It’s a beautiful day in Steuben County. The hills are beginning to show red and yellow leaves and it feels a little like fall. As we prepare for Labor Day weekend and the return to school, let us all remember to be safe on the roadway and leave ourselves extra time for our commutes next week as bus schedules and students resume their travel routines. Be aware of additional pedestrian traffic in crosswalks as school children resume their daily trek. There are many new sidewalks and crosswalks to be aware of, especially in Bath.
August was another busy and challenging month in the Sheriff’s Office. We were tasked with conducting two major search and rescue operations for missing persons and were blessed with the partnership and assistance provided by the NYS Forest Rangers, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Police, and our local police and volunteer Fire Services in both investigations. Sadly both investigations ended as search and recovery missions. As we mourn with the families for their loss, it is important that we can provide closure for them.
Steuben County welcomed a new Deputy Sheriff in August, Steven Daley. Steven is a Bath native and comes to us with experience from the City of Ithaca Police Department, Elmira Police Department and Village of Bath Police Department. Welcome home Steven!
The Steuben County Fair, although often wet and rainy, was another success this year. Unfortunately, during the concert night, all Sheriff’s Office personnel were reassigned from the fair to assist during the flooding of Canisteo, Woodhull, Jasper and Addison. Your deputies and investigators responded and worked hand in hand with the local police agencies, volunteer fire agencies, NYS Forest Rangers and Environmental Conservation Police to rescue stranded flood victims, assist in road closures, traffic detours, and medical emergencies. In the aftermath of the flooding, your deputies, correction officers and investigators have helped capture video footage of the damage via drone use, assist Emergency Management in the cataloging of damaged homes in Woodhull, filling of sandbags, and assist in the reopening of the Greenwood School, both by painting and cleaning as well as other service tasks. It has been truly awe inspiring to see the outpouring of community support throughout this tragedy and the generosity and care exhibited by our friends and neighbors across the county.
Your deputy EMTs conducted two notable life-saving responses in August. One patient was in anaphylactic shock and was saved by the deputy’s use of epinephrine, and another patient had overdosed and was in cardiac arrest when saved by the deputy’s use of Narcan and their issued AED.
Sheriff Allard attended the book presentations at the Public Safety Building of “The Boys of Bath” by Christine Friesel, which chronicles the Civil War journal of Charles Brother, a former Steuben County Deputy and son of a former two term Steuben County Sheriff, Henry Brother, elected in 1837 and 1846. Another local author, Robert Yott, discussed his two books, “From Soldiers’ Home to Medical Center” about the establishment of the Bath Soldiers Home in Bath and “Soldier’s Fight Veterans Vote”, a Civil War chronicle. It was inspiring to learn of Steuben County history during this, our 225th anniversary year.
In our Civil Office, the federal moratorium on evictions expired in July, however the New York State moratorium was continued until August 31st. Governor Hochul recently signed a bill to continue to extend the moratorium. We continue to receive updates regarding the status of our property owner’s and tenant’s rights.
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