Regional News

SCHUYLER COUNTY, N.Y. (WENY) — An area county could play a role in New York State's plan to build more nuclear energy facilities. New York announced plans to develop at least one gigawatt of advanced nuclear capacity somewhere upstate in the summer of 2025. According to the New York Power Authority, Schuyler County submitted information indicating it is interested in potentially hosting a state nuclear project. Read more about it here. What do you think, should a nuclear energy plant be located in Schuyler County? Would you be comfortable with that?

Registered nurses at an Ithaca hospital announced their plans to unionize with the Communication Workers of America last week. In a statement, Cayuga United said over 70% of Cayuga Medical nurses have signed union authorization cards. Heather Bretz is a nurse at the hospital and is involved in union organizing. “If we can better retain experienced, dedicated nurses and pay them a competitive wage and good benefits, we'll be doing a lot towards meeting that goal of better serving our patients,” Bretz told WSKG. Read the rest here.

Corning has made USA Today's "10 Best" list in the "Best Small Towns To Visit In The Northeast" for 2026, ranking at number four. The list is based on the choices made by a panel of industry experts who nominate their favorite points of interest, attractions and more. The Corning Museum of Glass also made the news agency's "10 Best" list in February. Photo courtesy of DenisTangneyJr / E+ Rounding out the top of the list were Ohiopyle PA, Woodstock VT, and Sewickley PA at number one. To see the complete list, you can click here.

The New York State Police in Painted Post are investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred on Grinnold Road in the town of Troupsburg, Steuben County. On January 1, 2026, at approximately 6:56 a.m., New York State Police were dispatched to Grinnold Road for a reported rollover crash involving a plow truck with reported entrapment. Prior to the troopers’ arrival, the operator was extricated from the vehicle and transported by emergency medical services to St. James Hospital. Troopers located a 2024 Freightliner plow truck off the south shoulder of the roadway, resting on its passenger side. The vehicle had exited the roadway for an unknown reason. While on sce…

The New York State Police in Painted Post arrested 24 year old Jacob A. Hanes of Palm Springs, California, following a child exploitation investigation. Hanes was charged with * Promoting an Obscene Sexual Performance by a Child (D felony) * Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument 2nd degree (D felony) * Endangering the Welfare of a Child (A misdemeanor) The investigation determined that Hanes had communicated electronically with a juvenile and requested sexually explicit images and videos while knowing the victim was under the age of 17. Investigators further determined that Hanes was in possession of a forged New York State identification card at the time of his a…

Waverly students work with Marty Borko, right, of Carantouan Greenway, on vernal pool monitoring last year. Photo courtesy of Miranda Palmer WAVERLY — Waverly students are collaborating with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation to help reintroduce a key species into local rivers. American eels can be vital to river ecosystems, but few are now found in this part of the Chemung and Susquehanna rivers. One potential solution? Have students raise eels in the classroom for release into the rivers — while learning about their role in the ecosystem. The program, which has existed in Pennsylvania for years, is now being piloted in four New York school districts, …

A Bath man is facing multiple charges, including rape, according to the Bath Village Police. 44 year old Scott G. Watkins of Bath was charged with Attempted Rape in the 1st Degree Sexual Abuse in the 1st Degree Criminal Sex Act in the 1st Degree Two counts of Unlawful Surveillance in the 2nd Degree Bath Police say these charges stem from a months long investigation after a report of a sexual offense against a chold in August in the Village of Bath. Watkins is slleged to have had sexual contact with a female victim under the age of eleven years old and attempted sexual intercourse with the child while she was asleep as a guest in his home. Police also determined that…

According to Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard, on December 3, Investigators and Deputies of the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office arrested 37 year old Randy B. Johnson of Campbell, New York, following an investigation of a reported sex abuse. Johnson allegedly engaged in sexual contact with a person less than 17 years of age and acted in a manner which police say was injurious to that child. He was charged with Rape in the Third Degree, a class E Felony and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Johnson was arraigned in the Centralized Arraignment Court and released.

The Village of Spencer has approved a new law establishing a curfew for minors in an effort to reduce crime such as vandalism. Under the new law, curfew hours are 11 pm to 6 pm, Sunday through Thursday. Weekend curfew hours begin at midnight on Friday and Saturday and run through 6 am the following day. Parent will be held responsible for any minor found to be violating the new curfew. First offenses will result in a written warning, followed by a fine of $50. Further violations will result in higher fines. There are some exceptions to the law, for instance if a minor is traveling home from a school-sponsored event or is on their way home from work. The latter must ha…

A Bath woman is facing felony animal cruelty charges after police say she allowed a dog to starve to death. On November 12, Village of Bath police officers responded to a home on Howell Street for a report of a dead dog found in an apartment. When police arrived, they found a dead pit bull mix that had been locked inside a crate and left to die. Police say the dog had been left with no food or water for weeks before its death, though there was a full bag of dog food only a couple of feet away. As a result of the investigation, 30 year old Kassidy Hall, the former tenant of the apartment, was arrested and charged with one count of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, a Class …

WATKINS GLEN - Angels, demons and dragons... the day in which Prince Aiden thought he would be knighted turned out to be much more than what he bargained for. This is the subject of an exciting new Christian-based children’s novel called Battle For Whiterock, penned by Jeff Miller, pastor of First Baptist Church of Watkins Glen. “I believe that this is going to be a great blessing for children who love fantasy/adventure stories,” Pastor Miller said. “But the story is more than just fantasy fun, at the heart of it is a ministry opportunity for children seeking the truth about a loving God.” After a series of tragic events, eighteen-year-old Prince Aiden has many doubts ab…

Forest Rangers and deputies from the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office broke up a large underage drinking party in the Coon Hollow State Forest late Friday night, issuing nearly 20 tickets and sending multiple attendees home with rides. The enforcement action happened on November 22. At 10 p.m., four DEC Forest Rangers met with deputies to plan a detail targeting the suspected party. By 11:30 p.m., they had blocked off Chambers Road and discovered a bonfire gathering of about 50 people in the forest. Read more about it here.

On November 20, 2025, at approximately 1:20 a.m., Troopers from State Police barracks in Montour Falls initiated a traffic stop on Baker Hill Road in the town of Dix after observing a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed and operating without plate lamps. Troopers attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver failed to comply and continued northbound on State Route 414 before turning onto Mill Hill Road. The vehicle, a Ford F-150, then turned onto Meads Hill Road and subsequently entered a Watkins Glen International access driveway. The operator exited the truck, went under a gate, and attempted to flee on foot. Troopers pursued the suspect and, after a brief foot ch…

The New York State Police in Painted Post have arrested 35 year old Allen P. Jerome of Campbell following an investigation into allegations of long-term sexual abuse involving a juvenile victim. On November 12, 2025, investigators from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) in Painted Post were contacted by Steuben County CPS after a report was filed through the New York State Child Abuse Hotline. The report indicated that a 15-year-old had disclosed ongoing sexual abuse. An investigation determined that the abuse occurred over several years at a residence in the town of Campbell. A search warrant was subsequently executed at the residence. Jerome was charged with the…

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The New York State Police arrested 33 year old Eugene Wade Hale of Hornell following an extensive child exploitation investigation conducted by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation in SP Hornell, and Troop E Computer Crimes Unit (CCU) and the Troop E Forensic Investigation Unit (FIU). The investigation originated with a referral from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. On May 22, 2025, Troop E CCU, FIU and BCI members executed a warrant on East Ave in the city of Hornell. Prior to execution, Hale was observed leaving the residence and was detained without incident. Multiple electronic devices were recovered pursuant to the search warrant and were su…

The New York State Police has arrested 53 year old Gerald D. Makin Jr. of Corning following a comprehensive child exploitation investigation conducted by State Police Painted Post Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Troop E Computer Crimes Unit, and Troop E Forensic Investigation Unit. The investigation originated with a referral from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. State Police say that on September 24, 2024, a search warrant was executed on 20 E. Fourth Street in the city of Corning is part of an ongoing child exploitation investigation. During the search, numerous electronic devices were seized for forensic examination by the Troop E Computer Crim…

Two people were arrested after allegedly trying to scam a county resident out of thousands of dollars. Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard reports that on October 18, 2025, Deputies of the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office arrested 49 year old Chengbin Lin and 48 year old Linquing Chen, both of Brooklyn, New York. Allegedly Mr. Lin and Ms. Chen remotely took control of a Tuscarora resident’s computer, then attempted to scam $28,000 from that person. Luckily, the victim contacted the Sheriff’s Office with information on the scam and how the payment was arranged to occur. Deputies intervened and arrested Mr. Lin and Ms. Chen, who were charged with Attempted Grand Larceny in …

Read the rest here. Note: A similar protest was held on Church Street in Elmira in addition to numerous such protests around the country.

Folks looking for a little 90's throwback themed fun may want to check out the Parents Lounge Comedy show coming up November 7th and 9th at the Sayre Theater. The show, presented by Radigan Media Group and the Friends of the Sayre Theater Group, will feature an evening of stand-up comedy and fun. The pre-show kicks off at 6:15 pm featuring comedians Jay Yoder (The Bored Teachers Tour) and host Katie Behm as well as exclusive video content from Larry the Cable Guy, Bill Engvall, Lamb-Chop, Jeff Foxworthy, Andrea Barber and more. Then at 7:00 pm is the main event which will feature comedy not only the returning Jamie Kaler (Tacoma FD and Friends) and Jason Gowin (The Unbind…

In a post on social media over the weekend, Yales Music Shop in Athens announced that the store will not be reopening. This comes after a late night crash in which a stolen school bus crashed through the wall of the store in May. The statement read as follows: To our community, patrons, friends, and family: We deeply apologize for the minimal communication since a bus drove through the exterior wall of Yale’s Music Shop on May 25, 2025. The lack of communication has been due to the complex process through which our family has been collaborating with insurance companies, and various sub-contractors. We were not permitted in the building for one month due to the necessity o…