Get Local: Biggest headlines in the FLX for Wednesday, May 21st!
We've got the latest on school board/budget votes, a stabbing in Auburn, a major structure fire in Lyons and much more! Get it all here before you head out the door!
Fire rips through home on Cherry Street in Lyons
Firefighters responded to a serious structure fire on Cherry Street in Lyons Tuesday, with heavy smoke visible from a distance. Several departments assisted, including Newark, Wallington, and Oaks Corners, as crews worked to contain the blaze. Reports suggested animals may have been trapped inside, but that remained unconfirmed as of Wednesday morning. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Finger Lakes Forecast: Rainy and cold.
Rain is expected to persist through Friday in the Finger Lakes, with high chances of precipitation each day and temperatures hovering in the low-to-mid 50s. Rainfall totals could reach up to half an inch today and Thursday, with lighter amounts Friday into Saturday. Conditions begin to dry out Saturday night, leading to mostly sunny skies and warmer temperatures near 64 by Sunday. Memorial Day and early next week bring a chance of scattered showers, but highs will remain in the mid-60s.
Fast 5: What’s happening in the Finger Lakes?
Auburn police are investigating a stabbing that occurred Tuesday night near Seymour and Holley streets. One person has been detained, and officers later searched a Liberty Street residence believed to be connected to the case. Police Chief Matthew Androsko said there is no ongoing threat to the public. The investigation remains active, and more details are expected as the case develops.
Voters across the Finger Lakes approved school budgets and elected board members in a series of local elections held Tuesday. Districts like Canandaigua, Auburn, Geneva, Midlakes, and Red Jacket passed budgets with strong community support, many including transportation upgrades and library funding. Several board races saw incumbents re-elected alongside newcomers, while contested propositions—ranging from capital reserves to bus purchases—passed by wide margins. Overall, the results reflect ongoing public backing for education investment across the region.
Watkins Glen has officially completed its $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative, with a ribbon cutting for the new inclusive playground at Clute Park marking the final milestone. The multi-year effort funded eight major projects and 16 community improvements, including housing, recreation, infrastructure, and tourism enhancements. Key upgrades include new mixed-income housing, year-round amenities at Clute Park, Seneca Lake cruise terminal redevelopment, and improved streetscapes. State officials praised the village’s long-term vision, calling it a model for community-focused revitalization across the Southern Tier.
Geneva officials are set to gather public input Wednesday on a proposed $38.2 million housing development planned for the current Finger Lakes Times site. The project calls for 74 units—split between supportive and income-restricted housing—as well as office space, with Lakeview Health Services offering $1.1 million for the property. The newspaper would relocate, and the existing building would be demolished if the plan moves forward. Lakeview is also requesting a 30-year tax break, with a separate hearing on that proposal expected in June.
The City of Auburn has purchased small portions of two properties to move forward with a project to widen the busy intersection at North Street and Standart Avenue. Officials say the goal is to improve traffic flow and turning capability at a corner that sees over 10,000 vehicles daily. The city is using state funds for design work, with total construction costs estimated at $566,000. The upgrades could also help ease future congestion tied to a proposed $24 million apartment development nearby.
Victor Zoning Board holds May meeting
READER RUNDOWN: What else is happening in the Finger Lakes?
Yates County ramps up impaired driving patrols for Memorial Day
Geneva Theatre Guild announces auditions for ‘Little Shop of Horrors’
State Police expand animal cruelty investigations with new training
Police: Man skipped court after being charged with DWI in Penn Yan
Schumer: GOP Medicaid cuts would drop 1.5M New Yorkers from coverage