News

Groton Avenue stoplights to be turned on

Traffic lights on Groton Avenue in Cortland will be activated this week, city officials announced Tuesday at a nine-minute Common Council meeting. Alderperson Mary Clare Pennello (D-3rd Ward) …

Rail repair to close E. Court St. in Cortland

East Court Street in Cortland will be closed near iSpice starting about 9 a.m. Wednesday to repair a broken rail, the city announced Tuesday.   Police Chief David Guerrera said the New …

Heater causes early-morning fire in Homer

Homer firefighters warn about safe use of space heaters during a cold snap after a fire Tuesday morning on Cayuga Street in the village. Firefighters were called about 3:11 a.m., the department …

Dryden school employees on leave during misconduct probe

DRYDEN — Two Dryden Central School District employees are on paid administrative leave as police investigate allegations of sexual misconduct, said Superintendent Joshua Bacigalupi in a …
Today in features
This photo of a tufted titmouse by Jenny Burdette of Georgia won the photo contest for the 2019 Great Backyard Bird Count. The count returns next month to a backyard near you.
Great Backyard Bird Count coming in February
The Great Backyard Bird Count from Feb. 14 to 17 will attract birders from Cortland to the Republic of the Congo — anywhere you can find birds in a program the Cornell Lab of Ornithology …
Two Deep Space 2 probes were installed on the Mars '98 Lander Spacecraft at Kennedy Space Center in November 1998, and were Launched in January 1999. However, NASA lost contact with the probe in December 1999 as it was landing on Mars.
A lost probe, and a mystery to this day
  On Jan. 3, 1999, NASA launched an ambitious spacecraft named Mars Polar Lander. As the name suggests, its main objective was to land at the south pole of Mars and dig for water ice via a …
Ladysmith Black Mambazo, made popular in the United States when they performed on Paul Simon's "Graceland" album, will perform Feb. 18 at the Center for the Arts of Homer.
Plan your fun
Here’s a sampling of what’s going on in the greater Cortland area. MUSIC Jan. 17: Colleen Kattau and Harmonic Dirt, 7 p.m., Virgil Community Living Center, 1208 Church St., …
Trail mix can be as simple as mixing nuts, seeds and dried fruit. But with a little extra effort, you can give it a maple coating that's not sticky. It's a good stocking stuffer, or Easter basket addition. Valentine's Day, maybe?
Trail mix you’ll go nuts for
My wife is nuts for trail mix. As snacks go, it’s a pretty good one. Nuts and seeds have a good amount of protein and fiber. Fruit has fiber, too, plus a variety of nutrients. She nibbles …
One way to stay active this winter is by ice skating, either between the Homer Fire Station and  Community Building, or at the J. M. McDonald Sports Complex. Chase Sturdevant chose the former.
Combat the urge to hibernate
Going outside in the blustery winter weather can feel like a chore, and it’s easy to lay under a pile of blankets all day. But if you’re looking to challenge yourself in the New Year, try …
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Physical therapy and exercise can prevent and treat osteoporosis

Cayuga Health provides patients with several effective therapies for treating and preventing osteoporosis including medications, vitamin and mineral supplements, and bone building exercises.
Osteoporosis occurs when your bones progressively break down and become weaker. The disease is often described as silent because you may not notice outward symptoms until a fracture occurs. …
Death notices
Tinker — Ricky Lee Tinker, 64, of Homer, died Jan. 15, 2025.There will be no calling hours and private burial will take place in the spring at Sand Hill Cemetery. Wright-Beard Funeral Home, Inc. is …
Bower — Richard Bower, 84, of Ithaca, died Jan. 9, 2025. No services scheduled at this time. Zirbel Funeral Home is caring for the family.
Holmes — John Holmes, of Ithaca, died Jan. 14, 2025. No services are scheduled at this time. Central New York Cremation Service is caring for the family.
Randall — Sally Randall, 82, of Cortland, died Jan. 12, 2025. No services at this time. Central New York Cremation Service is caring for the family.
Sports

MARATHON 36, MORAVIA 22

Marathon's Jonathan Irwin smiles before getting his hand raised Tuesday night at Marathon High School. Irwin scored a first-period pin in Marathon's 36-22 win over Moravia.
An Andrew Infante-Franks (215 pounds) first-minute pin of Moravia’s Jake Bushey secured Marathon the dual victory. Marathon was set to win the match regardless due to a Moravia forfeit at 285 …

Cortland boys basketball bounces back against Oswego

This season for the Cortland boys basketball team has been one of proving doubters wrong. Fresh off their first loss since Dec. 12, the Purple Tigers were back in the win column with a 74-63 victory …
McGraw's Mason Allen lines up a free throw Friday night at McGraw High School.

DeRuyter boys basketball outlasts McGraw for bounce-back win

The DeRuyter boys basketball team opened the fourth quarter on an 8-2 run to finally pull away from a pesky McGraw team for a 48-38 win Friday night at McGraw High School. McGraw’s only …
Groton's Conor Eldred passes the ball Thursday at Groton High School.

Groton boys basketball wins fourth straight

GROTON –– The Groton boys basketball made it four in a row Thursday, taking care of Elmira Heights 60-45 at Groton High School. The win continued the Red Hawks’ midseason …
Special sections
The star cluster NGC 602 was one of the breathtaking photos the James Webb telescope took in 2024. The cluster lies on the outskirts of the Small Magellanic Cloud, a galaxy about 200,000 light years from Earth.
The star cluster NGC 602 was one of the breathtaking photos the James Webb telescope took in 2024. The cluster lies on the outskirts of the Small Magellanic Cloud, a galaxy about 200,000 light years from Earth.
The star cluster NGC 602 was one of the breathtaking photos the James Webb telescope took in 2024. The cluster lies on the outskirts of the Small Magellanic Cloud, a galaxy about 200,000 light years from Earth.
The star cluster NGC 602 was one of the breathtaking photos the James Webb telescope took in 2024. The cluster lies on the outskirts of the Small Magellanic Cloud, a galaxy about 200,000 light years from Earth.
The star cluster NGC 602 was one of the breathtaking photos the James Webb telescope took in 2024. The cluster lies on the outskirts of the Small Magellanic Cloud, a galaxy about 200,000 light years from Earth.