Local News, July 17, 2023

- Air Quality Warning In Effect For Monday -

An air quality advisory is in effect for all of New York today. The state Department of Environmental Conservation says the air quality poses a risk to everyone. Air particles can lead to coughing, sneezing, runny nose, shortness of breath, and irritation to your eyes, nose, and throat. Children, the elderly, and people with heart or breathing problems are most at risk. The DEC recommends staying indoors and avoiding strenuous activities outside. They also advise people to wear high-quality masks like KN95 and N95.

- Four Tompkins Primary Results Unchanged After Manual Recounts -

The results of four Tompkins County primary races were finalized after manual recounts took place last week. The county Board of Elections conducted recounts for both Ward 5 races and the Ward 3 race. The fourth manual count was for the Danby town clerk position. Mariah Dillon won the Danby town clerk race. In the Ithaca Common Council races David Shapiro won the Ward 3 primary. For Ward 5, Clyde Lederman won the two-year seat primary and Margaret Fabrizio (Fa-breet-ze-o) won the four-year seat primary. Official primary results were released on July 6 and showed all four races had margins of less than 10 votes. Recounts are needed to finalize election results if the difference in the race is less than 20 votes. ###

- Twelve Tribes Refuse To Install Plaque Honoring Firebrand Books -

The controversial religious group Twelve Tribes is refusing to install a plaque that honors Firebrand Books. The Ithaca Times reports Ithaca’s Common Council voted unanimously for the historic designation last fall. Twelve Tribes owns the Yellow Deli restaurant on the Ithaca Commons where Firebrand Books used to be from 1984 to 2000. The publishing company has gained national recognition for its literature about feminism and queer people. On their website, Twelve Tribes says QUOTE Homosexual behavior is immoral and can be mortally dangerous.