Category: Local News

March 23, 20256
By Congressman Nick Langworthy

After three full weeks of legislative work in Washington, D.C., it was great to be back home for a district work period this week.

Spending time with constituents across New York’s 23rd Congressional District is the most fulfilling part of my role. Our region is facing real challenges, and I was grateful for the opportunity to meet with so many of the people and organizations working on the front lines—those providing services to individuals with developmental disabilities, our school superintendents, business leaders, and healthcare professionals caring for our most vulnerable neighbors. These conversations are what ground my work in Washington and help me focus on the priorities that matter most to you.

But these meetings aren’t just about gathering input—they also give me the chance to separate fact from fiction. In a time when misinformation is running rampant—often fueled by those trying to stir fear and division—it’s critical to have honest conversations and provide clarity about the work we’re doing.

A topic that continues to come up again and again is the economy. On Friday, I visited Sealing Devices in Lancaster, a family-owned manufacturing business that’s been serving Western New York for over 60 years. I spoke with workers about our plan to eliminate taxes on overtime pay and the urgent need to renew the 2017 Trump tax cuts before they expire at the end of this year.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 delivered real results—leading to job growth, wage increases, and expanded economic opportunity. Now, House Republicans and President Trump are working to build on that success with new proposals to eliminate taxes on overtime, tips, and Social Security income. These reforms would give working Americans more take-home pay, ease labor shortages, and help small businesses stay competitive.

Ending taxes on overtime is just common sense. It rewards extra effort, especially in industries like healthcare, retail, and manufacturing where longer hours are often critical. More money in workers’ pockets means stronger families, stronger communities, and a stronger economy.

If we want to truly unleash the American economy and revive our entrepreneurial spirit, we need a tax code that lifts up both workers and job creators. Eliminating taxes on overtime is a key step toward that goal—and I’m committed to making it happen.

March 22, 2025

Pay attention to the financial industry – an industry on which the state’s fiscal and economic well-being is make or break. This industry moving out of New York State, including the most recent Goldman Sachs announcement of its continued relocation of employees and operations to Texas, is alarming.
Pay attention to the fact that over the past several years, New York State has been marked as a national leader in population losses.
Pay attention to the rankings, including one of the latest from WalletHub, which have repeatedly designated New York among the highest taxed states in America, and often the highest taxed state.
Pay attention when studies from the Tax Foundation and other fiscal watchdogs highlight New York’s state and local debt per capita as among the highest of any state in the nation.

It goes on and on. These and other warning signs keep flashing and Albany Democrats just keep ignoring all of it.

Consequently, in response to what we see as yet another fiscally irresponsible state budget being negotiated right now by Governor Hochul and the Legislature’s all-Democrat majorities — negotiations that are clearly headed towards the continuation of uncontrolled state spending — Senate Republicans last week renewed our commitment to actions to create a more affordable New York.

Albany Democrats readily acknowledge the affordability crisis causing the exodus of citizens to more affordable states. They do plenty of talking about it. Yet the Democrats can’t give up increasing handouts. They have no interest in stopping out-of-control spending, eliminating taxes, lowering costs, cutting burdensome regulations and mandates, or restoring public safety.

In current budget negotiations, Senate Democrats are calling for spending far beyond the approximately $252 billion fiscal plan proposed by Governor Kathy Hochul for 2025-2026, which by itself was already nearly $9 billion higher than New York’s current spending. According to a Senate Republican Finance Committee analysis, Senate Democrats have put forth a $259 billion spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year — at least $7 billion higher than Hochul’s proposed budget and more than $15 billion higher than current state spending. It would mark the highest-ever state budget. Tellingly, Senate Democrats project that their proposed spending plan, if enacted, would lead to a string of state budget deficits over the next three fiscal years totaling $6.5 billion in 2027, $9.8 billion in 2028, and $11 billion in 2029.

In their one-house budget, Assembly Democrats want to spend even more.

From the outset, the Senate and Assembly Republican Conferences have warned that Governor Hochul’s out-of-control state spending plan would only skyrocket once the Legislature’s Democrat majorities, the biggest spenders in state history, got their hands on it. That’s exactly where we’re headed.

New York could go in a different direction. Senate Republicans last week highlighted several pieces of legislation that could be cornerstones of a new state budget, including legislation I sponsor to provide a significant tax cut to support small businesses and farmers. Other legislation our conference has put forth would establish a First-time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act; direct the state to determine the true cost of the mandates being imposed under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act of 2019, better known as the CLCPA, on New York’s ratepayers and then establish a credit for ratepayers and businesses to cover those costs; and enact the “Affordable New York Act,” which is designed to lower the tax burden on individual workers in New York.

There are plenty of alternative actions that could help define a new budget and a new direction for New York State. Regrettably, they’re the types of actions that don’t currently have a place in this state’s one-party, all-Democrat government.

Is it affordable and is it sustainable for the citizens and taxpayers of New York State to continue down this road of spending?

No, it’s not. It remains irresponsible, unaffordable, and unsustainable.

We need to liberate New York by restoring the right priorities, rebuilding stronger and safer communities, and working towards a more responsible and sustainable future for middle-class communities, families, workers, businesses, industries, ratepayers, and taxpayers.

March 22, 2025

FROM STEUBEN CO SHERIFF JIM ALLARD: Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard reports that on October 18, 2024, the New York State Police Special Investigations Unit conducted an early morning search warrant at the home of Deputy Sheriff Stuart McHenry, as part of a criminal investigation. The search entailed electronic devices at that location. Deputy McHenry was placed on administrative leave from the Sheriff’s Office until the investigation was completed. Yesterday, agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation took Mr. McHenry into custody for Distribution and Receipt of Child Pornography. He voluntarily submitted to agents, who then took him to Rochester, New York, for federal arraignment.

The Steuben County Sheriff’s Office, at all times, cooperated with this investigation. We have confirmed that no agency property was utilized, nor unlawful actions conducted while on duty. Although we are incredibly disappointed and embarrassed by the allegations involved in this incident, in the interests of full transparency we felt it necessary to report this arrest and reiterate that these allegations are not, in any way, in alignment with our core values.

FROM THE US ATTORNEYS OFFICE:

U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Stuart J. McHenry, 34, of Hornell, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with distribution and receipt of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum of 20 years, and a fine of up to $250,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn M. Hartford, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on July 5, 2024, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received a CyberTip from the instant messaging application Kik, which stated that Kik user “acman990,” uploaded approximately 24 files of suspected child pornography. A review of the files found that approximately 22 of the files constituted child pornography, which he sent to other users via private message. Subsequent investigation traced the account to the defendant.

During the course of the investigation, it was determined that McHenry works as a deputy for Steuben County Sheriff’s Office. On October 18, 2024, investigators seized two cellular telephones during the execution of a search warrant at McHenry’s Hornell residence. A forensic review of one of the phones determined that Kik was previously installed on the phone and located evidence of use of the Kik username acman990. A review of McHenry’s iCloud account recovered a number of sexually explicit conversations and child pornography on Kik, including the videos reported in the CyberTip as well as additional videos and images of child pornography.

McHenry made an initial appearance this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark W. Pedersen and was held pending a detention hearing.

The complaint is the result of an investigation by the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Kevin Sucher, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia, and the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Jim Allard.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

March 21, 2025

Final score: Hornell 53 – Chenango Forks 47.

The Hornell Girls will play Cold Spring Harbor Saturday at 6:00pm at Hudson Valley Community College in the New York State Finals!!!

March 21, 2025
By Alfred State College Spokesperson Paul Welker

Pair of events planned to benefit employee affected by fire

ALFRED, NY – A pair of events have been planned to assist the Warner family who lost their home recently in a fire. The culinary arts department will host a drive thru pulled pork dinner while the western equestrian team will host an Easter Open House.

The pulled pork dinner on Thursday, March 27 on the Wellsville campus (2530 River Road, Wellsville, NY). The $10 dinner (cash only) includes a pulled pork sandwich, macaroni & cheese, coleslaw, and a cookie. There will also be a baked good table set up with cookies, brownies, and pies. The drive thru dinner will take place between 3 – 5:30 p.m.

Make any donation to get involved in the western equestrian Easter Open House on March 29 (Noon – 2 p.m.). Visitors will get to meet Peter Rabbit and his horse, participate in an egg hunt, meet all the horses, and participate in arts and craft activities. Pony Rides will be available for $5. All the activities will take place at 2326 Karr Valley Rd. in Almond.
Della Warner, a longtime employee of ACES, oversees the Rig on the Wellsville campus.

March 21, 2025

FROM THE HORNELL SPORTS NIGHT COMMITTEE: “This year we are pleased to announce the 49th Annual Sport Night Rawlings Female Athlete of the Year is Arkport-Canaseraga’s ! Payton is a multi-year winner of the all-Steuben County team in basketball and had a double-double in almost every single game and led A-C to regular and postseason Steuben County championships. She’s a two-time Steuben County MVP, Haverling and Keshequa Tournament MVP and played in the off-season for the Rochester Royals AAU All-Star team. Her varsity career started in 8th grade when she was called up. Payton followed in her mom’s footsteps in athletics and now, she wants to be like her aunt and grandmother as a Nurse Practitioner for family practice. “

March 21, 2025

STATEMENT FROM CANISTEO VILLAGE MAYOR-ELECT RICK MCINROY:

“I am going to work hard to make the village a place that our community can be proud of and call home. I will be working on finishing up the water project, improving and resurfacing roads, public safety, establishing a water district, flooding and FEMA mapping to mention a few.”

McInroy takes office on April 1.

March 21, 2025

The Hornell girls varsity basketball team plays against Chenango Forks in the State Semi -Finals this morning at 1145am.

If Hornell girls win today, they will go on to the state finals Saturday at 6:45pm at the same location, Hudson valley Community College.

March 21, 2025

BATH, NY – Coming up Monday, the Steuben County Legislature will vote on whether to create 16 new EMT jobs, eight full time EMTs, eight of them, part time. Also, the county will vote on whether to create eight paramedic jobs, four full time paramedics, four part time, and these would all be working with the Steuben County Supplemental Emergency Medical crews.

These crews, come under the county office of emergency services.

March 21, 2025

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March 20, 2025

Congressman Nick Langworthy will hold a press conference tomorrow to address President Trump and House Republicans’ plans to reform the tax code to help working Americans, create jobs, and ensure workers have more take-home pay. Eliminating the tax on overtime pay would provide much-needed relief for thousands of employees across New York’s 23rd Congressional District and help address workforce shortage issues.

March 20, 2025

“President Trump is playing games with our kids’ futures. By gutting the Department of Education, he will defund critical teacher training programs, forcing schools to operate with fewer teachers, counselors, social workers, and behavior specialists. He will deprive children with disabilities of the specialized education to which they have a right under federal law. And he is killing the dream of a college education for students who can’t afford it without federal assistance.

Make no mistake – individual states simply do not have the funding, personnel, or expertise to provide this same level of support to millions of students. President Trump is prioritizing minimal cost savings from cutting a small federal department at the expense of the literacy and math skills that will allow our kids to secure high-quality, good-paying jobs in the future.

Every child in this country – regardless of background – has the right to a high-quality and free public education. We will not stand idly by while President Trump and Elon Musk destroy the promise of education for all.”