Your Morning Edition for Wednesday, Feb. 19th presented by DiSanto Propane!

Ontario Co. Grand Jury indicts five accused of torturing/killing Sam Nordquist, former Ovid fire chief passes away, Tanner Buisch joins 1,000 point club, and latest on prison staff protests.

Feb 19, 2025

Five indicted in Ontario County murder of Sam Nordquist, investigation continues

A grand jury in Ontario County has indicted five individuals in the torture and murder of 24-year-old Sam Nordquist, whose remains were found in Yates County after being reported missing on February 9. Authorities say Nordquist endured months of abuse before being killed, and while prosecutors have not classified the crime as a hate crime, Governor Kathy Hochul has ordered a state investigation. The suspects, all of whom knew Nordquist, remain in custody without bail and face charges that could result in 15 years to life in prison.

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Finger Lakes Forecast: Cold and snow showers

A chance of snow showers, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 21. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Snow likely tomorrow, mainly after 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 22. Temperatures will push toward freezing mark over the weekend, which will be the first time in over a week we see that here in the Finger Lakes.

FL1 Weather Center

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

New Yorkers could soon face higher overdraft fees as Congress considers repealing a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rule capping them at $5, potentially allowing banks to charge up to $35 per transaction. While some lawmakers, like Rep. Dan Goldman, support keeping the limit, others, including Rep. Mike Lawler, are under pressure to dismantle these protections, which consumer advocates say disproportionately harm low-income individuals. The push to weaken the CFPB follows broader efforts to undermine the agency, including a stop work order and layoffs that were temporarily blocked by a federal judge.
Correction officers across New York are striking, saying their frustration with unsafe conditions and lack of support has reached a breaking point. They blame the HALT Act for stripping their authority, leading to a surge in inmate violence, with over 2,000 staff assaults reported in 2024—nearly double from 2020. We saw protests unfold yesterday at facilities in the Finger Lakes.
Auburn officials plan to settle a claim with the Auburn Enlarged City School District after a sewer backup caused $22,000 in damage at Seward Elementary School last year. The City Council will vote Thursday on reimbursing the district $22,115.83 for cleanup costs in exchange for releasing the city from liability. The AECSD Board of Education has already approved the settlement, which will prevent litigation.
The Hornell McDonald’s on Route 36 has reopened after being closed for two days due to roof leaks caused by heavy snow and ice. Repairs were completed in a single day by a Rochester-based contractor, allowing city officials to clear the building for reopening. With safety confirmed, the restaurant has resumed normal operations, bringing about 50 employees back to work.
The Ovid Fire Department is mourning the loss of former Fire Chief Al Deming, a respected leader and mentor who dedicated years to the fire service. Colleagues praised his lasting impact on the department and the community, while extending their condolences to his wife, Leona. Memorial service details have not yet been announced, but the department assured updates will be provided.

TUESDAY HS BASKETBALL REPORT: Clyde-Savannah’s Tanner Buisch joins 1000-point club; Wayne boys clinch Finger Lakes East title

Clyde-Savannah’s Tanner Buisch reached the 1,000-point milestone Tuesday night, while the Wayne boys basketball team clinched the Finger Lakes East title with a dominant win over Waterloo. Several other Wayne-Finger Lakes teams battled for key wins, including East Rochester, which moved closer to a league title with a victory over Gananda. Below are the full results from Tuesday’s high school basketball action.

TUESDAY SCOREBOARD

Boys Basketball

Wayne 75, Waterloo 41
East Rochester 78, Gananda 60
Newark 56, Palmyra-Macedon 49
Mynderse 69, Penn Yan 57
Lyons 89, Williamson 63
Marcus Whitman 57, UPrep 54
Red Creek 60, Clyde-Savannah 55
Perry 54, Red Jacket 49
Sodus 47, North Rose-Wolcott 45

Girls Basketball

Marcus Whitman 61, Honeoye 21
HAC 55, Romulus 40
Canandaigua 57, Eastridge 53
Victor 49, Fairport 44

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Syracuse blows 16-point lead in road loss to Pittsburgh

Syracuse men’s basketball (11-16, 5-11 ACC) came out strong Tuesday night, building a 16-point lead midway through the first half behind a season-best three-point shooting performance, but Pittsburgh (16-10, 7-8 ACC) stormed back in the second half to secure an 80-69 victory at the Petersen Events Center.

Sodus Center Fire Department mourns loss of Skip Putman

The Sodus Center Fire Department has announced the passing of longtime member Dwight “Skip” Putman, a dedicated first responder who served with the Sodus Center Ambulance and other local emergency agencies. His commitment to public safety earned him deep respect from colleagues and the community.