Record for New and Active COVID Cases Broken in Tompkins Co.

By WRFI News Staff | August 31, 2021

(Dominick Recckio / Tompkins County) TOMPKINS COUNTY, NY — Tompkins County’s record for new cases of COVID-19 has been broken. The Health Department is reporting 130 new positive cases of COVID today, and a total of 364 active cases. The rise in cases is largely being attributed to the arrival of college students. In response to…

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Tompkins County Tourism Industry Showing Signs of Recovery

By admin | July 29, 2021

The Little House, Groton NY (David Neal and Gailanne Mackenzie) TOMPKINS COUNTY, NY — Tourism seems to be on the up and up in Tompkins County. That’s the story Nick Helmholdt shared at a Tompkins County Legislature Committee meeting on July 22nd. He’s the Tourism Program Director for the County.  “Tourism is rebounding slightly more…

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Kelles Takes to Task DEC’s Study on Phosphorus and HABs

By Jimmy Jordan | July 16, 2021

A harmful algal bloom that occurred on the southwest shores of Cayuga Lake on July 13th, 2019. (Community Science Institute) ITHACA, NY — New York State Assemblymember Anna Kelles has raised concerns about a report calculating the maximum amounts of phosphorus allowed in Cayuga Lake. Limiting phosphorus pollution is vital to protecting the lake from…

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New York’s Independent Redistricting Commission is Coming to Town (Virtually)

By Jimmy Jordan | July 15, 2021

Tompkins County State Senate Districts 2021 (SUNY) ITHACA, NY — Before it dives into map making, New York’s Independent Redistricting Commission has scheduled a string of virtual listening events to gather public input. The Commission is a 10 member bi-partisan group. Each commissioner was appointed by State Senate and Assembly leaders. They’re tasked with redrawing…

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Tompkins Workforce NY May Help Pay for Your Job Training

By admin | July 15, 2021

Welding (Unsplash) TOMPKINS COUNTY, NY — Tompkins Workforce NY is paying people to get training for in demand jobs. In this program, a person can receive up to $5000 dollars from Tompkins Workforce NY. Up to $3000 is available for tuition, and up to $2000 for costs like transportation and books. There is a list…

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Cost of Living is Up, but the Living Wage in Tompkins County Stagnates. Why? Federal Healthcare Subsidies.

By Jimmy Jordan | July 9, 2021

(Unsplash) TOMPKINS COUNTY, NY — The Living Wage in Tompkins County went down by 5 cents, from $15.37 to $15.32. The reason being: new Federal subsidies for health insurance. Although, those subsidies are temporary. Tompkins County’s Living Wage is calculated every two years by Alternatives Federal Credit Union. Alternatives calculates a Living Wage for their…

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Tompkins County Infuses Local Tourism with $573,000

By admin | July 8, 2021

Canoeing on Cayuga Lake. (Unsplash) TOMPKINS COUNTY, NY — The Tompkins County Legislature has allocated $573,000 dollars to support its tourism industry.  This was done in response to what they heard in April and May from the tourism sector at the Housing and Urban Development meetings. It was also recommended to the full Legislature by…

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