Author: Robert Kinney

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has announced new actions to protect bees and other pollinators by limiting the use of certain pesticides known to harm them. DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said the agency will reclassify specific products containing the neonicotinoid insecticides imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, and acetamiprid as “restricted use.” Under this change, pesticides will be available only to certified applicators and may be applied only in defined circumstances. The move will also allow DEC to collect detailed data on how, where, and when these products are used, as well as their potential environmental impacts. “Protecting pollinators is a…

The New York State School Music Association will return to Rochester this winter for its annual All-State Festival and Winter Conference, scheduled for December 1 through 4, 2022. Events will be held at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center and the historic Eastman Theatre. NYSSMA President Russell Faunce said the organization is looking forward to once again bringing student musicians and educators together for live performances and professional development. “Each year, we look forward to returning to Rochester to see and hear our all-state students perform live,” Faunce said. “As in the past, they will work with outstanding nationally recognized conductors,…

The long-anticipated reopening of the Valley Inn at Honeoye Lake took place on Monday, November 21, marked by a quiet soft opening. Located at the corner of County Road 37 and Main Street in Honeoye, the historic restaurant has undergone a complete transformation, with extensive renovations completed both inside and out. Despite the opening being announced only a day or two in advance on a local Facebook page, the community responded immediately. The restaurant was busy throughout its first day, signaling strong local interest and enthusiasm. The menu offers a mix of casual pub fare and full-service dining. Guests can…

A new law passed by the New York State Legislature could effectively prohibit trap shooting contests at sportsmen’s clubs and high schools across the state beginning Sept. 1, 2022. The legislation, approved on July 1, establishes a series of “sensitive locations” where firearms are prohibited. Under the law’s current wording, sporting events are included among those locations, raising concerns that organized trap shooting competitions and practices would become illegal. Several high school trap teams would be affected, including programs from Wayland-Cohocton, Honeoye Falls-Lima, Caledonia, Gowanda, and others that regularly hold competitions at local sportsmen’s clubs. In addition, many sportsmen’s clubs…

Seneca Lake Guardian says it is intensifying efforts to shut down Seneca Meadows, the largest landfill in New York State, alleging the facility is polluting drinking water and threatening public health across multiple communities. The landfill, located in Seneca Falls, is permitted to accept up to 6,000 tons of waste per day and generate as much as 200,000 gallons of leachate daily. Leachate forms when rainwater filters through landfill waste and, according to the advocacy group, contains per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS or “forever chemicals.” Seneca Lake Guardian claims the landfill exposes nearby residents to airborne particulates…

The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) has released new data showing the continued spread of COVID-19 throughout the state’s correctional system, with confirmed cases reported at 22 correctional facilities. Among the affected institutions is Sing Sing Correctional Facility, a maximum-security prison in Westchester County. DOCCS reports that 44 inmates at Sing Sing have tested positive for the virus, with three inmate deaths recorded to date. The facility is one of the state’s most well known prisons, historically associated with some of the nation’s most notorious criminals and frequently referenced in popular culture. Wende Correctional Facility,…

Fire crews were dispatched at approximately 5 a.m. Friday, Dec. 3, to a reported fire at a converted barn on the Royce property along Route 415, between Ryan Hollow Road and South Main Street, just outside the Village of Cohocton. According to Cohocton Fire Chief Bradley Feeley, one individual was injured after jumping from the burning structure and was transported to the hospital by Cohocton ambulance. Two nearby structures on the property, a house and an additional barn located about 20 feet from the fire, were successfully protected. The house sustained moderate exterior damage, but was not destroyed. Multiple agencies…

Robert William “Bob” Farr, age 75, passed away peacefully on June 28, 2021, surrounded by the love of his family, following a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. Born in Rochester on June 2, 1946, Bob was raised in York and graduated from York Central High School in 1965. He went on to proudly serve his country in the United States Navy before beginning a lifelong career as a journeyman and foreman with IBEW Local 86. Bob married the love of his life, Jennifer J. (Crane), on June 30, 1973. The couple lived in Rochester before settling in Dansville…

OurBus has announced the launch of a new daily intercity bus route connecting Geneseo with New York City, expanding regional transportation options for residents of Western and Southern New York. The new service is being offered through a partnership with family-owned transportation company Niagara Scenic Tours and is scheduled to begin on May 12, 2021. The route will connect Geneseo with seven cities in New York State and one in Pennsylvania, including Niagara Falls, Buffalo, Batavia, Corning, Elmira, and Sayre, before continuing on to New York City. Passengers will also have the option to connect to additional destinations across New…

As we reflect on an extraordinarily challenging year, I want to take a moment to acknowledge both the hardships we have faced and the strength that has carried us through them. The year 2020 tested us in ways few could have imagined, as the global COVID-19 pandemic disrupted daily life, strained our institutions, and brought loss to many families. Yet throughout it all, my pride in the Livingston County community has only grown stronger. Day after day, our residents demonstrated service, responsiveness, and perseverance when it mattered most. As we look ahead to 2021 and hope for a return to…