Local Headlines for December 28, 2022

Free Holiday Tree Disposal

Holiday trees can be dropped off free of charge at Tompkins County Recycling and Solid Waste through January 31. Trees must be free of all decorations and synthetic trees are not accepted. The solid waste center is open from 7am until 3:30pm Monday through Saturday.

Coal Tar Cleanup in Elmira

The DEC is cleaning up coal tar contamination on East Water St in Elmira. According to WETM, a manufactured gas plant operated at the site in the nineteenth century and tar has been found in the soil around an underground gas container. The $3 million cleanup is expected to last eight months. According to the DEC’s website, the agency estimates that there are approximately 260 sites around the state that are or were contaminated by the manufactured gas industry. New York state utilities have accepted liability for the contamination in all but 26 of the sites.

Federal Felons Barred from Holding Office in NY

Under a new law, New York State officials who are convicted of federal felonies will be removed from office. According to the New York Post, a loophole had existed that automatically removed officeholders if they were found guilty of a felony in state court. However if found guilty of federal felonies, pols would not be removed until sentenced. This allowed some corrupt officials to continue to hold office for years.

Join a First Day Hike on New Years

New York parks are inviting people to make a fresh start on the new year and participate in the 12th annual First Day Hike program. This year there are 86 self-guided or volunteer-led hikes planned around the state. All will begin at 10am this Sunday, January 1, 2023. Area hikes are planned for Taughannock State Park in Ulysses, the Catharine Valley Trail in Watkins Glen and the Newton Battlefield State Park south of Elmira.