Archive: Around Town

Dealing with COVID-19 has become a way of life, and while some fear that will lead to complacence, New York State has seen some success at reopening safely.  Many restrictions still apply, and for folks who want up to date information on the spread and containment of the disease, a number of local and state-wide web portals have been created.  Here is a list of some of the websites that keep daily statistics on the spread, testing, and treatment of the virus.

Not surprisingly, the best source for local coronavirus information is the Tompkins County Health Department website.  It is updated daily, and provides a great list of resources, both for reporting on the pandemic and for preventative measures you can take.  The list of resources is extensive, including food resources, gyms and fitness centers, the state travel advisory, local college/university information, and so on.  Press releases, including local health alerts are updated as they occur.  The COVID data chart on the front page of the Lansing Star is taken from the Health Department site (they update their chart daily and we check it hourly so we can bring it to you soon after it has been posted).  There is a myriad of information about local testing sites as well as information on how to report a local complaint, when and where face coverings are required, guidance for when and how you need to quarantine, a list of FAQs, plus links to many other resources.

In June 2020, the Ithaca Tenants Union partnered with the Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York and Cornell Law School, with the assistance of an engaged opportunity grant from Cornell’s Office of Engagement Initiatives, to announce the creation of a housing hotline to serve Ithaca tenants with brief legal advice about their rights and options This summer, nearly 100 Ithaca tenants have contacted the hotline and received assistance from Cornell Law students in collaboration with pro bono attorneys. Today, we are proud to announce that Cornell Law School has created a new Tenants Advocacy Practicum to expand and support the work of the housing hotline to provide representation to tenants facing eviction, conditions issues, and homelessness.

While landlords are most often able to afford lawyers and devote time to winning cases, most tenants appear in court pro se, without the benefit of any legal consultation or advice regarding their rights under New York law. A longitudinal study of 124 eviction court appearances in Ithaca City Court in 2018, conducted by Ithaca resident Carl Feuer, revealed only nine tenants appeared in court with legal representation. In this study, a staggering 93% of local tenants were forced to be their own advocates, armed with varying degrees of legal information about their rights. With the creation of the practicum, law students will be better able to advocate for tenants, under the guidance of a licensed attorney, effectively shifting the power dynamic in Ithaca and providing tenants with added protection.

Deanna Carrithers will join Tompkins County Administration as Chief Equity and Diversity Officer. Carrithers, who begins her new role at the County in early September, served most recently as the director of operations at Wichita State University in Kansas. As Tompkins County's first appointed Chief Equity and Diversity Officer, Carrithers will lead the County's strategy to be a diverse, anti-racist, equitable, and inclusive organization with the support of its senior leadership and interdepartmental justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion teams.

"Deanna is a proven leader in diversity and equity and will bring an exemplary track record of management and community engagement experience to our team. Over the past 13 years, she has served with distinction in leadership roles in local government, the nonprofit sector, and the higher education community. Her enthusiasm was palpable throughout the interview process, and we're excited for her to be a part of our community and our work at the County," stated Tompkins County Administrator Jason Molino.

Cornell University's Milk Quality Improvement Program has awarded Stewart's Dairy in Saratoga Springs top honors in New York state's annual fluid milk competition, conducted on behalf of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.  The Cornell program serves as the state's official judging group. Stewart's, which also won for best-tasting chocolate milk, topped a field of 21 dairies from across the state; results were announced Aug. 25.

"Congratulations to our dairy processors and our dairy farmers behind these fantastic products," said Richard Ball, commissioner for the Department of Agriculture and Markets. "We know New York produces some of the best milk there is, and I am honored to join Cornell in sharing these stories of success with all New Yorkers."

Once they're logged in at the Cornell COVID-19 Testing Laboratory (CCTL), based in the College of Veterinary Medicine, a robot will pipette the liquid samples into pools of five. The pools will then be processed in batches of 93 at a time – ultimately yielding test results within 24 hours for 5,000 to 7,000 Cornell students, staff and faculty per day.

It's a massive undertaking in a state-of-the-art lab built from scratch in less than two months, based on data-driven models, research and interdisciplinary expertise across Cornell's campuses; and with support and guidance from Cayuga Health System's medical and laboratory leadership.

There are some institutions we take for granted as integral parts of our community whether we actually use them ourselves or not.  The Ithaca YMCA -- or 'The Y' as it has re-branded itself -- has arguably one of them for the past century and a half.  But the Y is also one of the institutions hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, and has been struggling for survival since lockdown requirements began in March.  The good news is that the Y is beginning a phased reopening next Monday.

"The big thing that's exciting and positive is Ys across the country have opened in different, different stages and all but one that we know of --which was a residential overnight camp -- have been successful in opening, going through the proper procedures, protocols, and requirements to keep their membership safe. And we have a good track record of providing that," says Ithaca Y CEO Frank Towner.

On-site and remote classes at New Roots Charter School will begin on September 9, 2020 as scheduled, Superintendent Tina Nilsen-Hodges announced today.

"Our facility is ready, with HEPA air filtration, hand sanitizing stations, and classroom work stations with ample physical distance between them. We have the PPE we need in stock. Our faculty is working together this August to adapt our school curriculum to hybrid and remote learning. We are so looking forward to welcoming students back to school in September!"

Along with significant route changes and added service for the new academic year, riders can expect to see a major emphasis on passenger safety protocols when Tompkins County Area Transit (TCAT) rolls out its fall service on Sun., Aug. 30.

Working with community, state and federal partners, TCAT has been fine-tuning pandemic safety measures it started putting in place in early March just before the first coronavirus case was confirmed in Tompkins County.

Ithaca, NY- It is with the greatest appreciation for his 30 years of service that the Longview Board of Directors announces the retirement of its executive director, Mark A. Macera. Macera will continue to serve as Longview’s head administrator while a national search is conducted and until a new chief executive officer is in place.

“Under Mark's extraordinary leadership, Longview, an Ithacare Community, has remained financially sound while adding exciting new living options, intergenerational programs, and services – always maintaining the highest commitment to the care and well-being of its residents, said John A. Krout, president, Longview Board of Directors.

On the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced an effort to stabilize and preserve the childhood home of prominent 19th century women's rights activist Susan B. Anthony, in Washington County. The work at the 1832 two-story brick home on Route 29 in Battenville where Anthony lived from ages 13 to 19, which includes repairs to the roof, masonry and drainage, as well as mold remediation and water damage, is expected to be complete by September.

"New York has been the birthplace to many of the progressive movements that have left an indelible mark on our society while pushing the nation forward and particularly for women's suffrage, which began at Seneca Falls and included legendary New Yorkers such as Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and so many more," Cuomo said. "As we commemorate the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote, we must also recognize there is more work to be done. New York will continue to lead the nation in creating greater equality for all and we are proud to preserve and enhance this important part of American history for future generations."

The Lansing Town Board unanimously authorized the creation of a Lansing Town Center Committee Wednesday.  The new advisory board will take on responsibilities similar to the old Town Center Committee that came up with a plan for the Town Center lands including the Town Hall campus, town ball fields, and the 153 acres of land north of the ball fields, as well as the commercial areas near Rogues Harbor Inn at its western boarder, and Crossroads Bar & Grill and Lansing market at the eastern end.  The resolution also appointed the committee's first five members.

The former committee, chaired by Kathy Miller, received a large amount of public input on what Lansingites wanted in a town center, then worked with architects to create a conceptual plan that included new recreation areas including a town walking green (shown above) that would replace much of the parking lot near the Town Hall and the Lansing library, a small commercial area along Route 34B, and housing and recreation areas as well as a possible technology and light manufacturing park toward the north where the property abuts the boys juvenile detention center.

New Roots Charter School is capping enrollment this year to ensure optimal conditions for safety in the school's facilities, Superintendent Tina Nilsen-Hodges announced Tuesday.

"We have limited seats available, primarily for freshmen and sophomores, and there is already a waiting list for juniors. Families who are interested in New Roots for the 2020-21 school year should act now to secure their seat or a spot on the waitlist."