News From Our Neighbors

NYPA Summer Movies

The New York Power Authority (NYPA) will continue its free “Friday Matinees” in July with showings of contemporary movies at the admission-free Frank S. McCullough, Jr. Hawkins Point Visitors Center and Boat Launch in Massena. During July, NYPA will show a selection of movies on Fridays at 1:30 p.m. in the visitors center auditorium. Free popcorn will be available for the movie showings.

July also marks the beginning of NYPA’s ‘Beat the Heat’ Summer Movie Series, which shows triple features of family-friendly films geared toward children every Tuesday at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., during the months of July and August in the visitors center’s air-conditioned auditorium.

July Movie Schedule:

July 20: “Joyful Noise” (2012). G.G. Sparrow faces off with her choir’s newly appointed director, Vi Rose Hill, over the group’s direction as they head into a national competition.

July 24:

10 a.m. “Puss in Boots”

1 p.m. “We Bought a Zoo”

3 p.m. “Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer”

July 27: “Big Miracle” (2012). In small town Alaska, a news reporter recruits his ex-girlfriend - a Greenpeace volunteer - on a campaign to save a family of gray whales trapped by rapidly forming ice in the Arctic Circle.

July 31:

10 a.m. “The Smurfs”

1 p.m. “Big Miracle”

3 p.m. “The Three Stooges”

Besides enjoying free movies, visitors can sample the array of hands-on exhibits at the Hawkins Point facility, which presents information on such subjects as electricity generation and NYPA’s St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project. Visitors are sure to enjoy the panoramic views of the power dam. The visitors center is now operating on its summer schedule and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Governor Cuomo Signs Indoor Tanning Legislation

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed legislation to better protect teens from dangerous exposure to UV radiation by limiting their access to indoor tanning facilities. The new law prohibits the use of indoor tanning devices by children less than 17 years of age and requires teens between the ages of 17 and 18 to obtain parental consent.

“Exposure to UV radiation can be extremely harmful, particularly for younger people, and this new law will help protect teenagers from the heightened risk of skin cancer that can come from using indoor tanning devices,” Governor Cuomo said. “This legislation recognizes that many tanning salons are small businesses facing economic challenges, however, protecting our children must always be our first priority.

Under previous law, individuals under 14 years of age were prohibited from using UV radiation devices and individuals between 14 and 18 years of age were required to present the signature of a parent or legal guardian.  This law takes effect in 30 days.

Burning Bans in Effect

The DEC has issue an emergency regulation implementing a statewide ban on residential brush burning through October 10. Violators of the open burning state regulation are subject to both criminal and civil enforcement actions. In addition, the Department of Environmental Conservation will suspend all burning permits previously issued. A moratorium on new permits is now in effect through October 10.

The Cornwall Fire Department has also issued a ban on all outdoor fires in the City of Cornwall until further notice. This ban includes approved residential fires in small fire appliances (outdoor pits), as per City By-law 2009-150. Residents who violate this ban may be prosecuted under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, and they may also be subject to full cost recovery measures as stipulated in the City By-law.