WRFI FM (Ithaca, NY)

Walter Hang, president of Toxics Targeting, explains how the city’s condemnation of the old library in Ithaca is allowing the building to be razed before the asbestos is removed. Hang contends the demolition is likely a threat to public health. This interview with WRFI’s Lori Sonken aired on December 12, 2018. https://www.mixcloud.com/wrficommunityradionews/the-city-of-ithaca-condemned-the-old-library-what-does-this-mean-for-asbestos-clean-up/

At fourteen, Julian Eagle started working at WRFI as the station's very first Youth Radio volunteer. This week would have been his 21st birthday and this month was the one-year anniversary of his death from Fentanyl poisoning. WRFI's JT Stone got his start in radio working with Julian. He filed a tribute to a young man who made big waves at a little station. Photo: Scarlet Vinson

Ithaca Schools Cancel Outdoor After-School Activities Because of Heat After-school outdoor activities in the Ithaca City School District were canceled on September 6 because of the extreme heat. Wednesday marks the third day in a row that the National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for the region. Temperatures reached the mid-90s in parts of Tompkins and Schuyler counties.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation divides the state into nine regions. Dereth Glance is the new Region 7 Director. It covers Onondaga, Tompkins, Cortland, Chenango, Oswego, Madison, Cayuga, Tioga, and Broome counties. Glance most recently oversaw the DEC Environmental Remediation, Materials Management, and Mineral Resources divisions.

- Seneca Falls Supervisor Rejects Resolution About Lung Cancer Rates Near Landfill, Will Write Letter Instead - The Seneca Falls Town Supervisor rejected a resolution calling for the state to analyze the high rate of lung cancer near the Seneca Meadows landfill. FingerLakes1.com reports Mike Ferrara says he spoke to town board members and most were opposed to having the item on the most recent meeting agenda.

New Heat Advisory Issues A second heat advisory has been issued for parts of the Finger Lakes and Southern Tier. The first advisory ends at 7 PM on September 4. The second advisory is for September 5 noon to 7 PM. The advisories cover ten counties including Tompkins, Schuyler, Broome, and Steuben. The National Weather Service in Binghamton advises people to drink plenty of fluids,stay out of the sun and in air conditioning if possible.

- A Fifth Ward Candidate Is Staying In Race For Ithaca Common Council - An Ithaca Common Council candidate is staying in the race as an Independent. Jason Houghton lost the Democratic primary to Clyde Lederman by ten votes in June. Houghton told The Ithaca Voice he’s still running for the 2-year seat in the Fifth Ward. He’ll be on the independent Ithacans For Progress line on the November ballot.

- Tompkins County Legislator To Challenge Webb For State Senate Seat - Republican Tomkins County Legislator Mike Sigler plans to challenge Democratic State Senator Leah Webb in next year’s election. Webb represents the 52nd district which includes Tompkins, Cortland, and part of Broome County. Sigler is in his fourth term representing Lansing in the Tompkins County Legislature. He told WSKG Public Radio one reason he’s running is because the state isn’t treating towns and counties fairly.

- Ithaca Wastewater Facility To Get $6.2 M For Upgrades - The Ithaca Wastewater Treatment Facility will get funding for needed repairs. The Ithaca Times reports that the Common Council unanimously approved $6.2 million for the repairs. They include $2.7 million for a new boiler system. The facility serves the City and Town of Ithaca, and the Town of Dryden.

- Twelve Cases and One Death Caused By Respiratory Infection in Tompkins County - Tompkins Whole Health reports that 12 people in the City and Town of Ithaca have contracted Legionellosis. The health department announced on August 28 that one person had died of the disease. It’s commonly called Legionnaire’s Disease, Pontiac Fever, or Extrapulmonary Legionellosis. Symptoms include muscle aches, cough, high fever, and headaches. It is a bacterial disease and can become pneumonia if untreated.