Our journalism made a difference last year. These stories brought awareness, change
April and Katie Grossman believe in Elmira, its past and its future.
The mother and daughter team are making an impact at the historic Samson J. Friendly House on West Water Street, restoring the property to its former glory one project at a time. Katie has been documenting the journey on Instagram, with a few posts going viral on the social media platform.
The Star-Gazette’s September profile of the Grossmans and their renovation efforts also had a viral moment as we seek to tell the stories impacting residents of Elmira, Chemung County and beyond. Here are 10 that stood out in 2023. Have a story tip in 2024? Email sgnews@gannett.com.
Read the story: This 140-year-old NY mansion needs $3 million in work. Why a mother and daughter bought it
FOIL request reveals why city fired Elmira police chief
The City of Elmira abruptly fired Police Chief Anthony Alvernaz in January, providing little public comment or reasoning for the decision. A Star-Gazette Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request shed additional light on the dismissal. In response to the FOIL, the City of Elmira released police body camera footage and incident reports from a Dec. 9, 2022 arrest on the city’s Southside that prompted an internal investigation. City officials then said Alvernaz acted "in a manner that was unprofessional and insubordinate" and refused to resign.
More: Elmira says police chief dismissed for 'unprofessional' reaction to body cam investigation
An up and down year for First Arena
The ongoing saga surrounding First Arena in downtown Elmira took several new turns in 2023. In May, the Chemung County IDA terminated the lease held by Mammoth Sports & Entertainment and chose to start operating the beleaguered venue with its own team. We covered the changes throughout the year, profiling the new management group and its first big event, along with the new minor league hockey team now playing games at the Arena. We also asked readers to tell us what you wanted to see happen at the downtown venue. The answers were interesting, and some of the suggestions have already come to fruition.
More: What readers want to see at First Arena. How close is new leadership to making it happen?
Revisiting Notre Dame's historic 1998 football team
Sportswriter Andrew Legare highlighted the 25-year anniversary of Elmira Notre Dame’s 1998 Class C state runner-up football team. The group was touched and inspired by unthinkable tragedy, led by a generational quarterback who nearly died the year before, and came within an eyelash of becoming the first official state football champion in Chemung County history. Legare’s poignant profile revisited the key figures and highlighted the impact of two no longer with us — star Joel Stephens and coach Mike D'Aloisio.
Read the story: Notre Dame's 1998 football team made history amid loss of Elmira legend Joel Stephens
Exploring Peyton Shaw’s profound impact on the Waverly community
Tragedy struck the Waverly community in December when high school senior Peyton Shaw was killed in a car crash in Tompkins County. Shaw was a popular student-athlete who excelled on and off the court. Reporter Jeff Murray gave readers a window into the community’s grief. Murray spoke with Shaw’s family, teachers and coaches in the aftermath of the crash, painting a picture of a promising young woman who was well respected by her peers.
Read the story: 'A shining light.' Waverly's Peyton Shaw remembered for talents, commitment to community
Kelley Clayton's alleged killer maintains innocence on ABC's 20/20
The 2015 murder of Kelley Stage Clayton continued to generate headlines in 2023. Michael Beard, found guilty of first-degree murder in November 2016, granted an interview to ABC's 20/20 as part of a two-hour program that revisited the highly-publicized case. Beard spoke out publicly for the first time since his trial and claimed he was set up — by both Thomas Clayton and the police. Reporter Jeff Murray, who covered every step of the trial and subsequent appeals, provided readers with critical context as the TV program created a new wave of interest in one of the Southern Tier's most high-profile murder cases.
Read the story: Kelley Clayton's killer maintains innocence on ABC's 20/20. What we learned from interview
Elmira manufacturer brings jobs from Kentucky to Chemung County
It was a good year for a number of Elmira area manufacturers. One of them, Meier Industries, acquired a Kentucky-based company, Mach III, and moved its operations to the Elmira headquarters at 1580 Lake St. The acquisition brought jobs to Elmira and helped create a manufacturing powerhouse in the clutch and brake industry. In Waverly, meanwhile, a Pennsylvania company committed to investing roughly $35 million in a beverage packaging and distribution facility that will create at least 65 jobs.
Read the story: Elmira manufacturer grows with acquisition of Kentucky company. Here's the local impact
Basketball community rallied around Keyonna Garrison after stroke
Some moments transcend competition. On a Tuesday night in January, girls basketball teams from Odessa-Montour and Thomas A. Edison High School came together with an extended ovation in support of Keyonna Garrison. Just days earlier, Garrison had suffered a stroke during gym class caused by problems with a vertebral artery. Garrison was a repeat All-Interscholastic Athletic Conference selection as a soccer goalie and one of the top players for the Grizzlies' girls basketball team. Legare’s story placed a spotlight on how the basketball community rallied behind Garrison, raising money to offset medical expenses.
Read the story: Odessa-Montour rallies behind girls basketball star who suffered stroke at school
Armed Bradford County Pa. teen killed by state trooper
A 15-year-old boy was shot and killed by a Pennsylvania State trooper during a confrontation May 4 in a wooded area of Herrick Township. The youth was shot after refusing to comply with verbal commands to drop a weapon and posing "an imminent threat," according to a state police report. The Star-Gazette continued to track the investigation into the shooting, which ultimately determined the incident marked a ”lawful use of force" and was justified under the circumstances.
Read the story: Pa. state trooper shot, killed 15-year-old in Bradford County: What we know
Legacy lives on for Elmira pitcher who inspired a Bull Durham character
Did you know the inspiration for eccentric hurler "Nuke" LaLoosh in the 1988 film "Bull Durham," played by Tim Robbins, had a connection to Elmira? Legare’s profile of former Elmira Pioneers pitching star Steve Dalkowski added to Elmira baseball lore. Legare explored Dalkowski’s time in Elmira and his place in baseball history. Legends like Ted Williams and Cal Ripken Sr. are among those on record marveling at Dalkowski's velocity, which some claimed hit 110 to 115 mph. Some believe Dalkowski's pitching approach can help today’s big leaguers turbocharge their velocity.
Read the story: The man who threw 115 MPH: Legendary flame-thrower made his biggest mark playing in Elmira
Changing of the guard at Watkins Glen International
The internationally-renowned road course in Watkins Glen has new leadership entering 2024. Legare broke the news that veteran track president Michael Printup intended to retire. Printup oversaw $56 million of capital improvement projects during his tenure, which included seven consecutive NASCAR sellouts and popular concerts and wine festivals. In December, longtime Corning Inc. executive Dawn Burlew, a native of nearby Erin, was named the racetrack's first woman president. Burlew said she will aim to rev up The Glen’s status as an economic driver for the region.
Read the story: Erin native Dawn Burlew named first woman president of Watkins Glen International
This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: 10 Star-Gazette stories that made an impact in Elmira, beyond in 2023
