Author: Brian O'Neil

October 14, 2026

The Town of Canisteo had some roads that were badly damaged in August of 2024, from Tropical Storm Deby. The Canisteo Town Highway Department and a consulting company from Canandaigua have since that time, been working on getting money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to do those repairs. Also the Canisteo Town Board will be hiring a new employee for the Canisteo Highway Department to go to work to do the work on the damaged roads. That employee will make $80,000 a year plus benefits.

In other Canisteo news, negotiations are going on between the town board and wind company Invenergy about getting funding for future road work in Canisteo, road work that is related to the wind project.

October 12, 2026

Today is October 12, 2026. We have less than two weeks till early voting and just three weeks and a day, from election day, Tuesday November 3. Most of the towns in Steuben County don’t have contested races. In Corning there are four candidates running for two town board seats. The Corning Town board candidates are Trecelle Sweet, Joan Rosen, Nicholas Tomarro and Donna Gridley. There is also a town justice race in Corning between Wendalyn Van Zyle and Randy Dye. As for propositions on the ballot in Steuben County, there’s a prop about allowing gambling in Hornby and a prop on allowing alcohol to be sold in Jasper.

In Allegany County, what really stands out is, they don’t have candidates on the ballot to run for certain positions in Alma, Birdsall, Scio, West Almond and Willing. We’re told this is an unusual situation.

October 12, 2026

FROM REP. CLAUDIA TENNEY: Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) on Columbus Day, introduced a resolution supporting the preservation and protection of statues and monuments honoring Christopher Columbus, including the historic Columbus Monument in Syracuse, New York. Tenney’s resolution recognizes the historical and cultural significance of Columbus monuments and the communities that built and maintained them. The Columbus Monument in Syracuse was funded by working class Italian immigrants, many of whom faced discrimination and persecution, and was dedicated in 1934 as a testament to their heritage and contributions to the city. The resolution condemns efforts to remove the Syracuse monument, supports preserving Columbus statues and monuments for future generations, and reaffirms the importance of protecting American history as the United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of its founding. “History is our collective memory, and tearing down monuments does not change or erase the past,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “The Columbus Monument in Syracuse represents generations of hardworking Italian Americans who overcame discrimination, built strong communities, and made lasting contributions to our state and nation. Preserving our history does not mean ignoring its complexities or pretending that historical figures were perfect. It means understanding our past, learning from it, and ensuring future generations can do the same. As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, we should preserve these important pieces of our shared history and continue building on the promise of our great nation.”

October 9, 2026

FROM SENATOR GEORGE BORRELLO: For 30 years, Joseph Capute has been a steadfast pillar of the Andover Volunteer Fire Department, serving as firefighter, captain, chief, and in nearly every leadership role imaginable. His dedication to protecting his neighbors and strengthening the fire service has made a lasting impact on Andover and all of Allegany County. At this year’s Allegany County Firemen’s Auxiliary banquet, Joseph was rightfully honored for his decades of service. His leadership extends far beyond the fire hall, from serving in multiple roles on the Allegany County Firemen’s Advisory Board to helping organize the 2025 Allegany County Volunteer Firemen’s Convention. His commitment has strengthened the fire service countywide. Joseph represents the very best of volunteer firefighting: skill, reliability, and a deep sense of duty. His service has touched countless lives, and our communities are safer because of his dedication. This year’s ceremony also recognized two outstanding members of the Auxiliary. Sharon Johnson received her 40‑year pin, marking four decades of dedicated service. Carol Capute, who first served as a firefighter before joining the Auxiliary, received her 10‑year pin in honor of her continued commitment. Their contributions reflect the strength and heart of the fire service family. Congratulations, Joseph, on this well‑deserved recognition, and congratulations to Sharon and Carol for their milestone achievements. Thank you all for your service, your leadership, and the example you continue to set for Allegany County.

October 9, 2026

Members of the performing arts ensembles at Alfred State College continued their support of the Mary Cariola Children’s Center by participating in the Walking on Sunshine event. The event is the organization’s largest community fundraiser. Voices, Instrumental music, and the Drama Club collect donations for Mary Cariola at all their performances and hold fundraising events throughout the school year. The groups have been raising funds for the Center for the past eleven years. Students, faculty, families, and friends participated in the 18th annual event. Thirty-four participants walked, danced, and turned in a donation of over $2,500.

Located in Rochester, NY, the Mary Cariola Children’s Center is a regional leader in education and life skills solutions, Mary Cariola Center serves hundreds of children and young adults each year through academic, residential, and community outreach programs. Mary Cariola’s highly skilled staff is unparalleled in their commitment to working with youth with disabilities and includes some of the finest special education teachers, therapists, nurses, and social workers in New York. “Alfred State Performing Arts would like to thank Mary Cariola for providing us with this opportunity to donate,” commented Public Relations Chair Luke Jensen. “They have been a wonderful partner for our civic engagement cause, and we hope to continue fundraising for them for many more years.” The performing arts groups will be collecting donations for the 19th annual event during their fall semester shows. Donations will be accepted at the Drama Club’s production of “Catch Me if You Can” Nov. 19-21 and at the annual Winter Concert featuring Alfred State Voices and Instrumental Music on Dec. 11.

October 9, 2026

The New York State Department of Transportation is advising motorists that State Route 63 will be closed between Parker Hill Road and White Bridge Road in the Town of Sparta, Livingston County, beginning at 7 a.m. on Monday, October 12, to accommodate a culvert replacement project. The road is expected to be reopened by Friday, November 6. Motorists should follow the posted detour using State Route 36 and Interstate 390. 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.

October 8, 2026

October 8, 2026

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today highlighted her office’s work serving constituents across New York’s 24th Congressional District in 2026, including resolving more than 1,800 constituent cases, returning more than $49 million in benefits, and sending 40,000+ constituent responses.

So far this year, Tenney’s office has resolved more than 1,800 constituent cases and helped return more than $49 million in benefits to constituents. Her office has also sent more than 40,000 responses to constituents seeking assistance, requesting information, or sharing their views on issues before Congress. In addition, the office has booked approximately 100 tours of the U.S. Capitol and White House and helped constituents request more than 80 American flags flown over the U.S. Capitol. Tenney has also published explanations of 167 votes to provide constituents with greater transparency about her work and decisions in Congress. Constituents who need assistance with a federal agency or would like to access the services offered by Tenney’s office can visit tenney.house.gov.

“Serving the people of New York’s 24th District is the most important responsibility of my office, and these results reflect our commitment to being accessible, responsive, and accountable to our constituents,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “Whether we are helping a veteran receive the benefits they earned, assisting a senior with Social Security or Medicare, or helping a constituent navigate the IRS, my team works hard to deliver results. With more than 1,800 cases resolved and more than $49 million returned to constituents so far this year, we remain committed to cutting through federal bureaucracy, getting New Yorkers the help they need, and making government work for the people we serve.”

October 7, 2026

FROM U.S. SENATOR CHUCK SCHUMER: “Today we mark 3 years since Hamas’s horrific October 7th terrorist attack on Israel, the single deadliest day in Jewish history since the Holocaust. The brutality of the October 7th attacks that killed over 1,200 people, including 48 Americans, and took hostage over 250, will be seared into our memories forever. I visited Israel on October 10th and met with hostage families; I felt their pain, anguish, and fear—it’s a feeling I will never forget. We must all never forget. On this solemn anniversary, my prayers are with those killed in Hamas’s attacks, the hostages who came home through painstaking negotiations, and the hostages who were killed in captivity and whose bodies were brutally held for over 2 years, including my constituents Omer Neutra and Itay Chen. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to the security of the Israeli people, to the aid and wellbeing of the Palestinian people and the recovery of the devastation in Gaza that the ensuing conflict brought, and to doubling down on efforts for a lasting peace resulting in two states where Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in equal measures of peace, security, dignity, and mutual recognition.”

FROM U.S. SENATOR KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND: “Today marks three years since Hamas murdered 1,200 innocent people and took hundreds more hostage — including multiple New Yorkers. Their families went through unimaginable pain trying to secure the release of their loved ones’ remains. My heart is with them and the families of all the victims today.”

October 7, 2026

FROM STATE SENATOR GEORGE BORRELLO: “Three years ago today, Hamas carried out the horrific October 7 terrorist attacks in Israel, murdering approximately 1,200 people and taking hundreds more hostage. We remember the innocent lives lost that day and stand with the victims, their families and Jewish communities around the world, especially here in New York, which is home to the largest Jewish community outside of Israel.
We must also continue to condemn the disturbing wave of antisemitism that followed October 7. Hatred and violence against Jewish people have no place in New York, our nation or anywhere in the world. On this solemn anniversary, we honor those who were lost and reaffirm that murdering innocent people and committing acts of terrorism and violence is never justified.”

FROM CONGRESSMAN NICK LANGWORTHY: “Today, we remember the innocent lives killed by maniacal terrorists on October 7th, 2023. We honor every innocent soul lost, every family shattered, and every loved one who was horrifically murdered by tyrannical cowards. May their memories be a blessing. We will never forget them. America stands strong with the Jewish people here at home and around the world. We must be united against the scourge of antisemitism.”

FROM REP. CLAUDIA TENNEY: “Today marks three years since the horrors of October 7. More than 1,200 innocent people were murdered and 251 were taken hostage by Hamas terrorists. We remember every life stolen and stand with the people of Israel against terrorism and antisemitism.”

October 7, 2026

FROM THE NYS DOT: The New York State Department of Transportation is advising motorists that the new roundabout at the intersection of State Route 36 and County Route 66 (Webbs Crossing Road) in the Town of Hornellsville, Steuben County, will open to one lane of traffic at approximately 2 p.m. on Friday, October 9. The roundabout’s exterior lane will remain closed to accommodate street light installation as part of a previously announced project.

The roundabout is expected to be fully open to traffic by the end of November.

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.

About the Department of Transportation

It is the mission of the New York State Department of Transportation to provide a safe, reliable, equitable, and resilient transportation system that connects communities, enhances quality of life, protects the environment, and supports the economic well-being of New York State.

Lives are on the line; slow down and move over for highway workers!

For more information, find us on Facebook, follow us on X or Instagram, or visit our website. For up-to-date travel information, call 511, visit www.511NY.org or download the free 511NY mobile app.

October 7, 2026

The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) is advising motorists of limited access to the Friendship Rest Area on Interstate 86 in the Town of Friendship, Allegany County, beginning on Friday, October 9, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., to accommodate a paving project on the following dates:

Friday, October 9: Closed to commercial vehicles, open to passenger vehicles
Saturday, October 10: Limited parking for commercial and passenger vehicles
Monday, October 12: Closed to commercial and passenger vehicles

Motorists should anticipate travel delays during this time and are advised to seek alternate routes as 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.