Regional Coverage

Mayor Miner wants Hotel Syracuse redeveloped - one way or another

Ellen Abbott — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:18:16 +0000

Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner says the city isn't giving up on the latest proposal to renovate the Hotel Syracuse. A plan for the city to take over the tax delinquent property stalled last week when, Financitech, which holds the mortgage on the hotel, paid back taxes at the last minute.

Sen. Gillibrand Focuses On Family Issues To Raise Her Brand

Ailsa Chang — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:16:00 +0000

Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York is introducing legislation with other lawmakers Thursday that would change how the military handles sexual assault cases. The proposal would let military prosecutors — rather than commanders — decide whether to bring serious military crimes to trial.

It's the latest high-publicity move for a senator who was virtually unknown four years ago when she was appointed to fill Hillary Clinton's senate seat.

"Opt-out" deadline for NY gun law passed, with backlog of applications

Ellen Abbott — Thu, 16 May 2013 13:11:11 +0000

As the deadline for the "opt-out" portion of the New York SAFE Act passed Wednesday, the Onondaga County Sheriff's Department was still wading through thousands of forms from gun owners who don't want their pistol permit information available to the public.

Syracuse's Hancock Airport unveils remodeled security checkpoint

Ellen Abbott — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:14:01 +0000

Starting this morning, it won't take so long for you to get through security at Syracuse's Hancock International Airport. A $60 million project will funnel all outbound passengers through a new security checkpoint at the center of the airport.

Baldwinsville post office dedicated in honor of fallen Marine

Ryan Delaney — Tue, 14 May 2013 12:51:05 +0000

The post office in Baldwinsville is now named for a fallen Marine born and raised in the town. On Monday, a ceremony was held to dedicate the building.

City plans to take over Hotel Syracuse on hold for now

Ellen Abbott — Mon, 13 May 2013 13:41:58 +0000

For the second time in less than two years, back taxes have been paid on the Hotel Syracuse, effectively scuttling plans for the city of Syracuse to take control of the property, and sell it to a developer. So, city officials are now looking at a "Plan B."

Vermont grants driver's licenses to migrant workers

Sarah Harris — Mon, 13 May 2013 13:16:05 +0000

Dairy farms in northern New York and Vermont have faced a major labor shortage, which means that migrant laborers from Mexico and Guatemala are now milking many of the region's cows. But farm country here is not an easy place to be a migrant worker: It's rural, hard to get around, and there's not a big Latino population. But a new law means that migrant workers in Vermont will soon be able to drive legally.

Remington Arms' owner breaks silence on state's gun laws

Ryan Delaney — Fri, 10 May 2013 12:57:42 +0000

The owner of the Remington Arms factory in upstate New York has finally made a statement about the state's strict gun control laws, calling them unconstitutional, nearly four months after their enactment.

Maid of the Mist construction resumes with much opposition

Ashley Hassett — Thu, 09 May 2013 14:52:56 +0000

The Maid of the Mist tour boats have been working around Niagara Falls for 167 years. Development has just resumed on the operation’s new maintenance dock, after delays caused by local opposition.

Syracuse Common Council restores fire department cuts, but that may not last

Ellen Abbott — Thu, 09 May 2013 03:39:00 +0000

The pleas of Syracuse firefighters pleas were answered by the city's common councilors as they voted to restore cuts to the fire department. But, the vote by the council to shift money in the mayor's proposed budget, doesn't mean the Syracuse Fire Department will get that money.

Fort Drum's frequent deployments expected “til the end” in Afghanistan

Joanna Richards — Tue, 07 May 2013 03:14:00 +0000

It's a busy time for Fort Drum, near Watertown. Even as the Army prepares to leave Afghanistan, the post has parts of two brigades deployed. Its aviation unit is about to ship off for a nine-month tour. And the 10^th Mountain Division is expecting more orders from the Pentagon soon.

North Country news giant John Johnson Jr. steps down from Watertown Daily-Times

Joanna Richards — Mon, 06 May 2013 12:47:54 +0000

After a long career devoted to documenting – and shaping – North Country life, John Johnson Jr. is far from calling it quits. But he is stepping down from daily oversight at the Watertown Daily Times and its parent company, Johnson Newspapers, helping to make way for a new generation of family leadership.

Syracuse firefighters make last gasp to save Station 7

Ellen Abbott — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:23:43 +0000

Syracuse firefighters have made a last gasp attempt to save Engine Company Number 7 from the Mayor's budget ax. Mayor Stephanie Miner's proposed budget would shutter the crumbling station, as well as cut four members from the ranks of the firefighters.

State approves funding for upstate food and agriculture projects

Ashley Hassett — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 11:48:00 +0000

Empire State Development approved funding for two upstate food and agriculture related measures in their meeting Friday.

Community comes out to support Fort Drum as Army reorganizes

Joanna Richards — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:58:23 +0000

About 200 community members turned up in a school auditorium in Watertown Thursday night in a showing of regional support for Fort Drum. The event was billed as a “listening session” for the Army, to inform a process of personnel cutbacks and reorganization currently affecting military installations around the country.

Father, daughter Fort Drum soldiers will deploy together to Afghanistan

Joanna Richards — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:38:28 +0000

An unusual pair of “battle buddies” is about to deploy to Afghanistan from Fort Drum. Michael and Miranda Mogg are a father-daughter pair of soldiers with the 10^th Combat Aviation Brigade of the Army's 10^th Mountain Division.

Homeowners push for student zoning to fight rental properties

Ryan Delaney — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:29:00 +0000

The Southeast University Neighborhood Association has been fighting back against an invasion for decades.

Events like Boston Marathon bombing can have psychological effect on everyone

Ellen Abbott — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 20:19:55 +0000

Central and northern New York may be hundreds of miles from Boston, but there is still a psychological fallout for people in this region and across the country from the marathon bombing and subsequent manhunt.

Onondaga County DA announces indictment in Bresnahan murder

Ellen Abbott — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 21:01:35 +0000

An Onondaga County grand jury has returned a 37-count indictment against the Cicero man accused of raping a 10-year old girl and stabbing a Liverpool woman to death last month.

Jeanne Theoharis on the Campbell Conversations

Grant Reeher — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 18:04:36 +0000

Jeanne Theoharis has recently published the definitive biography of Rosa Parks. In this edition of the Campbell Conversations, the Brooklyn College Professor counters the many myths held by the public about Parks's life--describing for example the long history of activism and organizing prior to her famous act of civil disobedience, and her affinity for the black power movement and Malcolm X.

SUNY Oswego looks to build "innovation ecosystem"

Ryan Delaney — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 12:58:42 +0000

It won't be a physical structure like some incubators. And it won't be trying to churn out startup businesses. Instead the incubator SUNY Oswego is launching this month will try to create an "innovation ecosystem."

Local and state groups work to end sex trafficking

Ellen Abbott — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:08:00 +0000

It may sound like the stuff of Hollywood, but the sex trafficking trade is alive and well in the United States, and that includes central New York. Forcing young women and men into a life of prostitution is a very lucrative business, but there is a move afoot to end it in New York state.

Syracuse Police Department Review Board making a difference

Ellen Abbott — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 14:49:13 +0000

It's been about a year since a revitalized Citizen's Review Board started investigating complaints about Syracuse Police officers, but their first annual report, which covers the last half of 2012, shows progress.

Onondaga County legislature hopes to close pawn shop loophole

Ellen Abbott — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 13:37:08 +0000

It'll be easier for police to recover stolen goods from pawn shops and second-hand stores throughout Onondaga County, if a law approved by the county legislature goes into effect. The legislation is aimed at closing a loophole that pushes criminals outside Syracuse city limits to sell stolen goods.

Preventing child abuse before it happens

Ellen Abbott — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 12:57:05 +0000

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. One organization in central New York that works on preventing child abuse will kick off activities with a new director.

State pension funds invests in central New York business

Ellen Abbott — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 13:30:06 +0000

Money from a state pension fund is flooding into an Auburn company that manufactures, distributes and services electrical products. It's one way the state is trying to encourage economic growth in upstate New York.

Demand for community gardens growing

Ellen Abbott — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 13:01:11 +0000

The organization that supports community gardens in the city of Syracuse is growing, particularly in the city's immigrant community. Syracuse Grows is going into it's sixth year with an eye on the Northside.

Arguments over fracking bans focus on one sentence

Matt Richmond — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 16:47:50 +0000

Oral arguments were completed Thursday in the case that will decide whether New York towns have the right to ban gas drilling. The case comes down to how the panel of four judges will interpret a single sentence.

Participants in gun violence discussion say families are key to prevention

Ellen Abbott — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 13:17:32 +0000

There are no simple answers to ways to end the gun violence that plagues the city of Syracuse. But a discussion called, "Stop the Violence" at the Landmark Theatre last night, looked at the root causes of violent behavior among youth, and how that can lead to answers.

Avon fracking ban upheld

Kate O'Connell — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 20:31:54 +0000

The town of Avon has become the third community in upstate New York to win a court case over the right to ban fracking operations.