Local News for Thursday January 5, 2023

Reimagining Public Safety Work Underway

Work on Ithaca and Tompkins County’s Reimagining Public Safety initiative is underway. In December Monalita Smiley was named director of the Community Justice Center which will be responsible for implementing parts of the new public safety plan in both the City and throughout the County.  Also in December the center’s 2023 work plan was approved. According to the Ithaca Voice, the first items the agency will tackle include launching a co-response team and conducting a traffic study. The co-response team will pair a mental health worker with a member of the county sheriff’s office when making mental health calls. The traffic study will examine traffic stops to assess potential bias in who gets stopped. Other projects on the slate for the CJC include an officer wellness program and a community healing plan to bring marginalized community members together in dialog with law enforcement. 

Benefits for Living Organ Donors Approved

Governor Hochul signed a law on Friday allowing for living donors to be reimbursed for kidney and liver donation costs. The Living Donors Support Act, was designed to lessen the financial burden of organ donation and, with hope, increase the number of organ donors. According to the Times Union, many donation surgeries often require weeks of recovery and time off work. Donors may be reimbursed for lost wages from 4 to 8 weeks, as well as for sick or vacation days, travel, and lodging. 

Classic Rock Goes Christian

The Elmira classic rock station WLVY has been sold to Christian broadcast network Family Life. The station had been one of six Southern Tier stations owned by Gordon Ichikawa of Owego. According to WETM the station sold for $450,000. The Family Life Network broadcasts Christrian music and lifestyle content over more than 50 stations and repeaters New York and Pennsylvania.