New York State Police Blotter – March 28, 2025

New York State Police Blotter – March 28, 2025

3/28/25 4:22 p.m.- During a traffic stop in the town of Wirt, state police arrested Matthew B. Billings, 40, of Coudersport, PA. He was charged with felony aggravated driving while intoxicated with a passenger under the age of 16, felony first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation, endangering the welfare of a child and driving while intoxicated. He was taken to the Allegany County Jail for Central arraignment.

3/29/25 1:18 a.m.- During a traffic stop on State Route 19A in Hume, state police arrested Chelsea M. Shephard, 34, of Silver Creek. She was charged with felony DWI, felony aggravated DWI, felony first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation and circumventing an ignition interlock device. She was taken to the Allegany County Jail for Central arraignment.

Assemblyman Sempolinski Urges Legislature to Adopt Recommendations of Human Trafficking Task Force

ALBANY – Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski said New York needs to do more to support victims of human trafficking, prevent exploitation of women and minors and bring those responsible for human trafficking to justice.

The Assembly Republican Task Force on Human Trafficking released its report this week. Co-chaired by Assemblyman Brian Maher and Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh, the Task Force met with stakeholders across the state including survivors, social workers, members of law enforcement, border patrol agents and prosecutors.

“The main takeaway is that we need to do more to support survivors of human trafficking so they can recover from the horrible abuse they suffer. Devoting resources to victims’ services is the right thing to do. It’s also responsible fiscal policy because we know that when we devote resources to early victim services, it saves money in the long run. We also need to reverse soft-on-crime policies like bail reform, raise the age and the green light law that make it easier for traffickers to ply their trade and avoid justice,” Assemblyman Sempolinski said.

 The Task Force found that victims of human trafficking are overwhelmingly women and that 75 percent of the cases involve sex trafficking. Many of the victims are under the age of 17. New York’s migrant crisis also created a new population of both vulnerable individuals and a criminal element who exploit the vulnerable for sex and labor trafficking.

“No one should ever be trafficked and treated like property. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect as a human being. I want to thank Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay for forming the Task Force and for Assemblyman Maher and Assemblywoman Walsh for co-chairing it. Our job now is to create policy to implement the Task Force’s recommendations,” Assemblyman Sempolinski said.

Obituary: Rolland Gael Stewart, 84, formerly of West Clarksville and Portville

Romney, West Virginia-Rolland Gael Stewart 

Rolland Gael Stewart, formerly of West Clarksville and Portville, New York passed away February 28, 2025 in Romney, West Virginia. 

Gael was born April 10, 1940 to Rolland “Pat” and Esther McIntyre Stewart.  He attended grade school in West Clarksville and most of high school at Richburg Central School.  He graduated from Cuba Central in 1958.  Gael joined the Army in the Fall of 1958.  Following his discharge, he returned to West Clarksville and to work for the Department of Conservation. 

On October 12, 1963, Gael married Patricia E. Durr of Portville.  She passed away on April 10, 2002 

Gael then moved to West Virginia where he worked in construction.  In September of 2009, he married Nancy Rudy of Romney.  Upon retirement he spent much of his time as an all-around handyman at Wapacoma Campground

 Gael is survived by his wife, Nancy, his daughter Nicole (Peter) Wojciechowski, grandchildren Atticus James and Eden Gael, his sister Crystal Van Patten, step children, step grandchildren, and step great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

He was predeceased by his first wife and his parents.

 A Memorial Service was held at the Shaffer Funeral Home in Romney on March 8, 2005.

Cuba Police Press Release

 *** Press Release ***

On March 25th, 2025, at approximately 7:11PM, Cuba Police arrested Shane A. Ellis (26) of Olean, NY. Ellis was arrested on charges of moved from lane unsafely (Violation), aggravated unlicensed operation 1st (Felony) and operating a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs (Unclassified Misdemeanor). Ellis was processed and sent to the Allegany County Jail to await arraignment. Ellis is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

 

Statement From Department of Environmental Conservation Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton Following the notable wildlife seizure in Chemung County in October, DEC undertook an internal investigation of agency wildlife enforcement procedures. At the direction of the Governor, in my initial few weeks as acting commissioner, I have prioritized a review of our current wildlife protection and enforcement process to protect New Yorkers and this agency from similar incidents in the future. We have carefully reviewed all the public feedback and we understand the distress caused to communities throughout the state. We know that we can do better moving forward. Our agency is committed to developing additional protocols to address illegally possessed wildlife and ensuring that our staff and environmental conservation officers have the necessary resources to carry them out. In addition, DEC will be welcoming a new Deputy Commissioner for Public Protection & Emergency Response. We recognize that these improvements are necessary and in my new role I will ensure that DEC is focused on its mission to deliver clean air and water for every New Yorker while protecting the environment and our invaluable natural resources for future generations.

New York State Police Blotter – March 27, 2025

New York State Police Blotter – March 27, 2025

3/27/25 10:06 p.m. – After investigating an incident in the village of Richburg, state police later arrested Damion N. Merrill, 19, of Olean. He was charged with making a false report to law enforcement regarding an incident that did not occur. He was processed and issued an appearance ticket for court.

3/28/25 12:22 a.m. – After an incident in the town of Erwin just after midnight today, state police arrested Richard W. Wilson, 30, of Woodhull. He was charged with second-degree criminal contempt for allegedly disobeying a court order. He was taken to Steuben County Jail and held for Central arraignment.

New Legislator Bessette assigned to 3 county committee's, including Public Safety

Thursday announcement from Allegany County: 

The Allegany County Board of Legislators on Wednesday appointed Charles Bessette of Wirt to fill a vacancy in its Third Legislative District. He filled the seat of Adam Cyr who vacated his seat and is a current candidate for County Treasurer. 

2025 ALLEGANY COUNTY BOARD OF LEGISLATORS STANDING COMMITTEES 

1. HUMAN SERVICES: Chairman: Burdick Vice Chairman: Ricketts-Swales Committee Members: Barnes, Bessette, Hanchett, Healy, Root

 2. PERSONNEL: Chairman: Ricketts-Swales Vice Chairman: Ricci Committee Members: Bessette, Burdick, Hanchett, Havey, Root Special – Negotiations Liaison Committee (Sub-Committee of Personnel) Chairman: Ricci 

3. PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Chairman: Root Vice Chairman: Hanchett Committee Members: Barnes, Curran, Havey, Healy, Ricci, Ricketts-Swales 

4. PUBLIC SAFETY: Chairman: Havey Vice Chairman: Stockin Committee Members: Barnes, Bessette, Demick, Healy, Ricketts-Swales 

5. PUBLIC WORKS: Chairman: Fanton Vice Chairman: Demick Committee Members: Barnes, Curran, Healy, Stockin 

Special – Space Needs Committee (Sub-Committee of Public Works) Chairman: Demick Vice Chairman: Healy Committee Members: Fanton, Hanchett, Havey, Root, Rumfelt

 6. RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Chairman: Curran Vice Chairman: Hanchett Committee Members: Barnes, Demick, Fanton, Ricketts-Swales 

7. WAYS & MEANS: Chairman: Stockin Vice Chairman: Fanton Committee Members: Burdick, Demick, Havey, Healy, Ricci, Root 

Special – Budget Committee (Sub-Committee of Ways & Means) Chairman: Burdick Vice Chairman: Barnes Committee Members: Curran, Fanton, Ricci, Rumfelt, Stockin

Flames torch town of Willing home- Allegany County

 

(photo from Scio fire)

Flames torch town of Willing home- Allegany County

Flames Thursday afternoon at 4:35 p.m. damaged a single-family home at 1904 State Route 19 (at Peet Avenue) in the town of Willing. First responders arriving at the scene said there were “flames showing.” Allegany County Fire Coordinator Bill Day said there appeared to “be no entrapment.” Deputy Fire Coordinator Brian Smith told 911 that power lines “were down” and National Grid needed to respond. Allegany County dispatched Willing, Alma, Scio, Andover, Whitesville and Wellsville fire departments to the scene. Allentown and Genesee, PA were called for stand-by. Wellsville ambulance responded with medics while Medical Transport covered for Wellsville. State Route 19 was shut down in the area during firefighting operations. Fire officials requested the American Red Cross to the scene to help one adult male. Several units returned to service just after 6 p.m. The cause is currently under investigation.  

Allegany County: No drought, but "abnormally dry"

 

Northeast

Periods of Northeastern precipitation resulted in modest trimming of abnormal dryness (D0) and moderate to extreme drought (D1 to D3) in northern New York and along the Atlantic Coast. Farther south and inland, however, some expansion of dryness (D0) and moderate to severe drought (D1 to D2) was noted from West Virginia into western New York.

Obituary: Leslie D. “Pete” Prentice, 94, Cuba

Leslie D. “Pete” Prentice:  Father, Grandfather

Leslie D. “Pete” Prentice, 94, of 8988 County Road 20, Cuba, passed away Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital, Bath after a short illness.

Born on July 2, 1930, in Ischua, he was a son of Leslie M. and Edna A. Robinson Prentice.  On October 31, 1953, in Belfast, he married the former Betty Ann Mead who predeceased him on January 16, 2017. 

Leslie served in the United States Marine Corps. during the Korean War from 1948 until 1952.  He received the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Ribbon, and Good Conduct Medal for his service.  After 28 years he retired from Friendship Dairies.

He is survived by his children, Connie (Terry) Stives of Friendship, Paul (Donna Hess) Prentice of Rushford, Brian (Bonnie) Prentice          of Franklinville, Ricky Prentice of Yorkshire and Michael (Kelly Dreilling) Prentice of Centerville; 8 Grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren Several Nieces and Nephews.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was predeceased by 3 Brothers Stanley, Maynard, and George Prentice and two sisters Aletha Barber and Genevieve Wells, and a step sister Evelyn Straight.

At Leslie’s request there will be no visitation or service. 

Troopers investigate five-vehicle crash in Andover

 

Troopers investigate five-vehicle crash in Andover

State police said two people sustained injuries during a five-vehicle accident at 7:33 a.m. Wednesday on State Route 21 in the town of Andover near the Alfred line. It is believed that one person was transported to UR St. James in Hornell and another was taken to UR Jones Memorial in Wellsville. The other occupants were treated and/or evaluated at the scene. Troopers listed the drivers as Samantha M. Quick, 23, of Almond; Colleen J. McDermott, 51, of Hornell; Aiden P. Diehl, 19, of Hornell; Luke B. Sargent, 43, of Hornell and Carli R. Corcoran, 29, of Hornell. Ambulances responded from Andover, Alfred, Wellsville and Medical Transport. Andover and Alfred Station fire assisted at the scene and closed down the highway. Reports suggested the highway was slippery with snow at the time. The accident description was not immediately available.