Auburn Hospital System Foundation Inc. has received $5,000 from the Allyn Foundation Inc. to purchase a cytology microscope for the hospital's medical laboratory. The microscope will be used primarily for the cytological screening of Pap smears, as well as for specimens such as lung or abdominal fluids.

"The need for a microscope that provides high-powered resolution of cells has intensified with the growth and development of thin preparation Pap smear technology," said Thomas Filiak, administrative director of clinical laboratory services at AMH. Beverly Miller, executive director of Auburn Hospital System Foundation, said the hospital was grateful for the gift from the Allyn Foundation.

Renewal program launches Web site

The state's Division of Housing and Community Renewal has launched a Web site to promote the New York Main Street Program.

The program is designed to stimulate downtown revitalization in communities across the state by providing funding for facade and building renovations and streetscape enhancements. In the last round of funding, projects in Auburn and Union Springs were approved.

Already, more than $11 million in grants have been awarded to 60 communities in 47 counties.

The Web site address is www.nymainstreet.org.

- From staff reports