May 16, 2022
HORNELL, NY – Wlea News has gotten a copy of what is being described as the 1st draft of the new 23rd Congressional District Map. We are told that this is only the first draft and that a final version will be released later this week. The counties included are: Schuyler, Chemung, Steuben, Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua and part of Erie County.
The new 23rd district is a greyish-blue color, on the lower left side of the state map.
Possible GOP candidates are: Steuben County Republican Chair Joe Sempolinski, State Senator George Borrello, former State Senator Cathy Young and Congresswoman Claudia Tenney. Tenney does not live in the district, but there are no requirements for living inside a district for congressional races. For the Democrats: Tioga County’s Max Della Pia.
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HORNELL-M. Ellen Sengstock, 92, of Hornell, entered into rest Thursday morning (May 12, 2022) at Elderwood at Hornell, after a long illness.
Born in Hornell on January 4, 1930, she was a daughter of the late J. Gerald and Anna (Saxton) Sweeney. On September 15, 1951 she was married in Savannah, GA to Lawrence L. “Harry” Sengstock who predeceased her on January 27, 1994 after 43 years of marriage. Besides her parents and husband, she was also predeceased by her five siblings, Martha Dunning, Jack Sweeney, Robert A. Sweeney, Richard Sweeney and Jean Dineen.
A lifelong resident of Hornell, Ellen was a graduate of Hornell High School, class of 1948.
Throughout the years she operated the former Peggy’s Corner Store on Hornell Street and assisted her husband with real estate rental properties.
She was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and was a communicant of St. Ann’s Church in Hornell. She was also a member of the Ladies of Columbus and served on the PTA at the former Bryant School in Hornell where she was also a “lunch lady.”
Ellen loved spending time with friends and family especially her grandchildren.
Her loving surviving family includes two children, David (Sandy) Sengstock of Hornell and Lynn (Kevin) McLaud of Pittsford, NY; four grandchildren, Elizabeth Kockler of Fairport, NY and Charles McLaud of Pittsford, NY, Nicholas Sengstock of Rochester, NY and Julie (Kevin) Conklin of North Hornell; five great grandchildren, Elliott and Violet Kockler and Camille, Mabel and Walker Conklin; two sisters-in-law, Eileen Sengstock and Virginia Flanders both of Florida; as well as several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express that sincere appreciation to everyone at Elderwood at Hornell for the wonderful care Ellen received.
To honor her wishes there will be no calling hours. Relatives and friends are invited to join her family at St. Ann’s Church, 31 Erie Ave., Hornell where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Monday (May 23, 2022). Committal prayers and interment will follow at Rural Cemetery, Hornell.
In lieu of flowers those wishing may contribute in her memory to either St. Ann’s Church of Our Lady of the Valley Parish, 27 Erie Ave., Hornell or to the Hornell High School Alumni Association, P.O. Box 135, Hornell, NY 14843. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the church.
The Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home, 285 Main St., Hornell is honored to assist Ellen’s family with the arrangements.
Online condolences or remembrances of Ellen are welcome on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home or at www.bishopandjohnsonfuneralhome.com.
May 15, 2022
After a lengthy investigation into the distribution of illegal narcotics in the City of Hornell, the Hornell Police Department arrested Adam S. Craig age 29 of 136 Newport St. Brooklyn, NY and James L. Pitts Jr. age 26 of 59 John St. of Hornell. Both men have been charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree (A-1 Felony), Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree (B Felony 2 counts) and Endangering the Welfare of a Child (A Misdemeanor).
May 14, 2022
BUFFALO, NY – From Buffalo City Police: BPD on scene of a mass shooting at the Tops in the 1200 block of Jefferson Avenue. Police say multiple people have been struck by gunfire. The shooter is in custody. Motorists and residents are urged to avoid the area.
ABC is reporting that ten people have been killed by the shooter, police video shows that the suspect is a white male.
Update 8:12pm: The suspect is Payton Gendron, 18, of Conklin, NY, in Broome County.
It’s also being reported that Gendron, did a video-live stream of the shooting, at least one website is reporting that Gendron has pleaded not guilty.
Buffalo Police say that a total of 13 people were shot, 11 were African-American, two were white.
Buffalo Police also say that the shooter is a New York State resident, but is not from the Erie County area. Police did say he was from “several hours away”.
One of those killed, was a former Buffalo Police Officer, who was working as a security guard at the Tops Grocery Store. Officials say that the security guard did fire his weapon at the suspect, but that the suspect was protected by his body armor. Three of those shot were also store employees.
From The Justice Dept: The country mourns the victims of a senseless, horrific shooting in Buffalo, New York. The FBI and ATF are working closely with the Buffalo Police Department and federal, state, and local law enforcement partners.
“The Justice Department is investigating this matter as a hate crime and an act of racially-motivated violent extremism. The Justice Department is committed to conducting a thorough and expeditious investigation into this shooting and to seeking justice for these innocent victims.”
From Governor Kathy Hochul: My heart breaks for the victims’ families and for everyone impacted by this horrific and despicable act of violence. NYSP have set up a family unification site in Buffalo for those separated from loved ones in the wake of today’s shooting. The site is located at Makowski Early Childhood Center, 1095 Jefferson Ave. in Buffalo.
From U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer: I’m actively monitoring the situation with the grocery store shooting in Buffalo. We are standing with the people of Buffalo. If you’re in Buffalo, please follow the guidance of local law enforcement.
May 14, 2022
From Alfred University:
ALFRED, NY – Dr. Robert S. Langer, world-renowned biomedical engineer and co-founder of more than 40 biotechnology companies including COVID-19 vaccine maker Moderna, has followed four guiding principles throughout his career as a research scientist.
On Saturday, May 14, Langer—a professor in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Departments of Chemical Engineering and Biological Engineering, and faculty member in MIT’s David H. Koch Institute of Integrative Cancer Research—delivered the keynote address at Alfred University’s 186th Commencement, relating to graduates the role those principles have played in his professional success.
Langer is viewed as the founder of the field of tissue engineering in regenerative medicine, and is the pioneer of hundreds of technologies, including controlled release and transdermal drug delivery systems, which allow for the non-invasive administration of drugs through the skin.
“I hope to leave you with some simple messages,” Langer said. “First when you choose a job, follow your passion—choose something you love, not what makes the most money. Second, try to dream big dreams—dreams that can change the world and make it a better place. Third, oftentimes you will run into roadblocks but, no matter how bad things look, don’t give up. And fourth—treat all people with respect and kindness.”
Langer earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Cornell University and his doctoral degree, also in chemical engineering, from MIT. He said when he finished his graduate studies, he was unsure what to do professionally. It was in the 1970s, when gasoline was in high demand, and professionals in his field were being paid well to work for oil companies. “I got 20 job offers from oil companies—four from Exxon alone,” he said. On a flight home from an interview with Exxon in Louisiana, he realized that was not the career path he wanted to follow.
“What did I want to do?” he asked. “Well, I had this dream of using my background to improve people’s lives.”
To that end, Langer would take a position as a researcher at Harvard and Boston Children’s Hospital, where he would work on two related problems: trying to discover the first substance that could stop cancer blood vessels from growing (and thus stop tumor growth); and developing tiny particles – called microparticles and nanoparticles – that might be able to deliver these and other large molecular weight substances such as proteins or RNA to the body.
While the research was met with skepticism in the scientific community, Langer persevered.
His research led the discovery of the first blood vessel inhibitors which fight cancer. It took 28 years from his earliest publication in this area—a 1976 article in the Journal of Science— until the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first blood vessel inhibitor. Today, such inhibitors, like Avastin, Lucentis, and Eylea, are among the most successful biopharmaceuticals in the world for treating cancer and eye diseases such as macular degeneration. They have been used to treat hundreds of millions of patients.
“When we started developing vaccines to treat COVID, the Boston Globe ran a front-page article on this entitled “This is not how you do science” with my picture underneath it,” Langer recalled. “But Moderna and its terrific employees, some of whom are my former students, never gave up. Today the Moderna vaccine and one somewhat like it made by Pfizer and BioNTech – also using nanoparticles – is used all over the world.”
Langer’s final piece of advice to graduates involved how they treat others.
“Many people ask me why the people in our lab have done well,” he said. “I like to think it’s because we’ve tried to treat everyone with respect and kindness; treating people the way you hope they would treat you. No matter what you do with your life career-wise, there is nothing more important than being a good, caring human being.”
Langer and Charlie Joyce, a Wellsville, NY, resident and member of the University’s Board of Trustees, were awarded honorary degrees Saturday.
Langer received a Doctor of Science degree, honoris causa, for his work in biomedical engineering research. He holds more than 1,400 granted or pending patents, which have been licensed or sublicensed to more than 400 companies. He is the author of more than 1,500 articles, and with more than 363,000 citations, he is the most cited engineer in history and fourth most cited individual in any field of academic research. He is recipient of 36 honorary degrees and has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, National Academy of Medicine, and the National Academy of Inventors.
Joyce, past president and CEO of Otis Eastern Corp.—one of the energy industry’s leaders in the construction of pipelines transporting oil, natural gas, and petroleum products—received a Doctor of Commerce degree, honoris causa.
A member of the Alfred University Board of Trustees since 2001, Joyce has been a generous supporter of the University. He and Alfred University alumna Sherry Walton ’80, ’88 MS Ed. provided funding for the Joyce & Walton Center, which opened in 2014, and the Joyce & Walton Strength and Conditioning Center, which opened in 2018.
A generous commitment from Joyce and Walton in 2018 helped provide support to attract Alfred University’s next vice president of Student Affairs; helped launch Alfred University’s new leadership minor; and underwrote the offering of the “LEAD 301: Improving Alfred University” course taught by the dean of the Inamori School of Engineering and the president of Alfred University. Joyce joined with fellow trustee Marlin Miller ’54, HD ’89, ’19 to underwrite the hiring of a consulting firm to help Alfred University develop a residence life master plan. In 2018, Joyce made a generous commitment of $2 million toward enhancing Alfred University’s athletic facilities on Jericho Hill.
Joyce—a resident of Wellsville and native of nearby Andover, NY— has long been active in supporting charitable organizations in the Wellsville community. In 2012 his philanthropy established the Catholic Charities Food Pantry of Wellsville. In November 2019, he was honored for his selfless support of others as Catholic Charities renamed its Wellsville food pantry the Joyce Family Food Pantry and Outreach.
“It is very humbling to be on the same stage as my fellow honorary degree recipients,” said Joyce, who recognized his fellow trustees and members of his family in attendance.
Joyce remarked that while he is not an Alfred University graduate, the University has long been a part of his life—he recalled growing up in Andover and skipping school each year to attend the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in Alfred—and he noted the vital role the University plays in the economic well-being of the largely rural Southern Tier of western New York.
“The University serves as a cornerstone to the region. It has a huge impact on the quality of life in the area,” Joyce said. The importance of Alfred University to the region is why Joyce serves on the Board and supports the University through his philanthropy.
“I’ve been a trustee for more than 21 years. We’ve faced a lot of challenges, COVID being the most complex,” he commented. “One thing that has been consistent has been the dedication and love for this University by our trustees, the students, faculty, and students. “We always ask, ‘How can we make Alfred better for the students?’ That’s what makes this place so special.”
Addressing their classmates were 2022 Marlin Miller Outstanding Senior Award recipients Merveille Bulonza, a biology/pre-med major (chemistry minor) from Cheektowaga, NY, and Makenzie Cashmer, a mechanical engineering major (minors in mathematics and computer science) from Weedville, PA.
Winners of the Marlin Miller Outstanding Senior Award are chosen based on scholarship, extracurricular achievement, personal character and conduct, and nominations by faculty, students, staff, or alumni. The award was established to honor Alfred University alumnus Marlin Miller ’54, H ’89, H ’19 one of Alfred University’s most generous supporters. Miller has been a member of Alfred University’s Board of Trustees since 1972.
Bulonza, who aspires to attend medical school after graduation, served as president of the Student Senate from March 2020 to March 2021 and is also former secretary to the Student Senate. She is a recipient of numerous scholarships and awards, including the Diana Mossip Memorial Scholarship and the Health Professions Scholarship, and participated in the Alfred University Honors Program.
She graduated from Alfred University’s Women’s Leadership Academy, where her capstone project focused on improving student leadership training and increasing leadership opportunities on campus for all students.
The daughter of Joseph Bulonza Tembo and Nabintu Namwira, Bulonza is a graduate of Cleveland Hill High School in Buffalo. She spoke of how her family, and the people she has known at Alfred encouraged her to pursue her ambitions.
“We’ve all heard the phrase, ‘never give up on your dreams.’ Not giving up on your dreams means believing in yourself,” she said. “To my parents, I thank you for instilling in me a passion to learn. To my professors, I thank you for seeing the potential in me, even when I didn’t see it myself.”
Bulonza’s advice to her fellow graduates was to set their own standards for success and achievement and pursue their dreams and passions. “No one can measure your success except yourself. Only you can measure how far you’ve gone and how far you will go.”
Cashmer is a member of the Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society, the Society of Women Engineers, has served as president and vice president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, participated in the Alfred University Honors Program, and was also a member of the Alfred University women’s soccer team. She has served as a teaching assistant for the Alfred University Division of Chemistry and as a student instructor in Calculus I, II, and III.
She attended Alfred University on a four-year U.S. Army Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) scholarship and is the recipient of the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Award. Upon graduation, Cashmer will commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
The daughter of David and Kimberly Cashmer, Makenzie is a graduate of Elk County Catholic High School in St. Marys, PA.
Cashmer spoke of the various “villages” at Alfred University that have supported her and helped her grow—from the time she left her hometown to come to Alfred through her graduation Saturday.
“Some say it takes a village to raise a child; no, it takes a village like Alfred to raise a child. At Alfred, I didn’t have to do it all on my own,” she said. Those villages included the women’s soccer team, the ROTC program and military affairs staff at Alfred, and her faculty. She spoke with pride of how the ROTC program has grown during her time at Alfred, and how the experience has shaped her life.
“Over the span of four years, we now have a thriving (ROTC) program. When I first got to Alfred, I planned on serving (in the Army) part-time, but I realized that full-time active duty was my true calling,” she said.
“I will carry all my Alfred memories close to me heart,” she said, advising fellow graduate, “Wherever you go next, find a village. If there isn’t one there, create one.”
The University recognized as the following top students (highest GPAs in each school and college) for the Class of 2022:
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: Karina Morling, athletic training major from Canisteo, NY, who earned a 4.00 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale.
School of Art and Design: Samuel LaPell, fine arts major from East Nassau, NY, who earned a 4.00 grade-point average.
Kazuo Inamori School of Engineering: Austin Schunke, a materials science and engineering major from Springville, NY, with a 4.00 grade-point average.
College of Business: Emma Johnson, business administration major from Sanborn, NY, with a GPA of 3.99.
Alfred University President Mark Zupan closed Commencement by congratulating graduates for their achievements and commending them for how they met and overcame challenges—the biggest being the COVID pandemic and its impact on higher education—during their time at Alfred.
“Today is a momentous occasion for the member of the Class of 2022,” Zupan said. “What you’ve done to get to this point—there were times the last two years especially, that seemed like a combination if 1918, 1929, 1939, and 1968. The fact that you persevered and earned those hard-earned degrees, you have our respect, our recognition, and our gratitude.”
Alfred University awarded 303 baccalaureate degrees, 65 master’s degrees and five doctoral degrees to graduates who completed their degree requirements in May 2022. The University has already conferred 121 baccalaureate degrees, 28 master’s degrees, and four doctoral degrees to August 2021, December 2021, and 2022 Allen Term (January) graduates.
Graduates from the University’s AU-NYC program—who have earned master’s degrees in School Counseling and Public Administration, or completed Advanced Certification programs in Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling, at satellite campuses in New York City—will be honored in a separate ceremony on June 16 at 5:30 p.m. at St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights, NY.
May 14, 2022
ALFRED, NY, – Alfred State College honored approximately 1,200 eligible graduates at the 111th commencement ceremony. Graduates celebrated with faculty and staff along with their families and friends as the ceremony returned to an in-person event at Pioneer Stadium.
Alfred State President Dr. Steve Mauro presided over the ceremonies. He applauded the students for their perseverance and success. “I encourage you to continue on your trajectory of success. Continue to seek your goal and dreams. You have proven you can be successful. Keep that positive momentum going.”
A major component of the ceremony was the presentation of the Paul B. Orvis Award for Excellence to five graduating students. The award honors Paul B. Orvis, a former president of Alfred State and State University of New York dean for two-year college. Recipients meet the criteria of service, leadership, character, and scholarship.
Receiving the award were Thaddeus Grierson (Perry – School of Applied Technology associate degree recipient); Joseph Tempksi (Hamburg – School of Architecture, Management and Engineering Technology baccalaureate degree recipient); Jenna Schweigert (Lockport – School of Architecture, Management and Engineering Technology associate degree recipient); Colleen Farley (Staten Island – School of Arts and Sciences baccalaureate degree recipient); and Ailie Smithers (Belfast – School of Arts and Sciences associate degree recipient).
The commencement ceremonies featured student speakers from each of the three schools at the college.
The Alfred State faculty quarter performed the national anthem and the college’s alma mater. Students were led in recessional by grand marshal Dr. Aniko Constantine.
May 14, 2022
ALBANY, NY – Here’s the Friday covid numbers from Governor Kathy Hochul:
Steuben County 61
Allegany County 14
Livingston County 26
Also, the governor reports that one Allegany County resident who was covid-positive, has died.
May 14, 2022
ALBANY, NY – From Assemblywoman Marjorie Byrnes: “It is not just Rochester. One of my friends had his car stolen from the parking garage under the Legislative Office Building in Albany. It was parked in an area reserved for senators and assembly members. The car was crashed and totaled. I guess I have to be more careful no matter where I am.”
Byrnes is referring to the parked car that was stolen from Jamestown Assemblyman James Goodell.
May 12, 2022
HORNELL, N.Y. – St. James Hospital officially cut the ribbon on the new connector building and courtyard patio today. These projects were funded through a $1.2 million capital campaign, separate from the $55 million New York State funding to build the new Hospital.
The now open 70’ by 10’ enclosed walkway allows patients, visitors, and staff to safely and comfortably travel between the Medical Office Building and Hospital, without stepping outside. The 1,600 ft2 patio courtyard is accessible from the Hospital Café and equipped with comfortable, well-spaced seating for up to sixty people, with bluestone pavers and decorative planters.
The St. James Hospital Board, organization leaders, and donors presided over the ceremony. Remarks were made by Hospital Board Chairperson, Shawn Hogan, Vice-Chairperson Pete Wall, and interim CEO Wendy Disbrow. “At UR Medicine St. James Hospital we are always striving to improve upon the patient experience. With the advent of the connector building between the Hospital and Medical Office Building, we continue to put patients and employees first. Many thanks to all the local businesses and individuals who through their generosity made this all possible.” said Shawn Hogan, Hospital Board Chair.
Pete Wall, Hospital Board Vice-Chairperson remarked “Community members and organizations provided tremendous support for these projects. We were fortunate to receive major donations from several key donors and foundations, as well as many individual gifts from friends of St. James Hospital”. Lastly Interim CEO Wendy Disbrow mentioned “We at St. James Hospital are very grateful for the continued community support that allows our hospital to improve our patient experience. Our generous supporters allow us the opportunity to continue to provide excellent care and we truly appreciate all that they do to demonstrate their faith in our health system and our staff.”
As of Friday, May 13th the connector building and courtyard are available for the public and patients to enjoy.