Get Local: A new week begins here in the Finger Lakes!
We've got all the headlines you need to get the week started. Previewing several local meetings taking place tonight-Wednesday, as well as new community efforts to stifle a housing development.
Wayne supervisors to consider major health and youth investments this week
The Wayne County Board of Supervisors will meet Tuesday morning in Lyons to discuss a broad slate of proposals focused on health, human services, and infrastructure. Key items include new staffing in the Department of Aging and Youth, preschool transportation contracts, and updates to nursing home and public health services. The board will also consider public safety investments, EMS training programs, and a naming proposal for the county's public safety building. A recap of the May 20 meeting included support for state legislation aiding disabled veterans and internal updates on retirements and communications.
Finger Lakes Forecast: Humidity building back in this week!
After a partly sunny and mild Monday with only a slight chance of showers, rain and thunderstorms become more likely Tuesday and Wednesday, with highs in the mid-70s to mid-80s. Overnight lows remain warm, hovering in the mid-60s. Juneteenth will bring more unsettled weather, with a good chance of thunderstorms and gusty winds. Conditions improve by Friday with mostly sunny skies and a brief dry stretch before more scattered showers return for the weekend.
Fast 5: What’s happening in the Finger Lakes?
Two members of the Auburn Enlarged City School District board are vying for leadership roles in the upcoming school year. Jim Van Arsdale, a teacher and nonprofit cofounder, is seeking the presidency, while Matteo Bartolotta, a local business owner who returned to the board via write-in campaign, wants to be vice president. Neither has held leadership positions before, but current president Dr. Eli Hernandez has endorsed both. The board will vote on their appointments during its July 2 reorganization meeting.
The Sodus Point Planning Board will review five property applications at its meeting tonight, including proposals related to fences, a retail shed, and a boundary line adjustment. Notable items include a 10-foot living fence request on Wickham Boulevard and a retail shed installation plan on Margaretta Road. Patrick Tobin has submitted two separate applications involving a minor subdivision and the construction of a new single-family home on South Shore Road. The meeting begins with a 6:30 p.m. pre-meeting via Zoom, with public access available through soduspoint.info.
The Milo Town Board will vote tonight on several key items, including a new deputy appointment, security camera upgrades, and a resolution connected to a sewer district project. Officials will also review monthly departmental reports and receive updates on annexation legal fees, equalization rates, and term-related election matters. At its May 19 meeting, the board approved three local laws, including updated floodplain regulations and expanded residency eligibility for deputy roles, and established Milo Sewer District No. 4 with an estimated cost of $460,000. Additional actions included highway staffing, sale of materials to Barrington, and final preparations for upcoming water district construction.
Tompkins County is expanding its surveillance efforts with a new network of AI-powered cameras designed to detect gunshots and track vehicles. Twenty of the planned 50 cameras from tech firm Flock are already in operation, capturing license plates, vehicle details, and timestamps for law enforcement use. While officials say the system enhances public safety, critics fear it may lead to unchecked surveillance and data misuse, especially given the system’s cloud-based storage and accessibility by over 100 agencies. Privacy advocates remain skeptical, citing concerns about transparency and potential collaboration with federal authorities.
Residents in Gananda are speaking out against a plan to redevelop Blue Heron Hills Golf Course into a housing development. Club owner Jason Calder confirmed the course will downsize to nine holes next year, with home construction likely on the front nine. Although no official plans have been filed, community backlash has been swift, including a petition with over 1,000 signatures. Many residents say they were misled and are organizing to preserve the course as a community landmark.
Bloomfield softball, Penn Yan boys lacrosse among teams to win state titles
Three Wayne-Finger Lakes teams won state titles on Saturday, highlighting a successful day for Section V programs. Bloomfield softball earned its first-ever championship with an 11-0 shutout over Tuckahoe, led by Ashlyn Wright’s dominant pitching and hitting. In boys lacrosse, Penn Yan rallied from behind to defeat Chenango Forks 11-8 and capture their second state title, while Canandaigua fell to Garden City in Class B. On the girls side, Victor claimed its fourth consecutive Class B state championship with a 12-9 win over Garden City.