Archive: Around Town

By Doug Scott

Hi everyone, my name is Louis and I'm a 1-year old male black cat with a white patch on my chest. I arrived at the SPCA because I was abandoned. I like people, but I'd probably rather be next to you than on your lap. I would like to be your only cat, since I'm not too fond of others. But people sure are great! Wouldn't you love to have a nice fuzzy boy to sit next to you on the couch and watch TV? I have been training to sit on command! Won't you please come meet me?!

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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As Tompkins County Highway crews works to keep roads clear of snow and ice during winter weather events, here are some important things to keep in mind to keep everyone safe:

The History Center in Tompkins County was recently awarded a grant from the New York State Council on the Arts Folk Arts Program to fund a year-long effort to document and celebrate three local festivals: the Ithaca Festival of the Arts, the Trumansburg Fair, and Groton Olde Home Days.

Tentatively titled 'Interpreting Community Folklife at Tompkins County's Fairs and Festivals,' this project will capture the experiences of community leaders, performers, vendors, and festival-goers involved in each event.

As flu diagnoses continue to increase across New York State, Governor Cuomo has authorized counties to expand efforts that promote and increase access to flu vaccine and other prevention techniques. Tompkins County, similar to statewide trends, is seeing an increase in flu this season. The Health Department is urging residents to get their flu shot to slow down and stop the spread of the flu virus.

"It is not too late to get your flu shot. Vaccination is our best way to protect our community from the flu virus. Even if you get the flu, your symptoms are likely to be less severe if you are vaccinated," states Frank Kruppa, Public Health Director.

My partner get along famously for the most part. I couldn't ask for a better companion and lover. I feel a bit selfish even bringing this up, but his practicality drives me crazy. His imagination is almost non-existent. This is such a source of frustration for me. He budgets every penny, will make a spreadsheet for the most ridiculous things, and wouldn't consider buying something that is frivolous. I love this guy and don't want this trait to interfere with our relationship. How can I get him to loosen up?
Disapproving Friend

It's been over three weeks since John Summers drove from sunny California to icy Ithaca to become Cayuga Radio Group's newest news director. Before coming to Ithaca he was Regional Program Director and News Director for the Northwest News Radio Network, and has worked primarily on the west coast for decades. Summers brings that volume of broadcast experience, as well as a deep timbre voice, to Ithaca. He says he aims to put more focus on local and regional news.

"I foresee much more emphasis on local and regional news," he says. "That's what the area wants.  Research shows most people don't want to have more of a story on the radio.  That's what the Web and print publications are for.  On the radio they want more stories that affect them.  So we're increasing our story count so we're covering more and more local stories, and providing the information in a smaller content frame.  We want to provide more of an outlook for the community to make its voices heard, so we're more interactive."

By Doug Scott

Hi! The name's Elvis and I'm ready to be the King of your home! I'm a friendly, playful, and affectionate lad who finds laps quite comfy, especially when I'm getting petted at the same time (double score)! I've lived with other playful cats and did fine.  I'm a cat and human kinda guy - dogs are gross and scare me! I bet if you meet me you'll like me a whole lot. Are you looking for a new best friend?

Visit the SPCA Web Page

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US Army Sergeant Kyle Milliman, a Lansing native, was among six servicemen from New York State Tuesday who were honored at '10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum Day' by the New York State Senate at the State Capital building in Albany. New Yorkers included Milliman, Sergeant First Class Bryant Lambert of Pan Yan, Staff Sergeant William Maxwell of Pawling, Sergeant Jonathan Ruis of Brooklyn, Sergeant Joseph Frank of Rome, and Specialist Hunter Bishop of Plattsburgh.

Hosted by State Senator Patty Ritchie for the seventh year, the event celebrates the contributions of the 10th Mountain Division to national security. Commanding General, Major General Walter Piatt was this year's featured speaker.


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Lansing Fire Commissioner and District Secretary Alvin Parker received the Joe 'Ditty" Joseph award at Lansing Central Station Tuesday.  Because Parker was unable to attend last week's annual Fire Department Dinner and awards ceremony last week, Chief Scott Purcell presented Parker with the award at Tuesday's Lansing Fire Commission meeting.

A Ludlowville native, Parker joined Ludlowville Company # 2 before the current department was organized. He has served as a chief, and for the past 20 years has served as Fire Commissioner and is District Secretary.

Dear Margaret: My best friend is marrying a guy that no one likes. He seems to be arrogant and standoff-ish. He makes no attempt to ingratiate himself with her friends or her family. In fact, he seems to do the opposite. He doesn't attend the social gatherings when invited, and she generally comes to functions by herself. At a recent dinner where he actually accompanied my friend, he barely spoke and was borderline rude to me. I've invited them to my house on several occasions, and they never seems to be able to make it as a couple. I'm to the point where I don't even want to try to like the guy, and am afraid he is ruining my friendship with his soon-to-be-wife. How can I salvage my relationship with my friend?
Disapproving Friend

The owners of long-haired dogs have an unsavory problem that is not widely discussed, because, frankly, it's kind of gross: Small clumps of feces get stuck in their dogs' fur after the dogs defecate.

A team of Cornell University students came up with a simple, innovative solution at the 2018 Cornell Animal Health Hackathon: HygenaPet, a $10 spray of beeswax and carnauba wax that owners can spritz on their dogs' backsides, making the poop slide right off the fur.

Boy Scout Troop 48 from Lansing New York recently made the 6 hour journey from Lansing, NY to Annapolis, MD to visit the US Naval Academy. Troop 48, along with 900 other scouts and their adult leaders, attended the 2018 Naval Academy STEM Jamboree on January 19th to the 21st. This jamboree is run by the midshipmen who are Eagle Scouts.

The scouts from Lansing have a very local connection that helped the troop to be invited to attend. Joe Koch, an eagle scout from troop 48, is in his second year at the Naval Academy and contacted his former troop to let them know about the STEM event. The STEM Jamboree gives the scouts an opportunity to earn a merit badge being taught by naval midshipmen.