(WPBN/WGTU) -- The Elmira man accused of killing his father is convicted with first-degree murder after a unanimous decision was reached by an Otsego County jury concluded the four-day trial of Kyle Karsten a person who commits first degree murder shall be punished by imprisonment for life without eligibility for parole 2024 after police responded to a home on the 2700 block of Camp Ten Road When police arrived they said they found Lee Karsten Kyle faced allegations related to financial misconduct Kyle allegedly wrote himself checks totaling more than $11,000 from a family trust in 2023 He was accused of forging signatures on these checks without the trustees' permission Kyle’s sentencing date has not been released The four words on a banner unveiled by the Elmira City School District to honor the legacy of Beatrice "Bee" Stephens: trailblazer Elmira High School recognized Stephens' impact Friday by rededicating the school's recently rebuilt softball stadium as Bee Stephens Softball Field A ceremony was held prior to the Express' varsity game against Owego Free Academy The old field at Southside High School was named in Stephens' honor in 1994 A united Elmira High School was formed in 2014 after the district previously had separate schools for Southside and Elmira Free Academy Elmira's new field opened last season in the general proximity of the first Bee Stephens Softball Field She taught physical education at Southside for more than 30 years and is an inductee into the Section 4 Hall of Fame Stephens won numerous medals in the New York Senior Games Stephens was on the New York State Public High School Athletic Association executive committee and advocated for Title IX and equality in girls and women's sports expressed his gratitude during the ceremony and later spoke of how much the field dedication meant to him and the family 'I just want to make someone’s life better today "Hopefully the girls remember that there were a lot of folks who worked hard for them to get the opportunity to play Express players and family members gathered for a photo in front of home plate before the game A permanent sign recognizing the venue as Bee Stephens Softball Field will be added underneath the scoreboard in right field "This is huge to the whole family," Mike said "(Elmira athletic director Zack Lloyd) reached out for the rededication to remember mom she really enjoyed those opportunities to impact kids and make their lives better." Mike said former students would often come up to his mom after she retired to thank her you never know what they're going to do,'" Mike said Mike is a longtime coach and wrestling official was also a coach and official who won a state wrestling title at Southside in 1966 Mike said his strong-armed mom would play catch with her children as they grew up and taught them the ins and outs of sports Mike said she was a stickler for the rules and sportsmanship with wins and losses of secondary importance More: A milestone moment for Elmira bowler. Tom Scalia competes in 50th USBC Open Championships More: Shedeur Sanders, son of Elmira native, drafted by Cleveland Browns in fifth round Mike recalled playing golf with his mom when she was 97 years old Bee made par on the par-4 second hole at Willowcreek Golf Club "The smile on her face that par putt was amazing," Mike said the Express softball team came up with its biggest win of the season over one-loss Owego behind home runs from Madelynn Cavalier and Addison Taft ELMIRA HEIGHTS, N.Y. (WENY) -- Pop Market Weekend is back in Elmira Heights. For the third year, Heroes Comic Shop is welcoming people in to celebrate all things pop culture The celebration also coincides with Free Comic Book Day Organizers say people can come in to get their free comics they can choose from a variety of interests and more with attendees at the American Legion in Elmira Heights you don't have to be a self professed nerd," said Jared Aiosa you can be a geek in whatever that you geek out is If you weren't able to attend on Saturday and you're interested in stopping by Pop Market and Aiosa says he encourages people of all ages to come which is located at 236 Scottwood Ave in Elmira Heights An Elmira couple originally charged with manslaughter following the fentanyl-related death of their child will serve prison time after pleading guilty to lesser charges were both initially indicted in June 2024 for second-degree manslaughter and misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a child almost a year after the death of their 2-year-old child Both pleaded guilty in March of this year to a reduced charge of criminally negligent homicide who had a 2012 conviction for second-degree attempted criminal possession of a weapon was sentenced as a second felony offender to an indeterminate term of two to four years in state prison Keyana Townsend was sentenced Monday to an indeterminate term of one to three years in state prison COURTS Ashland man indicted on 23 counts, complaint to SRO alleged sexual contact with minors What led to criminal charges against the Townsends?On July 2 representatives from the Elmira police and fire departments and Erway Ambulance responded to an address in the 400 block of Gaines Street for a report of an unresponsive 2-year-old child First responders performed lifesaving measures on the child who was then life-flighted to Golisano Children’s Hospital in Monroe County for advanced care investigators were informed the child had succumbed to his injuries due to complications related to fentanyl intoxication Lance and Keyana Townsend remain in custody at the Chemung County Jail pending their transfer to state prison facilities Follow Jeff Murray on X (Twitter) @SGJeffMurray To get unlimited access to the latest news please subscribe or activate your digital account today Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInELMIRA (WBNG) -- The Elmira Police Department arrested an Elmira resident for arson was arrested and charged with arson in the second degree Chemung County E-911 Communications Center received notification of a fire alarm activation at St Joseph’s Apartments The department said responders from the Elmira Fire Department located the fire on the fifth floor of the building Elmira police officers and members of its detective bureau arrived at the scene and were informed that an accelerant had been detected and that the fire’s origin was suspicious officials found that Beebe was guilty of starting the fire He remains in the custody of the Elmira Police Department The Elmira Police Department is asking anyone with information about this matter to call it at 607-737-5626 or leave a message on the anonymous tip line at 607-271-HALT (WENY) -- The Elmira Elks Lodge was packed for their annual free college fair on Wednesday night Organizers at the event emphasized the idea that it's never too early "They helped open up my eyes and let me see more experiences and like where colleges are," said Alanna Knapp a junior from Thomas Edison High School in Elmira Heights taking advantage of the opportunity to speak with recruiters She said she's still deciding on exactly what she wants to pursue but is thankful for opportunities like this one "It definitely gives you a better view of what to do when you get older and stuff," Knapp said "It definitely makes me feel more secure now that I've been here and stuff so I'm not as like skittish about college going into my senior year." The annual event featured 50 different colleges and organizations for prospective students organizers said there's something for everyone who attends and growing," said event organizer Chris Callas to look at a first-time college students." Callas said it's important to hold free events like this one to help the community Staff from numerous colleges were at the event to advise people of all ages about their higher education search "Advocate for yourself," said Chris Tacea Assistant Director of Admissions for the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) "Don't listen to people that say you can't It's very easy for people to say you can't Tacea said not to stress if you missed Wednesday's event He said the best thing to do during your higher education search is to utilize the resources around you high school and college guidance counselors NY (WENY) -- More than a dozen people gathered outside the Veterans Affairs clinic on College Avenue in Elmira Wednesday afternoon The rally was in response to the Trump Administration's plans to cut approximately 83,000 jobs nationwide at the Department of Veterans Affairs; about 17% of the agency's workforce Demonstrators said they are concerned about the impact the proposed cuts could have on veterans; both those who rely on VA services Event organizers say their message to the White House is "hands off" the Veterans Administration They say would should be done to broaden services and meet the needs of veterans who rely on it the population of veterans that need services continues to increase so it doesn't make any sense to make these massive cuts there's a lot of concern across the nation for how our veterans will be impacted if the services decrease." WENY News submitted a Freedom of Information (FOIA) request to the Department of Veterans Affairs in March asking how many VA employees were laid off at the facility in Bath the VA said nine employees total were affected WETM - MyTwinTiers.com Elmira Heights fundraiser supports high school student diagnosed with cancer Students showcase innovation at Corning Community College expo Salmonella fears cause tomatoes recall in New York and Pennsylvania Dozens of properties available for bid in upcoming Chemung County Property Auction Sold-out fundraiser in Corning raises money for CareFirstNY New York State budget includes ban on cell phone use in schools Bath man arrested on felony charge after domestic incident in the village Multiple people in custody after police standoff in Horseheads Yevette Yerkes knows the importance of having an outlet for children to enjoy some fun and burn off some energy That’s why her family has launched Level Up Bounce a new entertainment and party venue in the Southtown Plaza at 1600 Cedar Street in Elmira Level Up Bounce started last summer as a mobile operation but recently debuted at a permanent home filled with bounce houses in the plaza families can get a supersized experience at Level Up “We know there’s not much to do here in the winter so having an indoor bounce house facility where kids can come and hang out in the wintertime and then obviously after school and on weekends “I think our kids were the inspiration to open up the indoor venue.” Entry is $10 per child for an hour of play Parents can take advantage of free Wi-Fi and a courtesy cup of coffee while the kids play Level Up also hosts special events for large groups A “jump and play” option covers 15 children for two hours and the entire facility can be rented out for private parties "We have a spot in the front where they can do presents and cake They’ll have two tables for themselves and a table for cake and gifts," said Yerkes "We also have a private party where they can rent out the entire space for two hours for up to 30 kids They’ll have the entire place to themselves." Level Up's youngest visitors also have their own play zone set apart from the more rambunctious areas of the bounce houses "We have a little play zone for the smaller kids so they don’t have to bounce if there’s older kids on the bounce houses That’s strictly for ages 0-5," Yerkes said "We have a ball pit back there and some things on the walls While Level Up Bounce primarily caters to kids up to 13-years-old the new business is considering adding special events for teens and adults moving forward “We plan on doing a teen night so the older kids can come in and enjoy the bounce houses,” Yerkes said “We also have a lot of parents asking for an adult night so we’re going to try to work that in sometime so anybody who doesn’t have a car can take the bus to us and then be picked up after their hour of play and take the bus back home." More: Josh Palmer Fund donates $99K to help cancer patients, families. Here's where money went. Level Up Bounce may eventually add an arcade elsewhere in the plaza to target older age groups the bounce houses have been a hit with young families "There’s been a lot of people coming by thanking us for opening something for their kids to do praying that we stay open here because there’s nothing in Elmira for kids to do," Yerkes said and we’re grateful for everybody coming and bringing their kids and enjoying the time they’re spending here." ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY) -- The rain did not stop people from continuing a solemn and heartfelt tradition at Eldridge Park in Elmira on Saturday. The 20th Annual Walk A Mile In My Shoes brought the community together once more to raise awareness for suicide prevention efforts in the region Around 1,500 people gathered for the event that not only raises funds Some say it creates a sense of community and hope in the fight against suicide "We've seen an awful lot of people who've come out because they've known somebody or lost somebody and we know that the loss of somebody to suicide affects people two or three relationships removed from the person who died," said Pat Breux the coordinator for the Walk A Mile In My Shoes Suicide Prevention Committee people laced up their shoes and took the mile-long walk around the lake to remember their loved one and simply be a part of suicide prevention efforts in the region each person who participates in the walk has a story and a connection to the cause participated in the event after losing their loved one "I've never been to the event before but I showed up today because just in October so I wanted to come out and show our support," said Douglas Alexander I don't want them to just remember people for what they did I want to remember them as the person that they were And Brian was a really good dad and a really good friend of mine and we were just best friends growing up." "He was probably one of the best dads I could ever have." While many took the walk for personal reasons each person who registered also helped to bring money to a good cause all of the funds will benefit suicide prevention efforts and resources in Chemung County the event continues to bring people together to support one another another participant who lost a loved one to suicide "It makes me feel close to everybody and supported." everyone is willing to come out and brave the rain." Some attendees say Walk A Mile in My Shoes serves as a powerful reminder of the impact community support can have in addressing mental health challenges To find local connections to mental health and suicide prevention resources, you can check out the Chemung County Department of Mental Hygiene's website linked here You can dial 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline An Elmira man faces an arson charge after police investigated an early morning blaze Wednesday at an apartment building in the city Responding Elmira Fire Department personnel located and contained a working fire that originated in an occupied apartment on the fifth floor of the building Police officers and members of the Elmira Police Department Detective Bureau arrived on the scene and were informed by fire department personnel that an accelerant was detected and the origin of the fire was suspicious Beebe remains in the custody of the Elmira Police Department pending arraignment in Elmira City Court Entertainment 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' 'The Music Man' highlight 2025 Clemens Center Broadway series There were no injuries reported in the fire Displaced tenants are being assisted by property management and the American Red Cross The investigation into the incident is continuing Police are asking anyone with information to contact the Elmira Police Department at 607-737-5626 or leave a message on the anonymous tip line at 607-271-HALT (WENY) – Students and community members considering their next step in education are invited to a free college fair tonight in Elmira The event is hosted by the Elmira Elks and takes place Wednesday from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at 300 East Gray Street current college students exploring transfer options and adults thinking about returning to school Organizers say the event is designed to help people gather information and connect with schools in a welcoming setting Give today to support the programs you rely on A fire ripped through a 133-year-old vacant church in downtown Elmira last week Local fire and emergency crews put out a massive fire in the former First Baptist Church Demolition crews leveled the rest of it to the ground earlier this week There were no injuries reported from the fire According to Elmira Fire Chief Andrew Mallow it took nearly 24 hours to completely extinguish the blaze once it was under control The historic church was constructed in 1892 It was the third church built for its growing congregation but had been vacant since it was decommissioned in 2009 Mandell said the building had structural damage and the roof was compromised before the fire it was probably going to be torn down if this fire did not happen,” said Mandell “So I think this fire basically hastened the church coming down I don't even know if it could have been renovated in such disrepair that it was in.” The city does not have any plans for the space but Mandell said he would like to know what the property owner plans to do next “Hopefully we get a developer involved to buy it from this person and then construct something there,” expressed Mandell The church’s history includes Underground Railroad stationmaster John W who was a member of the church and had his own special pew in the newer building He was the sexton of the church from the 1850s until he retired in 1890 archivist for the Chemung County Historical Society Dworkin said the loss of the building is going to “significantly change the look and feel of the area and probably won’t be replaced anytime soon.” the Historical Society was given church records dating back to the 1840s newsletters and other administrative items the Chemung County Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the Southern Tier Business Expo billed as an event to celebrate local enterprise From startups to long-established companies the event will showcase more than 50 local businesses representing a diverse array of industries "This event is not just about showcasing businesses; it's about fostering meaningful connections and celebrating the spirit of entrepreneurship that defines our region," said Jennifer Herrick-McGonigal president of the Chemung County Chamber of Commerce More: 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' 'The Music Man' highlight 2025 Clemens Center Broadway series Herrick-McGonigal noted interested vendors have until May 2 to sign up for space at next week's business expo and insights into the trends shaping the local and regional economy "The Expo will showcase the exciting growth happening in the Southern Tier and the energy that is making it happen," said Bob Kramarik LECOM Event Center sales and marketing director "LECOM Event Center is the perfect venue for tradeshows like this." Wallin Insurance Agency is the presenting sponsor for this year's expo which owns WINK-106 and several other radio stations Other community partners include Kennedy Valve "I encourage my fellow businesses and community leaders to attend and invest in building stronger relationships that benefit us all," said Wallin Insurance owner Peter Wallin For more information, go to chemungchamber.org/southern-tier-business-expo (WENY) -- New York State Police announced on Wednesday was arrested on multiple charges following what police are calling a comprehensive child exploitation investigation Denkenberger has been charged with Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child and Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child the investigation started after NYSP got a cyber tip on April 11 the New York State Police in Horseheads received from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children a search warrant was executed at a home 0on Pennsylvania Avenue in the town of Southport Police say multiple electronic devices were taken as a result and subsequent analysis found child sexual abuse material Denkenberger was then arrested on April 25th and police say he is currently being held on $10,000 bail.  April 28 when his mother took the witness stand in Otsego County Circuit Court Kyle Karsten is accused of first- and second-degree murder in the death of Lee Karsten on Aug 2024 at the family residence on Camp Ten Road in Elmira Township Kyle has pleaded not guilty to both charges Karen Karsten described some of the events from that day She said Kyle and Lee both suffered from depression She said Lee was upset after being terminated from his job and also drank heavily while Kyle was dealing with the fallout from a 2023 car accident Both father and son were home a lot and and that apparently contributed to the building tension between the two She came home from work at around 6:30 p.m on the day of the shooting and was in the kitchen Lee was in the master bedroom when Karen heard the sound of a gun being cocked She went in and found Lee with a handgun and he appeared to be pointing the gun at himself and then later at Karen More: Elmira man to face trial on murder charge starting April 28 Karen said she got him to hand over the gun to her and she put it back in a safety box in a nightstand in the bedroom Karen said Kyle was in his bedroom with the door closed Under cross examination from defense attorney Richard Treusch Karen said the kitchen was farther away from the master bedroom than Kyle's room which means Kyle probably also heard the gun cocking Karen testified that Lee went over to Kyle's bedroom and forced his way inside by pushing through the door Karen said Kyle shot Lee in his shoulder and that Lee spun around and was then sitting on the floor but she saw Kyle with his back to her and then there was a second shot According to a report from the pathologist who performed the autopsy on Lee the second shot entered Lee's neck and eventually made its way to the cerebellum a fist-sized part of the brain located at the back of the head Karen said she doesn't remember Kyle leaving the house Responding officers from the Otsego County Sheriff's Department said they found Kyle in a pole barn on the property He came out with his hands up and responded positively to their commands as they handcuffed him and took him into custody officers also found the 45-caliber semiautomatic handgun Kyle allegedly used to shoot his father Karen walked over to the table where Kyle was sitting next to his attorney and the two appeared to engage in a brief conversation Dressed in a light blue polo shirt and khaki slacks Kyle listened intently to the court proceedings Subscribe Check out our latest offers and read the local news that matters to you Otsego County Prosecuting Attorney Michael Rola said in his opening statement that an eight and half minute video from a “doggie” camera on the refrigerator in the kitchen would provide compelling audio and visual evidence that Kyle planned to kill his father that night Kyle is also accused of second-degree murder which doesn't require that a jury find beyond a reasonable doubt that Kyle schemed to kill his father Rola told the jury they will view a Michigan State Police interview with Kyle in which he allegedly explains why he shot his father "You won't find anything about self defense," in that interview Treusch declined to make an opening statement and hinted in his questioning of potential jurors that he may bring up self-defense and domestic violence issues in the trial A jury of four men and nine women were seated in just under 90 minutes before Judge George Mertz but a woman who was experiencing an illness was excused from the jury by Mertz as Rola and Treusch voiced no objections to the decision That means 12 of the 13 jurors will decide Kyle’s fate as one will be available as an alternate — Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@gaylordheraldtimes.com A former church in the heart of downtown Elmira was destroyed by a fire that broke out late Thursday and the historic building will be torn down Firefighters were called out around 10:15 p.m the site of the former First Baptist Community Church of Elmira after a city police officer saw flames and notified the 911 Center The second and third floors of the sprawling structure were engulfed in flames when fire crews arrived on the scene Fire officials immediately requested a recall of all available fire department personnel which was provided by the Southport and Elmira Heights fire departments The blaze quickly tore through the entire structure and into the roof and there were concerns flames would spread to the nearby Verizon building which is only separated from the church by 10 feet Firefighters were still on the scene Friday morning pouring water on the smoldering remains of the building and city police expected the stretch of Church Street between Clemens Center Parkway and North Main Street would be closed to traffic for the remainder of the day There were no injuries reported and firefighters were able to prevent the flames from reaching the Verizon building crews had to deal with freezing temperatures and wind overnight and much of the building and surrounding trees were encased with ice Friday "I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the 911 dispatchers and all the responding personnel from other departments for the amazing job you did under these extreme circumstances as well as the community businesses and members who have reached out today with food and support," Fire Chief Andrew Mallow said in a news release Related Binghamton firefighter killed, 2 others injured while battling major downtown blaze The First Baptist Church was built in the 1890s church trustees sold the property to Marian Laurentiu of Tannery Creek Road in Corning for $82,750 according to Chemung County real property records The former church has been vacant for more than 10 years who wouldn't say yet if they consider the blaze suspicious and a demolition company from the Syracuse area was expected to arrive in the area late Friday to begin removal of the tallest portions of the church that pose the biggest safety hazard The cause and origin of the fire remain under investigation The Elmira Police Department and New York state fire investigation team are assisting in the investigation hundreds of New York state corrections officers walked out of work at 30 state prisons—including the Elmira Correctional Facility in Chemung County Gov. Kathy Hochul called for an end to the “illegal” strike Hochul signed an executive order Wednesday activating 3,500 New York National Guard troops to state prisons The troops will support and supplement current correctional staff distributing meals and medication to inmates She did not specify where they were deployed she said additional troops will also be deployed The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) has canceled visitation at all 42 state prisons indefinitely Wednesday afternoon, a judge in Erie County issued a restraining order against the corrections officers and its union because such actions are considered unlawful according to New York Civil Service Law known as the “Taylor Law” which prevents public employees from striking a crowd of approximately 100 corrections officers were gathered across the street from the Elmira prison There were outdoor heaters and barrels used as fire pits scattered about the property to keep them warm in the below freezing temperatures Elmira Mayor Daniel Mandell said he was at the walkout on Tuesday and said there had not been any issues with the large gathering and open fires we would respond and handle it accordingly,” said Mandell The walkout is unsanctioned according to the union that represents the officers—the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA) It is not clear if this exacerbates the staffing issues that corrections officers say is plaguing state prisons or whether DOCCS will reprimand those who did not show up for work this week According to an independent state prisons watchdog, the Correctional Association of New York, as of 2024, which is the latest data reported Elmira’s maximum security facility had 62 vacancies out of 785 positions The corrections officers union said that negotiations towards a resolution with the state began Tuesday and continued Wednesday who spent 30 years working for the Chemung County Sheriff’s Office said some state corrections officers are concerned about safe working conditions and the state’s recently implemented HALT Act “[The state has] basically taken the disciplinary tool away from the correctional staff,” said Mandell The HALT Act—or—Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement Act was signed into law in 2021 by the governor It is meant to limit extended solitary confinement to inmates allowing for some hours outside the cell while in solitary holding Its use is prohibited to those 21 years or younger or 55 years and older—and those who are disabled or pregnant Solitary confinement is also limited to 15 consecutive days Mandell argues that the HALT Act is jeopardizing the safety inside prisons for the corrections officers “They cannot find people that want to take the job And I can't say I blame them [in] this day and age.” six corrections officers were indicted for second-degree murder in the beating death of inmate Robert Brooks at the Marcy Correctional Facility last year Four others were charged with lesser crimes It is unclear if the indictment announcements and the “strike” are related WSKG reached out to the governor’s office and DOCCS but did not hear back in time for this report A police officer shot and seriously injured a man after he allegedly pointed a gun at law enforcement during a domestic disturbance response on April 25 Elmira police officers were dispatched to a residence in the 300 block of East Water Street for the report of a disturbance where a woman could be heard screaming Arriving officers located the residence and could hear a woman crying from within who had an apparent injury to her leg and was crying She said the man had assaulted her and held her against her will inside the residence Police also confirmed the woman had a valid order of protection against him to gather some clothing from the residence the man grabbed what appeared to be a handgun from a bed and held it in his hand Officers reportedly ordered the man to drop the gun and exit the room but he refused an Elmira police officer discharged a Taser at the man The man then exited the closet and pointed the handgun at officers an Elmira police officer fired a round from his own weapon provided medical assistance at the scene and taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries Police said there are no other public safety concerns for residents in the area and the disturbance was an isolated incident Two blocks of East Water Street were closed to motorists for several hours The Elmira Police Department was assisted at the scene by the Chemung County Sheriff’s Office the West Elmira Police Department and the New York State Police The investigation is continuing and police said no other information is forthcoming at this time The Lycoming Career and Technology Center (Lyco CTC) is in the process of a capital campaign aimed at raising $2.3 .. The Lycoming County Resource Management Services Transfer Station Wall Street extended its gains to a ninth straight day marking its longest winning streak since 2004 and .. Dozens of correction officers and other staff of the Elmira Correctional Facility stood across the maximum security state prison Monday to protest what they say are unsafe working conditions in light of increased violence and plans to reduce prison staffing statewide The New York State Correction Officers Police Benevolent Association which represents correction officers in the state prison system said the protests at Elmira — and at the Collins Correctional Facility in Erie County — are not sanctioned by the union according to NYSCOPBA spokesman James Miller Tensions have been high since the recent fatal beating of inmate Robert Brooks at the Marcy Correctional Facility in Oneida County Critics also say low staffing and New York's HALT Act which restricts the use of solitary confinement as a punishment according to one Elmira correction officer who declined to give his name due to fear of disciplinary action is the prison environment isn't safe for staff or inmates The officer said staff is in jeopardy every day Monday's action was "all about safety and health." "We just want safer working conditions," the officer said Despite incidents of violence in the state prison system corrections officials are considering reducing overall staffing to 70% of their present levels State legislators representing the Elmira area say poor policy decisions in Albany have led to dangerous levels of discontent within the prison system "New York state’s correctional system is clearly in crisis," said state Sen "It has been continually building and growing worse over the past decade of rapid prison closures increasingly dangerous and demanding working conditions inside prisons and the enactment of the HALT Act and other failed policies out of Albany "We need a comprehensive overhaul of safety and security within the system beginning with the immediate repeal of HALT and it needs to be made a priority," O'Mara said said Elmira is a microcosm of troubles across the prison system statewide and policies that make (correction officers') jobs more difficult have created a powder keg environment inside state prisons," Palmesano said in a statement "We are seeing record highs of inmate-on-staff and inmate-on-inmate assaults (up 76% and 169% respectively) since the implementation of the HALT Act More correction officers are retiring and resigning each year than are coming in there are more than 2,200 correction officer vacancies dangerous and unsustainable and must be addressed now." More: How Marcy body cameras turned a secret assault into a reckoning at NY prisons the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision says it has taken multiple steps to improve conditions for its workers including negotiating a new labor agreement with NYSCOPBA that includes yearly salary increases The department has also instituted new policies and procedures to reduce the amount of contraband entering its facilities to increase the safety of all "The job actions initiated by some rogue NYSCOPBA members at Collins and Elmira Correctional facilities this morning are illegal and unlawful," the department said in a statement "We are committed to engaging the union in order to return staff to work and resume normal operations at the two facilities Visitation at both facilities have been cancelled until further notice." (This story has been updated to add new information.) An Elmira man faces nearly 50 felony counts alleging he had sexual contact with a teenage girl on multiple occasions and made and distributed recordings of those encounters A Chemung County grand jury indicted Kyle Tice on 19 counts of use of a child in a sexual performance three counts of promoting a sexual performance by a child The crimes allegedly took place between Jan and the charges stem from a traffic stop in late February in the City of Elmira officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle involved in suspected narcotics activity Tice was operating the vehicle and his passenger was a 16-year-old girl who had been reported missing Police launched an investigation after the teen reportedly disclosed ongoing sexual abuse by Tice police executed a search warrant at a residence within the city where the alleged abuse transpired Through the investigation and evidence seized at the scene investigators determined Tice not only performed sexual acts with the minor but also manufactured child sexual abuse material and distributed that electronic content via a social media platform Police initially charged Tice with one count of use of a child in a sexual performance Public safety Ithaca man gets 12 years for incident that seriously injured Chemung sheriff investigator Tice is also wanted in Bradford County on a probation/parole violation according to the Chemung County Sheriff's Office Tice was already in custody on the child sex charges when the sheriff's office received a fugitive from justice warrant from Bradford County in early March claiming he failed to appear on a petition to revoke his probation after violating the conditions by illegally possessing a controlled substance The maximum penalty for one count of using a child in a sexual performance is 15 years in prison Promoting sexual performance by a child carries a maximum sentence of seven years and a conviction for third-degree rape is punishable by up to four years in prison Tice remains in custody at the Chemung County Jail without bail to await further court proceedings Dain Reese got his first job working at Chuck Clark's a popular bar on Clemens Square in downtown Elmira but as the general manager of a new bar and restaurant designed to revitalize a space that's been vacant for more than a decade Local property management company Capriotti Properties which purchased 1-8 Clemens Square in 2022 tasked Reese with restoring the space and converting it into a new venture — "Centertown Social," a brewery-style bar and restaurant that will feature a large gaming area The location was most recently the home of the Red Room Turning the long-abandoned site around has been a project two years in the making "It's been a bear bringing everything back up to code We've been dealing with architects and had some hurdles Centertown Social should be ready to open by late spring Clemens Square was a major focus when the City of Elmira obtained a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant from New York state in 2016 The arrival of Centertown Social will be a big deal for the heart of downtown "We're excited about the project," Mandell said We also awarded Capriotti Properties $500,000 from ARP (American Rescue Plan) to help the project general restaurant seating will consist of several large booths and ample tables near the center and up on the mezzanine level Beyond the restaurant seating will be the large gaming area Other finishes will include wall art from local artists and custom outdoor lighting for night events There will also be abundant outdoor seating and easy access for when the weather warms up Energy assistance NY expands access to HEAP program to include more seniors. How to apply in Southern Tier the property sat vacant for a long time because Elmira has a negative image in some people's minds adding Capriotti Properties owner Jim Capriotti ignored that and saw the potential We're in between the Clemens Center and the (LECOM Events Center) arena," Reese said Elmira area residents who want to learn more about a controversial solar power and energy storage project proposed for a rural location in the Town of Elmira will have that opportunity March 10 The Town of Elmira Planning Board will hold a public informational meeting at 7 p.m Monday in the gym at Hendy Elementary School Carson Power a New York City-based renewable energy company last April asked the Planning Board to approve its proposal to build a 4.6-megawatt solar energy and lithium-ion battery storage project on 22 acres of vacant land at 200 West Hill Road The property in question is forested land owned by Robert Agan Jr and Carson Power would lease the land from him and clearcut the trees to make room for its facilities The Planning Board held two public meetings on the proposal that were reportedly sparsely attended but concerned citizens spoke out against it during a Jan 29 community meeting at the White Eagles Club in Elmira many claiming they didn't have enough information and objecting to the location of the project The site is within a short distance from the Elmira Correctional Facility the Elmira Water Board reservoir and Arnot Ogden Medical Center and some residents are concerned about the potential health and environmental impact of a fire or other emergency at the lithium-ion battery storage facility Dig deeper Elmira solar proposal fuels opposition, spurs debate. What residents, company are saying Representatives from Carson Power and from the Energy Storage Response Group are expected to be on hand to give presentations at the March 10 meeting according to Elmira Town Supervisor Ann Gerould Members of the Town Board will also be attending who added it's not likely the Planning Board will decide on approval at that time but will take points and concerns raised during the meeting into consideration before a future vote Follow Jeff Murray on Twitter @SGJeffMurray Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInELMIRA, N.Y. (WBNG) -- On April 25, officers were dispatched to a residence in the 300 block of E Water Street for the report of a female being heard screaming the woman had a leg injury and was crying and upset The woman reported that a male had assaulted her and held her against her will at the residence Officers found a valid Order of Protection that protects the woman from the man officers allowed the man to gather some clothes from the residence The man grabbed what appeared to be a handgun from a bed and held it in his hand Officers made numerous attempts to get the man to drop it and exit the room but it didn’t work and he retreated into a small closet an officer discharged his firearm at the man The male sustained life-threatening injuries but is currently stable and alert The Elmira Police Department was assisted at the scene by the Chemung County Sheriff’s office and no further information will be released regarding this incident There's a new coffee shop in Elmira Heights maybe that's because it's at the same location where there used to be another popular coffee shop Morgan Grover owned the former shop and also owns the new business at 258 E. 14th St., and the opening of Big Nerd Coffee Company and Cafe Area 14 is a major comeback story I sold that business at the end of 2023," Grover said the purchaser of the building was not able to run the business so we re-acquired the space in December of '24," he said "We took this opportunity to incorporate both the roastery and the cafe together into a single business Big Nerd Coffee Company - Cafe Area 14 is open from 7 a.m Stop in for a cup of coffee or a pastry and you might sense a sort of "X-Files" vibe as much of the decor is alien-themed The name Cafe Area 14 is a play on Area 51 military facility in Nevada long rumored to have connections to UFOs and alien technology That theme is the influence of head barista Tiffany Tenasco who makes all of the quiches and a lot of the other foods "Tiffany is very big into alien conspiracies and such So the entire feel and theme was designed around her vision," Grover said "Being that my primary focus is on the roastery (Big Nerd Coffee Company) basically I designed it for her and incorporated all of her hobbies Local Solar energy company modifies proposal for Town of Elmira solar project. What's changed. For more information, go to facebook.com/BNCCArea14Cafe A new Elmira eatery is bringing a taste of the Mediterranean to the Southern Tier has expanded the existing ice cream shop and is now offering fresh food and a small grocery store on Elmira’s eastside Sahzene and Kadir Yavuz started serving food in early January “We’re still figuring out the menu and what goes well We’re trying out a couple different sides but the main thing is the gyro,” said Sahzene Yavuz “Elmira is a small town but we’ve got quite a bit of attention especially for some of the side dishes like homemade baklava.” The couple is originally from Turkey but has spent the last two decades in the U.S They moved to Elmira a few years ago for Sahzene’s work as an endocrinologist Her work in the healthcare industry helped fuel a desire to add a healthy food option to the local dining scene “We’re aiming to have an option for the community to have fresh healthy foods that at the same time are very enjoyable.” The business venture is the first for Sahzene and Kadir Kadir handles most of the cooking at Turquoise Sweets orders ingredients and does some prep work Turquoise Sweets is also now selling some food ingredients that you’re unlikely to find anywhere else in the Elmira area Adding a small grocery store was out of necessity; the nearest place to get some of the eatery’s Mediterranean ingredients was in Rochester Turqouise Sweets is open daily from 11:30 a.m although a patio area with picnic tables is expected to be available when the weather warms up later this year More: New Elmira craft cannabis boutique hopes to make it big by thinking small, and local Sahzene also hopes to utilize a greenhouse on the property to grow fresh vegetables for an urban “farm to table” operation providing ingredients for the eatery “If we can achieve that I’ll be really happy because freshness is everything in our food vision,” Sahzene said “We want our guests to have a good experience with fresh healthy foods that they can enjoy and at the same time get good nutrition.” January 7—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats) today announced that he will continue operating district offices in Elmira O’Mara represents the 58th Senate District comprised of Chemung and a portion of Allegany County (the towns of Alfred He encouraged 58th district residents to contact any of his offices for state government assistance and information "Area residents should never hesitate to contact our offices for assistance help facilitate access to state programs and services or even just as a sounding board for suggestions and ideas,” said O’Mara He provided the following office contact information: Elmira District Office:  100 West Church Street (Suite 103) Bath Satellite Office: 105 East Steuben Street Waterloo Satellite Office: Seneca County Office Building Mailing address: Seneca County Office Building Mailing address: Legislative Office Building O'Mara can be followed on X (formerly Twitter) at @SenatorOMara and on Facebook at: SenatorTomOMara.  and those iconic grunge t-shirts and boy band playlists Elmira Downtown Development is throwing it back to the 1990s with a 90s-themed Taste of Downtown fundraising event set for Wednesday The event will be hosted at Empire Sports of the Southern Tier at 304 N Taste-sized portions of signature dishes will be available from local restaurants wine and other beverages while DJ Stro plays all of your favorite 90s hits Raffle prizes and a silent auction will also spice up the night Prizes will be awarded for best 90s attire Elmira Downtown Development went with the 90s theme as it celebrates 35 years of serving the community in 2025 Taste of Downtown is an annual event that highlights rich culinary offerings Elmira Downtown Development promises "an unforgettable evening of nostalgia and community support at our 90s-themed Fundraising Event!" Guests will be able to learn about downtown businesses and nonprofits and proceeds from the event will benefit the 18th annual Elmira Street Painting Festival coming up this summer on June 14-15 on Main Street More: Accessing local journalism is even easier with the free Star-Gazette app. How to join up "This is the perfect chance to relive the magic of the 90s while supporting a great cause," stated Elmira Downtown Development "Your ticket helps fund the Elmira Street Painting Festival so come make a difference in the most fun way possible!" Tickets are $30 and can be found at elmiradowntown.com Corning regained momentum in the blink of an eye during the second half of Friday night's Section 4 Class AA football final. Elmira took it back with the flick of a wrist Express quarterback Zach Conklin hit Julian Colon with a 51-yard touchdown pass with 4 minutes 4 seconds remaining to give Elmira the lead on the way to a 35-22 victory at Corning Memorial Stadium Colon scored his third touchdown of the night on a 3-yard run with 57 seconds remaining for some security as the Express earned back-to-back Section 4 titles and the program's sixth championship since it got going in 2011 knowing I can come out here and trust my guys every play to get it done," Colon said of the title extremely happy with our guys," said Jimmy McCauley to the juniors and seniors that were with us the entire year didn't know what the status was until really Conklin had a career night when it mattered most for an Express team accustomed to moving the ball on the ground through its double-wing offense He completed six of 11 passes for 174 yards and three touchdowns and the second was a 16-yarder to Marcus Brooks that helped the Express go up 20-6 with 6:51 to play in the third quarter but again it comes down to these guys," McCauley said of the passing game's success "I thought Zach did a really nice job of taking what was there we might not be able to call those plays a lot Marcus Brooks came through big I think in the second half offensively and defensively I just am extremely pleased with our guys." Daeshaun Harris carried 13 times for 63 yards highlighted by a 53-yard TD burst up the middle that gave the Express a 12-6 lead early in the second quarter Breyan Brooks contributed 53 yards on 12 carries Brandon Bertelsen hit Conklin for a 2-point conversion on a gadget play and sealed the win with an interception on Corning's final drive More: Breaking down the six Section 4 high school football championship games James Freeman carried 18 times for 124 yards and two touchdowns for Corning that came just over two minutes apart in the third quarter The first was a 24-yarder that brought the Hawks within 20-14 He then scored on a 19-yard run on the first play following a 9-yard Express punt after Elmira was pinned at its own 2-yard line on a kickoff return Corning's Brenden Jardin-Reed started the scoring with a 16-yard touchdown run and fullback Clayton Smith had 27 yards on nine rushes After the Express defense forced Corning to punt the Elmira offense responded with a nine-play 75-yard drive that turned out to be the game-winner A defensive hold on Corning gave Elmira a first down on what would have been fourth-and-two at the Express 33-yard line With Elmira facing second-and-16 at its 49 Conklin zipped a pass over the middle to Colon who broke through a tackle before finding the end zone he told me to come over and follow the block Conklin described the touchdown as a crazy play in a crazy game adding it was fitting Colon scored the deciding points A Freeman touchdown in the first half was called back by a hold part of a sequence of back-to-back drives that got inside the 10-yard line and produced zero points A screen pass to Jardin-Reed on fourth-and-six made it deep into Elmira territory following Colon's fourth-quarter touchdown but it was brought nearly all the way back by a holding penalty An incomplete pass on the next play ended the drive with Colon scoring the final touchdown three plays later "I thought the penalties killed us," said Corning coach Mike Johnston Jr. who was Elmira's offensive coordinator for the program's first four sectional titles "They were deciding factors on third and fourth down and long on both sides of the ball." Johnston also pointed to the missed scoring chances in the first half and pass defense he described as "not very good" as other contributing factors to the loss He can do a lot of different things back there and you’ve got to honor him for that We thought we needed to get pressure on him and he eluded or evaded the pressure several times and found open receivers Jimmy and his staff deserve a pat on the back for that." Up NextBecause of New York's new rotation system for regional play both teams will compete in New York State Public High School Athletic Association quarterfinals Elmira (6-4) will face defending state champ Syracuse CBA (11-0) at 6 p.m in Friday's Section 3 final and topped Elmira Corning (6-3) plays Section 9 champ Monroe-Woodbury at noon Nov Monroe-Woodbury (10-1) was a 34-10 winner over Middletown in their sectional final but things happen for all the right reasons I think NYSCOPBA released a statement surrounding the current situation at Elmira Correctional Facility and Collins "NYSCOPBA is keenly aware of the current situation at both Collins and Elmira Correctional Facilities.   The staff that have gathered outside of both facilities and who refused to enter the facility for their respective shifts was not in any way sanctioned by NYSCOPBA.    staff chose to not enter for their work shifts as a result of their discontentment with current working conditions. NYSCOPBA will continue to monitor both situations and all inquiries on current staffing levels at both facilities should be directed to DOCCS.   As the situation evolves we will keep you updated as best as possible." NY (WENY) -- A large number of corrections officers are holding a demonstration outside of the Elmira Correctional Facility Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) employees staged across the street from the Elmira Correctional Facility were tight-lipped about the reason they are gathered WENY's reporter on scene could see the staffers with portable heaters and burn barrels to keep warm and porta potties had been delivered.  A similar demonstration is underway Collins Correctional Facility in Erie County, with a large sign seen with the work "STRIKE" on the side of the road, according to ABC affiliate WKBW. Collins Correctional Facility was recently on lockdown for several days after inmates took control of three dormitory areas inside the prison.  According to the New York State Public Employees' Fair Employment Act state employees are prohibited from striking.  WENY News is told a NYSCOPBA union representative will be arriving in Elmira later in the afternoon after visiting with staff at Collins Correctional and state lawmakers have been vocal in recent years about the safety of corrections officers inside state facilities and state laws restricting the use of solitary confinement RELATED:  Assemblyman Phil Palmesano renews his call to repeal the HALT Act  More information will be shared as it is confirmed throughout the day.  The law is meant to address the homelessness epidemic in the city Elmira residents packed the city courthouse and spoke to councilmembers during the public comment portion Most of the speakers were against the measure and asked the city not to pass it The bill prohibits camping anywhere in the city that is not considered a “family camping” site The bill defines family camping as temporary recreational camping on a property owned or rented by a family and is a legal residence Family is defined to include minor children child guests and their parents or legal guardians “This law is to get people off the streets to get the encampments out of the city of Elmira get these people in the housing that they need and the treatment that they need,” said Elmira Mayor Daniel Mandell “It's a way of being compassionate [on] one end but having a stick there in case they decide they're not going to do this and keep presenting a public safety issue to our constituents.“ The “stick” referred to by the mayor is the penalty portion of the law which can include up to a $1,000-dollar fine and one year in jail The mayor said the fines and jail time are up to the courts to sentence and enforce once an unhoused person is issued an appearance ticket The new bill changed the amount of time allotted to the Chemung County Department of Social Services in order to respond to the city’s discovery of a prohibited campsite from 48 hours to “whenever feasible” Mandell said the ordinance defines feasible as a time convenient for the department But we had to put some type of wording in there that makes it convenient for them to get out there The mayor also said while he hopes people can avoid jail it can help get the homeless the care they need “The jail also has resources in there,” Mandell said instead of a penal institution where they can get the medical and mental health they need and substance abuse health that they need.” The measure failed to pass last summer after public outcry and appeals to the city council rewritten and include talks with community stakeholders According to Mayor Mandell and Chemung County Legislator Brent Stermer a homeless task force was created between county and city officials at the Department of Human Services city of Elmira's Community Development Department Elmira’s mayoral office and community organizations such as His Haven and whether their meetings are open to the public There is no public information about the task force listed on county or city websites commissioner of social services with the Chemung County Department of Human Services for more information and did not hear back in time for this report Grasso and Cooke objected to the new version of the bill and voted against the measure again as it is currently written “How are we going to penalize people who are living under bridges and in parks that don't have any money to survive it's to get them in jail," expressed Grasso there's going to be a warrant issued for your arrest The new law goes into effect once it is filed with the New York Department of State Last year, 1,357 people experiencing homelessness received services in Chemung County Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More New York state and Elmira authorities are investigating a fire that destroyed the First Baptist Church late Thursday night Multiple fire departments from around the area were called to a heavy blaze in the second and third floor of the more than 130-year-old church at 121 W An Elmira police officer spotted and reported the fire to 911 units at around 10:13 p.m “The church structure is a total loss,” Mallow said in a statement on Friday The New York State Office of Fire and Prevention and Control along with members of Elmira fire and police departments Demolition of parts of the church are expected to start Friday afternoon or evening by removing tall portions that pose a safety hazard Assisting the Elmira FD were the West Elmira Elmira Heights and Horseheads fire departments With the Section 4 boys lacrosse season at the midway point here in alphabetical order are 12 players from the Elmira-Corning region who have made significant impacts this season Landon Cook, Elmira, senior midfielderWhile the Express has struggled for wins, Cook remains a force after helping Elmira make a charge at a Section 4 title last season. He was a first-team Section 4 all-star in 2024 D'Alleva's prolific scoring has been one of the strengths for the newly combined team who had 48 goals and 19 assists last season in 14 games to earn first-team Section 4 all-star recognition for Watkins Glen DiNardo came off a junior season in which he had 28 goals and 18 assists to earn eighth-team Class A all-state honors He has signed to play at Loyola University Maryland joining older sister Jenna (Virginia) at the Division I college level senior attackA seven-goal outburst from Fratarcangelo during a 21-1 victory over Union-Endicott ranks among the top performances in Section 4 this season Freeman was among Section 4's most explosive running backs in football and his athleticism makes him a challenge to guard on the lacrosse field He was a first-team Section 4 all-star last season junior midfielderFucito set the tone early Friday during a three-goal game as Corning completed a season sweep of Horseheads with a 9-6 victory Among the highlights this season for Hogue was scoring the winning goal with 31 seconds left in Corning's 9-8 victory over Ithaca He was a second-team Section 4 all-star last season More: See high school lacrosse coverage at NFHS Network Sullivan has been among the top scorers in Section 4 His efforts included five goals and two assists in a win over Rush-Henrietta four goals and four assists in a win over Elmira and three goals and five assists in a 14-4 victory over 2024 state semifinalist Vestal junior midfield/attackWith the Crusaders combined with Watkins Glen this season Schweizer has continued to score big following a 2024 season in which he had 55 goals and 30 assists for Notre Dame in earning fifth-team Class D all-state honors Smith is another athletic multisport athlete for Corning who last season was a second-team Section 4 all-star More: Meet the 2024-25 Elite 15 Boys Basketball Team Stevens is an all-state linebacker in football who plays a physical brand of lacrosse in the midfield while having the skill set to contribute on the offensive end He was a fifth-team Class B all-state lacrosse pick last year senior attackWoodworth has been a mainstay for the Blue Raiders over recent seasons who has scored in bunches this season including four goals and four assists in a 12-4 triumph over Rush-Henrietta Woodworth was a sixth-team Class B all-state selection as a junior It has been closed for nearly two decades, but despite some community efforts to save Elmira's Brand Park Pool city officials Monday gave their final blessing to plans to demolish the city's only public pool The City Council on Monday night accepted a bid of $93,640 submitted by John F & John P Wenzel Contractors of Elmira Heights to raze the 75-year-old facility The city plans to replace the pool with a playground and splash pad for about $895,000. Both projects will be funded with American Rescue Plan money and the existing facility was built in 1949 after a flood destroyed the original pool three years earlier After years of dealing with structural issues city officials finally closed the pool following the 2005 season after deciding they couldn't afford necessary repairs This past summer, a committee of residents pushed for the city to take advantage of a new state program, NY SWIMS (New York Statewide Investment In More Swimming) which provides funding for new pools and repairs to existing pools in underserved areas "Let's save a rare and magnificent treasure in the fabric of Elmira, and let's make swimming a public good here, not a luxury," former Elmira mayoral candidate Jim Hassell wrote in a May Star-Gazette opinion piece But Mayor Dan Mandell said it wouldn't make financial sense for the city to go that route which maybe would cover the cost of complete renovation," Mandell said It's too much money for something that only gets used a few months a year." Public safety Suspect in Bradford County murder sentenced under plea deal, will testify against others The only other public pools in Chemung County are in the Village of Horseheads, West Elmira and Harris Hill Park in Big Flats While there is no timeline yet for construction of a new splash pad Mandell says demolition of the old pool could get underway very soon "Our new splash pad will be similar to what they have up in Corning "We're going to try and save the façade as a memorial to the pool." Follow Jeff Murray on Twitter @SGJeffMurray Image Credit: Chemung County Historical Society (WENY) -- A fire in Elmira took out a big piece of history on Thursday night The church has deep roots in the Southern Tier including being the venue for Ernie Davis' funeral and serving as a stop on the Underground Railroad The version of the church that stood tall just a few days ago was built in the 1890s and it served as a place of worship for more than 100 years before closing in 2009 RELATED: Officials: Former Church in Downtown Elmira a 'Total Loss' and Firefighters Battle Blaze at Historic Church; Road Closures in Place  Rachel Dworkin, the archivist at the Chemung County Historical Society and documents with WENY News to help provide some insight into the church's significance "It was designed by local architecture firm Pierce and Dockstader and it housed the church from 1892 through 2009 when they merged with the Southside Baptist Church to form the United Baptist Church and moved to a smaller location," said Dworkin "And it had been on the market for a while and eventually they sold it in 2011 and it's just been stuck in limbo since then basically." The First Baptist Church was founded in 1829 It originally ran out of a schoolhouse before land was acquired in 1832 near what is now known as Wisner Park the first iteration of the church was built on the property The most recent structure isn't the first one to catch fire the church was reconstructed into a second structure which was later damaged by fire leading to the construction of a third building in the 1890s This building was dedicated in 1892 and it now sits in ruins in 2025 spectators watched the historic church as it went up in flames and part of the building collapsed "This beautiful historic building," said Brent Stermer the minority leader of the Chemung County Legislature "At this point I don't think that there's anything left to it other than the bricks It doesn't look like it could be saved in any way It's such a beautiful building and to have that connection with John Jones it's just absolutely horrible to see it the way it is now." Jones was the sexton of the second building of the First Baptist Church which happened to be a stop on the underground railroad due to his work as a conductor The phrase "conductor" was somewhat of a code word at the time to refer to someone as a point man in the community he used the church and church resources to help on the Underground Railroad and he saw like 800 people to freedom during his work," said Dworkin She added that Jones would help hide people and find food He would then arrange for them to move to the next stop down the line Elmira has a rich railroad history as well because it was on an actual train line Jones worked with baggage handlers of the train company to get those seeking freedom onto the baggage car to make it to Canada the Chemung County Historical Society obtained decades of donated records and documents including photographs from over the years copies of blueprints from Pierce and Dockstader's 1892 version of the church and even programs from various events held at the First Baptist Church over the years Dworkin adds that the history will continue to be preserved the shock and sadness of losing a local historical monument can also serve as a reminder She says that those who have memories of the church should take the time to share them with the younger generation so the community will still know about it for years to come "It's sad and people are very sad when we lose our treasures in our community and it seems to the point where Elmira and our region people are so giving and caring and try to look out for each other," said Stermer we can do something as a community to think about the people who may have had a family history there or experiences." WENY News will have continuing coverage of this story and will provide updates as they are made available Elmira's connection with the Cleveland Browns grew Saturday when the franchise drafted Shedeur Sanders, son of Elmira native Pilar (Biggers) Sanders Sanders had been projected by some to be drafted in the first round but the quarterback's drop in the draft became the biggest storyline of the three days More: Shedeur Sanders' NFL draft nightmare ends as Cleveland Browns pick him on Day 3 He was chosen 144th overall by Cleveland, which made a trade with the Seahawks to move up to that spot Sanders was the sixth quarterback drafted and second by the Browns who selected Oregon's Dillon Gabriel in the third round Sanders starred at the University of Colorado the past two seasons Pilar Sanders attended Elmira Free Academy the same school Elmira legend Ernie Davis attended before going on to win a national championship and the 1961 Heisman Trophy at Syracuse University The Browns traded for Davis after he was picked first overall in the 1962 draft (held in December of 1961) by Washington which traded his rights to Cleveland for Bobby Mitchell and first-round pick Leroy Jackson Cleveland hoped to pair Davis in its backfield with future Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Brown, but Davis was diagnosed with leukemia and died at age 23 in 1963 without playing in the NFL. Brown and Davis coincidentally both died on May 18, 60 years apart The EFA campus Pilar attended is now Ernie Davis Academy a junior high in the Elmira City School District There is a statue of Davis at the front of the school soccer player and contributed as a writer for the Star-Gazette's Sneakers youth sports section she attended Syracuse University as a nursing student before joining the Ford Model Agency She was married to Deion from 1999 until 2013 (4/5): The owners of McDonald Contracting say they will remain open after a fire destroyed their business' building They say they will do their best to get to the jobs that have already been scheduled "We are grateful that no one got hurt for the fire departments that worked putting fire out and employees that showed up and helped save what we could," the owners wrote McDonald Contracting will only take cash or check until their get their computers back up UPDATE FROM 04/05/2025 AT 9:10 A.M.: According to the Elmira Fire Department Chief Andy Mallow no one was inside the building at the time of the fire Chief Mallow said the building is a total loss and McDonald Contracting lost a significant amount of equipment in the fire The cause of the fire is still under investigation Chief Mallow said more information will be released in the coming days NY (WENY) -- A business on Elmira's south side went up in flames Friday evening Fire crews were called to the scene of a fire at McDonald Contracting on South Kinyon Street in Elmira just after 9 P.M and West Elmira were among the crews responding to the scene It's unknown at this time exactly how the fire started; Fire crews are still actively working to put out the flames as of 10 P.M The fire was so large vehicles were pulling over on nearby Clemens Center Parkway and neighboring streets so people could get a view of the flames causing potentially dangerous traffic situations Police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of an Elmira man after partial skeletal remains were found on two different occasions Two days after New York State Police confirmed remains found near the Chemung River last fall belonged to 22-year-old Matthew Barber investigators Thursday released additional information about the case including the determination that Barber's disappearance is considered to be suspicious in nature Two kayakers who were fishing in the Chemung River in late September 2024 found a human skull near the river and immediately reported it to authorities The Binghamton University Forensic Anthropology Lab and the New York State Police Forensic Investigation Center conducted DNA analysis and forensic examinations and concluded the remains belonged to Barber a disabled adult who was reported missing in October 2020 by members of his immediate family The remains were recovered in the same area a boater found a human jawbone along the river in May 2022 and reported it to the Chemung County Sheriff's Office DNA analysis indicated that bone also belonged to Barber Barber's disappearance and death remain under investigation by the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Horseheads in coordination with the Elmira Police Department Public safety Millerton man charged with sexually assaulting two Potter County teens. What we know Investigators are seeking any additional information regarding the circumstances surrounding Barber's disappearance and the discovery of his remains Anyone who may have information about the case is asked to contact New York State Police at 585-398-4100 Late night fire breaks out at business in Elmira 02/14/2025 UPDATE AT 2:15 P.M.: Around 10:15 p.m an Elmira police officer saw that the former Baptist Church was on fire and called 9-1-1 they found that the church's second and third floors were heavily involved with flames The Elmira Fire Department immediately requested backup of all Elmira Fire personnel as well as help from the Southport and Elmira Heights Fire Departments Officials said that the fire quickly tore through the building and its roof Fire Chief Andrew Mallow deemed the former Baptist Church a total loss and a demolition company will come in to demolish it Authorities said a demolition company is en route from Syracuse and demolition is expected to start either Friday afternoon (2/14)  or Saturday (2/15) Crews will first remove the tall parts of the church that pose a safety hazard Chief Mallow said the Verizon building next door to the church was exposed to the flames but crews from Elmira Heights and Southport 6AM UPDATE: Elmira police have West Church Street closed The closure is expected to last most of the day for February 14th and an excavator and other equipment has been brought in Elmira city leaders tell WENY News the building will have to be destroyed NY (WENY) -- A massive fire tore through a historic church building in downtown Elmira Thursday night Fire crews responded to a fire at the former First Baptist Church on 121 West Church Street a little after 10PM Firefighters from multiple fire departments are currently on scene working to get the fire under control.  The church was originally built in the 1890's Chemung County property tax records show the building was sold in 2010 WENY News will have continuing coverage throughout the day on Friday and will update this story when more information is made available.