Your Morning Edition for Friday, August 18th presented by DiSanto Propane!
Waterloo murder trial gets underway soon, new bill would allow cell towers to go almost anywhere locally, update on Williamson fire, and important info for Wegmans shoppers!
Each day we bring you the biggest headlines and the stories that matter from the heart of the Finger Lakes. Our newsroom is locally owned-and-operated — keeping you informed and up-to-date every day of the year.
Waterloo murder trial will begin next week
Jury selection is slated to start Monday in the trial of Wayne Ellison Jr. and Christopher Kesterson. The two men are charged with second-degree murder and weapon possession relating to the fatal shooting of Texan William Waugh in September 2022. Authorities believe a preceding bar altercation may have sparked the deadly confrontation that took place around 1 a.m. on Route 96.
House bill on cell-tower placement: Should towns be able to say no? This legislation would make it difficult
A bill in Congress could almost eliminate local input on cell-tower location, in New York and across the U.S. The American Broadband Deployment Act would create new restrictions on local and state land use and zoning laws to make it easier to site telecommunication towers.
Multiple groups are sharing their concerns in a letter to the chair of the House Communications and Technology Subcommittee about the consequences of bypassing state and local zoning authorities.
Photo of the day!
Thurston poised to ban field spreading of sewage sludge: How did this complicate Casella’s plan to bring it from Long Island?
The Thurston Town Board is preparing to enact an outright ban on the spreading of sewage sludge on fields within its jurisdiction, threatening Casella Organics’ plan to spread sludge from Long Island on 2,789 acres it recently acquired or leased. The board voted unanimously last night to set a public hearing for Aug. 28 on a draft town law that declares: “No sewage sludge facility shall hereafter be constructed, allowed to commence operation or to continue operation within the Town of Thurston.”
The town board plans to vote on the proposed ban on Aug. 28 at the completion of the public hearing, said Thurston Town Supervisor Michael Volino.
More headlines for Friday, August 18th!
UPDATE: One hospitalized, three others escape Williamson blaze
Watch out for credit card double-charges if you’ve shopped at Wegmans recently
State lawmaker proposes bill that would allow local judges to carry firearms in court
Geneva man possessed illegal handgun, large knife: Held on $10,000 cash bail
Waterloo man made ‘life-threatening’ phone calls to victim in Seneca Falls: Now faces seven charges
Cayuga sex offender fails to report, attempts to disseminate indecent material to minors
Greenidge plans to sell South Carolina bitcoin operation to NYDIG: Stock tanks on weak financials
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FLX MUSIC 247: Scalehouse, Point of the Bluff, Zugibe
The midway point of August is here in the Finger Lakes, but the music scene continues. Janelle Bradshaw has everything you need to know for the weekend and beyond in this edition of FLX Music 247. On the east side of Seneca Lake, Scalehouse has four days of live music spanning the weekend, including Feed the Fire and Mystic Twangers this weekend. Point of the Bluff overlooking Keuka Lake hosts Rachel Beverly on Friday. You can also catch Rachel Beverly on Saturday night at Nickel’s BBQ in Watkins Glen for race weekend. On Thursday night, Zugibe hosts their Sunset Series with Jacob Shipley from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.