COVID Cases Continue to Rise, Tompkins Co. Health Department to Host Community Update

– Budget for Slope Day more than doubled for 2024 – The Cornell Student Assembly voted to add $400,000 Slope Day budget making it $715,000 for 2024. That’s more than double the current budget. The day is an end-of-school-year celebration on the campus and headlines well-known musicians. The Cornell Daily Sun reports that the bump…

– Health insurance costs for Cortland County employees, retirees may rise – Cortland County retirees and employees may see their health insurance contributions rise by 10% in 2024. The Cortland Voice reports the county is facing a $1.3 million gap in the 2024 budget. The insurance increase would close that gap.  The legislature is set…

– Ithaca Leaders Postpone Vote on Cornell Funding, Approve Homeless Encampment Policy – The Ithaca Common Council held a special meeting Wednesday night to vote on two highly significant matters. But, they postponed a vote on the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Cornell until an October meeting. Mayor Lewis said that would give Alderpersons…

– Tick-borne illnesses double in Tompkins County – Tick-borne illnesses are on the rise in our region and across the country. According to The Ithaca Voice, the number of cases of Lyme disease in Tompkins County has doubled in the past year. Part of the reason is milder winters because of climate change. Ticks, especially…

Opponents of the draft payment agreement between Cornell and the City of Ithaca protested on campus Monday evening. The new proposal would require Cornell to pay Ithaca $4 million a year over the next 21 years with regular increases for inflation. That’s up from the $1.6 million currently paid. Opponents like Kay Minnix don’t think…

– Ithaca CarShare To Reopen In 2024 – Ithaca CarShare will reopen in March 2024 when a new law goes into effect that will make it possible for them to get insurance again. The nonprofit car share has been shut down since May because of a regulator problem that caused it to lose insurance coverage.…

– More details about Cornell’s New Payment Agreement with Ithaca – The new payment agreement between Cornell University and the City of Ithaca was announced on September 14. In it, the Ivy League university agrees to pay its host city $4 million dollars a year with regular increases for inflation over the next 21 years.…

– Ithaca Reaches Payment Agreement with Cornell University – On September 14, Cornell University and Ithaca Mayor Laura Lewis announced that a new voluntary payment agreement had been reached. According to a joint statement, Cornell will pay the City $4 million dollars a year for the next 21 years. The Ithaca Common Council will hold…

– Interlaken Under Mandatory Water Conservation Order – The Village of Interlaken is under a water conservation order until further notice. An order was issued on September 8 and renewed on September 10.  The Finger Lakes Times reports residents using the Interlaken water system should limit water usage while maintenance of the village wells is…

– NYSEG To Hold Pop-Up Service Center In Ithaca – NYSEG customers can speak directly with representatives from the power provider on September 13. Customer service representatives will be at Southside Community Center in Ithaca on Wednesday from 9 to noon. State Assemblyperson Anna Kelles says they will be there to help with billing, shut-off…