WXXI Local Stories

By Mark Giardina

By Staff & Wire Services

Albany, NY – A bipartisan Election Modernization Task Force recommended that New Yorkstate needs to replace voting machines, increase the pay for poll workersand post a voter's Bill of Rights at each polling place.Governor Pataki created the statewide task force in February after thecontested presidential race in Florida. Monroe County Clerk Maggie Brooksserves on that task force.

By Mark Giardina

By Alex Crichton

Rochester, NY – The Rochester City Council is scheduled to meet tonight to finalize the city's proposed budget for the coming fiscal year.Mayor William Johnson has proposed a $350 million dollar spending plan. If approved, as expected, a typical homeowner will see their taxes increase by nearly 3 percent. The property tax rate for businesses will actually fall.

By Karen Dewitt

By Staff & Wire Services

Rochester, NY – Divers have recovered the body of a Brighton pilot whose single-engine planecrashed into Lake Ontario over the weekend. The body of 18-year-old Gregory Parrs was pulled from the bottom of MexicoBay near Oswego Monday. Recovery crews also retrieved the single-engineCessna the teen was flying when it crashed early Saturday morning. Parrs had left Alexandria Bay on the St. Lawrence River and was headed backhome to the Rochester area. Parrs would have graduated Friday from the Norman Howard School in Rochester.

By Staff & Wire Services

By Alex Crichton, Cain, Proia

Rochester, NY – Authorities say two Ogden children will receive counseling after theirfather was attacked and killed in front of them.

Police say Robert Cain attacked Stephen Proia with a knife, as Proia wastaking his two children out for a walk.

46-year old Robert Cain of Chili has been charged with murder. He wasarrested at Strong Hospital after seeking treatment for the injuries hesustained when Proia fought back.

Police say the two men had known each other for several years.

By Alex Crichton

Rochester, NY – A Mendon man and his daughter were the top finishers Sunday in theannual Rochester River Challenge on the Genesee River.

Yesterday marked the 30th anniversary of the Rochester River Challenge, which promotes use of and awareness of the Genesee River. It's an institution in Rochester'sSouth Wedge Neighborhood.

Mark Gillespie and his 16-year old daughter, Danielle, paddled their way to a first placefinish in the team event in an hour and 34 minutes.

By Staff & Wire Services