Elmira Fire Department responded to a reported fire in a wooded area behind 908 E. Church Street (Dandy Mart) on Sunday.

Upon arrival, crews encountered heavy smoke and active fire conditions consistent with an encampment fire. Firefighters worked quickly to contain and extinguish the blaze, preventing it from spreading further into the surrounding woods. The scene was thoroughly checked to ensure there were no remaining hot spots or risk of rekindle. No injuries were reported in connection with the incident.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

Guess the homeless folks didn't get the burn ban message.

There's all kinds of projects going on around Chemung County right now, according to WETM.

Which one are you looking forward to seeing?

3 hours ago, Elmira Telegram said:

Which one are you looking forward to seeing?

I'm pretty stoked for that Rural King.

1 hour ago, Chris said:

I'm pretty stoked for that Rural King.

All of them. Bobs, Chik Fil A, Rural King. Can't wait!

On 4/13/2026 at 2:15 PM, KarenK said:

Guess the homeless folks didn't get the burn ban message.

If it wasn’t so sad I’d laugh but what they do to the Community is awful. I believe it’s only going to get worse now that the weather is getting warmer.

Chick FIL A, I’ve heard so much about them I can’t wait to try it out. I’ll be waiting 6 months or so after they open. Gives employees time to work out any kinks and less crowds.

20 minutes ago, Ann said:

Chick FIL A, I’ve heard so much about them I can’t wait to try it out.

Yeah I have to agree on this one too. I remember Jeff Foxworthy saying that their chicken sandwich is so good, that if you put it on top of your head your tongue would beat your brains out trying to get to it.

Chick FIL A sandwich is better than Popeyes and KFC but honestly comparing it to those 2 is not really saying a lot. The one we went to in Florida was super busy but the waitstaff was really friendly and we did not really have to wait that long at all. I do like the Chick Fil A sauce you can buy that in grocery stores. Goes great on chicken or burgers. I am sure they will be super busy for the few months.

According to WETM News, the intersection at Broad Street and Grand Central Avenue will soon change from a two way stop to a four way stop intersection.

The site has been a common place for car crashes over the years.

2 hours ago, Elmira Telegram said:

According to WETM News, the intersection at Broad Street and Grand Central Avenue will soon change from a two way stop to a four way stop intersection.

The site has been a common place for car crashes over the years.

And that will work as long as drivers actually stop at the stop signs.

37 minutes ago, Ann said:

And that will work as long as drivers actually stop at the stop signs.

Which they often don't. Especially at that intersection.

At last night's meeting, the Elmira City Council approved a temporary ban on data centers in the city. The ban is for 18 months so the council can learn more about different types of centers and their impact on the community. The ban was passed with only 1st District Councilman Nick Grasso voting "nay."

2 hours ago, Chris said:

Which they often don't. Especially at that intersection.

That's always been the biggest accident corner in Horseheads. Not sure making it a 4 way stop will help. I noticed the Mayor made a statement on his page. Appears to be a bit irritated that someone leaked that news to WETM before he had a chance. Making it sound like they gave out incorrect info which does not appear to be the case.

1 hour ago, Elmira Telegram said:

At last night's meeting, the Elmira City Council approved a temporary ban on data centers in the city. The ban is for 18 months so the council can learn more about different types of centers and their impact on the community. The ban was passed with only 1st District Councilman Nick Grasso voting "nay."

Where in Elmira would they put a data center anyway?

5 hours ago, Elmira Telegram said:

At last night's meeting, the Elmira City Council approved a temporary ban on data centers in the city. The ban is for 18 months so the council can learn more about different types of centers and their impact on the community. The ban was passed with only 1st District Councilman Nick Grasso voting "nay."

Not sure I understand this. Is there some proposal in front of the planning or zoning board for a data center?

Otherwise, it seems like considering/approving any concepts would take way longer than 18 month anyway. So the idea of "banning" something that no one is even doing just seems like an emotional outburst.

40 minutes ago, MsKreed said:

Is there some proposal in front of the planning or zoning board for a data center?

Not that I’ve seen or heard.

2 hours ago, MsKreed said:

Not sure I understand this. Is there some proposal in front of the planning or zoning board for a data center?

Otherwise, it seems like considering/approving any concepts would take way longer than 18 month anyway. So the idea of "banning" something that no one is even doing just seems like an emotional outburst.

Good question. I just assumed there was since they went to the trouble of reviewing it, thus my question regarding where they would put it. lol

In the past few months, I keep hearing reports on the Ithaca radio station about town boards passing zoning laws prohibiting data centers and crypto-mining without any mentioning a specific concern/catalyst for it. It's like they just want to “protect the environment”. (examples: Dryden, Danby, and Ulysses)

 

So, I feel like it’s becoming kind of trendy for some local politicians to think they’re being “proactive” and taking a stand like a lot of municipalities were for wind and solar farms a few years ago.

7 hours ago, MsKreed said:

In the past few months, I keep hearing reports on the Ithaca radio station about town boards passing zoning laws prohibiting data centers and crypto-mining without any mentioning a specific concern/catalyst for it. It's like they just want to “protect the environment”. (examples: Dryden, Danby, and Ulysses)

 

So, I feel like it’s becoming kind of trendy for some local politicians to think they’re being “proactive” and taking a stand like a lot of municipalities were for wind and solar farms a few years ago.

And then the state stepped in and told them that they can't.

Erin shut down solar way back when. They they were told that they couldn't put moratoriums on private land owners (which is who challenged it) The state gave them 2 years to figure out rules and regs regarding private owners leasing property to solar (removal of equipment and cleanup after it's no longer viable). There are now several small solar "farms" in Erin.

The same thing will happen with data centers.

Edited May 6May 6 by KarenK

WENY News reports that construction on the new visitors center at the Elmira Civil War Prison Camp on Winsor Avenue in Elmira partially collapsed on Tuesday evening.

The collapse happened around 7 P.M. WENY News reports that no construction staff was on site at the time, but the collapse was heard and reported by a neighbor. Weather is believed to be a factor, with a thunderstorm with gusty winds moving over Elmira earlier in the evening.

2 hours ago, KarenK said:

And then the state stepped in and told them that they can't.

Erin shut down solar way back when. They they were told that they couldn't put moratoriums on private land owners (which is who challenged it) The state gave them 2 years to figure out rules and regs regarding private owners leasing property to solar (removal of equipment and cleanup after it's no longer viable). There are now several small solar "farms" in Erin.

The same thing will happen with data centers.

Yep....Catlin had drama and debate over banning windfarms....and found out that under the " Article 10 Process" there is a state committee responsible for approving all utility/power generation regardless of local Home Rule.

Although they knew it could/would be overridden if any proposal plans came along....Catlin passed the local law anyway "banning" wind farms as a symbolic gesture to quiet the activists that were monopolizing every meeting. LOL

As of now.....that specific Article 10 process applies to power generation sites, and I don't know if there's already a another law that covers data centers. But one party controls Albany with a super-majority, so they can/could pass a new law whenever they want.

But....That doesn't affect my point that these places didn't need any impending reason when they tried to ban wind/solar. Most were 'preemptive' strikes against what they were afraid might happen.

And personally, I support some of the arguments that the need to bring data centers into the US outweighs the fears/risks of having data centers nearby. Relying on Chinese data centers for "all the things" is pretty scary. It's not hyperbole to say the CCP could flip a few switches and shut down (and/or corrupt) a dangerous amount of critical things that we increasingly rely on.

Edited May 6May 6 by MsKreed

On 5/5/2026 at 9:18 AM, Elmira Telegram said:

According to WETM News, the intersection at Broad Street and Grand Central Avenue will soon change from a two way stop to a four way stop intersection.

The site has been a common place for car crashes over the years.

Can someone explain why this sign appears to be on the wrong side?

If the images angle is the back side of the sign, it should be located on the other side of Broad St at point "A"....

If we're looking at the front side of the sign, it should be over on the righthand side of Grand Central at point "B".

I don't disagree that it needs a 4-way stop.

However, the biggest objection seems to be that drivers on Grand Central will overlook a "new" sign. And putting a new sign on the wrong side of the road is a good way for drivers to overlook it.

Edited May 6May 6 by MsKreed

Oh wow, I didn’t notice that. WTF?

56 minutes ago, Chris said:

Oh wow, I didn’t notice that. WTF?

Me neither. I'll be going through there tomorrow afternoon and will have to look.