| MENUS |
|
|
 |
|
Click on your area of interest
|
| HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS |
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. |
| ANNOUNCEMENT FORMS |
|
|
| NEWS BY AREA COMMUNITIES |
|
|
| COUNTIES |
|
|
| |
|
| |
| NEWS |
Honoring the fallen for Memorial Day
TRI-COUNTY AREA—Memorial Day is dedicated to those who served our country in the military and who made the ultimate sacrifice.
This year, Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 27. There are several parades, ceremonies, and events in the area that will honor the fallen soldiers. The Penn Yan ceremony starts at 10 a.m. with a parade that runs down Main Street, from the Weldon Funeral Home to the courthouse lawn. A service will be held at the courthouse immediately afterwards. The guest speaker is Lt. Col. Heather Alexander. Herb Snyder will serve as the master of ceremonies. Dundee’s parade starts at 10 a.m., going from the the Dundee Central School driveway to the village park on Seneca Street. Read More ...
By: David Austen |
Watkins Glen track gets international attention
WATKINS GLEN—Watkins Glen International garnered international and national media attention this past week. The track was named one of the top tracks in the country to watch a NASCAR race by Matthew Henson in his story on 10Best.com. Trailing only behind Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Watkins Glen International outranks several renowned raceways including Michigan International Speedway, Richmond International Raceway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Darlington Raceway, Talladega Super Speedway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway and Daytona International Speedway. “It was beautiful,” WGI President Michael Printup said. “It was not just the racetrack they talked about. They talked about New York State and the Finger Lakes area too. It is something to be proud about when people like that start writing about a region like ours.” Read More ...
By: David Specksgoor |
Dundee bands compete in Seneca Falls
SENECA FALLS-Dundee Central School competed in the 41st annual Seneca Falls Pageant of Bands, Friday, May 17, and Saturday, May 18. The drum line won first place, while the marching band, high school concert band, junior high concert band, and junior high jazz band all earned second place. Read More ...
By: David Austen |
Watkins sets hearing on consolidation
WATKINS GLEN—The Watkins Glen village will hold a public comment period of the police consolidation study at the municipal building, June 3 at 7 p.m. Police Chief Tom Struble commented on the study at the Monday, May 20, village board meeting. The document, which is funded by a grant, was commissioned to determine the feasibility and impact of shared service agreements or possible consolidation of the village’s police department with the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Department. Struble said that the study’s findings and recommendations were, “as expected,” he added, “I knew there would be some cost saving aspects.” Trustee Paul Clifford said he thought the study was a “fair and unbiased representation of the facts.” Mayor Mark Swinnerton pointed out the study includes some shared service suggestions, and added, “on paper I think it does make sense.” He said that he had hoped Sheriff William Yessman had been able to attend the meeting and discuss the study’s recommendations. Read More ...
Staff Report |
Watkins bids are $2.3M under budget
WATKINS GLEN—The bids for the Watkins Glen Central School District improvement and consolidation project came in approximately $2.3 million under the construction budget. The Watkins school board authorized the bids at the regular meeting, Monday, May 20. District residents previously approved the project at approximately $24 million. Superintendent Tom Phillips said the extra funds will be used as needed if unexpected costs arise during construction. He added the board will review what other work the funds could cover not currently included. Phillips suggested Watkins could use the money to improve the auditorium’s sound and lighting systems, or add a public restroom to the concession stand next to the football and soccer fields. Read More ...
By: David Austen |
Milo has 11 watershed violations
MILO—Town Supervisor Leslie Church said she discovered there are 11 watershed violations during a meeting of the town board Monday, May 20. She said the watershed inspector had brought them to her attention earlier in the month after meeting with him, expressing unhappiness with the number of violations and summons have been issued to all 11 property owners. Church said due to the number of violations, they were not all able to be scheduled for court at one time. She said while one specific case was addressed as of Monday, the situation is ongoing as the town looks to remedy the situation. Read More ...
By: David Specksgoor |
Arc of Schuyler honors volunteers, employees
WATKINS GLEN—The Arc of Schuyler recognized several of its volunteers and employees, as well as celebrated its 35th anniversary at the Annual Meeting and Member Reception, Thursday, May 16 at the Harbor Hotel. The Arc’s Executive Director Jeannette Frank presented several awards. Darlene Abidin, a seven-year employee of The Arc, was honored as the organization’s 2013 nominee for a statewide direct support professional excellence award. Nick Anagnost of Montour Falls was recognized for serving as the charity’s 2013 annual fundraising campaign chair. The Arc’s board of directors, members, and employees also honored their Guardianship Committee members—Barbara Frank, the Rev. Beverly Karr-Lyon, Shirley Kohena, Joyce McKinney, Judy Philips and Barbara Specchio for the countless hours they have given to meetings and social visits with the many people who have been under The Arc’s guardianship over the years. Read More ...
By: David Austen |
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 |
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 |
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 |
|
| |
| Additional Stories: |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| SPORTS |
Penn Yan advances in sectionals
PENN YAN–The Penn Yan girls varsity lacrosse team beat Gananda in a game that was twice delayed for thunderstorms, Tuesday, May 21. The final score was 13-8. The Lady Mustangs will play again on Thursday in the Class C semi-final at Victor/Mynderse. Read More ...
Staff Report |
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 ...
|
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 ...
|
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 ...
|
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 ...
|
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 ...
|
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 |
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 ...
|
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 ...
|
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 ...
|
|
|
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 ...
|
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 ...
|
|
| |
| Additional Sports: |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
