May 13th, 2022 Daily Headlines

The Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office is launching an unarmed response pilot program as part of the county’s reimagining public safety plan. The program will use unarmed sheriff’s clerks to respond to certain non-emergency calls.. The sheriff’s office says the program will free up time for deputies to respond to emergency calls, conduct investigations, and build relationships with the community. This will not affect calls responded to by other local departments.The program is planned to begin this summer.

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The Schuyler County Coalition on Underage Drinking and Drugs will be hosting a drug take back day next month to help prevent pill abuse and theft. The event, presented in collaboration with the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office,will take place from 8 to 11 A.M. on June 12th at the Valois Logan Hector Fire Station. Residents are encouraged to drop off their expired, unused, or unwanted medications. . 

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On Wednesday New York state judge Patrick McAllister upheld New York’s State Assembly maps. According to Spectrum News, McAllister is the same judge who threw out the state’s congressional and state senate maps. His decision was later upheld by the State court of Appeals. Republicans did not include the State Assembly in their original challenge. Assembly primaries are still scheduled for June 28th while State Senate and Congressional primaries have been delayed to August 23rd. 

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New York State Attorney General Letitia James has issued a warning to retailers that price gouging is illegal. According to WHEC, the warning comes amid a nationwide baby formula shortage. The shortage was caused by pandemic-related supply chain problems  and a massive recall of baby formula in February. James said the Attorney General’s office has received reports of prices gouging. Citizens who witness price gouging can report it on the AG’s website at Ag.ny.gov