Your Morning Edition for Wednesday, Feb. 26th presented by DiSanto Propane!
Concerning report about future of local government, grand jury indicts two more in Nordquist murder, Cayuga Co. Sheriff sounds off about HALT Act, Tuesday night Sectional report, and strike continues!
DiNapoli says local governments across NYS face uncertain financial future
New York’s local governments are bracing for financial challenges as federal pandemic relief funds expire, potentially creating budget shortfalls that could impact essential services, according to a new report from the state comptroller’s office. The report highlights how cities, towns, and counties relied heavily on American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, which provided nearly $4.8 billion to municipalities outside of New York City in 2021 and 2022. However, with these temporary funds running out and a return to pre-pandemic levels of state aid and sales tax revenue, many local governments are at risk of hitting a “fiscal cliff.”
Finger Lakes Forecast: Cooling off by weekend.
The Finger Lakes will see mostly cloudy skies through the weekend, with occasional chances for precipitation. Showers are likely Wednesday night, followed by lingering rain chances Thursday before colder air moves in. Snow showers are likely Friday as temperatures drop, with gusty northwest winds before calming overnight. The weekend will remain mostly cloudy with periodic chances for snow, especially Saturday, before a colder but drier trend takes hold Sunday into Monday.
Fast 5: What’s happening in the Finger Lakes?
The Ontario County Humane Society has confirmed that its Happy Tails shelter will reopen on Thursday, following a deadly outbreak of canine parvovirus linked to a cruelty case in Geneva. The virus, which is highly contagious and often fatal in puppies, claimed the lives of six dogs at the shelter. According to a statement from the humane society, no new cases have been reported in the past week, and the remaining 48 dogs at the facility are currently showing no symptoms.
Sheriff Brian Schenck is calling for urgent changes to the HALT Act, arguing that the law has led to a surge in violence within New York’s correctional facilities, including the Cayuga County Jail. Schenck’s statement comes as the controversial law faces heightened scrutiny amid statewide prison worker strikes protesting unsafe conditions. According to data from the Cayuga County Jail, use-of-force incidents—cases in which staff had to physically intervene to stop an assault—skyrocketed after HALT’s implementation.
New York has introduced stricter bird flu testing requirements for poultry entering live bird markets to curb the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The new rule mandates that all poultry come from flocks that test negative before arrival. The policy follows the temporary closure of 82 live bird markets earlier this month after multiple HPAI cases.
A grand jury in Ontario County has indicted two additional suspects in the murder of 24-year-old Sam Nordquist, bringing the total number of individuals formally charged in the case to seven. Ontario County District Attorney Jim Ritts confirmed Monday that the grand jury returned at least one felony charge against Kimberly Sochia, 29, of Canandaigua, and Thomas Eaves, 21, of Geneva. The indictment means their previously scheduled appearance in Hopewell Town Court on February 26 will no longer occur, and their case will proceed directly to Ontario County Court once the indictment is officially filed.
A Canisteo family lost their home in a Feb. 19 fire, leaving their oldest child, Cole, with severe burns requiring a long recovery. Authorities believe the blaze was accidental but are still investigating. A GoFundMe campaign organized by Brittany Pfitzenmaier has raised over $10,500 of its $13,000 goal to support Lisa and Ben Stage and their four children. The funds will help with necessities like clothing and food.
SECTIONAL HOOPS TUESDAY: Newark boys top Pal-Mac in OT; Mynderse girls roll into second round
The high school basketball postseason began Tuesday night with a full slate of Wayne-Finger Lakes games, but only two were decided by single digits. The most thrilling matchup unfolded in Wayne County, where the Newark boys visited Palmyra-Macedon and secured a one-point overtime victory after overcoming a late fourth-quarter deficit. Meanwhile, the Mynderse girls moved on to the second round with a home win over Haverling/Hammondsport.
BOYS SCOREBOARD
Class A
No. 2 Wayne 78 | No. 15 Midlakes 17
WAY: Aidan Twist 24 pts, Cam Blankenberg 16 pts, Malachi Kuhn 10 pts
No. 10 Newark 66 | No. 7 Palmyra-Macedon 65 (OT)
NEW: Terrell Jenkins 19 pts, Jahnor Allen 15 pts (3 three-pointers), Ramon Heredia 14 pts (game-tying three to force OT)
PM: Shane Maier 17 pts (5 three-pointers), Logan Bauer 15 pts
No. 3 Geneva 55 | No. 14 Honeoye Falls-Lima 41
GEN: Kaden Larsen-Porter 15 pts, Xavier Praylor 12 pts
Class C1
No. 8 Warsaw 76 | No. 9 Bloomfield 54
WAR: Brayden Meritt 28 pts, Carter Bakowski 21 pts
Class C2
No. 9 Kendall 57 | No. 8 Clyde-Savannah 51
KEN: William Kludt 18 pts, Jonathan Conte 17 pts
No. 4 Bolivar-Richburg 71 | No. 13 HAC 58
No. 5 Red Jacket 68 | No. 12 Campbell-Savona 35
RJ: Jackson Kennelly 19 pts, Dylan Henry 11 pts
Class C3
No. 7 Northstar Christian 71 | No. 10 Naples 46
NC: Kingston Downs 18 pts, Johnny Daby 14 pts
Class D
No. 6 Hammondsport 73 | No. 11 Marion 28
GIRLS SCOREBOARD
Class AA
No. 7 Pittsford Mendon 54 | No. 10 Victor 40
PM: Natalie Mai 19 pts, Gabby Esposito 12 pts
No. 6 Canandaigua 47 | No. 11 Spencerport 33
CAN: Eily Hubler 17 pts, Ava Read 14 pts
Class B1
No. 8 Mynderse 54 | No. 9 Haverling/Hammondsport 40
MYN: Chelsea Korzeniewski 21 pts
No. 7 Penn Yan 65 | No. 10 Wayland-Cohocton 30
PY: Maihue Miranda Wiltberger 14 pts, Corinne Barden 12 pts
Class B2
No. 7 Holley 43 | No. 10 North Rose-Wolcott 25
Ontario County Conservatives endorse DA Jim Ritts for reelection
The Ontario County Conservative Party has officially thrown its support behind District Attorney Jim Ritts for reelection, citing his dedication to public safety and his commitment to the community. In a unanimous decision, the party endorsed Ritts, emphasizing his efforts to protect Ontario County residents. “Jim has worked tirelessly on behalf of the citizens of Ontario County in order to keep us safe, and we are confident he will continue to do so if reelected,” the party stated in its endorsement.
FLCC gets $1M grant for new plant science facility
Finger Lakes Community College has secured a $1 million grant from Empire State Development to support the construction of an integrated plant science education complex on its main campus. The funding marks a significant step toward replacing the college’s outdated 1979 greenhouse with a modern facility designed to support horticulture and environmental science programs.
THE RUNDOWN: 10 MORE FROM AROUND THE FLX!
Hochul downplays striking prison officers concerns; critics say change is needed
Sheriff warns of real estate scam targeting in Seneca County
Ontario County inmate arrested for 358 counts of criminal contempt
Energy costs soar as winter usage spikes, but NYSEG and RG&E rates remain steady
Lack of quorum forces Canandaigua City Council to postpone meeting
Bills sign WR Khalil Shakir to 4-year contract extension worth up to $60.2 million