These are the top local stories of the past week.
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1 – 'Seedstock' music festival draws hundreds to Cortland
Photo gallery: Seedstock music festival in Cortland — This past weekend, more than 1,000 people attended the 8th annual Seedstock music festival at Reed's Seed's farm in Cortland.
2 – Binghamton man charged in I-81 tractor trailer crash
Truck driver charged with vehicular assault in I-81 crash in Cortland County — A truck driver was charged with felony vehicular assault following a crash on Interstate 81 in the town of Marathon Monday morning, according to New York State Police. An investigation determined that Jeremy D. Austin, 36, of Binghamton, was impaired by drugs when he was driving a 2012 Freightliner tractor trailer on I-81 northbound and drifted off the roadway through a large median, police said. Austin then continued in the southbound lane, where he crashed into a tractor trailer.
Emergency crews respond to an accident on I-81 in Marathon after two tractor trailers collided in the roadway (photo provided)
3 – District attorney's race heats up
Patrick Perfetti secures four ballot lines in Cortland County District Attorney race — Local defense attorney Patrick Perfetti has received the support of four different political parties in his bid to be the next district attorney for Cortland County. Perfetti announced Monday that he has received endorsements from the Independence, Conservative and Reform parties in this year's election. Also running as a Republican, he will appear on all four ballot lines in the November election.
Patrick Perfetti is joined by supporters at a press conference in Cortland (photo provided).
4 – Guilty: Local man pleads guilty in Ithaca shooting
Cortland man pleads guilty to 2011 killing at Ithaca Chestnut Hill Apartments — A man pleaded guilty Monday to killing Francisco "Rico" Santiago in 2011 using a 9mm gun at the Chestnut Hill Apartments on West Hill. Gary “Pops” Lowe, of Cortland, pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter and will be sentenced to between five and 10 years in state prison, Judge John Rowley said.
Gary "Pops" Lowe
5 – Charity event for Kaelynne Driscoll draws hundreds
Hundreds attend benefit for Homer girl hurt in boating accident — Friends and family members of Kaelynne Driscoll gathered at the American Legion in Cortland Saturday for an event to benefit the Homer girl who lost and arm and a leg in a boating accident on Skaneateles Lake last month. Since the July 6 incident, friends and families have set up charities and events to support Kaelynne’s recovery efforts and medical expenses incurred by the family.
6 – Two implicated in Dryden burglary
Two men arrested after afternoon burglary in Dryden — Two Ithaca men were arrested on Wednesday after allegedly burglarizing a Dryden home, according to New York State Police. Javier Acosta, 38, and John Romero, 31, both from Ithaca, were charged with burglary in the 2nd degree, a felony.
7 – Layoffs imminent for employees of local solar company
About one third of Renovus Solar employees face temporary layoffs — Local solar energy installer Renovus has announced furloughs that will affect about one-third of their workforce, mostly those directly involved in the construction of large scale projects. A company representative stated that the employees were furloughed while the company is awaiting the finalization of financing of several large commercial projects, and the staff for those projects are unable to continue with their work until funds are available.
8 – New play to premiere at Cortland Repertory Theatre
'The Kitchen Witches' premieres at Cortland Repertory Theatre — For the fifth production in their 45th anniversary summer season, Cortland Repertory Theatre will present the piping hot comedy “The Kitchen Witches”, written by Caroline Smith. Performances will run fromAugust 17 – 27 with evening performances at 7:30. Matinees are available on August 19, 21, and 24 at2:00 PM. Tickets may be purchased by calling 800-427-6160 or at the CRT Box Office at 24 Port Watson Street in Cortland. Tickets are also available for sale 24 hours a day through the CRT website at www.cortlandrep.org.
In the photo: Diana Wilde as Dolly Biddle, Jason Shipman as Stephn Biddle, Rebecca McGraw as Isabel Lomax, with Seth Asa Sengel (in foreground) as Rob the Camera Guy, starring in Cortland Rep’s regional premier production of “The Kitchen Witches” running from August 17 - 27. Photo by Eric Behnke
9 – Fundraiser for Loaves and Fishes
Cortland Loaves and Fishes launches fundraiser following church fire — Cortland Loaves and Fishes has launched an online fundraiser to help cover increased costs associated with relocating its services following a fire at Grace Episcopal Church last month. The organization normally serves meals at the church at 13 Court Street; however, since the July 29 fire, Loaves and Fishes has been serving meals at United Presbyterian Church, located at 25 Church Street.
Cortland firefighters at the scene of a reported structure fire at Grace Episcopal Church in Cortland on July 29. Photo by Peter Blanchard.
10 – Charges filed in Marathon crash
Man charged with DWI after striking telephone pole, damaging property — A Cortland County man has been charged with driving while intoxicated following a crash in the town of Marathon last Sunday, the sheriff's office announced today. On Sunday, July 31, sheriff's deputies responded to Tim Hill Road in Marathon for a report of a motor vehicle crash. Upon arrival, officers found a 2017 Chevrolet Volt at rest against a telephone pole.
