Get Local: Memorial Day 2025 headlines!
Today we're getting you caught up with an exclusive look at the Schine Theater in Auburn, previewing a meeting of the Seneca Co. supervisors, and Cayuga Co. Legislature.
Auburn wants to take back Schine Theater: What happens next?
The City of Auburn is initiating legal proceedings to take ownership of the historic Schine Theater after years of stalled redevelopment by its current owner. Despite previous restoration plans and over $2 million in committed state funding, construction milestones were never met, leaving grant money undisbursed. Once the city secures the property, officials plan to evaluate new options for restoring the long-vacant downtown venue.
Finger Lakes Forecast: The wait is over. Milder weather is here!
The Finger Lakes region will enjoy mostly sunny skies and mild temperatures for Memorial Day, with a high near 68. Warmer weather continues Tuesday before a stretch of unsettled conditions brings showers Wednesday through the weekend. Highs will hover in the mid-60s to low 70s, with the best chance for rain midweek and again on Saturday.
Fast 5: What’s happening in the Finger Lakes?
A woman died Sunday morning after driving a vehicle off a dock and into Cayuga Lake in the Town of Varick, according to Seneca County officials. Deputies arrived to find the car sinking 175 feet from shore, and the woman’s body was recovered several hours later. Her identity has not been released as the investigation continues.
Cayuga County lawmakers advanced a temporary hiring freeze set to run from June 1 through August 31, 2025, in response to mounting budget pressures. The resolution, approved by the Ways & Means Committee, includes exemptions for key public safety and social service roles, with care managers later added due to their revenue-generating importance. Lawmakers also discussed flat sales tax revenues, foreclosure updates, pest control contracts, and building maintenance as they prepare for the 2026 budget cycle.
Seneca County supervisors will hold a special meeting on Tuesday to vote on a $108,000 emergency contract appointing Dr. Marshall Trabout as medical director for the county jail. The contract fills a critical vacancy following the previous director’s resignation, ensuring compliance with state correctional health regulations. Dr. Trabout was selected based on cost and correctional healthcare experience, with support from the sheriff, county attorney, and Public Safety Committee.
The Clifton Springs Fire Department is mourning the passing of June Darling, a founding member of its Ladies Auxiliary who dedicated 49 years to service. Known as “The Mayor of Orleans,” she led fundraising efforts and managed Station 2, becoming a beloved figure in the community. Her legacy of volunteerism lives on through her family and the deep impact she made on those around her.
New York has nearly completed its $450 million Thruway rest stop renovation project, with 26 of 27 locations now updated. While the overhaul aimed to modernize facilities and enhance dining options, some travelers have criticized the new designs as cramped and inconvenient. With only the Modena stop still under construction, mixed reactions highlight a divide between state goals and public satisfaction.
