A legal column from Ziff Law's Jim Reed

Attorney James B. Reed of the Ziff Law Firm in Elmira offers this regular column, tackling issues that you might encounter in your daily lives. This time: "Getting to the truth about medical malpractice cases." Column.

Left: Attorney Jim Reed

Arc reaches 50% of its capital campaign goal

The Arc of Schuyler's first-ever capital campaign has raised half of the local goal of $375,000 to be used in its $1.75 million renovation and expansion project -- designed to update the organization's services and make it more inclusive for people with disabilities and for the general public. Business.

Palmesano joins in tipped-wage credit rally

Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) joins other lawmakers and restaurant industry representives for an Albany rally in support of the tipped-wage credit -- which proponents say helps keep restaurant employment up and costs down. Government.

Photo: Assemblyman Phil Palmesano, left, at rally

Village Board OKs plant bills, sets tax-sale list

The Watkins Glen Village Board handled a number of basic housekeeping matters Tuesday night, briefly discussed upcoming projects at Clute Park, and:
--Approved an ad seeking a Kayak Launch vendor.
--Approved a Joint Project Committee audit of invoices totaling $255,599.98, bringing expenses on the new wastewater treatment plant to $7 million, with $25 million to go.
--Heard a suggestion from resident Barb Cook for an addition to the Domestic Animal Protection Act regarding protective enclosures provided by pet owners.
--Approved a list of 28 properties with unpaid taxes of almost $29,000 to be advertised for tax certificate sale. The total is down from recent years.
--Congratulated Sergeant in Charge Steve Decker for being honored by WETM as a "Most Valuable Citizen."

Photo: Sergeant in Charge Steve Decker

Social media can be important to communities

Watkins Glen High School senior Kathleen Clifford weighs in with some thoughts on how social media has an untapped potential for use locally and politically -- far beyond its popularity as entertainment. Schools.

Photo: Kathleen Clifford

A column by State Senator Tom O'Mara

Left: State Sen. Tom O'Mara

We honor...The Essentials of Schuyler County

A dozen women and a dozen men populate this committee-selected group of outstanding Schuyler County residents or natives who have impacted life here or elsewhere. None is in the Schuyler County Hall of Fame, but perhaps will be. Essentials.

And inside

--St. James' and St. John's Episcopal Churches have announced Rev. Fr. Abidhananthar John as full-time priest in charge of both Schuyler County churches. People.

Odessa sets vote on fire truck bond resolution

The Odessa Village Board has set a public referendum for 12 noon to 9 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Village Municipal Building on a proposition approved by the board at its Jan. 17 meeting: to authorize the issuance of $554,593 in serial bonds to pay a portion of the $754,593 needed to purchase a new pumper fire truck. The other $200,000 comes from an equipment reserve fund. A letter from the fire department explaining it all appears on Forum.

A column from Assemblyman Phil Palmesano

The Assemblyman (R,C,I-Corning) says it is important that we all try to follow the example set by the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Column.

Photo: Assemblyman Phil Palmesano

Eagle Scout's exhibit looks at region in 1700s

A trove of family treasures was turned into an Eagle Scout project by a Bath resident, Griffin Bates (right), and his work is now on display at the Schuyler County Historical Society’s Brick Tavern Museum. People.

Photo at right: Griffin Bates

High-speed chase ends in injuries, arrest

A Reading Center man was arrested Thursday following a high-speed chase that ended on the north end of Watkins Glen when he crashed avoiding a roadblock and hit another vehicle, injuring two people in the second car. They were reportedly airlifted to Robert Packer Hospital. The man, identified as Jazmany Caraballo, 37, was hospitalized locally. Charges are pending. Authorities said the incident began with an assault that allegedly occurred in the Schuyler County Courthouse parking lot. They said Caraballo fled the scene in a vehicle later spotted in Yates County, which was chased by police back toward Watkins Glen. Police said the suspect swerved to avoid the blockade on Route 14 just north of the village's downtown, went off the road and hit a vehicle that had pulled over, injuring the two people inside it.

Photo: Damaged car at the scene of the roadblock.

Schuyler Steps Out is returning for 13th year

Schuyler Steps Out -- the free community walking program presented by Schuyler Hospital -- will return for its 13th year with a March kickoff. For details, see the story on the People Page.

Woodstock 50 to be held at WGI in August

The 50th anniversary of the Woodstock Music Festival will be held on the grounds of Watkins Glen International from Aug. 16-18. The original Woodstock organizer, Michael Lang (pictured at right), announced the plans -- detailed in a lengthy New York Times article here. WGI will be used instead of the Woodstock site in Bethel Woods, NY, which "simply doesn't have the capacity to host our official Woodstock 50 celebration," Lang said. No official musical lineup for the event has been unveiled, but Lang told Rolling Stone magazine that dozens of guests have been booked. Tickets -- a reported 110,000 --go on sale in February.

Man dies in farm accident in Town of Hector

The Schuyler County Sheriff's Office is investigating a fatal farm accident that occurred Wednesday morning on Dolphsburg Road in the Town of Hector. Deputies said Jay E. Arcangeli, 51, of Burdett, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Schuyler County Coroner's office after becoming entangled in a power take-off unit. The Sheriff's Office was assisted at the scene by Burdett Fire and Rescue and by Schuyler Ambulance.

Going all weak-kneed ...

The editor finds himself a little more emotional than usual. Column.

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Anyone caring to advertise may contact the publisher, Charlie Haeffner, at publisher@odessafile.com for information.

WGHS's Ashley Smith honored by Rotary Club

Watkins Glen High School senior Ashley Smith was honored Jan. 10 by the Watkins-Montour Rotary Club as its WGHS Student of the Month for January. The honoree was introduced by teacher Kaz Popovich, who said Smith is "an incredibly responsible and conscientious student who always works hard and achieves at a high level. She has demonstrated in her classes that she is a very clever young lady and has good leadership abilities." Smith, president of the school's Year Book Club, said she plans to attend Corning Community College and study Accounting and Business Management.

A column by Odessa Mayor Gerry Messmer

The mayor provides us with his third in a series of columns on what is happening in Odessa. Column.

Photo: Odessa Mayor Gerry Messmer

Available on Kindle:
The Maiden of Mackinac

This story -- which spans 700 years and ranges from our region to Northern Michigan -- tells of a quest for the truth behind a legend ... the legend of a Native American maiden reputed to be centuries old. It was written by Charlie Haeffner, and is available now on Kindle at Amazon.com. To see the ad, click here.

Left: Cover art by Jon Haeffner

This week's deals at Famous Brands

We are carrying the weekly ad showcasing the latest deals available at Jim Guild's Famous Brands store on Franklin Street in downtown Watkins Glen. For a look, click here.

Of Clute Park and the Italian Festival's future

The Watkins Glen Village Board discusses the upcoming Clute Park renovations and hears from Lou Perazzini (right), president of the Watkins Glen Italian American Festival, regarding the festival committee's commitment to a 40th anniversary celebration at Clute in August of 2019 -- but its doubts and questions regarding the festival's future after that. Government.

O-M's 2nd marking period Honor Rolls

Odessa-Montour Junior/Senior High School has unveiled its High Honor Roll and Honor Roll for the second marking period of the 2018-19 school year. Honors.

Framing begins at site of Seneca Cheese Co.

Workers were erecting the ground-floor framing Thursday, Jan. 3 at the site of the former Eyes on Seneca building, 29 N. Franklin St., Watkins Glen, home of the future Seneca Cheese Company. The building previously on the grounds was razed recently when it was determined -- after the roof was removed to make way for a second-floor -- that the existing building was structurally unsound. Owners Bob and Barb MacBlane still plan a two-story mixed-use building, where local cheese, beer and wine products will be sold, with consumption available on-site -- including on a second-floor deck. An apartment is also planned on the upper floor.

Barnes, Blowers sworn in; Fagan is chairman

The Schuyler County Legislature held its annual reorganizational meeting Wednesday morning, Jan. 2, with incumbents Phil Barnes and Carl Blowers sworn in to another term of office after winning re-election in November. Blowers ran unopposed, while Barnes narrowly defeated challenger Brian Eslinger. Legislator Dennis Fagan, who has served as chairman since 2010, was re-elected by his fellow legislators to that post for another year, with Democrat Michael Lausell opposed.

S. Tier, Finger Lakes regions awarded funds

The Southern Tier Region will be awarded a total of $65.4 million and the Finger Lakes Region $86.5 million under the eighth round of funding through the state's Regional Economic Development Councils (REDC) initiative, it was announced Tuesday. "The Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions continue to stand out," said State Senator Tom O'Mara and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano in a joint statement. "This ongoing success is the greatest testament of all to the regional leaders ... whose hard work has been unmatched." For a list of projects benefiting from the awards, click here.

A monthly column from Cooperative Extension

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schuyler County is providing a monthly column here on its ongoing educational activities and offerings. The sixth column -- "4-H in the Community" -- is by Lisa Shrout, 4-H Program Educator at CCE Schuyler. Column.

Photo: Lisa Shrout (Provided)

Visit Jerlando's Ristorante & Pizzeria

Three locations: in Watkins Glen, Horseheads and Montour Falls

Click here or on the photo at left to go to the Jerlando's website. There you will find information about all three locations, plus menus.

Left: The front of the recently renovated Jerlando's at Franklin and 4th Streets, Watkins Glen

Looking to advertise on The Odessa File?

We are always looking for advertisers to help promote their businesses and, by extension, our region. For a list of Odessa File Ad rates, click here.

Anyone wishing to contribute to The Odessa File -- which is dependent on advertising and donations -- may do so through a Paypal link in the left column of this page or by sending a check to The Odessa File, P.O. Box 365, Odessa, NY 14869.

Christmas by song delivered to Rotarians

The Watkins-Montour Rotary Club -- at its Dec. 20 luncheon meeting -- was entertained with live Christmas music by Sarah Schlueter-Eisman, well-known locally for years for her soaring voice. Schlueter-Eisman performed several songs, starting with O Holy Night and including Let It Snow, Away in a Manger, Do You Hear What I Hear, and It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

Photo at right: Sarah Schlueter-Eisman at Rotary.

Watkins Board amends Zoning Code to control
short-term rentals

The Watkins Glen Village Board passes Local Law amending the Zoning Code, ponders how to finance the replacement of a damaged fire truck, listens to a former mayor complain about Clute Park plans, and honors the late Nicholas Dugo. Government.

Photo: Watkins Glen Mayor Sam Schimizzi at Monday's meeting.

The 17th installment of The Answers

Travis Durfee, President of the Watkins Glen Faculty Association, weighs in with The Answers, a regular column dealing with education in the Watkins Glen School District. This is the 17th installment: "A successful service project." Column.

Left: Travis Durfee

Morris to retire June 1; sets up Nov. election

Schuyler County Judge Dennis Morris -- saying "it just seemed like it was time" -- will retire on June 1, 2019, well ahead of the end of the 10-year term he won in 2011. A new 10-year term will be up for grabs in a November election. Government.

Photo: Schuyler County Judge Dennis Morris. (File Photo)

Historic cuckoo clock donated to Museum

A double cuckoo clock with possibly royal lineage is donated to the Schuyler County Historical Society by Rick Evans, who said "it belongs to the people of Schuyler County. It's part of their history." People.

Photo: The cuckoo clock on a wall at the Historical Society's Brick Tavern Museum in Montour Falls.

Students, coaches offload Seneca Santa truck

The annual delivery of a Hesselson truckload of Seneca Santa toys, games and other gifts for underprivileged children (ages 2-12) in Schuyler County was conducted Dec. 12 at the First Presbyterian Church in Watkins Glen -- with the truck full of goods (purchased at cost by the Seneca Santa organization) offloaded with the help of Watkins Glen High School student-athletes and coaches. Dozens of students tossed and handed packages from one to another as the boxes were maneuvered to a storage room upstairs, where they will be sorted and wrapped (with the help of Girl Scouts) before the delivery shortly before Christmas to about 120 families with about 300 children.

Photo: WGHS students hand packages up the church stairs.

Planning Board gives go-ahead to Cheese Co.

The Watkins Glen Planning Board on Dec. 12 gave its blessing to the construction of the Seneca Cheese Company building at 29 N. Franklin St. -- on a lot where the building its owners, Bob and Barb MacBlane, had purchased and planned to renovate was instead razed last week when it was determined it was structurally unsound. The Planning Board -- told by County Planner Kristin Van Horn that a reading of regulations showed construction, if hewing to the footprints (size, shape and plans) of the original Planning Board-approved building -- required no further public hearings and no further board measures. Accordingly, the board told Mr. MacBlane -- who assured them the building would indeed be the same as the original -- to proceed. Construction, he said, will begin soon -- that despite increasing costs, "good things are happening" in Watkins Glen. "We want to be part of it." The building will be two floors, with one apartment. Local cheese, beer and wine products will be available, with consumption available on-site -- including on a second-floor deck.

Photo in text: Bob MacBlane studies some papers before start of the Planning Board session.

Looking to advertise on The Odessa File?

We are always looking for advertisers to help promote their businesses and, by extension, our region. For a list of Odessa File Ad rates, click here.

Anyone wishing to contribute to The Odessa File -- which is dependent on advertising and donations -- may do so through a Paypal link in the left column of this page or by sending a check to The Odessa File, P.O. Box 365, Odessa, NY 14869.