Local News for April 28, 2023

- HOLT Architects Sued for Stealing Nude Imagery of Female Employees -

The prominent Ithaca architecture firm HOLT Architects is being sued for $4 million. Two female former employees have filed a civil suit alleging a male colleague sexually harassed them by stealing personal intimate images and placing them on the company’s public servers. The women say that the firm did not handle their complaints of a hostile work environment seriously. The Ithaca Voice reports that the firm conducted an internal investigation and concluded the incident was an isolated case. WRFI asked HOLT Architects to comment on the accusations. They did not respond to our request.

- Spotted Lanternflies Are Back. Here’s What You Should Do If You See One -

The state’s agriculture department is asking residents to help get rid of an invasive species. WRVO Public Radio reports Spotted Lanternflies have been seen in Ithaca and are expected to show up in other parts of the Finger Lakes and Central New York as temperatures warm up. The insects are a serious threat to grapes and the wine industry. The agriculture department wants people to destroy them if possible but also fill out a short survey to let the department know where the insects are showing up. More details are here.

- Cover Crop Initiative Gets $370,00 To Support Finger Lakes Farmers -

New funding is available to help Finger Lakes’ farmers to plant cover crops. The Finger Lakes Cover Crop Initiative has received $370,000 from the state Department of Environmental Conservation to expand its support to farmers around all 11 Finger Lakes. Cover crops improve soil quality, reduce erosion and runoff. Grants will be available through local Soil and Water Conservation Districts.