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News, community events and sports photos from: Dundee, Penn Yan, Watkins Glen, Odessa-Montour and Hammondsport can be found and purchased from our photo partner SmugMug. Just follow the directions and your prints will arrive in a few days. If you don't see the photo you want and you know it was published in one of our newspapers just email us: theobserver@citlink.net and tell us what the photo was about and when it was published. If we can get the photo for you we will. |
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Committee presents ideas for downtown revitalization
PENN YAN—Some 30 residents attended the Penn Yan 2020 Vision Steering Committee’s presentation Wednesday, May 15, in the Penn Yan middle school auditorium updating the data the Rochester Regional Community Design Center (RRCDR) is compiling from the Community Design Charrette held in November, 2012. The data presented included several ideas that came out of the charrette which focus on increasing the appeal of the village’s gateways and downtown area, as well as repurposing historic buildings for new uses. Read More ...
By: David Specksgoor |
Legislators discuss public transit options
YATES COUNTY—District Manager of First Transit Bus Company Jim Gorman presented information and options to the Yates County Legislature during their meeting Monday, May 13 about the possibility of bringing public bus transportation to the county. Gorman said First Transit already has contracts with Chemung, Steuben, Allegany, Cortland, Clinton and Chenango Counties as well as the city of Corning. He said having a public transit system would benefit potential riders like seniors, persons with disabilities, low-income residents and even the Mennonite community. Gorman said college students could also benefit from a bus service, allowing them to travel between Keuka College and surrounding villages more easily. He said First Transit already provides services to St. Bonaventure, University of Buffalo and The College at Brockport. Read More ...
By: David Specksgoor |
Legislature doesn’t vote on term limits
SCHUYLER COUNTY––The Schuyler County legislature held a public hearing on Local Law No. 3 of 2013, which would impose term limits upon members of the legislature, but did not vote on the resolution to adopt the law. Chairman Dennis Fagan explained there was not enough support amongst the legislators to pass the resolution and it would be revisited in committee before being reintroduced. Citizens speaking during the public hearing voiced their support for term limits. Mark Rondinaro said it is, “very important that there is some turnover and new blood on the legislature.” This sentiment was echoed by Alan Hurley and Charles Davis. “I would hate to see [the legislature] be an old boys club,” said Davis. Read More ...
By: Alan Benedict |
Inergy will get $7M property tax cut
SCHUYLER COUNTY—Schuyler County officials announced an agreement with Inergy Midstream to reduce the company’s property taxes by $7 million over three years. Inergy had protested the assessed value of its Seneca Lake natural gas storage facility located in Watkins Glen. According to Legislative Chair Dennis Fagan, the taxing jurisdictions have agreed to an incremental reduction over a three year period that will result in local property tax payments in excess of $1.7 million per year by Inergy Midstream. The local taxing authorities have agreed to an incremental reduction over a three year period to a final assessment of $22 million. Read More ...
By: David Austen |
School budget, candidate votes are May 21
YATES, STEUBEN and SCHUYLER COUNTIES-The Penn Yan, Dundee, and Hammondsport school districts will hold budget votes and board candidate elections Tuesday, May 21, from noon to 8 p.m. Penn Yan is proposing a $32,648,597 budget with a 2.54 percent tax levy increase. This budget will support programs for 70 clubs and 45 teams. Dundee’s proposed budget is $15,069,549. The tax levy increase is 2.8 percent for 2013-14. Hammondsport’s budget is $12,463,818 and includes funding for a school resource officer and two addition positions. It cuts no programs. The proposed tax levy increase is 2.14 percent. For more on the school budgets, see the related stories on page 2 in our May 15 printed edition. Penn Yan has the only contested election of the three schools. Incumbents Jeff Bray, Kathy Guenther and Jeff Morehouse are all seeking reelection. Phyllis Record and David Willson are also running for election. Read More ...
By: David Austen |
Discovery Campus opening day moved to 2014
BRANCHPORT—The opening of the Finger Lakes Museum’s Discovery Campus, located at the former Branchport school, is delayed until Earth Day in April of 2014. Originally, the facility had a planned opening date of April 22, 2013, but Finger Lakes Museum Executive Director Don Naetzker said it was delayed due to a variety of reasons. “It wasn’t one thing,” Naetzker said. “It included permitting, and weather and also just assembling the financing and the grants.” Naetzker said the museum has spent a lot of time refining what they want their discovery campus to be. He said the museum is trying to have a construction meeting by the end of this week, and hopefully work will resume next week. Naetzker said they just received their wetland permit Monday, May 14, which was one of the permits holding up progress. He said these delays have also pushed back the dates for work on the main campus to be located at the Keuka Lake State Park site. Read More ...
By: David Specksgoor |
Jury finds Trappler guilty of murder
SCHUYLER COUNTY—A Schuyler County jury found Alice Trappler, 41, Addison, guilty on five charges connected to the 2012 murder of Dix resident Daniel Bennett. The trial started April 19. Trappler was found guilty of two counts of murder in the second degree, one count of burglary in the first degree, one count of burglary in the second degree and one count of conspiracy in the second degree. Authorities had previously explained Bennett was the father of a child with Trappler. According to Schuyler County District Attorney Chief Assistant Matthew Hayden, Trappler faces 25 years to life in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Thursday, July 11. Hayden added, “we’re very happy with the outcome of the trial. We think the jury paid very close attention to the proof.” Read More ...
By: David Austen |
Finger Lakes receive more media attention
FINGER LAKES—The Yahoo! Travel blog has named the Finger Lakes as one of 10 “Lakeside vacations that have it all” in an April 23, story, from a list of world-class destinations. The article covers lake destinations from the U.S. and other international locations. According to the story, one of the Finger Lakes’ main attractions is the ability to explore the more than 100 wineries that line the shores of the 11 individual lakes, “created by glacial activity more than two million years ago.” In addition to specifically pointing out Watkins Glen State Park as a place to hike and see the 19 waterfalls, it also suggests visiting the nearby Corning Museum of Glass. The list puts the Finger Lakes at number nine, with Lake Geneva, Switzerland; Lake Geneva, Wisconsin; Lake George, N.Y.; Lake Como, Italy; Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada; Lakes of Killarney, Ireland; Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada; Lake of the Woods, Minnesota and Canada; and Lake Titicaca, Peru and Bolivia. Read More ...
By: David Austen |
Officials consider county options
WATKINS GLEN—County officials from both Yates and Schuyler met with the Schuyler League of Women Voters Wednesday, May 1 to discuss the options the counties are looking at for shared services and the potential for a possible merger. Schuyler County Administrator Tim O’Hearn gave a presentation during the luncheon at the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel explaining the situation each county is in and how the talk of a merger came about. He said he and Yates County Administrator Sarah Purdy had joked about the idea for years, but decided to look at the issue seriously after the counties passed their 2013 budgets with Yates experiencing a 14.7 percent tax levy increase and Schuyler with a 5.9 percent increase. O’Hearn said these increases are unacceptable. “In the constraints we are working in, we are doing the best we can,” O’Hearn said. “It is not enough.” O’Hearn said neither county is committed to any particular idea, which include potentially sharing services, sharing administrative staff, merging or even dissolution, and are merely looking at all options available. Read More ...
By: David Specksgoor |
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Senate names Beverly Stamp ‘Woman of Distinction’
SCHUYLER COUNTY—Beverly Stamp, co-owner and operator of Lakewood Vineyards north of Watkins Glen, was recognized as a New York State Senate “Woman of Distinction” at a statewide awards ceremony in Albany, Tuesday, May 7. Stamp was honored by Sen. Tom O’Mara (R-C, Big Flats), who represents Schuyler County. She is a longtime ambassador of New York’s nationally and internationally renowned wine and grape industry. The senate’s annual “Women of Distinction” program, which began in March to coincide with Women’s History Month in New York, allows senators statewide to select one honoree from their respective legislative districts for this tribute. Read More ...
By: David Austen |
School board candidates offer ideas
PENN YAN—The Penn Yan Central School District held its Meet the Candidates Night Monday, May 6 in the elementary school cafeteria. More than 20 people attended the event to meet the five different candidates running for three seats on the school board. Current board members Jeff Morehouse, Jeff Bray, Kathy Guenther and candidates Phyllis Record and David Willson each answered questions by moderator Connie Covert. The candidates varied in opinion on the top issues they believe the district is currently facing. Record said one of the top issues for the school district is finding creative ways to come up with funding, while also supporting the teachers and support staff who help them. Willson said teachers are feeling the pinch felt in the business world a few years ago, and the school district often squanders pennies that could add up over time. He said the district needs to stand behind its teachers and support them during a time when everybody has to do with a little less. “The children in the classroom today are not the same children who were there 25 years ago,” Bray said. Read More ...
By: David Specksgoor |
Engineers: waste plant may be $31M
MONTOUR FALLS—Representatives from the Schuyler County Legislature, Watkins Glen and Montour Falls village boards, and the town of Reading attended an informational meeting about the proposed inter-municipal wastewater treatment plant, Thursday, May 2. Engineers are studying the various costs for either village to repair, build new, or construct a joint wastewater treatment plant, called Project Seneca. Shannon Harty, managing engineer for Barton and Loguidice, explained both Watkins’ and Montour Falls’ existing plants are at least 50 years old and need some form of repairs. Both facilities are also near recreational activities. Harty added the Watkins plant is “near the end of its useful life.” Harty and Greg Cummings, engineer for Larson Design Group, presented the options being researched. The only cost the engineers had estimated was for the joint facility. Hardy said it would be approximately $30,836,000. Read More ...
By: David Austen |
Dresden will consider smoke-free parks
DRESDEN—Helen Dunlap, representative of the Tobacco Action Coalition of the Finger Lakes, asked the Dresden village board to considering adding a smoke-free policy for public playground areas, during the Wednesday, May 1, board meeting. Dunlap explained she was interested in seeing the village’s playground marked as a smoke-free location. The coalition has already worked with Penn Yan and Dundee to get public areas designated as tobacco free. Dunlap said the focus is not on people smoking, but on reducing the exposure of smoking to children. She added if a municipality does create a policy, the coalition will provide the signs to be placed in the parks for free. The board said it would consider a tobacco free policy. Dunlap was suggested to contact Torrey because the town also operates a park. Read More ...
By: David Austen |
Wineries promote Finger Lakes Riesling
FINGER LAKES—May has been selected by many wineries as a month to focus on and promote area Rieslings, a wine that has brought the Finger Lakes region a world class prominence. May 1 is also being marked by some wineries as National Riesling Day, a promotional event new to 2013 to encourage people to visit a local winery, wine shop, or store and make a purchase of at least one bottle of Riesling. For the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, May is the second month of Riesling to Visit Passport event. The passport is a small booklet that can be used to visit each of the participating wineries, one time each, and enjoy wine samples. The only charge is the $18 cost to purchase the passport. Read More ...
By: David Austen |
Speakers claim fracking caused health problems
BATH—The health impacts to people due to hydraulic fracturing was the focus of three public forums in the Southern Tier this past weekend. The first was held at Bath Haverling high school, Friday, April 26.
Mark Schlechter, Bath attorney, moderated the event. He started by saying in looking at the costs of fracking, health is one of the least discussed areas of impact. Schlechter said the focus is usually on the damage to land, water, and air. The first guest speakers were Rick Sawyer, former gas field truck driver, and Joe Giovannini, a Pennsylvania resident. Both talked about how their health deteriorated following exposure to fracking. Giovannini said his land was “severely impacted by drilling.” After wells were being operated near his home, the closest was 391 feet away, he started developing symptoms which led to stage four heart and lung cancer. “I had to evacuate my home,” said Giovannini. Read More ...
By: David Austen |
Company removes 300 tons of soil
WATKINS GLEN—Groundwater Environmental Services cleaned up some 300 tons of underground contamination at the former Clifford Motors car lot on Franklin Street in Watkins Glen last month. Linda Vera, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation citizen participating specialist, explained contamination was discovered at the former Clifford car lot from an old gas station, while a soil gas survey was being done for another spill in the immediate vicinity. A review of records tied ExxonMobil to the site through a former gasoline station operated before Clifford bought the property. Read More ...
By: David Austen |
Hospital breaks ground on $6.45M project
MONTOUR FALLS—Schuyler Hospital officially broke ground on the $6.45 million renovation project, Thursday, April 25.
The event was attended by Schuyler Hospital and Cayuga Medical Center personnel, members of the community, and state and federal representatives. Fred Tanneberger, Schuyler Hospital board chairperson, explained the funds for the project came from a New York State Department of Health (DOH) Health Care Efficiency and Affordability Law grant. Of the total, $1.5 million will go to new equipment. “We were in dire need of new equipment for the hospital,” said Tanneberger. The project also includes renovating the main entrance, waiting rooms and surgical suite. Tanneberger said the entrance will come out nearly 30 feet more than it already does. He added it will be “bright” and “welcoming.” Read More ...
By: David Austen |
Watkins hires adjuster to handle fire loss
WATKINS GLEN—The Watkins Glen village board approved a contract with Adjusters International, Monday, April 29, to handle the review and insurance settlement of the village equipment lost in the Shared Services Complex fire. Trustee Scott Gibson explained Adjusters International would be the village’s “eyes and ears” in figuring out the total loss due to the March 23 fire. Watkins will pay the company 3 percent of the recovered loss, including funds from salvage. Adjusters International representative Steven Vanuga said tallying up all lost equipment would take about two months.
During the electric department report, the board also discussed damage to trucks. Read More ...
By: David Austen |
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| SPORTS |
Penn Yan finishes regular season with a win
PENN YAN–Penn Yan's varsity lacrosse team faced Clarence (Class A, Section 6) in an evening game, Friday, May 17. The Mustangs led all four quarters on the way to a 12-4 victory. Andrew Perl had five goals, Ryan Maciejewski recorded three, while Bradley Voigt and Rion Davison had two. Ryan Maciejewski also had five assists and Brandon Maciejewski made 10 saves. Number two Penn Yan will start sectionals Wednesday, May 22 playing the winner of an outbracket game on Monday between Livonia and Whitman. Read More ...
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Penn Yan softball falls to Midlakes
PENN YAN—The Penn Yan varsity softball team lost to Midlakes, 9-4, Thursday, May 16. Becca Bailey had a double, single, and two RBIs. Casanna Banach was 1-for-3. With the loss, Penn Yan ends the regular season with a 6-14 record. The Lady Mustangs play at Palmyra-Macedon, Wednesday, May 22, in a sectional game. Read More ...
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Watkins ends regular season with loss
WATKINS GLEN—The Watkins Glen varsity golf team lost to Elmira Notre Dame, Wednesday, May 15, and ended the regular season. Coach Rob Michel explained the match initially ended with 243-243 tie. He said, "Our tie breaker takes us to the sixth player where Elmira scored a 58 and Watkins scored a 60 giving Notre Dame the 16th match and an undefeated season." Read More ...
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Scots fall to Naples, 5-1
DUNDEE—The Dundee varsity baseball team lost to Naples, 5-1, Tuesday, May 14. Bobby Strait was 2-for-3. Justin Neu was 1-for-3 with the Scots' lone run. With the loss, Dundee's record is 3-12. Read More ...
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Penn Yan track hosts home meet
PENN YAN—The Penn Yan girls varsity track team placed second out of five schools at a home meet, Tuesday, May 14. The boys finished in third place overall. Heather Anderson won first in the 400 meter dash (1:02.34), first in the 200 meter dash (26.34), and first in the high jump. For the boys, John Drozda was fourth in the triple jump. Read More ...
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Dundee defeats Naples
DUNDEE–Dundee's varsity softball team played Naples in a home game Tuesday, May 15. Dundee scored 10 runs in the fourth inning on their way to a 18-16 victory. Tristine Dombroski was 4-for-5 with three RBIs. Erika Sutherland was also 4-for-5. Read More ...
Staff Report |
Dundee beats South Seneca
The Scots' varsity baseball team beat South Seneca, 22-8, Thursday, May 9. Justin Neu had the win on the pitcher's mound and was 4-for-6, with three runs including a triple. Bobby Strait was 2-for-4, with four runs. Paul Pollack added three hits. Read More ...
Staff Report |
Girls fall to Waterloo; boys lacrosse game cancelled
PENN YAN–Both the Penn Yan girls and boys lacrosse teams had scheduled home games, Friday, May 10. The girls faced Waterloo in an afternoon game and the boys were supposed to play Hamburg in the evening game. The girls game against the Indians was played fully before a thunderstorm passed through Penn Yan. The Lady Mustangs lost the game 12-7. At halftime the score was 6-4. According to laxpower.com, Penn Yan is now ranked number three in Section V Class C, behind Waterloo and Honeoye Falls-Lima. Read More ...
Staff Report |
Dundee loses to South Seneca
DUNDEE–Dundee's varsity softball team faced South Seneca, Thursday, May 9. The final score was 18-3. Dundee scored runs in the fourth and seventh inning. The Lady Scots return to action, Monday, May 13 at Marcus Whitman. Read More ...
Staff Report |
Penn Yan faces Palmyra in doubleheader
PENN YAN—The Penn Yan varsity baseball team faced Palmyra-Macedon in a doubleheader, Tuesday, May 7. Penn Yan lost the first game, 5-4, but won the second one, 9-7. In the first game, Kyle Daly had a double and a stolen Base. Lukas Larham also had a double, while Jordan Blush and Aaron Bodine each stole a base. In the second game, Eric Johnson had a triple, while Kevin McMahon had a double. Bodine stole a base and Bush had one home run. Read More ...
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Dundee varsity spring sports schedule
DUNDEE—Listed is Dundee's spring sports schedule for the coming week:
Baseball/Softball
May 20 ... @ Pavilion, 4:30 p.m. (Baseball)
May 22 ... @ Clyde Savannah, 4:30 p.m. (Softball)
May 22 ... @ Naples (if the Pavilion game is won), 4:30 p.m. (Baseball)
May 24 ... @ Bolivar Richburg (if the Clyde game is won), 4:30 p.m. (Softball)
Track and Field
May 23 ... @ WFL B Championships, 4 p.m.
May 25 ... @ Sectional Championship, TBA.
Click to... Read More ...
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Watkins varsity spring sports schedule
WATKINS GLEN—Listed is Watkins' spring sports schedule for the coming week:
Baseball
May 15 ... @ IAC Championships, TBA.
Girls Golf
May 17 ... @ Willow Creek, 4 p.m.
May 20 ... TBA, 4 p.m.
May 30 ... @ Section IV Championship, TBA.
Track and Field
May 16-17 ... @ IAC Championships, 4:45 p.m.
May 22 ... @ Section IV, TBA.
May 30 ... @ State qualifiers, TBA.
Softball
May 15 ... @ IAC Championships, TBA.
Boys Golf
May 16, 18 ... @ Individual Medalist Tournament, TBA.
May 20 ... @ Sectionals, TBA.
May 23 ... @ IAC League Championships. TBA.
Click to... Read More ...
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Penn Yan varsity spring sports schedule
PENN YAN—Listed is Penn Yan's spring sports schedule for the coming week:
Boys Lacrosse
May 22 ... TBA
May 24 ... @Waterloo vs. TBA
May 28 ... @ S.J. Fisher vs TBA, 5:15 p.m.
Baseball
May 24 ... Aquinas, 4:30 p.m.
May 28 ... @TBA (if Aquinas game is won), 4:30 p.m.
Track and Field
May 25 ... Sectionals@Marion, 10 a.m.
May 31 ... State Qualifier@Waterloo, 4:30 p.m.
Girls Lacrosse
May 21 ... Gananda, 5 p.m.
May 23 ... @Victor/Mynderse vs. TBA (if Gananda game is won)
Softball
May 22 ... @ Pal-Mac, 4:30 p.m.
May 24 ... @ Cobbs Hill (if Pal-Mac game is won), 4:30 p.m.
Click to... Read More ...
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Hammondsport varsity spring sports schedule
HAMMONDSPORT —Listed is Hammondsport's spring sports schedule for the coming week:
Baseball/Softball
May 22 ... Genesee Valley, 4:30 p.m. (Softball)
May 24 ... @ Arkport (if Genesee game is won), 4:30 p.m. (Softball)
May 24 ... @ Fillmore (baseball), 4:30 p.m.
Track and Field
May 25 ... @ Sectionals, TBA.
Click to... Read More ...
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Odessa-Montour varsity spring sports schedule
ODESSA—Listed is Odessa-Montour's spring sports schedule for the coming week:
Baseball
Golf
May 15 ... Thomas A. Edison, 4 p.m.
May 16 ... @ Individual medalists, TBA.
May 22 ... @ IAC Tournament, 7:30 a.m.
Track and Field
May 16-17 ... @ IAC Championships, 4:45 p.m.
May 20 ... @ Section IV Pentathlon, TBA.
May 22 ... @ Section IV D Meet, 3 p.m.
Softball
Tennis
Click to... Read More ...
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