Centers for Disease Control releases update on flu season, vaccine effectivness
Better than nothing. That’s the official word from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to an updated release about the effectiveness of the flu shot. Preliminary data from five sites around the country ... more
OxyContin maker cuts sales staff, won’t hawk drug to docs
The decision by OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma to stop encouraging physicians to write the painkiller's scripts is drawing positive reviews from opioid experts who caution that far more work must be done to crush the ... more
Tompkins County Health Department: Flu diagnoses continue to rise, tips to stay healthy
As flu diagnoses continue to increase across New York State, Governor Cuomo has authorized counties to expand efforts that promote and increase access to flu vaccine and other prevention techniques. Tompkins County, similar to statewide ... more
Staggering flu numbers reported in NY, more than 11K confirmed cases
The flu is getting worse in New York. Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the influenza epidemic continued to increase across New York State over the past week, with 11,683 laboratory confirmed influenza cases reported to the ... more
Auburn City Council looking at Casey Park, landfill, drinking water projects
The next steps for several ongoing Auburn-area projects will be discussed during Thursday's Auburn City Council meeting. Casey Park City planning staff members Renee Jensen and Tiffany Beebee will unveil the design for the new ... more
Clyde doctor arrest creates problems for patients
As their doctor sits behind bars charged with possessing thousands of images of child pornography, patients in Wayne County are scrambling to find care. Dr. David Blasczak built his practice in Clyde over several decades ... more
Not too late for flu shots
Following what state officials are calling a “drastic” rise in flu cases throughout New York, local public health directors say it’s not too late to get vaccinated. According to the state Department of Health, influenza ... more
Proposal in place to lower legal-blood alcohol limit for drivers
A New York state lawmaker is proposing to lower the state's legal blood-alcohol limit for drinking and driving from .08 to .05. Democratic Assemblyman Felix Ortiz on Friday announced the re-introduction of his bill to ... more
Hospital officials discuss new partnership between Auburn, Syracuse and Rochester
Convenience and customer service were some of the concerns raised Wednesday at a community discussion regarding Auburn Community Hospital's new strategic partnership, but officials reassured residents that the quality of care should improve. Last month, ... more
Study: Overdose numbers soar in the Finger Lakes
Every county in New York has been touched by the opioid epidemic. Seneca is no exception. In 2016, Seneca County residents visited hospital emergency departments for opioid abuse or overdoses 46 times, and two people ... more
Helming announces $89K grant for farm to school program at Seneca County schools
Senator Pam Helming announced that Seneca County Cornell Cooperative Extension has received Farm-to-School funding through the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. The $89,442 grant will allow Cooperative Extension to continue and expand ... more
NY State Fair food inspections: 61 vendors cited in 2017 for things that can cause illness
State health inspectors found more than 100 critical violations by 61 food vendors at the 2017 New York State Fair, records show. The state provided a list of violations in response to a Freedom of ... more
‘It’s already a community’: Skaneateles fitness studio under new ownership
A Skaneateles fitness studio has transformed Sandy Pine's life in more ways than one. The 37-year-old Sennett woman became the new owner of Gazella Training, Fitness & Yoga starting Jan. 1, a career change for ... more
Health department: Confirmed flu cases up significantly in Cayuga County
Influenza activity is on the rise throughout the state and local health officials say it's no different in Cayuga County. According to the Cayuga County Health Department, since Oct. 1, there have been 250 lab-confirmed ... more
NLRB finds Cayuga Medical Center unlawfully fired two nurses to ‘rid itself of the union …
The National Labor Relations Board has found Cayuga Medical Center unlawfully fired two nurses "in an effort to rid itself of the union organizing drive," a decision released Tuesday states. From January to April 2017, ... more
Blood shortage creates more immediate need for donors
The American Red Cross is facing a critical shortage of blood donations after last week’s winter storm forced 10 New York blood drives to cancel. That equates to a loss of 235 prospective donations. In ... more
Local schools, FLCC to participate in plant-based dietary challenge
More than 1,300 members of the Finger Lakes Area School Health Plan, a local healthcare consortium made up of 35 school districts and Finger Lakes Community College, are diving into the new year by embracing ... more
Yates cancer patients can get grants
After surpassing its fundraising goal for 2017, a grassroots organization that supports Yates County residents with cancer is offering grants of up to $500 for those patients. Hope Walk of Yates County, a nonprofit group ... more
Thompson Hospital imposes new visitor restrictions as flu cases increase regionally
Based on an increase of influenza reported in the region, UR Medicine Thompson Health is instituting visitor restrictions at both F.F. Thompson Hospital and the M.M. Ewing Continuing Care Center effective Wednesday. Until the prevalence ... more
