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| NEWS |
Expensive homes selling more than last year
TRI-COUNTY AREA—While many areas in the country are facing decreasing home sales and prices, Yates and Schuyler Counties have experienced an increase in more expensive homes selling so far this year. For both counties, the increases were the two highest in the state. According to the New York State Association of Realtors, the median home price (comparing Jan. 1 to June 30, of 2010 versus 2009) in Yates County increased 21.1 percent. For Yates, the 2010 median price was $108,950, and in 2009 it was $90,000. There was still an increase, despite Yates County home sales staying basically even with last year (in 2010, 112 homes were sold and last year 111 were sold). Of those 112 homes in Yates, 18 were sold at $300,000 or higher. During the first half of last year, only seven homes sold above this price. Ron Miller, Finger Lakes Realty representative and NYSAR member, said a small number of more expensive homes can easily influence the median price when sold, like what happened in Yates. Read More ...
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Art of Ferrari Challenge is at The Glen
WATKINS GLEN—Ferrari fans can attend the Art of Ferrari Challenge, held at Watkins Glen International this weekend, Friday, Sept. 3 to Sunday, Sept. 5. This event at The Glen will be the only event in the United States to feature the cars from the Ferrari Club of America and both the modern and vintage Ferraris that compete as part of the Ferrari North America Challenge Series. Ferraris will take place in different races and on track sessions, each day between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Every ticket includes all grandstands, the tailgate zones, main paddock, garage, and general viewing areas will be open to any fan holding a ticket. Camping will not be available. Tickets will be on sale only at the event. The costs are weekend (three-day) general admission, $50; Saturday and Sunday general admission, $25; Saturday general admission, $20; Sunday only admission, $15; kids 15 and under, free. Fans can get more information on the race weekend by going to www.theglen.com or both the race weekend and festival by visiting www.artofferrari.org. Read More ...
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Schools still unsure about state funds
PENN YAN—Uncertainty about state aid remains just days before the school year begins. That fact was outlined by Penn Yan Central School District Assistant Superintendent for Business Doug Tomandl during the Aug. 25 meeting of the district board of education. Tomandl said the original $1.9 million gap in state aid seems to have been reduced to $716,902. Funds of $541,394 will be available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), but the district still has no guidance on how they can spend it. Tomandl said the budget for the 2010-11 school year was built thinking the district would get $1.2 million after ARRA. He said he is apprehensive about spending because there could be mid year cuts. Superintendent of Schools Ann Orman said, “It sounds like we’re getting a lot of money, but we’re not. We are not getting rural schools funds this year.” The district received $45,000 in rural schools funds last year. Read More ...
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Penn Yan bridge is losing strength
PENN YAN—”The bridge on Liberty Street in Penn Yan is in it’s declining years.” New York State Department of Transportation engineer Mike Griffin made this statement at the beginning of the latest meeting scheduled to inform area residents of the plan to replace the bridge. The Aug. 24 meetingwas held to gain input from local residents about the project and to provide information about the $1.8 million project, which is expected to last from mid-September 2011 to June 2012. Griffin emphasized the bridge is not unsafe, but the steel beams and concrete in the bridge, built in 1956, are losing strength. Griffin said the bridge is in its declining years and the replacement next year has been scheduled so that it doesn’t get load posted in the next 10 years. Griffin said the biggest problem during construction will be how to maintain traffic. The Main Street bridge will be the main route over the Keuka Lake Outlet. Read More ...
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Watkins park is a top state destination
WATKINS GLEN—The Watkins Glen State Park and Gorge Trail attracts more than 400,000 visitors annually to Watkins Glen. Park Manager Dave Peterson said the number of park visitors is expected to increase again this year. “There has been excellent weather and we have been quite busy this year,” Peterson said. To give this number some perspective, the Corning Museum of Glass (CMOG) is visited by some 350,000 each year (Source: Yvette Sterbenk, communications manager, CMOG). Watkins Glen State Park is also ranked in the top 20 most visited parks in New York State. Dan Keefe, spokesperson for the NYS Office of Parks and Recreation and Historic Preservation said, Watkins Glen State Park ranks 16. The park falls just behind Niagra Falls and other state parks in more populated areas such as New York City and Long Island. Read More ...
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Candidates discuss health care, spending
BENTON—Six candidates; Tom Reed, Matt Zeller, Jim Bacalles, Tom O’Mara, Greg Edwards, and Jay Townsend, spoke to about 50 voters at the most recent Finger Lakes Tea Party Meet the Candidates night, Thursday, Aug. 26. The event was held at the Benton fire hall. Speaking first were Reed and Zeller, both candidates for the 29th Congressional district. As a Democrat, Zeller was asked specifically for his opinion on health care. Zeller responded he would not have voted for it, because there is already too much debt. However, he said he agrees with parts of it and thinks it should be amended rather than repealed. Reed also said he disagreed with the reform, but that it should be repealed. He said, “it is wrong.” When asked how it could just be amended, Zeller said there are four years until it goes into affect to look at it and see where to best make amendments. Read More ...
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Residents have questions for museum officials
DUNDEE—When Keuka Lake State Park was selected as the site of the Finger Lakes Cultural and Natural History Museum in April, board chairman John Adamski said the work would really begin with securing funding for the project. Funding was just one of many questions fielded by museum organizers during an Aug. 26 meeting at Fulkerson Winery. Several individuals who live in the area near the park attended the meeting, asking questions following the presentation of a slide program that outlined some features planned for the museum. Gary Montgomery, who attended the August meeting of Yates County Legislature to express his concerns repeated them during the meeting: He does not want to have any taxpayer money used on the project, he is concerned about the impact of the number of people who might visit and has difficulty visualizing what the project would be. Montgomery said, “Until you have done your planning, we can’t get excited about the numbers.” Adamski noted the estimate of 250,000 is not a proven number. Read More ...
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More trees are needed in Dundee
DUNDEE—The streets in the village are lined with trees and although they may look healthy, many are in decline. Village Streets Superintendent Andy Howell spoke to the village board about the trees, stating, “At 2010, trees are failing fast.” Howell said Jim Bagley of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) has surveyed trees in the village and made recommendations. Trustee Judy Duquette said she is concerned that if too many trees are removed it would make the village look bad. Village clerk Christine Sutherland said that for every tree that is removed, the village sends a letter to the homeowner and offers them a tree to plant in their yard. Planting the replacement tree within the homeowner’s yard rather than between the sidewalk and street is important. The custom years ago when many trees were planted was to plant them between the sidewalk and the street. Read More ...
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National forest is a popular attraction
HECTOR—It may be the second smallest national forest in the country and little out of the way, but the Finger Lakes National Forest in Hector can be a well visited site. The forest is the only national forest in New York state. While it doesn’t get publicity that the Watkins Glen State Park does, it has its own draw. It is also trying out green initiatives and fighting invasive species. Carol Burd, recreational planner, said according to surveys of sample groups at the forest, staff estimate that 410,800 people visit annually. An exact number cannot be obtained because there is no “main entrance” to the forest. She added staff survey visitors every few years to get an updated estimate. In comparison, Dave Peterson, park manager, has previously said the Watkins Glen State Park gets between 400,000 and 500,000 visitors annually. It is also one of the state’s “flagship’ parks. Kari Milliman Lusk, FLNF staffer, said the park is open year round, and trails can be used for hiking, horseback riding, skiing, and motorbikes. There are over 30 miles of trails, with Interloken being the longest. Lusk said its around 12 miles, running north and south through the forest. Read More ...
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Odessa graduates celebrate 55 year reunion
ODESSA—For many Odessa Central School class of 1955 graduates, the 55th year reunion, held last Friday and Saturday, was a celebration not to be missed. While the ‘55 graduating class has been holding reunions every five years, this 55 year reunion attracted many graduates who hadn’t been back to the area in a long while. It was the first reunion Carol Anne Clark attended, driving in from North Carolina. “I haven’t been back since 1955. It was interesting to see who you recognized and who you don’t,” she said, adding there are many she didn’t recognize at first. “I wouldn’t miss this for anything,” said Sandra Cunningham, who came from Ohio with her daughter and granddaughter for the reunion. The graduating class had 63 people in it, with over 50 people attending the two day reunion. On Friday, Aug. 27, graduates toured the Odessa-Montour school, and then later had dinner. Two former teachers, Geraldine Goodnow and Jack Davis, were guests of honor. The next day, the former classmates had lunch and took a boat cruise at Captain Bill’s. Marianne Martin O’Rourke explained that when they graduated, it wasn’t Odessa-Montour. She explained, “it was just Odessa high school then.” O’Rourke added she has brought an old yearbook to every class reunion. Read More ...
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Schuyler, Steuben will get federal funds
SOUTHERN TIER—The Southern Tier Central Regional Planning and Development Board was awarded a $70,000 from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration. These federal funds will be used to support the development of a coordinated plan to increase private investment in Chemung, Schuyler, and Steuben Counties. The Southern Tier Central Regional Planning and Development Board works with local governments, private businesses and non-profit organization to increase private investment in Chemung, Schuyler and Steuben Counties. The Board will use these funds to develop a coordinated plan to market the Southern Tier region to private companies in order to encourage the kind of investment that will lead to long term job and economic growth. Read More ...
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A nickel a time grew to $40K for animals
BENTON—Humane Society of Yates County Executive Director Don Cass said, “It was always a joy when Bob and Marge Larder stopped to see how things were going. They were generous and dedicated people who would do anything to help our dogs and cats.” The occasion was the dedication of the shelter’s annex building to the Larder’s Aug. 29. The couple’s generosity spanned many years as they raised $40,000 for the organization, one nickel at a time. Bob was a familiar sight for many years at the Milo transfer station and along county roadsides, collecting beverage cans and bottles to raise money for the society. Marge and his beloved dog Heidi were usually at his side. During the early years of the project Bob redeemed cans late at night to avoid inconveniencing people returning small numbers of returnables. When a redemption center opened near the couple’s East Main Street home, the task became easier. Health issues caused the couple to very reluctantly turn over the project to volunteer Ron Rubin. Read More ...
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| SPORTS |
Lady Mustangs win match in fifth game
PENN YAN—Penn Yan’s varsity volleyball team beat South Seneca with the fifth game win, Wednesday, Sept. 1. This was also the team’s first home match of the season, and the first in the new gym. The Lady Mustangs secured two wins in the first two games. However, South Seneca won the next two, meaning victory for either team depended on taking the fifth and final game. The end scores were 25-22, 25-23, 18-25, 13-25, 25-21. For Penn Yan, Lindsey Morehouse had one ace, four assists, two blocks, and three kills. Emily Drake contributed four aces and two kills. Cara Elias had four aces, one block, and three kills. Taylor Travis also supplied two aces.
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Watkins tops Odessa in season opener, 4-0
ODESSA—The Watkins Glen boys varsity soccer team came out victorious from the season's first game, against Odessa-Montour, Tuesday, Aug. 31. The Senecas beat the Indians, 4-0, on Odessa’s home field. Watkins’ Austin Stephany scored the first goal; the only goal scored in the first half of the game. After halftime, Andrew Malaney scored twice, and Ethan Roth once. Watkins Coach Henry Ferguson said, “It’s nice to get the first game out of the way. We had a lot of contributions from people.” Odessa Coach Dirk Stephens said he knew this game was going to be tough. He added that continues to be the case with the next couple of games. “I know (Watkins’) depth, I know the kids,” said Stephens. He added that despite the loss, “the (Odessa) guys aren’t all that discouraged.” Read More ...
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Knowles, Lawson take division championships
DUNDEE—Jason Knowles was the only track champion that did not pick up the win in his respective feature, at Black Rock Speedway, Friday, Aug. 27. However, the win stayed in the family as his father, Larry, led 18 laps for his second win of the year in the Insinger/Sunoco Race Fuels Late Model Feature. J.J. Mazur led the first two laps, but Knowles would get around and hold strong on the top. Mazur would never let the No. 4 get away though, as the Batavia youngster would make a bid for the lead nearly every lap to the finish by diving his car to the bottom of the track. Jason Knowles had run third for much of the race, but when he hit a concrete "turtle" in turn three, it broke a part in the car and forced him to watch the rest of the race in the infield. Donnie Lawson, of Woodhull, won his seventh feature of the season. He held a steady advantage over the pack over a mainly caution-free event. Only two stoppages occurred over the course of the 20 lap feature. Read More ...
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Montoya takes first win at The Glen
WATKINS GLEN—Juan Pablo Montoya led 74 laps on his way to a dominating 4.735 second victory over Kurt Busch at The Glen. The action was hot and heavy all afternoon as third-placed Marcos Ambrose battled with Montoya on many occasions in the middle part of the race. A J Allmendinger brought his #43 Insignia HDTV Ford home in fourth place, while pole sitter Carl Edwards finished 5th.
A very relieved Montoya said of his second career NASCAR Sprint Cup win: “It’s great. We’ve lost a lot of them and it’s been frustrating. I love this series. It’s about time to get another one. We (Crew Chief Brian Pattie) have a great relationship. We are both very competitive. It’s awesome.” Read More ...
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NASCAR kicks up some dirt in Dundee
DUNDEE—NASCAR drivers and stars came out to Black Rock Speedway in Dundee, Friday, Aug. 6, for some racing fun before this weekend’s big event in Watkins Glen. Each year when the NASCAR drivers come to Watkins Glen International for one of the biggest racing events of the season, some take the time to come out, greet fans, and race on the dirt track in Dundee. This year, those drivers included Tony Stewart, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Bob Decker, Michael McDowell, and JJ Yeley. A number of NASCAR drivers competed in a special Enduro race Friday evening. Yeley won that, with McDowell following in second. Earlier in the afternoon McDowell also gave out autographs. He said this was his third year coming to Black Rock. “Racing’s racing. It’s always good,” he said about driving on a dirt track, something that is a little different than he is used to. “You get to come out and see good racing.” Stewart also competed in the Sprint races. When not out on the track, he was back in the pit. Stewart was set up next to Sprint car driver, Jessica Zemken. The two worked together, talked shop, and prepared for the night’s races.
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Power provides fireworks on Fourth of July
WATKINS GLEN—Will Power claimed Team Penske's first IZOD IndyCar Series victory at Watkins Glen International, winning the sixth Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen.
Series points leader Power, driving the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske entry, passed his teammate Ryan Briscoe with six laps to go and held off Dario Franchitti and Briscoe for his third IZOD IndyCar Series victory of 2010.
Briscoe passed Franchitti on the final lap to help Team Penske record its first 1-2 finish since Edmonton in 2009. Brazilians Raphael Matos of de Ferran Dragon Racing and Mario Moraes of KV Racing Technology completed the top five.
In all, there were seven teams represented among the top 10 finishers in the race.
Also on July 4, French rookie J.K. Vernay strengthened his Firestone Indy Lights championship points lead with a victory in the Corning 100 at Watkins Glen International. Read More ...
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Penn Yan varsity fall sports schedule
PENN YAN—Listed is Penn Yan's fall sports schedule for the coming week:
Football
Sept. 3 … @ Geneva, 7 p.m.
Boys soccer
Sept. 2 … @ Bath, 6:30 p.m.
Girls soccer
Sept. 8 … Honeoye, 6:30 p.m.
Cross country
Sept. 9 … @ Finger Lakes Coaches Invitational, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 14 … @ Keuka Lake State Park, 4:30 p.m.
Golf
Sept. 2 … Geneva, 11 a.m.
Sept. 7 … Wayne, 4:30 p.m.
Girls tennis
Sept. 2 … Palmyra Macedon, 10 a.m.
Sept. 8 … @ Marcus Whitman, 4 p.m.
Cheerleading
Sept. 3 ... @ Geneva, 7 p.m.
Sept. 10 ... @ Midlakes, 7 p.m.
Volleyball
Sept. 3 ... @ South Seneca Tournament, 8 a.m.
Sept. 7 ... Wayne, 6:30 p.m.
Click to... Read More ...
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Watkins varsity fall sports schedule
WATKINS GLEN—Listed is Watkins' fall sports schedule for the coming week:
Football
Sept. 4 … Odessa-Montour, 7 p.m.
Boys soccer
Sept. 2 … @ Spencer-VanEtten, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 8 … Newfield, 4:30 p.m.
Girls soccer
Sept. 1 … @ Newfield, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 3 … Spencer-VanEtten, 4:30 p.m.
Cross country
Sept. 10 … @ Trumansburg (scrimmage), 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 14 … @ Thomas Edison, 4:30 p.m.
Girls swimming
Sept. 2 … @ Dryden Harvest Days, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 7 … @ Lansing, 4:30 p.m.
Volleyball
Sept. 2 … @ Newark Valley, 5 p.m.
Sept. 7 … Tioga, 5 p.m.
Click to... Read More ...
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Odessa-Montour varsity fall sports schedule
ODESSA—Listed is Odessa-Montour's fall sports schedule for the coming week:
Football
Sept. 4 … @ Watkins Glen, 7 p.m.
Boys soccer
Sept. 2 … Newark Valley, 7 p.m.
Girls soccer
Sept. 1 … Waverly, 7 p.m.
Sept. 3 … @ Newark Valley, 4:30 p.m.
Girls swimming
Sept. 2 … @ Harvest Relays, TBA.
Sept. 7 … @ Southern Springs, 4:30 p.m.
Volleyball
Sept. 2 … Spencer-VanEtten, 5 p.m.
Sept. 7 … @ Waverly, 5 p.m.
Click to... Read More ...
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Dundee varsity fall sports schedule
DUNDEE—Listed is Dundee's fall sports schedule for the coming week:
Football
Sept. 4 … @ South Seneca, 1 p.m.
Boys soccer
Sept. 7 … HAC, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 9 … @ Bloomfield, 4:30 p.m.
Girls soccer
Sept. 11 … Geneva, 10 a.m.
Sept. 16 … @ Mynderse, 6:30 p.m.
Volleyball
Sept. 8 … @ Mynderse, 6 p.m.
Click to... Read More ...
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Hammondsport varsity fall sports schedule
HAMMONDSPORT —Listed is Hammondsport's fall sports schedule for the coming week:
Boys soccer
Sept. 3 ... Avoca, 6:30 p.m.
Girls soccer
Sept. 2 ... @ Avoca, 4:30 p.m.
Girls tennis
Sept. 3 ... Wayland Cohocton, 9 a.m.
Sept. 8 ... @ Addison, 4:30 p.m.
Cross country
Sept. 8 ... @ Jasper Troupsburg. 4:30 p.m.
Volleyball
Sept. 3 ... @ Avoca, 9 a.m.
Click to... Read More ...
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