Syracuse police say crime at Destiny USA has dropped about 50 percent since last November

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse Police Deputy Chief Mark Rusin says Destiny USA has seen property crime cut in half in the last six months. “In the month of November 2023, there were 145 property crimes reported. Since then, we have had an approximately 50 percent reduction in calls,” Rusin said. “There have been 283 arrests, […]

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse Police Deputy Chief Mark Rusin says Destiny USA has seen property crime cut in half in the last six months.

“In the month of November 2023, there were 145 property crimes reported. Since then, we have had an approximately 50 percent reduction in calls,” Rusin said. “There have been 283 arrests, 72 of which have resulted in a felony charge.”

Rusin was citing data collected since the beginning of the Destiny USA property crimes task force, saying, “I think the progress we’ve seen is very promising and we continue to seek areas of improvement.”

The task force, which includes Destiny USA, the Syracuse Police Department, and the Onondaga County District Attorney’s (DA’s) office was formed last November to focus on criminal activity at the mall and in the community as well.

The group gathered Thursday to discuss the formation of task force, which was created to “enhance the safety and security of the 16 million people that visit Destiny USA each year,” Syracuse Police Sergeant Thomas Blake, a member of the department’s public-relations team, said in remarks to open the Thursday morning event in the Destiny USA Canyon area.

Prior to launch of the task force, Syracuse police met with Destiny USA senior management to outline the strategies police wanted to take, Rusin said. At the same time, he also asked Destiny USA to commit to another 24 hours of funding to have investigative time for the department’s officers.

“Prior to that, we had 225 hours that were funded by Destiny USA for police officers to be here,” Rusin said. “I was asking for an additional 24 hours of investigative time.”

One of the strategies was to have more police at the mall complex, both on foot and on bike, including those officers who had traditionally patrolled the mall area in a police car. The department also put a new recruiting class on mall duty as well.

It also hosted a meeting with loss-prevention officers and all of Destiny USA’s storefronts to get feedback on concerns. The department also worked with the DA’s office to determine who are the top retail-theft offenders and repeat offenders at the mall and in the overall community.

“I felt these strategies would be impactful both on the perception of safety and the reported crime data,” Rusin said. “I felt confident because I knew we had strong relationships with the DA’s office and with Destiny.”

Rusin also used his remarks to remember the late Syracuse Police Officer Michael Jensen, who was one of the officers who started on the bike patrol at the mall. Jensen was killed April 14 along with Onondaga County Sheriff’s Department Lieutenant Michael Hoosock in a shooting in the town of Salina.

Destiny USA takes the “safety and security and comfort of our guests,” which include the visitors, its own staff, and the staff of each tenant that occupies space at the complex, very seriously, Stephen Congel, CEO of Pyramid Management Group, which operates Destiny USA, said in his remarks at the event.

“When faced with the plague that really ran throughout our nation, we knew we had to do something different and step up with a renewed and enhanced effort,” Congel added.

He also lauded the 50 percent drop in property crime at Destiny USA in the last six months.

“These positive results have only enhanced our resolve to continue to invest in additional programs and partnerships that will maintain that level of resolve,” Congel said.

Millions in JUUL settlement money making its way to New York counties and BOCES

Law, Accounting & Taxes, Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Health Care, Mohawk Valley, New York News, Nonprofits, North Country, Southern Tier, Subscriber Only

Millions of dollars are flowing into the North Country, Mohawk Valley, and Southern Tier as part of the $462 million multistate settlement with JUUL Labs Inc. for its role in the youth-vaping epidemic. New York will receive a total of $112.7 million through the settlement, according to New York Attorney General Letitia James, who announced

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New York will receive a total of $112.7 million through the settlement, according to New York Attorney General Letitia James, who announced the funding distribution in a series of press releases.

The state’s portion of the settlement will be distributed to every county, Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), and the five largest cities in the state to support programs to reduce and prevent underage vaping.

“JUUL intentionally used deceptive marketing to hook a generation of young people on their addictive products,” James said in one of the press releases. “Our children now face a severe public health crisis, battling addiction to dangerous e-cigarettes.”

The more than $3 million headed to the North Country will be split between six counties and four BOCES. Clinton County will receive $398,962.14, Essex County will get $278,594.49, Franklin County will be allocated $372,792.31, Hamilton County will receive $181,640.73, Jefferson County will be distributed $531,347.19, Lewis County will receive $261,994.63, and St. Lawrence County will be allocated $383,711.63.

Clinton-Essex-Warren-Washington BOCES will receive $226,598.54, Franklin-Essex-Hamilton BOCES will be allocated $128,101.19, Jefferson-Lewis-Oneida-Hamilton-Herkimer BOCES will receive $368,831 and St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES will get $232,632.83.

The Southern Tier will receive more than $4.5 million divided between eight counties and four BOCES.

Broome County will be distributed $596,588.77, Chemung County will be allocated $509.170.60, Chenango County will get $351,784.56, Delaware County will receive $315,519.52, Schuyler County will be allocated $216,589.36, Steuben County will receive $450,048.88, Tioga County will get $323,674.26, and Tompkins County will be distributed $473,932.88.

Broome-Delaware-Tioga BOCES will receive $463,006.41, Delaware-Chenango-Madison-Otsego BOCES will be provided $184,030.60, Greater Southern Tier BOCES will get $439,444, and Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga BOCES will receive $183,380.64.

More than $3.4 million will be distributed to six counties and five BOCES in the Mohawk Valley as part of the settlement.

Fulton County will receive $377,149.09, Herkimer County will get $338,122.50, Montgomery County will be distributed $302,440.88, Oneida County will receive $849,282.44, Otsego County will get $257,184.58, and Schoharie County will be allocated $255,547.66.

Hamilton-Fulton-Montgomery BOCES will receive $244,033.35, Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES will get $146,946.02, Madison-Oneida BOCES will be distributed $231,265.86, Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES will be allocated $355,157.99, and Otsego-Delaware-Schoharie-Greene BOCES will receive $123,038.86.

According to the press release, after JUUL launched in 2015, e-cigarette use among the state’s high-school students skyrocketed. By 2019, vaping-related illnesses led to more than 2,500 hospitalizations.

In November 2019, James sued JUUL for deceptive and misleading marketing targeted at young people, securing the multistate settlement agreement in April 2023.

Funds from the settlement will be used for evidence-based measures to combat underage vaping and e-cigarette addiction. Counties and BOCES must dedicate the settlement funds they receive to public education campaigns to prevent e-cigarette use among young people; community, school, and university-based anti-vaping programs; vaping-cessation services in communities, schools, and colleges; enforcement of vaping laws and regulations; public-health research into e-cigarette use among young people and the effectiveness of anti-vaping programs.

The settlement also required JUUL to make significant changes to its sales and marketing practices.

Coughlin & Gerhart formally opens new Bainbridge office

Construction, Design & Real Estate, Featured, Law, Accounting & Taxes, New York News, Small Business, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only

BAINBRIDGE, N.Y. — Coughlin & Gerhart, LLP celebrated the relocation of its Bainbridge office to a new location at 109 North Main St. with a ribbon-cutting event on Thursday, June 20. “There is a need in the community for the talent, skills, and resources that C&G offers, and it is important that Coughlin & Gerhart

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Northeast College of Health Sciences in Seneca Falls to make it easier for Canisius students to transfer in

Education & Training, Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Health Care, New York News, Nonprofits, Subscriber Only

SENECA FALLS, N.Y. — Canisius University in Buffalo and the Northeast College of Health Sciences in Seneca Falls are collaborating to help students transfer into a chiropractic program at the Finger Lakes school. The collaboration guarantees that Canisius students can seamlessly transition into Northeast’s doctor of chiropractic program, Canisius said in its June 17 announcement.

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The collaboration guarantees that Canisius students can seamlessly transition into Northeast’s doctor of chiropractic program, Canisius said in its June 17 announcement.

Canisius students need to meet specific program requirements while earning bachelor’s degrees in sports and exercise healthcare or health and wellness.

The accelerated 4+3 option enables students to earn their bachelor’s degree from Canisius and doctorate degree from Northeast a full year earlier than it would take to earn each degree separately, “saving students time and money.”

In addition, Canisius students are eligible for merit scholarships from Northeast, based on their academic standings, per the Canisius announcement.

“With job growth in allied healthcare professions projected to grow faster than average in the next 10 years, Canisius is excited to partner with Northeast College to offer students a clear and accessible pathway to graduate study in chiropractic care,” Karl Kozlowski, professor and chair of the department of kinesiology at Canisius, said in the school’s announcement.

“We are honored to partner with Canisius University to create academic opportunities for even more students and provide pathways that will allow them to seamlessly enter our Doctor of Chiropractic Program,” Michael Mestan, president of Northeast College of Health Sciences, said in the Canisius announcement. “We look forward to welcoming Canisius students who want to become future doctors and leaders in healthcare.”

The Northeast College of Health Sciences in Seneca Falls was founded in 1919 and focuses on the education and training of health-care professionals. The school offers graduate and undergraduate academic programs in areas such as chiropractic, nutrition, human anatomy instruction, massage therapy, and the imaging sciences.

Northeast Jazz and Wine Festival is moving to a new Syracuse location in 2024

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Berkshire Bank Northeast Jazz and Wine Festival, which has been held in Clinton Square since 2001, is moving to a new part of downtown Syracuse July 26-27. The Landmark Theater will host the festival’s main stage and a second stage on the mezzanine level. In addition to the music, the festival

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Berkshire Bank Northeast Jazz and Wine Festival, which has been held in Clinton Square since 2001, is moving to a new part of downtown Syracuse July 26-27.

The Landmark Theater will host the festival’s main stage and a second stage on the mezzanine level. In addition to the music, the festival will include wines from around the world in the lobby bar, along with beer and whiskey.

The event, presented annually by CNY Jazz, is considered “the performing arts anchor of Artsweek in Downtown Syracuse,” per the Thursday announcement.

Besides the activity inside the Landmark, the 100 block of West Jefferson Street, adjacent to the theater, will host a food truck and vendor village, the event organizer said. It’ll include the Stanley Law youth and community stage, which will feature the area’s emerging talent, along with community groups and strolling musicians.

“The move makes a lot of sense for us, and for our audience,” Larry Luttinger, CNY Jazz founder and festival organizer, said in the announcement. “We’re enhancing public safety and improving climate resiliency in one stroke and retaining all the elements of a festival that’s been serving Syracuse for over 20 years. We’re now only two blocks from the Arts and Crafts Festival, and now situated at the gateway of Armory Square. We’re reducing street closings at a time when we’re entering a long period of I-81 construction around downtown. Plus, we’re next to the biggest parking lot downtown, next to the Armory. All this spells success, a better audience experience, and a better arts showcase for downtown, Central New York, and cultural tourists.”

Event headliners include Shayna Steele, who will be the final performer on July 26, and the Family Stone will take the stage July 27 to “celebrate the five decade-plus legacy that changed soul music forever.” The new band is led by original member and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jerry Martini and includes second generation band members Phunne Stone and Swang Stewart. The group is presented in association with Tom Honan and Live Space Entertainment.

The jazz and wine festival continues to benefit from “strong” support at the state level, and a large group of corporate sponsors also contributes to the success of the festival, per the announcement.

Woman arrested for stealing more than $50K from Rome auto dealership

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ROME, N.Y. — The Oneida County Sheriff’s Department announced it has arrested a town of Stockbridge woman for stealing from her place of employment, a Rome auto dealership. Jodi Haddad, 48, was charged with second-degree grand larceny and first-degree falsifying business records for allegedly stealing more than $50,000, according to a news release from Sheriff

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MVCC announces new certificate and degree programs

Mohawk Valley, Education & Training, Employee Benefits & Human Resources, Featured, New York News, Nonprofits, Sports, Entertainment & Tourism, Subscriber Only, Technology

UTICA, N.Y. — Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) has announced several new academic programs to meet the evolving demands of both students and the regional workforce. The new degree and certificate programs will equip learners with specialized skills in high-demand fields, the college contends. The new data analytics certificate, offered through MVCC’s School of Business

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UTICA, N.Y. — Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) has announced several new academic programs to meet the evolving demands of both students and the regional workforce.

The new degree and certificate programs will equip learners with specialized skills in high-demand fields, the college contends.

The new data analytics certificate, offered through MVCC’s School of Business and Hospitality beginning with the fall 2024 semester, is a one-year program that provides the tools and techniques for using data analysis to make strategic business decisions. Through a blend of data science, mathematics, and general business knowledge, students will learn to college, organize, cleanse, and visualize data, the college says. The certificate transfers into MVCC’s business analytics degree program, offering a pathway for further academic advancement.

MVCC’s new motion media associate degree, offered through the School of Art beginning with the fall 2024 semester, was added in response to increased interest in 2D animation and motion graphics. The two-year program teaches the skills and knowledge required for 2D motion artists to communicate effectively in visual and verbal formats, solve visual problems, and create 2D motion artwork using industry software and technologies. The program prepares graduates for careers in fields including motion graphics, 2D animation, and creative direction.

The School of Art will also offer a game art associate degree this fall, replacing the digital animation program originally developed in the early 2000s. Since then, software, concepts, techniques, and processes have evolved substantially. The curriculum changes reflect industry practices. This revamped program covers everything from modeling and texturing to lighting, rendering, and animation. The new courses simplify and streamline content, giving students more time to explore various topics. The program aligns with SUNY Polytechnic Institute’s interactive media and game design curriculum for those looking to continue their education.

MVCC’s School of Art is also introducing a fashion design associate degree beginning in the fall of 2025. The program focuses on garment and apparel creation and will prepare students for careers in the fashion industry through the development of skills in effective visual communication and problem solving along with the utilization of industry-specific software to create fashion designs.

“We are excited about these new offerings,” Lewis Kahler, MVCC’s VP for learning and academic affairs, said in a statement. “We aim for our academic programs to serve the community’s needs, and these programs are comprised of needed updates and exciting additions that grew out of student interest and industry need.”

More information about all MVCC degree and certificate programs is available at www.mvcc.edu/academics.

SRC wins $60 million U.S. Air Force contract for cyber, electronic-warfare technologies R&D

Manufacturing & Engineering, Small Business, Subscriber Only, Technology

CICERO — SRC, Inc. announced on June 10 that it has been awarded a $60 million contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Sensors Directorate, Spectrum Warfare Systems Engineering Branch. Under the pact, Cicero–based SRC will explore new and emerging concepts related to the development, integration, assessment, evaluation and demonstration of cybersecurity, open-system architecture,

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Former board chair of NY CREATES returns to the position

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ALBANY — The New York Center for Research, Economic Advancement, Technology, Engineering, and Science (NY CREATES) recently announced the return of Douglas A. Grose as the nonprofit organization’s appointed board chair. Grose brings extensive experience and leadership to this post, having previously served as NY CREATES’ president and board chairman until 2021. Grose’s return to

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NYISO Power Trends report highlights key issues, challenges for the state’s electric grid in transition

Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Subscriber Only

RENSSELAER — The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO), a nonprofit corporation that operates the state’s bulk electricity grid, recently released Power Trends 2024, an annual publication that discusses the key issues and challenges shaping the grid of the future. Including new data and metrics, the report also summarizes work by the NYISO to maintain

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Including new data and metrics, the report also summarizes work by the NYISO to maintain reliability and advance competitive electric markets through the grid in transition.

NYISO highlighted the following key messages in Power Trends 2024:

• Public policies are driving rapid change in the electric system in the state, affecting how electricity is produced, transmitted, and consumed.

• Electrification programs and economic-development initiatives are driving projected demand higher. Generator deactivations are outpacing new supply additions. Specifically, “traditional fossil-fueled generation is retiring faster than renewable and other clean energy resources are entering service,” NYISO wrote in its report. Together, these forces are narrowing electric-grid reliability margins across New York.

• The potential for delays in construction of new supply and transmission, higher than forecasted demand, and extreme weather are threatening reliability of the grid.

• The statewide grid is projected to become a winter-peaking system in the 2030s, mostly driven by electrification of space heating and transportation. The switch to a winter peak brings new reliability concerns related to fuel security that the NYISO says it is working to address through changes to planning and market rules.

• NYISO’s interconnection processes is evolving to balance developer flexibility with the need to manage the process to more stringent timeframes. It says efforts are underway to make this process more efficient while protecting grid reliability.

• New emission-free resources are needed to meet the goals of the state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). Those resources are not yet available on a commercial scale, NYISO contends.

• NYISO’s wholesale electricity markets are an important tool to attract necessary investments to facilitate the transition of the grid in the coming decades.

You can read the full Power Trends 2024 report at: https://www.nyiso.com/documents/20142/2223020/2024-Power-Trends.pdf/31ec9a11-21f2-0b47-677d-f4a498a32978?t=1717677687961

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