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Jefferson County hotel occupancy falls in March
WATERTOWN — Jefferson County hotels saw a decline in overnight guests in March, even as two other important indicators of hotel-business performance were mixed in

New Utica Children’s Museum opens
UTICA, N.Y. — Construction has wrapped up on the new $8 million Utica Children’s Museum, which is part of an overall $14 million ICAN Family

OCC to use Matthews Auto donated car to help auto-tech students learn repair work
ONONDAGA, N.Y. — The automotive-technology program at Onondaga Community College (OCC) is using a new teaching tool. In conjunction with Nissan North America, the Matthews Auto family of dealerships has donated a 2025 Infiniti QX60. It’s a three-row luxury SUV loaded with options, which OCC’s automotive-technology students will be able to work on and learn
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ONONDAGA, N.Y. — The automotive-technology program at Onondaga Community College (OCC) is using a new teaching tool.
In conjunction with Nissan North America, the Matthews Auto family of dealerships has donated a 2025 Infiniti QX60. It’s a three-row luxury SUV loaded with options, which OCC’s automotive-technology students will be able to work on and learn from.
“The new technology students will experience while working on this vehicle will provide them with real-life applications as they go into the workforce,” Jon Seargent, program coordinator of OCC’s automotive-technology program, said in an announcement.
For students in automotive-technology programs, it’s a “luxury” to work on vehicles with the latest technology, and Seargent already has plans for how he and fellow professors will “make the most of the opportunity.”
“We’ll plant ‘electrical bugs’ in it and ask students to diagnose the problem. We’ll present them with real-world scenarios that will prepare them for rewarding careers as auto technicians,” Seargent said.
“The ultimate goal is to invest in the future technicians of the communities we operate in,” Vinnie Salvagni, COO of Matthews Auto, said in the OCC announcement. “We had an opportunity to step up and give young techs live experience on new vehicles at our expense. Perhaps down the line, some of these students will end up with a Matthews name tag.”
Ultimately, two academic programs at OCC will benefit from the donation. Several years from now, when the technology in the Infiniti QX60 has become outdated, its main components, such as the engine and transmission, will be removed for auto-tech students to work on and learn from.
OCC will turn the remainder of the vehicle over to its fire-protection technology degree program, where students will learn from mock accidents, extrications, and live-fire exercises.

Bassett, Oneonta Family YMCA extend lease at FoxCare Center
ONEONTA, N.Y. — Bassett Healthcare Network and the Oneonta Family YMCA have announced they are extending their lease agreement at FoxCare Center in Oneonta for

Southern Tier IDAs announce the New York Southern Tier Cleantech Strategy
Southern Tier regional economic-development leaders on Tuesday released what they’re calling a “blueprint” on how the region can “cement its role” in upstate New York’s

Christopher Community Inc. names new president and CEO
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Christopher Community, Inc. (CCI) says it has appointed Jeffrey Eysaman as its new president and CEO. Eysaman, who started in the new role April 23, succeeds Justin Rudgick, who departed CCI earlier in the year to pursue other opportunities, a spokesman tells CNYBJ in an email. The nonprofit Christopher Community, Inc. is
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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Christopher Community, Inc. (CCI) says it has appointed Jeffrey Eysaman as its new president and CEO.
Eysaman, who started in the new role April 23, succeeds Justin Rudgick, who departed CCI earlier in the year to pursue other opportunities, a spokesman tells CNYBJ in an email.
The nonprofit Christopher Community, Inc. is a housing development and management organization that manages more than 3,300 units across 70 properties across Central and Western New York.
As president and CEO, Eysaman will oversee the overall management, operations, and strategic direction of Christopher Community. He will lead the organization in executing its mission and vision, promoting growth and sustainability, and ensuring financial health and operational efficiency, CCI said.
Eysaman most recently served as executive director of the Thomas M. Menino YMCA in Boston between 2024 and 2025. His time in Boston followed leadership roles with the YMCA of Central New York, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse, and Peaceful Schools. His career has centered on creating inclusive, supportive environments for underserved communities throughout New York and beyond, CCI said.
His achievements include being a TEDx speaker at Onondaga Community College in 2018, receiving the New York State Senate Certificate of Achievement for Outstanding Civic Virtue from Senator Rachel May (D–Syracuse) in 2019, and graduating from the LeadForward Leadership Program in 2022 and the YMCA of the USA Emerging Global Leaders Institute in 2023.
Eysaman earned bachelor’s degree in history and political science from The College of Saint Rose.
“I’m honored to return to a community that means so much to me, and I’m deeply grateful for the chance to lead an organization committed to ensuring safe, affordable housing for those who need it most,” Eysaman said in the CCI announcement. “Together with our dedicated team, I look forward to building solutions that strengthen lives and neighborhoods across Central New York.”

Morrisville, Canton among SUNY campuses awarded green-workforce grants
MORRISVILLE, N.Y. — SUNY Morrisville and SUNY Canton are among the SUNY campuses awarded a total of $2.6 million in the Green Workforce Grant program.

SRAA wins award for snow and ice control at Syracuse airport
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — This past winter season produced a lot more snow than in recent winters, but the airfield at Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR)

Specialty offices complete their move to Guthrie Cortland Renzi Health Campus
CORTLANDVILLE, N.Y. — Guthrie Clinic says several specialty offices have completed their move to the new Guthrie Cortland Renzi Health Campus at 4057 West Road in the town of Cortlandville. Their move marks the completion of the project’s second phase, bringing additional services to the Renzi campus. Guthrie Cortland OB/GYN as well as general surgery
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CORTLANDVILLE, N.Y. — Guthrie Clinic says several specialty offices have completed their move to the new Guthrie Cortland Renzi Health Campus at 4057 West Road in the town of Cortlandville.
Their move marks the completion of the project’s second phase, bringing additional services to the Renzi campus.
Guthrie Cortland OB/GYN as well as general surgery and plastic surgery are now operating at the West Road location. The West Road outpatient lab has also relocated its draw station to the facility.
They join Guthrie Cortland Orthopedics, which launched services in the new location earlier in April, along with imaging; a walk-in clinic; and an expanded primary-care team, which has operated at the Renzi campus since December, Guthrie said.
“Specialty care providers joining forces with our primary care team brings our vision to fruition,” Marie Darling, senior director for Guthrie’s northern region, said in an announcement. “It’s not only more convenient care in a more comfortable setting. By integrating a collaborative approach, we ensure individualized treatment plans that support each patient’s unique needs, ultimately leading to better health outcomes.”
The walk-in clinic is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekends. Outpatient lab services are available from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Based in Sayre, Pennsylvania, the nonprofit Guthrie Clinic is a multispecialty health system integrating clinical and hospital care along with research and education. It stands as one of the nation’s longest established group practices, founded in 1910 by Dr. Donald Guthrie.

Ithaca College selects Digilio as commencement speaker
ITHACA, N.Y. — Ithaca College alumna and Compass Advisors LLC founder and CEO Monica S. Diglio will be the keynote speaker for the college’s commencement
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