Your Morning Edition for Saturday, July 27th presented by DiSanto Propane!
DEC and Watkins Glen mayor disagree on illegal gravel mining, Canandaigua has a new town manager, DiNapoli says an independent review of COVID-19 policies are needed, and in-depth with Auburn mayor.
DEC says gravel mine owner fully restored illegally mined acreage; Watkins Glen mayor dispute it
State officials say a 8.5-acre site that was illegally mined on a ridge above the Village of Watkins Glen has been fully reclaimed, but Mayor Laurie DeNardo and others dispute that conclusion based on a recent aerial photo.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
“The village has already seen the devastation with storm water overflow, flooding and infrastructure damage due to the unauthorized transformations at Padua Ridge,” DeNardo said. “Not holding property owners accountable for a full reclamation is inexcusable and should be corrected at once.”
In 2022, Padua Ridge LLC and its owner, Martin Wojcik, were fined $20,000 for mining the site without permission. Under a consent agreement between the state Department of Environmental Conservation and Wojcik, Padua Ridge needed to fully reclaim the excavated area north of Route 409 by June 2022.
It missed that deadline to restore topsoil, regrade and reseed. Padua Ridge also missed the DEC’s extended June 2023 deadline for reclamation, as well as the June 2024 deadline, which was recently extended to July 15.
On Wednesday, the DEC said its July 15 inspection of the site showed that it had been fully reclaimed as required by the 2022 consent agreement. It declined to share the inspection report.
FLX Forecast: What to expect today?
Fast 5: What’s happening in the Finger Lakes?
TIME FOR ACCOUNTING: New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli has called for an independent commission to review the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, criticizing a recent report by the Olson Group for its shortcomings. [READ MORE]
NO INJURIES: The Bloomfield Fire Department responded to a vehicle fire on East Main Street Friday morning. Around 11:08 a.m., a 2008 Dodge Ram pickup, driven by 13-year-old Dean M. Nohle of McAnn Road, Bloomfield, was found fully engulfed in flames. [READ MORE]
NO LONGER #1: Rochester-based Wegmans has been named the second-best supermarket in the nation, according to Newsweek’s 2024 rankings. The grocer scored 90.89, just behind Great Wall Supermarket, which took the top spot with a score of 92.69. [READ MORE]
UPDATE ON CLOSURE: On Thursday, Bimbo Bakeries USA announced the pending closure of its Auburn facility, one of three sites set to close as the company consolidates production to more efficient locations. On Friday, Auburn Mayor Jimmy Giannettino told FingerLakes1.com on Inside the FLX that the decision to shut down the Bimbo facility was a complete shock. [READ MORE]
NEW TOWN MANAGER: John Falbo, chief deputy of the Ontario County sheriff’s office, has been appointed as Canandaigua’s new town manager. The Town Board voted unanimously on Monday to appoint Falbo, who will succeed Doug Finch, who departed in January for a role in Duncanville, Texas. [READ MORE]
INSIDE THE FLX: Auburn mayor slams NYS over denying Owasco Lake regs & talks Bimbo Bakeries closure
MORE LOCAL HEADLINES: What Else Is Happening?
Seneca Falls woman arrested after larceny, fraud investigation at Walmart
Waterloo man arrested again for failure to appear in SF court
Palmyra man arrested after threatening police officer with baseball bat responding to 911 call
Police: Geneva woman arrested for obstruction after shoving officer
Geneva man arrested on multiple charges, wanted in Seneca County for grand larceny
WATCH: Paris Olympic Opening Ceremony Dazzles with French Flair and Star-Studded Performances
The 2024 Paris Olympic Games kicked off with an ambitious opening ceremony that captivated audiences from the Seine River to the Eiffel Tower. The event showcased France’s rich cultural heritage and featured appearances by sports legends and music icons.