April 6th, 2022 Daily Headlines

Some Tompkins residents are now eligible for a second COVID vaccine booster dose. According to the Tompkins County Health Department the following residents are eligible for a second booster: anyone who is 50 and older,  anyone 18 or older who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine as their primary vaccine, and anyone 12 and older who is moderately or severely immunocompromised. Residents must also wait at least 4 months after receiving their 1st booster shot before getting the second. For more information visit the county website at Tompkinscountyny.gov/health 

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This summer TCAT will begin offering free rides to people 17 and younger. According to the Ithaca Voice, the measure is meant to offer more independence to young people, and create a new generation of bus riders. Mayor Laura Lewis, who also sits on the TCAT Board of Directors, said the measure will assist in the city’s sustainability effort cutting down on reliance on cars. TCAT plans to offset revenue losses from lost fares with New York’s State Transportation Operating Assistance funds. TCAT expects to be eligible for the assistance from increased ridership. 

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Visum Development Group has proposed a new multi-story residential complex on Ithaca’s West End. According to the Ithaca Voice, the proposal dubbed “The Hive” was filed with the city in March. The development would be built at 132 Cherry Street and create 143 rental apartments along and two retail spaces between two buildings.

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On Monday, an appellate court judge stayed the ruling of a lower court that would’ve thrown out New York state’s congressional maps. According to the New York Times, Judge Steven Lindsay put a hold on the ruling of a Steuben County judge meaning the state’s congressional maps will stay in effect for the time being. The state Senate appealed the decision of Judge Patrick McAllister who found the maps were unconstitutional and said Democrats illegally gerrymandered the state for partisan gain.