Author: Glenn Leaman

February 19, 2025

Canisteo, N.Y.—In a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul, area State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats), Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C-Corning), Assemblywoman Andrea Bailey (R,C-Geneseo), and Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski (R,C-Olean) are once again calling on the governor to provide additional state assistance to localities hit hard by flash flooding from Tropical Storm Debby last August. The area lawmakers are specifically urging Hochul to ensure that the state covers the local share of disaster-related costs from last year’s storm that impacted communities in Steuben, Allegany, Ontario, Yates, and other upstate New York counties. In a February 14th letter to Hochul (see attached copy), the area legislators wrote, “We appreciate this opportunity to once again urge your ongoing and immediate attention to the severe flash flooding from Tropical Storm Debby on August 8-10, 2024, that devastated local roads and other infrastructure, homes, businesses, and farms across multiple counties throughout the Southern Tier region we represent, with numerous municipalities in Steuben County being among the hardest hit.”

While acknowledging that federal and state assistance was made available to eligible homeowners and businesses through programs like New York’s “Resilient and Ready Home Repair Program” and other initiatives, area legislators highlighted the ongoing strain placed on local governments.

In their letter, O’Mara, Palmesano, Bailey and Sempolinski wrote, “County and town resources and responders were overwhelmed. The damage went far beyond what any local government can handle on its own–particularly in many of these areas, which are rural and sparsely populated. The situation was and remains dire. Once again, the costs of rebuilding and repairing public infrastructure, exacerbated by the enormous costs and hardship inflicted on individual homeowners and businesses, simply cannot be met without additional state assistance…the State of New York has undertaken precedent-setting responses to other disasters in many regions, including ours, specifically and most importantly by helping with the local share of the costs during Hurricanes Sandy and Irene and, most recently, Tropical Storm Fred three years ago.

“We believe that similar action is desperately needed and warranted now. We cannot emphasize strongly enough the need for New York State to immediately assume the local share of the recovery and rebuilding costs for municipalities impacted by Tropical Storm Debby last August.”

December 6 2024

HORNELL, NY – Officials say that due to loss of pressure from a Water Main Break, a boil water advisory will be in effect until further notice for the following areas in Hornell:

* Bennett Parkway
* Hogan Drive
* Fairview Avenue
* Ada Street
* Shamrock Lane
* Spencer Avenue
* 437 South Division Street
* 445 South Division Street
* 447 South Division Street

***Please note this notice applies ONLY to the streets/addresses listed above***

Boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth, and preparing food until further notice.

We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience as we work to resolve this matter.

If you have any questions, please contact the Department of Public Works at 324-7421.

November 29 2024

      Four to Six Feet of Snow Accumulation Possible With Snowfall Rates of Two to Four Inches per Hour.

      Beginning at 3 p.m. Today, Empty and Tandem Commercial Vehicle Bans in Effect on I-86 from the Pennsylvania State Line to I-390, NYS Thruway (I-90) From Exit 53 to the Pennsylvania State Line and State Route 219 from the Pennsylvania State Line to I-90.

      State Agencies Monitoring Storm and Prepared To Respond With Equipment and Personnel

      More Than 100 National Guard Members Staged in Western New York

Governor Kathy Hochul today urged New Yorkers to prepare as a significant lake effect snow moves into communities east of Lakes Erie and Ontario with the potential for multiple feet of snow. Lake Effect Snow Warnings for a long duration event are now in effect through Monday for portions of Western New York, Central New York and the North Country. The heaviest snowfall is forecast to occur Friday evening through Saturday morning, particularly in the higher elevations in the Western New York and North Country Regions, with an additional period of heavy snow possible on Sunday.

“As lake effect snow moves into parts of Western New York, Central New York and the North Country, we are monitoring the situation closely and mobilizing resources to respond,” Governor Hochul said. “Alongside our partners in local government, we are taking every step necessary to protect New Yorkers and keep our communities safe.”

Affected regions should expect snowfall rates of two to four inches per hour. Peak snowfall amounts of three to four feet are expected along Lake Erie, especially western Chautauqua and southern Erie Counties. Snow is forecast to fall steadily all weekend, including before, during and after the Bills game on Sunday. Four to five feet of snow is anticipated along eastern Lake Ontario with a possibility for up to six feet in the Watertown area. Lake effect snow showers are expected to stay in the North Country Sunday, with Central New York remaining mostly dry until Sunday evening where the band is expected to move south and remain through Monday providing additional light accumulations of one to three inches through the Central New York region. 

Hazardous to impossible travel conditions are expected on Friday through Monday due to snow covered roads and reduced visibilities. Wind gusts will likely cause blowing and drifting snow, and isolated power outages. Snow will accumulate rapidly in persistent snow bands, and visibility will be drastically reduced with near whiteout conditions.

October 17 2024

FROM THE SHERIFF’S DEPT:
Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard reports that on October 16, 2024, deputies and investigators arrested Trent M. Johnson, age 20, of Erie Street, Elmira, New York, and Zachary Z. Smith, age 36, of Franklin Street, Elmira, following an investigation of multiple reported burglaries in the Canisteo Valley area on October 12, 2024.  It is alleged that Mr. Johnson and Mr. Smith stole multiple items including a shotgun, motorcycles, and electronic equipment from residences in the Village of Canisteo and the Town of Howard.  After receiving information as to the possible location of the stolen property, Investigators executed a search warrant in the City of Elmira with the Canisteo Police Department, New York State Police, Elmira Police Department and the Chemung County Sheriff’s Office.  A vast majority of the allegedly stolen items were recovered, including the shotgun.   Mr. Johnson and Mr. Smith were not located at that time and were taken into custody later that evening.  Mr. Johnson and Mr. Smith were charged in the Village of Canisteo with Burglary in the Second Degree, a Class C Felony, and Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class D Felony.  Mr. Johnson and Mr. Smith were charged in the Town of Howard with Burglary in the Third Degree, a class D Felony, Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class D Felony, and Larceny in the Fourth Degree, a class E Felony.

Both Mr. Johnson and Mr. Smith were arraigned in the Centralized Arraignment Court and released.

Sheriff Allard thanks the Canisteo Police Department, the New York State Police, the Elmira Police Department and the Chemung County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this investigation.

October 10 2024

From Sean Lukasik At Michaela Rossettie Azemi Campaign –
The Response to Joseph Sempolinski’s press release issued today:

Mr. Sempolinski expected that this would be yet another uncontested judicial race. The outgoing judge did not resign until it was too late to petition for his vacancy, so both parties were given the opportunity to recruit a candidate as their representative on the ballot. Be that as it may, Michaela Rossettie Azemi is not willing to get caught up in partisan bickering.

Even with a late start, Michaela Rossettie Azemi has garnered broad and overwhelming support throughout Steuben County. As a candidate, she represents a new and refreshing perspective that the Court has never seen in its 200-year history. She is a mother, a woman dedicated to family values and committed to fairness above all. She is not under any campaign violations, as confirmed by an auditor from the New York State Board of Elections. Mr. Sempolinski is not in charge of issuing violations and it’s a shame that he would make false accusations for political gain. His statement demonstrates only one thing: this is a highly competitive race, and Michaela Rossettie Azemi is a qualified candidate who is willing to work hard to earn the votes to be elected as Steuben County and Family Court Judge.

FROM COUNTY DEMOCRAT CHAIR SHAWN HOGAN:
It is all Hogwash; they are afraid as hell that a woman would have the nerve to run for Judge against the good old boys club.  This is an unconventional race as the out going Judge did not resign until it was too late to petition for the vacancy.  So, both parties are given the opportunity to recruit a candidate and name the individual as their parties’ representative on the ballot.  We didn’t name the candidate until July.  As a new candidate Michaela Rossetti Azemi had to assembly a campaign staff and hit the ground running.  Joe Sempolinski is attacking our Democratic Candidate as she poises a strong threat to their candidate and brings a new perspective to the race, how dare the Democrats run a woman, a very intelligent woman who is well qualified for the position she seeks.  These financial filings are routine and I would like for Joe to review how many other candidates both Republican and Democrat may have missed the Deadline, this not unusual and is not a fatal issue.  I wish Joe would have been just as outraged about January 6th as he is this situation,

October 4 2024

All are welcome to attend a Prayer Vigil this coming Monday, starting at 7pm. This event is to memorialize the victims of the October 7, 2023, attack in Israel.

The Prayer Vigil will be held at the Alfred Union University Church.