Seven Valley Scoop: Cortland Area News

Everyone Safe after Four-Alarm Fire in McLean 

(Photo from 2006, Courtesy Dryden Fire Department.)
The Dryden Fire Company responded to the call, as did McLean, Groton and Cortlandville.

Wood stove Starts Fire in McLean Home (Reported in the Ithaca Journal)
A faulty wood stove is responsible for a fire that broke out on the second floor of a Gulf Hill Road home, Monday, according to fire officials.
(Read the original story here.)

Lime Hollow Seeks $12,000 to Complete Solar Panel Project (Reported in the Cortland Standard)
Panels will supply energy to the new, sustainably built visitors’ center.
(Read the original story here.)
(Visit the Lime Hollow website.)

Access to Independence of Cortland County announced it’s 2008 Friends of the Center campaign this week.  Funds raised up to 20,000 dollars will be matched by a grant from the Stardust Foundation of Central New York.
(Read the original story here.)
(Learn more about ATI here.)
(Visit the Stardust Foundation here.)

Ski Resorts Open, Families Return (Reported in the Cortland Standard)
Area ski mountains are now open and living up to their family-friendly reputations.
(Read original story here.)

-CJC

(Thanks for hanging out and waiting for us to pick up again after a Thanksgiving Break.  It’s good to be back!)

No More Lame Lunches

Tully Teens Grow Lunch (Reported in the Syracuse Post-Standard)
Veggies raised in Horticulture class make their way to the Cafeteria lunch line.
(Read the original story here.)

Groton Celebrates Season with Tree Lighting, Fundraiser (Reported in Groton Town Talk)
Caroling, food and the annual choir performance will round out the festivities this weekend.
(Read the original story here.)

City Approves Controvertial Student Housing Project (Reported in the Cortland Standard)
After years of discussion, debate and a public movement for a housing moratorium, the city council has approved a scaled down version of the W. Court Street building project.
(Read the original story here.)

Cortland County Deputies Uncover Cocaine (Reported in the Syracuse Post-Standard)
A routine traffic stop in Cincinnatus ended in charges of cocaine possession and speeding for a Chenango County man.
(Read the original story here.)

-CJC

Cortland Standard’s Traditional Approach to News Does Us All a Disservice

(Photo courtesy epodunk.com)

The old-fashioned presses that are still in action down at the Cortland Standard building are a city landmark, and it’s fantastic that the paper stays true to it’s roots.

There’s nothing wrong with preserving the past for the sake of history, but living in the past at the expense of the community is just not acceptable.

I am glad Cortland has it’s own daily newspaper.  Indeed there is little coverage of the Seven Valleys in Syracuse, Ithaca or Binghamton media.  However, the Standard must update it’s approach to journalism.  They have the opportunity to be Cortland’s ambassadors to the rest of the region and even the world, but Cortland Standard leadership seems more interested in serving tradition than in serving the community.

First, the Standard publishes in the afternoon.  No coffee and the paper for Standard readers.  Our local media outlet would do itself a big favor by being a morning paper rather than a “when we get around to it” paper.  By the time the Standard hits the newsstands hundreds of residents have bought the Post-Standard or the Ithaca Journal.

Not only does this take away from the amount of Standards in circulation, but it hurts the community.  Businesses are less likely to advertise in a paper people don’t read because it’s not available when their potential customers stop at Byrne Dairy on their way to work.  And residents lose out on local news and the opportunity to stay informed and get involved in their community when the only city daily comes out after their lunch break.

Secondly, the Cortland Standard does not have an online edition.  We can read other Central New York papers online, but people who live in Syracuse, Ithaca or Binghamton can’t read ours.

The paper’s lack of a web presence may hurt our economy and even keep people from relocating to our city.  Individuals considering a move to Cortland can’t search for jobs or homes without making a potentially expensive trip to do so in person.  Additionally, folks placing classifieds miss out on the online audience who might be interested in buying their products and services.

Third, former residents and students away at school can’t keep up with what’s going on in their home town.  Sure, they could subscribe by mail, but by the time the paper arrives the news will be old, and it will be easier to read the paper in their new town, set down new roots, and lose touch with their old life.  It might sound like a stretch, but an online edition of the Cortland Standard has the potential to keep people connected, and keep them from moving away for good.

Lastly, publishing in the afternoon and only publishing in print is just plain behind the times.  The competition is speeding ahead and our local paper here in Cortland has been left in the dust.  Worst of all, it’s by their own choosing.  In a time when print media is constantly on guard against becoming obsolete, the Cortland Standard already is.

By choosing tradition over progress the Cortland Standard loses readers, loses revenue and loses credibility.  It is the job of the media not only to report the truth to as wide a readership as possible, but to serve the community.  The Cortland Standard does neither.

-CJC

Note: This is not meant as an attack on the writers and staff of the Cortland Standard.  I do not question your intentions or integrity.  This is a call to action, a call to fulfill your duties as journalists and members of the media industry.  We need you and you need us.  Please open your eyes to the future of news.

Professional Wrestling Show brings WWE Alum to Crown City

Pro Wrestling Event will Bring Squared Circle to Cortland (Reported in the Ithaca Journal)
East Coast Pro Wrestling makes it’s Cortland debut on December 5th with a benefit show at the J. M. McDonald Sports Complex.  Among the sports-entertainers booked to compete are two Binghamton natives and former WWE superstar Kamala.
(Read the original story here.)
(Learn more about ECPW)

City Man Charged in Cortlandville Robbery (Reported in the Syracuse Post-Standard)
Omar Harris-Raible, of 88 Homer Ave was araigned in Homer Town Court on charges of robbery and grand larceny.
(Read the original story here.)

TC3 Seeks Stories from Alumni, Community (Reported on TC3.edu)
The College is accepting both photos and written accounts of memories from the school, which celebrates it’s 40th anniversary this year.
(Read the original story here.)

The Cortland Standard top story will be posted here when it becomes available later today.

-CJC

Cortland Native Becomes Nations First Female Four Star General (Reported by CNN 11/14/08)
This is not breaking news, however I feel it is important to post.  General Ann E. Dunwoody has put Cortland on the national news scene.  All Seven Valley residents should be very proud.
(Read the original story here.)

Many individuals and families have contacted Gen. Dunwoody to say her achievement is “a beacon of hope for their own daughters,” she said.  General Dunwoody finished her speech saying, “For me today is all about two simple words: thank you.”

The following is footage of the promotion ceremony and Gen. Dunwoody’s speech.  The video is provided by the Associated Press via YouTube.

-CJC

TC3 to Receive Facility Upgrade

Photo Courtesy TC3.edu

County Approves TC3 Electrical Project (Reported in the Ithaca Journal)
The college will also pursue emergency funding from SUNY as a result of a 2007 explosion.
(Read the original story here)

Freeville Resident Gives Keynote Address (Reported in the Ithaca Journal)
Ask Amy columnist Amy Dickinson spoke of her support for Family and Children Services at the kick-off of FCS Ithaca’s capital campaign.
(Read the original story here)

‘Christmas in Cincinnatus’ Kicks off December 5th (Reported in the Scotsman Pennysaver)
The Weekend of festivities will include food, performances and a visit from St. Nick.
(Read the original story here) 

Students Offer Ideas for New Cortlandville Museum (Reported in the Cortland Standard)
Living History Museum may include Brockway truck simulator and replica of Erie Canal lock.
(Read the original story here. )

-CJC

Man Kills Nephew in Hunting Accident, Recieves Probation (Reported in the Binghamton Press and Sun Bulletin)
A Summerhill man pleaded guilty to manslaughter last week in the hunting death of nephew, Ricky Huffman of Cortland.
(Read the original story here. )

Americorps Volunteers to Serve Cortland County (Reported in the Ithaca Journal)
Young people from around the the country are being recruited to devote a year to Cortland County nonprofits.
(Read the original story here .)

Habitat for Humanit office Opens on East End (Reported in the Ithaca Journal)
New two-county headquarters on Elm Street will serve as a project planning and recruitment center
(Read the original story here .)

Volunteers Serve Thanksgiving for Seventy (Reported in the Cortland Standard)
Over 50 volunteers cooked and served a formidable feast to needy locals at the annual Loaves and Fishes community Thanksgiving dinner at Grace Episcopal Church.
(Read the original story here .)

Greek Peak is alive with skiers this weekend after a week of below-freezing temperatures and contant snowfall allowed the Virgil resort to open for the season, a week ahead of schedule.

The mountain currently has two lifts and four trails open with a two to 16-inch base depth and a machine groomed packed powder surface.

Staff at Labrador Mountain in Truxton project a November 28th opening.  Toggenburg Winter Sports Center in Fabius and Song Mountain in Tully are both making snow, although neither have projected an opening date.

Four other ski resorts in New York are also open for the season: Holiday Valley and Bristol Mountain in western New York and Hunter and Windham Mountains in the Catskills.

-CJC

Last night I sprained my ankle.  I slipped on a flashlight at the bottom of the stairs.

This event, while unfortunate, would not usually be newsworthy.

At most, I could complain about the difficulty of getting around on crutches in the winter.  Or I could talk about how being injured helped me realize what life is like for people with reduced mobility.

But this column is about neither of those things.  This column is about the kindness of the people of Cortland.

When I traveled to Convenient Care to have my ankle looked at this afternoon I was expecting a long wait, disinterested staff and a rushed, assembly-line-type appointment.  I did wait a while (The entire trip took about 90 minutes), but the staff made every effort to make me comfortable during that time.  They offered ice, a wheelchair, even Ibuprofen to ease the pain.  I recieved a thorough checkup, x-rays, advice from both the doctor and nurse and my ankle was wrapped and braced.

The front desk staff even let my husband (Dave) take the wheelchair out of the building to bring me to the car.

At Sugar and Spice Restaurant, were we ate after the appointment, my Dave and I were met with concern over how far we parked from the door.  “You could have parked right up here,” a customer said.  “That would have been a lot easier for you.”  On the way out, Dave picked me up to carry me to the car.  As I rode across the parking lot in his arms, a scene played out that I was not expecting.

In most cities we would have been stared at or ignored.  But here, we were helped.  There was so much demand to open my car door that the volunteers had to race to get there first.  The friendly man who held my door smiled as he waited patiently for me to get inside.  Then he closed the door gently, making sure not to jar my leg.

Even at Walmart, not known for individual attention, I was met with an unusual amount of concern and helpfulness.  As I stood in the entryway waiting for Dave to park the car, a greeter approached me and asked if he could assist me in borrowing an electric wheelchair.  While I declined, preferring to have Dave push me in a regular wheelchair, I deeply appreciated the thoughfulness of his offer.

In the aisles we were not met with looks that said “I bet you’re faking” or “How dare you take up so much space.”  We weren’t met with odd looks at all.  Those who did not notice our presence quickly apologized and stepped out of the way.

When Dave and I decided to move to Central New York we were often asked our motivation.  Many friends and family members were confused at our reason.  We didn’t move for good jobs or a fabulous house (although we have both those things).  We moved to Cortland because it is friendly.

We may not live in an industry or entertainment mecca, but we do live in a place where people care.  They care about eachother and they care about the community.  If I didn’t know that before, I learned it today.

I’m glad I live in Cortland, and I’m proud to call this friendly place home.

-CJC

Cortland Man Charged with Robbery (Reported in the Syracuse Post-Standard)
Sherriff’s deputies arrested a city man yesterday on charges he robbed the resident of a Cortlandville home at gunpoint.
(Read the original story here )

Tuition Increase Hits Home for Cortland Students (Reported in the Cortland Standard)
Some students worried, others indifferent about the impending $620 tuition increase at SUNY colleges.
(Read the original story here )

Dryden Elementary Holds Powwow (Reported in the Ithaca Journal)
Second annual event teaches students about gratitude, respect and Native American culture.
(Read the original story here )

State Increases DWI Checkpoints for Holiday Season (Reported on New 10 Now)
Law enforcement officials kick off statewide drunk driving crackdown.
(Read the original story here )

We have four stories to report today.  As we build our sources, expect the number of stories to increase.  Cortland is full of news, we just have to work to dig it up.

For more information on Central New York and the Seven Valley region, check out the “Resources” link at the top of this site.  It will be constantly updated to provide you with the most comprehensive list of sites relating to Cortland and CNY.