fastest Internet Provider in US
Empire Access announced today that it has been named fastest Internet provider in the United States for 2021 by PC Mag, beating out national and regional Internet providers. Empire Access is a fast-growing fiber optic telecommunications service provider, offering high-speed Internet, digital television, phone and security services to homes and businesses – all enabled by Fiber Optic technology – to over 25 communities in Upstate New York and Northern Pennsylvania. After starting with one telephone line in Prattsburgh, NY, Empire Access has grown significantly as a family-owned, locally based communications provider.

NY's IDAs Report $3.5 Million Increase in Project Values
Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs) reported 4,320 active projects valued at $109 billion for 2019, a 3.3 percent, or $3.5 billion, increase in project values from 2018, while net tax exemptions totaled $796 million in 2019, compared to nearly $784 million in 2018. Project values have increased by 48 percent since 2009, while the number of active projects has declined by six percent over the same period, according to a report released today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

Corning Inc Appoints Pamela Craig to Board of Directors
Corning Incorporated has announced that Pamela J. Craig been appointed to Corning’s Board of Directors, effective immediately. Craig will serve on the board’s Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Committee as well as its Audit Committee. She will hold office until Corning’s annual meeting of shareholders in the spring of 2022, at which time she will stand for election to a one-year term. Her appointment brings the number of Corning directors to 15.

Heatwave Continues With Advisory in Steuben County
The heatwave continues today for the third day in a row. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Steuben County in effect until 8 p.m.  Heat index values up to 96. Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses to occur. Drink plenty of fluids and check on neighbors. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. Meanwhile, A slow-moving front will trigger a few strong to possibly severe thunderstorms on Wednesday. Some of these storms may also be capable of producing heavy rain which could lead to localized flash flooding.

Independence Day Expected at Second-Highest Travel Volume
Triple-A is out with its July 4th expected travel report. They say more than 47.7 million Americas are expected to travel for the holiday. They said this 4th of July is expected to have the second-highest travel volume on record, with only 2019 being higher. AAA said that despite the gas prices, which are expected to be high for the holiday, most Americans will travel by car.

Steuben Reports Another COVID Death; 5 More Cases
The Steuben County Public Health Department received notification of the death of an individual who had previously tested positive for COVID-19.  This brings the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in Steuben County to 189.  The individual was a female resident of Three Rivers who died at the age of 94.The Health Department also reports five Steuben County residents tested positive for COVID-19 since Thursday’s update. This brings the total to 6,955 confirmed cases, 15 of which are currently active.

Minor Injuries Reported After 3-Car Horseheads Crash Yesterday
New York State Police say only minor injuries occured after a 6PM crash on I-86 that shut down I-86 East. The wreck in Horseheads was reportedly a result of traffic issues due to downed cable wires across the highway. Last night, Eastbound traffic was detoured off of exit 51-A  as the Interstate was being cleared with travel resuming at about 8:30pm. Three vehicles were towed from the scene.

Bath Man Arrested After Canaseraga Domestic Dispute
After investigating a domestic dispute in the village of Canaseraga, state police arrested 36-year-old Michael Parkinson of Bath. He was charged with criminal contempt for allegedly disobeying a court order.

Bath Man Arrested for Criminal Obstruction of Breathing 
State Police arrested 40-year-old David VanDusen of Bath. After investigating a domestic dispute, he was charged with criminal obstruction of breathing. He was issued an appearance ticket for court and released. 

O'Mara & Palmesano Invite Public to Vote WGI “Best NASCAR Track” 
With one week to go in the voting, State Senator Tom O’Mara and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano are encouraging area residents to keep voting for Watkins Glen International in USA Today’s 10 Best online Readers’ Choice competition to decide America’s “Best NASCAR Track.” The area legislators stressed that anyone can vote once a day, every day, on every Internet-capable device they have until the contest closes on Monday, July 5, at noon. This is the sixth consecutive year that WGI is in the running for the “Best NACAR Track” designation, which the track won in 2016, 2017, 2018, and last year. The Glen is currently running in second in this year’s contest.

2 Rochester Area Hospitals Loosen COVID Restrictions
Two Rochester-area hospitals are loosening their visitation restrictions. Effective now, Highland Hospital and Strong Memorial Hospital are allowing for visitors of COVID-19 patients. There can be two visitors per patient, and those coming into the hospital must be wearing a mask during the visit. A URMC spokesperson says the move is in accordance with New York State guidelines. It's recommended that anyone looking for further information go to the hospital's web site.

Golf for Guthrie Hospice Tournament Raises Over $30K
The 19th Annual Golf for Guthrie Hospice Tournament raised over $30,000. 36 teams participated this year, and many more donors and sponsors joined together to support the very special mission of Guthrie Hospice. The tournament raises funds for Guthrie Hospice that enhance and support hospice programs and services, as well as offset the expenses related to caring for patients in need of financial assistance. The tournament has raised over $500,000 since it began in 2002.

Tioga Downs Casino Resort  Kicks Off 2021 Summer Concert Series
Tioga Downs Casino Resort is excited to announce their 2021 Summer Concert Series. After being closed last year, the casino resort says it is more excited than ever to bring three bands to rock out with Tioga Downs guests. Starting the excitement is Blood, Sweat & Tears on July 29. This group has been rocking since the 1960s. The second act in this series is Tanya Tucker on August 20. Finishing up the summer concert is Cheap Trick on September 10. This Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame inductee has been making headlines since 1974 and plans to continue rocking at Tioga Downs late summer. Tickets for Blood, Sweat & Tears are now on sale at the Tioga Downs Casino Resort gift shop and online at ticketmaster.com. Tanya Tucker and Cheap Trick tickets will be announced in the near future. 

BEGWS Replacing Gas Mains on Robie & Allen Streets & Hillview Drive
Today, Bath Electric, Gas and Water Systems began replacing the gas main and services on Robie Street, from Allen Street to Hillview Drive. The gas main and services on Hillview Drive will also be replaced. Work is scheduled for this week and will continue through the summer and into the fall.

J&J Vaccine Available 7/15 at Union Hall in Corning
The Steuben County Public Health Department, in partnership with the United Steelworkers Local 1000 Union, will hold a COVID-19 vaccination clinic at the Union Hall, 100 Nasser Civic Center Plaza in Corning on Thursday, July 15th from 1:00 to 5:00 PM. Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be offered at this clinic for anyone age 18 and older.  Registration is preferred at www.steubencony.org/covid<http://www.steubencony.org/covid>. Walk-ins will also be accepted.  The clinic is open to anyone who lives or works in New York State, not just union members.  Proof of date of birth is needed for anyone seeking vaccination.

NWS Heat Advisory Continues to 8pm Tonight
The National Weather Service heat advisory continues today until 8pm for Yates, Steuben, & Schuyler counties. Heat index values up to and exceeding 95°, hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses to occur. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location while you call 9 1 1.

Town of Urbana Holds Special Meetings 6PM Tonight
The Town of Urbana will hold a special meeting this evening. Some of the agenda items… discussion of a moratorium on fireworks and marijuana dispensaries. The board will also discuss the approval of Wellspring Fellowship Church to use the baseball field. The meeting is 6 p.m. at the Town hall on Pleasant Valley Road in Bath.

COVID Hospitalizations in NY Drop to Lowest Since Pandemic
Gov. Cuomo says COVID-related hospitalizations in the Empire State dropped down to 371. That's the lowest number the state has had since the beginning of the pandemic. Throughout the state, the 7-day average positivity rate of COVID-19 is 0.36%.

Johnson & Johnson Will Pay $230 Million in State Opioid Settlement
Johnson & Johnson has agreed to pay $230 million to New York state to settle claims that the pharmaceutical giant helped fuel the opioid crisis…that announcement was made over the weekend by Attorney General Letitia James. The drugmaker also agreed to permanently end the manufacturing and distribution of opioids across New York and the rest of the nation.

Steuben County Legislators to meet Monday; expected to accept $18.5 million in federal aid

The Steuben County Legislature is expected to accept $18.5 million in federal COVID-19 rescue funding when it meets on Monday, June 28^th at 10 a.m. in the county Annex on West Morris Street. The funds, which come from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, will provide financial assistance for state and local governments for eligible expenses and will be distributed in equal parts, half in 2021 and the remainder in 2022. Under the act, the funds having to be set aside for specific uses by the end of 2024 and spent by the end of 2026. Other agenda items include endorsing individuals already approved in committee to the county Hall of Fame, presenting local laws waiving residency requirements for county deputies and peace officers, and designating the Steuben County Conference and Visitors Bureau as the county’s official tourism agency.

Dansville receives $3 million to upgrade water mains, hydrants

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced yesterday the Village of Dansville will receive $3 million as part of the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act, in order to replace 37,000 linear feet of aged and undersized water mains and add new hydrants and valves. The $3 million is part of $26.7 million total in grants and loans approved by the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation to support various vital water quality infrastructure projects across the State.

Guthrie announces updated COVID-19 guidelines

Effective July 1^st, Guthrie will not require fully vaccinated patients to complete pre-operation COVID-19 testing. Unvaccinated patients will still need to be tested for COVID prior to surgery, but Guthrie says those patients can expect a quick turnaround with those results, as all COVID-19 as all COVID-19 specimens are now being tested in-house at Guthrie. This cuts down the wait time on results from in excess of five days to 24-48 hours.

NY’s alcohol-to-go program ends

New York’s State of Emergency has ended, in addition to the ‘alcohol-to-go’ program. A permanent extension of alcohol-to-go is supported by 78 percent of New Yorkers, but the Legislature failed to extend it and now the Executive Order has ended. Many restaurant owners were caught off guard by the removal of the policy. The president and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association issued a statement saying – “Only in New York would elected officials ignore an overwhelming majority of the public.”

Giuliani banned from practicing law in NYS

An appeals court has suspended former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani from practicing law in New York State on the grounds that there was “uncontroverted evidence” that Giuliani had made false statements to courts, the public and lawmakers in attempts to get the courts to overturn former President D     onald Trump’s loss in the 2020 Presidential Election as Trump’s lawyer. The ruling will prevent Giuliani from representing clients as a lawyer in New York State.

Brindisi not to seek re-election in 2022

Former New York 22nd Congressional District Congressman Anthony Brindisi announced Thursday he will not seek re-election in 2022. The status of the 22^nd and 23^rd districts remain up in the air, as redistricting is a possibility and Congressman Tom Reed announced he will not seek re-election amid sexual assault claims. Chemung County Executive Christopher Moss, a Republican, said he is considering running for the 23^rd District, and Steuben County Republican Party Chairman Joe Sempolinski says he is also considering a 23rd Congressional District bid.

Cuomo signs into law the Gender Recognition Act

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today in a press conference that he has signed into law the Gender Recognition Act, which adds a gender-neutral option for birth certificates and other state-issued identification cards for those who wish not to specify their gender. The act comes 10 years later to the day that the Governor signed the Marriage Equality Act into law, which allowed same-sex couples the ability to enter into civil marriages in New York.

EPD Animal Control responds to dead dogs in Grove Street home

The Elmira Police Department Animal Control unit responded today to a home on 112 Grove Street in Elmira. It is alleged that two women lived in the house for an extended period of time, allegedly with a child as well, and the house was not well kept. Per the neighbors, Animal Control allegedly removed two dogs from the premises that are believed to have been deceased since October 2020. The supposed residents are believed to work in the dietary department of the Chemung County Nursing Center. Elmira Code Enforcement have placed a violation notice on the home.

Saturday marks beginning of charity football tournament

Starting Saturday, teams from throughout New York State will take the field at Highmark Stadium, home of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, for a 6-on-6 flag football tournament. All funds raised by these teams will benefit the athletes of Special Olympics New York. The action continues Sunday as well. Now in its fourth year, this year’s Sun Bowl includes an additional day of games featuring amateur, co-ed, first responder, and school-age divisions. There are 57 teams competing in this tournament with over 50 volunteers each day. In total, this year’s Sun Bowl has raised over $143,000 to support more than 4,000 local Special Olympics NY Athletes and Unified Partners in Western New York.