Your Morning Edition for Wednesday, September 20th presented by Puembo Birding Garden Hotel & Tours!

Siena poll paints grim picture about NYS cost of living, Owasco Lake in tough shape, and voter registrations surge in Ontario Co. Plus, new episode of The Empire Plate + stunning solar storm photo!

Each day we bring you the biggest headlines and the stories that matter from the heart of the Finger Lakes. Our newsroom is locally owned-and-operated — keeping you informed and up-to-date every day of the year.

---

New Yorkers most concerned about cost of living, Siena Poll finds

A recent poll by Siena College unveiled that a majority of New Yorkers are troubled by the state’s rising cost of living, with 80% indicating it as a major concern. This sentiment is reflected in the 57% of participants who believe the quality of life in the state is deteriorating. When asked about the most pressing issues, 27% pinpointed the cost of living as paramount, followed by concerns about the recent influx of migrants (19%), affordable housing (18%), and crime (17%).

---

Auburn, Owasco call for stricter pollutant controls as Owasco Lake’s condition worsens

The city of Auburn and the town of Owasco have intensified their demand for stricter pollutant controls for Owasco Lake after uncovering a revealing letter from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the state. The Auburn Citizen reports both the city council and town board recently passed resolutions seeking a total maximum daily load (TMDL) — a regulatory measure determining the upper limit of allowable pollutants in a waterbody — for the lake. This comes after an EPA letter criticized the state’s omission of Owasco Lake from its list of impaired waterbodies requiring TMDLs due to harmful algal blooms.

---

Democratic registrations surge in Ontario County: New voters and candidates

The political landscape in Ontario County is undergoing a significant shift. According to the Board of Elections, since the start of 2023, the Democratic Party has seen a surge in new registrations. Furthermore, the upcoming November 2023 elections will witness a record number of Democrats vying for county, town, and city offices. This surge marks a transformative moment for a county that has historically been a Republican bastion.

---

---

What’s streaming now?

EMPIRE PLATE: Spotlight on COHO Pizza & Wine Bar in Canandaigua

In the latest episode of The Empire Plate Show host Bill Vinci visited COHO Pizza & Wine Bar in Canandaigua with his camera crew to spotlight one of Canandaigua’s most popular places for pizza, burgers, and drinks.

---

More headlines for Wednesday, September 20th!

1. Tessy Plastics names Stafford Frearson new president

2. Six Eighty Cellars opens scenic tasting room on Cayuga Lake

3. Sodus man accused of stealing tanker truck from Wayne County business

4. Raw milk contamination detected at Schuyler County dairy

5. Newark man accused of firing gun into Geneva home

6. South Bristol man, former RPD officer charged with rape

7. Inmate at Auburn prison pleads guilty to assaulting officers

8. Geneva police warn residents of new scam involving fake DWI personal injury accident case

9. Dundee man indicted on felony sex abuse charges after investigation involving multiple agencies

10. HS Scoreboard: Soccer and Volleyball (9/19)

---

Photo of the Day!

Night Under The Lights at Sodus Point. Last night folks along Lake Ontario saw an intense solar storm. This was one of the most intense storms Jeffrey TImmerman, of Timmerman Photography, has photographed. There were pillars shooting high above the Sodus Point outer light and were visible with your eyes. He noted there were times last night when multiple pillars were shooting high above the clouds in multiple directions. Check out more of his work on Facebook here!

---

Stay in the know with our daily newsletter and share this with a friend!