The promised break in the haze arrived — Elmira sits at a clear 82° this afternoon, but Saturday still brings a threat of severe thunderstorms

The brief respite WENY meteorologists predicted this morning has held up: skies over Elmira turned clear this afternoon with the temperature around 82°, a sharp improvement from Thursday’s smoke-choked air, which pushed the air quality index to 209 in Horseheads. Forecasters caution the calm is temporary — occasional smoky periods are expected to drift back through the Twin Tiers over the next couple of weeks as wildfires continue burning in Canada and Minnesota. More immediately, Saturday’s forecast turns unsettled, with clouds building in the morning and scattered showers and thunderstorms — some potentially severe — developing later in the day alongside another high near 83°.

Clemens Center blood drive runs until 5 p.m. today — donors receive two tickets to Elmira Little Theatre’s “Young Frankenstein”

The Clemens Center is hosting a blood drive today, Friday, July 17, from noon to 5 p.m., and organizers say donors are still needed. Anyone who gives blood receives two tickets to Elmira Little Theatre’s production of Mel Brooks’ “Young Frankenstein” as a thank-you. Those interested in donating before the drive wraps up can call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org and search Elmira, NY to schedule an appointment.

Gus Macker weekend tips off tonight with a celebrity game featuring Mayor Dan Mandell and Sheriff Bill Schrom, followed by Elmira Police vs. Elmira Fire

With street closures now in effect around downtown Elmira, the Gus Macker 3-on-3 basketball weekend kicks off tonight with a 6 p.m. celebrity game near Wisner Park featuring local figures including Elmira Girls’ Varsity Basketball coach A’Don Allen, Chemung County Sheriff Bill Schrom and City of Elmira Mayor Dan Mandell. An Elmira Police vs. Elmira Fire matchup follows at 6:30 p.m., ahead of a full slate of 3-on-3 games Saturday and Sunday featuring more than 100 registered teams. Main Street remains closed between Church and Water streets, and Gray Street between the Centertown Parking Garage and the Park Church parking lot, through 7 p.m. Sunday; organizers recommend the Centertown garage for anyone driving downtown this weekend.

Hazardous air quality forced pool closures and event cancellations across the Twin Tiers Thursday, setting up today’s welcome break in the haze

Thursday’s hazardous smoke — which pushed the air quality index to 209 in Horseheads — forced communities across the Twin Tiers to scale back outdoor plans. Village of Horseheads Mayor Kevin Adams closed the village pool over lifeguard safety concerns, Corning’s Gaffer District canceled its Music in the Square concert, and Elmira’s Eldridge Park closed its mini-golf course and rescheduled its “Cruel Summer” tribute performance to Sunday. Governor Kathy Hochul had urged New Yorkers statewide to stay indoors through the worst of the smoke, while Ontario fire officials reported 177 active wildfires still burning across the province. Today’s clearer skies mark a welcome, if temporary, break from those conditions.

Chemung County IDA re-approves 302-unit Big Flats housing development, adding a $300,000 impact fee that cuts the tax break from 30 years to 15

The Chemung County Industrial Development Agency re-approved the proposed 302-unit housing development in Big Flats at its regularly scheduled meeting Thursday, one month after first approving the project; the second vote was needed to fix a clerical error from the original approval. The development, planned for 56 acres off Hibbard Road and Daniel Zenker Drive, is set to include market-rate apartment buildings, ranch-style homes, community centers and recreation facilities. Some residents have raised concerns over the project’s 30-year Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement; the IDA is addressing that pushback by adding a $300,000 "impact fee" negotiated with the developers, which effectively cuts the PILOT term to 15 years.