Accident Near Prattsburgh Central School

FROM PRATTSBURGH CENTRAL SCHOOL:

A traffic accident occurred in front of the school on Route 53. No one from the school was involved in the accident and all faculty, staff, and students are safe. At this time, under the direction of law enforcement, we are not allowing anyone to leave the building until further notice.  

Based on the accident on 53, we have a couple of changes to dismissal. After School Club has been canceled for today. Parents who pick up students after school will pick up in front of the school AFTER buses depart. Please do not enter that lot until 2:55.

FROM SHERIFF JIM ALLARD: It was a tractor trailer accident with wires down.  One person was injured.  

 

Two Troopers Stabbed On Saturday In Allegany County

FROM NYSP:  On May 17, 2025, the Bureau of Criminal Investigation arrested Julia C. Groff, 31 of Bolivar, NY for Attempted Murder, 1^st Degree (2 counts A-2 Felony), Aggravated Assault upon Police Officer (2 counts B Felony), Menacing a Police Officer (2 counts C Felony), Grand Larceny, 4^th Degree – motor vehicle (E Felony), Obstructing Governmental Administration, 2^nd degree (A Misdemeanor), Resisting Arrest (A Misdemeanor) and Criminal Possession Weapon, 4^th  Degree (A Misdemeanor).

On May 17, 2025, at approximately 3:25 P.M, Troopers out of SP Amity responded to Crosby’s Gas Station for a stolen vehicle report in the village of Bolivar. Troopers located the stolen, 2000 black Chevy Silverado at the gas pump. Troopers approached the operator, later identified as Groff. Groff violently resisted arrest and stabbed Trooper Jacob Klock a 9-year-veteran just above the eye and Trooper Michael Rich an 11-year-veteran in the head. In response to the assault, Trooper Rich discharged his issued firearm, but did not strike Groff. Groff was taken into custody with minor injuries. Both Trooper Klock and Trooper Rich are being treated at Strong Memorial Hospital with serious injuries.

Groff was arraigned and remanded to the Allegany County Jail without bail. Preliminary hearing has been scheduled for May 21, 2025 at the Town of Bolivar Court.

The Bureau of Criminal Investigation, NYSP Employee Assistance Program, Allegany County District Attorney’s Office and the Allegany County Sheriff’s Department assisted in this investigation.

 

Tomorrow Is Tuesday, May 20, School Budget Voting Day

Tomorrow is school budget/school board voting day.  Voting for Bath is in the school district office. Voting next Tuesday at Campbell Savona is in the Campbell Savona Junior-Senior High School gym lobby.  In Hammondsport, voting hours are in the high school gym at Hammondsport.  For Avoca voting is in the Avoca School Bus Garage.  And for Prattsburgh School voters are noon to 8pm and you vote in the Prattsburgh school Cafetorium. 

 

Four Names Inducted Into The County Hall Of Fame

Bath Rotary Club Gives Eight Students Scholarship Money

From The Bath Rotary Club:

Eight graduating seniors from five area schools were awarded $8500 collectively by the Bath Rotary Student Fund, Inc. (BRSF, Inc.), the scholarship arm of the Bath Rotary Club, as part of the organization’s continuing commitment to help students further their education.  The students, accompanied by their parents/guests, were honored by the local club on May 15 at its Annual Scholarship Recognition Luncheon held in Lyon Hall of the First Presbyterian Church of Bath.  Also recognized as guests at this memorable and celebratory event were: Rotary District 7120 Governor Dave DeMers and his wife, Ann; Roy and Sandra Hepler, members of the Dr. Frank E. Nicklaus and Rachel Nicklaus family; Brian Markham and Leigh Markham Peck, members of the Ted Markham family; Heidi Burns, Avoca Central School Guidance Counselor; Tim Gallagher, Bath-Haverling Central School Guidance Counselor; Matt Holmes, Campbell-Savona Central School Guidance Counselor; Matt Burns, Hammondsport Central School Guidance Counselor; Aimee Bristol, Prattsburgh Central School Guidance Counselor.  Also in attendance were Kelly Houck, Bath-Haverling Central School Superintendent, who is herself a Bath Rotarian, and her guest, Brett Harrison, Bath-Haverling Central School High School Principal, as well as fourteen other Bath Rotarians and four guests.  The students were lauded for their outstanding academic achievement and extraordinary involvement in school and community activities, including service projects.

           

The program began with a welcome by Elaine Tears, Chairperson of the Bath Rotary Student Fund, Inc. Board of Directors and was followed by an inspirational invocation by John Gould, Bath Rotary Club President and a member of the BRSF, Inc. Board of Directors; the Pledge of Allegiance led  by Eddie VanStine, Bath Rotary Club President-Elect and also a member of the BRSF, Inc. Board of Directors; the singing of “Rotary Bonds” led by Nancy Latour, a Bath Rotarian and the Rotary District 7120 Assistant Governor, Area 3.

 

After a bountiful salad bar and delicious dessert, provided by Waters Clubhouse and Catering, LLC, Tears introduced the recipients, announced the scholarship each had been awarded, and presented the recipient with a Certificate of Scholarship.  The students then introduced their parents/guests who were in attendance.  The awards, including the names of the recipients’ parents, high school, and college plans are as follows:

 

   Frank E. Nicklaus Memorial Scholarship ($1500 each)

• Zayda Braun, daughter of Lisa Nichiporuk and Zegin Braun; Hammondsport Central School; Nazareth University; Speech Pathology
• McKenzie Calderwood, daughter of Steven and Deborah Calderwood; Prattsburgh Central School; Dakota State University; Dual Major in Production Animation and Digital Content Creation
• Leah Krelie, daughter of Chad and Lori Krelie; Bath-Haverling Central School; Corning Community College with a transfer to St. John Fisher University; Wegman’s School of Pharmacy

   Ted Markham Memorial Scholarship (Student must be entering the field of

             environmental studies, agricultural studies, or a related field.) ($1000 each)

• Vivian Crane, daughter of Brian and Kimberly Crane; Avoca Central School; Alfred University; Environmental Engineering
• Corinne Ruddy, daughter of George and Jennifer Ruddy; Hammondsport Central School; University of Rhode Island; Biotechnology

                Bath Rotary Club Scholarship ($500 each)

• Sage Brinckerhoff, daughter of Nate and Wendy Brinckerhoff; Campbell-Savona Central School; Houghton University; Mathematics
• Austin Durand, son of Katie Durand; Bath-Haverling Central School; Duquesne University; Sports Media/Information
• Linsey Haff, daughter of Michael and Carrie Haff; Bath-Haverling Central School; Finger Lakes Community College; Hospitality and Tourism

                Interact Scholarship ($500)

• Leah Krelie, daughter of Chad and Lori Krelie; Bath-Haverling Central School; Corning Community College with a transfer to St. John Fisher University; Wegman’s School of Pharmacy

 

VanStine then presented the recipients with a yard sign stating “A Bath Rotary Scholarship Winner Lives Here” to be placed in their front yards.  The Board of Directors for the Bath Rotary Student Fund, Inc., who enjoyed reading and rating the applications submitted by the students, include: Elaine Tears, Chairperson; Jane Russell, Treasurer; Benita Nesbitt, Secretary; John Gould; Tess McKinley; Cheryl Muller; Eddie VanStine.

Rotary, an organization of business and professional leaders, provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and helps build goodwill and peace in the world.  One of the commitments of this service organization is the awarding of scholarships.

           

It Appears There Will Be A County Lawmaker Primary

It looks like there’s going to be  a Republican primary in the Steuben County Town of Erwin, for the county legislative seat. Running against incumbent James Kuhl is Drinald Bilcari, whose from Albania and became a U.S. citizen in 2005. 

Bilchari put out this statement over the weekend:  

My name is Drinald Bilcari, and I am proud to announce that I am running as a Republican for Steuben County Legislature, Town of Erwin.  I am running because I believe that the people of Erwin deserve a voice that advocates for them,  their wishes, their concerns, and most importantly their absolute right to be represented at the County Legislature.  I was born in Albania during President Regan's first term. In 2000, I met my wife Jeanne, who was born and raised in Hammondsport, and had volunteered to come to Albania during the Kosovo crisis. I immigrated to the United States with a marriage visa, on September 23, 2001, almost two weeks after 9-11. I became a US  citizen in the Summer of 2005, one of the proudest moments in my life.  I have been a registered Republican since I had the opportunity to register to vote because I believe in the Republican principles of Freedom, individualism, small government, lower taxes, and pro business.  I am a proud supporter of Second Amendment and an avid hunter. 

I  am running for County Legislature using these principles as guidance for my campaign.  I am a stong supporter of our Sheriff and Law Enforcement.  I am an attorney and have been practicing in Steuben County representing families for 10 years.   I am active in church, I serve on the  Board of Habitat for Humanity, and I have served as a board member for over 4 years.  I care deeply about this town, as my wife and I have lived here and are raising our three children here for 10 years. 

I will be hosting meet and greet meetings on  May 24 from 10-12 and on June 8 from 2-4 at Kinsella Park in Erwin, and I am excited to meet as many of you in person prior to this important election. 

 

Yates Co Legislative Chair Honored By State Senate

State Senator Tom O’Mara (R-C, Big Flats) and his Senate colleagues honored Yates County Legislature Chair Leslie Church as a 2025 “Woman of Distinction.”

Over the past nearly three decades, Church has become widely known and respected as a leader in Yates County and throughout the Finger Lakes region in public service, volunteerism, and community development.

She began her distinguished career in local government in 2000 when she was appointed to the Town of Milo Planning Board. She was later elected to the Milo Town Board. In 2011, Church was elected as the first female Town of Milo Supervisor and later that year, as a member of the Yates County Legislature. She became the first woman to serve as the Vice Chair of the Yates County Legislature in 2020 and two years later, in 2022, the first woman elected Chair of the Yates County Legislature.

 

This Week At The Public Library In Bath