WATKINS GLEN--The Watkins Glen Class of 2023 will present the family-friendly, MUNY edition of the popular musical, "The Wizard of Oz," March 24-26, at the Watkins Glen high school auditorium, 301 12th Street in Watkins Glen. "The Wizard of Oz" will run Friday, March 24 and Saturday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, March 26, at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for senior citizens and students, $5 for children age 5-10, and will be available at the door.

YATES COUNTY--In a special meeting Thursday, March 16, the Yates County legislature considered a motion to hire a new county administrator and budget officer. It was brought up first thing in the meeting by District II Legislator Terry Button. There initially was no discussion, before Chairwoman Leslie Church said, "I'm a little disappointed that this has come to the floor this way, because we have not finished the discussion that was held at the last meeting, but if that is your intent, to push this through, then..."

YATES COUNTY--The following update was provided by Yates County Administrator Nonie Flynn for the month of March. -Finance: Planning board - There is an opening for a representative from Middlesex on the county's planning board. Contact Yates County Planner, Jeff Ayers, if interested.

HAMMONDSPORT--The Hammondsport Chamber of Commerce is welcoming spring with a new event: the Eggstravaganza on Keuka. Live from April 1 through April 8, the event invites people to hunt for locally-made glass eggs. More than two dozen eggs will be hidden each day during the event on trails, in parks and museums, and with area businesses. In total, more than 200 glass eggs, commissioned by the chamber from seven local artists, will be available for finding. Approximately 45 organizations will be hosting eggs, with additional locations in natural settings.

WATKINS GLEN--In accordance with guidance from the New York State Education Department, Watkins Glen Central School will no longer use the word "Senecas" or any words or imagery related to Native Americans. In its original proposal to the State's Indigenous Education Mascot Advisory Group, the district proposed using "Senecas" as a team name and galvanizing idea.

ITHACA--Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that the first Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary license in Upstate New York State owned by an entrepreneur previously criminalized by cannabis prohibition opened for sales to the public at 4:20 p.m. on Thursday, March 16, on East State Street in Ithaca. "With the opening of William Jane in Ithaca, we're continuing to build an adult-use cannabis industry in our state that works to offset the harms caused by disproportionate arrests made during cannabis prohibition," Hochul said.

NEW YORK STATE--New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced the annual statewide ban prohibiting residential brush burning begins March 16 and runs through May 14. Since 2009, DEC has enforced the annual brush burning ban to prevent wildfires and protect communities during heightened conditions for wildfires.

FINGER LAKES--Tuesday, March 21 will mark election day for many area villages throughout the region. While most local races are unopposed, Watkins Glen will see the election of a mayor as well as two trustee seats in contested races. Voting will run from noon to 9 p.m. for the following candidates at the identified polling locations.

NEW YORK STATE--The New York State Association of Counties reports county leaders from across the state are calling on their representatives in the senate and assembly to adopt budgets that reject Gov. Kathy Hochul's proposal to shift $625 million in new costs to counties for the state's Medicaid program.

WATKINS GLEN--At the Watkins Glen village board meeting Tuesday, March 7, trustees passed several resolutions and entertained a request from a new business. Trustees authorized the awards for two additional DRI projects: Lafayette Park improvements and gateway signage. Economy Paving Company was the low bidder and was awarded the work for the two approved projects. LaBella Associates will provide construction support and inspection.

SCHUYLER COUNTY--At the Monday, March 13, meeting of the Schuyler County legislature, nearly two dozen resolutions were passed. Several of the resolutions focused on salary adjustments for county employees. Legislators also declared March 2023 as National Nutrition Month and March for Meals Month, noting the services in these areas provided by the county's Office for the Aging.

PENN YAN--The Penn Yan Academy Drama Club will present its spring production, Amélie the Musical: Teen Edition, from March 9-12. Based on the 2001 film of the same name, Amélie is the tale of Amélie Poulain (Freshman Ella Kinsey) and her struggle to find a connection in the busy setting of Paris in the 1990s. Amélie, a young woman in her 20s, is an observer of the world around her with an active imagination - but does not always know how to be a part of what she sees. Glimpses of Amélie's younger self (Junior Addyson Webber) help to explain her struggles as audiences see her upbringing in the care of her cold, distant father (Sophomore Aidan Dallos) and her neurotic, overprotective mother (Senior Vanessa Martinez).

ODESSA--The Odessa-Montour junior/senior high school and the fine arts boosters are presenting the musical "The Addams Family: School Edition" this week. The show presents another hilarious tale from America's favorite eccentric family. Wednesday Addams is all grown up, and she's fallen for a boy. Not just any boy - a "normal" boy! When Gomez promises to keep Wednesday's engagement a secret from her mother, Morticia knows he's up to something, and Fester, with the help of the Addams' Ancestors, plots to ensure that love will triumph.

YATES COUNTY--The Yates County legislature passed three resolutions at a special meeting on Thursday, March 2 before entering executive session. Legislators discussed signing a letter of support for the Yates Community Center Congressional Direct Spending request. Legislators expressed concern that accepting federal money could come with conditions that may not be initially apparent. The legislature has already approved $2 million for the project of the $5 million budget.

FINGER LAKES-The New York Wine & Grape Foundation (NYWGF) recently announced the winners of the 2023 Unity Awards. The Unity Awards were created in 1990 as a way for the community to recognize, encourage, and celebrate cooperation among grape growers, wineries, researchers, retailers, and others to advance the entire industry.

DUNDEE--Sunshine and a fun time will be promised at the ninth annual Fairy Tale Festival which will be held Saturday, March 11 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Dundee high school gymnasium. The event is free and open to all ages.

HAMMONDSPORT--The Hammondsport Central School District Drama Club will present Disney's "The Little Mermaid," Friday, Saturday and Sunday this week. Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen's most beloved stories and the classic animated film, Disney's The Little Mermaid is a beautiful love story for the ages. With music by eight-time Academy Award winner, Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater and a compelling book by Doug Wright, this fishy fable will capture your heart with songs, including "Under the Sea," "Kiss the Girl" and "Part of Your World."

FINGER LAKES--Leaders of Tobacco Action Coalition of the Finger Lakes (TACFL), a partner in the New York State Tobacco Control Program (NYS TCP), recently met with Senator Helming and Members of the Assembly Gallahan, Manketlow, and Palmesano to discuss efforts to reduce New Yorkers' tobacco use and smoking-related deaths and disease. They shared details of tobacco control progress and areas of continued need since over 28,200 adult New Yorkers still die every year from smoking. They also stressed that funding for the state's Tobacco Control Program is just 1.6 percent of the state's annual tobacco revenue.

FINGER LAKES--Please click the 'Read More...' link to see the weekly sports results for Odessa-Montour and Penn Yan. These results appeared in the March 15 newspapers.

FINGER LAKES--Please click the 'Read More...' link to see the weekly sports results for Dundee and Watkins Glen. These results appeared in the March 8 newspapers.

CANANDAIGUA--The Dundee-Bradford girls basketball team advanced in the Section V Class C2 championship, Wednesday, March 1. The BraveScots defeated the top-seeded Lyons Lions, 69-57 at Canandaigua high school.

FINGER LAKES--Please click the 'Read More...' link to see the weekly sports results for Dundee, Penn Yan, Hammondsport, Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour. These results appeared in the March 1 newspapers.

FINGER LAKES--Please click the 'Read More...' link to see the weekly sports results for Odessa-Montour, Watkins Glen, Penn Yan, Dundee and Hammondsport. These results appeared in the Feb. 22 newspapers.

FINGER LAKES--Please click the 'Read More...' link to see the weekly sports results for Penn Yan, Dundee, Hammondsport, Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour. These results appeared in the Feb. 15 newspapers.

FINGER LAKES--Please click the 'Read More...' link to see the weekly sports results for Hammondsport, Penn Yan, Dundee, Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour. These results appeared in the Feb. 8 newspapers.

FINGER LAKES--Please click the 'Read More...' link to see the weekly sports results for Penn Yan, Dundee, Hammondsport, Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour. These results appeared in the Feb. 1 newspapers.

FINGER LAKES--Please click the 'Read More...' link to see the weekly sports results for Watkins Glen, Odessa-Montour, Penn Yan, Dundee and Hammondsport. These results appeared in the Jan. 25 newspapers.

FINGER LAKES--Please click the 'Read More...' link to see the weekly sports results for Penn Yan, Dundee, Hammondsport, Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour. These results appeared in the Jan. 18 newspapers.

FINGER LAKES--Please click the 'Read More...' link to see the weekly sports results for Watkins Glen, Odessa-Montour, Penn Yan, Dundee and Hammondsport. These results appeared in the Jan. 11 newspapers.

FINGER LAKES--Please click the 'Read More...' link to see the weekly sports results for Penn Yan, Dundee, Hammondsport, Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour. These results appeared in the Jan. 4 newspapers.

FINGER LAKES--Please click the 'Read More...' link to see the weekly sports results for Dundee, Penn Yan, Hammondsport, Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour. These results appeared in the Dec. 21 newspapers.

FINGER LAKES--Please click the 'Read More...' link to see the weekly sports results for Watkins Glen, Odessa-Montour, Penn Yan, Dundee and Hammondsport. These results appeared in the Dec. 14 newspapers.

FINGER LAKES--Please click the 'Read More...' link to see the weekly sports results for Penn Yan, Dundee, Hammondsport, Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour. These results appeared in the Dec. 7 newspapers.

FINGER LAKES--Please click the 'Read More...' link to see the weekly sports results for Watkins Glen, Odessa-Montour and Penn Yan. These results appeared in the Nov. 16 newspapers.

FINGER LAKES--Please click the 'Read More...' link to see the weekly sports results for Watkins Glen, Odessa-Montour, Penn Yan, Dundee and Hammondsport. These results appeared in the Nov. 9 newspapers.

FINGER LAKES--Please click the 'Read More...' link to see the weekly sports results for Penn Yan, Dundee, Hammondsport, Watkins Glen and Odessa-Montour. These results appeared in the Nov. 2 newspapers.