Local News for July 7, 2023

- Concerns About Violent Crime In The Jungle -

Crime in part of the homeless encampment known as The Jungle came up in the most recent meeting of Ithaca’s Community Police Board. Alderperson George McGonigal described one portion as “scary” and different from the rest of the Jungle. It’s on the east side of the inlet bordered by the railroad. McGonigal says he’s concerned for the safety of law-abiding residents of the area and the West End business nearby. The Common Council is considering creating designated camping areas for unhoused people but nothing has been agreed. McGonigal didn’t explain how that might help unhoused people from becoming victims of violent crime.

- Elmira Brownfield Site Clean Up Will Start In August -

Clean-up of the 13-acre Pennsylvania Lines Brownfield site will start in August. The site is on East 5th Street in Elmira. Soil contaminated with PCBs, mercury, and arsenic will be removed and replaced with clean soil and turf. The state Department of Environmental Conservation says the clean-up will take about 7 months. The clean-up will be done by the Norfolk Southern Railway Company with supervision of the DEC. Once it’s finished the land will be suitable for certain industrial projects.