Hochul unveils updated database for NYS economic development initiatives
Governor Kathy Hochul has introduced an enhanced Database of Economic Incentives, reaffirming her administration's dedication to transparency and efficient state governance. This revamped database, originally introduced in 2021, offers comprehensive and regularly updated information on ... more
Cayuga County braces for ambulance service shift as AMR exits
Cayuga County's emergency medical services are facing a significant transition as American Medical Response (AMR) has confirmed it will terminate its ambulance operations in the region by year's end. With AMR handling 3,000 calls annually, ... more
Schuyler IDA chooses new brewery for Seneca Lake site spurring debate about transparency
Horseheads Brewing's tenure at a prime Seneca Lake location has come to an end as the Schuyler County Industrial Development Agency (SCIDA) opted to select a different brewery to take over the waterfront spot. The ... more
Wayne County gets tax cut in new budget, but financial hurdles exist
Wayne County's administrator has crafted a 2024 budget that offers a notable tax cut for residents, but that doesn't mean it'll come without challenges. The new $213.3 million budget, which is up by 6.4% from ... more
Election Upheaval: Outcomes in Cayuga, Seneca, Wayne and Yates races + Auburn, Geneva, and Seneca Falls
Election Day brought a significant reshuffling across the Finger Lakes region, with new leadership emerging in several key positions. While not all of the outcomes were expected, there were several notable winners and losers after ... more
New York State poised to acquire historic Boy Scout camp
The anticipated sale of the historic Camp Barton to the New York State Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is nearing its final stages. This deal, initiated in January, will transfer approximately 100 acres ... more
Canandaigua’s preliminary budget increases spending, maintains low tax hike
City officials have released a preliminary budget for Canandaigua showing a 10.82% increase in general fund expenditures for the year 2024. Despite the rise from $18.7 million to $20.7 million, the proposed tax rate for ... more
Tompkins legislators seek expansion of public notice outlets at state-level as newspapers die
Local lawmakers in Tompkins County are pushing for a legislative amendment that would expand the publication of official public notices beyond the currently mandated Ithaca Journal. The Ithaca Voice reports the county's Government Operations Committee ... more
Galvanizing plant in former Seneca Army Depot needs 50x more energy than estimated: Will NYSEG dig a new pipeline for it?
Developers of a hot-dip steel galvanizing plant who minimized the project’s energy needs when they proposed it to regulators four years ago now say the plant needs at least 50 times as much power and ... more
Ontario County supervisors adopt new budget with tax adjustments
Ontario County supervisors have approved a 2024 budget, following debates over a considerable property tax levy increase. Despite concerns, the budget was unanimously passed in last Thursday's meeting. It outlines a 7.5% increase in total ... more
Should there be fewer lockdown drills at NY schools?
A contentious debate among New York state lawmakers and parents on the frequency of school lockdown drills has spurred proposed legislation that would cut the mandated drills from four to one annually. Proponents, including the ... more
ELECTION PREVIEW: Seneca Falls supervisor contest focuses on landfill negotiations, infrastructure issues, and Cayuga Nation relationship
Who will be the next town supervisor in Seneca Falls? That question has loomed large over politics there, as two candidates face-off in a rematch from a Republican Primary in June. Yesterday, we featured a ... more
Butler highway superintendent charged with aggravated DWI in town-owned vehicle: BAC was more than twice the legal limit
It's been learned that the 48-year-old Butler man who was arrested for aggravated driving while intoxicated last weekend in Cayuga County is the current highway superintendent in the town of Butler. Richard Robinson III, 48, ... more
DEBRIEF: Talking about the biggest races and issues ahead of Election Day!
This week on the podcast Jackie Augustine and Josh Durso break down the biggest races across the Finger Lakes, the issues driving candidates and voters, as well as the undercurrents that have brought communities to ... more
ELECTION PREVIEW: Who’s running for Ontario County Coroner?
It’s been a surprise to some that among the most-hotly contested races in the Finger Lakes region is one taking shape in Ontario County for a job that most are surprised is still elected. The ... more
What is the Car Theft Prevention Act? How would it slow Hyundai, Kia thefts?
A legislative initiative led by New York State Senator Jeremy Cooney seeks to combat a dramatic rise in car thefts in Monroe County and across the state. Cooney highlighted a 345 percent increase in stolen ... more
Lawmaker seeks to expand access to overdose reversal meds in New York
In an effort to combat the ongoing opioid crisis, New York State Assemblyman Phil Steck will propose legislation to broaden access to lifesaving overdose reversal drugs. The current law in New York provides free Narcan, ... more
ELECTION PREVIEW: Who’s running for Seneca Falls Town Board? What issues matter most to candidates and voters?
Who’s running for Seneca Falls Town Board? Ordinarily, a contest like this one — featuring two open seats with four candidates — would be considered standard fare in local elections. There are typically dozens of ... more
ELECTION PREVIEW: Who’s running for Geneva City Council? Will civility be the biggest issue for voters?
Who will makeup the next Geneva City Council after voters make their voices heard on Election Day and new members take office in January? While a lot has been made of party affiliation — interviews ... more
ELECTION PREVIEW: Who’s running for Canandaigua City Council? How candidates stack up on issues?
Whether it’s economic development, flooding prompted by extreme weather over the summer, or a desire to see more affordable housing options — all three issues are significant ones in the races for Canandaigua City Council ... more
Steuben County on track to adopt long-term development plan in 2024
Steuben County is on track to adopt a comprehensive development plan early next year, designed to guide local decision-making through 2039. A draft shaped by the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee and key stakeholders is expected ... more
