Your Morning Edition for Wednesday, Mar. 12th presented by DiSanto Propane!
State basketball play-in games from Section V teams, Canandaigua officials form new committee, Waterloo officials get plea deal, Geneva City Council considers project, and Cayuga Co. clerk resigns.
Canandaigua city officials form committee to oversee comprehensive plan implementation
Canandaigua city officials have formed an implementation committee to oversee the execution of recommendations from the city’s comprehensive plan. During a Planning and Finance Committee meeting, council members debated the plan’s structure, agreeing on the need for prioritization and active city involvement. Officials also reviewed upgrades to the city's water treatment plant, with engineers recommending improvements to enhance capacity and water quality. The council will vote later this month on a $4.5 million bond for a new water storage tank, while the full City Council is set to consider adopting the comprehensive plan on March 31.
Finger Lakes Forecast: Chilly today, then warming up!
The Finger Lakes region will see a mix of clouds and sunshine through the weekend, with a warming trend followed by increasing rain chances. Temperatures will rise from the low 40s today to the upper 60s by Sunday. Breezy conditions develop Friday and intensify Saturday, with gusts up to 33 mph ahead of likely showers Saturday night into Sunday. A strong chance of rain persists through Sunday before cooler, drier weather returns early next week.
Fast 5: What’s happening in the Finger Lakes?
A Phelps woman has been charged with grand larceny for allegedly misusing funds from the Midlakes Cheerleading Booster Club. Authorities say Tori A. Salato, 26, spent over $1,500 from the club’s account between December 2023 and November 2024 and failed to deposit proceeds from a July 2024 fundraiser. Investigators estimate around 100 chicken barbecue dinners were sold, though an exact count was not recorded. Salato was issued an appearance ticket and will face the charge in Phelps Town Court at a later date.
A driver was airlifted to the hospital after crashing into a tree and igniting a fire in Arcadia, according to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office. Brent Heidrick, 47, was driving on Clark Road when his Chevrolet Colorado veered off the road, struck a tree, and burst into flames. Emergency responders arrived around 3:05 p.m. Sunday, and Heidrick was flown to Strong Memorial Hospital with serious injuries. Authorities have not disclosed the cause of the crash, and the investigation is ongoing.
Waterloo Town Supervisor Don Trout and board member Bob Lotz have been offered plea deals to reduce their felony burglary charges to a misdemeanor. Prosecutors propose they plead guilty to fourth-degree criminal mischief for allegedly damaging a television at the town Highway Department, with charges against Trout’s girlfriend set to be dropped. A key issue in negotiations is whether they will receive probation or a conditional discharge. A court conference on the plea offer is scheduled for April 14, with a special prosecutor assigned due to Trout’s financial influence over the DA’s office.
Developers presented a $35 million mixed-use housing project to the Geneva City Council, proposing a 74-unit building at 218 Genesee Street, the current site of the Finger Lakes Times building. Led by Lakeview Health Services and CSD Housing, the project would provide affordable and supportive housing, with rents ranging from $900 to $1,450. The development is expected to generate $50,000 in annual tax revenue, create 75 construction jobs, and support 10 permanent positions. Pending city approvals, construction is set to begin in summer 2026 and finish by winter 2028.
Cayuga County Clerk Brian Scanlan resigned Tuesday, citing a desire to focus on his family. During his tenure, he worked to digitize records and advocated for increased DMV staffing despite challenges like office relocations and budget constraints. County officials are considering an interim plan until Governor Hochul appoints a replacement. The clerk’s office remains operational, with ongoing legislative efforts to boost revenue and protect DMV jobs.
W-FL HS BASKETBALL REPORT: Seasons end for three teams; Wayne, Honeoye boys remain standing
Three Wayne-Finger Lakes high school basketball teams fell short in their regional qualifier games Tuesday night, ending their seasons. Meanwhile, two teams, Wayne and Honeoye, remain in contention as they prepare for upcoming state tournament matchups. World of Inquiry, Keshequa, and Hornell secured victories and will advance to the state quarterfinals in their respective classes. Wayne will play in the Class A state quarterfinals on Saturday, while Honeoye faces York in a Class C regional qualifier on Wednesday.
Regional Qualifier Results
World of Inquiry def. East Rochester, 61-52 (Boys Class B)
Keshequa def. Bloomfield, 66-65 (Girls Class C)
Hornell def. Lyons, 76-44 (Girls Class B)
Upcoming Schedule
Honeoye vs. York – Boys Class C Regional Qualifier (March 12, 6:30 p.m., Dansville HS)
Wayne vs. Williamsville South – Boys Class A State Quarterfinal (March 15, 4 p.m., Rush-Henrietta HS)
DEC to hold annual rainbow trout sampling at Naples Creek
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will conduct its annual rainbow trout sampling at Naples Creek in Ontario County on March 20, giving the public an opportunity to observe the process from a safe distance. The event will begin at 9 a.m. at the Naples Creek bridge on State Route 245, just east of Route 21 in the village. DEC officials encourage spectators to attend, calling it an educational and family-friendly experience.
Suspects in Nordquist murder case plead not guilty
Seven people accused of torturing and killing Sam Nordquist, a transgender man from Minnesota, were arraigned Tuesday in Rochester, pleading not guilty to multiple charges, including first-degree murder, kidnapping, and aggravated sexual abuse. All were denied bail.