Author: Brendan Doran

July 27, 2017

HORNELL, NY – The Hornell Dodgers knocked off the Genesee Rapids 6-3 in the best of three series Thursday night to take home the Western Divisional title. Due to a rain delay today, the Eastern Division will not be decided until Friday, therefore the Championship game between east and west will not start until Saturday, 5:30pm at Maple City Park. The second game will be played Sunday starting 3pm, and if a third game is needed it will be played directly after the second at the park. Both teams vying for the eastern crown are from Syracuse.

July 26, 2017

HORNELL, NY – The Hornell Dodgers Beat the Genesee Rapids in Game One of the Western Divisional playoffs 7-4 Tuesday night. Hornell travels to Houghton College Wednesday for game two of the best of three series. If the Rapids beat the Dodgers Wednesday its back to Hornell for game three.  As of press time the game is scheduled for 7 p.m. however they are dealing with a light issue so please check back sometime today for the final details.

July 20, 2017

HORNELL, NY – Hornell Mayor Shawn Hogan announced at this morning’s Board of Public Safety meeting that the major renovations scheduled for Main Street to begin in August have been delayed.

According to the Mayor, the job needs to be rebid because the bids came in at over $300,000 higher than originally anticipated. Now the work is scheduled for some time in 2018. The DOT is funding the majority share of that project with the city providing 20% of the cost.

DPW head Mitch Cornish updated the board on the city roads currently completed. Seneca Street, the dead end of Canisteo Street, Pine Street, South Division Street, Merrill Lane, Mays Ave, have all been completed and they are waiting to hear back from AL Blades to finish East Elm Street. Parking lot #2 and the Broadway Mall are both scheduled for repaving around middle October.

Also the First Baptist Church requested the use of the corner of Genesee and Church Streets for their Community Day with that date to be announced. The Hornell Area Arts Council will be holding a Zombie Run Sunday, October 15th at Veterans Memorial Park, and there has been a request to use Shawmut Park for a Horseshoe Tournament July 29th.

July 19, 2017

ARKPORT, NY – Arkport village Mayor Charlie Flanders told the board Tuesday night that the village will be saving almost half the costs for the blacktopping upon the completion of the new Meadowbrook Bridge installation. According to Flanders the money saved will be put back into the loans taken out for the initial bridge project. “Everything has been working out great on the project,” said Flanders, “When we are all done we have to send the county a thank-you letter, they have done a fantastic job and been a pleasure to work with.”

Flanders continued, “Henry Street and the south end of Brush Street between Park Ave and Meadowbrook will be closed to traffic on July 21st for about two weeks until August 4th. Residents will have access to their homes during that time via Brush Street. A temporary bridge will be installed during that time.” According to the Mayor, milling has been completed from the bridge all the way down around Northridge with blacktopping of that entire area soon to follow.

Also Steve Peck of the Ryan Insurance Agency was on hand with a proposal for the village’s insurance policy. After Peck’s presentation, the village decided to go with Trident Public Risk Solutions as opposed to Selective Insurance at a savings of over $1500 a year. The village’s insurance will cost a total of $7838.55. At question was who should be paying the insurance on the courtroom on village property but currently rented by the town. The town has recently made major improvements to that area with a $30,000 grant it had received. Peck told the board that they are the insurance carrier for both districts and will get to the bottom of that.

July 15, 2017

Reporters have researched criminal background of the suspect who is accused of shooitng and killed his wife and a New York State Trooper last Sunday night, at Fort Drum. It turns out that the suspect had a serious criminal record while he was a teenager, and once planned a shooting in his high school years.

Click here for full story, from WSYR Syracuse.

July 14, 2017

BATH, NY – Judge Chauncey Watches has filed Republican, Conservative, Independence and Reform Party Designating Petitions with the Steuben County Board of Elections. According to Watches, these petitions officially secure his spot on the ballot in this fall’s election for Steuben County Surrogate Court Judge. “The most important part of running for office is listening to the people so you really understand their concerns about our court system,” said Judge Watches. “The biggest asset that voters want in our new Surrogate Court Judge is experience. The voters know that you can’t entrust this kind of position to on-the-job training.”

Watches and his team report that they collected more than 2,100 signatures in support of his candidacy – approximately double the minimum required.
“I’m very thankful to the dozens of volunteers who joined me to travel to every town and village in Steuben County to collect signatures. Their concern for the future of Steuben County is truly admirable,” Judge Watches added.

He is running for Steuben County Surrogate Court, which has jurisdiction over estate proceedings and is responsible for granting and supervising the guardianships of infants and incapacitated adults. The Surrogate Judge is also regularly assigned to County Court, Family Court and Supreme Court in Steuben and seven surrounding counties. Watches has served as a Municipal Judge in Bath for the last 13 years, where he has helped to resolve thousands of challenging cases. Beyond his tenure behind the bench, he also runs his own private legal practice and has previously served as a prosecutor and as Assigned Counsel through the Public Defender’s Office. No other candidate in this race has served in the courtroom from all sides – prosecutor, defense and judge.

The Republican Primary will be held on Tuesday, September 12, 2017. This seat will be open due to the pending retirement of Judge Marianne Furfure.

July 13, 2017

NORTH HORNELL, NY – State Senator Tom O’Mara (R, Big Flats) and North Hornell Volunteer Fire Department Chief Michael Robbins announced that the department will purchase a new pumper tanker and water rescue equipment with the assistance of $215,000 in state funding O’Mara secured in the 2017-2018 New York State budget. The senator and the fire chief made the announcement at the North Hornell Fire Department, together with North Hornell firefighters, and North Hornell Mayor John Falci and village and town board members.

O’Mara secured the $215,000 state grant as part of this year’s State and Municipal Capital Facilities Program. The funding will help the department purchase a new 3,000-gallon pumper tanker and water rescue equipment that will enhance the department’s firefighting and rescue capabilities for its district and the surrounding area. The new truck will enhance the fire protection that the department provides in the non-hydrant areas of the fire district. It will also allow the department to maintain the capability of three pumpers, as well as maintain or even improve its current Insurance Service Office (ISO) rating.

The water rescue equipment will enhance the department’s response capabilities at the Kanakadea Park (Almond Dam) and the other streams, rivers and ponds within the fire district. New equipment purchases could include an inflatable rescue boat known as a Rapid Deployment Craft (RDC), updated personal flotation devices (PFDs), and water rescue ropes and throw devices.

O’Mara said, “I am extremely grateful for this opportunity to assist the North Hornell Volunteer Fire Department purchase this new pumper tanker and additional rescue equipment that will better serve the village, enhance the personal safety of our firefighters, and ease the burden on local property taxpayers. Thank you to North Hornell’s firefighters, and their fellow first responders throughout the region, for their outstanding service to save lives and protect property.”

July 13, 2017

HORNELL, NY – After deciding to return Red Raider Drive to two way traffic, the Hornell Board of Public Safety thought it would be a good idea to designate Adsit Street a school zone due to the increase in school bus traffic it will see. Police Chief Ted Murray said to expect signs to designate in the near future.

In other school news, the Hornell School District has requested the use of the HPD’s K9 unit for random, routine patrols in the school. In order to compensate the police dept., the school district has upped compensation for the resource officer from $50,000 to $55,000.

Immediately following this morning’s meeting and executive session was held to interview potential police officer candidates to fill the vacant position left by retiring officer Paul Crowe. Seth Blanchard has already been hired to fill the position left by retired officer Jim Ciancaglini. Both officers will be required to attend the Police Academy. Mayor Hogan also noted that there will be several positions coming up in the Hornell Fire Dept. that need to be filled.

And finally the Mayor wanted everyone to make sure they come out and see the Maple City Drum & Bugle Corps this Saturday starting 7pm at the high school stadium. According to Hogan, there will be six drum corps, including the Buffalo Bills Drummers, LB Percussion, and our own Intermediate Drumline State Champions. Gates will open at 6pm and the cost at the gates will be $10.