Your Morning Edition for Saturday, Feb. 15th presented by DiSanto Propane!
Latest on stunning torture/murder case in Ontario Co. Plus, Gym Class Heroes get honor, East Hill on the move in Auburn, Seneca Supervisors table stipend for chairman, and high school hoops recap!
'BEYOND DEPRAVED': Five charged in homicide of Sam Nordquist, investigators reveal pattern of abuse
A missing person case has turned into a homicide investigation after authorities discovered the body of Sam Nordquist in a remote Yates County field. New York State Police say Nordquist suffered months of physical and psychological abuse before being killed, and five suspects have been arrested and charged with second-degree murder. Law enforcement officials described the crime as “beyond depraved” and are still working to uncover the full circumstances, including the relationship between the victim and the accused. The Ontario County District Attorney's Office anticipates swift Grand Jury action, with all suspects currently being held without bail. Authorities continue to seek information from the public as forensic analysis and investigative work remain ongoing.
Finger Lakes Forecast: Winter storm will bring tough travel
A powerful winter storm will impact the Finger Lakes region through early next week, bringing heavy snow, ice, and strong winds. Snow will begin Saturday before transitioning to a wintry mix overnight, with up to three-tenths of an inch of ice possible. A sharp cold front Sunday afternoon will cause temperatures to drop rapidly, leading to a flash freeze, while gusts up to 60 mph could cause widespread power outages. On Monday and Tuesday, lake-effect snow and dangerously cold wind chills will persist, making travel hazardous and outdoor conditions extreme.
Fast 5: What’s happening in the Finger Lakes?
Travie McCoy and Gym Class Heroes, the genre-blending band that got its start in Geneva, will be honored with induction into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025. The ceremony and concert will take place on April 13 at Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. The band, which skyrocketed to fame in the early 2000s, was co-founded in 1997 by McCoy and drummer Matt McGinley when they were students at Geneva High School. The group’s fusion of hip-hop, pop, punk, and funk led to a string of hits, including "Cupid's Chokehold" and "Stereo Hearts," the latter featuring Maroon 5’s Adam Levine.
East Hill Medical Center has purchased a 20,600-square-foot building at 360 Grant Ave. for $1.3 million, with plans to relocate and expand its services. The new location will improve accessibility and allow the center to serve more patients with additional treatment rooms and staff. Services are expected to begin there in 2027. The nonprofit, currently based at the Metcalf Building downtown, will move its adult medicine, dental, and behavioral health services to the new facility. The space, previously used by Tessy Plastics for COVID-19 test manufacturing, will be renovated to meet East Hill’s needs.
Seneca County Board of Supervisors Chairman Mike Enslow, who has taken on additional duties since the county manager’s departure, will not receive a proposed salary stipend—at least for now. The board voted unanimously to table the measure, which would have provided Enslow with $2,500 per pay period until a new county manager is appointed. The Chairman, who also runs a private business, said the added responsibilities have significantly impacted his time, business, and family. He remains committed to serving the county despite the strain.
Health officials are warning of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Tompkins County after 50 dead snow geese near Seneca Lake tested positive for the virus. Cornell experts have confirmed infections in both wild and captive birds, though no human cases have been reported in New York. While the public health risk remains low, those working with birds, poultry, or dairy cattle face higher exposure risks. Officials urge residents to avoid direct contact with sick or dead birds and to report multiple dead birds to state authorities.
New York State’s proposed 2025-26 Executive Budget reflects a financial landscape marked by increasing spending, reliance on federal aid, and looming budget gaps, according to an analysis from the State Comptroller’s Office. The report warns that the state faces a growing structural imbalance, with expenditures outpacing revenue. While the budget proposes extending temporary personal income tax increases on high earners, it still fails to close projected shortfalls in future years.
FRIDAY NIGHT HOOPS: Mynderse boys, Gananda girls win in overtime; Geneva boys blow out Waterloo
The final Friday of the high school basketball regular season featured 16 games across the Wayne-Finger Lakes region, highlighted by two overtime thrillers. The Mynderse boys overcame a 15-point halftime deficit to defeat Newark in overtime, while the Gananda girls survived a late comeback to edge Williamson/Marion. Geneva’s boys delivered the biggest statement of the night, routing Waterloo by 40 points to extend their win streak. Below are the full results from Friday's matchups:
Boys Basketball
Mynderse 65 - Newark 62 (OT)
Geneva 76 - Waterloo 36
Wayne 66 - Palmyra-Macedon 38
Midlakes 51 - Penn Yan 41
Canandaigua 62 - Honeoye Falls-Lima 29
Victor 75 - Irondequoit 55
Girls Basketball
Waterloo 53 - Bloomfield 43
Gananda 55 - Williamson/Marion 50 (OT)
Lyons 70 - East Rochester 42
Marcus Whitman 64 - HAC 39
Penn Yan 37 - Midlakes 27
Dundee/Bradford 81 - Romulus 27
Palmyra-Macedon 59 - Wayne 23
Clyde-Savannah 55 - North Rose-Wolcott 23
Naples 47 - Honeoye 37
Canandaigua 57 - Gates Chili 13
Sempronius man arrested after killing pet pig during domestic dispute
A Sempronius man is in custody after allegedly shooting and killing his girlfriend’s pet pig during a domestic dispute, according to the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office. Norman D. Dewitt, 28, was arrested on February 12 and charged with multiple misdemeanors, including animal cruelty under New York State Agriculture and Markets Law, endangering the welfare of a child, and criminal tampering.
Geneva residents charged with animal cruelty after police raid
Two Geneva residents are facing multiple animal cruelty charges after authorities discovered 11 dogs living in unsanitary conditions inside their apartment. The Ontario County Humane Society, working with Geneva Police and Child Protective Services, launched an investigation after receiving a report about the welfare of animals at 18 Middle Street. Following the probe, a search warrant was issued and executed on February 10.