Your Morning Edition for Wednesday, Feb. 5th presented by DiSanto Propane!
Naples bus driver fired after purchasing firearm while on duty, storing it in bus with kids. Plus, Sheriff Schenck explains his department's policy on ICE, we have daily hoops scores, and more!
Sheriff Schenck explains Cayuga County's approach to illegal immigration enforcement
Cayuga County Sheriff Brian Schenck has clarified his office's policy on illegal immigration, stating that local law enforcement lacks the authority to independently enforce civil immigration laws without federal assistance. His statement comes amid heightened community interest in how the Sheriff’s Office handles such matters. Schenck explained that deputies will detain and transfer custody of individuals suspected of criminal immigration offenses to federal authorities when there is probable cause. However, absent a criminal offense or state-level charge, the Sheriff’s Office cannot detain individuals solely for civil immigration violations under New York State and federal law.
Finger Lakes Forecast: Mixed precipitation coming tomorrow.
Presented by Littlejohn & Barbi Orthodontics!
It’s a complicated forecast for the next 48 hours. The National Weather Service says areawide precipitation is making its way to the Finger Lakes tonight and tomorrow, and if it were arriving a week ago—it would be all snow—simplifying things greatly. However, after a quiet day today spent in the mid-20s with mostly cloudy skies—things will turn complex tonight. Snow will develop between 3-4 a.m., and from 5-6 a.m. until noon there’s high probability the region will see mixed precipitation. The Southern Tier will likely see some accumulating freezing rain, while the rest of the Finger Lakes sees a few hundredths of an inch of freezing rain. It’ll also be breezy with gusts in the upper 20s on Thursday.
Fast 5: What’s happening in the Finger Lakes?
A federal judge ruled that Jesus Romero-Hernandez, a Mexican citizen, will remain in custody, citing him as a flight risk and community threat. His recent arrest in Ithaca reignited national debate over deportation policies after local authorities allegedly released him before ICE could intervene. Prosecutors detailed Hernandez’s history of arrests, including domestic violence charges in Georgia and property damage in New York, which led to a psychiatric commitment.
Spotted lanternflies are posing an increasing threat to the Finger Lakes grape industry, damaging vines and lowering grape quality. Agricultural economist Allan Pinto tells RochesterFirst.com that reduced crop quality can lead to price penalties, a pattern seen with past grapevine diseases. Experts, including invasive species specialist Brian Eshenaur, are urging growers to inspect their vines even after harvest, as the pest can continue causing damage.
An organic family farm in the Finger Lakes has debuted a line of preservative-free, farm-fresh frozen soups now available at Wegmans stores across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. Sourced from New York-grown produce, Finger Foods Farm soups are a flavorful, nutritious option that delivers farm-to-table freshness straight from the freezer aisle.
A Naples Central School District bus driver was arrested on Monday after authorities found a .22 caliber rifle under a seat of his school bus. David L. Ferry, 57, was charged with criminal possession of a weapon on school grounds, a felony, and endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor. Deputies from the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office located the bus on State Route 247 in Gorham and stopped it at the request of State Police. The bus was occupied by 12 students at the time of the stop. Officers found the rifle, still in its original packaging, under one of the seats.
Cayuga Health has exceeded its $5 million goal for the Transforming Care Campaign, raising over $5.75 million since 2022, according to a press release. Led by Tom and Lisa LiVigne, the campaign aimed to enhance services, develop staff, and upgrade facilities. Notable improvements include the new Cayuga Park medical center, which houses oncology, diagnostic imaging, and women’s health services. Additionally, Seneca View Skilled Nursing Facility upgraded its main elevator to ensure efficient operations.
Investigation underway after barn leveled in large Yates County fire
Multiple fire departments battled a major barn fire on Voak Road in Potter Monday night. The blaze, reported at 8:40 p.m., quickly engulfed the structure. Firefighters from Benton, Bellona, Penn Yan, Middlesex, Potter, and Rushville were dispatched to contain the flames.
TUESDAY HOOPS REPORT: Waterloo’s Cameron Jacobs hits school-record 10 three-pointers; Geneva boys hold off Newark
Waterloo's Cameron Jacobs scored a career-high 33 points with a record-setting 10 three-pointers to lead his team to a dominant victory on Tuesday. Geneva held off a late rally from Newark to secure a narrow win after nearly blowing an 11-point lead. The night featured a total of 14 games across the Wayne-Finger Lakes region.
TUESDAY NIGHT SCOREBOARD
Boys
Marcus Whitman 50, Hornell 40
Geneva 63, Newark 60
Wayne 66, Midlakes 37
Mynderse 48, Palmyra-Macedon 35
Waterloo 88, Penn Yan 57
Red Jacket 52, Holley 51
Fairport 106, Victor 81
Girls
Dundee/Bradford 52, Naples 17
Geneva 34, North Rose-Wolcott 21
HAC 61, Honeoye 32
Young Women 66, Sodus 30
South Seneca vs. Romulus – No score reported
Pittsford Sutherland 52, Canandaigua 40
Hilton 58, Victor 53