Local News: February 23, 2024

- Corning to layoff 107 people in its Painted Post plant -

Corning, Inc. is eliminating 107 jobs in a facility in Painted Post. That’s about 20% of the workforce. The Corning Leader reports the cuts will take effect May 19. The company says the plant will stay open after the layoffs. Earlier this year Corning announced it would cut about 2% of its worldwide staff. The Painted Post facility supports automotive emissions control and clean air technology.

- Tompkins County SPCA under investigation for mismanagement -

An anonymous group of employees at the Tompkins County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) is calling for an impartial investigation because of ethical concerns and allegations of mismanagement. The Ithaca Times reports the group raised the issues in a letter to the organization’s board of trustees. They allege the executive director has created a hostile work environment resulting in several employees and volunteers leaving. They also allege that healthy animals were scheduled for euthanasia without proper evaluation or considering alternative options. The SPCA is a “no-kill” shelter. That means the shelter should reach an annual goal of finding live options for 90% or more of its animals. 

- Cayuga Med gets $10 million federal funding for new generators -

Cayuga Medical Center is getting a FEMA grant for over $10 million to buy two emergency generators and build a storage facility for them. The Ithaca Voice reports the money will also pay for a 20,000-gallon underground storage tank. Hospital officials say the equipment will help the hospital to withstand weather emergencies.