Your Morning Edition for Sunday, Feb. 16th presented by DiSanto Propane!

Seneca Falls home destroyed by fire, stolen vehicle arrest in Seneca County, latest tracking weekend storm, high school hoops report, hit-and-run under investigation in Tompkins Co., and more!

Feb 16, 2025

Seneca Falls home destroyed in early morning fire

A structure fire early Sunday morning in Seneca Falls reduced a residence under construction to a total loss. At approximately 3 a.m. the Seneca County 911 Center received a report of a fire at 4 Mechanic Street. Emergency responders, including the Seneca Falls Police Department, Seneca Falls Fire Department, and mutual aid units from the Waterloo and Fayette Fire Departments, arrived to find the home fully engulfed in flames. North Seneca Ambulance also provided support.

Latest on Investigation

Finger Lakes Forecast: Freezing rain, more snow coming today; high wind warning posted by NWS

A powerful winter storm continues to batter the region with a mix of snow, ice, and strong winds, creating hazardous travel conditions and an ongoing threat for power outages. The storm, which began impacting Western and Central New York on Saturday, has already dumped several inches of snow, with some areas seeing accumulations between three and six inches overnight. Ice buildup has added to the dangerous conditions, with some locations experiencing up to half an inch of accumulation. Winds are steadily increasing as the system intensifies, with gusts expected to reach between 50 and 60 mph later today and continuing through Monday. These strong winds, combined with the weight of ice-covered trees and power lines, have already caused scattered power outages across the region.

Latest Updates

Fast 5: What’s happening in the Finger Lakes?

State Senator Tom O’Mara is renewing his call for New York to delay its electric school bus mandate, warning that the plan is financially and logistically unworkable under its current timeline. In a recent guest column, O’Mara criticized the state’s all-Democrat leadership for pushing forward with a law that requires all new school bus purchases to be electric starting in 2027. He argues the mandate could become the costliest in state history, with conversion expenses estimated between $8 billion and $15.25 billion more than simply replacing diesel buses.
A Clifton Springs woman has been arrested months after allegedly fleeing from deputies while intoxicated, assaulting a person, and causing a crash that injured a passenger. The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office reported the arrest of 18-year-old Leah M. Stubbings on February 14, following an investigation into an August 2 incident in the Town of Sodus. Deputies responded to a 911 open-line call on Quarry Road, where they allege Stubbings had assaulted an individual with a blunt object before fleeing the scene in a vehicle.
A two-vehicle crash in Seneca Falls has turned fatal, authorities confirmed early-Saturday. Officers responded to the accident on State Route 414 near Salcman Road around 8:55 p.m. Upon arrival, authorities found both vehicles heavily damaged. Initial reports indicated multiple injuries, but officials have now confirmed that a passenger in one of the vehicles was pronounced dead at the scene.
Ithaca police are investigating a hit-and-run crash that left a pedestrian injured early Saturday morning. According to a media release, officers responded to the 500 block of Spencer Road just after 12:30 a.m. on February 15 for a motor vehicle accident involving a pedestrian. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene before police arrived.
A Seneca Falls man has been arrested after allegedly stealing a vehicle and driving recklessly before coming to a stop when the car lost a tire. Seneca County Sheriff Tim Thompson reported that deputies arrested 49-year-old Steven Johnson on February 14 at approximately 3:36 a.m. He was charged with felony criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, felony grand larceny in the fourth degree, misdemeanor aggravated unlicensed operation in the third degree, and multiple vehicle and traffic violations.

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SATURDAY HS BASKETBALL REPORT: Palmyra-Macedon girls outlast Fairport in overtime; Honeoye boys win 17th straight

On the last Saturday of the high school basketball regular season, three Wayne-Finger Lakes games were played. Highlights included the Palmyra-Macedon girls securing a non-league victory against Fairport in overtime, even after surrendering a two-point lead with just 0.8 seconds remaining in regulation. Meanwhile, the Honeoye boys extended their win streak to 17 with a non-league win over Genesee Valley-Belfast.

Girls

Palmyra-Macedon (14-5) 67, Fairport (12-7) 62 (Overtime)
Wayne (3-15) 2, Rochester Prep (5-14) 0 (Forfeit)

Boys

Honeoye (17-1) 70, Genesee Valley-Belfast (9-10) 47
World of Inquiry (16-2) 79, Penn Yan (1-18) 57

Stats & Schedule

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Victor teen honored for saving father’s life with CPR

Jack Crabbe, a student at Victor High School, received the New York State Senate Liberty Medal for his heroic actions in saving his father’s life. While golfing last year, his father, Jon Crabbe, collapsed from cardiac arrest. Jack, who learned CPR as a freshman, immediately performed chest compressions, keeping blood flowing until emergency responders arrived.

Auburn Community Hospital Foundation raises record $150,000 at annual gala

The Auburn Community Hospital Foundation’s annual gala set a fundraising record, bringing in more than $150,000 to support the Auburn Heart and Vascular Institute and the construction of a new Cardiac Catheterization Lab. Held at the Emerson Park Pavilion, the “Best is Yet to Come” gala drew approximately 325 attendees, all contributing to the hospital’s expanding cardiovascular care initiatives.