In this issue of Watertown NY

📅 Upcoming Events in Watertown NY for the Week

☁️ Watertown NY Weather Update

⚠️ Emergency Pet Care Hard to Come by as Veterinarian Numbers Dwindle

⛽ Community Staple General Store Undergoes Major Fuel Tank Upgrade

🦞 New York's Seafood Ambition: Navigating the Waters of Land-Based Aquaculture Expansion

📺 Investigation Launched into Alleged Abuse at Academy at Ivy Ridge Post-Documentary

👮‍♂️ Investigation Leads to Arrest of Jefferson County Jail Officer

🚌 Driving Change: How Binghamton's Mobile Grocer is Filling the Gap in Food Deserts

🏀 Patriots' Late-Game Heroics Secure First Final Four Spot in a Decade

Upcoming Events in Watertown NY for the Week

11-Mar-2024

Art Journaling ~ Mood Trackers

Fast-Track to Farming

16-Mar-2024

St. Patrick's Classic Hockey Game

2024 IHA/IHC Athletic Hall of Fame inducation ceremony

Emergency Pet Care Hard to Come by as Veterinarian Numbers Dwindle

The northern region is facing a significant veterinarian shortage, affecting pet owners' access to emergency and routine care. Tracy Weeks, a resident of Watertown, highlighted the emotional and financial challenges of securing surgery for her dog, underscoring the deep bond between them. The shortage is attributed to several factors, including professionals retiring or moving, work-life balance issues, and burnout. This situation has led to difficulty in obtaining urgent care and limits on accepting new clients, leaving pet owners and veterinarians in a challenging position.

Community Staple General Store Undergoes Major Fuel Tank Upgrade

The General Store and Tiny Bubbles Car Wash at 816 Bradley St. are currently undergoing significant renovations. Monroe Mechanical is installing two new 15,000-gallon fuel tanks to replace the 26-year-old existing ones. The project, which has been two years in planning, will also see the addition of a new gas station canopy, and the replacement of fuel lines and the electrical system, aiming to enhance the overall service quality for the community.

New York's Seafood Ambition: Navigating the Waters of Land-Based Aquaculture Expansion

New York's ambition to expand its land-based aquaculture industry faces significant challenges, including regulatory hurdles, high start-up costs, and water access issues. Despite these obstacles, the state's rich land and water resources present a fertile opportunity to reduce reliance on imported seafood. Initiatives like a $5 million funding program and the adoption of recirculating aquaculture systems by operations like Hudson Valley Fisheries showcase efforts to overcome these barriers. These systems not only enhance water use efficiency but also underscore the importance of biosecurity in sustainable seafood farming.

Investigation Launched into Alleged Abuse at Academy at Ivy Ridge Post-Documentary

Following the airing of a Netflix documentary, “The Program: Cons, Cults, and Kidnapping,” an investigation has been launched into abuse allegations at the Academy at Ivy Ridge in Canton. The district attorney and law enforcement are leading the probe, urging only those who attended the academy to contribute to avoid interference with the process. The documentary has prompted officials to call for former students to come forward with their claims.

Investigation Leads to Arrest of Jefferson County Jail Officer

In a significant development out of Watertown, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office disclosed that a corrections officer is now under arrest subsequent to a thorough probe into a use-of-force incident at the county jail. Spearheaded by Sheriff Peter R. Barnett, the investigation initially scrutinized a troubling occurrence within the confines of the jail involving a corrections officer. To ensure impartiality and thoroughness, the investigation was later handed over to the Watertown Police Department, marking a crucial step in addressing the issue.

Driving Change: How Binghamton's Mobile Grocer is Filling the Gap in Food Deserts

As New York grapples with an increasing number of grocery store closures, leading to widespread food deserts, a pioneering initiative in Binghamton seeks to counteract this issue with a mobile grocery service. The Greater Good Grocery bus, a repurposed school bus, travels across Binghamton to serve communities hit hardest by the lack of accessible, affordable, and healthy food options. Amidst a trend of grocery store shutdowns across the state, this mobile grocer offers a lifeline by providing easy access to essential groceries and is looking to further assist families by accepting EBT cards. This innovative solution presents a hopeful model for addressing food insecurity in upstate New York.

Patriots' Late-Game Heroics Secure First Final Four Spot in a Decade

The Sackets Harbor Patriots are headed to the New York State Class D final four after a thrilling comeback victory over Harrisville, winning 59-57. Overcoming a 17-point lag, pivotal plays by Marcus Castine and Jake Peters sealed the deal for Sackets Harbor, earning them their first final four appearance in 12 years. The team now looks forward to competing with high spirits, embodying their coach's philosophy of playing freely and with purpose.