News

 R Community Bikes donates an average of 2,700 bicycles per year to some of Rochester's most needy children and adults.

The organization also repairs around 3,000 donated bikes each year.  Director Dan Lill says they're more than a form of exercise for many. "The people who get the bikes, we hope it's an opportunity for them to get from school to work or from school to home to make their lives a little easier."

The WXXI news staff checks newspapers and websites to help keep tabs on what's happening in communities across New York state.

 ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) _ Four upstate casinos and separate bills on a women's rights package including an abortion proposal that appeared to have been blocked in the Senate were part of a late-session deal, according to a senior administration official. 

The official Tuesday also said there was an agreement on Gov. Andrew Cuomo's tax-free zones to attract employers tied to universities that will extend it beyond upstate to New York City and Long Island. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deals weren't scheduled to be announced until Wednesday. 

The Village of Brockport will have a new mayor. On Tuesday residents rejected incumbent Connie Castaneda’s bid for another term, instead electing challenger Margay Blackman by a wide margin. Blackman is currently a village trustee.

Also elected were Blackman’s running mates, trustee candidates Carol Hannan and Valerie Ciciotti.

Casteneda was recently cleared of criminal misconduct charges stemming from allegations she had an illegal apartment in her home.

(Reuters & WXXI) - Eastman Kodak Co on Tuesday said it will seek court approval for a $406 million rights offering that could give creditors a big equity stake in the company after it emerges from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Kodak said creditors agreed to backstop an offering that would let the Rochester, New York-based company issue 34 million common shares at $11.94 each, equal to about 85 percent of the equity of a reorganized company.

Rochester City Council has approved a new budget, with just a few changes from the plan first proposed by Mayor Tom Richards in May.

The nearly 482 million dollar budget was approved unanimously by City Council, along with a change made by council members in what turned out to be one of the more controversial parts of the budget hearing process.  That amendment altered the original plan by the mayor to eliminate the mounted patrol unit. Richards had felt the seven officers involved could be better utilized elsewhere, such as fighting gang violence.

There were several arrests at the state Capitol Tuesday. Advocates took out their anger and frustration on Cuomo and leaders of the State Senate, after it became clear that a progressive agenda that includes abortion rights and public campaign financing are likely dead for the legislative session.

Government reform groups are angry at Governor Cuomo, saying he is giving up too soon on an anti corruption agenda that includes public financing of campaigns and greater prosecution powers for the state’s District Attorneys.   Susan Lerner is with Common Cause.

The Irondequoit Town Board meets tonight and it's likely they'll discuss the town's boating law which was struck down last week by a Supreme Court Justice.

A coalition of boaters and property owners had sued over the law which limited how close boaters could anchor to shore.

Town Supervisor Joyce D'Aurizio, who voted against the law, says she doubts the board will vote to appeal the ruling as legal costs will be very high.

She says changing the law would involve another State Environmental Quality Review and public hearing.

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli has released the findings of his new "Fiscal Stress Monitoring System," and according to the report, Monroe County is the most fiscally stressed local government in New York.

The report evaluates 23 financial and environmental indicators to create an overall fiscal condition score.
DiNapoli says Monroe County's major challenges include its fund balance, operating deficit, cash position and short-term debt.

The WXXI news staff checks newspapers and websites to help keep tabs on what's happening in communities across New York state.