Local News Chat

This will be an ongoing section for shorter news items that don't require a topic of their own.

County Elections 2026 This is a working list of those who have declared their candidacy for this year's county elections or are presumed to be until proven otherwise. Names will be added or removed as time goes on or primaries are held. Current incumbents are in bold. Chemung County ExecutiveChristopher Moss ( R ) Mark Margeson ( R ) 1st Legislative DistrictLawana Morse (R) Brent Tarantino ( R ) 2nd Legislative DistrictMichael Saglibene (R) John Boire (D) 3rd Legislative DistrictL. Thomas Sweet (R) Don Ziegler ( R ) 4th Legislative District ( Currently Vacant )Joseph Atkinson ( R ) Justin Rusak (R) 5th Legislative DistrictMark Margeson (R) Ed Bond (D) Nichole Elsto…

May as well start another thread to keep the gunshot reports all in one place.

According to multiple news agencies, the planned Rural King store at 299 Main Street in Elmira, the former Tops Supermarket, is moving forward. City officials, along with the Chemung County IDA, met last night to go over planned renovations at the store. The store's opening was announced in February, and it will be the first Rural King location in New York State. The retailer supplies hardware, animal feed, tools, and much more. It has been described by many as "Tractor Supply on steroids." In addition to jobs, the Rural King store is expected to be a badly needed shot in the arm for the city of Elmira. Company representatives say that the average Rural King store bring…

In a letter to the media, Elmira Police Department Chief Kristen Thorne announced the arrest of one of the officers in his department. According to Chief Thorne, on July 18th of this year he was advised that an Elmira Police officer allegedly provided confidential information to someone which not only jeopardized an active investigation but also placed individuals involved in that investigation at risk. Thorne says that the officer was immdiately suspended, which including revoking all access to the department buildings, files and information systems. At that time the department requested the assistance of the New York State Police Department due to the seriousness of the…

According to a post by Capriotti Properties on Facebook, Centertown Social, located in the heart of Elmira's downtown is set to open soon. Centertown Social will be a brewery style bar and restaurant that will also include a gaming area as well as outdoor seating and a stage area. The building, which has been vacant ofr years, was once home to businesses such as Chuck Clark's and Deister & Butler Jewelry. The renovation and construction for this new project has lasted three years. There will be no shortage of seating available with tables and booths throughout the building as well as a VIP area. Other features will include two golf simulators, darts, billiards, as w…

Eldridge Park will close the 2026 season with the Future Firefighters Fun Fest featuring the nationally recognized Firefighter Show this coming Saturday and Sunday. Sponsored by TC Energy, The Future Firefighter Training Show includes a smoke house, simulated fire scenes and their epic water cannon. In addition, local fire departments will be on hand with their vehicles and equipment while doing actual demonstrations of rescue diving, water rescue, motor vehicle extractions, Hazardous materials responses and more. The Guthrie Medical Helicopter will also be on display if available. The free shows are at 1pm, 3pm and 5pm each day. In addition, the first ever Duck Drop w…

A new Federally Qualified Health Center is coming to Chemung County. According to county legislatures, it will service everyone. The Federally Qualified Health Center is a community-based health care system that provides primary care and other supportive services to underserved communities. The Chautauqua Center went to the county to expand its current facilities into Elmira. So, this will be a facility in Elmira, not an extension of the Chautauqua Center. Read more about it here.

On August 13, 2026, the New York State Police arrested 48 year old William J. Groff of Horseheads in connection with a grand larceny investigation in the town of Big Flats. The investigation began March 23, 2026, after troopers received a complaint from a Big Flats resident who reported paid Groff $15,000 in cash for construction work at his residence. The total cost of the project was reportedly $43,000. According to the investigation, Groff performed approximately two hours of work at the residence on December 10, 2025, completing limited drywall and framing work. The complainant reported that the work was incomplete and did not meet the agreed-upon specifications. …

The Chemung County Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of 31-year-old Kaitlin A. Wilson of Phoenix, Arizona, for Criminal Possession of a Firearm in the Second Degree, a Class C Felony. The Sheriff's Department says that on August 16, a Sheriff's Deputy, while working at the Elmira Corning Regional Airport, was notified by the Transportation Security Administration that a loaded handgun was found in the defendant’s checked baggage. The Chemung County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division was then notified of the investigation, and it was later determined that Wilson does not possess a New York State Pistol Permit. As a result of the investigation, Wils…

The Eldridge Park Carousel Preservation Society has announced that the annual Fireworks and Party in the Park will be moving to a new location in 2027. Details have not been finalized but the event will not be held at Eldridge Park. “Unfortunately, as the fireworks grew and our crowds increased, we could no longer guarantee a safe environment for our patrons” said Board Secretary Bob Kramarik. “Over 10,000 people attended inside the park this year with thousands enjoying the fireworks offsite. Even with increased security, we encountered multiple people smoking around children, riding e-bikes through the crowd and groups starting fights. These groups who refused to f…

The Chemung County Health Department is seeking anyone who may have been bitten by a gray and white cat near Herrick St, Franklin St, and Jefferson St, on Elmira’s southside around August 12, 2026. The cat has not been seen since August 13, 2026, but is presumed rabid because it was unusually aggressive. Humans can get rabies from a bite, scratch, or contact with spit from a rabid animal. Rabies is a disease that is almost always fatal, unless it is treated before symptoms appear. Treatment for rabies exposure in humans involves a series of four vaccinations administered over the course of two weeks as well as one dose of Rabies Immune Globulin. Symptoms of an animal act…

ELMIRA, NY (WETM) – Elmira City Councilman Nick Grasso is now charged with harassment after what police describe as an assault on a woman. Grasso had his first court appearance on the new charges in Elmira City Court on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. Source

On Sunday January 11th at approximately 9:20pm Elmira Police were dispatched to Centertown Parking Garage for the report of a possible shooting. Police say officers arrived on scene to find one person had been shot. The victim was taken from the scene to an area hospital for treatment. The victim’s status and identity are not being released at this time. This did not appear to be a random act. The Elmira Police Department is actively investigating this incident and anyone with information about the incident is requested to call the Elmira Police Department at (607) 737-5626 or leave a message on the anonymous tip line at (607) 271-HALT.

Elmira Police Department's K9 Grady has received a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. Grady’s vest was sponsored by Eve R. Hershkowitz of Brielle, NJ and embroidered with the sentiment “Gifted by Eve R. Hershkowitz, Brielle, NJ”. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S. made, custom fitted, and National Institute of Justic…

An Elmira man has been arrested after police say he was found to be in possession of what's known as a "ghost gun." Elmira Police say on August 7th at around 12:01 am, officers responded to the 400 block of West 5th Street for a disturbance. While investigating the disturbance officers were advised of the possibility of a gun being involved. As a result of the investigation, officers recovered a loaded 9mm privately manufactured semi-automatic handgun, also known as a “ghost gun”, loaded with 9 live rounds of 9mm ammunition. As a result, Tremaine Woodard, no age or address given, was arrested and charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd Degree a Class C Felony an…

On July 31, 2026 at about 10:50 A.M., Chemung County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to the Arnot Ogden Medical Center, for the report of an assault that occurred in the Town of Veteran. Deputies learned that the victim had been struck in the face with an aluminum pipe, causing injury to the victim. The Criminal Investigation Division was made aware of the assault and assisted in the remainder of the investigation. As a result, 42-year-old Robert J. Merrill of Beaver Dams was arrested and charged with Assault in the 2nd Degree, a Class D Felony. Merrill was arraigned in the Town of Big Flats Court and remanded to the Chemung County Jail. He is scheduled to appear in c…

The Chemung County Sheriff’s Office has arrested 31-year-old Logan J. Hopkins of Elmira for Burglary in the Second Degree, a Class C Felony, Burglary in the Third Degree, a Class D Felony, and Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a Class D Felony. The Sheriff's Office says that April 28, 2026, the Chemung County Sheriff’s Office Road Patrol Division responded to an address on Mathews Road, in the Town of Baldwin, for a report of a burglary of a residence and garage on the property. After the initial investigation, the Criminal Investigations Division was contacted and took over the investigation. Upon further investigation by the Criminal Investigations Division, it wa…

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The owner of 420 Novelties in Elmira was arrested recently regarding the sale of marijuana. On July 16, 2026, a Chemung County Grand Jury Indicted 51 year old Christopher J. Mickinkle of Erin on three counts in violation of NYS Penal Law section 222.40 Subdivision 1. Mickinkle was arrested on the above listed warrants on August 1st without incident. Mickinkle was arraigned earier today in Chemung County Court and released. Police say the indictment is a result of an investigation conducted by the Elmira Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit, New York State Police VGNET, New York State Police SIU, New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) and the Chemung Coun…

WENY News

Mel Brooks' madcap comedy Young Frankenstein is coming to the stage at Elmira Little Theatre, bringing the beloved 1974 film to life with memorable songs, larger-than-life characters, and plenty of laughs. For actor Tim Collins, who plays Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, the production has been one of the most enjoyable projects he's tackled in years. "To work with Mel Brooks, this script, these songs written by the man based on his time-honored film—it's the funnest project I've been involved in in a long time," Collins said. The musical follows Frederick Frankenstein, grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, who has spent his life distancing himself from his family's no…

Saw this on the city website. A million hoops to jump through for a temporary job? Yea, no.

ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) — For generations, the Iszard’s building was a place where Elmira families went to shop, gather, and make memories. Now, nearly 40 years after the department store closed, the downtown landmark is getting ready to open its doors once again. Developer Jim Capriotti says the building is about to have a completely new purpose, one that keeps its history alive while bringing something new to the community. According to Capriotti, instead of becoming another department store, the plan is to turn the first floor into a space for local businesses and restaurants. The top three floors will be converted into apartments and condominiums, giving people the chance…