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Rebecca Swift
Rebecca is a veteran multimedia journalist serving as one of our core reporters in the Finger Lakes region. She is responsible for telling stories that matter to every day Upstate New Yorkers. Have a question or lead? Send it to [email protected].
EXCLUSIVE: Hundreds come out to celebrate Geneva’s 125th birthday
A local documentary and fireworks over Seneca Lake are among the thrills Geneva City officials and others organized to celebrate a big milestone. The idea started out as being a day of fun, but turned ... more
Rescuing an animal in need of love: What efforts are being made to help at the Finger Lakes SPCA of CNY?
The Finger Lakes Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Central New York in Auburn serves primarily Cayuga County, but that's not a strict boundary. “If we’re able to help someone even if ... more
EXCLUSIVE: Women’s Rights National Historical Park kicks off Women’s History Month (video)
Employees at the Visitor’s Center at the Women’s Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls are getting ready for a busy and important month. “At the beginning of March, we open up the Elizabeth Cady ... more
High pass rates for nursing exams in the Finger Lakes: What could this mean for the state of local healthcare?
Dozens of Finger Lakes Community College Grads are celebrating a big accomplishment and milestone. The Finger Lakes Community College nursing class of 2022 had a pass rate of 93 percent on the NCLEX-RN, which stands ... more
EXCLUSIVE: Rochester teen musicians to celebrate milestone with special concert (video)
The Rochester Philharmonic Youth Orchestra is gearing up for a big performance next month. RPYO is an ensemble of top high-school musicians in the region. “The upcoming performance is a side-by-side with the Rochester Philharmonic ... more
EXCLUSIVE: FLX businesses come together to celebrate a decade of ‘eat local, drink local’ program (video)
More than 15 local businesses got to showcase their products at a packed event in the Finger Lakes Welcome Center. Visitors and locals enjoyed samples of food, desserts, wines and other faire from the region ... more
EXCLUSIVE: Newark marijuana-growing facility sends 500+ lbs of product to NYC area (video)
Marijuana from a 350-thousand square foot Finger Lakes greenhouse will soon be sold downstate. “We did (transported) about 500 lbs. of fresh-frozen material for live-resin vapes,” said Jeremy Jimenez, CEO of Honest Pharm, Co. “That’s ... more
EXCLUSIVE: Ciccino’s re-invents itself at new location in Geneva (video)
Ciccino's Pizzeria & Restaurant has a new location on Castle Street in Geneva, relocated from Exchange Street where it operated for 16 years. “We needed something a little larger than we were currently in," said ... more
EXCLUSIVE: Self-employed workers, freelancers fight for access to unemployment benefits (video)
People who are self employed and freelancers, among others, are pushing for a chance to collect unemployment if they lose work. Several organizations came together last week to bring attention to the Governor and leaders ... more
EXCLUSIVE: Program helps parents, teachers communicate with children who have special needs through local agency
A program to help parents and teachers communicate with children with special needs is expanding. Child Care Council, Inc., a resource and referral agency for parents looking for child care, is expanding. The organization recently ... more
Auburn engineers working to upgrade wastewater system: What does that mean for residents?
There are four areas in the city of Auburn where catch-basins, the grates that take storm water off the street, collect into pipes. Those pipes traditionally go to a stormwater treatment facility, then they go ... more
EXCLUSIVE: Top health issues for people in the FLX include mental health and opioid use, per report
A new report is identifying some of the biggest health issues facing our region. The Comprehensive Regional Community Health Assessment by Common Ground Health drills down on some of the most-pressing health issues those in ... more
USPS responds after mail carriers robbed while on the job
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is talking about the safety training they give to mail carries, after two postal letter carriers were robbed last week. The incidents happened within an hour of each other on ... more
Why volunteer to coach Girls on the Run? Because even adults could use positive life-skill reminders
Girls on the run is an after-school program for girls in 3rd-8th grade. It’s a running and life-skills building program. “The girls learn self confidence and goal setting,” said Executive Director Kelly Fisher of Girls ... more
EXCLUSIVE: Free On-the-Canals program expanding to become year round
The On-the-Canals program started three years ago during the summer of 2020. It was a way to stay safe, get outside and socially distance during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. All while encouraging families ... more
Local veterans work together to spark change at the NYS Office of Cannabis Management
Two local veterans with disabilities are working to change how things are approached at the NYS Office of Cannabis Management. They say currently, the OCM does not have a veteran representative/liaison on the cannabis control ... more
Childcare facility in Geneva makes changes to address staffing issues
Geneva Lakefront Childcare Center has been around for more than 30 years. It’s the largest in Geneva and has capacity for more than 100 children. And changes are happening there. It has a new Executive ... more
Schuyler County reflects on changing EMS model: What makes service so challenging in rural communities?
Schuyler County is coming up on the one-year anniversary of working with Schuyler Hospital on a new EMS model. Eleven months ago, several organizations, including the county and hospital, developed a plan, called the Schuyler ... more
Hotel Canandaigua talks about hiring event happening today (video)
From entry-level jobs to management positions, there are still lots of openings at Hotel Canandaigua. “We’ve had a lot of applicants, but actually having them respond and come through the door I think is going ... more
