Headlines for September 2nd, 2022

There are currently three cases of Monkeypox reported in Tompkins County. The Tompkins County Health Department has reported that one previously reported case was a false positive and subsequent tests by the CDC were negative. However, a new case has been reported keeping the total at three. The County Health Department has confirmed they’ve notified close contacts for at least the first 2 monkeypox cases. According to the New York State Department of Health there are 248 confirmed cases of Monkeypox in the state.

The City of Ithaca will once again compete for a $10 Million award from New York State’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative. The competitive grant opportunity helps winning communities develop vibrant, walkable downtown centers that support redevelopment, business and job creation, and economic and housing diversity.  According to the Ithaca Voice, the city has made numerous proposals over the years including proposals to expand the Ithaca Commons, create Safe Injection sites, and develop free WiFi on the Ithaca Commons. An outreach event was held with Acting Mayor Laura Lewis, as well as members of the Downtown Ithaca Alliance and the Unbroken Promise Initiative. Some ideas for this year have included improvements to West State Street, a new bus depot, and a community kitchen project to name a few. 

A new law in New York that bans the sale of whipped cream chargers to anyone under the age of 21 has caused confusion with grocers reportedly asking for I.D. before selling cans of whipped cream. According to the Albany Times Union, the legislator who sponsored the bill, State Senator Joe Addabbo Jr. said in a statement the bill only targets whipped cream chargers, which are tiny canisters containing nitrous oxide. These canisters, known as “Whip-Its”after a brand name, are also sold separately and have been used by young people to get high. The Attorney General’s office has also said the law only applies to the individual whip-its, not cans of whipped cream.