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Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Obituary: Keith M. Knibloe, 93, Fillmore


Fillmore - Keith M. Knibloe of 5613 County Road 4 died Wednesday, October 31, 2018 in Olean General Hospital. He was born on January 5, 1925 in the Town of Granger, a son of the late Donald and Beula Mills Knibloe. On April 2, 1947 on Dutch Hill he married Grace M. Talbott who predeceased him on September 6, 2017.
Keith was a graduate of Fillmore Central School, class of 1944. He was a member of the former Hume United Methodist Church, now Friends in Christ United Methodist Church.
Keith was a lifelong Dairy farmer, worked on the railroad during nights, was on the Granger Town Board and later served as the Justice of the Peace where he performed one wedding. He also belonged to the Dairyman’s League, the Holstein Friesian Association, the USDA-FSA, the History Club and the 50 plus Fillmore Central School reunion. 
He loved to hunt, wood work, travel, which included cruises and train trips, crewing and riding on the Knibloe balloon, Monday night poker with friends and collected railroad memorabilia including signs and several cabooses.
Surviving is a son, Douglas (Maribeth) Knibloe of Fillmore, four granddaughters, Stacey Knibloe of Lancaster, Jennifer Knibloe (Josh Gross) of Rushville, Marianne Knibloe (Robert Whisker) of Lancaster, Melissa (Jon) Saulter of Rushford, nine great-grandchildren, a brother, Paul (Marie) Knibloe of Hamburg and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife and parents he was predeceased by a brother, Wells Knibloe, a sister, Elaine Trott and a daughter in law, Jill Knibloe.
Family and friends may gather from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, November 2, 2018 and from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 3, 2018 at the Kopler-Williams Funeral Home 21 N. Genesee Street, Fillmore where funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. Roger Talbott, Keith’s nephew, will officiate. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Fillmore.
Memorials if desired to: Fillmore Rescue Squad Box 238 Fillmore, N.Y. 14735 or Short Tract Fire Department, 10363 Co. Rd. 15 Fillmore, N.Y. 14735.

Guest Column: Can Our Minds Be Won?

By Lee Marcus
What a week, last week. Angry white man mails 14 pipe bombs to top leaders of the Democratic party plus CNN, a liberal philanthropist, and an actor. Oddly, this is the same hit list the president calls on in his raucous, sometimes frightening rallies across the country. Days later another angry white man attempts to attack an African American church, but fails, only to go to a supermarket and kill two people there. And on Saturday, another angry white man attacks a Jewish synagogue during services, killing eleven worshipers. The president, unable to stick to his teleprompter, blames the victims for not having armed guards protecting the congregation. In other words: right of way belongs to the shooter.
Where have we heard this before? In the Kavanaugh hearings we learned that right of way belongs to the would-be rapist. If the victim didn’t run immediately to the police, or if she doesn’t remember the address where the attack happened, then not only is the accusation unproven, the accused is proven innocent. There will always be a mitigating “if,” because in Trump’s view, right of way belongs to the white male. Period.
Okay, how did our regional leadership respond to these events? Did Congressperson Tom Reed offer his female constituents any kind of reassurance that would help to break the silence we all maintain as the bitter pill, the only option, when recovering from sexual discrimination or assault? No.
Did he decry political violence as un-American and unworthy of his party? No. Tom Reed’s response to our current political malaise is to run an ad full of lies so brazen that anyone who knows anything about Tracy Mitrano is almost forced to laugh out loud. But the ad ends with images of a computer monitor, on which Mitrano’s face appears, being thrown through a second-story window, then smashed by someone wielding the keyboard, and a hammer thrown on the pile for good measure. What about the safety of people passing by on the street? What about civility in our body politic? Too bad: right of way to the angry white man.

This isn’t the America for which our fathers and grandfathers fought and died 75 years ago. It is, sad to say, the America millions of indigenous people, African Americans, LGBTQ, and women have died for. This America’s byword is All White Men Are Created Special. (Everybody else, dog eat dog.)
We seem to be on a precipice. I’ve been on a precipice myself before, and I know it takes real determination to get back to safety. Let me suggest something.
The Haudenosaunee (also known as Iroquois) Nation, right here in New York State, has a well-worn tradition that I believe could help us now. It is called a Thanksgiving Prayer. Most Americans take one day each year to come together and share our thanks for the blessings that surround us. Members of the Haudenosaunee tribes do this every time they gather. In a series of poetic pronouncements they thank the Earth under their feet for the food it grows; the water for nourishing life; in turn the wind, the sky, the animals, the sun, the moon, and so on. After each message of gratitude, they declare, “Now our minds are one.”
Imagine it. Here’s where we stand. Here’s what we have to be grateful for. And now our minds are one. It would be hard to turn on each other after an invocation like that. 

I would like to point out that the huge crowd in Pittsburgh that gathered on Saturday night shared their grief over the synagogue shootings with a chant. Did they call for revenge? No. They chanted, “VOTE. VOTE. VOTE. VOTE.” This means we still have leverage. 

If you visit the wonderful Ganondagan State Historic Site in Victor, you will discover that the founders of our fledgling nation shamelessly borrowed from our indigenous neighbors even while attempting to exterminate them. The result was a version of democracy that set forth principles of equality and human rights, even if its authors didn’t really mean to suggest that all people were equally human. White women in the Finger Lakes region later took as a revelation the discovery that their female indigenous neighbors lived lives of equality, respect, and power. It is doubtful our foremothers could have conceived the robust Declaration of Sentiments without this connection to the Haudenosaunee tribes. 

America, at last, seems to have gone sour. Can we muster the humility to borrow a cup of sugar from the neighbors, again? Something like:  

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all people are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Now our minds are one. 

If we were to share these words at every gathering (instead of the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem, both of which have been all but weaponized), maybe we could begin to imagine a national story again. An American identity. And people who cannot accept this American premise would at least recede from public life, even if they cannot be persuaded. I hold out this hope.
 
Lee is a former staff writer for the Hornell Evening Tribune, has been an occasional columnist for 20 years, is a playwright and author. Lee lives in Arkport

Obituary: Betty J. Hamilton, 84, Hornell

HORNELL - Betty L. Hamilton, 84, formerly of Church Street Court, passed away Tuesday (October 30, 2018) at the Hornell Gardens.
Born in Franklinville, NY, December 7, 1933, the daughter of Gordon and Carrie House Patterson, she had resided in Hornell since about 1947. She was a life member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Hornell VFW.
Betty had been employed at the Hornell Evening Tribune for 18 years, and as a nurse’s aide at the former Bethesda Community Hospital.
She was predeceased by her first husband; William Brott , her second husband; Bradley Hamilton as well as her sons; Ronald and Steven Brott. She was also predeceased by two sisters; Phyllis Snyder and Joyce Nichols as well as her brother; Robert Patterson.
She is survived by three daughters; Jean (Clarence) Freas Jr. of Stephens Mills, Judy (James) Bicker of North Hornell and Cindy Plank of Hornell, her half brothers; Gordon Patterson Jr., and Scott Patterson, 17 grandchildren and several great and great great grandchildren.
To send a remembrance to the family, please visit
www.brownandpowersfuneralhomes.com. The family is being assisted by Gerald R. Brown, Director.
The family will be present to receive friends at the Bender - Brown & Powers Funeral Home, 354 Canisteo St, Hornell on Friday (Nov. 2, 2018) from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m.  where a Memorial Service will be held following calling hours at 6 p.m. Rev. Dena Stevens will officiate. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Canisteo.
Friends may make memorial contributions to: The Hornell Area Humane Society, 7649 Industrial Park Road, Hornell, NY 14843 or to the charity of the donor’s choice.  

Allegany County Deputies make drug bust in Cuba

Allegany County Sheriff Ricky L. Whitney reports that on October 30, 2018, following a lengthy investigation into the alleged possession and sale of narcotics in the Town of Cuba, Investigators from the Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit arrested Dustin J. Washington, age 29, of Hinsdale charging him with the following:

-         Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd Degree

-         Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd Degree

Washington was processed and transported to the Town of Cuba Court where he was arraigned and remanded to the Allegany County Jail with bail set at $5,000.00 cash or $10,000.00 bond. Washington will reappear in the Town of Cuba Court on November 20, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. for additional court action.

Obituary: Joseph A. Gormley, 64, of Sabinsville, PA


Joseph A. Gormley, 64, of Sabinsville, PA, formerly of Philadelphia, died Monday, October 29, 2018 in his home.  Born December 10, 1953, in Philadelphia, he was the son of Joseph Anthony and Joanne E. Sireci Gormley.  He was employed by MedPlast in Westfield as a mechanic.  Surviving are:  his mother, Joanne Gormley of Hanceville, AL;  a brother, James Gormley of Hanceville, AL;  a sister, Kelly Ann (Shane) Goodno of Palm Springs, FL; nieces and nephews;  and caregivers, Leigh Ann and John Leibig of Sabinsville.  He was predeceased by his father in 1984.  A memorial gathering will be announced on a later date.  Memorials may be made to the Patterson Cancer Center, c/o UPMC Cole, 1001 E. Second St., Coudersport, PA 16915.  Arrangements are entrusted to Olney Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Ulysses, PA.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.olneyfuneralhome.com.

Livingston County: Two Sheriff's Office Members Receive Communications/Dispatch Awards

Center - Dispatcher Matthew Snyder
LIVINGSTON COUNTY: Sheriff Thomas J. Dougherty announces two outside awards for two Sheriff’s Office members in the Communications Bureau.
Recently two of our members were acknowledged for their outstanding performance at the Association of Public-Safety Communications (APCO) Atlantic Chapter conference that was held in Connecticut.
Dispatcher Matthew Snyder was originally nominated for Trainer of the Year award because of all the efforts he has put in to our Communication's Bureau training program, but after reviewing the nomination, the APCO Atlantic committee decided his nomination should be considered for the Dispatcher of the Year award.

Center: Communication's Specialist, Randy Worden

Communication's Specialist, Randy Worden, was nominated for Radio Frequency Technologist of the Year award for all of his efforts in maintaining the radio system for all Law Enforcement agencies, highway departments and fire and EMS agencies.
"We are very fortunate to have a bureau full of competent, highly trained, and incredible people," said Director Amanda Schultz of the Sheriff's Office Communications Bureau. "A job well done by both of our members."
"Public safety all starts in our communications center and we have the finest Dispatchers at the ready," stated Sheriff Dougherty. "Please join me in congratulating Dispatcher Snyder and Comm Spec Worden for their outstanding service."

Steuben Summit alerts local agencies of exploited youth


BATH - The sexual exploitation of children can’t happen here. Not in Steuben County. “As a patrol officer, that’s what I thought,” county Sheriff Jim Allard told participants at the county’s Steuben Vulnerable Youth Summit Tuesday morning. “I’ve come to realize I should have looked more closely at those (kids). I only looked at the criminal aspect of their behavior, such as trespass, disorderly conduct, not at the underlying aspect of why they behaved like that.” Allard was one of several panelists representing services and county agencies on the front line of human trafficking of children under the age of 18. In attendance were more than 100 people from more than 20 schools, churches, youth advocacy and substance abuse prevention programs. Commercial sexual and labor exploitation of children does happen in Steuben, as it does in other counties across the state and nation, panelists said. Sexual exploitation can occur when a child is forced to perform sex acts in return for something of value such as drugs, food or a place to stay. Drug abuse also is common. “If there is drug abuse in your community, there is human trafficking in your community,” Allard said. "It’s as simple as that.”
Homeless or mistreated youth are especially vulnerable when it comes to human predators who promise survival and safety in return for sex or work, panelists said. In addition, many youth simply believe it’s accepted behavior or a job like any other. Deb Kuehner, summit keynote speaker and founder of Potter’s Hands, a 12-bed safe house in the county for exploited women, said signs a child may be exploited include:
· Presence of an overly controlling or abusive boyfriend.
· Excess amount of cash
· Chronic runaway/homeless youth
· Signs or tattoos as “brands”
Lying about age/false identification; Inconsistency in stories
· Lack of knowledge about a given community and whereabouts
· Inability to make, or fear of, contact with any authority, such as police, teachers, responsible adults
· Injuries/ signs of physical abuse or torture
· Restricted/scripted communication
· Behavior -- defensive, rude, evasive, aggressive
· Demeanor-- fear, anxiety, depression, submissive, tense, nervous
· Little knives or weapons used to keep themselves safe.
· Provocative style of shoes and clothing. "And we don't want to lose sight the fact labor trafficking occurs, too, when a child is forced to work in exchange for little or no pay," said county Youth Bureau Coordinator Bill Caudill.
The summit marked a year-long effort by related Steuben agencies to set the groundwork for a successful campaign to end abusive exploitation and help runaway and homeless youth. Recognizing the problem is the first step toward stopping the problem, county Vulnerable Youth project coordinator Lisa Baker said. “A lot of people believe it just can’t be happening here,” Baker said. “Well, it is. We’re working on telling people what it is and what they can do to stop it. Our first priority is the safety of our children.” The event was sponsored by the county Department of Social Services and county Youth Bureau and supported by the state Office of Children and Family Services.

JOIN THE OFFICE FOR THE AGING TAX TEAM

The Allegany County Office for the Aging is looking for volunteers to help people with their tax returns.  This is a great opportunity if you are looking for a way to help others in your community.  You do not need prior experience, and you will receive free tax law training to help prepare basic tax forms.
If you like working with numbers, have experience in filing your own tax returns, and have some free time during the months of January, February, March and April, we invite you to be part of our team.  The free training will be in Belmont on January 14, 16, 18, 22, 23, & 25, 2019.
In 2018, the Office for the Aging Tax Volunteers helped more than 360 people prepare and e-file their income tax returns and brought in over $200,000 in refunds. 
The Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program (TCE) offers free income tax assistance for low to moderate income Allegany County residents.  Volunteer Tax Counselors are trained and certified to help people who are 60 and over with federal, state and local returns.  The Office for the Aging partners with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to provide the TCE program.
If you are interested in joining the team of TCE volunteers, or if you would like more information, please call the Office for the Aging 268-9390 or toll-free 1-866-268-9390 and ask for Karen.

Steuben OES warns of CO smoke detector recall

 
BATH – The Consumer Protection and Safety Commission has recalled the Kidde combination CO/smoke alarm (Model Number KN-COSM-IB) due to a serious and potentially fatal malfunction, according to the Steuben County Office of Emergency Services. According to the recall, originally issued Nov. 10, 2016, the alarms fail to alert the homeowner for carbon monoxide or smoke by chirping. Recent incidents have been reported in which the detector did not alert residents to dangerous conditions and could have resulted in deaths. Since then the popular model has been reported at two other locations in the area. "We believe there may be many homeowners who did not see the recall and are still using the alarm," county Office of Emergency Services Director Tim Marshall said. "We urge everyone to check their CO/smoke detectors and discard and replace them if they have been recalled. Not only won’t the detectors save lives, they could cost them."
For more information:
Kidde toll-free at 855-239-0490 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Notice" for more information.

Scio Lions present proceeds of Dice Run to Diabetes Center at Jones Memorial


WELLSVILLE, NY - The Scio Lions Club recently donated the proceeds from its first-ever Side by Side Dice Run to the Wellsville Lions Club Diabetes Center at Jones Memorial Hospital. The August event was held at the Tall Pines ATV Park in Andover.
“This year, the Scio Lions Club is focusing our efforts on raising diabetes awareness,” said Curt Burdick, of the Scio Lions Club. “Erika’s enthusiasm and drive are contagious and we are excited to work with her on making the diabetes center an educational resource for all diabetics.” Erika Zerkowski, MS, RDN, CDE, CDN, is the Diabetes Center Coordinator.
According to the Scio Lions, there were over 125 registered drivers at the dice run event. The money was raised through registrations, a 50/50 drawing, and sales of hot dogs, soft drinks, and water. The support of the Seneca Allegany Casino, Texas Hot Restaurant, the Cuba Chamber of Commerce, Giant Food Mart, and East Side Yamaha was important to the success of the dice run.
“This was our first one and we learned a lot about putting on a dice run and we are looking forward to doing it again in 2019,” Mr. Burdick said, noting that special thanks were due to Angelica Ink, Lions District 20E1, the Wellsville Lions Club, and L’Italia.
Several Dice Run committee members stopped by the Diabetes Center to deliver the proceeds of the event: A check for $2,452. (In photo above) On hand to present the check to Erika, center, were, from left, Wellsville Lion Kent Johnson, Scio Lion Mike Kunz, Scio Lion Curt Burdick, Scio Lion Tom Middleton, Diabetes Center Coordinator Erika Zerkowski, Wellsville Lion Mike Raptis, JMH VP of Patient Care Services Donna Bliven, and Jones CEO Eva Benedict. 
“I can’t thank you enough for the support the Lions have provided the Diabetes Center,” Erika noted, adding that she is planning on using these funds to purchase new educational materials and props. “It is much more effective to use a prop to SHOW what diabetic neuropathy looks like rather than just try and describe it.”
For information about the Diabetes Center or to make a donation to support it, please contact Erika Zerkowski at (585) 596-4035.

2018 NYS Gubernatorial challenger Larry Sharpe calls Cuomo out for his hypocritical disrespect towards women

Press Release

Larry Sharpe (L) is excited for the November 1, 2018, debate hosted by the League of Women Voters of New York State, and the opportunity it is supposed to provide the voters in seeing all of their gubernatorial candidates sharing their plans for New York State. But to this date, incumbent Governor Andrew Cuomo has ignored the invitation and his responsibility to the New York voters.
“How long will the nominee representing the Women's Equality Party ignore the League of Women Voters of New York State? His continued silence is appalling and an insult to women voters everywhere,” said Sharpe. “I am a Marine, I am not afraid of a debate. I look forward to taking part in the November 1st debate, with or without King Cuomo.”
Sharpe the only candidate in the Governor’s race to have held campaign events in all 62 counties, and continues to demonstrate his commitment to offering voters an alternative to more of the same in New York State. Sharpe has crisscrossed the state over the past year to share his messages of eliminating the state income tax, repealing the SAFE Act, innovative education options, localizing more government decisions, relieving over-regulated farmers, saving Main Street, family court reform, and stopping the population exodus from NY.
“This is the only campaign that gets Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and those who don’t vote,” said Sharpe. “We’re bringing people together from all over the spectrum with this grassroots movement.”
The debate is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on November 1, 2018, at The College of Saint Rose in Albany. Tickets are sold out, but more seats may be made available. People wishing to attend can add their name to the waitlist here: https://lwvnygubernatorialdebate.eventbrite.com. It can also be live-streamed on the League of Women Voters of New York State Facebook Page.
Larry Sharpe (L) is a Bronx native, a Marine Corps veteran, an entrepreneur, and a management consultant with 15 years of experience mentoring international executives, entrepreneurs & sales people. He is also a teacher, previously serving as a guest instructor for business management and leadership at institutions such as Yale University, Columbia University, Baruch College and John Jay College. He is now running for Governor of New York in order to make education more effective through innovation, reform the criminal justice system to focus on rehabilitation, and build an economy that works for all of New York State.

GOVERNOR CUOMO ANNOUNCES "MEAL SHAMING" ENDED IN ALL NEW YORK SCHOOLS

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced all schools in New York State have adopted plans to end "meal shaming" of students who do not have money for lunch. This is the latest success in the Governor's "No Student Goes Hungry" program, which addresses food insecurity by expanding access to free breakfast and farm-fresh foods as well as ensuring all students have access to school meals without fear of shame. The program also includes $1.5 million to expand the successful Farm-to-School program. To date, all required schools have successfully adopted and submitted a plan to the New York State Education Department that will address how they prohibit meal shaming and how meal debt will be communicated to parents while ensuring every student is still provided a meal without humiliation or shame. All school plans have been posted on the schools' websites.
 
"No child should ever go hungry - especially at school - and students should never be humiliated or denied a well-rounded meal just because they can't pay," Governor Cuomo said. "This significant milestone in our No Student Goes Hungry Program will ensure all children get a healthy meal in school even if they don't have lunch money and provide a supportive learning environment so every student can succeed."
 
"We're committed to providing students with the nutritious food they need in school with our 'No Student Goes Hungry' program," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. "We will not tolerate meal shaming in New York, and school districts across the state have submitted plans to address the issue. We want to ensure that all children have the resources they need to succeed inside and outside the classroom, and this is another step in our efforts to enhance educational opportunities and quality of life for New York families."
 
Meal shaming is a disgraceful practice in some schools where children are publicly humiliated in front of their peers by adults for not having money for lunch. In many cases, these students are forced to wear a sticker or bracelet, or have their name called over the loud speaker. In other cases, these students are given alternative, lesser quality lunches, such as a cold cheese sandwich, when other students get hot lunches. In examples from other states, some children are simply being denied food if they cannot pay.
 
The Governor's 2018-2019 budget amended the New York State Education Law to require all public, non-public and charter schools that require students to pay for a school meal to develop a written plan to ensure that a student with unpaid meal charges is not denied a meal or treated differently than a student who does not have unpaid school meal charges. The schools were required to submit their completed Prohibition Against Meal Shaming plans to the New York State Education Department. Schools and districts already participating in programs that provide free meals to all students, such as the Community Eligibility Provision, were not required to submit plans.
 
The schools must provide students with the meal of their choice. The schools are also prohibited from engaging in other actions that would shame students or cause embarrassment due to insufficient funds for a school meal or having outstanding school meal debt. The plans require that all applicable staff are trained and fully understand how to properly implement the policy.
 
Board of Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa said, "Schools across the state are working every day to create an environment where children can grow, learn and feel safe. When students don't have the burden of worrying about where their next meal is going to come from or how they are going to pay for it, they are better positioned to focus on their studies and reach their full potential. I applaud the schools for their work on implementing these important strategies to address meal shaming."
 
State Education Department Commissioner MaryEllen Elia said, "I'm proud that all of our schools now have strong meal shaming policies in place that maintain the dignity of our students, and that provide increased support for struggling families. The plans that are being put into action across New York ensure that no child will be stigmatized or embarrassed because they don't have the money to pay for a meal at school. We thank the Governor and Legislature for making this a priority."
 
Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Education, Senator Carl Marcellino said, "School children should not have to feel embarrassed or shamed for their inability to pay for meals in school. This important milestone in the Governor's No Student Goes Hungry initiative will ensure all students will not only have a well-balanced meal in school, but they will not receive a lesser, inadequate meal because they can't afford it. By guaranteeing a meal for all students, we are creating a stronger, more successful future generation of New Yorkers."
 
Senator Liz Krueger said, "When children are in school they should be able to concentrate on learning, not worry about whether or not they will go hungry. These anti-meal shaming plans will help ensure a student's academic performance will not suffer because they are shamed or ridiculed for their inability to pay for a school meal. I thank Governor Cuomo for his leadership on this important issue."
  
Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon said, "All schoolchildren should have access to nutritious food and no child should be teased or made to feel ashamed because their family cannot afford school meals. I was outraged to learn that students were given alternative, less healthy meals, like cold cheese sandwiches, and shamed because of their inability to pay. I am thrilled that our schools have committed to ensure that every student has access to a well-balanced meal in school, so that they can stay focused and energized. I'm pleased to have worked with the Governor, Senator Krueger, and advocates on this, and I thank Governor Cuomo for prioritizing the well-being of New York's children."

GOVERNOR CUOMO ANNOUNCES NEW YORK STATE TROOPER AS LIFESAVING AWARD RECIPIENT

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that Trooper Joel R. Davis of the New York State Police was posthumously honored with the state Division of Criminal Justice Services' Lifesaving Award for his role in responding to a violent domestic dispute in Jefferson County on July 9, 2017. When Trooper Davis arrived at the scene in the town of Theresa, he engaged a gunman as a woman and two children sought refuge in a nearby shed. During the incident, Trooper Davis was fatally shot. The award was presented to Trooper Davis' family this morning at a ceremony at the State Police's Watertown station, where fellow Troopers also unveiled a marker in his memory.
 
"Trooper Davis epitomizes the courage and bravery that characterizes the New York State Police and first responders," Governor Cuomo said. "On behalf of all New Yorkers, I am proud to honor Trooper Davis for his service, heroic actions and selfless sacrifice to protect the public."
 
Michael C. Green, Executive Deputy Commissioner of the Division of Criminal Justice Services, presented the 2017 Lifesaving Award to Trooper Davis' three children, who accepted the award on behalf of other family members in attendance: Trooper Davis' wife, his parents and brother. Following that presentation, members of the State Police who worked with Trooper Davis remembered their colleague and unveiled the memorial marker, which states, in part, "Our Friend and Co-Worker. Always Remembered. Never Forgotten." Trooper Davis, 36, spent his entire law enforcement career serving in Jefferson County. A four-year veteran of the State Police who also served with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, Trooper Davis was the first trooper killed in the line of duty in the North Country.
 
The Governor's Police Officer of the Year Award Selection Committee established the Lifesaving Award in 2016 to recognize officers who perform courageous and unselfish acts that result in the saving of a human life or lives. The Committee selects the recipient or recipients from nominations submitted for the Police Officer of the Year Award, which recognizes a single police officer or team of officers for an exceptional act of valor; that award has been presented since 1984.
 
Executive Deputy Commissioner Green, who also chairs the Police Officer of the Year Selection Committee, said, "Without question, Trooper Davis' selfless actions in response to this chaotic, violent incident saved the lives of a woman who had been wounded and two children as they were fired upon by the gunman. His actions in the face of imminent danger epitomize the spirit of this award."
 
New York State Police Superintendent George Beach II said, "Trooper Davis recognized a lethal threat and, without pause or concern for his personal safety, sprang into action to protect the lives of the innocent. His selfless actions shielded the lives of three individuals, who may have been killed without his intervention. This is the type of bravery we have come to expect and depend on in our troopers - the courage and self-sacrifice that should set the standard for all who carry our shield."
 
At 8:24 p.m. on July 9, 2017, Trooper Davis was the first officer to respond to a violent domestic dispute. Upon arriving, he observed a gunman firing an assault weapon into a shed. Despite the threat to his safety, he emerged from a hedgerow that had been concealing his location and engaged the shooter. Trooper Davis was struck by a .223-calliber round that penetrated an area of his chest not covered by his protective vest, fatally wounding him. The gunman surrendered to Troopers who had subsequently arrived on the scene.
 
During a search of the scene, the gunman's wife was found deceased from gunshot wounds. A friend of hers - who had suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to her back - and two children were found hiding in the shed. The gunman is awaiting trial on murder and other charges in connection with the incident.
 
The Police Officer of the Year Selection Committee also named eight members of the Port Authority Police Department as 2017 Lifesaving Award recipients. Lt. Miriam Rubio, Sgts. Hector Martinez and Victor Talamini and Officers Jack Collins, Anthony Estevez, Sean Gallagher, Anthony Manfredini and Drew Preston were recognized for their actions following the detonation of a bomb at a New York City Subway station near the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan on Dec. 11, 2017. That award ceremony is scheduled for later this year.
 
The Division of Criminal Justice Services has a variety of responsibilities, including law enforcement training; collection and analysis of statewide crime data; maintenance of criminal history information and fingerprint files; administrative oversight of the state's DNA databank, in partnership with the New York State Police; funding and oversight of probation and community correction programs; administration of federal and state criminal justice funds; support of criminal justice-related agencies across the state; and administration of the state's Sex Offender Registry.

Cathy Neugent nameds 3rd quarter Jones Memorial Care Champion of 2018


WELLSVILLE, NY (October 31, 2018) – Catherine Neugent, LPN, a nurse at Dr. Pasquale Picco’s office, is the Jones Memorial Hospital Care Champion for the third quarter of 2018.Four times a year, the hospital recognizes a staff member or volunteer as a Care Champion. To be nominated, the person must demonstrate - through words or actions - an exemplary commitment to JMH patients, to their co-workers, and to the JMH employee Code of Conduct. Also nominated for Care Champion this quarter were Kelly Cavagna, Rey Belen, and Heather Vogel.
Cathy was nominated by Michele McMorris, Director of Operations for the Jones Memorial Medical Practices. According to Michele, one of Dr. Picco’s elderly patients needed to be hospitalized when outpatient treatment was unsuccessful. The patient was adamant that she could not be hospitalized because she had no one to care for her elderly dog, who is diabetic and requires twice daily insulin shots. “Cathy promised the patient that if she agreed to be hospitalized, Cathy would stop by the patient’s home twice a day, every day to check on the dog and give the insulin shots,” Michele said, adding that Cathy also stopped at the hospital every afternoon to update the patient on her dog and check on her. “Cathy went above and beyond for this patient to ensure that she would get the care she needed, knowing that her dog was taken care of.”
A nurse for 47 years, Cathy started her career as a nurses’ aid and has been at Jones Memorial for over three years. Much of her work experience has been in geriatrics. “I absolutely love working at Dr. Picco’s office,” she said. “I have learned a whole new area of nursing – pulmonology.” Cathy has been a nurse at Dr. Picco’s office for over three years. In addition to providing clinical care, Cathy’s favorite parts of her job involve working with patients to set up services they need, reordering their medications, and calling to give them good news and test results. In her spare time, Cathy enjoys spending time with her two daughters and her grandchildren. She is known for baking cakes and enjoys craft projects.
Please join us in congratulating Cathy on her selection as Care Champion! She joins first quarter Care Champion Sarah Merriam and second quarter Care Champion Kim Mulkin as an example of tremendous commitment to Jones Memorial and our patients.

ACCORD - Community forum to address homeless and housing needs

FRIENDSHIP - A community forum is planned to help gain a better understanding of housing needs in Allegany County. Hosted by ACCORD Corporation, designated Community Action Agency for Allegany County, NY, the forum was created to help individuals, families, civic groups, and organizations learn more about conditions and issues that are impacting the ability of families and individuals to find and maintain safe housing.  We hope to learn more about barriers to safe housing and discover more concrete ways to get involved and make a difference.
The forum will be held Thursday, November 15th, from 5-7 p.m. at the Friendship Central School Auditorium. All county residents are encouraged to attend.
The forum will host a panel of experts to include those who work or live with this issue on a regular basis and have a perspective unique to their experience, whether it be through actually surviving homelessness or by working to help those that are impacted by housing issues.  Our panelists will include experts on poverty, low-income housing, housing and mental health, aging population needs, education and veterans services. Each will speak for about 3-5 minutes and then questions and comments from the audience will be heard.
In addition to community concerns about the affordability and availability of safe housing for everyone, we will also look at housing issues that impact our neighborhoods, such as blight and concerns for homeowners who are struggling with upkeep due to costs or other issues.
Our intent is to get a better understanding of how these conditions are impacting Allegany County residents, youth, veterans, educators, health care and service providers and policy makers. ACCORD’s Executive Director stated, ‘Homelessness is a serious and generally invisible problem in our communities. We see people moving frequently, staying with friends and families in overcrowded conditions and often, living in an unsafe environment because they have no money for repairs or even the means for basic upkeep.” 
For more information, visit ACCORD Corporations Facebook page, go to www.accordcorp.org. or call Lesley Gooch-Christman, Executive Director at 585-268-8204.

Cuba Police Blotter

*** Press Release ***
 
On Tuesday, October 30th at approximately 2:00 p.m. Cuba Police arrested Arthur Isles, 23, of Cuba. Isles was arrested and charged with petit larceny (misdemeanor). Isles was processed and released to appear at a later date. These charges stem from an incident in which Isles allegedly removed money from a cash register of a local business without permission. Isles is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

Tour Belfast's 'HAUNTED TINY HOUSE" today!



Wellsville Fire Department Halloween Open Houses


Wellsville Fire Department

 

Halloween

 

OPEN HOUSES

 

Grant Duke Hose Co # 1 – 80 Stevens St

 

Dyke Street Engine Co #2 – 89 E. Hanover St

 

While out Trick or Treating stop by one of the fire stations and say hello. We will have stuff for trick or treaters, plus have equipment and fire safety stuff on display!

Wellsville Police Blotter

Date: Tuesday October 30, 2018

Wellsville Police arrested Amanda J. Lilley, age 38 of Bath, NY, charging her with Falsely Reporting an Incident 3rd.  The charge stems from an incident that took place on South Main Street in August of 2018.  Lilley was processed and arraigned before Associate Wellsville Village Justice Walsh.  Lilley was released and is due back in Wellsville Village Court on November 20th at 4:30 p.m.

Buffalo News endorses Tom Reed for Congress

Buffalo News
The Corning-based incumbent has matured into this job. Republican Tom Reed is willing to work across the aisle with Democratic colleagues, which counts as a radical idea in 21st century Washington. His leadership in the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus and efforts such as the “break the gridlock” rules package offer real hope for Washington D.C.’s return to effective, civil political discourse.
The Southern Tier representative wants to take on the national debt crisis and mentioned his concerns as the reason he broke with the Republican party to vote against the budget deal. It should be noted that Reed supported the unfunded tax reform package, which he defended by citing spending, not revenue, as the source of the nation’s red ink.
It remains to be seen how much a force he can be, but as the Ways and Means Committee member gains seniority, especially if Republicans remain in the majority, his profile and ability to serve his constituents and country will grow.
Democratic challenger Tracy Mitrano, a cybersecurity expert concerned about the nation’s network, is smart, well-spoken and well-informed. But anyone willing to tone down Washington’s divisiveness should be rewarded. That’s Reed. He deserves the chance to restore a level of respect in a chamber that has come to define the word dysfunctional.

Allegany County’s Fall Pill Drop

Kim Strauser Director of Prevention for the Allegany Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Inc. and Undersheriff Kevin Monroe at the Canaseraga Pill Drop location
Canaseraga and Cuba– On Saturday, October 27 the Allegany County Fall Pill Drop was held in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Canaseraga and Cuba were chosen for the fall locations.  The pill drop event allows the community to drop off unused, expired, or unwanted medications and provides the opportunity for education on the location of the pill drop boxes in the various communities. In Cuba there is a drop box located at the Cuba Police Department, 15 Water Street. For Canaseraga residents the closest pill drop boxes are located at the Fillmore Pharmacy, 10560 Route 19 and at the Dansville Police Department, 14 Clara Barton Street. The pill drop boxes are available for anyone to use.
This event was held in partnership with the Allegany Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Inc.(ACASA), the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office, the Cuba Police Department, and Partners for Prevention in Allegany County(PPAC). Medications were accepted from 10am to 2pm, and between the two locations, a total of 32 cars stopped and 66.4 pounds of medications were collected. “The Cuba Police Department is proud to partner with PPAC for the Allegany County Pill Drops. We also recognize the importance of our drop box located in our lobby. These services bring us together with local, state, and federal partners to fight the abuse of prescription drugs that is fueling the nation’s opioid epidemic. These are small, but vital steps that help reduce the chances of prescription medications being misused,” stated Chief Dustin Burch of the Cube Police Department.
Each car that stopped received a Take It To The Box magnet, which lists all of the pill drop box locations throughout Allegany County. In addition to those previously mentioned, there are boxes at: the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office and Nicholson’s Pharmacy in Belmont, Alfred Pharmacy and Alfred State’s Office of University Police, Friendship Pharmacy, Jones Memorial Medical Practice in Bolivar, Wellsville Police Department and the Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville. This calendar year, 1,351 pounds of medications have been collected from the pill drop box locations.
The pill drop events and boxes are completely anonymous and confidential. Once the Sheriff’s Office has collected the medications, they are transported to an undisclosed location for incineration. Incinerating the medications makes them harmless to the environment. “The pill drop events allow us to educate the community on safe disposal and where the drop boxes are located” states PPAC Coordinator Jonathan Chaffee. “There was one prescription turned in that had 1975 as its year of being prescribed, which tells me that education on disposing of medications is still needed.”
“The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Canaseraga and Cuba community for utilizing the pill drops to safely dispose of their unwanted medications,” stated Undersheriff Kevin Monroe. “By collecting and destroying these substances, we greatly reduce the amount available to find their way onto our streets and into the hands of our youth.”
The agencies involved would like to send out a special “Thank You” to the Canaseraga and Cuba Fire Departments for giving us a space to hold the pill drop events. The next pill drop event will not be until April, 2019.  More information about the pill drop box locations can be found at  https://ppaccentral.org/pill-drop-locations/.
Bill Penman Executive Director of the Allegany Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Inc., Walt Mackney of the Cuba Police Department, Linda Botens and Steve Mitchell of Town Cuba Ambulance, and Chief Dustin Burch of the Cuba Police Department. 
 

PA Area School Districts Receive $300,000 in Safety Grants

BRADFORD – A dozen area school districts serving students in the 67th Legislative District each were awarded grants of $25,000 under the state’s new School Safety and Security Grant program, Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) announced Tuesday. 
“The Legislature created the grant program as part of this year’s state budget because we want our children to be safe and to feel secure when they are at school,” Causer said. “And by using a block grant approach, school officials have flexibility to use the funds to address their unique security needs.”  
Each of the following school districts received $25,000 grants: Austin Area, Bradford Area,
Cameron County, Coudersport Area, Galeton Area, Kane Area, Keystone Central, Northern Potter, Oswayo Valley, Otto-Eldred, Port Allegany and Smethport Area. 
The grants may be used to hire school police officers, school resource officers, counselors and/or mental health counselors; implement alternative education and diversion programs, as well as violence prevention initiatives; develop school safety and emergency preparedness plans; or make physical upgrades to school buildings and equipment to improve safety.

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Environmentalist Celine Cousteau to speak at Alfred University as Women of Influence Speaker

ALFRED – Celine Cousteau, environmentalist and granddaughter of legendary ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau, will be on the Alfred University campus this week as the 2018 Pamela Lavin Bernstein Women of Influence Speaker.
Celine Cousteau will speak at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, in Nevins Theater, Powell Campus Center. Her lecture at Alfred University is organized by the Beth Robinson Judson Leadership Center.
Cousteau is a documentary filmmaker and environmentalist who, as founder of the non-profit CauseCentric Productions, tells the stories of the world’s ecosystems, species and people, helping audiences around the globe connect with the marine world through film and research.
Her impact on environmentalism is distinguished and varied. She is a member of the Ocean Futures Society and the World Economic Forum Council on Oceans, as well as founder and president of The Céline Cousteau Film Fellowship. In addition to bringing awareness to the environment through beauty and fashion collaborations, Cousteau is now producing a major multimedia project and engagement campaign, “Tribes on the Edge,” featuring the indigenous tribes of the Vale do Javari in the Brazilian Amazon.
The Women of Influence Speaker series is supported by a gift from Alfred University alumna Pamela Lavin Bernstein ’71. The speaker series brings to campus high-profile speakers who are leaders in a wide variety of professions.

Obituary: Donald E. Spencer, Sr., 84, Andover

ANDOVER - Donald E. Spencer, Sr., 84, passed away Saturday (Oct. 27, 2018) at his daughter’s home in Ontario following a lengthy illness.
Donald was born on May 16, 1934 in Canisteo to David and Mayetta (VanZile) Spencer. He attended Andover Central School and later served in the United States Army. On July 16, 1960 he married Violet A. Ordiway, who survives.
Don was a truck driver for New York State Department of Transportation for 30 years until his retirement in 1986.
In Addition to his wife of 58 years, Donald is survived by three sons, Robert (Sue Rogers) Spencer and Arnold Spencer, both of Andover and Donald (Deanna) Spencer, Jr. of Wellsville; one daughter, Christine Green of Ontario; one sister, Lorraine McClean of Andover; 7 grandchildren, Michael (Allison) Green of Rochester, David Spencer of Schenectady, Jeffrey Spencer of Worcester, Mass., Jeffrey Vineyard of Wellsville, Jessica Vineyard of Whitesville, and Jamie (Clint) Calladine and Danielle (Nate) Richmond, both of Andover, 4 great grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by a sister, Doris Vader and a brother, Dale Spencer.
Donald loved nature with all the sights sounds and smells of being in the woods. He was an avid hunter. Even in the midst of his many health concerns, his big desire was to sit on his ATV in the woods, rifle in hand, waiting for his trophy buck to step out in the clear. Don had already purchased his hunting license for the season.

Donald was also a big Harley enthusiast and loved the thrill of a ride on his bike. In his younger days he was quite the pitcher on the local adult baseball circuit. He was also fond of playing the lottery.

Don grew up in the Andover First Baptist Church where he was baptized as a young boy and attended there over the years.
Visitation will be on Friday from 4-7 p.m. at Baker-Swan Funeral Home in Andover. The funeral service will be held on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Daniel Stiller officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow in Valley Brook Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Donald’s name may be made to Andover Rescue Squad, 832 SR 417, Andover, NY 14806 or to Andover Volunteer Fire Department, 60 Main St., Andover, NY 14806.

Burglar from Erie County jailed after striking targets in Rushford, Centerville

A man from Erie County is in the Allegany County Jail today after allegedly committing several burglaries in the towns of Rushford and Centerville. Amity-based state police on Monday arrested 23-year-old Mitchell S. Smith of South Wales. He was charged with four felony counts of 3rd degree burglary. Troopers allege that Smith hit targets in Rushford on October 12, 13 and 14th. He also allegedly committed a burglary in the town of Centerville on October 23rd.
Arraigned in court, Smith was remanded to the Allegany County jail. Bail was set at $10,000 cash or $20,000 bond. He will appear in Rushford court on November 5th.

Allegany, Bolivar, Sewage Discharge, Little Genesee Creek, Fishing Area

Issued: 10-30-2018, 09:34:30 
Affects: New York - Allegany - Bolivar

The Bolivar (V) WWTF NY0022381, NY0022381 is issuing this notification.

Discharge location: 123 Liberty Street, Bolivar, NY

Location details: Outfall

Water body affected: Little Genesee Creek

Discharge description: Our system capacity had reached its limit. This is a Permitted discharge.

Potentially impacted public areas: Fishing Area - Little Genesee Creek

Discharge date and time: 10-29-2018 at 06:00:00

Discharge duration: 24 hours hours

Discharge reason: System Capacity, Weather Conditions -  TOO MUCH RAIN

Steps taken to contain discharge: Continued Monitoring and testing.

Volume/rate of discharge: 540839 Gallons Actual

Treated state of discharge: Partially Treated without Disinfection

Additional information:  
 
For more information on the Sewage Pollution Right to Know Act visit SPRTK.