Harmful Algal Blooms: What they are and how government agencies are addressing the threat

On September 30, the Community Science Institute will be hosting a public forum on harmful algal blooms in Ithaca, New York. The Forum is co-sponsored by the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network and the

Floating Classroom.

The forum is designed to address public concerns and provide community members with information about the ecology of harmful algal blooms, how public health officials respond to such blooms, and future monitoring initiatives.

The event is scheduled to run from 9:00 to 12:00 pm at The Space at Greenstar, 700 W Buffalo St, Ithaca, NY 14850.

Invited organizations include: Finger Lakes Institute, Tompkins County Department of Health, NYSDEC Finger Lakes Hub, Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Organization, Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Commission, Finger Lakes PRISM, and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County.

For more on this event, click here.

Innovation in Prosecution Summit November 2 - 3, 2017

The Association of Prosecuting Attorneys will be holding its 4th Innovations in Criminal Justice Summit on November 2-3, 2017 in Philadelphia, PA.

The summit brings together a multi-disciplinary audience of criminal justice leaders to discuss initiatives which are creating more efficiency and effectiveness in our system of justice.

The event highlights and describes innovative programs across the nation and allows for discussion on emerging issues facing prosecutor's offices across the country.

For more information, click here.

Seneca County Police Departments offer child safety car seat check

Seneca Daily:

On Friday, September 22, 2017, from 2:30 pm-6:30 pm the Seneca Falls Police Department, in cooperation with the Waterloo Police Department, will be hosting an annual Child Safety Car Seat check at the Seneca Falls Police Department, 130 Ovid Street, Seneca Falls, NY.

Anyone with a car seat wishing to have the police check to ensure their seats are correctly installed or those who want to learn how to install a car seat properly can attend this free event. The police department will be able to distribute car seats for those that do not have them but will be limited to only one car seat per family.
No appointment is needed for this free event. Please bring the child with you when you come as it makes for a safer install.

Avoid Hurricane-related charity scams

The following tips have been offered by New York State officials for those contributing to the relief effort:

• Take Time To Research The Organization.
• Know Where Your Money Will Go.
• Give to Established Charities.
• Be Cautious With Telephone Solicitations.
• Check Before You Text A Contribution.
• Check Before Donating to an Online Giving Site.
• Don’t Respond to Unsolicited Spam Emails.
• Never Give Cash.
• Be Careful About Personal Information.
• Report Suspicious Organizations.

If you believe an organization is misrepresenting its work, or that a scam is taking place, click here.

For more information on how to avoid a scam, click here.

Law Day 2018 Theme Announced

The American Bar Association has announced the theme for Law Day 2018, "Separation of Powers: Framework for Freedom."

The U.S. Constitution designated a system of government with distinct, independent branches – legislative, executive, and judicial – and outlines how they interact. Congress, the Presidency, and the Supreme Court share power and serve as a check on the powers of the others, providing a framework for freedom.

For more information, click here.

Schuyler County Household Hazardous Waste, Electronics, and Tire Collection Day

Household Hazardous Waste, Electronics, and Tire Collection Day: Saturday, September 16th, 2017

REGISTRATION PERIOD: August 7 - September 13

WHERE: Schuyler County Highway Department, 901 S. Decatur Street, Watkins Glen

HOW TO REGISTER: Complete registration form and return to kvanhorn@co.schuyler.ny.us or mail to 105 Ninth Street, Unit 39, Watkins Glen, NY 14891.

CAN I REQUEST A DROP OFF TIME?: Yes! The drop-off times are assigned in 30 minutes increments starting at 9:00am. If you would like to come at a certain time please write that on your registration form and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Schuyler County and Yates County Residents Only (sorry, no businesses)

For more information, click here.

Institute for Advancing Justice on October 26, 2017

In looking to the future of criminal justice reform and the achievements of the last few years, the Charles Koch Institute is hosting “Advancing Justice 2017,” a one-day conference to be held in Washington, DC on Thursday, October 26, 2017.

Advancing Justice will offer attendees the opportunity to learn more about issues critical to the reform agenda – including the opioid crisis, collateral consequences, mens rea, and the future of federal sentencing.

Additional information about the schedule of events and confirmed speakers is available here.

Obituaries reflect devastating opioid crisis, as families tell truth about lost loved ones: Parents who have lost children to drug overdoses use obituaries to share the family's struggle with addiction.

Seneca County Working on Shared Services Plan

© Copyright 2017 Ithaca Times:

The Board of Supervisors that make up Seneca County’s governing body met on July 25 to discuss the latest revisions to the plan that will be submitted Sept. 15.

The plan consists of three main efforts for the county and local municipalities to work together to share services. The first idea would be a snow removal agreement between the towns within Seneca County and the County itself....

The second effort is a similar, but covers mowing of County roads instead of plowing...

The final effort of the plan would be to create a rental agreement between the County and Towns for unique county highway department equipment. The cost of owning the equipment is “substantial” according to the draft, but by increasing their usage by renting them out to towns that can’t justify the expense of owning them, the County could save more money and possibly reduce property taxes. This has happened in the past, but by formalizing it the effort can be added to the plan.

Schuyler County Joins Growing List of New York Counties Against Opioids

Schuyler County has become the latest New York State county to take action against the manufacturers and distributors of opioid pain killers.

The County Legislature voted Monday (August 14) to retain the firm of Napoli Shkolnik, PLLC to file a lawsuit on their behalf. Schuyler County joins other New York Counties and numerous municipalities nationwide already represented by Napoli Shkolnik.

Napoli Shkolnik will work with Schuyler County Attorney Steven J. Getman, as special counsel, to bring an action against the manufacturers and distributers of prescription opiates for damages to the County arising out of the fraudulent and negligent marketing and distribution of opiates in and to the County

“Over the past few years, despite its small population, Schuyler County has seen an uptick in opioid and heroin use and overdose,” Getman said. “To date, County officials have expended significant resources to help its residents battle opioid addiction and prevent further deaths. The lawsuit will seek to reimburse the County for its expenses related to the opioid crisis as well as provide the County with financial assistance to continue this battle.”

According to County Administrator Tim O’Hearn, the lawsuit will be filed at no risk to the County, as Napoli Shkolnik will work on contingency basis that will cover all costs associated with the lawsuit.

“By voting to go forward with litigation, the County Legislature hopes to lessen the burden to taxpayers and seeks to hold manufacturers and distributors responsible for their role in the opioid epidemic,” O’Hearn said.

“For many years the manufacturers and distributors of opioid pain medications have earned billions of dollars in profits flooding this Country with opioids” says Napoli Shkolnik attorney Joseph L. Ciaccio, “these lawsuits seek to force those companies to help clean up the devastation caused by these pills.”

“These drug companies have poisoned our communities and polluted our children” says Paul Napoli, of counsel for Napoli Shkolnik. Paul Napoli leads the charge with Hunter Shkolnik against drug companies nationwide.

“The painkiller overdose epidemic is a classic case of putting profits before people,” he said. “Many opioid manufacturers were so intent on selling as much product as possible that they either turned a blind eye towards, or intentionally buried, reports that these drugs were highly addictive and potentially deadly.”