tompkins county

St. John’s Community Services in Ithaca was originally set to close next week on Saturday, Nov. 16. Instead, it closed Thursday because of staffing shortages.

St. John’s Community Services provides hotel rooms and shelter space to up to 80 people. Eighteen workers currently employed at the downtown Ithaca facility will be affected by the closure.

Elected officials and delegates from across the country are gathering in Chicago this week for the Democratic National Convention. Tompkins County Legislator Shawna Black is serving as a delegate at the DNC for the first time.

Dryden Fiber, an internet provider created by the town in Tompkins County to reach customers in rural areas, will receive nearly $9 million.

The university is tax exempt and has voluntary financial agreements with the city of Ithaca and the city school district.

Cooling centers are open across the region where people can take shelter from the heat wave.

Tompkins County Whole Health released new demographics data about overdose deaths in the area. Experts say people should be on the lookout for contaminated drugs that can cause a fatal overdose.

“Everyone takes 911 for granted, but it actually took 10 years to get 911 up and functioning across the United States.”

"We run 24/7, we have cars on all the time."

The jobs come with benefits and pay is higher than what many private home health agencies offer. But the county hasn’t gotten many applicants yet.