Politics

It’s hard to believe that in just a few short weeks, students will be starting a new school year. If you’re a parent, you know that a big part of heading back to school is the shopping. As a mother and grandmother, I know that when you’re buying everything from new sneakers to supplies, it can add up quickly. In fact, this year, the National Retail Federation estimates that families will spend an average of $670 on back-to-school items.

If you have a loved one who is struggling with addiction, you know that their use of substances like heroin can be both frightening and heartbreaking. Here in New York State, the number of deaths from heroin overdose has doubled. In the Central and Northern New York, the number of users seeking treatment for heroin and opioid abuse has increased 300 percent (more than 400 percent in Oswego County) in just 10 years.

Living in Upstate New York, it’s hard to imagine life without Fort Drum. Its soldiers are not only defenders of our freedom, they and their families are our friends, coworkers and neighbors. In addition, the post also has an unparalleled positive impact on our region, supporting thousands of jobs and pumping roughly $1.4 billion into our economy annually. Currently, the military is studying what would happen if it cut 16,000 soldiers and civilians from Fort Drum.

From being a source of love and friendship to improving our mood and our health, pets can be such a big part of their owner’s life. Last week, we told you about new regulations to help protect our pets.
But there’s another group of animals who need your help, too, pets that are in shelters and looking to be adopted.

Can you imagine having your pet stolen? Sadly, pet theft is a reality for an increasing number of people. According to the American Kennel Club, there were more than 590 pets stolen in 2013. This represents a 31 percent increase over the number of thefts in the prior year.