Oswego County TodayPoliticsFREE Independent News for Oswego County

Working Together For A Fun, Safe School Year

September 4, 2018 Contributor

It is hard to believe another summer is drawing to a close. Now, as we prepare for fall, families across our region are gearing up for another school year. As a mother and grandmother, I know there are certain steps that can be taken to ensure the first day, and the rest of the year, go as smoothly as possible

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Assembly Passes Bill to Separate Student Test Scores from Teacher Evaluations

September 3, 2018 Contributor

As students and teachers begin a new school year, I thought it would be a good time to update constituents on the Common Core standards, now known as the Next Generation Learning Standards, and where things stands with standardized testing. As many will recall, in 2013 the New York State Board of Regents adopted the Common Core learning standards. Almost immediately following their adoption, it was realized that the standards were flawed and that the quick implementation of Common Core would create unnecessary hardship on students, parents, teachers and administrators.

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Senator Ritchie’s Community Sportlight: The 80-Year-Old Thousand Islands Bridge

August 28, 2018 Contributor

Over the course of my time as a state senator, I have seen how impactful the relationship is between our region and our Canadian friends to the north. While I have worked hard to ensure this partnership is one that benefits both great nations, I am simply picking up where others left off. There is no better example of how well connected we are to Canada, than the largest symbol of our welcome to one another, the Thousand Islands International Bridge.

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Synthetic Drugs Continue to Pose Public Health Threat

August 27, 2018 Contributor

Earlier this month, more than 100 people were hospitalized within a short time period for synthetic drug overdose in New Haven, Connecticut. Health officials there issued a public health alert, warning people of the dangers of the drugs after several people convulsed and collapsed at a public park. This was not an isolated incident and our region is no stranger to the impact of synthetics drugs.

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The Great New York State Fair: A Special Way To End The Summer

August 21, 2018 Contributor

It is hard to believe that Labor Day is just around the corner. However, before we wrap up another great summer in Central and Northern New York, there is still lots of fun to be had, and that includes the Great New York State Fair. Last year, the Great New York State Fair drew a record 1,161,912 visitors and this year is expected to be the best yet.

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New York’s Credit Card Debt Higher than National Average

August 20, 2018 Contributor

Earlier this year, the state comptroller’s office issued a report about consumers’ credit card debt in New York state. The information, which is largely based on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s data, shows how people are managing their households within their local economies and serves as a basis for comparison when it comes to household finances.

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Helping Cows Beat The Heat

August 14, 2018 Contributor

This summer has been one of the hottest, most humid, I can remember. While the extreme heat is forcing all of us to take some extra precautions, it is important we do not forget our animals, pets and those responsible for producing the main ingredient for many of our farm fresh foods, milk. Unfortunately, as temperatures rise, so do the stress levels of dairy cows.

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Interest in Outdoor Sports Growing, Hunter Education Offered through September

August 13, 2018 Contributor

New York State has thousands of lakes, ponds, rivers, streams and millions of acres of forest. The geographic diversity of our state, and its great natural resources, not only makes New York a beautiful state to live in but a wonderful place to enjoy the outdoors.

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Providing A New ‘Leash’ On Life For Pets In Need Of Adoption

August 7, 2018 Contributor

Every year, more than 150,000 animals are brought to local shelters across New York State. While our shelters do an amazing job of spreading the word that these animals need a loving home, the unfortunate, heartbreaking, reality is that many of these animals do not end up finding their forever family.

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Legislature Passes Bill to Better Protect, Promote Living Organ Donors

August 6, 2018 Contributor

In my mind, one of the most selfless things a person can do is to be a living organ donor. In order to give the gift of life to another, a living organ donor not only sacrifices a part of his or her body for another, but also endures the necessary medical procedure, the healing and other hardships. While many have undertaken this incredibly generous act, there is a huge gap between those awaiting an organ or tissue transplant and the organs and tissues available for transplant.

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