Get Local: The biggest stories to start the day!
What's happening today in the Finger Lakes? We've got the latest on Walmart disputing its assessment, a recap from the most-recent SF town board meeting, and charges from two major incidents.
Walmart wants $6M cut from Auburn store tax value
Walmart is seeking a $6 million reduction in the property assessment of its Auburn, New York store, arguing that the current $13.5 million valuation is excessive and includes non-taxable items. The company wants the value lowered to $7.5 million and will bring the case to state Supreme Court in November. Although Walmart agreed to the current assessment during a 2022 reassessment, it now claims the valuation is unfair compared to similar properties. Other businesses in Auburn, like McDonald's and Nucor, are also pursuing significant assessment reductions.
Finger Lakes Forecast: Warming up for the holiday weekend.
Scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible Thursday morning, with skies turning mostly sunny by afternoon and highs near 80°F. Independence Day looks ideal for outdoor plans, with sunny skies and a high around 78°F. The weekend will be warmer, reaching the upper 80s Saturday and soaring into the low 90s Sunday, under mostly sunny skies. A chance of showers and storms returns Monday before conditions settle again midweek with highs in the low 80s.
Fast 5: What’s happening in the Finger Lakes?
The Ontario County District Attorney’s Office announced several recent felony convictions and prison sentences involving sex crimes, burglary, harassment, and fraud. Notable cases include Dakota Murphy, sentenced to 18 years for first-degree sexual abuse, and John Evans, who received 3 years for a similar offense in Geneva. Additional sentences were handed down to Shelbi Hamman for burglary, Jermaine Holloway for harassment and false reporting, and Ronald Sennett for attempted grand larceny and impaired driving. Plea deals were also reached in welfare fraud and strangulation cases, with sentencing dates set later this year and in 2026.
Lukas J. Ellsessor, 31, of Angelica, has been charged in connection with a 2024 crash in Steuben County that resulted in the death of his passenger. State Police say Ellsessor attempted to pass another vehicle in a no-passing zone on Route 371, lost control, and rolled his Dodge Caravan. His passenger, 26-year-old Adrian V. Gregory-Kielbasa, was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. Ellsessor, who sustained minor injuries, now faces charges including vehicular manslaughter, reckless endangerment, and impaired driving.
A Van Etten man was arrested after allegedly displaying a firearm during a dispute on Henry Street in Montour Falls. Joseph A. Clark, 24, was taken into custody on June 25 following a report to deputies about the incident. He was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a felony, and second-degree menacing, a misdemeanor. Clark was held at the Schuyler County Jail on bail and is scheduled to appear in court this August.
Rochester Gas and Electric has completed a $5 million circuit upgrade in Sodus to improve electric reliability and support rising energy demand. The project raised voltage levels from 4.16kV to 12.47kV on circuits feeding Substation 210 and included three miles of line conversions with new transformers, conductors, and digital controls. Crews also rerouted service to the Sodus Sewer Plant to reduce outages caused by vegetation. RG&E says the upgrade is part of a larger 2025 plan to modernize infrastructure and minimize service disruptions.
At its June 3 meeting, the Seneca Falls Town Board lifted a hiring freeze and officially recognized Convention Days as a town event. The board also held a public hearing on a proposed law addressing solar energy systems and stormwater management, and approved numerous resolutions related to staffing, infrastructure, and grant applications. Police Chief Tim Snyder presented a $995,000 technology package, while Convention Days organizers shared plans for the upcoming July celebration. Additional board actions included approving new contracts, updating water fees, supporting special events, and entering executive session for legal and personnel discussions.
