Category: Local News

June 29, 2026

June 29, 2026

FROM SENATOR CHUCK SCHUMER:   “The Supreme Court just upheld this bedrock American principle: if you cast your ballot on time, your vote will count.  Participation in democracy should never be limited – not by your race, where you live, or how you vote.  As the midterm elections approach, Trump and his allies are working overtime to silence Americans’ votes. Senate Democrats will continue to do everything we can to protect free and fair elections, where everyone’s voice is heard.”

June 29, 2026

FROM SEN. GILLIBRAND:   U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), ranking member of the Senate Aging Committee, along with 14 of her Senate colleagues, introduced the Medicare Cost Cap Act to create a $5,000 cap on out-of-pocket costs for Traditional Medicare (Parts A and B) beneficiaries.  Currently, Traditional Medicare does not have a limit on out-of-pocket costs, meaning beneficiaries are confronted with unlimited, catastrophic health care costs if they face serious illness or hospitalization. Medicare Advantage (MA), employer-sponsored insurance, and insurance bought on the marketplace all have annual caps on out-of-pocket spending. An out-of-pocket cap would level the playing field between Traditional Medicare and MA and guarantee that all people with Medicare are protected, no matter what coverage option they choose.  The legislation also enhances programs that protect low-income Medicare beneficiaries, shielding seniors and people with disabilities who already rely almost exclusively on their Social Security benefits from rising premiums and out-of-pocket costs. Under the Trump administration’s watch, Medicare Part B premiums exceeded $200 for the first time last year.

“Under President Trump, seniors are being forced to choose between paying for lifesaving care and simply being able to afford a life,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The Medicare Cost Cap Act will lower out-of-pocket costs for seniors with Medicare and ensure that no one is pushed into financial ruin by a single health emergency. I am proud to introduce this important legislation, and I will continue fighting to expand access to quality and affordable care for our seniors.”

In 2028, 3.2 million Medicare beneficiaries are projected to directly benefit from an out-of-pocket cost cap. Over the next ten years, over 52% of beneficiaries are expected to exceed the proposed $5,000 cap at least once. On average, this plan would save enrollees $1,024 per year.  While financial support does exist for low-income Medicare enrollees, oftentimes confusing and extensive administrative barriers prevent and discourage beneficiaries from accessing these resources. These barriers adversely affect low-income seniors who struggle to afford health care. Over half a million enrollees who qualify for Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) are not enrolled, leading to missed benefits and higher out-of-pocket costs for some of the most financially insecure Americans. In addition to creating an out-of-pocket cap, the legislation will improve assistance for low-income beneficiaries, such as seniors that rely exclusively on Social Security for their income.

Senator Gillibrand continues to lead the fight to lower health care costs for seniors with Medicare. Last year, she introduced legislation to strengthen Medicare’s ability to negotiate prescription drug prices and reduce out-of-pocket costs for seniors. She also demanded that the Trump administration release the next round of Medicare-negotiated drug prices – savings that Democrats fought to secure. Additionally, she champions the Capping Prescription Costs Act, which would extend the cap on annual out-of-pocket prescription drug costs to people with private health insurance.

The full text of the bill can be found here.

June 29, 2026

FROM JONES MEMORIAL:  Jones Memorial Hospital is proud to announce that the hospital has received re-accreditation by The Joint Commission, maintaining the Gold Seal Approval, after a review this past spring, The comprehensive review took place from April 7-10, 2026.

June 28, 2026

FROM CANISTEO VILLAGE HALL: The Village will be implementing NO PARKING to allow for paving operations on the following streets:

West Academy, Russell, Spruce, Union, Taylor, Pine, and Spring

From: 12:00 AM, Wednesday, July 1

Until: 8:00 PM, Thursday, July 2

Additionally NO PARKING on July 6th ONLY beginning at 6AM to complete paving.

The Village will be sweeping roadways on Wednesday in preparation for paving on Thursday.

Residents are asked to:

Remove all vehicles from these streets during this time and refrain from placing lawn clippings or debris in the roadway to avoid additional cleanup.

We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your cooperation as we work to improve our roads. Please note that weather may impact this schedule and the Village will work to notify residents as soon as possible.

June 26, 2026

Steuben County District Attorney Brooks Baker tells WYSL/WLEA News that 30 year old Dominick Bova has pleaded guilty to 1^st Degree Robbery.  Bova is the accused Addison bank robbery suspect and he will be in Steuben County Court again August 12 at 145pm for sentencing.  

Bova was accused of dressing up in a disguise and robbing a bank in Addison on August 22 of last year and getting $4,000 in cash.  He was arrested on September 5 by a SWAT team in Corning.  The lead agency in the case was the Steuben County Sheriff’s Department. 

Bova was also charged, as a Steuben County Jail inmate, for allegedly assaulting another prisoner.

June 26, 2026 

Barrons has named Corning Incorporated Chairman & CEO Wendell Weeks to their list of Top CEOs.  Barrons notes that for more than 175 years, Corning has helped drive some of the world’s most transformative technologies – like AI.

Barrons says that under Wendell Week’s leadership, that legacy continues.

Click here for more. 

July 26, 2026

FROM THE D.O.T.:  The New York State Department of Transportation is advising motorists that State Route 21, near the County Route 66 intersection in the Town of Hornellsville, Steuben County, will be closed to traffic beginning on Monday, June 29, to accommodate a culvert replacement project. The work is anticipated to be completed by the end of August.

Motorists are advised to follow the posted detour utilizing Interstate 86.

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.

June 26, 2026

ARKPORT CENTRAL Co-Valedictorians: Ella Spitulnik, Portia Stuart

ARKPORT Salutatorian: Ibrahim Ford

Arkport Graduation Friday June 26 at 6pm

HORNELL – Tonight, 7:00PM 

Co-Salutatorians: Ella Foreman & Gavin Thompson

Valdictorian: Nick Gray

CANISTEO GREENWOOD – Tonight, 7:00pm

Salutatorian: Jaxson O’Brien

Valdictorian: Malachi Stauring

ALFRED-ALMOND CENTRAL, Saturday, 2pm

Co-Valdictorians: Michah McClain, Boden Whelpley

Salutitorian: William Denninger IV

June 26, 2026

FROM THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICE: 

GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCES 396 MILLION FREE SCHOOL MEALS SERVED STATEWIDE IN 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR

Saving New York Families Up to $450 Million Per Month on Grocery Costs

Ensuring 2.7 Million NY Students Receive Free Breakfast and Lunch at School

To mark the end of the school year, Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that 396 million free school meals have been served in schools statewide. Governor Hochul’s Universal School Meals Program, launched last year, guarantees every student in New York State access to a healthy breakfast and lunch at participating schools, helping them thrive in and out of the classroom. By eliminating any financial requirements to receive this benefit, New York State has leveled the playing field by taking the burden off of families.

“It’s simple: No kid should go hungry, which is why we introduced free school meals statewide,” Governor Hochul said. “Making sure students have access to healthy meals improves their mental wellbeing and their academic performance. At a time when families are concerned about the affordability of everyday items, New York is proud to support our children’s success and bring down costs for families statewide.”

For the 2025-2026 academic year, New York has:

• Delivered more than 396 million free school meals to New York students
• Helped families statewide save up to $450 million per month on grocery costs

The FY27 Enacted Budget included $395 million for school meals, a $55 million year-to-year increase, requiring all school districts, charter schools and nonpublic schools that participate in the national school lunch and breakfast program to provide free breakfast and lunch meals to all students regardless of their families’ income. Under this program, the State will pay the student’s share of costs for all meals served to students not already receiving free meals.

New York State Education Department Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said, “Every student deserves access to healthy, nutritious meals every school day. Through our partnership with Governor Hochul and schools across New York, the State Education Department is proud to administer the Universal School Meals Program, helping ensure students arrive in the classroom ready to learn. By providing free breakfast and lunch to every child, we are supporting student well-being, strengthening academic success, easing financial burdens on families, and building healthier, more equitable school communities across our state.”

June 25, 2026

Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard says that there was a school bus accident earlier this afternoon, around 1pm, in a work zone, on County Route 119.  We’re told that there were 11 students on board and that two of the students had minor injuries who were treated at the scene.  There were no serious injuries reported as of this posting.  The county sheriff’s department is doing a full reconstruction of the accident scene.

June 25, 2026

FROM VAL WHITEHILL AT HORNELL PARTNERS FOR GROWTH:  “After closely monitoring multiple weather forecasts and discussing the situation with the band, Hornell Partners for Growth has made the difficult decision to cancel tonight’s Opening Night of Thursdays at the Square. With thunderstorms, periods of rain, and the potential for severe weather being forecast throughout the evening, both HPG and the band feel that cancelling the event is the safest decision for our performers, vendors, volunteers, and community members.  We know many of you were looking forward to kicking off the season with us; however, the safety of everyone involved must always come first. The good news is that we are already exploring opportunities to bring Midnight Storm back later in the season, so we can still enjoy an evening of great music together.  As many of you have probably seen, weather forecasts from multiple sources, including AccuWeather, Weather.com, and local radar reports, continue to show the possibility of thunderstorms and rain during event hours. While we always try our best to hold events whenever possible, outdoor events require us to err on the side of caution when severe weather is possible.   Thank you for your understanding and continued support. We look forward to seeing everyone at our next Thursdays at the Square event.”