May 20th, 2022 Daily Headlines

Yesterday, the results of the Ithaca City School district election were certified by the Board of Education. 4 Board members were elected: incumbents Erin Croyle and Eldred Harris and newcomers Karen Yearwood and Jill Tripp. Board President, Robert Ainslie, who’s been on the board since 2007, was the only incumbent seeking re-election who failed to win reelection. Since Harris took in the fewest number of votes, they will fill the term of Jill Evans who resigned. Harris’ term will end in June 2024, while Croyle, Yearwood, and Tripp’s will conclude in June 2025. The election also saw three out of the four ballot propositions approved including the District’s budget of nearly $149 Million. The budget was approved with over 69 percent of the vote. The results were certified despite controversy as some voters were confused by the Board of Education’s webpage, a sign at a polling place falsely claiming one candidate had dropped out, and another sign telling voters to select three board candidates when they could’ve voted for four. 

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The Tompkins County Health Department has released a series of recommendations in response to reports of fentanyl in street drugs. The department is urging all residents with an addiction to seek treatment. However, they also urge anyone who uses street drugs to not do so alone, use fentanyl testing strips, and carry and use narcan. Last week Health Commissioner Frank Kruppa said that fentanyl was present in “all street drugs.” The synthetic opiate is extremely addictive and 50 times stronger than heroin. 

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The New York state Cannabis Control Board has released its third round of marijuana cultivator licenses. According to Syracuse.com, the board approved 58 new growers bringing the statewide total to 146. Among those 58 were two Tompkins County growers and the first in Schuyler county. The board approved licenses for Tompkins growers Pine Rose 420 and Glass House Farms bringing the total of growers in the county to five. Schuyler county’s Casey R Oxley was also approved.