News

The heart of the newsroom: the local desk and the local editor

At the heart of every newsroom I’ve ever worked in lies the local desk. At the heart of that is the local editor. What news organizations do, physically, is a reflection of how they think. …

50 rally in downtown Cortland

More than 50 people rallied Saturday at Main and Port Watson streets in Cortland to show support reproductive rights and social justice. The rally was organized by Indivisible Cortland County, …

Calling hours Saturday for former chief

Calling hours will be 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Cortlandville Fire Department on Route 13 in Cortlandville for past chief and Commissioner Gary Henry, the department has announced via social …

Homer school board has special meeting

The Homer Central School Board of Education will have a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in the Homer Training and Education Center.
Today in features
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 …
Michelle LoGerfo's art "843-9357," is a connection with her childhood, via her phone number.
Artists connecting with all sorts of media
A brush can connect with a canvas, or a dancer’s feet can connect with the floor after a leap. All art at the Community Arts Challenge was created to connect in some way or another. More …
Sponsored Content

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

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 …
Cincinnatus' Kaedance Latta tracks the ball before setting it Wednesday night at Cincinnatus Central School.

Cincy girls volleyball comes back to beat F-P in sectional final rematch

These Cincinnatus girls just refuse to lose. Facing a 2-1 deficit with no momentum at all, the Cincinnatus girls volleyball team battled back to win a tightly-contested fourth set and dominated …
Special sections
Jessica Zimmerman's painting of Liz Cooper will be for sale and viewing at her upcoming gallery opening Friday at the Cortland Corset Building.
Jessica Zimmerman's painting of Liz Cooper will be for sale and viewing at her upcoming gallery opening Friday at the Cortland Corset Building.
Jessica Zimmerman's painting of Liz Cooper will be for sale and viewing at her upcoming gallery opening Friday at the Cortland Corset Building.
Jessica Zimmerman's painting of Liz Cooper will be for sale and viewing at her upcoming gallery opening Friday at the Cortland Corset Building.
Jessica Zimmerman's painting of Liz Cooper will be for sale and viewing at her upcoming gallery opening Friday at the Cortland Corset Building.