Author: Brian O'Neil

April 17, 2026

FROM CANISTEO-GREENWOOD SUPERINTENDENT TOM CROOK: Progress Update: Project continues to progress nicely. The auditorium scaffolding has been removed, the ceiling and catwalk look great, and the stage rigging is being installed. The next four elementary classroooms are complete (other than punch list items) and have been turned back over to the school district. The new playground equipment is on site and installation will begin as soon as it dries out more. Bus garage work has begun with the installation of the generator, the overhead doors, and the HVAC renovations. Finally, the main competition gym in the elementary school has been taken over and demolition has begun.
Regularly scheduled job coordination meetings continue between the trades and ongoing leadership level meetings with the District leadership team, Hunt EAS, LeChase, and Donegan Financial Advisors continue as well.

Each area of construction contains a more specific update below:
Auditorium –The scaffolding has been removed and the drywall work is nearly complete. Rigging equipment is being installed. KI seating has been on site for final measurements for the seats. The seats are being manufactured and should be on site in early June.

Elementary Competition Gymnasium- The elementary gymnasium was taken over during spring break. The contractors did an amazing job getting the major demolition work completed while students were not on campus. The bleachers and backboards were disassembled and removed, and the existing wood flooring was removed in sections with proper exhaust and ventilation provided to safely do the job while protecting the adjacent hallways of any dust issues. Some mortar work is now being completed on the walls, and the concrete is being prepared for the new wood floors. Simultaneously, electricians are working on running new conduit and pulling wires. Painters will be in the gym in late April. The new wood floors will be in site in early May to be properly acclimated to the environment, followed by installation. This was a great start to the gym project!

Athletic Facility/Turf Field – The punch list work is complete in the concession stand bathrooms. The exterior FRP doors are still delayed from the manufacturer and will be installed as they arrive on campus in May. This is the only remaining item for the concession stand. Ball nets were installed at the stadium and minor punch list items are being completed as well.

Elementary Playground- As the warmer weather finally arrives and the ground dries up, the elementary playground will install the new foundations for the new equipment. The new equipment is secured on site. All underground drainage infrastructure was completed last fall. If the weather cooperates, this will be completed and open to students before the end of the school year.

Elementary Entrance/Office and Classrooms – Punch list items in the main office are nearly complete. Wood ceiling baffles were completed in the main entrance area over spring break.

Electrical work continues at the bus garage. Generator has been installed. Overhead doors at the bus garage will be installed this spring/summer as well.

The construction team continues to review the milestone construction schedule weekly to avoid any delays and to plan for installation recovery time of any delayed items. Once again, this summer is going to be very active again as the elementary competition gymnasium and the cafeteria go under anticipated heavy construction.
Once again, a huge thank you to the district leadership team for providing creatively safe options for the project to be phased while school is in session. The district has established a section of website dedicated to the work on the Capital Project. Communication with the staff, students, and community is key to a successful project!

April 17, 2026

The Steuben County Legislature has officially proclaimed April 2026 as Donate Life Month in Steuben County, recognizing the critical importance of organ and tissue donation and honoring the generosity of donors and their families.
This proclamation highlights the life-saving impact of organ and tissue donation. A single organ donor can save up to eight lives, while tissue donation can improve the lives of as many as 75 individuals. Across New York State, approximately 8,000 men, women, and children are currently waiting for organ transplants, with nearly 300 individuals losing their lives each year while waiting.
Despite the overwhelming need, only 52.31% of New York State residents are currently registered as organ, eye, and tissue donors. Officials emphasize the importance of increasing enrollment in the New York State Donate Life Registry to help close this gap and provide hope to those in need.
The registry, launched in October 2017, offers a simple and accessible way for New Yorkers to document their decision to become donors. Additionally, legislation enacted in February 2017 allows individuals as young as 16 and 17 years old to enroll.
Residents can register when applying for or renewing a driver’s license, non-driver identification card, or voter registration, or by visiting the New York State Donate Life Registry online.
Steuben County joins counties across New York State and organ donation advocacy organizations in raising awareness and encouraging residents to consider the profound impact of becoming a donor.
For more information or to enroll in the registry, visit www.donatelife.ny.gov.

April 17. 2026

Senator Borrello released the following statement in response to the attack at Attica Correctional Facility, where a violent inmate assaulted six officers, sending one to the hospital, just weeks after brutally attacking an officer and a civilian counselor at Lakeview. The inmate had not even been indicted for the first assault before he struck again.

“Two violent assaults. Two months. And not even an indictment before it happened again. Let that sink in.

Once again, the Governor fails to protect the very people who keep our correctional facilities running. If any other employer in New York allowed employees to walk into conditions this dangerous, knowing the risks, ignoring repeated warnings, they would face serious consequences. But in Albany? Silence. Excuses. Zero accountability.

The Governor’s own HALT task force laid out recommendations to improve safety. Those recommendations? Sitting on a desk collecting dust. While officers continue to get injured. While violence continues to escalate in our prisons. Instead of taking action, this administration and the Democrat majority continue to push pro-criminal policies and rhetoric that embolden this kind of behavior. When there are no real consequences, when violent individuals are cycled through a system with no meaningful deterrent, this is exactly what happens.

Multiple officers injured. A civilian injured. Families impacted. Lives disrupted. And still, nothing changes. This isn’t just failed leadership. It’s willful negligence.

Our correctional officers and employees deserve better. They deserve a workplace where their safety is a priority, not an afterthought. It’s time to stop ignoring warnings, repeal the HALT act, and restore accountability before someone pays an even higher price.”

April 17, 2026

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), along with Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), demanded an update from the U.S. Interior Department on the status of renewable energy projects that have been arbitrarily delayed by the agency, including projects that were fully approved and under construction before President Trump’s Interior Department intervened.

The senators’ inquiry to the Interior Department follows the agency missing the initial deadline of March 24, 2026 to provide the Senate and House Appropriations Committees with two reports on energy activities within the purview of the department. The FY2026 Interior-Environment Appropriations Act—which passed both chambers of Congress in overwhelmingly bipartisan votes—requires status reports on energy projects to be submitted to Congress.

“Congress mandated bimonthly reports in the FY2026 Interior-Environment Appropriations Act to better understand the Department’s actions. Yet if anything, things have become more opaque since December,” the senators wrote in a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. “The Department announced some renewable projects are being considered, but hasn’t shared a list of which projects those are. DOI also has failed to share basic information with Congress about its unprecedented plan to buy back renewable energy leases, including where the $1 billion it plans to pay French energy company TotalEnergies is coming from or what taxpayers are receiving in return.”

The senators directed Secretary Burgum to “promptly submit the reports due to Congress and make them comprehensive. Reports should include energy projects with offers, or planned offers, for buyouts or other similar incentives or legal arrangements.”

The letter is seen below.

Dear Secretary Burgum,

We write to request an update on the status of renewable energy projects that have been arbitrarily delayed by the Department, including halting projects that were fully approved and under construction. The bipartisan Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Interior-Environment Appropriations Act (Division C of Public Law 119-74) requires bimonthly status reports on energy projects. The Department has now missed the initial due date of March 24, 2026, to provide the Appropriations Committee with two reports on energy activities within the purview of the Department. We urge you to promptly submit these reports and to make timely submissions in the future.

The directive of July 15, 2025, requiring “all decisions, actions, consultations, and undertakings” relating only to wind and solar energy facilities to be reviewed by the Secretary and Deputy Secretary created uncertainty about the process for permitting renewable energy projects. This directive burdens renewable energy projects, both on federal lands and waters and on private lands, with new unnecessary layers of political red tape, and has injected additional steps to the permitting process for only one type of energy source. Other energy sources are not being scrutinized in the same manner and the result has been higher energy prices for American families.

Congress mandated bimonthly reports in the FY2026 Interior-Environment Appropriations Act to better understand the Department’s actions. Yet if anything, things have become more opaque since December. The Department announced some renewable projects are being considered, but hasn’t shared a list of which projects those are. DOI also has failed to share basic information with Congress about its unprecedented plan to buy back renewable energy leases, including where the $1 billion it plans to pay French energy company TotalEnergies is coming from or what taxpayers are receiving in return.

To increase transparency, we urge you to promptly submit the reports due to Congress and make them comprehensive. Reports should include energy projects with offers, or planned offers, for buyouts or other similar incentives or legal arrangements.

In addition to immediately providing the status reports for energy projects as directed by Public Law 119-74, we ask that you provide written response to the following questions by April 21, 2026:

What actions is the Department taking to operationalize routine compliance with the requirements for status reports on the “execution of funds to fulfill the timely review of all energy projects” every 60 days?
How many full-time equivalent staff are currently dedicated to energy project reviews at BLM, and how does that compare to staffing levels prior to enactment of P.L. 116-74? How many of these staff work on solar or wind energy project reviews?
Provide a list of projects that were already under any stage of review or have requested a review by the Department that fall under the July 15, 2025 memo’s list of 68 categories of reviews and permits that require the Deputy Secretary and Secretary’s approval.
Please include the status of each review request, stating whether it is in progress or completed, and whether projects with a completed review have a notice to proceed/permission to begin construction.
Of the solar, wind and battery projects in review or seeking a permit from the Department, how many have completed NEPA reviews (categorical exclusion, Environmental Assessment, or Environmental Impact Statement) since the July 15, 2025 memo was published and how many are awaiting notice to proceed/permission to begin construction?
Please include projects whose applications have been withdrawn or the Department has rejected.
Please indicate which projects the Department is negotiating lease repurchases.
How much total new electricity generation capacity has the Department approved since the July 15, 2025 memo was issued? Please provide a breakdown by energy resource, capacity amount, and any other relevant information about potential energy production to support the grid.
How many transmission facilities, gen-tie lines, and transmission upgrades is the department reviewing or has the Department approved for construction?
Provide a full accounting of the funding source, authority, and mechanism for the nearly $1 billion in taxpayer dollars that the Department has publicly announced it will pay to TotalEnergies for cancelling renewable energy projects in favor of conventional energy projects.
What funding sources is the Department looking to use to buy back additional leases?
What commitments did TotalEnergies make as part of the deal?
Did you threaten to withhold or withdraw permits to TotalEnergies or other renewable energy companies during negotiations?

We look forward to your response.

April 17, 2026

From Steuben County Director of Emergency Services Tim Marshall:  “Last evening a storm hit around 7:30pm.  The primary area of damage was in the Town of Lindley.  We believe that a microburst occured there.  Most of the damage was centered in the Hamlet of Lindley, along County Route 115 and Morgan Creek Road.  The National Weather Service was out today for a storm survey in the area, and will be providing a report later on today, with their findings,” Marshall said.  

April 16, 2026

FROM CANISTEO VILLAGE CLERK KATRINA OLIVERIO: The tax rate increase is $.30/1000. The main driver for the increase are high utility costs, increased insurance, increased cost for Ambulance and fire services. The main driver for the increase on sewer is we are anticipating closing on bonds for the Sewer project, resulting in additional debt service payments. The driver behind the usage rate increase is, significantly higher utility costs associated with running the UV disinfection system that was part of the plant upgrade and mandated by NYSDEC. Also higher hauling and sampling costs. There are no changes in rates for water this year.

April 16, 2026

Last night during the thunderstorms, there were winds that came through Steuben County, going 40 miles an hour.  There were also wind gusts, which went up to 60 miles an hour.  Also some hail went along with the storms.  The National Weather Service says the following Steuben County locations had heavy rain and strong winds last night: Bath, Urbana, Corning and South Corning, Lindley, Campbell, Woodhull, Hornell and Caton.  As a result, there were over a thousand outages last night in Steuben County.  Lindley had almost 800 nyseg customers without power. There were also hundreds of nyseg outages in Tuscarora, Woodhull, Erwin, Addison, and Caton.  Steuben County Emergency Services says that there was flooding on all kinds of roads in Avoca, Urbana, pultney, wayne, Wheeler, prattsburgh, Cohocton, Fremont and Dansville.

The National Weather Service also says that another round of severe storms is possible this afternoon and evening, with the primary threats being strong to damaging wind gusts and hail, along with secondary threats of flash flooding and a few tornadoes.

April 16, 2026

The New York State Department of Transportation is advising motorists that State Route 36 and County Route 66 (Webbs Crossing Road) in the Village of North Hornell, Steuben County, will be closed to traffic beginning Monday, April 20 to accommodate work in the intersection for a previously announced project. The northbound right turning lane, the southbound left turning lane and Webbs Crossing Road between the intersection and Aldi’s will be closed to traffic.

The work is anticipated to last five days and be complete by the end of day, Monday, April 27. Motorists are advised to follow the signed detour utilizing State Route 21.

Motorists should anticipate travel delays during this time and are advised to seek alternate routes if necessary. Construction activities are weather dependent and subject to change based on conditions.

Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. Convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver license.

April 16, 2026

Two Alfred State teams earned prize money at the sixth annual AHA! Allegany County Startup Collegiate Competition hosted at Houghton University. Alfred State had four teams present pitches to the panel of judges.
Fostering Experiences, pitched by Zeniya Day (Rochester, NY) and Sara Schaubroeck (Rochester, NY) took third place and a $1,000 prize. Their company is a mobile event and public relations agency designed for rural college communities. They would plan and execute community events, provide marketing and branding support, employ students in paid skill-based roles, and connects college, students, and businesses. Tamanna Kabir, Assistant Professor of Business from Alfred State College, served as academic mentor and Stacy Gray of FLX Wine Tours served as industry mentor.
Richard Rochester (Alfred Station, NY) and Tyson Comfort (Avoca, NY) pitched their company, Southern Tier TechworX, and were awarded the Viewer’s Choice Award. Their business will offer on-site computer and network repair services, available through monthly membership or affordable service fee, with pickup and delivery options. Joe Bailey, lecturer from Alfred State College, served as academic mentor and Trevor Kokot of Saxon Glass served as industry mentor.
ReGrow, developed by Alfred University students Amina Shamshibayeva, Vladyslava Makarenko, and Mike Maeda, took home top honors. ReGrow is working to produce sustainable, biodegradable packaging using mycelium and local organic waste. The process combines agricultural hay substrate with mycelium, which grows over five days in a controlled environment before being dried and finished to create an eco-friendly alternative to traditional packaging materials.
Ignite Discovery Center, pitched by Houghton University students Katie Berghorn, Corban Gibson, and Elijah Fox, earned second place. The team is working to develop a local creative space for children in Allegany County, offering hands-on educational experiences, a community garden, event and party space, science kits, and unique exhibits replicating career paths which are designed to connect kids, parents, and the broader community.
Ashley Smith, Director of Economic Development for Allegany County, Sophia Marshall, Senior Program Manager at the University at Buffalo, and Filomena Jack, Artist, and Program Director at IncubatorWorks served as judges. The trio evaluated pitches made by thirteen teams.
Ashleigh Madison, the Executive Director of IncubatorWorks stated, “We are thrilled to have had a record-breaking 13 pitches this year from students across Alfred University, Houghton University, and Alfred State College – the most in the competition’s history! The students brought incredibly innovative and thorough pitches, and it was a wonderful day hosted at Houghton University.”
She continued, “At IncubatorWorks, we believe that cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset in students is key to driving economic development in our region, and events like this are a testament to that mission. We are excited to see these students take their ideas forward and potentially launch businesses of their own. We especially applaud our winners for their environmentally conscious business concept. IncubatorWorks can’t wait to see what next year’s students come up with!”
The following teams also competed:
UniConnect (Alfred University — Vinci Armas and Mariam Swedan)
The Healing Verse Blog (Alfred State College — Diamond Reddick and Dla Denise Mann)
Schedule Beacon (Alfred University — Christopher Coyle and Robby Hicks)
Jiaozi Bar (Alfred University — Anlun Zwerver and Sabrina Hryhoriev)
GoalTrack (Alfred University — William Mahunda and Holly Beda Lymo)
AccessCare Transport (Alfred State College — Christine Felder and Kadeem Belizaire)
CoachMe (Alfred University — Mark Ungurian, Matthew Bittel, and Ryan Haggerty)
Dorm Sweep (Houghton University — Jonas Likens, Jared Wright, and Efrain Arellano-Onate)
Bliss Planners (Houghton University — Logan Baer, Autumn Windham, and TJ Ehindero)
This event is made possible through a dedicated committee of partners including Alfred University, Houghton University, Alfred State College, IncubatorWorks, Allegany County, Western NY Wilds, the ACCORD Corporation, and the Western New York Incubator Network. Special thanks to our Event Sponsors: Houghton University, CACT at Alfred University, Sealing Devices Inc., Hoselton, and the Alfred University School of Business.
About IncubatorWorks:
IncubatorWorks is your local business incubator, where we help people start and grow their businesses. Our mission is to promote economic development in the Southern Tier and Western New York by supporting entrepreneurial growth and job creation across Allegany County, Chemung County, Steuben County, Schuyler County, and surrounding counties.

Caption: Sara Schaubroeck presents at the sixth annual AHA competition. Sara and her partner Zaniya Day took third place and a $1,000 prize with their company Fostering Experiences.

An Alfred State degree gets results!
At Alfred State College, hands-on experience leads to career success. An emphasis on applied learning enables students to reach goals and develop the skills needed to thrive at in-demand jobs. With over 80 majors, 100 clubs and civic groups, and 18 NCAA Division III sports, Alfred State prepares students to become leaders, achievers, and Pioneers who are ready to Hit the Ground Running …

April 15, 2026

United Way of the Southern Tier’s 2026 online auction fundraiser has something for nearly everyone, from local hotel stays and a Corning food tour to golf outings and gift baskets.
The auction is open to the public, and bids will be taken online until 9 p.m. Thursday, April 30, which is the night of United Way of the Southern Tier’s Community Awards Dinner.
Items up for bid include:
• Overnight stays at the Harbor Hotel in Watkins Glen and the Radisson Hotel Corning.
• A Family Fun package featuring tickets to attractions at The Yard in Watkins Glen and Eldridge Park in Elmira, and a family membership for four at Wings of Eagles Discovery Center.
• A grown-up night out package featuring tickets to the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes and a gift certificate to Charlie’s Café in Elmira.
• Tickets to Elmira Little Theatre.
• Golf at Elmira Country Club and Tioga Downs Casino Resort.
• Gift baskets, a Corning Brews & Chews food tour, half a pig from Tioga Ranch Hunting Preserve, and much more!

See all the items here: https://www.32auctions.com/everydropcounts26
Winning bidders can pick up their items at the end of the dinner at the Corning Museum of Glass or arrange pickup for another time.

April 16, 2026

FROM SENATOR O’MARA’S OFFICE: On Wednesday, New York State Senate Democrats voted down two proposals, including a measure sponsored by Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats) to return unspent state funds to ratepayers, that would provide immediate and real relief to New Yorkers from skyrocketing utility bills in the midst of the ongoing and long-standing affordability crisis. The legislation, offered as amendments on the floor by O’Mara and Senator Rob Rolison (R-Poughkeepsie) would have ensured that New York’s ratepayers, who are being bombarded with skyrocketing energy costs, are able to keep more of their hard-earned money, the lawmakers said. For the second time this session, Senate Democrats struck down the proposals that would:

> Allow unspent funds from the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority’s (NYSERDA) “Climate Investment Account” to be returned directly to ratepayers. At a time when New Yorkers are having trouble paying their skyrocketing utility bills, there is nearly $3 billion that could be returned to ratepayers as credit on utility bills. (S.8461, sponsored by O’Mara); and

> Provide a one-year utility bill tax and surcharge holiday and two-year green energy tax holiday. Government taxes and fees account for between 25% to 50% of a customer’s utility bill. This bill would provide meaningful and immediate relief to ratepayers as they face skyrocketing energy costs. (S.8463, sponsored by Senator Rolison).

O’Mara said, “The Senate Republican Conference has repeatedly offered alternative plans and proposals that we believe are more focused on affordability, feasibility, and reliability, and which, if enacted, would better protect ratepayers from the ever-rising costs they’re struggling under now. It’s irresponsible for New York State to go on asking ratepayers to bear the burden of a strategy that’s not working and that won’t work as it stands. New York’s ratepayers need relief now and Albany Democrats keep saying no.”

Rolison said, “Everywhere we go, the message is the same — families and small businesses are struggling to keep up with their utility bills, where taxes, fees, and surcharges are often more expensive than the energy usage itself. That’s why I’ve once again advanced this amendment to suspend these costly charges and deliver immediate relief to ratepayers. We’ve put this forward before, and we’ll keep fighting for it because the urgency is only growing. This is a practical, commonsense solution that meets people where they are, and I won’t stop pushing until we get it done.”

Senate Republicans have previously advanced these and numerous other proposals in an effort to provide affordability to New Yorkers.
Click here to see full video of Senator Tom O’Mara.

April 17, 2026

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) held a press conference this week, to demand passage of her War Powers Resolution to end President Trump’s reckless war with Iran. “New Yorkers want lower costs, not forever wars,” said Senator Gillibrand. “President Trump’s reckless war with Iran is endangering our troops, jeopardizing our national security, and raising costs for working families already struggling to get by. The president and his party must end this unpopular, illegal war immediately. I’m proud to introduce this War Powers Resolution, and I will continue using every tool at my disposal to end this war and check President Trump’s madness.” War Powers Resolutions are privileged, meaning they can be brought to the Senate floor for a vote by any senator ten days after they are filed. Gillibrand’s resolution directs the president to remove the U.S. armed forces from hostilities with or against Iran unless military force is explicitly authorized by Congress.

Senator Gillibrand has long advocated for ending unauthorized forever wars and reasserting Congress’ responsibility over the use of military force. In 2019, Gillibrand introduced the War Powers Reform Resolution, which would require the president to provide Congress with a clear objective for military action, as well as evidence that the use of the United States’ armed forces is necessary, appropriate, and proportional to the mission; a finite list of adversaries; and the names of the countries where the U.S. military will deploy. Since President Trump began his reckless war of choice in Iran in February, Senator Gillibrand has repeatedly called for an end to the war and highlighted the harm it has done to the American people.

The full text of Senator Gillibrand’s resolution can be found here.