Month: January 2022

January 10, 2022

STEUBEN COUNTY, NY – From Steuben Co Public Health:

We are in the process of updating isolation and quarantine orders and our process to align with new New York State Department of Health policies. We hope to share more tomorrow. We know change is hard. We appreciate your patience at this time.
There have been 543 new total cases since the last update. This includes both lab tested and home tested positives. The data on the graphic now incorporates home tested data along with the lab tested data.
Of the new positives, 56% reported being vaccinated. Of the hospitalized cases, 72% are not vaccinated.
302 breakthrough cases.

January 10, 2022

LIVINGSTON COUNTY, NY – Sheriff Tom Dougherty reports the arrest of Jonathan Sick, 33, of Arkport. According to the sheriff, Jonathan Sick’s vehicle was found disabled on the roadway in the Town of Portage. When a deputy showed up to help and spoke with Sick, the deputy said that Sick lied about his identity, had an illegal switchblade which he tried to conceal, and was in possession of methamphetamines. Officials say Jonathan Sick also tested positive for methamphetamines.

He was ticketed and released.

January 10, 2022

Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard reports that on January 10, 2022, deputies of the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office arrested Jose A. Velez, age 40, of State Route 415, Bath, New York, following an investigation of reported narcotics sales in the Bath, New York area. Mr. Velez was indicted by the Steuben County Grand Jury for possession and sales of a controlled substance and a subsequent warrant was issued. Mr. Velez was arrested due to the Superior Court Warrant of Arrest. Mr. Velez was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree, a class D Felony and Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree, a class C Felony. Mr. Velez was held in the Steuben County Jail pending arraignment in Steuben County Court.
Sheriff Allard thanks the Chemung County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this arrest.

The sheriff also reports that on January 9, 2022, deputies of the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office arrested Chad G. White, age 40, of Park Place, Elmira, New York, following an investigation of an assault during a domestic incident on South Hamilton Street, Painted Post, New York. It is alleged that Mr. White struck another person causing injury, choked that person, threatened that person and detained that person against their will. It is further alleged that Mr. White violated a stay away order of protection while committing these acts and that Mr. White violated a term or condition of his Parole. Mr. White was charged with Criminal Contempt in the First Degree, a class E Felony, Unlawful Imprisonment in the First Degree, a class E Felony, Assault in the Third Degree, Criminal Obstruction of Breathing and Menacing in the Second Degree. Mr. White was arraigned in the Centralized Arraignment Court and remanded to the Steuben County Jail due to his parole violation.
Sheriff Allard thanks the City of Elmira Police Department for their assistance in this arrest.

January 10, 2022

HORNELL, NY – Free Rapid COVID-19 Testing will be available at the Hornell Community Arts Center on Wednesday, January 12, 2022.

As COVID-19 cases continue to rise locally and the need for health care and testing remains high, City of Hornell Mayor John Buckley today, announced that the City of Hornell will be continuing their partnership with Steuben County Public Health to offer free COVID-19 rapid testing at the Hornell Community Arts Center. Test kits will be provided by Steuben County Public Health, with testing to be administered by the Hornell Fire Department.

Testing will be available to the public on Wednesday, January 12th from 1 pm to 5 pm at the Hornell Community Arts Center, 58 Broadway Mall, no appointment is necessary. Testing is available to anyone; residents are asked to wear a mask at all times and remain onsite for approximately ten (10) minutes.

All residents should 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.

Anyone in need of testing on the above date(s) is strongly encouraged to visit the Hornell Community Arts Center at 58 Broadway Mall. For more information please call (607) 324-2100.

January 9, 2022

From Alfred Almond Central School: We realize that the changes in our bus schedules today were not ideal and may have caused inconveniences for some of our district families. We are grateful for your ongoing patience and cooperation as we work together to ensure that we are able to do what’s best for our students, which is providing them with the opportunity for in-person learning.

Investigation into the personnel issues within our transportation department is continuing. We cannot comment on personnel matters at this time. The Alfred-Almond Support Staff Association, which has been very supportive of student needs, will continue to work with the district in the best interest of all Alfred-Almond students, our employees, and our community.
Changes to the morning bus run for Monday, January 10 will be the same as Friday, January 7, and are as follows:
· Students who ride bus 105 will be picked up approximately 20 minutes early
· Students who normally ride bus 104 will be picked up by bus 105 approximately 20 minutes late
· Students who normally ride bus 100 will be picked up by bus 109 approximately 20 minutes early. Families who choose to transport their students to school on Monday do not need to notify the school.

January 8, 2022

BATH, NY – From Steuben County Manager Jack Wheeler: With many households in Steuben County lacking access to reliable broadband services, Steuben officials remind all county residents their participation in the New York State Broadband assessment survey is an essential way to build those services.

The two-part survey provides people a way to test the speed of their internet connections at home or in the office, then take in a short survey. Those wishing to report on their cell phone are invited to participate in the survey, only. Paper copies of the survey also are available. The importance and need of reliable broadband services has never been greater, county officials say.

Broadband service has become vital to the health, education and overall welfare of all county residents, especially in the rural regions, officials said. While rescue efforts during the flood in August 2021 pointed out the real-time need to have secure Internet connections during natural disasters, many county services such as public health, social services, aging, public works and substance abuse prevention are more accessible through reputable online sources.

The survey is located at https://www.empirestatebroadband.com/

January 7, 2022

HORNELL, NY – The City of Hornell to partner with Steuben County Public Health in the distribution of KN-95 masks and COVID-19 home test kits.

“As COVID-19 cases continue to rise locally and the need for health care and testing remains high, we are pleased to be able to assist in the distribution of masks and home test kits.” said Mayor John Buckley today, as he announced that the City will once again be partnering with the County, this time in the distribution of KN-95 masks and COVID-19 home test kits.

The masks and test kits will be distributed at the City of Hornell Fire Department, 110 Broadway, Hornell NY on Saturday, January 8, 2022, beginning at 10am until supplies last. Anyone in need of a KN-95 mask or home test kit is encouraged to visit the Hornell Fire Department on this date. Please note there is a very limited number of supplies available, and distribution will be done on a first come first serve basis.

“The Steuben County Department of Public Health does an amazing job for the residents of the County and I am grateful to them for their continued support and assistance.” said Mayor Buckley

All residents should 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.

Anyone testing positive for COVID-19 using a home test should report the results to the Steuben County Public Health Department. For more information please contact (607) 324-2100.

January 7, 2022

From The Stat Comptrollers Office: New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Steuben County District Attorney Brooks Baker and the New York State Police today announced that Michelle “Shelly” Stevens, the former executive director of Hornell Partners for Growth (HPG), pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree for stealing $1,711 in cash from the non-profit’s Annual Fourth of July festival that was earmarked for the city’s Business Improvement District.

“Stevens betrayed her responsibility to the public by lining her own pockets with money that was meant to help her community,” DiNapoli said. “Thanks to my partnership with Steuben County D.A. Baker and the State Police she was held accountable for her actions.”

The conviction was a result of a joint investigation by Comptroller DiNapoli, District Attorney Baker and the New York State Police. Stevens, 38, of Almond, worked at HPG from 2014 to 2018 and resigned as the Almond town clerk in Allegany County in Spring of 2021.

“This plea was accomplished based on the tremendous effort and work of the Comptroller’s office, the NY State Police, and the Steuben County DA’s Office,” said Steuben County Assistant District Attorney Drinald V. Bilcari. “It sends the right message that betrayal of public trust will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Stevens was ordered to pay full restitution in the amount of $1,711. She is due back in court for sentencing on January 3, 2023.

January 7, 2022

FROM ABC DIGITAL NEWS:

Sidney Poitier, the Oscar-winning actor who brought a quiet dignity to his characters on screen and helped break down the color barrier in Hollywood, has died at age 94.
Bahamian officials confirmed his passing Friday to ABC News. Poitier served as the Bahamian ambassador to Japan from 1997 to 2007.
Poitier became the first Black man to win an Academy Award for best actor in 1964 for his role in Lilies of the Field. He was perhaps best known for his role as a Black doctor engaged to a white woman in 1967’s groundbreaking film Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, in which he starred opposite Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy.
That same year, Poitier portrayed his most successful character, Philadelphia detective Virgil Tibbs, working alongside a racist white Southern police chief, played by Rod Steiger, in the crime drama In the Heat of the Night.
After retiring from acting in 1997, Poitier served as the non-resident Bahamian ambassador to Japan until 2007.
In 2002, 38 years after receiving his best actor Oscar, Poitier was given an honorary Academy Award for his “remarkable accomplishments as an artist and as a human being.” In 2009, President Obama awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States’ highest civilian honor.