Iconic Laf-A-Lot reopens on Loon Lake after massive rebuild in Wayland

Everyone is smiling again at the Laf-A-Lot. An iconic Steuben County lakeside bar and restaurant reopened recently after a complete rebuild by its new owners. The Laf -A-Lot on Loon Lake is "pouring beers once again," Chuck Cavallaro posted Nov. 2 on the "What's going on around Wayland" Facebook page. The bar's signature cocktail, the Blue Whale, is presumably being mixed and poured again, too. The Laf-A-Lot had been closed since December 2025. Former owners Ed and Paula Kauffman sold the 100 Laf A Lot Road business to Chuck Cavallaro and his wife, Joanne Cavallaro, in March 2026. The couple, along with family members and even many of Cavallaros' neighbors on Loon Lake, immediately got to work restoring the existing bar and restaurant. “The next day (after the sale closed) I was at the bar with a crowbar and a hammer, and we started taking stuff apart," Chuck Cavallaro, a semi-retired medical doctor, told The Evening Tribune last spring. The old bar and restaurant was essentially stripped down to its studs and rebuilt, with the old floor and roof replaced, a new bar installed and a larger kitchen with updated equipment constructed. The Cavallaros documented nearly every step in the

Move To This New York Town Where Retirees Say Social Security Stretches Surprisingly Far

Most people spend their retirement years doing math they never wanted to do, and Hornell, New York, is the town that finally makes the numbers add up. If you’ve been told your whole life that living comfortably in New York State requires either a six-figure income or a very generous relative, Hornell is about to introduce you to a third option.

Steuben County Land Bank builds first new home, plans more in Erwin

The Steuben County Land Bank is tearing some properties down and building others up around the Corning area. One of the projects marks an historic first for the non-profit, one that is setting the stage for an even bigger boost to the local housing stock. The Land Bank this fall demolished a fire-damaged property at 40 Mill St. in the town of Erwin. The property will be sub-divided into a handful of individual parcels where new homes will be constructed over the next few years. “That would be our biggest project,” said Chris Brewer, executive director of the Steuben County Land Bank. “Hopefully we start breaking ground next year on that project. That will be a fun one.” Brewer said the new Erwin homes will follow a playbook established at 20 Townsend Ave. in Riverside, where the Land Bank is currently in the midst of its first-ever new build. While the Land Bank had undertaken major renovations at previous projects, the Riverside home is the first it has built from the ground up. “That’s the first of its kind. That’s the first new build the Land Bank has ever done,” Brewer said. “Typically we do rehabs or demos. We’re testing

‘You’re not a burden’: Family speaks out after loved one’s death by suicide at TI Bridge

HORSEHEADS, New York (WWNY) - If you are having a mental health crisis, you can call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. A Horseheads family wants people in crisis to hear that they are not a burden. Their loved one, Alea Melendez, 30, died by suicide after...

NYS paving program will upgrade roads in Steuben, Allegany, Livingston

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Nov. 10 detailed $100 million in funding for repaving projects in 68 locations across the state to help rejuvenate roadways impacted by New York’s typical harsh winter weather. A total of 642 lane miles of state highways across every region of the state will be repaved under the State Department of Transportation’s "Harsh Winter Paving" program. The funding will cover multiple repaving projects in Steuben, Allegany and Livingston counties, according to the governor's announcement. State officials said the investments reflect Hochul's ongoing commitment to restore and revitalize New York’s roads, especially those impacted by extreme weather. Livingston, Steuben 'Harsh Winter' repaving projects $620,000 to resurface U.S. Route 15 from the Livingston County line through the village of Wayland to Gunlocke Park Road in the town of Wayland, Steuben County $622,000 to resurface state Route 226 and State Route 415 in the village of Savona, Steuben County $1.5 million to resurface state Route 5 and U.S. Route 20 from Pole Bridge Road to Dalton Road in the Livingston County towns of Avon and Lima Allegany County 'Harsh Winter' repaving projects $825,000 to resurface state Route 244 from Alfred Station to the village of Alfred and

ER Visits In The Southern Tier: 3 Hours 41 Minutes In Broome, 4 Hours 4 Minutes In Tompkins

Broome County ER visits average about 3 hours 41 minutes. Chemung runs 3 hours 32. Tompkins stretches past 4 hours. Bring a little patience.

Canisteo Mayor McInroy Is Not Running Again – And The Possiblity Of Lowering The Speed Limit On W Main

Canisteo Village Mayor Rick McInroy announced last Monday night that he is not running again. His seat will be up in March 16, 2027 and his term officially ends this coming year, on April 5, 2027. McInroy says he enjoys the job but noted that it is time for someone else to be the mayor. There are two Village Trustee seats to be voted on in the upcoming elections on March 16: the seats currently occupied by Bob Hammond and James Dineen. In other Canisteo Village news, there will be a public hearing on a local law about possibly lowering the speed limit from 40 mph to 30 mph on West Main Street near the Canisteo American Legion. That public hearing will be held at 6:50pm on Tuesday, December 8, 2026 at Canisteo Village Hall.

Steuben County CCE honors local community leaders

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Steuben County recognized outstanding volunteers, community partners, agricultural businesses and youth during its annual meeting and awards dinner in Bath. The celebration brought together volunteers, supporters and community members at Waters Clubhouse and Catering at the Bath Country Club, according to a community announcement. The event also included the installation of new board members and recognition of an employee's five years of service. Assemblywoman Andrea Bailey attended the celebration and helped present awards to the recipients. Who received Cornell Cooperative Extension awards? The organization recognized individuals, businesses and community groups for their contributions to Cornell Cooperative Extension programs and the communities they serve. This year's honorees included: Outstanding Youth Award: Madeline Slayton Friend of Extension Award: Jini Groen and Ellen Shaw Maceko Cornell Connection Award: Cornell Cooperative Extension of Yates County Outstanding Volunteers Award: Canisteo Community Garden Volunteers, Kathy Boccia and Lisa Adams Agribusiness of the Year Award: Smith's Stock Farm The organization also honored Katie Weigle for reaching five years of service with Cornell Cooperative Extension. More: Hornell police say Syracuse family caught burglarizing old hospital New board members installed during annual meeting In addition to presenting awards, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Steuben County installed

DOT to pave Route 79 in Ithaca and Enfield next spring

ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) – The state is preparing for another major paving project in Tompkins County. On Nov. 10, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that State Route 79 will be paved from the Tompkins County line in the Town of Ithaca to the Schuyler County line in the Town of Enfield.

First snow for the season coming, but totals and impacts will be minor

ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM)- Clouds increase this Veteran’s Day, with one more day with above average temperatures near 58 degrees. As low pressure moves east, rain begins overnight and through most of Thursday. The coastal low, with cooler air from the north will lead to a rain and snow mix and the first snow of the […]

Steuben County Names Boys Soccer All-Stars

A-P’s Carter Button, C-S/B’s Lukas Carpella, A-C’s Owen Button, and Addison’s Idaya Aiken earn Player of the Year awards. AVOCA-The Steuben County Athletic Association recently announced its 2026 County All-Stars in Boy Soccer. Avoca-Prattsburgh senior Carter Button was named Division Two Player of the year. Campbell-Savona/Bradford...

Bath schools honor veterans with breakfast and ceremony

BATH, N.Y. (WETM) – Bath Central School District hosted a veterans breakfast with former military members that they are close to. On Tuesday, Nov. 10, Bath’s 7th and 8th grade choir serenaded local veterans and their families with the National Anthem and America the Beautiful on trumpet. A panel of select students had the opportunity […]

First Confirmed Measles Case in Schuyler County

WATKINS GLEN, NY (WENY) — Schuyler County Public Health has announced the first confirmed case of measles in the county, as the region sees an outbreak of the highly contagious virus. The health department did not release any information about the individual who has contracted the virus, only saying...

Hornellsville Town Budget Update – And The Future Of Lost Dogs

Hornellsville Town Supervisor Dan Broughton says they will have a special budget workshop before passing the Hornellsville budget. That workshop will be held on November 18, at Hornellsville Town Hall at 430pm. Hornellsville Dog Control Officer Deb Matthews says that Wayland is closing their dog shelter. According to Matthews, there...

Corning native, combat vet Jason Shaddock shares Veterans Day lessons

Hundreds came to honor servicemen and women Wednesday, Nov. 11 at Corning's annual Veterans Day ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Park, off Park Avenue. Brian Francis, commander of the Corning American Legion and a retired U.S. Army veteran with 26 years of service, emphasized the role of military service in safeguarding fundamental freedoms. "It is a soldier, not a poet who has given up freedom of speech," Francis said. "It is a soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us freedom to demonstrate. It is a soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag." Francis said these liberties were earned through the sacrifices and service of those who defended the nation. Jason Shaddock, Deputy Commissioner for New York State Department of Veterans Service and combat veteran of the United State Marine Corps and the United States Army, thanked the Corning American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4218 for co-sponsoring the Veterans Day event. "As a native of Corning, is especially meaningful to be here today," Shaddock said while speaking at the Veterans Memorial Park event. "I know the character of the people of the Southern Tier. I

Joe Veres' 11.11.26 Evening Forecast

Southern Tier Communities Awarded $13.56 Million for Spring Paving Projects

SOUTHERN TIER, N.Y. (WENY) — The southern tier will soon be getting $13.56 million to repave 106 miles of road. Beginning next spring, the work will be completed by New York's Department of Transportation as a part of their larger Harsh Winter Paving Program. In Steuben County, $622,000 is...

Mayor Buckley still looking for answers on gas prices in the Canisteo Valley, sends letter to Governor Hochul

Earlier this year, I brought attention to the significant disparity in gasoline prices between our communities here in the Canisteo Valley and neighboring areas such as Bath. For several years, residents in Hornell, Canisteo, North Hornell, Arkport, and Hornellsville have routinely paid 30 to 40 cents more per gallon at local gas stations, despite being just a short distance from communities enjoying considerably lower prices.

World’s largest harmonica and museum to visit Corning

CORNING, N.Y. (WETM) – According to a release, the world’s largest harmonica and accompanying museum is set to visit Corning beginning in November. Beginning on Saturday, Nov. 28, the second-floor gallery at Matrich Music, located at 62 E Market St., will showcase the world’s largest harmonica and traveling museum. The museum will be on display […]