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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.
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
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.
Rome Health receives nearly $5M grant to support nursing initiatives
ROME, N.Y. — Rome Health will receive almost $5 million in funding over five years through the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation’s $51 million Nursing Initiative. The grant supports Rome Health’s pursuit of magnet recognition for nursing excellence and provides funding to bolster recruitment, retention, and professional development. “This investment in professional nursing practice will strengthen
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ROME, N.Y. — Rome Health will receive almost $5 million in funding over five years through the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation’s $51 million Nursing Initiative.
The grant supports Rome Health’s pursuit of magnet recognition for nursing excellence and provides funding to bolster recruitment, retention, and professional development.
“This investment in professional nursing practice will strengthen Rome Health’s role as a safety-net hospital providing access to high-quality care for our most vulnerable residents,” Rome Health President/CEO AnneMarie Czyz said in an announcement. “For financially challenged upstate community hospitals like ours, this level of investment is transformative, supporting vital nursing, continuing education, leadership development, and workforce wellbeing as we work toward magnet recognition.”
Awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the magnet recognition program honors nursing excellence and quality patient care.
The grant will support additional Rome Health initiatives including virtual nursing to reduce bedside nurse workload and improve efficiency. Virtual nurses can assist with admissions, discharges, documentation, and patent education, allowing bedside nurses to focus on hands-on care.
Rome Health will also expand its nurse residency program to offer structured education, mentorship, and clinical experience to help new graduates transition into professional roles.
Other key initiatives the grant will fund include consulting services, nursing certifications, tuition reimbursement, technology upgrades, and leadership development. The funding will also support new positions including a virtual nurse coordinator, two virtual registered nurses, a nurse informatics specialist, and an educator to expand the transitions-to-practice program into the ambulatory setting.
Rome Health is one of only 13 hospitals statewide selected through a competitive application process to receive support from the new Nursing Initiative, which aims to address workforce shortages, reduce burnout, and enhance patient care at hospitals serving high-need populations.
Munson receives $1 million state grant for upgrades at Museum of Art
UTICA — Munson has received a $1 million grant from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to support upgrades at its Museum of Art, the organization announced. The grant is part of a capital-project funding announcement by NYSCA totaling more than $86 million for 134 capital projects around the state. The grant
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UTICA — Munson has received a $1 million grant from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) to support upgrades at its Museum of Art, the organization announced.
The grant is part of a capital-project funding announcement by NYSCA totaling more than $86 million for 134 capital projects around the state.
The grant award is the largest in Munson’s 100-year history, Munson President/CEO Anna D’Ambrosio said in the announcement.
“It will help enable dynamic interior updates to the museum, enhancing community access and attracting audiences from across New York and beyond,” D’Ambrosio said. “Projects of this scale wouldn’t be possible without support from New York State and our community. These improvements will help us strengthen tourism, drive economic growth, and enrich educational experiences in Central New York.”
Improvements at Munson will include a new Art Odyssey interactive family gallery, an expanded museum shop, improved visitor amenities, and other accessibility updates that are already in progress.
“Our popular educational space, Art Odyssey, will move upstairs to the main floor with new interactive experiences for visitors of all ages to enjoy,” Museum Art Director and Chief Curator Stephen Harrison said. “A visit to the art museum should not only be meaningful but also fun!”
The Museum of Art, designed by Philip Johnson and built in 1960, is both a state and federal historic landmark. The building houses Munson’s art collection, provides educational programming for thousands of regional youth, and serves as a venue for community events and performing-arts concerts.
The state grant will help ensure Munson remains a cultural hub for generations to come. The organization is actively pursuing additional support from public and private sources to support the renovation project, which Munson is in the process of refining in terms of scope.
“With support from NYSCA and contributions from the community, Munson will update essential building systems and program areas, maintaining the museum’s architectural beauty while improving accessibility,” Board Chair F.X. Matt III said.
Munson is a fine-arts organization that includes the Munson Museum of Art and Pratt Munson College of Art and Design, which is an extension of Pratt Institute.
KeyCorp to pay Q2 2025 dividend in mid-June
KeyCorp (NYSE: KEY) — parent company of KeyBank, the No. 2 bank ranked by deposit market share in the 16-county Central New York region — has declared a quarterly cash dividend of 20.5 cents per share of its common stock for the second quarter of this year. The dividend is payable on June 13, to
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KeyCorp (NYSE: KEY) — parent company of KeyBank, the No. 2 bank ranked by deposit market share in the 16-county Central New York region — has declared a quarterly cash dividend of 20.5 cents per share of its common stock for the second quarter of this year.
The dividend is payable on June 13, to holders of record as of the close of business on May 27. At Key’s current stock price, the dividend yields about 4.9 percent on an annual basis.
Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial-services companies, with assets of about $189 billion as of the end of the first quarter of 2025. Its roots trace back 200 years to Albany. KeyBank has a network of about 1,000 branches and about 1,200 ATMs in 15 states.
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