As a mother and grandmother, I know there’s nothing more important that making sure one’s children are safe and out of harm’s way. That’s why I was surprised to learn that every two weeks, a child in the United States dies as a result of a tip-over incident involving a television or piece of furniture.
Several local firefighters have been traveling throughout our communities and schools in conjunction with National Fire Prevention Month. This month they’re out teaching young children about the basics of fire safety, hosting tours of fire trucks, and opening their fire departments to meet and greet the public.
This week, as temperatures in most areas dipped into the 30s, many of us took the chill out of the air by turning up our thermostats or lighting our fireplaces. As temperatures continue to drop, a little planning now will pay off in the longrun.
A report out last week graded New York’s overall infrastructure at a C-. The report gave roads and bridges a D- and D+ respectively. There were several categories included in the report published by the American Society of Civil Engineers, but since roads and bridges are our main source of transportation in Oswego, Jefferson and Onondaga counties, I wanted to mention some of the transportation investments made recently at the state level.
As residents of Central and Northern New York, we’re fortunate to live in an area that is rich in history. Across our region, the historical sites that dot our communities tell the story of our heritage to future generations and serve as reminders of the past.
In New York State, approximately 3 million caregivers provide more than 2.6 billion hours of care to loved ones each year. According to the New York State Office of the Aging, the economic value of this care is $32 billion. A family caregiver’s commitment often allows loved ones to stay out of nursing homes or assisted living, and in familiar surroundings close to family and loved ones.
Whether it’s picking up fresh produce at your local farmers market, or eating at a “farm to table” restaurant, people are becoming more aware of the benefits of eating foods that are grown and produced by farmers and agribusiness owners in our region and beyond.
There’s an effort under way for a four-county shoreline region of Lake Ontario to be designated as a National Marine Sanctuary. If designated, the local fresh-water area would be federally protected, help teach locals and visitors about the area’s rich Native American culture and historic underwater landmarks, and promote our fishing industry.
Here in New York State, apple growers harvest a whopping 29.5 million bushels of apples annually, making New York the second-largest apple-producing state in our country. Apples are more than just the key ingredient of fall favorites like cider and apple pie.
Last week brought the unwelcome news that Entergy, the company that owns and operates the FitzPatrick nuclear plant in Oswego County, is considering shutting down the facility. If this is to come to pass, the consequences to the local community and Central New York would be catastrophic.
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