Your Morning Edition for Wednesday, Dec. 4th presented by DiSanto Propane!

Heavy snow in the forecast, FLX schools could benefit from new state aid formula, latest on Tyre house fire, Canandaigua firefighters and community sound off over staffing, and Odessa faces crisis.

Dec 04, 2024

Rural School Districts Could See Gains from Foundation Aid Reforms

The Rockefeller Institute of Government’s review of New York State’s Foundation Aid funding formula underscores urgent needs for reform, particularly benefiting the state’s rural school districts. Released this week, the report outlines inequities and inefficiencies in the current system and presents actionable recommendations aimed at addressing challenges faced by smaller, sparsely populated districts, such as those in the Finger Lakes region.

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WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY ISSUED BY NWS: HOW MUCH SNOW WILL FALL? ARE TRAVEL ISSUES EXPECTED?

Starting at 10 p.m. this evening, snow is expected to blanket the region with accumulations ranging from 3 to 5 inches in some areas, with winds gusting up to 45 mph. This has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a Winter Weather Advisory for the entire Finger Lakes region. The storm turns to lake effect on Thursday, which will add to totals and continue into the day Friday. We’ll be tracking updates from the NWS as they issue them every 4-6 hours throughout the duration of this event.

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

The Village of Odessa is at a critical juncture, with Mayor Gerry Messmer set to retire and multiple board positions remaining unfilled. Unless residents step up to fill these roles in the upcoming March election, Odessa could face dissolution, transferring its governance and services to the Town of Catharine. Mayor Messmer, who has served the village following a 31-year career in the Army, is urging community members to declare their candidacy in January for the 2025 election. [READ MORE]
The Canandaigua Fire Department is urging the City Council to address its critical staffing shortage after a fire on Jefferson Avenue claimed the life of 98-year-old Saverio Campagna. During Tuesday’s budget workshop, fire officials requested funding for two additional firefighters and an assistant chief, citing the $250,000 cost as necessary for public safety. [READ MORE]
Walworth’s new Byrne Dairy gas and convenience store is on track to open in early January, marking a key milestone in the area’s growing development. Situated on Walworth-Penfield Road, the store is fueling a surge of activity, with new homes, a self-storage facility, and a Wayne County EMS center currently under construction nearby. [READ MORE]
The Genoa Volunteer Fire Department has commended one of its own, Secretary Jim Malseed, for representing the department at recent public hearings on proposed OSHA changes that could significantly impact fire departments nationwide. The proposals would revise a 40-year-old standard, introducing regulations that many fire and emergency response agencies argue would drastically increase operational costs. [READ MORE]
Residents of the Phelps-Clifton Springs Central School District will vote on Dec. 11 on a $35 million Campus Forward ’24 project, according to the Finger Lakes Times. The proposal includes upgrades to music rooms, a multipurpose turf field, and roof replacements. Other improvements target parking lots, tennis courts, safety entrances, and HVAC systems. [READ MORE]

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SECTION V UPDATE: Tuesday High School Basketball Report

TUESDAY HS BASKETBALL REPORT: Jayla Bell leads Lyons to opening night win; Palmyra-Macedon girls fall short | Fingerlakes1.com

The high school basketball season tipped off Tuesday night with a full slate of girls’ games across the Wayne-Finger Lakes region. Lyons dominated Haverling/Hammondsport 71-47 behind standout performances from Jayla Bell (21 points), Car’mella Parker (16 points), and Sariah Tindal (13 points). Palmyra-Macedon fought hard but fell to Pittsford Mendon 56-54, with Natalie Mai leading all scorers with 27 points. Other notable games included East Rochester cruising past Red Jacket and Red Creek defeating South Seneca. Boys’ action begins Wednesday with several matchups, including Lyons taking on Marion and Waterloo facing Penn Yan.

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Tyre Home Devastated by Fire: Departments from Four Counties Battle Flames

A massive house fire on Gravel Road Tuesday afternoon prompted a coordinated response from fire departments across Seneca, Ontario, Wayne, and Cayuga counties. Crews worked tirelessly to contain the flames, with ladder operations and ground teams tackling the blaze. Multiple tankers provided water support, and NYSEG addressed utilities on-site. The fire remained active for over an hour, with the cause still under investigation. Additional units covered nearby areas as the operation unfolded.