Oswego County TodayPoliticsFREE Independent News for Oswego County

Helping Seniors Enjoy Healthier Lives

October 9, 2018 Contributor

Every fall, I am fortunate enough to host a series of health and wellness fairs for our region’s senior population. These fairs feature local health-based businesses, organizations and agencies all offering various wellness checks, health tips and even free flu shots. Our community groups also pitch in, with local students making lunches to give to seniors, free of charge.

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Early Cancer Detection Saves Lives

October 7, 2018 Contributor

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women. According to the New York State Department of Health, more than 15,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer and almost 2,600 women die from the disease each year in New York State. Early detection, however, has played a tremendous role in saving lives and allowing many people to live cancer free for years after initial diagnosis. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 90 out of 100 women survive breast cancer for five years or more after being diagnosed thanks to early detection.

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World-Class Fishing On Lake Ontario Setting Records

October 2, 2018 Contributor

Thanks to some record breaking fishing this summer, the rest of the country is taking notice, too. Lake Ontario is the place to catch that once in a lifetime, trophy fish. Recently, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation shared some data showing that recreational fishing for trout and salmon on Lake Ontario has been “outstanding” along the entire New York shoreline.

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New York Remains Agricultural Leader

October 1, 2018 Contributor

Too often it goes unrecognized, but New York state is a leader in agriculture. The farmers in our state grow and produce a diverse range of commodities and Upstate’s nutrient-rich soils give way to some of the best products in the nation. Year after year, New York farms produce award-winning dairy products, wines, and apples that we can be proud to call homegrown.

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Raising Awareness Of Ovarian Cancer

September 25, 2018 Contributor

This year alone, more than 22,000 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer. It is now the fifth leading cause of cancer death in women in the United States. That is partly because most women do not know they have it until it is too late.

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More Infrastructure Investment Needed Upstate

September 24, 2018 Contributor

One of the biggest legislative challenges in Albany is making sure that there is parity in state spending between Upstate and Downstate New York. This is particularly challenging when it comes to transportation spending. New York City relies primarily on mass transit for its transportation needs. In Upstate, our primary mode of transportation is our cars. Accordingly, the needs of each region tend to be very different.

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Senator Ritchie’s Community Spotlight: Local Apple Orchards and Cider Mills

September 18, 2018 Contributor

Students are back in school and it will not be long before the leaves start to turn and the air gets a bit more crisp and cool. It may not have seemed likely just a few weeks ago, but these are sure signs fall is just around the corner.

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Volunteers Are Backbones of Local Fire Departments

September 17, 2018 Contributor

New York is heavily dependent on volunteer fire departments for fire protection. According to the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York, 89% of the state’s fire departments outside of the New York City area are volunteer. Their commitment to volunteer fire protection provides both a critical life-savings service to communities and a tremendous cost savings to area taxpayers.

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Senator Ritchie’s Community Spotlight: The Frederic Remington Art Museum In Ogdensburg

September 11, 2018 Contributor

Not that long ago, I hosted a special event at the Frederic Remington Art Museum in Ogdensburg. It attracted more than 30 U.S. and Canadian leaders from both sides of the upper St. Lawrence River to share ideas on how we can strengthen our already tremendous relationship. It was also a chance for me to show off the museum and its amazing artwork to those who can help spread its story. The works of Frederic Remington are a true North Country treasure.

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Higher Education Resources Offer Families Ways to Plan for College

September 10, 2018 Contributor

With kids starting a new school year, many will be encouraged to think about the future and set goals for themselves. For many kids, goals will include pursuing a college education. According to the U.S. Department of Education, 19.9 million students will attend American colleges and universities this fall.

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