Week in Review: Top 10 Cortland stories | Jan. 8 - Jan. 14

These are the top local stories of the past week.

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1 - Plans revealed for new ALDI store

Bigger ALDI supermarket planned for Cortland — Global supermarket chain ALDI is seeking local approval for a new retail store adjacent to its existing location in the town of Cortlandville. The proposed 19,000-square-foot building would be about 25 percent larger than the current store. Once the building is constructed, ALDI would move its retail store to the new space and lease the old building to another business, according to the company's site plan application.

2 - Man faces two felony charges for allegedly spraying graffiti

Cortland man charged in connection with downtown graffiti — Authorities arrested a man Tuesday who they believe is responsible for spraying graffiti on at least 20 buildings in downtown Cortland. Johnathan C. Mendez, of Cortland, was arrested at his residence Tuesday morning, according to the Cortland Police Department.

Cortland police believe they have arrested the man responsible for spraying these markings on a number of downtown structures.

3 - State Sen. James Seward pushes 2017 agenda in Cortland

In Cortland visit, Senator Seward outlines legislative priorities — High property taxes, a declining upstate New York populace and the heroin and opioid crisis are some of the key issues that New York State Sen. James Seward plans to address in 2017. The senator held a press conference in the chambers of the Cortland County Legislature Thursday morning to outline what he says are his legislative priorities for the year.

New York State Sen. James Seward [R-Milford] addressing local lawmakers and community stakeholders at the Cortland County Legislature Thursday morning (Photo: Peter Blanchard/Cortland Voice)

4 - Whitney Point man found safe after being reported missing for three days

Missing Whitney Point man found unharmed, police say — State police say a Whitney Point man who was first reported missing Tuesday has been found safe and unharmed. Paul A. Schwartfigure, 46, was located on West Main Street in the village of Whitney Point, not far from where he had last been seen, police said Friday.

Paul A. Schwartfigure (photo provided)

5 - Fatal crash in Dryden Friday

Ithaca man killed in Dryden crash — The Tompkins County Sheriff's Office has identified the victim of a fatal crash Friday as Brent D. Handy, 44, of Ithaca. Handy was killed in a Friday night crash while driving in the town of Dryden after his vehicle slammed into a tree, police said.

Photo: Jolene Almendarez/Ithaca Voice

6 - Fundraiser benefits injured Moravia student

Cortland business to host fundraiser for injured Moravia teen — Local residents organized a bottle and can drive Sunday for a Moravia high school student who was seriously injured in a car crash last month. Seventeen-year-old Dustin Mondics was listed in critical condition at Upstate Medical Center following the Dec. 29 crash. Since then, he has undergone several operations and continues to make progress in his recovery, according to a family member.

Dustin Mondics (Photo: GoFundMe/Dustin's road to recovery)

7 - Solar arrays planned for Dryden, Newfield

Tompkins County sees influx of solar arrays; new proposed projects in Newfield and Dryden — Once the realm solely comprised of hardcore eco-warriors, solar panels have made steady progress into Tompkins County in recent years, buoyed by decreasing materials costs and more efficient energy storage. Some of that comes in the form of rooftop panels installed by local firms such as Renovus Energy, but an increasing amount is coming from community solar arrays, which are more similar to conventional utility systems that serve a broad audience.

8 - Community leaders stress importance of mentoring

January is 'Mentoring Month' in Cortland County — This January marks the 16th annual National Mentoring Month, and Cortland Community Mentors (Cortland YWCA, Cortland Prevention Resources, and Access to Independence) in collaboration with Cortland Area Communities That Care are participating in this campaign aimed at expanding quality mentoring opportunities to connect more of our community’s young people with caring adults.

9 - Details of MLK Day event announced

YWCA Cortland to host MLK Day event — On Monday, January 16th, the YWCA Cortland will be hosting its annual Soup & Bread Lunch in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Serving will begin at 11:45 a.m. with presentation from 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. in the YWCA’s Multi-Purpose Room. The event is free and open to the public. It will feature two TED talks.

10 - National board hears complaint from Cayuga Medical Center employees

NLRB case with Cayuga Medical Center adjourned until Jan. 30; breaking down the case so far — The National Labor Relations Board has adjourned the hearing involving Cayuga Medical Center until the end of the month. The board has been investigating charges that Cayuga Medical Center terminated two nurses because of their union involvement. However, the hospital claims dismissing the two nurses was fair because they violated the hospital's blood transfusion policy.

Tompkins County Courthouse (Ithaca Voice file photo)