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Oswego’s Richardson-Bates House Museum
Reported by: Morgan Rumpf
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Japan Solves Plastic Pollution Problem
Oswego, NY — The world’s plastic pollution problem may now have a solution.
According to an article released in the academic journal “Science”, Japan may have discovered a plastic eating bacteria strain.
This bacteria strain can break down the most common plastic, called Polyethylene Terephthalate. It is often found in packaged bottled drinks, household cleaners, and beauty cosmetics. These items can be completely broken down by the strain.
The bacteria strand could mean good news for the environment because about a third of all plastic packaging does not end up in recycling; it ends up out in the environment. According to a report by the World Economic Forum, by 2050 more plastic will be in the oceans than fish.
Written By: Kirby Socker
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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.
