Month: February 2021

February 15, 2021

HORNELL, NY – From St James Hospital:

Today St. James Hospital launched a program to recognize inpatients who are actively serving or who have served in the U.S. military. Each patient who is admitted to St. James Hospital is asked if he or she has served in the military, and if they want to be acknowledged during their stay. For those who consent, staff insert a card outside of the patient’s room and place an American flag in the room. This alerts staff of the patient’s military service and the opportunity to acknowledge it. The patient is encouraged to take the flag home.

“We are honored to formally show appreciation to patients who have served our country,” said Bryan O’Donovan, president and CEO and U.S. Army veteran. “This is one small way that we can thank them for their service, and as safety restrictions allow, our leadership team will also visit military and non-military patients in their rooms.”

“We feel that these patients deserve to be recognized for their service,” said Melissa Rackmil, chief nursing officer, “and after several months of planning we’re happy to get it started.”

“We hope that this gesture genuinely demonstrates our appreciation for patients who have served in the military,” said Jason Bisker, inpatient nurse manager.

February 14, 2021

From Alfred University:

ALFRED, NY – Brandon Harrison, a 2016 MBA graduate of Alfred University, joins the Saxon softball coaching staff as an assistant coach.

This will be the fourth position that Harrison has held here at Alfred University with his most recent stay being the Sports Information Director (now the Athletic Communications Department). He was hired in that position in the fall of 2017 before being hired to be the Assistant Professor of Sport Management and Internship Coordinator at Alfred State College. Harrison will continue as a professor on the other side of the valley while helping Head Coach Luke Wesneski and the softball team here at AU.

“It’s great to have Brandon back in the purple and gold,” Coach Wesneski said. “He was originally going to help us out last year, but with a new teaching position, he was unable to. He comes from a baseball background, so the transition should be very smooth and easy for him and he’s already very familiar with many of the players. He will work mainly with infield, outfield and game day preparation and management.”

Harrison played varsity baseball for local Canisteo-Greenwood High School for all four years and modified for the two years prior. He also played varsity soccer and swam varsity as well. Harrison is also active in the local areas through his role for the Alfred-Almond Community Sports Association co-overseeing youth sports in Almond. As an athlete, himself, he still manages to find time to play in adult leagues as much as possible.

“I’ve had the great fortune of working with the majority of these student-athletes in the past and have heard how the newcomers have accepted the challenge of living up to the AU softball standard,” Coach Harrison said. “It’s with great honor I accept that same challenge with such a distinguished program at my beloved alma mater. I look forward to being immersed in the incredible culture that Coach Wesneski and the team have established in recent years. I thank Coach and the AU administration for this opportunity. This group is focused and ready for an excellent season. I can’t wait to get started.”

Not only a graduate of the Alfred University Master’s program, Harrison earned his Bachelor’s in Sports Management from St. John Fisher College in 2013.

February 13, 2021

Former President Donald Trump has been acquitted by the Senate in his impeachment trial on inciting an insurrection on the capital on January 6th by a vote of 57-43.

Seven republicans, Sen. Pat Toomey, R-PA; Sen. Ben Sasse, R-NB; Sen. Mitt Romney, R-UT; Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-AK; Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-LA; Sen. Susan Collins, R-ME; Sen. Richard Burr, R-NC, voted to impeach the former President. 

All 50 democrats voted to convict. 

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement: “The evidence is irrefutable. For months, President Trump laid the groundwork for the insurrection, actively promoting conspiracy theories about election fraud to his supporters. On January 6th, he incited violence against Congress and his own vice president. Finally, even as his violent supporters stormed the Capitol, causing untold destruction and several deaths, President Trump refused to take action to protect members of Congress, the vice president, Capitol Police and law enforcement officers, staff and those working in the Capitol.  This shameful incident has left a stain on our nation that can never be removed—nor should it.   As a United States senator, I swore an oath to do impartial justice according to the Constitution. Today, I upheld that oath by voting to convict President Trump under charges of inciting an insurrection against the U.S. government. I thank the other senators, including seven of my Republican colleagues, who had the courage to do the same.”

February 13, 2021

12:32pm upate: The fire rekindled, and caused further damage, but that is now under control.  The Hornell Fire Department is still at the scene.  Two dogs were lost in the fire.  

12:10pm update: Hornell Police Chief Ted Murray tells WLEA News, that no one was injured at the house fire at 3 Olive Place in Hornell.  “Everyone was evacuated out the building,” Murray told Wlea News.  “The fire department was able to get the fire out very quickly, there is a lot of smoke damage inside the building, right now the fire department is at the scene, trying to determine the cause.”  Murray also says that the fire was in the upstairs apartment at 3 Olive Place, which is said to be a two family dwelling.

11:11am

HORNELL, NY – Below, are photos from a house fire, in the 11am hour, on Olive Place.

February 12, 2021

ALLEGANY COUNTY, NY – The Wellsville regional News Page reports that a man and his dog, were saved from drovning, by several Alfred State College Students. The students names are: David Snyder, Kameron Mills, Jack Derby, Owen Brewster, and Alex Tanerski.

Click here for full story from Wellsville’s Regional News Page.

February 12, 2021

Statement From Congressman Tom Reed:

“We believe the latest evidence from the New York Post’s reporting, which consisted of a taped confession by Secretary DeRosa to New York State Assembly Members and Senators, demonstrates there was deliberate and admitted criminal conduct. As we speak, we are pursuing every legal avenue available, including filing criminal complaints, issuing subpoenas, and demanding investigations to hold Secretary DeRosa accountable to the law as we seek full justice for the grieving families of New York. For these families who lost loved ones in this horrific nursing home scandal, know that we stand with you and justice will be done.”

The Steuben County Public Health Department received notification of the death of two individuals who had previously tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in Steuben County to 165. Both individuals died while hospitalized. One was a male resident of the Village of Bath who died at age 71 and the other was a female resident of the Town of Cameron who died at the age of 76.

“Steuben County has seen far too many deaths related to COVID for our relatively small population,” said Public Health Director, Darlene Smith. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of those who have lost loved ones. Please continue to follow all prevention protocols to protect our community.”

The Steuben County Public Health Department also reports that they received notification that 11 Steuben County residents tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total to 5,369 confirmed cases, 180 of which are currently active.

The individuals are residents of the:

· City of Corning (2)

· City of Hornell

· Town of Addison

· Town of Hartsville

· Town of Lindley

· Town of Thurston

· Village of Bath (2)

· Village of Cohocton

· Village of North Hornell

The individuals are isolated and being monitored by the County Health Department. Public Health staff investigated and identified close contacts of the confirmed cases and exposure risks. All those known to have direct contact with the individuals have been notified.

Per CDC and New York State Department of Health guidance, information is collected beginning 48 hours prior to symptom onset or date of test if asymptomatic through the day of the positive test result to identify any potential exposure risks.

The investigations indicate:

· Five individuals had contact with previously reported Steuben positives

· Three individuals are associated with the following schools: Hornell High School, Hornell Intermediate School, VEW Primary School

In addition, the individuals reported visiting the following locations that could pose an exposure risk within their investigation timeframes:

· 2/4 – Luigi’s in Naples

· 2/9 – Steuben County Office Building in Bath

· 2/10 – Hardinge, Inc. in Elmira

Today’s age groups for the positives are as follows:

· 0 – 9 years: 1

· 10 – 19 years: 1

· 20 – 29 years: 1

· 30 – 39 years: 2

· 40 – 49 years: 1

· 50 – 59 years: 2

· 60 – 69 years: 2

· 80 – 89 years: 1

“Many in the community are beginning a long weekend and week off ahead,” said Public Health Director, Darlene Smith. “Please be reminded of avoiding large gatherings and of the travel guidelines. The protective choices we make this week will help keep our numbers in the downward trend.”

All residents should continue to monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills or repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and new loss of taste or smell and contact their healthcare provider for instructions if feeling ill.

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.