12/02/2025
CJ Country Local News for Tues, December 2
Senator Chuck Schumer says three of his offices in New York received bomb threats. The threats were sent via email to his offices in Rochester, Binghamton, and Long Island. The emails reportedly had "MAGA" in the subject line and included claims about the 2020 election being rigged. Schumer says that law enforcement responded immediately and is conducting full security sweeps of the offices. He is condemning the threats, emphasizing that such violence has no place in politics and that no one should be targeted for simply doing their job. Authorities are continuing to investigate.
An investigation into a reported burglary in the Town of Avon results in the arrest of a Lima man. The Livingston County Sheriff's Office says 48yo Christopher Elardo is suspected of breaking into a residence last September and stealing numerous items valued at over $20,000. He is facing multiple felony charges of Burglary in the 2nd & 3rd degree, Grand Larceny, and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property. After his arrest, Elardo was processed and later released on his own recognizance after a court appearance.
An investigation into alleged methamphetamine sales in the Village of Dansville and the Town of Ossian leads to the arrest of an Allegany County man. The Livingston County Drug Task Force reports that 30yo Stephen Zeh was taken in by members of the Livingston County Sheriff's Office and the Dansville Police Department on charges of two felony counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance. Following arraignment, he was remanded to the custody of the Sheriff with bail set at $50,000. Zeh is scheduled for additional court proceedings later this month.
A York woman is accused of possessing an illegal substance following a traffic stop in the Town of Caledonia. According to the Livingston County Sheriff's Office, 50yo Heidi Savage was pulled over for traffic violations when the Deputy suspected drug activity in the vehicle. After conducting a roadside investigation, Savage was said to be found in possession of crack co***ne. She was charged with felony Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third and Fifth Degrees, along with traffic law violations. Savage was later arraigned and released on her own recognizance, as the charges did not meet the criteria for bail under the NYS Bail Reform Act.
A federal appeals court has sided with two New York pro-life pregnancy centers. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit has affirmed that these centers are free to inform women about abortion-pill reversal using progesterone, as their lawsuit continues. The court ruled against New York Attorney General Letitia James, who had sought to silence the centers, claiming their speech about abortion-pill reversal was false and misleading. The centers, represented by Alliance Defending Freedom, argued that women should have the right to learn about the potential life-saving treatment, especially for those who regret taking the first abortion pill. The court agreed, ruling that the speech in question is noncommercial, morally motivated, and constitutionally protected by the First Amendment.
With the end of the government shutdown, home heating assistance is now available throughout New York. The State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance has begun accepting applications for the 2025–2026 Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Regular Benefit. This program assists eligible households with home heating costs and can help with heating emergencies such as low fuel, utility shutoffs, or service termination threats. Residents can apply online through NYS myBenefits at https://www.mybenefits.ny.gov. You may also submit completed forms to your county Department of Social Services by mail, fax, or in person. The forms are available online at https://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap. The Regular HEAP benefit will be available until April 7th 2026, or until program funding runs out. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to ensure timely assistance.
The nationwide average price for a gallon of gas has hit its lowest mark since May 2021. AAA reports that Monday's price at the pump was averaging $3, a decline of almost seven cents per gallon from a week ago. Meanwhile, smaller changes occurred at the state and county levels during that time. New York State's average decreased by nearly two cents to $3.13. One year ago, the national and state averages were $3.05 and $3.16, respectively. The regional average for a gallon of gas is $3.12, down two cents. AAA adds that overall seasonal demand for gas is "sluggish," and consumers will likely see gas prices continue to fall in the coming weeks.
With the colder weather in the coming months comes the risk of frostbite. The areas of the body that are the most prone are the fingers, toes, nose and ears. Fingers and toes are more at risk when gloves and boots get wet. You can increase your risk for frostbite or frostnip on your nose and ears when you go out for an extended period of time in the cold weather and you don't cover them up. Health experts say frostbite symptoms are pretty recognizable. The skin will become very cold and red, and you will get a stinging or prickly feeling. If that occurs, you should make every effort to re-warm that area.
Be careful using ladders during holiday decorating. Doctors with the Cleveland Clinic say they see falls related to holiday decorating every year in the emergency department. They say ladder safety is probably the biggest one that they can stress. When you climb ladders, make sure that it is firmly planted on the ground and ideally have somebody with you to make sure that the ladder is secure. Another easy way to fall is by reaching out too far while you’re up on the ladder trying to hang Christmas lights. It is best to get down and move the ladder over to the next spot.
You can donate blood to the Red Cross on this - Giving Tuesday. This year, people in NY and across the country faced great emergency needs with the challenges related to severe disasters and blood shortages. On this, Giving Tuesday, and during the holidays, visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment to give blood or platelets.
