Local News for Thursday, January 12, 2023

Rural Broadband Feedback Due Friday

Tomorrow is the deadline to let the FCC know if your access to broadband internet is as good as the agency thinks it is. According to the Ithaca Voice, Senate Majority leader Schumer was in Dryden on Wednesday to urge residents to give the FCC feedback on its broadband map. $42 billion in federal funding has been allocated to improve rural broadband; the distribution of those funds will be based on the FCC’s map and, according to the Voice, the maps are flawed. Schumer compared the urgency of expanding rural broadband to Roosevelt’s rural electrification initiative and urged people in Tompkins County and the Southern Tier to review the FCC’s assessment and fill out a “challenge form” if the map is inaccurate. To check the accuracy of the map in your area go to broadbandmap.fcc.gov

Route 13 Corridor Plan Enters Public Feedback Phase

Ithaca’s Engineering Department and a group of consultants will be holding a public meeting next Wednesday, January 18 to solicit feedback on their evolving plan to make updates to the Route 13 corridor. According to the Ithaca Voice, the project goals are to make it easier for pedestrians and bikers to cross the highway, improve access to the waterfront development area, and create an “urban boulevard.” The plan is being developed only for the portion of Route 13 between Cascadilla and Dey Streets. Improvements to mitigate the effects of highway traffic are not being considered for other areas abutting the Rt. 13 including those in Fall Creek and Southside. 

Pangea Global Teahouse Opens in Watkins

A new tea house and restaurant has opened in the former Watkins State Bank building on Franklin St in Watkins Glen. According to WETM, the Pangea Global Teahouse was opened by Suzanne Matthews a former engineer at Corning Inc. As many as 200 different teas will be on offer as well as dishes from French, British, Chinese, and Japanese cuisines.