TompkinsWeekly for the week of May 25th

Download the newspaper in Acrobat Format Here Final Fracking Review Released It took seven years, numerous meetings, formal hearings and a couple drafts, but on May 13 the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) released its final SGEIS. Weighing in at 2,000 pages (about 20 pounds), this report lays the groundwork for what many believe will be a statewide ban on fracking. Full Story »   County Mulls Health Care Measure Asked to reaffirm its earlier actions in 2006 and 2009, the Tompkins County Legislature on May 19 rejected a resolution advocating continued support for a single-payer approach to health care coverage in New York State. Full Story »   Walking map is a guide to better health page 2 Alternative transportation options are on the rise around Ithaca, with the Cayuga Waterfront Trail, Safe Routes to School and the Cayuga Street Bike Route receiving attention. The newest option to come to fruition is the Ithaca Neighborhood Walking Map, produced by the Human Services Coalition (HSC) of Tompkins County with funding provided by the New York State Department of Health’s Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work and Play grant. Full Story »   Ithaca Festival celebrates togetherness page 3 Summer officially arrives in Ithaca this week—never mind the June solstice—when the Ithaca Festival returns, from Thursday through Sunday, featuring plenty of homegrown talent, food and libations, and an opporunity to celebrate many of the reasons we call this place home. Full Story »   Large-scale solar farms dot the landscape page 5 Solar energy operations are cropping up throughout the area, resulting in significant reductions in our collective carbon footprint and introducing cutting-edge technology that holds promise for the future. Full Story »   Creative problem-solving at IHS page 8 Students in Ithaca High School Art Teacher Jackie Richardson’s sculpture class were recently tasked with solving a problem—gravity— with art. Given limited supplies of only tape, newspaper and wire; they were encouraged to create a standing four-foot structure. Full Story »   A woman haunted by her past page 9 Next week we shall plunge into the popcorn pulp of summer, but I’d like to pause for one last refreshing dip into the quieter pools of spring’s indies. Full Story »