Community Corner
🌱 How a Southport birthday party turned into a Chemung County murder case
Be sure to catch Christmas Eve - County Closed For Observation on the Chemung Patch calendar

Good morning Chemung! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How a Southport birthday party turned into a Chemung County murder case
- What stories of Japanese war brides are now on display in Elmira?
- Why Chemung County still tops the region in new COVID cases
Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Chemungfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Thursday: Freezing fog this morning, with a high of 45 and low of 39 degrees.
- Friday: Showers of rain then snow, temps: high: 50, low: 22.
- Saturday: Mostly cloudy and colder, with a high of 35 and low of 31 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Elmira teen gets max sentence for murder of J'Sean Williams in Southport (stargazette.com) — Chemung County officials have sentenced an Elmira teenager to 25 years to life in prison for the 2024 shooting death of a 21-year-old man at a Southport birthday party. Investigated by the Chemung County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted locally, the case involved what the judge called an “assassination”-style attack, with the defendant also holding a prior Chemung County felony conviction.
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Find out what's happening in Chemungfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
2. Smithsonian exhibit honors Japanese war brides in Elmira (mytwintiers.com) — Chemung County residents can now explore a Smithsonian traveling exhibit on Japanese war brides at the Chemung County Historical Society in Elmira, open weekdays through February 28. The display shares the struggles and resilience of women who immigrated after World War II, while encouraging visitors to reflect on immigrant experiences that have shaped communities like Chemung.
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3. Respiratory Illness in the Greater Ithaca Area, December 17th (14850.com) — COVID case rates in Chemung County remain the highest in the Ithaca-area region, though they’ve dipped from 94 to 72 new cases per 100,000 people. Local readers should know that while Tompkins and nearby counties vary, Chemung’s numbers suggest continued caution as flu and other respiratory illnesses rise.
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4. Arctic League Short of Fundraising Goal, Asks Community for Help (weny.com) — Families across Chemung County rely on the Arctic League to make sure local kids wake up to Christmas gifts, but the nonprofit is still about $43,000 short of its $175,000 goal. Leaders say inflation has sharply raised toy costs and are asking residents to chip in at area banks, shops, and by mail so they can buy discounted toys early for roughly 3,000 children.
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📸 Around Chemung
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Chemung
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Christmas Eve - County Closed For Observation
Chemung County, NY Calendar Elmira, NY 14901
12:00 pm - Christmas Day - County Closed For Observation
Chemung County, NY Calendar Elmira, NY 14901
Wednesday December 24
Thursday December 25
📣 Chemung Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
- Traffic Coordinating Board Meeting
Elmira, NY Calendar Elmira, NY 14901
9:15 am - NYS 18 Hour Pistol Permit Course (100% FREE)
Phoenicia Fish & Game Association , 5419 NY-28 , Mt Tremper
10:00 am - Horseheads Homeschool Huddle
Horseheads Free Library (Chemung County Library District) , 405 S Main St , Horseheads
10:30 am - RFB-2834 ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION FOR SECURITY SYSTEM UPGRADE-CHEMUNG COUNTY JAIL
Chemung County, NY Calendar
2:00 pm - Steele teen D&D with Deegan (group full)
Steele Memorial Library (Chemung County Library District) , 101 E Church St , Elmira
5:30 pm - Local Author Book Fair
Spellbound Books , 20 Church St , Owego
6:00 pm - CCLD Board of Trustees Meeting
Steele Memorial Library (Chemung County Library District) , 101 E Church St , Elmira
6:00 pm - Bookmobile - Bulkhead Hardware Southport
Bulkhead Hardware , 1145 Pennsylvania Ave , Elmira
1:00 pm - Elmira Aviators vs. Northeast Generals
LECOM Event Center , 155 N Main St , Elmira
7:00 pm - Spencer-Van Etten Girls Varsity Basketball @ Candor
Candor Junior/Senior High School , 1 Academy St , Candor
7:00 pm
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- CVS Health posted a job opening for Pharmacy Stocker 1st Shift Starting Rate $18 +/hr in Waverly. Apply here.
- McDonald's posted a job opening for Crew Team Member in Elmira. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Chemung here.
Ok Chemung! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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