Steve Buchiere

2 weeks ago | fltimes.com | Steve Buchiere

GENEVA — Opposition to a proposed affordable housing project on the former Geneva Foundry site is growing louder, but officials from the company pitching the plan says they are in the preliminary stages of project development. “Take a breath knowing we haven’t made any decisions,” Lindsey Allen, development manager of Rochester-based Home Leasing, told a large crowd at the Geneva Public Library Wednesday night.

2 weeks ago | fltimes.com | Steve Buchiere

The school year is in its final month, but come September, there is a big change coming for students. That is when New York becomes the largest state to require bell-to-bell restrictions on smartphones in K-12 schools. The ban was approved as part of the 2026 state budget. Hochul has argued that smartphones distract students and inhibit learning and creativity, claiming that phone-free environments support the mental health of students and teachers.

3 weeks ago | fltimes.com | Steve Buchiere

GENEVA — Three years ago, a fire gutted the small plaza that formerly housed the Madia’s grocery store on Castle Street. However, the burned-out ruins of the property remain. Neighbors say the property is a source of blight, and they even started an online petition asking the owners to take action to remove the plaza. Now, the city is taking steps to address the matter. On Wednesday, City Council unanimously approved a resolution to set a public hearing for 7 p.m. July 2.

3 weeks ago | fltimes.com | Steve Buchiere

MACEDON — Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced that seven downtown-improvement projects have been approved for $4.5 million in state funding under the NY Forward program. The announcement also outlined awarded Finger Lakes Region projects in the village of Waterloo, a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative winner (Finger Lakes Times, May 30), and the village of Webster.

3 weeks ago | fltimes.com | Steve Buchiere

CANANDAIGUA — A Democratic member of City Council who at one time led the Geneva Business Improvement District is seeking the 54th State Senate seat. Michael Mills has announced his candidacy for the seat, which Republican Pam Helming has held since 2017. The seat is not up for election again until 2026. Mills is not the only Democrat seeking the nomination. Palmyra’s Scott Comegys announced last week he is running for the Democratic nomination as well.