News

The $79,900,000 budget goes to the public on May 20. It contains a 4 percent tax increase and around 17 staff reductions. The superintendent says he is confident that the Big Picture School program (Buc School) students will be able to successfully continue the program at the middle and high schools next year. And, it might be beneficial to the other students as well, he added.

The Oswego YMCA pool is closed so that crews can make major repairs on the aquatic facility. In the interim, many programs that had been run at the pool will be held at other local pools, including at Oswego High School, Oswego Middle School and the Fulton Family YMCA.

Oswego City School District Superintendent of Schools Ben Halsey presented his final update on the proposed 2014-15 school budget on Tuesday night. More than a baker’s dozen of speakers voiced their concerns regarding possible budget cuts for the next school year. The board is expected to vote on the tentative spending plan Wednesday morning. The public vote is set for May.

On May 1, a new program called “Smoke Free For My Baby and Me” will be rolled out in Oswego County. The program supports pregnant women’s efforts to quit using tobacco during their pregnancy and to abstain from smoking after delivery. This program has been made possible thanks to community partnerships and financial support from multiple parties.

To kick off the celebration of the 80th anniversary of Oswego West Pierhead Lighthouse, the H. Lee White Maritime Museum and the Oswego Film Group are presenting the movie, “Lightkeepers,” at the Beacon Hotel on May 1, starting at 6:30 p.m.

On the agenda for Monday night’s Administrative Services Committee agenda further discussion on the Oswego Fire Department’s operational study and continued discussion regarding a proposed increase to the city’s rental inspection fees were two separate items. But as the discussion wore on, the dialogues overlapped. No action was taken on either issue. Both are likely to return to the council floor for more public debate.

Some Oswego businesses have been slow to start, but many have hopped onto the social media ball and now it’s rolling. The presence of Oswego businesses on social media is amplifying and for good reason. According to a study conducted by the Pew Research Center in 2013, 73 percent of adults are using social media of some kind. The study also found that by far, Facebook is the leading social media platform that is engaging its audiences.

In time for Earth Day, the Princeton Review recognized SUNY Oswego as one of the 332 most environmentally responsible colleges in North America. The education services company profiles Oswego in the fifth annual edition of “The Princeton Review’s Guide to 332 Green Colleges.”