Posts by George Christopher

The yearly report from the Tompkins County Department of Assessments, says the county has seen a continued increase in housing prices over the last year. Median housing prices have increased by 64 percent in the last 10 years in the county. And, according to the Ithaca Voice, the median home price in  2021 was $295,000. …

According to the Ithaca Voice, Ithaca’s Acting Mayor Laura Lewis has confirmed she will seek a full term as mayor this November. Lewis was appointed to the position by former Mayor Svante Myrick, who stepped down to lead People for the American Way, a progressive advocacy group. Ithaca will hold a Special Mayoral Election this…

The Tompkins County Democratic Committee has elected Linda Hoffman as the party’s new county chair. Hoffman was elected unanimously at the committee’s general meeting last month. Hoffman is taking over from Acting Chair Stacy Dimas who took the position after Former Chair Jim Gustaffson stepped down due to ill health. Hoffman previously served as chair…

The Ithaca Children’s Garden has announced Candice Meade will lead the organization and replace long time Executive Director Erin Marteal. The Children’s Garden leads environmental programs for local youth. According to the Ithaca Voice, Meade was a 2013 graduate of Cornell University, and previously worked at the Institute for Conservation Leadership and the Annapolis Maritime…

Yesterday Governor Kathy Hochul announced New York State would lift its mask mandate. The state previously mandated indoor businesses to either require proof of vaccination or mask wearing. According to CNBC, New York has seen a steep drop in COVID numbers after the winter surge fueled by the Omicron variant. The governor clarified that local…

The city of Ithaca will receive over $24,500 from the pharmaceutical company Allergan, as part of a settlement with New York State. According to the Ithaca Voice, the city announced the funds during last week’s Common Council meeting. New York state came to a settlement with Allergan over its contribution to the opioid epidemic late…

On Saturday, Former Democratic State Assembly Member Sam Roberts, announced he was running for Congress in New York’s new 22nd district. Roberts’ announcement came just 2 days after Governor Kathy Hochul approved the state’s new congressional map for the next 10 years. The new 22nd district is deeply Democratic running from Ithaca all the way…

Cornell University is beginning in person classes this week after spending the first two weeks of the semester online. According to WHCU Radio, the university will be requiring all Undergraduate, Law and MBA students to be tested for COVID-19 once a week. Campus officials also reported lower than expected positivity rates since students returned to…