AM 1480 WLEA News

March 12, 2026

FROM NYSP: On March 20, 1970, the body of a male was located without a head or hands on Davis Hill Road in the town of Andover. Over the course of nearly 56 years, investigating members of the New York State Police continued to track down every lead, but the identity of the male remained unknown. On June 07, 2022, an exhumation of the body was conducted for the purpose of collecting DNA. With the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the DNA was ultimately used to determine the body to be that of 35-year-old, Clyde A. Coppage, who was living in Genessee, Pennsylvania at the time of his disappearance. Coppage was not originally from the area and had never been reported missing. The Bureau of Criminal Investigation out of SP Amity are seeking public assistance with any information on Clyde A. Coppage. The investigation into the death of Coppage remains open and active. Anyone with information about Coppage or his death is asked to contact the New York State Police at 585-344-6200.

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March 13, 2026

FROM THE HORNELL SPORTS NIGHT COMMITTE: We are proud to present Hornell Sports Night’s Achievement Award to ! Colton is a multi sport athlete at Canisteo-Greenwood. Here’s what others have said about Colton during the nominating process: “Colton is a great example of what hard work and determination can achieve in spite of facing overwhelming adversity. He not only found ways to learn and grow with the help of his coaches so that he could compete at varsity levels, he also encourages his teammates and shows excellent sportsmanship.” “Great young man who has become a fan favorite and honestly a local legend in the canisteo valley. Works his tail off!” “Colton defines resilience. This kid is go go go and the attitude he maintains you would never know he’s been at it all day. Insane work ethic and embodiment of respect in an athlete!” Congratulation to Colton! Ticket info for Sports Night will be post soon!

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March 12, 2026

Numerous media outlets have reported that birds have been found dead in the Seneca Lake area. The D.E.C. says, the cause of death is bird flu. Is it a problem in Steuben County? County Public Health Spokeswoman Malia Vandenberg says, so far, no, but it never hurts to be careful. “The best way for folks to stay safe and to avoid the Avian Flu is to avoid touching sick or dead birds, to keep your pets away from them and to wash your hands if you’ve been outdoors,” VanDenburg noted.  

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March 13, 2026

Steuben County Department of Public Works Commissioner Eric Rose has announced that the bridge on County Route 74 (Prattsburgh–Pulteney Road) over Five Mile Creek, located between County Route 77 and Flynn Road in the Town of Prattsburgh, will be closed to all through traffic beginning March 30, 2026.
The closure is necessary to allow for a full bridge reconstruction. The structure, Bridge No. 74-02 (BIN 3333970), will be rebuilt with new concrete abutments and concrete deck beams to improve the safety and longevity of the crossing.
The project is expected to take approximately 10 weeks to complete, depending on weather and construction conditions.
Motorists should note that there will NOT be an on-site detour, and drivers are encouraged to plan alternate routes accordingly during the construction period.
Steuben County officials appreciate the public’s patience and cooperation as this important infrastructure improvement is completed.
For additional information, please contact the Steuben County Department of Public Works.

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March 11, 2026

Canisteo Village Hall is working to renovate the Nicholas Clark Memorial Park, so that there are monuments there. This is an idea being promoted by Canisteo Village resident Patty Kelly. Also, Canisteo is creating a fund, so that people can donate money for work to be done at the memorial park. Trooper Nick Clark was killed in July of 2018, by a suicidal male, in the Town of Erwin.

In other Canisteo news, Village Mayor Richard McInroy says, a big thanks is going out to Congressman Nick Langworthy, for helping the Village get the railroad and other companies and agencies to grant the village the needed permits to have water lines under the train tracks on Depot Street. This is something Canisteo Village Hall has been working on, for almost four years.

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March 11, 2026
By Tamara Peet

On Tuesday, March 10, in Hume NY, seven local military veterans gathered at Valley Bread & Bounty to receive ceremony and Quilts of Valor (QOV), arranged by fellow Vietnam Veteran Mark Stone (of Centerville, NY). The Quilts of Valor Foundation was founded in 2003 after Catherine Roberts, whose son was deployed to Iraq, was inspired by a dream. Roberts shares, “The dream was as vivid as real life. I saw a young man sitting on the side of his bed in the middle of the night, hunched over. The permeating feeling was one of utter despair. I could see his war demons clustered around, dragging him down into an emotional gutter. Then, as if viewing a movie, I saw him in the next scene wrapped in a quilt. His whole demeanor changed from one of despair to one of hope and well-being. The quilt had made this dramatic change. The message of my dream was: Quilts = Healing. The model appeared simple: have a volunteer team who would donate their time and materials to make a quilt. One person would piece the top and the other would quilt it. I saw the name for this special quilt: it was Quilt of Valor, a QOV.” Our local ceremony began with volunteer Janice Klima of Hamburg, NY sharing her personal message as to why Quilts of Valor (QOV) has been an important organization to be a part of. Thereafter, Klima addressed the veterans on behalf of QOV, followed by a Roll Call. Each veteran was asked to stand while their name, military branch, service title, years served, the war and location they served, and any special awards received. Each veteran received a beautifully crafted, unique quilt draped over their shoulders and a certificate of gratitude from the QOV organization. An awarded Quilt of Valor says unequivocally, “Thank you for your service, sacrifice and valor in serving our nation.”
Roll Call included:
Merle Nevinger, Fillmore- U.S. Navy, Petti Officer AC-3, Control Tower Operator, 1948-1952
Harlan Morse, Portageville – U.S. Army – SGT, Survey Specialist, 1952-1953, Korea
Awarded: United Nations Service Medal; Good Conduct Medal; Korean Service Medal; 3 Bronze Stars; and National Defense Service Medal. *Selected to participate in an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.: James (Jim) A. Young, Angelica – U.S. Army – 73rd Engineer Company Construction Support, SGT (P) E-5, Engineer. Equipment Repairman, 1966-1972, Vietnam. Mark Stone, Centerville – Army National Guard/Reservist, E-5, 1966-1969, Hue-Vietnam
Awarded a Bronze Star during the Tet Offensive. Floyd Milliman, Fillmore, U.S. Army, Specialist 5 Cook, 1966-1968, Vietnam. Rich Bennet, Oramel – U.S. Army, SGT E-5, Generator Operator, 1966-1968, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Dr. Calvin Schierer, Fillmore – U.S. Army, Specialist E-5, Medical Laboratory Technician 1974-1978, Vietnam, *Current Commander of the Dee Victor Thomas American Legion – Post 1155; received the 2026 American Legion Department of New York, Commanders Award.

It is easy to recognize the goal of QOV’s end products and that volunteers like Janice Klima take their plight seriously. The goal, according to Klima, is ‘not’ a charity quilt; it ‘is’ a well-made, patriotically designed product quilted by hand or longarm, and durable enough to withstand regular use and machine washing. According to web-data, to date, an estimated 437,000 QOV’s have been awarded nationwide to military service veterans. The Quilt of Valor® Foundation and volunteers appreciate the service and sacrifice of those who are serving or have served in the Armed Forces and protect our freedoms and their mission is to cover Service Members and Veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor. Klima and five other primary volunteers serve our greater region housed out of Creekside Fabrics (ATT: Combat Quilters) 237 E. Main St., Arcade, NY. To nominate a service member or living veteran, get involved with the Quilts of Valor Foundation (QOVF) as a volunteer to longarm quilt or piecing blocks, donate, or join a local group to help create and award quilts, go to: https://www.qovf.org/

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March 11, 2026

The V.A. issued a statement saying the Trump Administration has cut the back log of VA patients waiting to get in, by 100,000. “VA’s disability claims backlog is now below 100,000 for the first time since 2020, benefits access is getting faster for surviving family members, and VA is moving to restore Second Amendment rights for affected Veterans in its Fiduciary Program,.”” the VA stated in a recent release. VA’s claims backlog includes rating bundle disability compensation and pension claims received by VA that normally require a rating decision. “This claims bundle includes initial and supplemental claims for service-connected disabilities for Veterans and their survivors, Agent Orange-related claims, and pension claims for Veterans. Once VA decides a claim, it’s no longer in the claims inventory. If a Veteran appeals a benefits decision, the appealed claim is tracked separately.”

Click here for more information, from the VA.

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March 11, 2026

Statement From Hammondsport Village Hall: Regarding rumors of Village dissolving.  Over the past few days there has been a lot of conversation and speculation circulating online suggesting that the Village of Hammondsport may be dissolving. We want to address this directly so residents have clear and accurate information. There is currently NO proposal, plan, or process underway to dissolve the Village of Hammondsport. For clarity:
• The Village of Hammondsport and the Town of Urbana are separate governments, even though the village is geographically located within the town.

• Village laws apply inside village boundaries.

• Town laws apply outside the village but within the Town of Urbana.

Village leadership remains focused on serving residents, maintaining infrastructure, and supporting a strong and vibrant community. We encourage everyone to rely on official village meeting agendas, minutes, and public meetings for accurate information. Questions and respectful dialogue are always welcome. Hammondsport has always been a community that values transparency, neighborliness, and civic engagement. Let’s keep the conversation constructive and grounded in facts.

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March 11, 2026

The Steuben County District Attorney’s Office tells Wlea News, that motions were recently argued and pre-trial hearings are being scheduled in the Addison bank robbery suspect, Dominic Bova case.  31 year old Dominic Bova is alleged to have robbed the bank in Addison on August 22 of last year.  In other news from the D.A.’s Office, 53 year old Gerald Makin of Corning has been indicted with 12 counts of Promoting a Sexual Performance by a child under the age of 17 years, and 12 counts of Possession Sexual Performance by a Child.  Makin was arrested by the state police on these allegations, in October of 2025. 

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March 11, 2026

Click link directly below to hear the senator:

https://rumble.com/v76yyo0-senator-gillibrand-the-consequences-of-war-march-11-2026.html

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) held a virtual press conference to demand that the Trump administration prioritize bringing relief to American families instead of doubling down on unconstitutional foreign wars and reckless tariff policies that are driving up the cost of living for hardworking New Yorkers. Gillibrand also announced new legislation to exempt small businesses from the latest round of President Trump’s tariffs and require the administration to refund businesses for tariff costs they’ve already paid. “New Yorkers deserve better than President Trump’s illegal tariffs, reckless wars, and cost-increasing chaos,” said Senator Gillibrand. “President Trump must put the American people first, end the war with Iran, and revoke his harmful tariffs once and for all. I am proud to cosponsor legislation to give some relief to working New Yorkers and small businesses by refunding tariff costs, and I will continue to do everything in my power to shield New Yorkers from the president’s chaos.” Last month, the Supreme Court struck down President Trump’s global “reciprocal” tariffs that he unlawfully imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Following that ruling, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to refund the billions of dollars that it took from U.S. consumers and businesses in the form of those illegal tariffs. Despite this, President Trump doubled down by announcing a sweeping new 10% tariff on nearly all imports entering the United States under a different legal authority, Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. He has since pledged to increase those tariffs to 15%. The Small Business Liberation 2.0 Act would exempt small businesses from paying Section 122 tariffs, refund small businesses for any Section 122 tariffs paid, and prevent price gouging for consumers because of Trump’s new tariff policy. The full text of this legislation can be found here. Senator Gillibrand has opposed President Trump’s tariffs since the start of his administration. Last year, she joined 14 of her colleagues in introducing the Small Business RELIEF Act to end Trump’s Tariff Tax and refund small businesses their duties paid. She also sent a legal brief with 206 members of Congress emphasizing to the Supreme Court that these tariffs are illegal. Senator Gillibrand also reiterated her call for President Trump to end his reckless war with Iran, which is driving up costs even further. Oil and gas prices have skyrocketed since President Trump struck Iran, making it more expensive for New Yorkers to heat their homes and power their vehicles. Regular gas in New York costs about 44 cents more per gallon than it did just last week. Senator Gillibrand has made clear that she will not provide a blank check for President Trump’s reckless war in Iran. Last week, she voted yes on the Senate’s war powers resolution to reassert Congress’ responsibility, demand accountability, and send a clear message that military force must be debated, justified, and authorized before American lives are put at risk. She has repeatedly called for the president to prioritize lowering costs at home rather than reckless foreign wars abroad.

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March 11, 2026

Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C-Corning) is reminding constituents that the New York Conference of Italian-American State Legislators is accepting applications for its annual scholarship program. The conference will be providing two academic scholarships and two athletic scholarships. Each scholarship will be $3000.

Scholarships are available to residents of the 132nd Assembly District who are current college students or high school seniors entering college. Students can access and complete the application by visiting: https://www.nyiacsl.org/apply-for-scholarship-form.

The application deadline is March 16.

“This is an excellent scholarship opportunity for high school seniors and college students in the 132nd Assembly District who have worked hard, distinguished themselves from their peers and intend to pursue higher education,” said Palmesano. “With college costs continually rising, this is a chance to lessen the financial burden that is a concern for so many young people and their families. I encourage eligible students in my district to apply.”

Applicants should have a grade point average of 85 or higher, be active in community service and extracurricular activities and demonstrate financial need. In addition to these qualifications, students applying for an athletic scholarship must also be involved in an organized sport(s).
Applicants need not be of Italian-American heritage to apply. Scholarship recipients will be announced in April, and the winners will be honored at a ceremony in Albany. The New York Conference of Italian-American State Legislators is a bipartisan organization of state Assembly and Senate members who actively promote and celebrate the state’s Italian-American community.

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March 11, 2026

Congresswoman Tenney (NY-24) and Congressman Lou Correa (CA-46) have been named Co-Chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Family Business Caucus for the 119th Congress. The Caucus will hold its first meeting of the year on March 17 on Capitol Hill, bringing together Members of Congress, family business leaders, and policy experts to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing family-owned businesses.

The Congressional Family Business Caucus was established to educate lawmakers on the vital role family-owned businesses play in the American economy and in communities across the country. According to research, more than 32 million family-owned businesses operate in the United States, supporting 83.3 million jobs and contributing $7.7 trillion annually to the nation’s gross domestic product, representing nearly 59 percent of the private workforce. The Caucus works to connect Members of Congress with family businesses in their districts, promote policies that strengthen entrepreneurship and economic growth, and ensure that the voices of family-owned enterprises are represented in Washington. The March 17 meeting will focus on the theme “Pricing and Profits: Affordability Strategies for Family-Owned Businesses,” and will feature presentations from family business owners, policy experts, and leaders from Family Enterprise USA.

“Family-owned businesses are the backbone of communities across the country, creating jobs, supporting local economies, and carrying on traditions that span generations. As someone who helped run my family’s business, I understand the unique challenges these businesses face, from rising costs and workforce pressures to complex regulations and tax policy. I look forward to working with Congressman Correa and our colleagues in the Caucus to ensure family businesses have a strong voice in Congress and the policies they need to grow, compete, and continue supporting millions of American workers,” said Congresswoman Tenney.

“Our economy is driven by family businesses whose owners and employees are usually our neighbors. My parents worked hard to give me the opportunity to reach the middle class, and starting a family business provides the same possibility to millions of Americans,” Rep. Correa said. “We need to make sure that family businesses continue to flourish across different industries, and the Family Business Caucus will work to help Main Street entrepreneurs achieve their American Dream.”

The March 17 Caucus meeting will be held at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center and will feature panels with family business owners and policy experts, legislative updates from government affairs leaders, and presentations on the economic challenges facing family-owned enterprises. Family Enterprise USA and Family Enterprise USA Action are organizing this year’s meetings.

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