The 38th annual StarShine, a holiday tradition in the village of Penn Yan, will occur Saturday, Dec. 2, from 4 to 7 p.m.
New last year, and continuing again this year, was the Lights on Wheels Parade Friday night. “This year we have nearly 40 vehicles, double last year,” said Chelsea Race, director of marketing at the Yates County Chamber of Commerce. “The parade, in conjunction with Penn Yan FFA, is kicking off the weekend festivities Friday, Dec. 1, at 6 p.m. on Main Street in Penn Yan.”

PENN YAN--During the StarShine celebration in Penn Yan Saturday, Dec. 2, six candidates will vie for the title of Miss Penn Yan. The crowning ceremony will take place at approximately 6:20 p.m. on the StarShine stage.

WATKINS GLEN-Embrace the magic of the holiday season as the 30th annual Watkins Glen Village Christmas lights up Franklin Street Friday, Dec. 1. This tradition promises an evening of festive fun and enchantment for the entire family. As the sun sets, Franklin Street will be transformed into a winter wonderland, with the road closed to traffic and filled with vendors offering seasonal treats and unique gift items. Many local downtown businesses will extend their hours, providing ample opportunities for holiday shopping.

DUNDEE--The Dundee Central School TRAILS program proudly presents The Velveteen Rabbit based on the story by Margery Williams and adapted by William S. Kilborne Jr and Albert T. Viola. There will be two performances: Friday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. Margery Williams’ classic story of a stuffed toy rabbit made real by a boy’s enduring love brings young actors and the audience together.

YATES COUNTY–Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) has been rooted in the Yates County community for over 100 years. The connection to Cornell University and the 112 additional institutions comprising the Land Grant University System allows access to research and resources to help address needs and issues affecting the local community.

SCHUYLER COUNTY--Gov. Kathy Hochul last week announced new awards through Round XIII of the Regional Economic Development Council Initiative with $26.6 million awarded through the state-funded Environmental Protection Fund to support 72 projects and $2.4 million from the federally funded Recreational Trails Program for 15 projects.

YATES COUNTY--The Yates County legislature met in regular session, Monday, Nov. 13. Of the approved resolutions during the meeting, one included upcoming tourism funding for 10 projects in 2024. The award amounts totaled $744,295 and included:  Save the Cupola $50,000; Rochester Folk Art Guild $45,000; Saunders Finger Lakes Museum $75,000; Arts Center of Yates County, #1 $5,000; Arts Center of Yates County, #2 $3,200; Relative Risk / Laurentide Beer Co. $19,051; Finger Lakes Wine Country $70,000; Village of Penn Yan, Tennis Courts $107,044; Keuka Lake Wine Trail $60,000; and Yates County Chamber, Tourism Promotion Agency $310,000.

YATES COUNTY-Yates County has announced the 2024 Natural and Recreational Resources Grant, an initiative set to spark enhancements across the region and foster an inviting atmosphere for both locals and visitors. The Yates County 2024 Natural and Recreational Resources Grant seeks projects from both local governments and private organizations that not only look to preserve unique landscapes and areas, but also projects that provide interactions and experiences with nature. 

FINGER LAKES--On Nov. 16 and 17, communities in the Finger Lakes region came together to celebrate FLXGives, a day dedicated to philanthropy, generosity, and community impact. The initiative was organized by the Community Foundation of Elmira-Corning and the Finger Lakes, Inc., and included an event to mark the end of the effort.

SCHUYLER COUNTY--The Schuyler County legislature met for its regular meeting, Monday, Nov. 13. Prior to the resolutions being approved, Interim Administrator Shawn Rosno gave a presentation about the 2024 budget. The budget stands at $65,178,957 with estimated revenues of $54,282,645 and a tax levy of $10,896,312. Rosno explained that Schuyler County has seen consistent growth in sales tax revenue and is on course to meet the projection for 2023 and there is an expected 4.41 percent increase for 2024, or $16,400,000 total. The tax levy represents a decrease of 2.25 percent over last year’s number. The tax rate will be $5.99 per thousand, also a decrease over last year’s $6.26.

WATKINS GLEN--Whether you like Green Eggs and Ham or not, you will love the upcoming Lake Country Players’ production of “Seussical, the Musical” will be presented Nov. 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. at the Watkins Glen high school auditorium. The show features favorite Dr. Seuss characters like The Cat in the Hat (played by Alex Gill) and Horton the Elephant (Brenden Wendling) along with Gertrude and her one-feather tail (Kelsey Gill) and Amazing Mayze (Annabeth Wheaton).

FINGER LAKES--The general election held Tuesday, Nov. 7, has unofficial vote totals showing there will be three new legislators for the county. This includes former County Administrator Nonie Flynn, former Penn Yan Mayor Leigh MacKerchar and Starkey Supervisor George Lawson. The vote totals are as follows: Supreme Court Justice for 7th NY Judicial District (vote for two): Alex R Renzi (2,106), Joe Waldorf (2,032) and Margot J Garant (1,244). County Judge: Mackenzie M Stutzman (2,574).

NICHOLS, N.Y. (AP) — Authorities are investigating the deaths of more than two dozen racehorses in a barn fire at an upstate New York track that they believe was deliberately set. The horses were killed early Thursday after the barn where they were housed at the Tioga Downs Casino Resort complex was set on fire, the state police said in a news release. The track and casino are in Nichols, a town of about 2,500 people near the border with Pennsylvania and roughly 150 miles northwest of New York City.

An anchor has been recovered and is on display at the memorial. What’s left of the USS Arizona lies at the bottom of Pearl Harbor, a war grave. At 8:08 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941, an unexpected barrage of bombs launched by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service hit the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Four of them hit the USS Arizona.

NEW YORK STATE--Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the establishment of a New York State Commission on the Future of Health Care, a commitment made in her 2023 State of the State address. The 13-member advisory body will work to build evidence-based and strategic recommendations for the state’s healthcare system to ensure it can best serve the needs of New Yorkers.

WATKINS GLEN--The Watkins Glen Police Department has issued a number of press releases in response to complaints they have received in recent weeks. The first notice on Tuesday, Oct. 31, alerted residents, “We have received multiple reports of vehicle thefts in the overnight hours from Oct. 30 to Oct. 31. Please check your cameras for any suspicious activity and report it to our office at 607-535-7883.”

PENN YAN—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats) will induct Andrew Swarthout of Yates County, a decorated Vietnam War veteran and mainstay of local veterans’ organizations, into the New York State Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame, Thursday, Nov. 9, just before the nation’s observance of Veterans Day, Saturday, Nov. 11.

YATES COUNTY--The Yates County Legislature met for a special meeting and budget workshop, Monday, Oct. 30. There were four resolutions approved during the meeting. Following the retirement of Yates County Administrator Nonie Flynn, lawmakers approved Jessica Mullins as the acting administrator and budget officer for the county. A related resolution was also passed to enter into an agreement with Flynn to provide administration and budgetary related consulting services to the county until the end of the year.

VERONA--Four-time Section V champion cross country runner JD Tette competed at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association state championship, Saturday, Nov. 11. The meet was held at Vernon-Verona-Sherrill high school and featured the best runners from New York state.

FINGER LAKES--Click the image above to see the Nov. 8 newspaper sports reports for Dundee, Penn Yan, Hammondsport, Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour.

FINGER LAKES--Click the image above to see the Nov. 1 newspaper sports reports for Dundee, Penn Yan, Hammondsport, Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour.

FINGER LAKES--Click the image above to see the Oct. 25 newspaper sports reports for Dundee, Penn Yan, Hammondsport, Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour.

FINGER LAKES--Click the image above to see the Oct. 18 newspaper sports reports for Dundee, Penn Yan, Hammondsport, Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour.

FINGER LAKES--Click the image above to see the Oct. 11 newspaper sports reports for Dundee, Penn Yan, Hammondsport, Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour.

FINGER LAKES--Click the image above to see the Oct. 4 newspaper sports reports for Dundee, Penn Yan, Hammondsport, Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour.

FINGER LAKES--Click the image above to see the Sept. 27 newspaper sports reports for Dundee, Penn Yan, Hammondsport, Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour.

FINGER LAKES--Click the image above to see the Sept. 20 newspaper sports reports for Dundee, Penn Yan, Hammondsport, Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour.

FINGER LAKES--Sept. 13 newspaper sports reports for Dundee, Penn Yan, Hammondsport, Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour.

FINGER LAKES--Sept. 6 newspaper sports reports for Dundee, Penn Yan, Hammondsport, Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour.

FINGER LAKES--A photo gallery featuring over 1,900 photos from the 2022-23 sports season for Dundee, Penn Yan, Hammondsport, Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour can be seen by clicking the photo above.

FINGER LAKES--June 14 newspaper sports reports for Penn Yan and Dundee.

FINGER LAKES--June 7 newspaper sports reports for Penn Yan, Dundee, Hammondsport, Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour.

The Penn Yan boys and girls lacrosse teams recorded wins Saturday, June 3, in the first round of play for the New York State Public High School Athletic Association championship. The Mustangs are now in the final four for Class D and will advance to semifinal games.

ROCHESTER-Both the girls and boys Penn Yan varsity lacrosse teams captured sectional titles earlier this week. The girls won 12-4 over Waterloo-Marcus Whitman, Tuesday, May 30 and the boys won 11-6 against Aquinas, Wednesday, May 31...

FINGER LAKES--May 31 newspaper sports reports for Penn Yan, Dundee, Hammondsport, Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour.

FINGER LAKES--May 24 newspaper sports reports for Penn Yan, Dundee, Hammondsport, Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour.