Local News for July 6, 2023

- Cortland County Study Finds More Suicide Prevention Needed -

NOTE: This next item is about suicide. Please take care. If you feel at risk you can call 9-8-8 at any time.

Information about suicide warning signs is here.

Cortland County residents under 19 years old made up the greatest number of emergency room visits for suicide attempts and ideation. It’s based on records from the Guthrie Cortland Medical Center between October 2020 and December 2022. A newly released study about suicide prevention needs in the County found young people are one of three groups most in need of improved prevention efforts. The report also says middle-aged men are most likely to die by suicide in Cortland County. It notes suicide causes are complex but concluded that LGBTQ+ people are at higher risk of suicide attempts and ideation because of how they are treated and stigmatized. The county is working to address risk factors, increase funding for suicide prevention efforts, and better track prevention effort results over time.

- Lansing Solar Project Developers Respond To Concerns About Noise Pollution -
A 5-megawatt solar project in Lansing returned to the planning board to address concerns about potential noise pollution. Tompkins Weekly reports the developers of the 18-acre Lansingville Road community solar project told the board the sound produced by the inverters and transformers will not be over 7 decibels. The CDC states that the sound of normal breathing is about 10 decibels and the average refrigerator hum is about 40 decibels.

- Correction - 

On Tuesday, in an item about a proposed gun storage ordinance in Ithaca. I stated that “Acting Police Chief Ted Schwartz had said owning a firearm in the City of Ithaca is illegal.” He did not say that. What he said was discharging firearms in the City is illegal. Owning firearms in the City of Ithaca is legal.