Get Local: Latest on Fishers' dissolution, Canandaigua officials talk traffic and parking, and update on serious Fleming crash
It's Wednesday, July 16th and we've got everything you need to know to get your day started in the Finger Lakes.
Fishers Fire assistant chief warns of ‘devastating’ plan, calls for commissioners to resign
Assistant Chief Michael Koch of the Fishers Fire District in Victor condemned a proposal by fire commissioners to dissolve the department, warning it would severely weaken emergency response and endanger lives. Koch emphasized that eliminating full-time firefighters in favor of a volunteer-only model would compromise public safety, especially given the 1,300 annual emergency calls the department handles. The New York State Professional Fire Fighters Association backed Koch’s statement, while the commissioners have yet to respond.
Finger Lakes Forecast: Hot and humid.
Hot and humid weather continues across the Finger Lakes region, with highs near 90 today and heat index values approaching 97. Showers and thunderstorms are possible each afternoon and evening through Thursday, with the highest chances Thursday afternoon. Conditions will cool slightly by Friday, bringing mostly sunny skies and highs in the mid-70s. The weekend looks warmer and partly sunny, though more showers could return Saturday night into Sunday.
Fast 5: What’s happening in the Finger Lakes?
Five people were hospitalized after a serious two-vehicle crash on July 12 in the town of Fleming, including a critically injured teenager and a 5-year-old who was ejected from a vehicle. State Police say a Chevrolet Traverse failed to stop at a stop sign and collided with a Ford F-150, prompting a major emergency response and airlifts to Upstate University Hospital. Authorities found no evidence of drug or alcohol use, and the investigation remains ongoing.
The Canandaigua Planning and Finance Committees advanced a youth hockey 5K event and addressed traffic and pedestrian safety issues during a Tuesday meeting. Officials discussed enforcement efforts, infrastructure improvements near schools, and growing concerns about e-bike violations and lakefront rule infractions. The committees also approved sewer funding adjustments, renewed a service agreement with Ontario County, and reviewed updates to the city’s comprehensive plan.
The Hilton Garden Inn in Auburn has completed a $2.7 million renovation and transitioned to local management under Syracuse-based Pioneer Companies. The upgrades included modernizing all 92 guest rooms, the lobby, and ballrooms with brighter designs. Auburn resident Robert Richie has been named general manager, and further improvements are planned for the hotel's restaurant, The Refinery.
A Canandaigua man is scheduled for sentencing after pleading guilty to third-degree assault in connection with a violent dog attack that injured a father and his 9-year-old son in August 2024. Casey Murphy, 29, co-owned the unleashed dog that attacked the victims on Coy Street, causing serious injuries that required hospitalization. The dog was euthanized, and the second co-owner, Madison Herendeen, is set to face trial in September.
The Cayuga County Health Department has issued a public health advisory warning of harmful algal blooms (HABs) on Cayuga Lake, which can produce toxins dangerous to humans and animals. Residents are urged to avoid discolored water or floating mats and to refrain from swimming, fishing, or using untreated lake water during a bloom. Officials say HABs are common in warmer months and advise reporting any sightings and seeking medical attention if symptoms occur after exposure.
