News

At its meeting Monday night, the Common Council approved some public hearings, but not all. A proposed amendment regarding the future of billboard signs in the Port City was tabled to allow councilors to glean more information.

Mayor Tom Gillen has announced the launch of the 2013 Central New York Energy Challenge program. The challenge welcomes all citizens, neighborhoods, business groups and community organizations to form teams to set goals and reduce energy costs. Mayor Gillen has issued a challenge to Mayor Tobin of the city of Cortland to have some fun with the competition and rally more participation among Oswego’s citizens.

SUNY Oswego will host a community open house from noon to 7 p.m. Sept. 30, for its new Richard S. Shineman Center for Science, Engineering and Innovation and renewed Rice Creek Field Station. Visitors can tour the facilities, see scientific demonstrations from students and faculty members, view poster presentations detailing student research, learn more about the facilities’ environmentally friendly initiatives and more

Kevin Hines attempted to take his own life by jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge. “As soon as I jumped, I prayed to God that I’d survive,” Hines said. He survived and now travels the country helping raise awareness for many mental health and suicide awareness gatherings. Oswego, he said, was “fantastic” to host this weekend’s event.

SUNY Oswego has earned a spot on the 2014 Military Friendly Schools list of a veteran-owned media company, as college staff and veteran students continue a multiyear effort to improve life for the campus’ military veterans, including a newly unveiled Veterans Lounge.

On October 2, the issue of homelessness in Oswego County will be front and center as COACH, Oswego County’s continuum of Care committee hosts a community forum on the topic. To be held, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Oswego County Health Department, the forum will offer the community the opportunity to hear the specifics on homelessness in Oswego County and learn of the plans being developed to effectively address the issue.

At its meeting this week, the Physical Services Committee councilors considered restricting certain parking within the Third Ward. Tony Leotta, city engineer, said he received a request from Councilor Mike Todd to place a moratorium on applications for front yard parking on private properties in the Third Ward until December 31, 2014.

Aerial spraying of the Toad Harbor / Big Bay Swamp area near the north shore of Oneida Lake was completed last night, Thursday, September 19. The area sprayed included about 10,000 acres within these boundaries: U.S. Route 11 in Central Square to the west, NYS Route 49 to the north, up to but not including the village of Constantia to the east; and the shoreline of Oneida Lake to the south.