New York State passed a law banning plastic bags on March 1st of this year. However, the state will not begin implementing fines on retailers until at least April 1st. Most stores are switching to paper bags, but these tend to come at a charge because they are more expensive than the previously used single-use plastic bags.
Bosco’s manager. Theresa Himes, says the local grocery store has also began selling reusable bags to customers “We discontinued the plastic ones. We’re using paper bags for some people that don’t have the reusable or don’t want to purchase them.”
Customers are encouraged to bring their own bags when shopping, to not only reduce waste but money, as well. If anyone is in need of any reusable bags, they can stop by City Hall to pick some up for free.
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SUNY Oswego’s First Annual Phishing Tournament
The month of October is always composed of haunting attempts and scares as Halloween approaches on October 31, however one trick that tends to stick around all year is phishing emails and other scams that invade campuses and effect students all across the nation. It is because October has been deemed Cyber Security Awareness Month. This is an annual campaign that is utilized in order to raise awareness about cyber-security. As technology has become so prevalent in our everyday lives, cyber-security is relevant and should be recognized by everyone in the Oswego community.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, National Cyber Security Awareness month is designed to engage and educate public and private sector partners through events and initiatives to raise awareness about cyber-security, the purpose is to provide people with tools and resources needed to stay safe online, and increase the resiliency of the Nation in the event of a cyber incident.
To bring light on cyber-security SUNY Oswego has launched its first annual Phishing Tournament through Campus Technology Services. The goal of this tournament is to raise awareness to the cyber threats placed on the campus through phishing emails.
The tournament rules are simple, every time a student receives a phishing email on their SUNY Oswego email account, they can forward that email to phishing@oswego.edu with the subject reading “Contest Entry.” Every time a new phishing email is forwarded, the student will be entered in a drawing for an amazon gift card. The winner will receive a $50 gift card, second winner will receive a $25 gift card, and third place will be given a $10 gift card.
Phishing emails often trick people into giving away private information that can be used in illicit ways. Campus Technology Services would never ask for personal information via email, however still advise everyone to check the sender on every email they get and hover over any attached links in the email to see where they go just to be safe. The best thing to do after accidentally interacting with a phishing email in any way would be to change the password to your email account.
The first annual CTS, Campus Technology Services, Phishing Tournament will run from October 1 through October 30, and the winners will be selected on Halloween.
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SUNY Oswego club gives students a chance to share their ideas
By Savannah Malerba
OSWEGO, N.Y.– SUNY Oswego has many clubs that students can join on campus, but some are harder to find than others. The Oswego Odyssey is a small club of writers who write blogs focusing on topics that appeal to college students and the Oswego community.
The Odyssey is a national online platform where contributors across the United States write long form articles and create videos. The content that shows up for each reader is tailored to their interests.
Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Oswego Odyssey Brooke Lehr said she has been writing for Odyssey since her freshman year; two years ago. She said the reason why she loves the Odyssey is because it is an outlet for her to share her opinions with people and she is happy to help people share their ideas as Co-Editor-in-Chief.
Oswego Odyssey contribuer Corey Cesare said she joined the club at the start of the semester because she loved writing. Cesare said since joining, she has found success on the platform with one of her articles getting over 3,000 views which according to Cesare is “a big deal!”
Lehr said that the Odyssey looks great on a resume because it shows writers persuasion skills by trying to persuade readers with their views and also shows commitment by posting consistent weekly articles for a national platform.
If you are interested in joining the Oswego Odyssey writers or interested in more info, please email odysseyatoswego@gmail.com. -
Oswego Students Take a Stand Against Anti-Semitism
Several Oswego State students and faculty gathered in front of the peace memorial for a candlelight vigil last Friday in honor of the victims of the Pittsburgh synagogue attack.
The vigil was held shortly after the suspect of the Pittsburgh attack, Robert Bowers, plead not guilty for the 44 criminal charges held against him in court last Thursday.
“We’re here to send a message of love and hope, and that hate is not welcome here,” Oswego Student Association President Omar van Reenen said. “Anti-semitism, gun violence, racism, and marginalization in all forms are not welcome on our campus, in our communities, or in our states.”
Van Reenen worked with the Student Association on campus to organize the vigil. Students and faculty held candles and signed a poster that read “Stronger than Hate.” Students gathered around the peace memorial for statements read by various members of the campus community including Sarah Nehama, vice president of Jewish Life on campus.
“I just want people to realize that anti-semitism is still a big thing,” Nehama said. “We had a 60 percent spike in anti semitism in 2017 which is crazy and this week we also had a synagogue defaced in California.”
The attacks in Pittsburgh and the defacement of a synagogue in California are just part of the growing problem with violence being expressed in America. The issue of gun violence in America continues to grow.
