The Oswego State women’s soccer team made some noise on a national level this weekend. The Lakers knocked off the number 8 team in the nation, their conference rival Geneseo 1-0. Audrey Burbidge found teammate Sarah Grupp who hammered home the games lone goal. Freshman goaltender Emma Allen did her part with a 10 save shutout. The loss marked the Knights first on the season. Oswego State improved to 7-5-1 overall and 4-4 in the SUNYAC. The Lakers will look to build on their monumental win Saturday as they take on Cortland.
Reported by Dylan Kuhn.
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Barlow proposes lower sewer bills for some city residents
Graph provided by Mayor Barlow via X, @mayorbarlow.
City of Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow proposed a $50 reduction to the sewer bill for flat-rate users. According to the mayor’s office, if approved, flat rate users would see their sewer bill decrease a total of $350 over the past five years.
“Further reducing the sewer bill for flat rate users is a well-deserved give-back to city residents who have paid too much in sewer fees due to the failures of previous administrations,” said Mayor Barlow, in a press release. “The work our wastewater department, economic development department, and smart budgeting and strategic thinking has allowed for two previous rate decreases and we are happy to continue that trend by further relieving residents with this proposed decrease.”
The proposed $50 reduction follows two previous annual reductions: a $200 decrease in 2019 and a $100 decrease in 2021.
Tonight at 6:30 p.m., the Administrative Services Committee will vote on the proposal at Oswego City Hall. If it passes, the Common Council will hold a full vote on Monday, September 11th.
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Underage Drinking
by Daniel Manou
Oswego, NY- As underage drinking and drug use grows around the country, Oswego County is trying to find ways to not only control this epidemic but turn it into a positive trend.
On a daily basis alcohol is in the public’s eyes whether from advertisements, stores or people using it around them regardless of the viewers age. According to a multi-year study by Farnham Family Services alcohol is the most used drug among minors in Oswego County. However, compared to the last survey, this year’s results are showing progress. Prevention Services Director Penny Morley believes the results of this year’s survey is heading in the right direction.
“We did a youth development survey in 2013 and another one in 2016, and our numbers are going down, youth that are reporting underage drinking,” she said.
Although Morley acknowledges the comparison of surveys shows only a small drop in underage drinking, she is still pleased with the numbers.
“Just a few percentage points, but even just a few percentage points is better than having an increase”, said Morley.
According to the survey nearly 70 percent of high school seniors have used alcohol. Most minors reported the easiest access is from their own home.
In an effort lead by Oswego County Undersheriff Gene Sullivan, police have attempted to stop underage parties. Sullivan has been working to shut down these parties and educate minors about the dangers of underage drinking since 2011. However, he has directly seen what consequences arise.
“By the end of the night we would have fights, vandalism would occur and in the worst case scenario people driving away from that party, getting into crashes some of them were fatalities,” Undersheriff Sullivan said.
In 2014, Farnham instituted the Oswego County Prevention Coalition in response to the 2013 survey and has worked alongside schools to educate the youth. According to the 2016 results, ninth grade, the same age period when alcohol is most dangerous to children, was where the usage jumped the highest.
“Anyone that uses before the age of 15 has a much higher likelihood of addiction as an adult, their brains are not fully formed at that point”, said Morley.
With the tactics that have been put in place and continue to be worked on, there have been signs that they have made an impact.
“I think there’s been tremendous progress, but it’s been painfully slow. It’s a difficult message to deliver”, said Undersheriff Sullivan.
Even with the long awaited results showing optimism, both Morley and Sullivan know their job isn’t done.
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Oswego Dragshow
Reported By: Deirdra O’Boyle
