*Photo provided by Alex Simone

OSWEGO, N.Y. – The City of Oswego is asking for city residents to vacate all street parking for the next 48 hours.

Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow is calling for all vehicles to be removed from city streets, while the Department of Public Works works to clear the roads of snow and ice. The inclement weather and combination of snow and rain has caused many of the city’s drainage systems to clog.

“The significant weather event we are experiencing calls for the cooperation of all our citizens,” Barlow said. “In consultation with DPW Commissioner Tom Kells, I am requesting that all vehicles park off the road over the next 48 hours as the DPW works on snow removal and freeing the storm sewers from overflowing water.”

In addition, the Oswego City Police will continue issuing tickets and towing vehicles that are violating the city’s already existing parking ban from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m.

Several municipal lots are open and free to park in and for more information you are recommended to contact the Mayor’s office at 315-343-8140.

Reported by: Annie Flaherty

Two SUNY Oswego students have contracted the mumps this semester.  Vaccinations at the college are required for all students, but there is a 30-day period in the beginning of the semester before students have to provide the records of their immunizations.  The first case of the mumps appeared on campus during this period, whereas the second case appeared this past week.

School health officials took the proper precautions once they were notified the virus was on campus.

“We notified administration […] the student was placed in isolation, and isolation is just a private room on campus, and the student went home until results and symptoms resolved,” said Angie Brown, Director of Health Service at Mary Walker Health Center at SUNY Oswego.

Other students on campus had mixed reactions to hearing the diagnosis of the mumps in their community.

“I was going to get everything and do everything I could to keep myself healthy and safe,” said senior Joe Governale.

Since the school is taking precautions, other students had different things to say.

“I was kind of worried at first, but I don’t think it is as serious as some people think it is,” said student Lauren Nevil.
Officials at Mary Walker say that the symptoms of the mumps start out similar to the common cold, but the distinguishing symptom between the two are very swollen cheeks and glands under the ears.  If anyone is experiencing any of these symptoms, contact Mary Walker Health Center at (315) 312- 4100 or online at Oswego.edu/walker-health-center.