Category: Local News

July 25, 2018

STATEMENT FROM MARC MOLINARO:

New York gubernatorial candidate Marc Molinaro today pledged to veto a $90 billion state government takeover of New York healthcare that would ban private health insurance coverage in the state and hike personal income taxes to rates as high as 16 percent, if he is elected governor. Mr. Molinaro called on Governor Cuomo, who has expressed interest in the legislation, to reverse course and pledge to veto it as well if it passes next year.

Mr. Cuomo’s Democratic Primary challenger Cynthia Nixon pledged to sign the so-called New York Health Act into law if she is elected governor. The legislation has repeatedly passed in the New York State Assembly, and it will almost certainly pass in the Senate should Democrats win a working majority of that chamber in November.

“The Governor is hurling our State toward an $18 billion deficit, has wasted billions on economic development schemes that haven’t produced jobs, abandoned millions of individuals who rely on mass transit and New York taxpayers can’t afford a $90 billion annual tax increase,” Mr. Molinaro said. “New Yorkers deserve the highest quality of care, greater choice, more competition and lower costs. Mr. Cuomo called the New York Health Act ‘a very exciting possibility’ last year, but that’s not an answer. He needs to let New Yorkers know now whether he’s in favor of a state government takeover of healthcare or not.”

The New York Health Act would increase state income taxes from 6.65 percent to 16 percent for those making $215,000 per year and from 9 percent to 16 percent for those earning $1 million or more annually, according to Politico. The loss of SALT tax deductions in excess of $10,000 on federal filings, would make an extraordinary tax hike all the more painful, Mr. Molinaro said.

GOVERNOR CUOMO ISSUES OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT TRUMP CALLING ON HIM TO VISIT PUERTO RICO AMID ONGOING CRISIS

Governor Cuomo: “Mr. President, your administration has failed the people of Puerto Rico. The only way to truly appreciate the depth of the problem is to witness it for yourself, so I call on you to visit the American citizens struggling in Puerto Rico. If this were Florida or Texas or New York, would you have waited this long to return to an ongoing crisis?”

Governor Cuomo: “Mr. President, these are American citizens and they deserve more from you than paper towels.”

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today issued an open letter to President Trump calling on him to visit Puerto Rico amid the ongoing crisis resulting from the federal government’s failed response to Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The Governor issued the letter on the second day of his visit to the island leading a New York delegation to support the New York Stands with Puerto Rico Recovery and Rebuilding Initiative.

Dear President Trump,

Having just concluded a fifth trip to Puerto Rico in support of New York’s ongoing recovery efforts, I am writing to express my outrage at your administration’s horrendous mistreatment of the people of Puerto Rico. More than 10 months since Hurricanes Irma and Maria struck the island, I saw firsthand how your administration’s continued neglect of Puerto Ricans has prolonged the pain and the suffering on the island.

Mr. President, these are American citizens and they deserve more from you than paper towels.

Let me be very clear: this ongoing crisis was not solely an act of Mother Nature, but the consequence of your administration’s lack of action before and after these storms. FEMA’s own report shows that the agency was woefully unprepared for Hurricane Maria and incapable of providing the assistance Puerto Rico needed in the wake of the disaster.

Puerto Ricans continue to suffer because of FEMA’s failures. During this latest mission, I saw people in Playita still boiling their water because they are not connected to a reliable clean water source more than 10 months later; I saw families in Guaynabo still relying on generators because they are still not connected to the grid; I saw empty and abandoned homes in Toa Baja, where nearly 10,000 homes were damaged, because people are still not comfortable returning to their communities.

As President, you owe the people of Puerto Rico an apology. And now that your administration has admitted that you were part of the problem—it’s well past time for you to be part of the solution. Puerto Rico has put forward a plan calling for $94.4 billion in federal aid to rebuild stronger and more resiliently, but so far the federal government has provided only a fraction of that amount. I call on you to deliver the full funding that Puerto Rico needs to rebuild and prepare itself for future extreme weather.

New York, which is home to the largest population of Puerto Ricans outside the island, has always had a special bond with Puerto Rico, and we have stood with Puerto Rico from the beginning of this tragedy.

We have done and will continue to do as much as we can from a state level: we sent 4,400 pallets of supplies collected from 13 donations sites across the state; we deployed more than 1,000 personnel, including the National Guard, government workers, medical professionals, and hundreds of utility workers and power experts to help with power restoration and grid stabilization; and at this very moment, hundreds of SUNY and CUNY students and skilled organized labor volunteers from New York are in Puerto Rico rebuilding homes as part of our New York Stands with Puerto Rico Recovery and Rebuilding initiative. These students and volunteers are showing the leadership, compassion and care that has been absent in Washington since the hurricanes struck.

What are you and your administration doing?

Mr. President, your administration has failed the people of Puerto Rico. The only way to truly appreciate the depth of the problem is to witness it for yourself, so I call on you to visit the American citizens struggling in Puerto Rico. If this were Florida or Texas or New York, would you have waited this long to return to an ongoing crisis?

On your trip, I would be more than willing to personally show you how New Yorkers on the ground are leading the way and setting an example of what it means to step up for our Puerto Rican brothers and sisters.

Somos uno,

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

July 24, 2018

State Police Released The Following Statement:

The Bolivar Police Department and the NYSP Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) out of SP Amity are asking for the public’s assistance with identifying a suspect in a bank robbery that occurred at Steuben Trust, 319 Main Street, Bolivar, NY at approximately 11:00 A.M. on July 24, 2018.

SP Amity BCI are assisting the Bolivar Police Department in which a suspect walked into Steuben Trust Bank and demanded money by a handwritten note. The suspect was given an undetermined amount of money and exited on foot. The suspect may have used a vehicle or remained on foot to a nearby area. The suspect is a white male, between 5 foot 6 inches to 5 foot 8 inches tall and believed to be in his 20’s.

If you have any information about this investigation contact Bolivar PD at 585-928-2544 or email bol_pd@hotmail.com

July 24, 2018

ALBANY, NY – The Office of Homes and Community Renewal has issued the following statement:

New York State Homes and Community Renewal today announced the award of a $400,000 grant to the City of Hornell that will be used to support an operational expansion at TTA Systems LLC, a Hornell-based manufacturer of equipment and components for railcars. The New York State Community Development Block Grant will enable TTA to expand operations to assemble high-speed rail car trucks and create 30 full-time jobs targeted to hard-to-place workers.

“This investment continues the growth of train manufacturing in Hornell, which has played an important role in sending the Southern Tier economy soaring,” said New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas. “Through this grant, we are directly touching lives of the 30 New Yorkers who will have full-time employment accompanied with job training that will help them for life.”

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s commitment to strengthening communities and growing the Southern Tier economy is reflected in Southern Tier Soaring, a $500 million state investment through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative that builds on the more than $4.6 billion the State has injected in the region since 2012. The State’s support of TTA complements Southern Tier Soaring by targeting investment in a key regional industry that is supported by training that will help achieve the URI objective of developing and maintaining a skilled work force.

The expansion supported by the grant, which will leverage about $950,000 in private investment, will help TTA in its role as a subcontractor to ALSTOM, a British manufacturer that is building high-speed rail cars for Amtrak at a facility in Hornell. TTA has already received an order from ALSTOM for 392 high-speed rail car trucks, which are the wheels and framing on which the train car sits.

The majority of the 30 jobs created by the expansion will be entry level and will be targeted to hard-to-place workers, including veterans and low-income residents. The firm will provide basic training to all new hires, including job safety and operation of the fork lift trucks among other necessary job-related skills. Seven of the new hires will be sent to France to receive additional specialized training on the new equipment. The company will work with the New York State Department of Labor Hornell Career Center to post the new job openings.

In addition to its subcontract with ALSTON, TTA provides its services and products as a direct contractor to transit authorities, including: the New York City Transit, the Maryland Transit Administration, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.

Senator Tom O’Mara said, “This state investment to assist the expansion of TTA Systems will create critical jobs in the city of Hornell for hard-to-place workers, strengthen our local workforce and further enhance the city as a hub of rail car manufacturing in New York State and nationally.”

City of Hornell Mayor John J. Buckley said, “This is great news for TTA, the City of Hornell and area residents. Having this kind of support from the State was vital in moving this project forward. This expansion will create 30 new fulltime jobs here in Hornell and will better position TTA for future success. TTA is an important piece of the Hornell manufacturing puzzle. I would like to thank TTA officials and everyone from the State who helped make this a reality.”

Karen Nisbet, HR Manager and Program Manager, TTA Systems LLC, said, “TTA and Transitair are proud to be a part of the Hornell Community and look forward to continuing to grow and diversify our product base line. We sought this grant to expand our current projects to another part of our facility, upgrade equipment and tool the new stations. We will begin hiring soon and are currently accepting applications.”

Accelerating Southern Tier Soaring

Today’s announcement complements “Southern Tier Soaring the region’s comprehensive blueprint to generate robust economic growth and community development. The State has already invested more than $4.6 billion in the region since 2012 to lay for groundwork for the plan – attracting a talented workforce, growing business and driving innovation. Today, unemployment is down to the lowest levels since before the Great Recession; personal and corporate income taxes are down; and businesses are choosing places like Binghamton, Johnson City and Corning as a destination in which to grow and invest.

Now, the region is accelerating Southern Tier Soaring with a $500 million State investment through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, announced by Governor Cuomo in December 2015. The State’s $500 million investment will incentivize private business to invest well over $2.5 billion – and the region’s plan, as submitted, projects up to 10,200 new jobs. More information is available here.

July 24, 2018

From St. James Hospital:

UR Medicine’s St. James Hospital is welcoming two full-time general surgeons to its medical staff this month, strengthening the general surgery presence in Hornell with a range of leading-edge techniques and enhanced surgical capabilities, including advanced minimally invasive surgery. Brian P. Watkins, M.D., M.S., F.A.C.S., and Adam Basler, M.D., will be continuing the legacy that longtime Hornell surgeon A. Byron Collins, M.D., has built in the community over the past five decades. “The addition of these two surgeons to our medical team is the next step in growing the overall services available at St. James Hospital,” said President and CEO Bryan J. O’Donovan, “as we continue our comprehensive plans to open a new medical office building this year and a new hospital in 2019.”

Watkins began July 15. He will be based in Hornell and will operate at St. James beginning in August, providing advanced minimally invasive surgery, endocrine surgery and broad-based general surgery. He also will serve as division chief for UR Medicine Regional Surgery, working collaboratively with established surgeons at affiliates Jones Memorial and Noyes Health as the team focuses on strategies to grow the programs at their respective hospitals. He is passionate about rural health care and is excited to begin working with the St. James staff and becoming a part of the Hornell community. He recognizes the value of providing general surgery in the region, allowing patients and families the opportunity to stay close to home for care and post-surgical recovery. “I am grateful for this opportunity to begin serving Hornell and increase access to general surgery options,” Watkins said. “Providing this broad range of surgeries, including leading-edge techniques such as minimally invasive surgery, means many more patients and families can remain in this community before, during and after their procedures. That is our goal whenever possible.”

He received his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin, and completed his general surgical residency at Wisconsin’s Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, which is well known for training surgeons who wish to serve patients in rural locations. Watkins served as a rural surgeon in Wisconsin for three years with the Mayo Clinic, and for the past 15 years has been an attending surgeon at Rochester General Hospital. He has been teaching at RIT for more than a decade and at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry since 2015.
Basler also will be based in Hornell and will operate at St. James. He received his medical degree from Rush Medical College in Chicago and recently graduated from his surgical residency at Michigan State University. He joined the staff July 1. He will practice broad-based general surgery, and has particular clinical interests in complex laparoscopy, breast surgery and endoscopy.

July 24th, 2018

HORNELL, NY – At last evening’s monthly Hornell Common Council meeting, County Legislator Randy Weaver had a few questions for the Mayor and Council members about the old Courthouse on Allen Street in the city. You can view Buckley’s and Weaver’s exchange below:

July 24, 2018

Hornell Police report that two Hornell Police Officers were on a bicycle patrol in the 1am hour, early Monday morning, when they spotted two teenage males walking out from behind a residence, with numerous items and a flashlight. The two suspects, both teenage males, are facing numerous charges, including trespass, possession of a burglar’s tool, 4 counts of criminal possession of stolen property in the 5th degree, conspiracy in the 5th degree, and 3rd degree attempted burglary. One of the teens is also accused of giving a false name.

July 23rd, 2018

HORNELL, NY – The Common Council officially accepted a Community Development Block Grant in the amount of $400,000 for an addition and other renovations to TTA in Hornell. The grant was recently approved by the NYS Office of Community Renewal and will soon be in the hands of TTA officials to begin work. According to the Mayor, they have completely run out of room for expansion and once work has completed the gradual hiring of 30 new employees will take place.

Hornell is also in the process of submitting an application for a CDBG to be used on housing rehabilitation projects in the city. The city hopes to get between $400,000 and $500,000 to help city residents who apply improve their homes. A public hearing on the matter will be held Monday, August 20th at 6:45pm to answer any questions city residents might have.

The Common Council Monday also voted to support an application for NYS Main Street funding that would assist building and businesses in a specified district with renovations and upgrades to exteriors. Funding of up to $100,000 per building will be available, not to exceed 75% of the total cost of the project.

Work on the Canisteo Bridge will begin soon as the council approved it’s replacement at a cost not to exceed $400,000. The city plans to pay for it with the issuance of serial bonds. Buckley said that it should be completed by 2020 and after that he hopes to have the South Division Street Bridge replaced.

And finally it was announced that Brian Friedland and Ceil Kelley were appointed to the Hornell Public Library Board of Directors. Kelley will be filling an unexpired term ending on 1/1/2019 and Friedland will be filling an unexpired term ending 2/1/2021. A Commissioner for the Board of Public works was also announced but put on hold until next month as a few issues remain.

July 23, 2018

LIVINGSTON COUNTY, NY – From The Livingston County Drug Task Force:

The Livingston County Drug Task Force reports that an early morning arrest operation has led to the arrest of 10 people all accused of drug trafficking. On July 23, police responded to locations within Livingston County and arrested on a multitude of charges. All were taken into custody without incident and are pending arraignment in both Livingston County Court and in Livingston County CAP Court.

Juan R. Baez DeJesus, 48 of Mount Morris was arrested on a Superior Court Warrant for Criminal Sale of a Controlled substance in the third degree class B felony ( 5 counts) and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the third degree class B felony ( 5 Counts).

Jose L. Cruz Soto, 39 of Mount Morris was arrested on a superior court warrant for Criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree class B felony (3 counts) and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree class B felony (3 counts).

Erica Crespo, 28 of Mount Morris was arrested on a superior court warrant for Criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree class B felony (1 count) and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree class B felony (1 count).

Celymar Lopez Carrione, 25 of Mount Morris was arrested on a superior court warrant for Criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree class B felony (1 count) and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree class B felony (1 count).

Bobbie L. Marrero “CC”, 46 of Mount Morris was arrested on a superior court warrant for Criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree class B felony (2 counts) and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree class B felony (2 counts).

Ulises Valentin “Peto”, 43 of Mount Morris was arrested on a superior court warrant for Criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree class B felony (2 counts) and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree class B felony (2 counts).

Wayne G Johnson, 34 of Lima was arrested on a Superior Court warrant for class D felony Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the 5th degree and class D felony Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 5th degree.

Thomas G. Lapianna age 53 of Nunda was arrested for criminal sale of a Marihuana in the fifth degree class B misdemeanor (1 count) and unlawful possession of marihuana a violation (1 count).

William D. Henry age 27 of Groveland was arrested for criminal sale of a Marihuana in the fifth degree class B misdemeanor (1 count) and unlawful possession of marihuana a violation (1 count).

Amy E. Pittman age 46 of Nunda was arrested for criminal diversion of prescription medications and prescriptions in the fourth degree class A misdemeanor (2 count) .

July 23, 2018

STATEMENT FROM THE SEIU UNION:

Allegany and Erie Counties, New York – On July 18 and 19, LPNs, PCAs and Medical Techs at Orchard Brooke Living Center in Orchard Park, NY, and the LPNs, CNAs and Housekeepers at Highland Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Home in Wellsville, NY, voted decisively to become join 1199SEIU, United Healthcare Workers East.

A total of 81 caregivers at the two facilities cited high staff turnover and a lack of respect from management as factors which prevented them from providing the best quality care that their residents deserve.

“Benefits and respect are a must. Our families matter too,” said Tracy Beckman, a CNA at Highland Park said, “We also want to make a competitive wage.”

Tammy Rogers, an LPN at the facility added that she had voted to join 1199 because staff their needed to be heard and to be able to negotiate better wages and healthcare with management.

Ensuring that they were treated fairly was a common theme amongst the workforce. Susan Sands, a CNA at Highland Park said they cared for people every day and the workers deserved affordable health care to look after their own needs, too.

With the support of 1199SEIU, the Highland Park and Orchard Brooke caregivers are confident that they will achieve vast improvements for both themselves and their residents.

As well as having a larger say in their working lives, the newest members voted to join our union to negotiate for the high-quality pension, affordable healthcare, educational benefits and job security that thousands of 1199SEIU members enjoy.

July 22, 2018

LIVINGSTON COUNTY, NY – From Livingston County Sheriff Tom Dougherty’s FB Page:

Sunday Morning Update: Still zero confirmed sightings of David Morgan. To be fully transparent, we have no leads on his location and no idea where he is. I wish I had better news to report. We ask that you still keep your eyes open and call 911 if you spot him or 844.LCSO.TIP with any information. -Sheriff Dougherty

July 21, 2018

LIVINGSTON COUNTY, NY – Livingston County NY Sheriff reports the arrest of 55 year old Charles Heslin of the Allegany County Town of Fillmore.
See full statement below:

INTERSTATE 390: Sheriff Thomas J. Dougherty reports the arrest of two men on drug related charges after a traffic stop on Interstate 390.
On July 17, 2018 Deputy Shawn Whitford was assigned to the Sheriff’s Office Operation Safe Interstate initiative when he stopped a vehicle on Interstate 390 for violations of the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law.
The driver of the vehicle was identified as 35 year old Christ J. Reynolds from Portageville, NY and a passenger in the vehicle was identified as 55 year old Charles E. Heslin of Fillmore, NY. A driver’s license check revealed that Reynolds was operating the vehicle with a suspended driver’s license.
During the course of the roadside investigation the Deputy Sheriff found that the two were in possession of cocaine. The Deputy also discovered that Reynolds was in possession of a scale and Heslin was in possession of a smoking device.
Reynolds was arrested and charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th degree, Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia, and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the 3rd degree.
Heslin was arrested and charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th degree and Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia.
Reynolds and Heslin were turned over to Central Booking Deputies at the Livingston County Jail for processing and pre-arraignment detention.
Both were later arraigned at the Livingston County Centralized Arraignment Part at the Livingston County Jail (LCCAP) before Village of Geneseo Justice Thomas Bushnell. The Judge did release Reynolds and Heslin on their own recognizance (ROR) and Deputies set them free.
Assisting on scene were Deputy Matthew Thomas and Deputy Michael Wade with is K-9 partner Hondo.

July 21, 2018

LIVINGSTON COUNTY, NY – Livingston County Sheriff Tom Dougherty reports the arrest of a Rochester woman, who was reportedly bringing drugs from Rochester into Dansville. See full statement below:

Sheriff Thomas J. Dougherty reports the arrest of a Rochester, NY woman on felony drug related charges after a traffic stop.
On July 14, 2018 Deputy Michael Wade and his K9 partner Hondo were assigned to the Livingston County Sheriff’s Operation Safe Interstate initiative when he stopped a vehicle on Interstate 390 for a violation of the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law.
During the course of the Deputy Sheriff’s roadside investigation, he smelled the odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle and also observed a passenger in the vehicle to have an open container of alcohol. Further investigation revealed that the passenger, 40 year old Annmarie Highsmith, was in possession of marijuana.
As the Deputy Sheriff continued to investigate he found that Highsmith had concealed approximately two and half (2.5) grams of crack cocaine on her person and was also found to be in possession of a spring assisted knife, which by NYS law is illegal to possess.
Highsmith was arrested and charged with felony Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd degree (intent to distribute as she allegedly admitted she was delivering it to Dansville NY), Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 4th degree, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana, and Drinking Alcohol in a Motor Vehicle on a Highway.
Highsmith was turned over to Central Booking Deputies at the Livingston County Jail for processing and pre-arraignment detention. The District Attorney’s Office was contacted in regards to bail due to the felony level charge and recommended $5,000 cash or $10,000 bond.