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

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

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 measles case identified in Schuyler County

SCHUYLER COUNTY, N.Y. (WETM) – According to a release from Schuyler County Public Health, the first case of measles has been identified in Schuyler County. Officials say this is the first case found in the county, and it has been found in an unvaccinated resident. Though no public exposure risks have been found, the county […]

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

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

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.

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 […]

Finger Lakes to get more than $15 million for pavement projects

NEW YORK — New York State announced Tuesday $100 million in funding to repave and revitalize roads across New York, including projects here in Monroe County. The state says 642 lane miles of state highways will be repaved under the Harsh Winter Paving program. In Monroe County, $2 million will go to resurface sections of […]

Joe Veres' 11.11.26 Evening Forecast

Ithaca Coach Rahmel Mack awarded new car for contributions to the community

ROCHESTER, NY (607NewsNow) — Mack, Founder of the Prince Jakim & Dominique Summer Basketball Camp and the GIAC Firebirds girls’ basketball program, was given recognition and the keys to a new car on Thursday, November 5th, 2026. Bob Johnson Mazda in Rochester hosted the celebration as Mack was...

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 […]

Joe Veres' 11.12.26 Late Night Forecast

Christkindl Market to host final year at Canandaigua’s Granger Homestead

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (WROC) – After two decades of bringing holiday magic to Canandaigua, the Christkindl Market is coming to an end. This upcoming weekend, there’s one more chance to get in on the fun. Setup is currently underway for the 20th Annual Canandaigua Christkindl Market happening later this week off of Main Street. It will […]

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...

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...

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 […]

County Code Blue Shelter Preserves Core Services Despite Significant Decrease in State Funding

The Tompkins County Code Blue shelter at 227 Cherry Street in Ithaca will reopen its 24-hour services at 4 p.m. on Nov. 15 for the 2026-27 winter season. The county Code Blue shelter continues to be operated by Volunteers of America Upstate New York (VOA). The shelter will provide overnight shelter, a daytime warming center, on-site case management, 24/7 staffing, food, showers, laundry and transportation throughout the Code Blue season, which ends April 15, 2027.