News

Why low Lake Ontario levels mean high St. Lawrence levels

David Sommerstein — Sat, 18 May 2013 12:34:00 +0000

For quite some time, the Great Lakes -- from Superior to Ontario -- have been at historically low water levels. So many people were surprised this week that regulators are lowering the gates at the Iroquois Dam near Ogdensburg because the St. Lawrence River is too high.

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.

Immigration reform would address labor shortages on NY farms

Matt Richmond — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:42:51 +0000

As lawmakers in the Senate's Judiciary Committee debate the immigration reform bill released last month, farmers in New York State are hoping to find enough workers to fully staff their operations. It's a yearly struggle in New York and nationwide and according to a report by Farm Credit East, more than 1000 farms in New York could close or shrink by two-thirds if immigration laws were fully enforced.

Cuomo says Lopez should be expelled, stops short of criticizing Speaker Silver

Karen Dewitt — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:09:19 +0000

Gov. Andrew Cuomo is calling on Assemblyman Vito Lopez, the subject of a scathing ethics commission report on sexual harassment, to resign from office or be expelled.

Fluoride for all? Why communities do and don't add it to their water

WRVO News — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:04:05 +0000

In the last several years, about 140 communities across the country have decided to stop added fluoride to their water supplies. In November, the village of Pulaski's water board voted to no long put fluoride in their water. Earlier this week, the Watertown City Council heard arguments that they should do the same thing. Communities like these worry the element could be harming their citizens, corroding their pipes or feel like it's just a government intrusion. This trend comes despite dentists and the Centers for Disease Control calling fluoridation of water a major public health advancement of the last century. Lorraine Rapp and Linda Lowen, hosts of WRVO's weekly health and wellness show "Take Care" recently spoke about this controversial issue with Dr. William Bowen, a dental health expert and professor at the University of Rochester Medical Center, who has also worked for the Food and Drug Administration and the CDC.

In deal, Oneida will keep casino dominance over central New York

Ryan Delaney — Fri, 17 May 2013 09:07:00 +0000

The Oneida Indian Nation will for the first time share a sizeable chunk of gaming revenue from its casino operation in order to keep competition from the state out its backyard.

Research torpedo away: vehicle collecting data on Lake Ontario

Ryan Delaney — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:08:05 +0000

A small cylinder armed with research equipment is bobbing through Lake Ontario this week. It’s collecting data from a seasonal temperature barrier known as a thermal bar.

"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.

Lopez report details disturbing allegations of sexual harassment

Karen Dewitt — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:58:34 +0000

The Legislative Ethics Commission released its report on the sexual harassment allegations against Assemblyman Vito Lopez. It’s conclusions have New York City’s National Organization for Women calling for a vote of no confidence against the still-serving assemblyman, and the Republicans calling for Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver to resign.

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.

Primary challenge for Syracuse council president dropped

Ryan Delaney — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:25:21 +0000

Syracuse Democratic party activist Gary Morris has dropped his bid to become president of the Syracuse Common Council and endorsed current president Van Robinson Monday.

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.

Cuomo details local government bailout plan

Karen Dewitt — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:55:21 +0000

Gov. Andrew Cuomo outlined his proposal for a new local government restructuring board to help financially distressed communities deal with long term budget problems.

Seven years of spinning turbines have brought windfall to Lewis County communities

Joanna Richards — Wed, 15 May 2013 12:46:49 +0000

Wind farms are a touchy subject in the North Country. As the town of Cape Vincent wrestles with a potential project, in neighboring Lewis County another wind farm has been operating for seven years. The Maple Ridge Wind Farm has brought some big changes to its community.

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.

Cynthia Morrow on the Campbell Conversations

Grant Reeher — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:36:36 +0000

When it comes to health, what does the region do well, and what does it do poorly? What are the next frontiers in making the community healthier? In this edition of the Campbell Conversations, Onondaga County Health Commissioner Cynthia Morrow reflects on recent statistics about the county's health, discusses different approaches that communities and government can take toward improving health, and speculates about possible futures.

State lawmakers carry on in face of scandal

Karen Dewitt — Tue, 14 May 2013 13:12:14 +0000

Lawmakers in Albany tried to continue business as usual in the wake of one of the worst scandals in recent decades, that has overshadowed most other news coming out of the Capitol. Much of this week’s legislative session has been canceled, but politicians who were in town insisted that their agendas are not being derailed.

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.

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."

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.

Event showcases student innovation and creativity

Ashley Hassett — Sat, 11 May 2013 12:36:00 +0000

More than 100 kids showcased their ideas at the 11th annual Western New York Invention Convention, held recently at Medaille College in Buffalo. It was created to promote creative thinking and encourage scientific problem solving.

Program aims to promote manufacturing careers to students

Ashley Hassett — Fri, 10 May 2013 21:11:25 +0000

A new program aims to promote high-tech manufacturing careers in high schools across Western New York. Dream it, Do it WNY educates high school students about the broad range of careers available in the industry.

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.

The importance of food labels

WRVO News — Fri, 10 May 2013 14:44:38 +0000

As more Americans try to eat healthier, consumers are trying to find out more information about the food they purchase at the grocery store. And that means reading the labels. But terms like "organic" and "all natural" can be confusing. Lorraine Rapp and Linda Lowen, hosts of WRVO's health and wellness program "Take Care," recently spoke to NYU professor of sociology and nutrition, Dr. Marion Nestle about how the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates food labels and how consumers have demanded changes in those rules.

Cuomo details his plan for upstate casinos

Karen Dewitt — Fri, 10 May 2013 13:05:30 +0000

Gov. Andrew Cuomo outlined the details of his plan to site three gambling casinos upstate Thursday. Cuomo, joined by union and business leaders, and representatives from county governments, offered more details of his plan to build three new gambling casinos. Cuomo says he wants to limit the locations to upstate regions for now, to prop up the failing economy. The governor says upstate needs jobs like it needs oxygen. And he says having a downstate location would devalue the upstate centers.

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.

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.

SUNY program aims to boost entrepreneurship in region

Ashley Hassett — Thu, 09 May 2013 20:33:58 +0000

The SUNY Research Foundation will give funds to several of its institutions to help foster entrepreneurship, including the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) and Upstate Medical University.

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.