Hello! These are the top local stories of the past week.

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1 – A rogue black bear captured the hearts and minds of Cortland residents

Bear tranquilized after climbing tree in Cortland – Dozens gathered near the intersection of Elm and Crandall streets Monday morning after a 200-pound black bear climbed the tree of a residential home. About an hour later, the bear was tranquilized and taken to Cornell's Animal Health Diagnostic Center, where it was pronounced dead. The cause of death was later revealed to be respiratory failure due to the tranquilizer dart striking a vein or artery of the bear.

This black bear climbed up a tree in a residential neighborhood in Cortland Monday morning. Photo by Greg Gallow

2 – An alpaca farm in Marathon suffers devastating losses

Man charged in death of 143 alpacas at Cortland County farm – A Cortland County man was charged with animal cruelty on Friday in the death of 143 alpacas that were under his care, according to the Cortland County SPCA. Dayton L. Wood, the man who had been hired by the owner of Sam Groome Alpaca Farm in the town of Marathon to look after the animals, has been charged with 143 counts of animal cruelty—1 count for each alpaca that was found deceased while under his care. Each count carries a maximum sentence of up to 1 year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

The Sam Groope Alpaca Farm in Marathon in March (Photo by Bill Carr)

3 – Controversial jail project rejected by legislators

Cortland County Legislature votes down phase two of jail project – The Cortland County Legislature voted down a measure Thursday that would have allocated $1.9 million toward the design phase of a proposed countywide public safety complex. Legislators voted 11-6 Thursday not to move forward with phase two of the project.

The Cortland County Legislature at a meeting in April (Peter Blanchard/Cortland Voice)

4 – Exclusive: Cortland County Attorney's Office hires prosecutor who neglected a witness in a previous case

Former Tompkins prosecutor who neglected witness hired by Cortland County Attorney's Office – A former assistant district attorney in Tompkins County—who was found to be negligent in a high-profile case involving a Tompkins County sheriff's deputy—has been hired by the Cortland County Attorney's Office, an official confirmed Wednesday. Wendy Franklin, who recently resigned from her position at the Tompkins County District Attorney's Office, has been hired as the assistant county attorney for Cortland County, according to county attorney Karen Howe.

Wendy Franklin presents a piece of evidence to a jury in the Peter Mesko trial in Tompkins County. Franklin served as the prosecutor for a case involving the Cornell student who was accused of rape (Ithaca Voice file photo).

5 – Get ready for Starbucks, Cortland!

Starbucks may be coming to Cortland – The nation’s biggest coffee chain is looking to take advantage of the recent departure of Tim Horton’s from the city of Cortland. The company is eyeing a piece of property on Clinton Avenue.

6 – Authorities make arrest in April burglary of Virgil Country Market

Two charged with burglary of Virgil Country Market – Three people were arrested Wednesday in connection with a reported burglary at the Virgil Country Market on April 18, the Cortland County Sheriff's Office announced Thursday.

James. A. Perone, 20, of McGraw, and Zachary J. Morgan, 18, of Cortland (Photo provided)

7 – Dryden voters to decide on land for park

6 things to know about the $72,000 Dryden land purchase before the vote – On Tuesday, Dryden voters will be headed to the polls to decide on a hot-button issue–whether to allow the town to spend $71,800 on 15 acres that is intended to be a park or recreation area. The vote – referred to as a referendum – is happening after opponents of the purchase gathered more than 300 signatures demanding that the issue be decided upon by Dryden residents.

File photo by Ed Dittenhoefer

8 – A longtime SUNY Cortland coach announces her retirement

Longtime SUNY Cortland field hockey, lacrosse coach announces retirement – Cynthia Wetmore, SUNY Cortland's field hockey coach since 1998 and the Red Dragons' women's lacrosse coach from 1998-2007, has announced her retirement from the College. With an overall record of 271-74 (.786) in 18 seasons as Cortland's field hockey coach and a 146-37 mark (.798) in her 10 years at the women's lacrosse helm, Wetmore is Cortland's career wins leader in both sports.

Cynthia Wetmore

9 – Upstate NY man charged in "gang assault" at TC3

Man charged in reported gang assault at TC3 residence hall – A Dutchess County man has been charged with gang assault in connection with a reported incident that at a residence hall at Tompkins Cortland Community College, according to a statement from the college.

Lemain A. Jackson, 20, of Hopewell Junction, N.Y. (photo provided)

10 – Traffic stop leads to discovery of meth lab

Police find meth lab following traffic stop in Cortland – Two Cortland County residents were arrested on drug-related charges Tuesday following a traffic stop on River Street, New York State Police said.

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