Local News

I heard a TV ad say that the H.L. Stephen’s Horseheads location is closing. So I checked online to confirm: I haven’t been there in a long, long time but I believe that’s going to leave the former Sears end of the mall completely empty.

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A Horseheads man is facing sex abuse charges according to the New York State Police. The New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) in Horseheads, in cooperation with the Elmira Police Department, arrested 29 year old Kenneth G. Morales of Horseheads following a joint investigation into sexual abuse involving multiple juvenile victims. State Police say the investigation began in August 2025 after information was developed regarding historical sexual abuse in both Chemung and Schuyler Counties. Forensic interviews were conducted at the Chemung County Child Advocacy Center, and Morales was identified as the suspect. On October 8, 2025, Morales was taken…

According to Sheriff WIlliam Schrom, the Chemung County Sheriff's Office has again been awarded a Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Grant through the U.S. Department of Justice. The grant is titled "Operation Take Back The Streets II" and will allow the Chemung County Sheriff's Office to collaborate with its law enforcement partners in Chemung County to ensure the safety and quality of life of its citizens. Schrom says the grant will allow for funding to help enhance this collaboration through training, intelligence sharing and enforcement efforts. It will also assist law enforcement in fighting the increase in shootings throughout the county and other crimes p…

The Chemung County Legislature has scheduled a special meeting of the Highway Committee Chaired by 15th District Legislator Rodney Strange to be held on October 6, 2025. The purpose of this meeting is to amend a 10-year-old resolution, which will allow the City of Elmira to continue receiving a free DPW workforce costing county taxpayers approximately 1.5 million dollars per year. In June of 2025, the County Executive advised the City that the 10-year-old agreement was being terminated as per the termination clause in the contract and that a new agreement was being drafted, whereupon the City would be responsible to pay the County for labor costs (phased in over a 4 year …

On Tuesday October 14, 2025 24-year-old Kayla Patchen of Pine City was arrested following an investigation conducted by the Chemung County Department of Social Services Special Investigations Unit and the Elmira Police Department. According to police, the investigation found that Patchen filed fraudulent paperwork for public assistance with the Chemung County Department of Social Services. As a result, she received $4,520.00 in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits that she was not eligible to receive. Kayla M Patchen was charged with one count of Welfare Fraud 3rd(a Class D Felony), one count of Grand Larceny 3rd, which is a Class E felony.

At a ceremony held earlier today at the Clemens Center in Elmira, Emmy Award winning actor Richard Thomas was presented the key to the city by Elmira Mayor Dan Mandell and others in attendance. Thomas is best known for his portrayal of John Boy Walton on the hit series, The Waltons, as well as Bill Denbrough in the 1990 adaptation of Stephen King's It. Thomas took over the role of Mark Twain in Mark Twain Tonight from the late Hal Holbrook who first premiered the show back in 1966. Holbrook himself made several appearances as Mark Twain here in Elmira over the years. Mark Twain Tonight will show tonight and tomorrow at the Clemens Center. Photos courtesy of the City …

On Friday October 10, 2025 25-year-old Jada Ferrell of Elmira was arrested following an investigation conducted by the Chemung County Department of Social Services Special Investigations Unit and the Elmira Police Department. According to police the investigation found that Ferrell filed fraudulent paperwork for public assistance with the Chemung County Department of Social Services. As a result, she received $5,618.00 in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits that she was not eligible to receive. Ferrell was charged with one count of Welfare Fraud 3rd(a Class D Felony), one count of Grand Larceny 3rd(a Class D Felony), and one count of Offering a Fals…

In a recent post on social media, Olthof Funeral Home has announced that after decades in business, they have decided to close. "After nearly 80 years of serving our Elmira community, we've closed our doors and will no longer be serving families. For the time being, our business office will remain open for anyone with questions or who may need assistance. We were founded in 1946 by Robert L. and Louise Smith Olthof, and through three generations of family dedication, we became a trusted name in compassionate care and service. Through the decades, the Olthof family built a legacy rooted in kindness, professionalism, and respect for every family served. To our Elmira commu…

The Chemung County Sheriff’s Office announces the arrest of 48 year old Brian J. Rought of Towanda for Attempted Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a Class E Felony. According to Sheriff William Schrom, on July 12, 2023, at or around 9:48 A.M., the Chemung County Sheriff’s Office Road Patrol Division was dispatched to Glider City Cycles in the Town of Southport, for a report of a larceny. The Chemung County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division assisted with the investigation. It was determined that ROUGHT had purchased two motorcycles valued at $11,388.00. Rought provided Glider City Cycles with a signed check for the sum of the two motorcycles. Upon further…

For a year or more, New Yorkers, including many here in the Southern Tier, have been complaining about the rapid increase in their electric bills. Some feel it's because of the new "smart meters" NYSEG has installed, thought NYSEG denies they have anything to do with it. But many New Yorkers are certain something is amiss. And now, WETM and other news have reported this story: Which leaves many to wonder, if they're screwing things up like that, what other mistakes are being made? Are they mistakes at all? We want to know: What has your experience been with NYSEG billing over the past year or two? What do you think is the cause or possible solution to this?

An Elmira man is facing child exploitation charges according to the Elmira Police Department. Police say on October 6th, 2025 members of the Elmira Police Department Detective Bureau executed a search warrant at a residence on the north side of Elmira. The search warrant was based on an investigation initiated by the NYS Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. Three CyberTips sent to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children provided information that an Elmira resident had uploaded several dozen videos containing child sexual abuse material to the internet by disseminating this material to others through an online social networking platform. As a…

In a letter sent out to the media earlier today, City Manager Mike Collins assured the public that, despite a recent news report, the city's animal shelter will not be closing at the end of this year. The letter reads: "On Thursday, October 2, 2025, WETM 18 News reported inaccurate information pertaining to the Elmira Animal Shelter. The Elmira Animal Shelter will not be closing at the end of 2025. On Monday, October 6, 2025, Elmira City Council will be voting on the city to retain a grant writer to assist in the preparation of a grant application for the City’s Animal Shelter. The city submitted a grant application last November to the NYS Department of Agriculture and …