Get Local: Former fire official admits to $100K theft, fish die-off investigated, and new report on rural hospitals
All of that and plenty more in today's newsletter. We also have a look at the forecast across the Finger Lakes, which calls for hot and humid weather through the end of next week.
Ex-fire chief admits to stealing $100K from Wayne County department
A former fire chief in Wayne County, William Storrs, has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $100,000 from the Marbletown Volunteer Fire Department while serving as treasurer. Prosecutors said he used department funds for personal expenses, including his wife’s credit card debt and retail purchases. Storrs was removed from his position in 2024 and will be sentenced on September 3.
Finger Lakes Forecast: Mostly cloudy, warmer.
The Finger Lakes will see mostly sunny and warm weather Friday, with a high near 86 and patchy morning fog. Temperatures climb over the weekend, reaching near 90 on Saturday and Sunday, with increasing chances of showers and thunderstorms—especially Sunday afternoon into the night. The unsettled pattern continues into early next week before clearing midweek, with sunshine and highs in the upper 80s to low 90s by Tuesday and Wednesday.
Fast 5: What’s happening in the Finger Lakes?
A judge has ordered the New York State Department of Health to work with Auburn and Owasco officials to strengthen protections for Owasco Lake. The ruling follows lawsuits claiming the state ignored science and failed to address pollution causing harmful algal blooms. Judge Keri Savona called the state’s actions arbitrary and mandated collaboration to combat farm runoff and safeguard drinking water.
More than half of New York’s rural hospitals are at risk of closure due to mounting financial pressure, with 18 facing immediate danger, according to a new report. The crisis has intensified following federal Medicaid funding cuts in President Trump’s recent tax and spending bill. Health leaders warn that without swift intervention, the loss of rural hospitals could severely impact both healthcare access and local economies.
Dozens of residents from the Finger Lakes region spoke out against cryptocurrency mining at a statewide hearing focused on its environmental impact. Many criticized Greenidge Generation’s facility on Seneca Lake, citing pollution, energy consumption, and minimal economic benefits. Advocates urged stronger regulations or an outright ban, warning that proof-of-work mining threatens New York’s climate goals.
Nearly four decades after 8-year-old Staci Ackerman was raped and murdered in Farmington, her family is urging the state to deny parole for her killer, Greg Flint. The Ontario County District Attorney and over 10,000 petitioners agree Flint should remain in prison, citing the brutal nature of his crime. Lawmakers are also advocating for Lorraine’s Law to limit how often violent offenders like Flint can seek parole.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is investigating a fish die-off along the Skaneateles Lake shoreline. Officials believe the deaths may be linked to extreme temperature shifts stressing spawning fish, though disease has not been ruled out. Residents are encouraged to report any struggling fish to help identify the cause.
