Category: Finger Lakes

Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a major project to overhaul the outdated technology of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). This multi-year initiative aims to modernize systems that have been in place for over 50 years, promising a future of more efficient, secure, and convenient customer service. The partnership with software giant…

In response to the rapid decline of local news outlets in New York, a proposed tax credit aims to breathe life into struggling journalism sectors across the state. The Empire State Local News Coalition highlighted that New York has lost about half its newsrooms in two decades, impacting community coverage from high school sports to…

The tragic death of NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller last week in Queens has reignited debates over New York’s bail reform laws. Diller, 31, was fatally shot during a traffic stop, spotlighting the accused’s extensive criminal history and prompting discussions on law adjustments. State leaders, including Assembly Republicans and law enforcement officials, are now advocating for…

In a landmark move, the US government greenlit the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program in March 2024, extending vital financial assistance to eligible citizens. Those aged 65 or older, individuals with disabilities, and those with low incomes can apply for the SSI program, including parents of children with impairments. Under this initiative, qualifying Americans are…

In a landmark moment for the Cayuga Nation’s judicial system, Carlin Seneca-John was fined $5,000 and ordered to pay $3,100 in restitution after being convicted of third-degree criminal mischief. This sentencing by Cayuga Nation Judge Joseph E. Fahey on March 25 followed Seneca-John’s conviction by a jury of Nation citizens in October 2023, stemming from…

On March 22, 2024, Cayuga County Sheriff Brian Schenck reported the arrest of Landa A. Flanigan from Brutus, following an outstanding warrant related to a February traffic violation in Auburn. The incident, which occurred on February 8, saw Flanigan failing to adhere to multiple traffic laws, including not stopping at a stop sign, neglecting to…

Sheriff Brian Schenck announced the arrest of 26-year-old Hayden R. Powers of Auburn on charges of false personation, a Class B misdemeanor, early on March 21. The arrest followed an encounter with deputies who spotted a suspicious vehicle in the Grant Avenue Plaza parking lot in the Town of Sennett around 12:20 a.m. Upon investigation,…

Sheriff Brian Schenck announced the arrest of 37-year-old Justin Kellogg from Summerhill on charges of stalking and child endangerment after an investigation. The arrest occurred in the early hours of March 22 following a domestic incident reported two days prior, where Kellogg was accused of aggressive behavior on the road. According to the victim’s report…

The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of a Sodus man following an investigation into a domestic incident. Deputies arrested Jason Barabasz, 46, for criminal mischief and harassment. The charges stem from an incident where he intentionally damaged property belonging to another person and subjected them to unwanted physical contact. The charges will be…

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declared a total ban on the remaining uses of asbestos last week, reinforcing a 2016 law targeting toxic substances in everyday items. This decision comes after years of partial bans and legal battles, aiming to eliminate the presence of asbestos, a substance known to cause cancer, from consumer products entirely.…