Your Morning Edition for Wednesday, Jan. 1st presented by DiSanto Propane!
Get ready for 2025 with updates on REAL ID requirements, winter weather forecasts, and community efforts—from school meal improvements in Newfield to charity drives in Newark and Lyons.
GET REAL: Updated state ID’s and driver’s licenses will finally be required this year—What do you need to know?
Starting May 7, 2025, travelers will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card to board domestic flights. REAL IDs, introduced after the 9/11 attacks, require proof of legal name, birth date, Social Security number, residency, and two forms of address verification. Compliant IDs feature a star symbol, while non-compliant ones display “Federal Limits Apply.”
Finger Lakes Forecast: Presented by GoNetSpeed!
TURNING COOLER, BUT SHOWERS START 2025
The Finger Lakes will see a mix of rain, snow, and gusty winds through the end of the week. On New Year’s Day, rain will transition to snow with gusts up to 31 mph and highs near 40. Snow showers continue Wednesday night into Thursday with breezy conditions and highs in the low 30s. Light snow chances linger through Friday, with temperatures hovering around 30 degrees during the day and dipping into the low 20s at night.
Fast 5: What’s happening in the Finger Lakes?
Students, staff, and parents at Perkins School collected 250 non-perishable food items and 117 hats, mittens, and scarves for the Newark Food Closet this holiday season. Organized by kindergarten teacher Elizabeth James, the donations were presented on Dec. 20, continuing a tradition of community support. With rising demand and limited resources, the Newark Food Closet now serves Newark, Port Gibson, and East Palmyra residents three days a week. Contributions are still welcomed through drop-offs or mailed donations.
Interlaken Trustee Tony Del Plato announced he will not seek reelection after eight years of service. The upcoming village election on March 18 will also include seats held by Trustee Christopher Kempf, a 16-year veteran, and Mayor Rich Richardson, completing his eighth year in office. Voting will take place from noon to 9 p.m. at Village Hall, 8369 Main St.
Staying in Seneca County, following Mayor Leon Kelly's resignation, Trustee Aaron Roisen was appointed mayor, and Ken Favreau filled Roisen’s trustee seat. The March 18 election will decide the mayoral position and three trustee seats, currently held by Ken Favreau, David Wood, and June Favreau. Wood has served since 2021, while June Favreau has been on the board since 2013. Independent candidate petitions are now available, with signature collection underway.
Family Promise of Wayne County will host the “Light Up Hope” 5K Winter Walk on Jan. 4 along the Erie Canal Path to support families experiencing homelessness. The event begins at T. Spencer Knight Park, with a $20 registration fee covering a luminaire, hot cocoa, and treats. Registration closes Jan. 2, and additional luminaires can be purchased for $3 each. Proceeds from the walk and sales of their 2025 calendar will directly support Family Promise’s mission to combat family homelessness.
Newfield Central School District is prioritizing scratch cooking, reducing processed foods, and incorporating more local ingredients into its school meal program. Recent progress includes decreased chocolate milk consumption, participation in New York Thursdays, and a shift in food production to the elementary school. The district aims to create a sustainable, nutritious menu that meets USDA standards and keeps students coming back for more.
FL1 BETTING: Previewing the College Football Playoff quarterfinal!
Ulysses awarded $520K for infrastructure improvement
The town of Ulysses will receive over $520,000 from New York State to replace an aging culvert on Garrett Road. The project, part of a $28 million state initiative, aims to reduce erosion, stabilize the streambank, and improve aquatic connectivity in the Cayuga Lake watershed. Town officials emphasized the importance of addressing aging infrastructure, noting Ulysses has secured $2.8 million in grants over the past two years. Funding comes from the Environmental Protection Fund, supporting long-term local sustainability projects.