Local News for June 22, 2023

- Cortland School Budget Passes On Second Vote -

The Cortland City School District budget was approved with 67% of votes on Tuesday. The Cortland Voice reports the first budget for $54 million was voted down in May making the revote necessary. The new budget is $53 million. It is unofficial until the school board approves it. They are scheduled to meet on Thursday afternoon.

- Ithaca College Student Dies -

NOTE: This next item is about suicide. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis please call 988 or go to 988lifeline.org.

An Ithaca College sophomore has died by suicide. The college announced that Blaze Myers died on June 15. Myers was from Pennsylvania. He was a member of the Ithaca College/Cornell ROTC, the campus Hillel, and Ithaca College TV. The college says counselors are available for students, faculty, and staff. A virtual remembrance for the college community will take place next week. 

- Watkins Glen Opposes Seneca Meadows Landfill Expansion -

The Watkins Glen Village Board has passed a referendum opposing the expansion of the Seneca Meadows landfill in Waterloo. Trucks pass through Watkins Glen on the way to the landfill. The Odessa File reports that Village Mayor Laurie DeNardo called the trucks “smelly and leaking” and said the problem will get worse if the landfill expands.  Several other nearby municipalities, local environmental, and business groups also have spoken out against the landfill's expansion.