Your Morning Edition for Thursday, April 17th presented by DiSanto Propane!
Earth Day events along Erie Canal, Penn Yan adopts village budget, Schumer visits Canandaigua VA warning of federal cuts, new report on Cayuga Co.'s spend to move offices, and more!
Earth Day Events Along NYS Canals Give Finger Lakes Residents Opportunity To Help Clean Up!
Thousands of volunteers will participate in the annual Canal Clean Sweep from April 18–20, cleaning up trails along New York’s canal system in celebration of Earth Day. More than 180 events are planned statewide, including efforts in Port Byron, Montezuma, Lyons, Palmyra, and Clyde, where crews will remove debris and maintain trails. Participants are encouraged to dress for the weather, bring gloves, and register through Parks & Trails NY.
Finger Lakes Forecast: Improvement!
The Finger Lakes will enjoy sunny skies and a high near 54 today, followed by clear conditions tonight with lows around 35. Friday will bring warmer temperatures near 69, with increasing clouds and a chance of showers late. The weekend turns unsettled with rain and possible thunderstorms Saturday, before cooler, partly sunny weather returns Sunday.
Fast 5: What’s happening in the Finger Lakes?
Residents around the region slammed NYSEG at a recent community event over soaring electric bills, with some saying their monthly charges have tripled. NYSEG attributed the hikes to higher supply costs during winter and denied that smart meters caused the spike. Despite company reassurances, local lawmakers, including Steuben County’s chairwoman, are pushing for an independent investigation into the utility’s billing practices.
Cayuga County has spent nearly $890,000 of a $2 million budget to prepare its new office space at 63 Genesee St. in Auburn, which will house the Department of Social Services and other displaced agencies. Total costs are projected to reach $1.5 million, including rent, equipment, and furnishings, with staff expected to move in by May 1. The county began paying $29,005 in monthly rent in March under a two-year lease with a five-year renewal option.
New York State collected $117.5 billion in taxes for fiscal year 2024-25, exceeding projections by $2.1 billion and marking a 10.4% increase from the previous year, according to Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. Gains were driven by strong personal income and business tax receipts, with Pass Through Entity Tax revenues rising sharply. While DiNapoli credited economic growth and strong markets, he cautioned that federal policy changes could pose risks to future stability as lawmakers finalize the next budget.
Penn Yan’s village board approved a 2025–26 budget that includes a 5.99% property tax levy increase, raising the average annual tax bill by about $115. The $11.2 million spending plan includes wage hikes, a new $15.50 minimum wage, and rising retirement and workers' comp costs, partially offset by a fund balance appropriation. Tax rate impacts vary by location, increasing in Milo but decreasing for residents in Jerusalem and Benton.
Senator Chuck Schumer warned that the Trump administration’s proposed “DOGE” plan to cut over 80,000 VA jobs could devastate care for more than 33,000 veterans in the Rochester-Finger Lakes region. Speaking outside the Canandaigua VA Medical Center, Schumer said recent layoffs have already disrupted crisis and addiction services, with local VA workers fearing further instability. He vowed to fight the cuts, calling them a direct threat to veterans' health and safety.
Brush Fire Quickly Contained Thanks To Coordinated Effort
Fire crews from White Springs and West Lake Road swiftly contained a brush fire earlier this week after multiple compost and brush piles ignited near Geneva. Although the initial call went to White Springs, West Lake Road assumed jurisdiction and joined the response. The coordinated effort extinguished the fire without injuries or property damage.
