PENN YAN — The Yates County Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Community Awards, honoring individuals and organizations who exemplify outstanding community spirit and dedication in Yates County. Two prestigious awards will be presented this year: the Snow Award and the Seager Award.
PENN YAN CENTRAL SCHOOL From Dr. Gregory S.
ALBANY — At a ceremony in the Legislative Office Building in Albany Tuesday, State Senator Tom O'Mara (R-C, Big Flats) and his Senate colleagues honored Yates County Legislature Chair Leslie Church as a 2025 "Woman of Distinction." Over the past nearly three decades, Church has become widely known and respected as a leader in Yates County and throughout the Finger Lakes region in public service, volunteerism, and community development. She began her distinguished career in local government in 2000 when she was appointed to the Town of Milo Planning Board.
The Seneca School of Performing Arts will present their musical theatre company in "Oliver Jr." this weekend, featuring of 26 of the most talented local young performers in the area. The three performances are Friday, May 16 at 6 p.m.
PENN YAN - Following its second Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing since 2023, Rite Aid is closing all of its 178 drugstores in New York. According to employees, no word has been said when the Penn Yan location is expected to close, but they do say it could be at any moment.
As April has come to an end, it is important to remember its significance as "National Donate Life Month." Since I first stepped on the Assembly floor in 2011, raising awareness about organ donation has been a very personal issue to me and one of my top legislative priorities. The numbers have improved incrementally over the years, and this year we have reached over 50% for enrollment in New York, but we still have so much work to do.
YAYES COUNTY — A local rite of spring, Celebrate Service… Celebrate Yates, saw Keuka College students, faculty, and staff join scores of local volunteers in a day of community building – both literally and figuratively. Nealy 150 participants fanned out to some 20 locations throughout the county on Sunday, April 27, for a day of cleaning, painting, planting, raking, and completing improvement projects at youth camps, churches, cemeteries, and community centers.
On April 8, 2025, the Finger Lakes Wine Alliance brought together 28 member wineries for a blind tasting and conversation focused on the 2024 vintage. Each winery provided Riesling, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Franc samples from the bottle, barrel, or tank, offering a snapshot of the vintage in progress.
PENN YAN - Nominations are currently being accepted for the PYA Athletic Hall of Fame, which recognizes teams, individual athletes, coaches, and significant contributors for their outstanding athletic accomplishments or contributions to the Penn Yan Academy athletic program. Nominations will be accepted through June 15 and will be reviewed and voted on by members of the Hall of Fame committee.
The Yates County TB & Health Association is now accepting grant requests for 2025. Any Yates County human service and community-based organizations are eligible to apply.