As the saying goes, better late than never.

On Thursday, United States Senator for New York Charles Schumer said the Army Corps of Engineers approved the dredging of sediment in the Oswego Harbor. The project, scheduled to start on June 1st, has been long overdue as the last dredging took place in 2008.According to Army Corps Officials, the harbor is supposed to be dredged every 3-4 years.

Approximately 72,000 cubic yards of sediment will need to be dredged.  This process is used to counter the affects of sedimentation in channels of water, which in time can fill and render important waterways useless.  The harbor will be returned to an optimal depth after the removal of the deposited sediments, for shipping and leisure purposes.

Senator Schumer, says the dredging will give a boost to the local economy, commercial barges, family boaters and fishing charters in the harbor.  The Port of Oswego says it puts more than $1 billion into the local economy each year.  Other improvements that have already been made to improve rail access to the port are expected to increase capacity by 50 percent.

The Port of Oswego is the only deep water port on the U.S. shores of Lake Ontario, receiving large shipments of soy, corn, wheat and aluminum.

For the 4th consecutive year, students at SUNY Oswego will get the chance to test their knowledge about one of the country’s most significant events of the 19th Century.

The 4th annual Oswego War of 1812 Symposium will be held from Friday, April 4th to Sunday, April 6th.  The symposium will be held at the Lake Ontario Event and Conference Center, located at 26 East First Street, in Oswego.

All SUNY Oswego students are encouraged to participate in the War of 1812 research paper competition.  Paper topics may pertain to any part of the War of 1812.  No specific length is required, although they must be able to be presented on for at least 10 minutes.

The Symposium won’t just be limited to research paper presentations, however.  A total of twelve historian speakers will give their insight on the War of 1812. Some include historian and author, Dianne Graves, archaeologist and professor, Timothy Abel, as well as the Superintendent of Fort Ontario State Historic Site, Paul Lear.

Those who wish to present their submitted research papers can do so on Friday, April 4th.  Students presenting at the symposium will also have a chance to win $150.  Papers must be submitted by March 24.

Anyone with questions regarding the research papers may contact Dr. Weyhing at richard.weyhing@oswego.edu.

For more information on the symposium and how to register, go to http://visitoswegocounty.com/historical-info/war-of-1812/war-of-1812-symposium/

Congressman Richard Hanna has received unanimous support from the Oswego County Republican Committee from Congressional District NY-22 on Thursday night.  Hanna has served as a member of Congress since 2011, and represents the eastern half of Oswego County.

Oswego County Republican Chairman Michael C. Backus expressed his support for the Congressman.   “Congressman Hanna has been an independent voice for Oswego County since he was redistricted into our area, and I am thankful that he is carrying on the legacy of John McHugh and many others who went to Washington to solve problems and fight for Oswego County,” he said.

But the spotlight wasn’t just on the Congressman.  At the meeting, Oswego County Sheriff Reuel Todd announced he would be seeking re-election this November.

“There are few individuals in elected office the quality of Sheriff Todd. He is a fighter for Oswego County and the beliefs we hold dear,” said Backus.

Sheriff Todd has served as Oswego County sheriff since 1999.

A man who forcibly raped a woman in the Village of Phoenix in July of 2005 has been convicted.  Joseph A. Stefanovich was sentenced to 20 years in state  prison by Oswego County Court Judge James Metcalf, for Rape in the First Degree.  Stefanovich will also receive five years’ post-release supervision.  The conviction pertains to an allegation that Stefanovich grabbed the victim from behind, put her in a chokehold, and dragged her into a wooded area where the offense was committed.

Stefanovich was linked to the case due to a DNA sample from a 2006 case.  The DNA was on profile due to a prior sexual offense conviction.

At trial, Stefanovich claimed that his DNA appeared in the rape kit because he had a consensual encounter with the victim on the day of the offense.  He told the jury that another person must have raped her later that same day.

The victim testified that she did not know Stefanovich and had never engaged in consensual intercourse with him.

District Attorney Gregory Oakes, the prosecutor of the case, stated that he wanted to commend the victim for having the “strength to come forward and the courage to testify at trial. Our community is now safe from this predator because of her bravery and fortitude. It was an honor to stand up and fight for her in court.”