HIT: Cayuga County is seeking an independent audit of the billing practices of NYSEG and RG&E after customers in our area reported that their utility bills increased by as much as 100% last winter.
A resolution passed by the Legislature last week聽requests that the state Public Service Commission and attorney general's office "determine the extent of errors, inconsistencies and potential overcharges."
For its part, NYSEG said an investigation won't do anything to lower rates, because it's only responsible for delivery. It said supply costs, state mandates and taxes are the "true drivers of high utility bills."
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Still, county leaders decided that complaints from residents and businesses over financial hardships related to "inaccurate billing, sudden rate spikes" and other issues were enough to seek a state review.
MISS: Advocates for early childhood education in Cayuga County are working on strengthening local support as they brace for a potential loss of federal funding.
Among the many ways the White House envisions putting education completely in the hands of states is a budget proposal that would cut funding for Head Start, which provides services to more than 800,000 children nationwide and about 300 in Cayuga County.
鈥淥ur community鈥檚 most at-risk children could lose access to early learning and possibly enter kindergarten unprepared,鈥澛燙ommunity Action Programs Cayuga/Seneca Executive Director Laurie Piccolo told 水果派AV. 鈥淭hey would also lose nutritious meals, vision, hearing, developmental screenings and dental care.鈥
The loss of Head Start,聽Piccolo said, would also eliminate the only source of affordable child care available to many parents, which in turn would force them to make tough decisions about trying to pay for child care or leaving the workforce to stay home with their children.

Gold Star Mothers Lorie Schneider, left, and Tammy Bell react聽during the unveiling of a聽new聽memorial for Gold Star Mothers and Blue Star Families in Cayuga County at Centerport Aqueduct Park in Brutus.
HIT: A memorial for military families was unveiled Friday聽at Centerport Aqueduct Park in Brutus, where representatives of the Department of New York American Gold Star Mothers gathered with family and friends to honor Gold Star Mothers and Blue Star Families in Cayuga County.
The memorial was聽organized by聽Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter No. 704 of Cayuga County.
Gallery: Cayuga County Gold Star Mothers memorial unveiled

Gold Star Mother Lorie Schneider, right, and her mother, Gold Star grandmother Dianne Vrotny, stand before the newly unveiled聽memorial for Gold Star Mothers and Blue Star Families in Cayuga County at Centerport Aqueduct Park in Brutus.

Retired Marine Steven Weldon leads the color guard during the unveiling of the memorial for Gold Star Mothers and Blue Star Families in Cayuga County at Centerport Aqueduct Park in Brutus.

Karen Juli salutes as Agnes Stampp lowers the flag to half-mast during the unveiling of a聽new memorial for Gold Star Mothers and Blue Star Families in Cayuga County at Centerport Aqueduct Park in Brutus.

Chaplain Gerald Fulmer says a prayer聽during the unveiling of a聽new聽memorial for Gold Star Mothers and Blue Star Families in Cayuga County at Centerport Aqueduct Park in Brutus.

Gold Star parents Margie and Bill Fleischhauer attend聽the unveiling of a聽new聽memorial for Gold Star Mothers and Blue Star Families in Cayuga County at Centerport Aqueduct Park in Brutus. The Fleischhauers lost their son, Sgt. 1st Class James Fleischhauer.

Retired Marine Fritz Allen salutes as taps is played聽during the unveiling of a聽new memorial for Gold Star Mothers and Blue Star Families in Cayuga County at Centerport Aqueduct Park in Brutus.

Members of the Department of New York American Gold Star Mothers and family take photos of聽the new聽memorial for Gold Star Mothers and Blue Star Families in Cayuga County at Centerport Aqueduct Park in Brutus.

Gold Star Mothers Lorie Schneider, left, and Tammy Bell react聽during the unveiling of a聽new聽memorial for Gold Star Mothers and Blue Star Families in Cayuga County at Centerport Aqueduct Park in Brutus.