Ellen Abbott

Area congressional members condemn IRS targeting of conservative groups

Ellen Abbott — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:42:28 +0000

Congressmen representing central and northern New York all agree that the recent IRS profiling of conservative organizations, including tea party groups, is wrong.

Destiny USA tries to make it a comfortable destination for tour bus drivers

Ellen Abbott — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:32:08 +0000

Bus drivers who bring customers to Destiny USA in Syracuse won't be waiting in their buses for passengers to finish shopping anymore. The mall has created a new bus drivers lounge and the idea is to expand on what is already a big source of shoppers at the Syracuse mall.

SUNY ESF working to bring back the American chesnut tree

Ellen Abbott — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:22:36 +0000

SUNY ESF is working to bring back a tree that once made up one quarter of the standing timber in forests in the Eastern United States. Now, researchers have come up with a variety of the tree that resists the blight that killed billions of American chestnut trees.

Rep. Maffei asks federal government for answers in the Renz case

Ellen Abbott — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:03:02 +0000

Syracuse-area Congressman Dan Maffei says he is waiting for a response to letters he wrote to three federal agencies, calling for an investigation into Syracuse federal probation department policies, that allowed accused killer David Renz to allegedly disable his electronic ankle monitor. Rep. Maffei says the case illustrates a lack of oversight in certain federal agencies.

Campaign finance reform proposal making its way through Albany

Ellen Abbott — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:31:00 +0000

In the wake of a series of political corruption cases out of Albany in recent weeks, campaign finance reform has become a popular issue in the state capitol. Among the proposals for reforming the way money is used in political campaigns, is one from the Independent Democratic Conference. The group is wrapping up a set of statewide hearings on their plan today in Albany.

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.

"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.

Symphoria launches first full season of concerts

Ellen Abbott — Wed, 15 May 2013 20:56:33 +0000

For the first time since before the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra went bankrupt two years ago, musicians will play a full season of symphonic music. The Symphoria's "Music in the Key of CNY" series marks a big moment for the fledgling musical group.

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.

Popular Syracuse ice cream shop sets up permanent shop downtown

Ellen Abbott — Tue, 14 May 2013 19:51:00 +0000

An ice cream icon in Syracuse has become the latest business to join in the revitalization of downtown Syracuse. Gannon's Isle has opened up a permanent store in the Dey's building, on the corner of South Salina and Jefferson Streets.

Hospitals fear the unknown when it comes to the Affordable Care Act

Ellen Abbott — Mon, 13 May 2013 20:54:04 +0000

In a little more than six months, the Affordable Care Act will change the lay of the land for healthcare in this country. For hospitals, it continues changes that started a decade ago, says Richard Umbdenstock, the president of the American Hospital Association, who was in Syracuse Monday.

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."

Rally hopes to shed light on diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease

Ellen Abbott — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:51:20 +0000

Victims of Lyme disease converge on Albany today for an awareness rally meant to focus attention on the tick-borne disease, that can attack a person's skin, nervous system, heart or joints. Over 95,000 cases have been reported to the New York State Health Department since Lyme disease became reportable in 1986, including hundreds in central New York.

Hancock International Airport's midnight shifts will not be cut

Ellen Abbott — Thu, 09 May 2013 20:53:11 +0000

The Federal Aviation Administration has announced the midnight control tower shifts at the Syracuse Hancock International Airport will not be cut as part of federal sequestration.

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.

Central New York group pushing for Women's Equality Act

Ellen Abbott — Wed, 08 May 2013 13:16:33 +0000

Supporters of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's 10-point Women's Equality Act are ramping up efforts to get support for the proposed legislation. The Women's Equality Coalition just launched a statewide television ad to raise awareness about the agenda, and supporters in one small central New York County are also raising their voices.

D.A. Fitzpatrick supports unsealing juvenile records involving sex crimes

Ellen Abbott — Mon, 06 May 2013 19:48:39 +0000

Juvenile records are automatically sealed in New York state, so they don't prejudice a prosecutor or judge, but state Sen. John DeFrancisco is proposing an exception. He wants those records be available to court officials if they involve sex crimes.

Assertive attitude key to dealing with bullies

Ellen Abbott — Fri, 03 May 2013 18:17:15 +0000

Educators and parents can always use advice on how to deal with bullies. A conference on bullying in Syracuse this week brought in a national expert on the issue, Barb Colorosa, who offered some clear strategies on how to identify bullying, as well as how to deal with it.

Solar program has success in small upstate New York county

Ellen Abbott — Thu, 02 May 2013 11:39:35 +0000

The thing that strikes you when you walk up to Jimmy Golub's farm on the western edge of Madison County are the giant solar panels covering the part of the roof on his barn that faces west. The 45 panels are part of a 10 kilowatt solar system, that provides all the electricity the farm needs.

Teachers, parents, raise concern over Common Core testing

Ellen Abbott — Thu, 02 May 2013 10:35:00 +0000

Voices opposed to Common Core testing are rising in central New York, as teachers and parents met this week at a forum in Syracuse to discuss these new education standards that bring major changes to the way math and reading is taught in public schools.

Schumer pushes for gun sale ban for those on terror watchlist

Ellen Abbott — Wed, 01 May 2013 18:18:00 +0000

While universal background checks for gun buyers proved to be a death knell in the latest attempt to pass gun control legislation in the U.S. Senate, Sen. Charles Schumer is hoping a tightening up of current background checks is on the horizon.

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.

Schumer calls for curbing of hydrocodone prescriptions

Ellen Abbott — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:05:19 +0000

Sen. Charles Schumer is continuing his assault on the misuse of prescription drugs with a proposal to tighten control over the painkiller hydrocodone.

Researchers to gather in Syracuse to discuss emerging threat of Dengue fever

Ellen Abbott — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 13:17:52 +0000

Biomedical researchers from across the world will converge in Syracuse Friday to discuss a disease that is usually associated with tropical climates. Dengue fever, which is one of the leading causes of illness and death in the tropics, has turned up in the United States.

OCC to offer first doctoral program

Ellen Abbott — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:34:00 +0000

For the first time, there will be doctorate students on the campus of Onondaga Community College this fall. A collaboration with St. John Fisher College will bring a doctoral program in executive leadership to the Syracuse campus.

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.

Going green still a challenge for area businesses, governments

Ellen Abbott — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 13:16:48 +0000

Central New York has a lot to be proud of when it comes to going green. That was the message at the Greening USA annual meeting in Syracuse yesterday. But there are still challenges when it comes to making the investment in green energy.

Research study could lead to new test for colon cancer

Ellen Abbott — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 20:34:08 +0000

Researchers at Upstate Medical Center are helping in a nationwide study that could change the way people are screened for colon cancer, and the potential to change the way one of the most dreaded medical screening tests is used.

Organization tries to encourage organ donation

Ellen Abbott — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 13:17:16 +0000

New York state has one of the lowest organ donation rates in the country, at 20 percent. Donor boosters are trying to get the word out that donating an organ is something most everyone can do to save a life.

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.