Author: wlea

May 25, 2023

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer says, farmers in New York State are facing a “dairy cliff,’ which he describes an outcome that could double wallop farmers and consumers. Schumer explained that the 2018 Farm Bill enacted the DMC, which gives offers monthly price support payments from the feds to dairy farmers, will end in September and if no action is taken would lead to less support for our farmers, severe supply chain disruptions and an increase in the price of milk.

Schumer is now launching a new push to protect this program, as Congress begins negotiations for this year’s farm bill, to ensure Upstate New York dairy farmers have the support and safety net they need.

“The Dairy Margin Coverage Program is essential support for our farmers, which keeps milk flowing to major employers like Cayuga Milk Ingredients, and the best quality milk made from New York farms flowing to families across America,” Schumer stated. “I helped enact the Dairy Margin Coverage Program in the 2018 Farm Bill and I will not stop fighting to churn up support to protect this critical program for our Upstate dairy farmers.”

May 25, 2023

HORNELL, NY – In addition to the continued work on Crosby Street, which will last through Friday, Hornell crews are paving West Vanscoter Street today. That’s according to Hornell Department Of Public Works and Hornell City Hall.

May 25, 2023

CANISTEO, NY – As you know, New York State is making the Canisteo-Greenwood School District, change their team name from the Redskins, to something else. The school system has been having students vote for what name they want for several weeks now.

The latest there is, Canisteo-Greenwood is down to the last two names: The Chargers and the Red Dragons.

School Superintendent Tom Crook said, at last week’s school board of education meeting, that we should know by early next week, what the new school team name will be.

May 24, 2023

HORNELL, Ny – The Hornell Department of Public Works announced this morning, that they’ve just gotten four new Chevy pickup trucks. Officials say that these four trucks are replacing the older vehicles and that the new trucks, will be used for mowing, mulching, snow plowing and other jobs around Hornell.

Mayor John Buckley says, he wants to ensure that the DPW has the tools to provide the best level of service to the community.

May 24, 2023

BATH, NY – Steuben County Board of Elections Officials say there is a Republican Primary on June 27th. The early voting for this starts June 17 and runs through June 25.

Also, Steuben County Voters should have received, from the county Board of Elections Office, a blue card in the mail. They say that is for address verification. On the blue card is your poll site info, as well as your party affilation.

County officials say, this comes in the form of a post card. If you have not receieved one by June 2, please call the county board of elections.

May 24, 2023

BATH, NY – Here is the latest update, on the recent case of the aftermath, in rule changes, for the Steuben County Centralized Arraignment Court. As a result of an Assistant Steuben County District Attorney being assaulted.

Steuben County District Attorney Brooks Baker says, security rules have changes in the centralized arraignement court, so that, not only suspects are wearing handcuffs, but district attorneys can appear on video screens in the Centralized Arraignment Court.

May 23, 2023

ALLEGANY COUNTY, NY – From The Allegany County District Attorneys Office:

Defendant’s Name: Nicholas H. Fox
Address: Burns, New York
Charges: Assault 2nd (D felony)
Criminal Mischief (A misdemeanor)
Harassment 2nd (violation)

Court Appearance Date: May 23, 2023
Proceedings: Defendant, Nicholas H. Fox, has been convicted of the top charge of Assault 2nd for an incident that took place in the Town of Burns on May 3, 2020, which resulted in serious injuries to the victim. Fox was sentenced to 1 year in the Allegany County Jail.
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Defendant’s Name: Michael S. McDonald
Address: Bolivar, New York
Charges: Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 4th – Firearm (E felony)
Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 5th (A misdemeanor)

Court Appearance Date: May 22, 2023
Proceedings: Defendant, Michael McDonald, has been sentenced for felony possession of stolen property following an incident in Bolivar that involved possession of a stolen firearm. McDonald was sentenced to an indeterminate term of imprisonment for 2 – 4 years, which is the maximum sentence allowed by law.

Defendant’s Attorney: Michael Benson, Esq.
Prosecuting Attorney: Ian M. Jones, Assistant District Attorney

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Defendant’s Name: Austin Hunt
Address: Alma, New York
Charges: Burglary 3rd degree (D felony)

Court Appearance Date: May 22, 2022
Proceedings: Austin Hunt was found guilty of Burglary in the 3rd degree, a D felony, in Allegany County Court. Hunt will be sentenced be sentenced on August 31, 2023, and faces a state prison sentence.

Defendant’s Attorney: Joseph Turner, Esq.
Prosecuting Attorney: Ian M. Jones, Assistant District Attorney

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Defendant’s Name: Tristan L. Weidman
Address: Belmont, New York
Charges: Possessing an Obscene Sexual Performance by a Child;
Court Appearance Date: May 23, 2022
Proceedings: Tristan L. Weidman was convicted in Allegany County Court for possessing an obscene sexual performance by a child. At sentencing, First Assistant District Attorney stated to the Court that he believes Weidman presents a danger to the children of the community and asked for the Court to impose the maximum sentence allowed by law. Weidman was sentenced to an indeterminate term of 3 ½ to 7 years in state prison, which is the maximum allowable sentence.

Defendant’s Attorney: Public Defender’s Office
Prosecuting Attorney: Ian M. Jones, Assistant District Attorney

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PLEASE NOTE: ALL DEFENDANTS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT AND THE INFORMATION CONCERNING ARREST AND CHARGES ARE ONLY ACCUSATIONS UNTIL CONVICTION.

May 23, 2023

HORNELL NY – The Department of Public Works is paving the following streets on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 (weather dependent).

Rose Avenue
Orchard St.

These streets will be closed to all traffic beginning at 7 a.m. and will remain closed until work is complete and the new asphalt has cooled.

In order for crews to safely and efficiently resurface the streets, please remove all vehicles from the street, and any you may need from your driveway, before 7 a.m. on Wednesday May 24. There will be no access to the street or driveways until paving is complete.

We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your cooperation and understanding while we make these necessary improvements.

If you have any questions, please contact Department of Public Works Superintendent Mitchell Cornish at 607-324-7421.

May 23, 2023

BATH, NY – From Steuben County Manager Jack Wheeler:

With multiple New York counties issuing states of emergency in anticipation of an asylum seeker/migrant crisis, Steuben County officials want to offer an update on actions taken to proactively address this situation.  To date, Steuben County has not issued a declaration of state of emergency for some very important reasons. First, county officials are engaging with state agencies, such as the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) and the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC), and others stakeholders on nearly a daily basis. Under NYS OTDA regulations, for a county or the City of New York to place individuals in temporary housing outside of their jurisdiction, they must notify the receiving county prior. Steuben County has received no indication that asylum seekers/migrants have been or will be placed in the county in the near future.  Further, NYS law requires specific thresholds for an emergency to be declared, including the presence of ‘an immediate danger’. As Steuben County has not received any indication that
there is a planned influx of asylum seekers/migrants, a state of emergency is improper at this time. In addition, local states of emergency and emergency orders have a maximum time limit of 30 days. If Steuben were to declare an emergency too early, it could lose the ability to implement provisions for response if circumstances required this at a later time.  This issue is a top priority for Steuben County officials, and the situation monitored continuously. The county lacks the infrastructure to support a large influx of a temporary homeless population. Should a situation arise where such an influx was planned, the county will take the necessary steps, including issuance of a state of emergency.