chemung county

Public discussions on the budget have been going back and forth between the legislature and the county executive since Nov. 8.

The chair of the legislature proposed eliminating the raises for the county executive, treasurer, clerk, sheriff and legislators.

Initially, officials considered taking the clock tower down instead of repairing it. But the cost would have been similar to restoring it.

County officials presented a budget earlier this month with a 2.5 percent increase to the property tax levy.

Elmira residents packed the city courthouse Monday night. Many were against the measure and asked the city not to pass it.

Chemung County has been at the epicenter of a heated controversy that has made national headlines, after the seizure of two wild animals living in a home in Pine City.

Across the Southern Tier, many incumbents in state and local offices are running uncontested this year. However, there are some races that do have challengers.

The city of Elmira repealed a law that created a public list of rental property owners with code violations. The city is replacing that list with a report on housing in the community.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer made the announcement Monday, saying it will bring long-lasting, sustainable economic growth to the Southern Tier. The 220-mph trains will be used in a new multi-billion dollar, high-speed rail system from Los Angeles to Las Vegas.

The John W. Jones Museum in Elmira now has a statue of Jones, a formerly enslaved person who played a part in the Underground Railroad. WSKG’s Natalie Abruzzo spoke with Talima Aaron, the president of the board of trustees for the museum about Jones, the museum and his commissioned statue.