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Munson to formally mark end of landscape project on June 18
UTICA, N.Y. — Munson will celebrate its completed landscape project along Genesee Street with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. on June 18. The project

Herkimer College names director of financial aid
HERKIMER, N.Y. — Herkimer College has appointed Andrea Curley, of Herkimer, as director of financial aid. Curley most recently worked as assistant director of financial aid coordinator at Utica University, where she was responsible for overseeing all aspects of financial aid. That included overseeing students enrolled in work-study employment for the financial-aid office, aid awards,
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HERKIMER, N.Y. — Herkimer College has appointed Andrea Curley, of Herkimer, as director of financial aid.
Curley most recently worked as assistant director of financial aid coordinator at Utica University, where she was responsible for overseeing all aspects of financial aid. That included overseeing students enrolled in work-study employment for the financial-aid office, aid awards, and processing federal loans.
Curley has a bachelor’s degree in hospitality administration from the University at Buffalo and an associate degree in travel and tourism from Herkimer College.

GROW Wealth Partners announced that Dean Ripley, a founding partner of the firm, has been named one of Forbes’ “Best-In-State Wealth Advisors” for 2025. This

QPK Design Architecture Engineering Site & Planning has promoted Andrew Merriam to associate partner. He joined QPK Design in March 2024 and now has nearly 20

Syracuse University to raise tuition more than 4 percent in 2025-26 school year
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse University (SU) is raising tuition for full-time undergraduate students to $66,580, representing about a 4.5 percent increase from last year’s tuition

Community Bank formally opens new branch in Liverpool area
CLAY, N.Y. — Community Bank, N.A. opened its new branch in the Liverpool area on Thursday May 22, marking continued growth for the bank and its parent company, DeWitt–based Community Financial System, Inc. (NYSE: CBU). Located at 7379 Oswego Road (Route 57) in the Glen Crossing Plaza in the town of Clay, the new branch
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CLAY, N.Y. — Community Bank, N.A. opened its new branch in the Liverpool area on Thursday May 22, marking continued growth for the bank and its parent company, DeWitt–based Community Financial System, Inc. (NYSE: CBU).
Located at 7379 Oswego Road (Route 57) in the Glen Crossing Plaza in the town of Clay, the new branch is Community Bank’s second new location in the greater Syracuse area following the grand opening of the downtown Syracuse Hanover Square branch last October. Community Bank plans to develop another branch in the Syracuse area by the end of this year.
The new 2,200-square-foot branch in the Liverpool area features new teller-pod designs, a hospitality area with a self-serve coffee bar, and an instant-issue printer for debit cards, according to a Community Bank announcement.
Nathan Anderson is branch and community development manager of the new office, supported by branch supervisor Ryan Verzillo and relationship-banking representatives Seth Blair and Maria Dunsmoor, Community Bank said.
To celebrate the opening, Community Bank will donate $25 for every new account or loan opened at the branch until July 14, with a minimum donation of $2,500, to the Women’s Opportunity Center. The bank also presented a $5,000 sponsorship to the Greater Liverpool Chamber of Commerce to support the Place Summer Concert Series that begins in June.
The Liverpool–area branch will also host Food Truck Fridays until June 13, welcoming a new food truck each week during the lunch hour.
Branch hours are Monday to Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Former Hannibal fire chief pleads guilty to stealing from fire company, will repay nearly $10K
HANNIBAL, N.Y. — Former Hannibal Fire Chief Chris Emmons on Thursday May 22 pled guilty to grand larceny for stealing from the town’s fire company

St. Lawrence County Tourism Dinner to honor North Country businesses
OGDENSBURG, N.Y. — The 2025 St. Lawrence County (STLC) Tourism Dinner, set for Wednesday June 4, will present STLC Tourism Excellence Awards to two tourism champions that continue to elevate visitor experiences and destination development across the county, the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce announced. The Best Western University Inn in Canton will receive
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OGDENSBURG, N.Y. — The 2025 St. Lawrence County (STLC) Tourism Dinner, set for Wednesday June 4, will present STLC Tourism Excellence Awards to two tourism champions that continue to elevate visitor experiences and destination development across the county, the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce announced.
The Best Western University Inn in Canton will receive the “Best to the Guest” Tourism Excellence award, which recognizes a business or organization that shows commitment to an excellent guest experience, customer service, unique offerings, and attention to detail. Owned by St. Lawrence University, the hotel provides lodgings with a full hospitality experience, per the announcement. From business meetings and holiday events to dining at The County Seat, as well as offering access to nearby trails and golfing, the hotel caters to a wide range of guests. The Best Western also actively supports local programs and promotes tourism by providing visitors with curated recommendations.
The Seaway Visitor Center at Eisenhower Lock in Massena will receive the Best Destination Marketing Initiative award, which honors outstanding tourism-marketing efforts that raise awareness and attract visitors to St. Lawrence County, the chamber of commerce said. The center made exceptional use of community partnerships and local resources during its recent reopening campaign, standing as a model for how impactful destination marketing can be achieved with limited resources and strategic planning. By creatively leveraging no-cost opportunities, media leads, and collaborative support from regional partners, the center successfully reignited public interest and transformed the reopening into a county-wide tourism success story.
“Tourism in St. Lawrence County isn’t just about places to visit and things to do,” STLC Chamber Destination Manager Kathryn Puleo said in the announcement. “It’s about the people who work together to make St. Lawrence County a welcoming rural destination. Our award recipients are shining examples of what it takes to translate pride and purpose into exceptional guest experiences that impact the entire North Country region.”
The STLC Tourism Dinner begins at 5 p.m. on June 4, with networking and a buffet catered by The Freight House, at 20 Market St. in Ogdensburg. The event is open to community members, business leaders, and tourism partners. More information is available at the chamber’s web page for the dinner.

Delta to add flights for two SU football road games this season
SYRACUSE — Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) says it will add capacity and flights so Orange fans can travel from Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) to two high-profile Syracuse University football games this upcoming season. Delta will use a larger aircraft for the flight to and from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) for the Aug.
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SYRACUSE — Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) says it will add capacity and flights so Orange fans can travel from Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) to two high-profile Syracuse University football games this upcoming season.
Delta will use a larger aircraft for the flight to and from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) for the Aug. 30 Orange season opener against the Tennessee Volunteers in the Aflac Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the Syracuse Regional Airport Authority (SRAA) announced.
Additionally, Delta will provide fans heading to South Bend, Indiana for SU’s Nov. 22 matchup against Notre Dame with nonstop flights from SYR directly to South Bend International Airport (SBN) before and after the game.
For the Tennessee game in Atlanta, Delta will use a larger plane than usual on its 12:02 p.m. flight from SYR directly to ATL on Friday, Aug. 29 and the 9:02 a.m. return flight from ATL directly to SYR on Sunday, Aug. 31. Delta will use an A321-200 for these flights with seating for 193 Orange fans, SRAA said.
In November, Delta will also run a special nonstop flight from SYR directly to SBN at 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21 and a return nonstop flight directly to SYR, departing SBN on Sunday, Nov. 23 at 9 a.m. The airline is scheduled to operate its CRJ-900 on the special flights, which is capable of transporting between 70 and 76 Orange fans “quickly and directly” to and from South Bend.
“Much of Central New York ‘bleeds Orange’ and we are excited Delta Air Lines is making it even easier for the Orange faithful to show up and support our team on the road,” Jason Terreri, SRAA executive director, said in the announcement. “We appreciate Delta Air Lines identifying this opportunity as part of their college football program this year and meeting the needs of our community.”
SRAA says the flights are now available for sale on the airline’s website, Delta.com.
The outcome of the Syracuse football games against Tennessee and Notre Dame are likely to play a big role in determining how successful a 2025 season the Orange have in trying to follow up their breakout 2024 season, where they posted a 10-3 record, won the Holiday Bowl, and finished ranked in the AP Top 20.

Arc Herkimer outlines leadership transition
HERKIMER, N.Y. — At the end of this year, Arc Herkimer will have its first female president and CEO in more than 40 years when Kevin Crosley retires from the role on Dec. 31 and Lorene Bass takes over. Crosley has served as president and CEO of the nonprofit for 20 years. Bass currently serves
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HERKIMER, N.Y. — At the end of this year, Arc Herkimer will have its first female president and CEO in more than 40 years when Kevin Crosley retires from the role on Dec. 31 and Lorene Bass takes over.
Crosley has served as president and CEO of the nonprofit for 20 years. Bass currently serves as executive VP of supports and services and has been with Arc Herkimer for 26 years.
“My 20 years in the Mohawk Valley has been the most rewarding of my career,” Crosley said at a May 13 event to announce his retirement and Bass’s appointment. “I came to Herkimer County not knowing a soul. I leave here with many friends, colleagues, and business associates.”
Under Crosley’s leadership, the agency saw transformational growth, advancing social enterprises, strengthening partnerships, and enhancing vocational and recreational opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
He spearheaded several projects including the development of the inclusive Arc Park in Herkimer and transforming both the Arc Business Park in Herkimer and the Arc Herkimer Mall in Ilion into tenant spaces for other businesses. Arc Herkimer also partnered with Goodwill in 2008 to create the Arc Herkimer Goods Store and acquired the MV Golf & Event Center in 2020.
“I feel that my 41 years in the industry have served me well both on a professional and personal level,” Crosley said, adding that he will work closely with Bass through the rest of this year to make the leadership transition as smooth as possible.
“As we reflected on our agency’s mission and transformative work, it became clear that we needed a leader who not only understood the intricacies of supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, but one who also understood Arc Herkimer itself,” Board Chair Alicia Brockway said at the event.
They found that person in Bass. “We are confident that Lorene will continue to grow innovation and take unique risks,” Brockway said. “We are excited for the future and look forward to continued success.”
Bass has served in multiple leadership roles in her 26 years at Arc Herkimer, where she has focused on transforming services, increasing efficiencies, and improving accessibility. As president and CEO, she plans to continue the agency’s transformation with a people-first focus.
“I come into the role of president and CEO as a woman, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, and a leader who believes deeply in both people and purpose,” Bass said. “As CEO, I will create an environment where everyone feels supported as people, not just employees. The people we support will continue to be front and center in everything we do, and I will pioneer new ways to bring our mission into the community and strengthen relationships to make sure we’re not just meeting needs but exceeding expectations.”
Bass says she doesn’t believe in spending a lot of time behind a desk, but she does believe in comfortable clothes and laughing a lot.
Founded in 1969, Arc Herkimer employs 344 people and serves more than 600 people with disabilities annually. The agency has seven divisions and 40 sites around Herkimer County.
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