Archive: Around Town

An estimated 8,619,856 New Yorkers, including 3,582,133 women and 1,666,177 children, have private health insurance that covers recommended preventive services without cost sharing, according to a new ASPE Data Point from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  Under the Affordable Care Act, most health plans are required to provide coverage for recommended preventive health care services without copays.

Nationwide, about 137 million individuals, including 55 million women and 28 million children, have private health insurance that covers recommended preventive services without cost sharing. Increased access to preventive services can reduce and prevent costly chronic diseases and help New Yorkers live healthier lives. These services include but are not limited to:

At Monday night's Board of Education meeting, the Groton Central School District Board selected the next Superintendent for Groton Central Schools. The public meeting held at the Groton Elementary School was well attended and board recommendations were discussed and reviewed.

Ms. Margo Martin, High School Principal, CIO and Director of Technology for the Tioga Central School District was chosen for the role. Ms. Martin's formal appointment as Superintendent of Schools took place that evening Monday, May 11th.

The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) is advising motorists in the city of Ithaca, Tompkins County of an upcoming bridge project on Route 13 over Cascadilla and Fall Creeks.   Work on the bridge over Cascadilla Creek will begin on Monday, May 18, with work on the bridge over Falls Creek to occur later this summer.

The rehabilitation project will include deck and approach overlays, joint replacement, substructure repairs and spot painting.  Work at both bridges will be done in two stages, with a completion later this year.

by Rochelle Davis

Lucky Miss Betsy was brought to the SPCA by a kind person who found her during a snow storm.  She's quite a sweet cat, and very pretty too, but because she can get easily overstimulated, she should not go to a home with children.  Because she's not so fond of other cats, Betsy would prefer to be the only cat in the home.  Could that home be yours?  Betsy has been spayed, vaccinated, microchipped, and is ready to go to her forever home.

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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by Rochelle Davis

Parker came to us from the county hoarding situation, which made him very nervous when he first arrived at the shelter. He has been adjusting well in his foster home, and is proving to be a cautious but curious little guy. He is house trained, but is still learning how to signal to go out.  Parker enjoys playing with other dogs, and thinks it's fun to chase the cat through the house. He's very good about only chewing toys and leaving the furniture alone! He does not like to be touched or picked up, but he's continuing to adjust to a life with attentive people. He doesn't bark much, and loves to snuggle into a blanket in his crate at bedtime.  Parker needs a home with people who will patiently help him learn that humans are friendly. He is curious and funny, wants to be around people, and will make a sweet companion.

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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In recognition of her achievement as an important business leader committed to charitable causes throughout the Finger Lakes Region, Amy Cram was among the outstanding women from across New York State who were honored at the 2015 "Women of Distinction" ceremony on May 5th at the State Capitol in Albany. Amy Cram owns and operates Bill Cram Inc. in Seneca Falls, New York and was nominated for this honor by State Senator Mike Nozzolio.

A major series of 'Big Changes' are coming to the Paleontological Research Institution's Museum of the Earth, and a twist of events means that one of the most exciting elements of those changes will be arriving this week.  'Steggy,' the Stegosaurus, who has been gifted to the Museum of the Earth by the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History, will be arriving at the Museum's Dino Lab on Thursday morning—a few months earlier than expected. There, visitors will be able to see the historically significant sculpture, currently in three pieces, through the entire conservation process, which is expected to last through the summer.

'Steggy,' built by the Milwaukee Papier Mache Works, Inc., was commissioned in 1903 by the United States National Museum, in celebration of the centennial of the Louisiana Purchase, and was unveiled at the St. Louis World's Fair.  After that, he traveled to Oregon in celebration of the centennial of the Louis and Clark Expedition, and since then, Steggy has been on display at the National Museum of Natural History, in Washington DC.

Senator Mike Nozzolio recently welcomed incoming Cornell University President, Elizabeth Garrett, to the New York State Capitol.  President Garrett previously served as Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Southern California (USC) and will begin her term at Cornell on July 1st of this year.

Teams from DeWitt Middle School and Ithaca High School (IHS) brought home a busload of awards from the annual New York State Technology Student Association (NYSTSA) competition. Now they have set their sights on bigger things at the national level.

The NYSTSA competition was held at SUNY Oswego on April 17. It involved 29 events, from extemporaneous speech to video game design. Several events required design and performance competitions for structures and vehicles, including bridges, cranes, catapults, gliders, CO2-propelled dragsters, and solar cars. Individuals and groups from DeWitt and IHS won first place in 11 events and second in 10.

An artificial turf playing field along with lighting and facility upgrades will benefit multiple Wells Express athletic programs.

Aurora, New York— The Wells College Board of Trustees has announced a $2 million investment in a series of campus improvements and upgrades to facilities and technology as well as the addition of two intercollegiate sports. This includes construction of an artificial turf field on campus, which will immediately benefit Wells' athletic teams in both women's and men's sports.

"Investments such as these undergird our commitment to our students and their scholarship," said Carrie Bolton '92, Chair of Wells' Board of Trustees.

Mark Johnson of Dolgeville, NY was paid a surprise visit Thursday by the Publishers Clearing House Prize Patrol who named him the winner of  a whopping $1,000,000.00!

Johnson,56, was stunned at the Prize Patrol's arrival -- with a giant prize certificate and bouquets of roses and balloons.  The unannounced, videotaped surprise notification of the winner is a Publishers Clearing House tradition.

Students in Ithaca High School Art Teacher Jackie Richardson's sculpture class were recently tasked with solving a problem—gravity—with art. Given limited supplies of only tape, newspaper and wire; they were encouraged to create a standing four-foot structure.

"The challenge is to take this material with no structural integrity on its own and make it stand up," said visiting local sculptor Ann Reichlin.

The spring 2015 project was part of an Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI) Red and Gold Grant awarded to Richardson and Reichlin. Red and Gold Grants are one-time awards of up to $500 for projects that enrich learning in the Ithaca City School District.