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.

WEATHER HEADLINES:

Friday: Small chance of rain showers in the evening. Mostly cloudy. Temperatures in high 30s, and low 40s. Winds 10-15mph.

Saturday:  Snow and rain in the early morning followed by a small chance of scattered snow and rain throughout the day. Temperatures in the mid to high 40s. Winds 10-15mph.

Sunday: Temperatures in the mid 50s with rain showers scattered throughout the late afternoon. Winds 10-15mph.

Highs for Today (Friday):

• Oswego: 40℉ 
• Fulton: 43℉
• Syracuse: 45℉

Lows Tonight:

• Oswego: 35℉ 
• Fulton: 33℉
• Syracuse: 32℉

Highs for Saturday:

• Oswego: 44℉ 
• Fulton: 42℉
• Syracuse: 46℉

Lows for Saturday:

• Oswego: 39℉ 
• Fulton: 36℉
• Syracuse: 37℉

Highs for Sunday:

• Oswego: 55℉ 
• Fulton: 56℉
• Syracuse: 55℉

Lows for Sunday:

• Oswego: 29℉ 
• Fulton: 35℉
• Syracuse: 36℉

Stay tuned to WTOP10 News for more updates.

Written by Stefanie Sciolaro and Abbey Buttacavoli

OSWEGO, N.Y.– Almost all 150 seats in SUNY Oswego’s Marano Campus Center auditorium were filled Wednesday for the first Oz Speaks event of the fall semester. The event was a panel discussion talking about 49ers starting quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneeling during the national anthem before a game last year. Oswego professor, Brian Moritz, moderated the panel which included SUNY Oswego professors, Bonita Hampton,  Kenneth Marshall and ESPN Radio Syracuse’s Brent Axe.

Each panelist gave information on the historical roots involving racial inequality in America. In regards to Kaepernick taking a knee, Dr. Kenneth Marshall said, “about time. From 1619 to 1865 when lincoln signed the paper freeing black people. 3.5 million black people who worked for free, America had 246 years as a nation of oppression and approximately 152 years as a nation of liberation, so we are better at oppression than liberation, that’s who we are.”

Axe said that he has talked to people who feel that football Sunday is no time for political statements, but people react one of two ways. Either they immediately are angered, or they think that maybe it is something they should listen to. 

Bonita Hampton said for students to educate themselves that that they can  fight racial inequality in America.

Axe explained that Kaepernick had taken a knee before, and no one had noticed. However, once the cameras captured an image of him down on one knee, there was proof, and it took hold. Axe concluding by telling the audience to “never underestimate the power of a powerful image.” 

Other Oz Speaks topics this semester include freedom of speech and social awareness. Dates are still being determined.