Month: March 2020

March 28, 2020

The Steuben County Public Health Department confirms it has received notification today that four additional Steuben County residents have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of Steuben County cases to eighteen. The individuals are residents of the City of Corning (2), Town of Howard (1) and City of Hornell (1).

The individuals are currently being isolated and monitored by the County Health Department. Public Health staff is investigating and identifying close contacts of the confirmed cases and any exposure risks. One or more of the individuals reported visiting the following locations on days while symptomatic and have been in isolation since.

· 3/16/2020 & 3/23/2020 – Guthrie Urgent Care in Corning

· 3/27/2020 – Save-A-Lot in Hornell

Residents, including those who visited the above locations on the days noted, should monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath and contact their healthcare provider for instructions if they become ill. All those known to have direct contact with the individual at these locations are being notified directly from Public Health staff.

“COVID-19 does not move on its own. People move and when they do, the virus moves,” said Public Health Director, Darlene Smith. “Staying home will help stop the spread of the virus”.

For the latest Steuben County updates, visit Steuben County’s website at www.steubencony.org or social media pages: www.facebook.com/SCNYPublicHealth and www.instagram.com/SteubenPublicHealth.

March 28, 2020

From Canisteo Village Police Chief Kyle Amidon:

Alexander L. Houghtaling (Age 21)- Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd Degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 5th Degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 4th Degree, 2 counts of Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia in the 2nd Degree.

Lee E. Richeson (Age 58)- 2 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th Degree

Jason M. Barker (Age 36)- Possession of Hypodermic Instrument

Court: Canisteo Village Court

Status: Lee E. Richeson and Jason M. Barker were issued appearance tickets to appear in Canisteo Village Court at later date and time. Alexander L. Houghtaling was processed and transported to the Steuben County Jail awaiting Centralized Arraignment.

Details of the Incident: On Friday March 27th, 2020 The Canisteo Village Police Department along with assistance of the Hornell City Police Department, New York State Police VGNET and the Steuben County District Attorney’s Office conducted a search warrant for narcotic activity at the residence of 9 Eighth Street in the Village of Canisteo. The investigation led to the following arrest:
Alexander L. Houghtaling (Age 21) of Cream Hill Road in Arkport, New York for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd Degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 5th Degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 4th Degree, 2 counts of Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia in the 2nd Degree.
Lee E. Richeson (Age 58) of 9 Eighth Street in Canisteo, New York for 2 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th Degree.

Jason M. Barker (Age 36) of 104 East Main Street in the City of Hornell, New York for Possession of Hypodermic Instrument.

During the search, officers were able to locate crystal meth, heroin, suboxone, prescription pills, drug paraphernalia and materials used to sell narcotics along with an unregistered handgun. Houghtaling was processed and transported to the Steuben County Jail in a wait for Centralized Arraignment. Richeson and Barker were issued appearance tickets to appear in Canisteo Village Court at a later date. The Canisteo Police Department would like to thank the assistance of the other agencies.

Assisted by: Steuben County District Attorney Office, Hornell City Police Department, New York State Police VGNET

March 27, 2020

STEUBEN COUNTY, NY – The Steuben County Public Health Department confirms it has received notification today that an additional Steuben County resident has tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of Steuben County cases to fourteen. The individual is a resident of the Village of Arkport. This is the 14th case in Steuben County.

The individual is currently being isolated and monitored by the County Health Department. Public Health staff is investigating and identifying close contacts of the confirmed case and any exposure risk. The individual reported visiting the following locations while symptomatic and has been in isolation since.

· 3/18/2020 & 3/24/2020 St. James Medial Office Building

· 3/24/2020 Classy Café and Deli in Hornell – Midday

Residents, including those who visited the above locations on the days noted, should monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath and contact their healthcare provider for instructions if they become ill. All those known to have direct contact with the individual at these locations are being notified directly from Public Health staff.

For the latest Steuben County updates, visit Steuben County’s website at www.steubencony.org or social media pages: www.facebook.com/SCNYPublicHealth and www.instagram.com/SteubenPublicHealth.

March 27, 2020

WASHINGTON, DC – From Congressman Tom Reed:
“Standing together, our federal government response to the coronavirus crisis has been unprecedented and the Phase 3 bill passed today is another step in the process to overcome the threats facing our nation today,” said Rep. Tom Reed. “We must address the health crisis and get people back to work. Mother nature caused this emergency and devastation. No one is to blame and we must continue to stand together in order to succeed.”

March 27, 2020

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today during his morning briefing, that schools will remain closed until April 15, 2020, because of the Covid-19.

March 27, 2020

Palmesano’s Statement On The Budget:

“We are struggling as a state and nation to deal with an unprecedented public health crisis with the coronavirus. We’re also facing an unprecedented fiscal crisis and a fast approaching April 1 state budget deadline. Alarmingly, Gov. Cuomo and some Senate and Assembly Democrats are still pushing to jam partisan policy proposals into the budget. That’s the last thing New Yorkers want or need. We should focus our attention on passing a budget that addresses our state’s fiscal crisis, fulfills our financial obligations, funds a robust response to the coronavirus and provides much needed assistance to our small businesses and their employees who have been crushed by the impact of the coronavirus. Our Conference unveiled a plan last week, The Small Business Recovery Act of 2020, to provide small businesses with tax credits, relief from costs and fees and access to needed capital. It is a common-sense proposal and should be implemented in the final budget,” said Palmesano

“For the governor and others to push for controversial policy issues to be included in the final budget when we are facing a fiscal crisis is the wrong approach. Some of these policy proposals, such as banning Styrofoam containers, will place new, damaging financial burdens on our already-struggling small businesses like restaurants and bars. A new siting law to expedite the development of wind and solar farms in local communities throughout upstate New York will eviscerate local control and nullify local input and existing ordinances. It would set a very dangerous precedent. Legalizing marijuana would put more of a financial strain on our municipal social services and law enforcement agencies. These policies, which I oppose, have no urgency or need to be included in our state budget and can be debated and considered at a later time, after we’ve adopted our budget and gotten through this public health crisis,” concluded Palmesano.

March 27, 2020

With less than a week to go before the state budget is due, New York State United Teachers President Andy Pallotta released the following statement on the budget process today:

“The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the vital role that our schools play in our communities. They provide meals, they provide care for the needs of children, they provide mental health services — and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

“We traveled the state earlier this year to hear directly from the educators, students and parents who rely on public schools about the critical funding needs they are facing, needs that haven’t changed as we’ve begun weathering the effects of this pandemic. From Long Island to Buffalo, their message was simple: Fund our future. The same goes for our public colleges and universities that provide a pathway to the middle class for so many New Yorkers.

“The economic crisis brought on by this pandemic has already left millions unemployed and has caused issues with the state’s budget. But let’s be clear about something: Cuts to education in any form will hurt the students and families who need the supports our public schools and colleges provide now more than ever. The inequality that already existed in our education system has only been exacerbated by this crisis. Cutting funding now will widen the gap even further.

“Our public education students and families shouldn’t be the ones to foot the bill for the crisis. New York’s ultrawealthy can afford to step up and pay their fair share to help us preserve the high-quality education our dedicated educators work so hard to provide.”

March 27, 2020

STEUBEN COUNTY, NY – As many already know, Kevin Collins at Cider Creek is mass-producing hand sanitizers. Cider Creek is making 800 hand sanitizers just today. “This idea came to us last week, we’re obviously not the originators of this idea, there are many craft breweries and distilleries around the country that have started this process,” Collins told Wlea News. “Seeing that we’re shut down, for the most part, I was looking at my barrels and thought, well, these barrels would be better served if they were turned into hand sanitizers, verses cider to sell on the market. So I put up a post on Facebook, letting people know I was going to be making hand sanitizer, and I was originally going to be asking for donations of bottles of wine, because with the higher ABB in wine, that can be distilled out for more alcohol. Justin Recktenwald was one of the first people to reach out, telling me that he had about 1200 liters of wine, and that’s how the process began. We hooked up with Crooked Tuscer Distillery, they turn the wine into ethynal alcohol, that can be used to make the hand sanitizer.”

“Our goal is to help mitigate the spread of the pandemic, by helping flattening the curve. The quicker we can do that, the quicker everybody can get back to work, and the faster our economy will recover. Like Justin said, it’s us small businesses that we believe that will help us pull through this pandemic and get people back to work. It also shows the positive side of everything that’s going on and how effective the small businesses can be, when we collaborate on something like this.”

“Our immediate focus for the hand sanitizer is for the hospitals, the first responders, the elderly care facilities, and the essential workers that are out there in the market that have the highest risk of exposure. We are also selling these to individuals as well.”

Kevin Collins also says, they’re doing this project in honor of his father, the late local surgeon, Dr Byron Collins.

To order, go to the Cider Creek Facebook Page (click here).
Click here for the Cider Creek Hard Cider webpage.

March 27, 2020

Steuben County Public Works Chief Vince Spagnoletti says that those who use the Steuben County Landfill should bag their garbage, keep 6 feet away from workers and others, try to do the drop offs every two weeks, instead of weekly, and hold on to recycling as long as possible.

See full statement below:
Steuben County landfill and transfer stations continue providing waste and recycling options throughout the COVID-19 crisis, county Public Works Commissioner Vince Spagnoletti said. “In order to keep our operations open, we need to keep our staff and the public safe,” Spagnoletti said. “Right now, there’s a problem with loose debris floating around. People need to bag their garbage.” Spagnoletti said customers should follow these safety precautions: · Bag garbage · Keep at least 6 feet away from workers and all other visitors · Please consider drop-offs every two weeks instead of weekly · Hold on to recycling as long as possible For hours of operation, go to https://www.steubencony.org/Pages.asp?PGID=68 For more information, call county Public Works Commissioner Vince Spagnoletti at (607) 664-2474.