Nitrogen Leak In The Town Of Erwin 

From Steuben Co Public Safety Director Tim Marshall: 

At approximately 7:15 a.m. the Steuben County 911 Center received a call regarding a Nitrogen leak at the Corning Diesel Plan on State Route 417 in the Town of Erwin.  Forest View Gang Mills Fire Department was dispatched to the scene and found a Vapor Cloud drifting from the plant towards I-99 and State Route 417 reducing visibility. 

Evacuation of the immediate area was initiated and a detour of traffic was established. A local evacuation center has been established at the Addison Community Center for local residents.

Emergency responders are working with Plant Officials to monitor the situation.  The Situation is stable at this time.  It is suggested to avoid this area.  If traveling I-99 or State Route 417 today, try to find alternative routes.

Additional updates will be provided once they are available.

UPDATE: 11:48AM: FROM COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR TIM MARSHALL:  The situation at the Corning Incorporated Diesel Plant has been resolved.  Emergency units have cleared the scene and traffic has been restored.  Anyone that was evacuated from the area can return.  Plant officials were able to isolate and mitigate the cause and there is no further threat to the public.

 

Steuben Co Lawmakers Vote To Allow Federal Prisoners To Continue To Occasionally Be Housed Inside The Steuben County Jail in Bath

Over the no votes of County Lawmakers Michael Volino, Fred Potter, Joe Tobia and Deb Shannon, the other county lawmakers voted to allow for federal prisoners from the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) and US Marshalls, to be temporarily taken in, in the Steuben County Jail in Bath.  Yes votes were Kelly Fitzpatrick, Nick Pelham, Dan Warriner, William Thew, Brian Schu, Hilda Lando, Mike Hanna, and Paul Van Castle. Sheriff Jim Allard tells WVIN News that this is an agreement which has been in place, since the 1990's.  Allard also says, the county has not held ICE prisoners for four years. 

See story below, about a social media page, for more information regarding the rumors being spread, about ICE and county prisoners. 

 

Controversial Social Media Page, Gets A Lot Of Attention

Rumors have been all over local social media and other local media pages, about an item, which was on the Steuben County Legislature’s agenda today.  The Hornell Democrats put out a statement, pointing out that there is an Immigration Customs Enforcement related matter, on the agenda. 

 

Below is the statement from the Hornell Democrats:

“Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard is seeking approval from the Steuben County Legislature to sign an updated intergovernmental agreement that allows federal prisoners (including ICE detainees) to be housed in the Steuben County Jail. The updated agreement will increase the per diem rate that the county charges the federal government. Contrary to some reports, the agreement does NOT authorize the construction of an ICE detention facility in Steuben County.  A resolution on the agreement will be discussed during the Steuben County Legislature meeting on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 10:00 a.m., at the Steuben County Annex (20 E Morris St, Bath, NY 14810) Attend the legislative meeting on Wednesday. Arrive at least 15 minutes early and sign up to ask a question or make a comment about the resolution. At the appropriate time, the chair will grant you three minutes to speak.  What can you do?”  A(fter that, the Hornell Dems listed the contact info for Hornell area Steuben County Lawmakers Dan Warriner and Paul Van Caeseele.)

  

FROM STEUBEN COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CHAIR SHAWN HOGAN: “I can’t make tomorrow’s County Legislature meeting so I will send my thoughts to you. In light of the tragic events in Minneapolis/ St. Paul I strongly believe the county should give pause to rubber stamping Sheriffs Allards agreement with ICE. This agreement should be fully vetted and reviewed and be subject to public hearings and comments. Let’s be sensitive to the fear and mistrust that surrounds us. Slow down, think this matter through. Respectfully submitted. Shawn D. Hogan, Former 32 year Mayor City of Hornell

 

Steuben County Statement Regarding Proposed Agreement with the United States Marshals Service:

To The Residents of Steuben County,

County officials have been made aware of questions and concerns of some residents regarding a resolution on the agenda for tomorrow’s meeting of the County Legislature, authorizing the Sheriff to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the United States Marshals Service for the housing of federal prisoners at the Steuben County Jail.

To be clear, Steuben County has entered into the same agreement with the US Marshals Service for well over two decades.  Like other counties throughout the state and nation, there are times where there is sufficient capacity in the Jail to house inmates for other governmental entities, including counties, New York State, and the federal government.  In such cases, federal prisoners are held while awaiting transit to court appearances or placement in a federal facility.  For providing these services, the County is paid a daily rate per federal inmate, which helps offset costs of the Jail.

 

We are all aware of the challenging circumstances happening across the nation in relation to immigration enforcement.   We have the utmost respect for our residents and the questions you all have regarding partnerships with the federal government.  This agreement absolutely does not create an ICE detention center, as some have suggested.  This agreement is not new nor does it expand the scope of this partnership, it continues operations as they have been for many years.

We appreciate the feedback from residents and wanted to provide clarity on this topic.

Sincerely,

James Allard, Sheriff, Kelly Fitzpatrick, Chair, Steuben County Legislature, Jeffrey P. Horton, County Legislator, Jack K. Wheeler, County Manager 

 

Update On The Addison High School Incident 

We reached out to Addison School Superintendent Jim Pieffer, asking him if there is a suspect yet, in the case of the threat, which was found a week ago today in the high school area of Addison Central.  Here is the superintendent's reply: 

“The District is not releasing the details regarding the threatening statement & it is being handled as a disciplinary, rather than criminal matter at this time.  As such, I have no further comment.  Appreciate your understanding.” 

 

CCE's Apple Tree Pruning Workshop Is Next Month

Cornell Cooperative Extension says, they’re having an Apple Tree Pruning Workshop.  That will be Saturday, February 21 at the Crooked Line Farm and Orchard, on Cold Springs Road in Bath.  Interested?  Call Susan Walker at 607-664-2574.   

 

Yates Co Sheriff's Dept Investigates Social Media Chatter About Someone Walking Around With A Gun

At, or about 00:54 am Yates County deputies and New York State Troopers were dispatched to Keuka College after a report was received that a conversation was taking place on YikYak, reporting a male with a backpack and a gun walking around Keuka College and making entry into a building. Campus was placed in lockdown. Deputies were dispatched and on scene within approximately 4 minutes. Law enforcement remained on scene for several hours conducting search and interviews. At this time there appears to be no valid threat to the campus or the community. School lockdown was lifted. Law enforcement will continue to investigate this incident to determine the source of the report.

 

Statement From Sen Schumer About Last Night's Incident At Congresswoman Omar's Event In Minneapolis 

"The attack on Rep. Omar...was a despicable act of political violence and intimidation.  I am glad Rep. Omar is OK, and I thank USCP and local police for their quick action to apprehend the suspect."

 

Dinapoli And Gillibrand Slam The Tariff Policy 

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand spoke out yesterday saying that tariffs hurt farmers. “Tariffs block farmers from selling goods worldwide. They raise costs for supplies and gear on farms with slim profits,” said Dinapoli.  "Tariffs already cost New York families about $4,200 more. New ones on Canadian goods would hit harder," Gilibrand stated. 

 

The  President promises tariff money in the form of checks, which Trump says he’s sending out to Americans this year.”