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Local News: December 8, 2023

Man accused of setting fire that killed 30 horses at Tioga Downs pleads not guilty The man charged with setting a fire that killed 30 racehorses in Tioga County was in court on Friday. Fenton Boyd is charged with arson, burglary, criminal mischief, and assault for the fire at Tioga Downs race track in November. One person who tried to save the horses received second-degree burns. Boyd pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in Tioga County Court. Bail is set at $250,000. Ulysses residents defeat town plan to pay $210,000 for land for recreational fields Voters in the town of Ulysses rejected a land purchase in a special election held on Wednesday. Residents…

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LISTEN: Memories of Lost Cat, Gavin Mahoney

By Celia Clarke

The Ithaca artist known as Lost Cat died in April. His name was Gavin Mahoney and he was 55. Mahoney was best known for the many stick cat figures he painted around the city. Shortly after his death friends, admirers, and fellow artists put on a memorial art exhibition. And in July, a sculpture was installed downtown in his memory. I spoke with a few of his friends at both events. Here’s some of what they said about Mahoney’s life and how they will remember him.

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LISTEN: Interview with Dareth Glance, New York Department of Environmental Conservation Director, Region 7

By Celia Clarke

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation divides the state into nine regions. Dereth Glance is the new Region 7 Director. It covers Onondaga, Tompkins, Cortland, Chenango, Oswego, Madison, Cayuga, Tioga, and Broome counties. Glance most recently oversaw the DEC Environmental Remediation, Materials Management, and Mineral Resources divisions. Before joining the DEC, she served…

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CREATIVES: Quintron and Miss Pussycat [AUDIO]

By Felix Teitelbaum

Felix Teitelbaum interviews New Orleans-based artists Quintron and Missy Pussycat on August 24, 2023. They’ll be appearing in Ithaca at the Cherry Arts, Sept. 11. The show is a benefit for WRFI. You can learn more about the duo and get tickets to the show here.

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This Week on The Scene: Desiree LeClercq on the Battle for Workplace Democracy at Starbucks

By Chantal Thomas

In this week’s episode of The Scene, international labor law expert Desiree LeClercq breaks down the 2023 National Labor Relations Board proceeding that held three Ithaca store closures by Starbucks to be in violation of federal protections for organizing workers, and discusses the larger contexts in national and international worker rights.

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Local News: December 8, 2023

By Celia Clarke | December 8, 2023 |

Man accused of setting fire that killed 30 horses at Tioga Downs pleads not guilty The man charged with setting a fire that killed 30 racehorses in Tioga County was in court on Friday. Fenton Boyd is charged with arson, burglary, criminal mischief, and assault for the fire at Tioga Downs race track in November.…

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Local News: December 7, 2023

By Celia Clarke | December 7, 2023 | Comments Off on Local News: December 7, 2023

– Republican businessman announces challenge to Gillibrand in 2024 election – A Republican businessman announced he is challenging incumbent Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in 2024.  WRVO Public Radio reports Josh Eisen previously ran for the House in  2020. He suspended his campaign after it was reported that he was sanctioned by judges twice for harassing…

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Local News: December 6, 2023

By Celia Clarke | December 6, 2023 | Comments Off on Local News: December 6, 2023

– Cornell changes admissions application essays because of overturn of affirmative action – Cornell University’s undergraduate application has changed. The Cornell Daily Sun reports the change was made in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of affirmative action. But, Cornell officials did not give the paper a reason for the change. The application for…

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Local News: December 5, 2023

By Celia Clarke | December 5, 2023 | Comments Off on Local News: December 5, 2023

– Residents of Ulysses to vote in special election on land purchase for recreational area – Voters in the Town of Ulysses will decide whether to buy 30 acres to become a recreational area in a special election on December 6. The town includes Trumansburg and is a few miles north of Ithaca. The town’s…

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