Get Local: Wrapping up the work week in the Finger Lakes!
It's Friday, June 27th and the month is almost over! Let's get you caught up with the biggest news happening across the region now.
Legislature backs broadband expansion, eyes spending reform in Cayuga County
Cayuga County lawmakers approved a $7 million broadband expansion plan aimed at improving internet access in rural areas, despite ongoing financial concerns and budget deficits. In response to these fiscal challenges, the Legislature implemented a hiring freeze, raised spending approval thresholds, and delayed non-essential purchases to reduce reliance on dwindling reserves. Additional actions included infrastructure upgrades, expanded public services, and the decision to override the 2025 state property tax cap.
Finger Lakes Forecast: Stormy then sunny.
The Finger Lakes region faces a mix of showers and thunderstorms through Saturday, with highs reaching the mid-80s. After a brief break with sunny skies Sunday, hot and humid conditions return Monday, bringing a 60% chance of storms. The unsettled weather pattern continues into Tuesday before clearing midweek with sunshine and temperatures in the low 80s.
Fast 5: What’s happening in the Finger Lakes?
Waterloo police are responding to complaints about vehicles violating two-hour parking limits in the village’s downtown area. Officials outlined specific streets and timeframes where the restrictions apply and urged drivers to review them before stepped-up enforcement begins. The effort comes after residents and business owners expressed frustration over the lack of compliance.
New York Attorney General Letitia James is advocating for a statewide ban on most police chases, limiting them to situations where a driver poses an imminent threat of death. Her report cites decades of data showing high fatalities from pursuit-related crashes, arguing the risks outweigh the benefits in minor cases. While some law enforcement officials express concern about losing critical enforcement tools, police unions have criticized the proposal as relying on selective data.
Waterloo Town Supervisor Don Trout pleaded not guilty to multiple charges stemming from a 2024 incident at the town Highway Department. He and board member Bob Lotz are accused of unlawfully entering the facility and damaging a television they had previously ordered removed. Both declined plea deals, with Trout’s pretrial motions set for September and Lotz’s case expected to go before a grand jury.
Sweet Farm Provisions, a new eco-focused retail store from the Sweet Farm Foundation, will open July 25 at 107 Main Street in downtown Penn Yan. The shop will feature environmentally friendly products and farm-grown goods, with all proceeds supporting the nonprofit’s animal rescue, sustainable agriculture, and community programs. Visitors to the grand opening can expect plant-based samples, educational materials, and a celebration of sustainable living.
7 Brew Coffee has submitted a site plan to open a drive-thru location in Auburn, aiming to redevelop the former Rite Aid at 153 Grant Avenue. The project would replace the existing building with a 540-square-foot café, a cooler, and dual-lane drive-thru capable of holding 26 vehicles. If approved, it would mark the Arkansas-based chain’s first location in the city.
