Local News Bites

[Twin Tiers Living 558]

On February 22nd 2025, an Elmira Police officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle involved in suspected narcotics activity. During the course of the stop, the occupants of the vehicle were determined as being 33-year-old Elmira resident, Kyle Tice, and a 16-year-old female juvenile who had been reported missing. The juvenile disclosed on-going sexual abuse which prompted the response of an Investigator to the scene.

This case continued to be investigated by the Elmira Police Department in conjunction with the NYS Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. On February 26th 2025, a quantity of evidence was seized after a search warrant was executed at a residence within the City of Elmira where the alleged abuse transpired.

The investigation determined that Kyle Tice, in addition to performing sexual acts with the minor, manufactured child sexual abuse material and distributed this electronic content via a social media platform.

Tice was been arrested and charged with one count of Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance, a class C Felony. He remains in the custody of the Elmira Police Department pending arraignment in Elmira City Court.

The Elmira Police Department is asking anyone with information about this matter to call the Elmira Police Department at (607)737-5626 or leave a message on the anonymous tip-line at (607)271-HALT.

[Twin Tiers Living 558]

The Chemung County Sheriff’s Office announces the arrest of 49-year-old Michael L. Deragon of Breesport for Burglary in the Third Degree, a Class D Felony.

According to Sheriff WIlliam Schrom, on February 27, 2025, a deputy from the Chemung County Sheriff’s Office observed Deragon in the Hamlet of Breesport and initiated an interview in the Dollar General parking lot. The Deputy was aware of pending charges for Deragon in relation to a Burglary in the Town of Veteran in 2023.

In March of 2023, the Criminal Investigation Division of the Sheriff’s Office, investigated a Burglary that occurred on Mallory Hill Road, in the Town of Veteran. This investigation resulted in the previous arrests of Shawn Mitstifer, of E. Sullivanville, and Kyle Menio, of VanEtten along with the recovery of dozens of stolen firearms from the Burglary. Burglary charges have been pending against Deragon for his participation in the burglary.

As a result of the investigation, Deragon was arrested for Burglary in the Third Degree and arraigned on the charge in the Town of Horseheads Court. He was released on his own recognizance and scheduled to appear in court at a later date.

[KarenK 537]

So much drama with him and those families in Breesport.  I feel for the people that live right there but I am so sick of hearing about it.

[Chris 3,628]

9 minutes ago, KarenK said:

So much drama with him and those families in Breesport.  I feel for the people that live right there but I am so sick of hearing about it.

Their village Facebook page is off the chain sometimes. I stopped following it. 

[Twin Tiers Living 558]

On March 10th 2025 at around 4:00PM the Elmira Police Department responded to a call at Woodlawn Cemetery.

Facility staff, during their normal course of business, discovered possible human remains buried in an unmarked grave. Investigators responded to the
scene and summoned additional resources including the assistance of the Elmira Police Department Evidence Response Team.

Police say the remains were determined to be of human origin however preliminary findings show that this is an isolated newly uncovered incident originating from years past. They did not elaborate on that statement any further.

The Elmira Police Department was assisted on scene by members of the New York State Police Troop E Forensic Investigation Unit, the Chemung County Medical Examiner’s Office, and Erway Ambulance.

This incident continues to be investigated and no further information is being released at this time.

[Twin Tiers Living 558]

On Thursday afternoon, the Elmira Police Department held a swearing in ceremony for the newest officer to join the ranks. 

According to Chief Kristen Thorne, Alexander Maximiek took the Oath of Office becoming the Elmira Police Department’s newest police officer. Officer Maximiek will attend the Broome County Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Academy which begins Monday, March 24, 2025 and runs through October 24, 2025.

Upon successful completion of the Police Academy training in October he will enter into the Elmira Police Department Field Training Program where he will work on several different shifts over the course of twelve weeks prior to being assigned to a Platoon.

The Elmira Police Department wishes to recognize Officer Maximiek for his work in getting to this point in his law enforcement career and wish him well on a long career ahead in serving the City of Elmira.

[Chris 3,628]

According to a post on social media, I saw this morning that the walk-in clinic at 360 West Water street has reopened. 

This is good news, there's an endless need for this type of health care in the area. And both times I'd been there in the past the care was friendly and efficient. 

[KarenK 537]

That's the walk in I always used to go to.  Didn't even know they were closed until we went one day and no one was there.  Nothing on the website every indicated they were not open.

[Twin Tiers Living 558]

From the City of Elmira:

Quote

The City of Elmira’s Fight on Blight Committee continues to meet monthly. During the month of February, our Code Department issued 302 junk and debris on properties in the City.

 

[Twin Tiers Living 558]

Francisco Javier Flores, who is known for his family's beloved Los Panchos restaurant in Elmira has died at the age of 69.

According to his obituary, Flores was a skilled jeweler who worked with Dozacks for many years before transitioning to Toshiba alongside his wife. However, his true passion lay in the restaurant business. He dedicated himself to his family’s restaurant, Los Panchos, from 1978 to 1994, later taking ownership and reopening it on Water Street in 2005.

You can see his entire obituary here. 

[KarenK 537]

2 hours ago, Twin Tiers Living said:

Francisco Javier Flores, who is known for his family's beloved Los Panchos restaurant in Elmira has died at the age of 69.

According to his obituary, Flores was a skilled jeweler who worked with Dozacks for many years before transitioning to Toshiba alongside his wife. However, his true passion lay in the restaurant business. He dedicated himself to his family’s restaurant, Los Panchos, from 1978 to 1994, later taking ownership and reopening it on Water Street in 2005.

You can see his entire obituary here. 

This is so sad.  Javier was a super guy. His sister Blanca and I were good friends years ago.  I hope the family continues the restaurant.  

[Twin Tiers Living 558]

[KarenK 537]

I went there all the time before Covid shut our Elmira office down