News Channel 9: Your Stories

What's in Store? B'Ville Restaurant, Auburn Theatre, and Red Cross

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:17:34 GMT

Syracuse (WSYR-TV)- A movie theatre re-opening in Auburn, a new restaurant on the way for Baldwinsville and a big move coming for the American Red Cross are what’s in store around Central New York.

The blood services of the Red Cross will relocate to the Hiawatha plaza in Liverpool early in the New Year. A Red Cross spokeswoman said they have a March 31^st deadline for the move, but they expect to beat that by several weeks.

Along Syracuse Street in Baldwinsville, work has been going on in a building across the street from the Red Mill in Baldwinsville. It will be home to a new restaurant. Al Smith of Syracuse Suds Factory will open his second restaurant there sometime next year. Smith said he's working with a partner now on renovations to the building, but they're making progress.

Just east of Auburn, the Movieplex 10 has re-opened on Grant Avenue road. We heard from movie fans a few weeks back when the former owners suddenly closed the theatres. The new owner, Jason Yantz said they're ready to light up the screens again Friday afternoon. The first screening was set for 1:00 p.m. Jason and his brother Jeff now own the movieplex. Jason said they plan to totally re-do and upgrade the lobby and sound system.

If you'd like to know what's in store, give us a call at 446-9900, or e-mail us.

What's In Store: Fitness in Auburn and East Syracuse

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:42:32 GMT

Fitness is What's In Store this week, both in Auburn and in East Syracuse.

In Auburn, the Underground MMA, a mixed martial arts center, opened this week in the Grant Avenue Plaza in Auburn. It could be one of the first facilities of its kind in central new york.

Owner George Kerstetter said he offers Brazilian jiu jitsu, Thai boxing, cardio and stamina conditioning, and plans are in the works to expand to western style boxing. Right now, they conduct classes 4 nights a week and Sundays. Soon, that should grow to 7 nights a week.

In East Syracuse this week, Kathy Caiello will throw open the doors at her new fitness center on West Manlius Street. She calls it Kathy's Fit Stop."

It will offer certified personal fitness trainers, 24-hour secure access for members and a wide variety of classes including some for seniors and zumba. Kathy's fit stop will also offer classes with a registered dietitian. She'll be open this friday, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm, Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. for a grand opening.

There have also been some questions about the land on the southeast corner of Kirkville Road and the Minoa-Bridgeport Road just north of Minoa. There's been some clearing there of late, and people passing by wonder what might be in store there. The landowner, Thomas Schepp, and confirms that someday, when business conditions allow, he does plan to put a funeral home here.

Schepp said he's sent letters to the 20 closest property owners, letting them know directly what he plans to do.

If you've got a question about what's in store....call 446-9900 or e-mail us.

Your Stories Q &A: No holiday payment

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:09:28 GMT

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - Some of you have asked the Your Stories team about a rumor going around saying that folks who are receiving welfare benefits and food stamps will be getting another one-time payment from the state for the holidays.

This is not true.

Rumblings about this started only a few weeks after the governor issued the same group of people a "back-to-school" payment of $200 per child. The Governor's office tells us, that there is no round of additional stimulus funding and there will be no holiday checks.

You'll remember there was much controversy over the initial payment. The money appeared in people's accounts before they received a letter letting them know it was supposed to be used to buy their children clothes and supplies.

If you have a question you'd like an answer to, call us at 446-9900 or you can email us.

Q&A: Broken pavement lighting

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:35:29 GMT

Last summer, lights were embedded in the pavement at the 690 westbound exit to the Thruway near the state fair . They were installed to warn drivers about the sharp curve in the off ramp from 690 to the thruway. Tractor trailers and other vehicles often rolled or slid off that curve because they took it too fast, especially in icy or snowy conditions. Last week, a viewer noticed that the lights were off.

The State Transportation Department says earlier this month, they too became aware that not all of the embedded lights were working. Of about 200 LED strips, only about 50 were lit up. So, the DOT decided to turn them all off until they could be fixed. One week ago today, the state sent a letter to the contractor, asking for a plan and a timeline to get the lights all working again. The DOT says the contractor is now attempting the repairs.

A spokesman for the contractor, Cortland-based Suit Kote says the company had it doubts about this lighting technology from the beginning, since it had never been used before in our region. He says though, the state job specs called for this type of lighting, so Suit Kote is now working with the Canadian manufacturer of the LED strips and a subcontractor on the job to see if and when, they can be fixed.

If you've got a question, call the your stories line at 446-9900 or email us.

What's in Store? A new fitness club, burger joint, and pharmacy

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:28:05 GMT

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - What's in Store? A fitness club, a burger joint, and pharmacy, all open, or soon to open in Ithaca, Oneida and Lyncourt.

If you need a new place to work out inside this winter in the Ithaca area, you're in luck.

Gina Speno, the GM of the Ithaca mall, at route 13 and Triphammer Rd. says Planet Fitness will be in the mall's orbit come mid-December. The fitness center will be taking over the space left vacant when Steve and Barry's left the mall. Jane Morgan's little house opened in the mall yesterday, and the Ithaca mall next week will welcome kitchen collections. We'll let you know when planet fitness has a firm opening date.

In Oneida, they've been building a new Burger King on Route 5, right next to the old Burger King. Rick Bartlett, who owns this franchise, says he's hoping to open the first week in December, maybe the 6th or the 7th. The one big job left, he says, is taking delivery on some high-efficiency fryers. He was on the phone with the manufacturer just yesterday.

Finally in Lyncourt, they're now filling your prescriptions at the new pharmacy. The new C and J's Northside pharmacy is now open for business in Lyncourt plaza. Owner Chris Verillo tells me they've had a soft opening this week...a grand opening is on the calendar for November 30th. C and J’s is open Monday thru Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m.

If you'd like to know what's in store in your neighborhood, give us a call at 446-9999 or e-mail us.

Q&A: Syracuse bicycle registration

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:05:00 GMT

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - If you or your child owns a bicycle in Syracuse, it is supposed to be registered with the city.

A couple days ago, a man who police say was taunting an officer and riding his bicycle recklessly in traffic on Midland Avenue, crashed the bike, and was then arrested. He was charged with two things: disorderly conduct and having an unregistered bicycle.

Sure enough, a police website makes it clear: "By ordinance, the city of Syracuse requires that all bicycles be registered." The idea is to help in "locating it should it be stolen." There's a form that stays on file with police, and you get a license sticker that identifies your bike as being registered. It's all free.

If you’ve got a bike that’s not registered, what are the chances you’ll get a ticket?

Apparently, slim and none. Police Lieutenant Joe Cecile says the law is "not regularly enforced," but in cases like this week's on Midland Avenue, where there's "another issue,” he says police will tack this charge on.

The real value of the ordinance, Cecile says, became evident years ago, when drive-by shooters turned more to "ride-by" shootings, on bicycles. If a suspect is identified, or the bike recovered in such shootings, the registration can help in the investigation.

Otherwise, Cecile says, having your bike registered can, in fact, help you get it back faster, should it be stolen and later recovered.

Register Your Bike Here

Got a question? Give us a call at 446-99000, or e-mail us.

What's in Store: New Video Store, McDonald's, & Solvay Lighting

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:19:50 GMT

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - In Fulton, something new is in store at the former site of the First Congregational Church at the corner of West First Street and West Broadway: A video store.

The general contractor's project manger, John Shepard of Rockford Construction, says the Family Video will occupy 6000 of the 7500 square feet available. The rest will be lease space. He says weather permitting, Fulton's new Family Video will be open by the end of January.

Also in Fulton, many viewers have called and e-mailed about this. The McDonald's, along route 481 at the south end of town, is set for its grand opening on November 19th. The fast food restaurant went dark for a total facelift earlier this year, but circle your calendars, burger and fry fans in Fulton. The new McDonald's opens next Thursday.

In Fayetteville, a loyal customer said he used to buy his specialty light bulbs at Solvay Lighting Center until his most recent trip, when he found the store closed. Rich Ladouceur, the company owner, said the Fayetteville store closed two weeks ago after 7 years in business on Mill Street. He says business was good in Fayetteville until about a year and a half ago. Solvay electric supply, the parent company, is still going strong on Charles Avenue in Solvay 47 years and counting.

If you want to know what's in store, call the your stories line at 446-9900, or e-mail us.

Q&A: Ice-skaters and commuters

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:25:09 GMT

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - The questions in this Your Stories Q&A came from ice skaters wondering when the Clinton square rink will open, and from commuters, wondering when a key ramp will open.

When will the ice skating rink in Clinton Square open?

The City Parks Department said Tuesday that they hope to get started on that job next Wednesday. With a little help from Mother Nature, they say they would have it finished and ready to skate the day after Thanksgiving.

What they need is below freezing temperatures at night, to start laying down the layers of ice. After that process begins, the compressors can help keep it cold enough during the day. Even with cooperation from the weather, though, they say the process of getting the ice ready at Clinton square can take 8 to 10 days.

If all goes well, the city hopes to open the rink for skating at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 27th in time for a day of skating, and the big ice pageant and tree lighting ceremony that evening.

When will 690 westbound at west street re-open?

It's been closed a long time, and it's going to stay closed into the winter. Here's why: the state transportation department tells me repairs are going much slower than expected. The main problem is extensive deterioration of concrete in a retaining wall that runs 700 feet from Salina to Franklin Street.

In the process of repairing the wall, they've had to go about 12 inches deeper than they'd planned, to drill sockets into that wall for reinforcing rebar. Also causing delays is a historic office building nearby that's limited the use of heavy equipment.

So bottom line, the 690 westbound ramp to West Street will remain closed until further notice.

If you've got a question, call 446-9900, or e-mail us.

Route 81 South, 690 road work nears end

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:30:19 GMT

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - Road work on Interstate 81 over Salina Street is finally coming to an end.

It does seem like the road work is never ending, but this week should bring you the light at the end of the tunnel, when it comes to that in-bound morning commute on route 81 southbound.

Barring any equipment breakdowns or other unusual circumstances, the Department Of Transportation says it plans to put the finishing touches, the stripes, on the southbound lanes of 81 by mid afternoon on Tuesday. All southbound lanes should be open for the morning rush hour on Wednesday.

The DOT blames bad weather for completing the job is a bit behind schedule. A DOT spokesman says the two straight weeks of rainy weather at the end of September and beginning of October stopped the paving work in its tracks. But now, the work is almost done.

Construction along route 690 is also near an end. The paving work has meant lane restrictions and delays east of downtown, all the way to Thompson road. DOT says the contractor is wrapping up construction on the ramps and the service roads between Thompson and Bridge Street. With a good week of weather, that should bring this work closer to completion.

If you've got a question, call us at 446-9900, or e-mail us.

What’s in Store? 3 Restaurant updates and Calico Gals

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:19:00 GMT

The Your Stories team has received many questions about local restaurants and the move of Calico Gals. Here are some answers:

A new Coppertop Tavern

Along Milton Avenue, near Fairmount Four Corners, the old Pensabene's Park West restaurant is about to become the region's second Coppertop Tavern. Coppertop's mother ship in North Syracuse has been popular for some time now, and the owners decided this is the time to expand. The Coppertop on Milton Avenue will open November 29.

One McDonald’s opens, another closes

Fast food fans in Oswego have a brand new McDonald’s on route 104. It had been closed since the end of June for renovations, and those renovations include one of the region's first R-Music Playplaces. It will be one of only ten in the nation to feature the musically themed interactive play area.

The new McDonald’s in Oswego is firmly set to throw open the doors Thursday morning, November 12 at 9:30 a.m.

In Old Forge, the McDonald’s located near Enchanted Forest and Water Safari closed two years ago, and they have announced it will not be returning.

A spokesperson for the local McDonald’s franchises says it was such a seasonal business in Old Forge, they couldn't justify keeping it open.

Calico Gals Moves

Along New Court Avenue, Calico Gals has found a new home. The popular quilt shop and sewing center that thrived for years in the canal barn on cedar bay road opened for business just this week in its new location. Owner Janet Lutz says she's thrilled with the big, new space in the brand new building right next door to the “No Name Diner” on New Court Ave.

If you want to know what's in store, call 446-9900 or e-mail us.

Q&A: Counting the votes in the 23rd district

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:09:00 GMT

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - Here are the answers to two questions that have come in regarding the counting of the votes on that closely-contested congressional race in the North Country’s 23^rd district:

Jim in Chittenango says he knows he voted for conservative Doug Hoffman in the 23^rd, but when he saw the vote totals from his election district on his county website, it showed no votes for Hoffman. And there are other election districts where the same thing happened.

Madison County elections commissioner Laura Costello says the errors were made because the new machines that scan the paper ballots print out a receipt tape that many elections inspectors find very difficult to read. The format of that printout can be confusing, and Costello says mistakes were made under the pressure of phoning in the results on election night.

Costello says that as of Thursday, the job is underway of auditing and re-canvassing every machine and result from every polling place. She says those receipt tapes will now get a second and third look, and by the end of the day Thursday, voters in Madison County should begin to see updated information on the elections website.

You also may have heard that 10,000 absentee ballots were sent out in the 23^rd congressional district race. So how can it really be over for Hoffman if he's still within about 6 thousand votes of the winner Bill Owens?

While 10,000 absentees were mailed out, only about 6,000 have come in, and only a few more are likely to trickle in by the legal deadlines later this month. So, for Hoffman to have a shot, nearly every absentee ballot would have to be for him. This is unlikely since, historically, the absente results tend to be the same as the Election Day vote itself, which was 49% for Owens, 45 percent for Hoffman.

If you've got a question, call us at 446-9900, or e-mail us.

Whats in store? New laundromat, dollar-store, and pizza shop

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:08:52 GMT

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - What's in Store around Central New York? Among other things, a new pizza shop, laundromat and dollar-store.

We've got answers to your What's in Store questions from Bridgeport, Central Square, and along new court avenue, near Lyncourt...let's start in Bridgeport.

In the Madison County Town of Bridgeport, we've heard from people asking what's in store at the intersection of routes 31 and 298. The framing is up, and work will continue through the winter on three new developments there. It will become a brand new Colonial Laundromat, an Original Italian Pizza shop, and a new Dollar General store.

Colonial is developing the site, and Colonial's Tim O'Connell says this will be his firm's 31st laundromat. O' C onnell says he expects the Dollar General will open first, probably in April, followed closely by the new laundromat and Original Italian Pizza shop.

In Central Square, just behind the school district offices, a new building has sprung up, replacing an old garage that served the district's buildings and grounds operations. It's a brand new garage that serves the same purpose. It's the exact same size as the old garage, and cost about $140,000 to build.

It was part of a $12 million package of renovations approved by Central Square voters a few years back. Many who live in the district may have forgotten the project was part of the same spending package that also brought new soccer fields to the middle school.

On New Court Avenue in DeWitt, next to the popular "No-Name Diner," a storage facility and private office building are going up. DeWitt town development boss Dick Raub says the building will be a good fit for this Commercial and Business Avenue that borders a residential neighborhood behind New Court Ave.

Q&A: Election Day

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:30:43 GMT

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - Election Day should be the day when candidates and their campaigns give way to the voters and their decisions. In Tuesday's Your Stories Q&A, two questions about the law, when it comes to polling places, electioneering, and campaign signs.

We've heard from some voters who wonder how close is too close to a polling place, for campaign signs or people actively campaigning on behalf of a candidate.

State election law is clear on this one: you may not "electioneer," that means any form of campaigning (in person, signs, etc) within 100 feet from the entrance to the building where the polling place is located.

If you think you see a violation of this law, you can notify one of the election workers at the polling place, or call your county board of elections.

Also, we’ve been asked how long signs from the campaigns may remain in place after Election Day.

Where there are laws that apply, they are local ordinances, established by your city, town or village. The codes office at Syracuse City Hall says the city has nothing in the zoning ordinance that regulates when these campaign signs must come down.

In the towns of Manlius and Salina, though, local laws require the signs to be removed within a week after Election Day. Where such laws do exist, the time frame for removal usually ranges from 7 to 30 days after the election. You can check with your own municipality to see if -- they -- regulate sign removal.

If they don't, it's up to the courtesy and common sense of the candidates and their campaigns.

If you've got a question for your stories...call 446-9900, or e-mail us.

Q&A: 23rd district congressional race

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:37:47 GMT

The red-hot race for congress in the North Country is sparking several Your Stories questions. Many of you have been asking for the bottom line on one candidate's commercials, and another's hometown, located outside the district.

The conservative party candidate in the 23rd congressional district, Doug Hoffman, lives in Lake Placid.
The massive district takes in all or part of 11 counties in upstate New York, but does not include Lake Placid.

Hoffman doesn't live in the district he would represent in congress; the U.S. Constitution says he doesn't have to. A spokesperson for the State Board of Elections tells NewsChannel 9 that to be elected to congress; you only need to be a resident in the state when the election is held, but not necessarily living in the district you're running in.

Folks following the face may also have noticed television ads for a former candidate in the 23rd congressional race. Republican Dede Scozzafava quit the race Saturday, but her ads kept running right through the weekend into the day Monday.

The reason was because of her timing.

Scozzafava pulled out of the race on a weekend, and the commercial schedule was already set, by the close of business late Friday. NewsChannel 9 didn't receive any requests to pull the spots until Monday morning, and are now in the process of replacing the Scozzafava ads. Some other TV stations, though, have 48-hour cancellation policies, so you may continue to see some of them.

Donut shop protest at Regional Market

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:09:05 GMT

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - Hundreds came to the Regional Market Saturday morning to protest the closing of the Paine family donut shop.

Market managers closed the shop last week, citing health violations. The closure came just weeks after managers requested that the shop be moved from its original location to make room for an informational booth.

Many of the people who attended Saturday's protest have signed a petition asking that the shop remain open. Owner Ben Paine says he believes the market is bullying him by shutting down the shop, which he says has been a market and community stable for years.

NewsChannel 9 submitted a freedom of information law request to understand why the market was shut down. The Regional Market manager Eugene Elemos submitted photos he says are evidence that the shop violated health rules with its equipment. A letter from the Regional Market Authority said there were disappointing and disturbing findings, which included dirty coolers with slimy water.

Paine was asked to empty all of his personal possessions from the shed before the end of Saturday. He says he is grateful for all of the support that has been shown to him, but is unsure what to do with the petition.

Syracuse, New York (WSYR-TV) - The aroma of a favorite fried treat was missing from the Regional Market this weekend. The market decided to shut down the Paine family's donut stand and revoke their food lease due to inspection violations.

Ben Paine, who runs the stand, says he doesn't understand why.

"The situation is they have shut us down for a few bogus inspections that are not by the board of health, but by the market rules. It doesn't make sense at all to take a viable real estate place that's paying rent, bringing in customers, especially during during the winter time when there aren't that many customers and put in an information booth," Paine says.

Paine says he went to the Board of Health and presented some of the inspection issues. They explained how he could fix the citations and Paine says he did what needed to be done to make the situation better.

However, the Regional Market's manager Eugene Elemos says the requirements of the health department and the Regional Market are different. Problems with the shop's tables, coolers, floors and donut-making machine were cited and Elemos says these are simply things the market cannot overlook.

"I can't just make a rule because you and me like this donut. I can't do that. I can't afford to get somebody sick from anywhere here in the market because that vendor isn't the only one who is going to suffer from it," Elemos says.

Paine counters Elemos' claims, saying he has passed health inspections every time they have visited his booth. However, the market says he is still not meeting their standards. Elemos says that is the only reason Paine has lost his food lease and whether he will be getting it back remains unclear.

Earlier this month, the Paine family, who have run the donut stand at the Regional Market since it opened in 1938, were asked to move it in November.

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - The Paine family from Granby has been selling produce at the Regional Market since it opened in 1938.

About ten years ago, they added a donut stand – and now, the market says the Paines must split the farm and concession stands to make way for an information booth.

In this one of Your Stories, we found out how the family depends on its current location to make a living.

Ben Paine, who runs both the farm and the donut stands, says the donuts are a money-maker.

“It's our livelihood. The donut shed is probably 60 percent of what we take in in a year's time,” Paine says.

That cash keeps the family farm and a 71-year-old tradition -- the produce stand -- going.

Paine's 90-year-old mother, Esther, has been there since day one. She says she couldn't bear to give up her spot -- or her friends -- at the Regional Market.

“This morning, I bet there's 10 people coming down here because I haven't been coming, I've got arthritis bad,” says Esther Paine. “They were so tickled to see me, and I was glad to see their faces too.”

In November, the Paines will have to move their donut stand from here in the A-shed all the way over to the C-shed. Ben Paine says he can't afford to make the move.

“Being over here with the stalls together, we can take care of it. If they split it up, we can't do it. We'll just have to quit. I can't hire help to do it,” he says.

Esther also worries people wouldn't know where to find them.

“This farm has been our life's work. It's where we make our living, and my son and my grandchildren will do it,” she says.

The Paines say they'll do everything they can to stay right where they are.

Regional Market Executive Director Ben Vitale says he needs that donut shed to house the market's new info booth during the winter months. He says the board plans -- at least for now -- to move the Paines back into that spot in May for the growers' season.

He says the Paine family's concerns will likely be discussed at the next board meeting on October 20th.

Whats in store? Le Moyne College area

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:26:00 GMT

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - Thanks to your questions to the Your Stories Team, we've got some news from the west side and east side. Let's start east:

Where neighbors have been asking what's in store here, where Patsy's Pizza once did business along Salt Springs Road, just across the street from H.W. Smith School. This corner has seen better days, and now, Le Moyne College says it will see better days again. The college, just across Springfield Road, has purchased the old building and plans to relocate its bookstore here.

The Le Moyne Bookstore is outgrowing its longtime spot inside Grewen Hall on campus, so the college wants to open a bigger, better one here, more accessible to people outside the Le Moyne community. A spokesman says Le Moyne also wants to put a new pizza and deli-restaurant here, too. They're in negotiations for that right now. Next Sednesday, neighbors are invited to a meeting at Soule Branch Library to talk about Le Moyne's big plans for this corner.

What’s in Store: New sub shop, pharmacy, facade facelift

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:43:00 GMT

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - Central New York welcomes a sub shop, a pharmacy, and a much-needed makeover.

We start in Bridgeport, where June Euson and others have been patiently waiting, and asking us when that new sub shop will open there.

It's a Jreck's and, yes, it's still coming. How soon? Christopher Swartz of Jreck's corporate office tells us they're hopeful for an opening by late January.

They had been hoping to be in business by year's end, but other projects delayed this one. As Swartz puts it, "you can only do so many at a time." He does say Jreck's is very excited about the Bridgeport location.

In Brewerton, they weren't getting much work done Wednesday thanks to the weather, but when we stopped by last week, one of the facades along Route 11 was getting a makeover.

The facelift for the facade is funded, in part, by a matching grant of federal money. The building owner puts in $15,000 and the feds match it with $15,000 to jump-start the newer look.

Nick Chervinsky, the owner of the building, tells us that within a month, he hopes, weather depending, everything should be finished.

If it gets too cold, too fast, though, painting may have to wait for spring. The grant program is run by the county, and a spokesman says up to $200,000 per year is available for this kind of work from Washington.

Kinney Drugs officially opened its newest central New York pharmacy Wednesday. This one is inside the Nojaim's supermarket at the corner of South West Street and Gifford Street on Syracuse's near west side.

Kinney said there was a strong demand for a new pharmacy for that part of town. It's open now for business seven days a week, with free prescription delivery offered Monday through Friday.

If you have a question for the Your Stories team, or want to know What's in Store, give us a call.

The number is 446-9900, or send an e-mail to yourstories@9wsyr.com.

What’s in the mailbox?: Your Stories Q&A

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:28:17 GMT

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - Maybe it's a flyer from a home improvement or snow-plow contractor looking for your business. Maybe it's from the Boy Scouts about their next bottle drive. It’s stuff that shows up in your mailbox that doesn't belong.

In this Your Stories Q&A, one viewer went to check the mailbox for a couple old issues of a magazine his mother had left for him. But they weren't there. Why? They were taken by a postal worker, because they didn't belong.

Postal spokesperson Maureen Marion tells us by federal regulation, the only thing that belongs in your mailbox at any time is United States Mail.

And yes, mail carriers are authorized to remove and discard anything that isn't mail.

She says the government considers your mailbox as though it were a sealed envelope: What's inside is covered by the same level of postal security.

Marion says in the case of magazines with an address on them, the carrier may try to re-deliver those to the correct address, but those other flyers for contractors, bottle and can drives, anything that might put in the mailbox, whatever it is, if it isn't U.S. Mail, by law, it shouldn't be there, and it can be seized and discarded by the carrier.

She says all of this is for our protection. Your carrier is often a first line of defense against threatening or harmful material left in someone's mailbox.

How about that newspaper delivered to your mailbox, usually out in the rural areas? That shouldn't happen, unless it's a Sunday. On Sunday, we’re told, that's legal, because there is no expectation of mail delivery on Sunday.

Given the law, you may ask why you’re still finding some of this non-mail making its way into your mailbox.

The postal service says the carrier may not have time, or space, to seize all of it on a given day, but if the source of the material, whether it be an address or phone number, is on the flyer in question, postal officials will call the offending party, and put them on notice.

If you've got a question, call 446-9900, or e-mail yourstories@9wsyr.com.

What's in store: Restaurants expanding, new hotel in Cicero

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 19:44:40 GMT

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - Scott emailed us to ask when the region's second Limp Lizard Bar B-Q will open in the Village of North Syracuse. The man who will manage this new location, Frank Yaizzo, and says the Limp Lizard on the 200-block of North Main street in North Syracuse should be open just after Thanksgiving. This'll be the Lizard's second location; the mothership is on Onondaga Boulevard.

Another popular restaurant is expanding into new territory: Twin Trees is coming to Baldwinsville. Owner Don Ross tells us the brand new Twin Trees Pizza and Deli will open there soon, before Christmas if possible, in a strip plaza along Syracuse Street in Baldwinsville, just a few blocks from Downer Street. Ross says he's been looking to expand Twin Trees into that part of the county -- and now he's got the location. At first, they'll offer take out and delivery. But, eventually, the Baldwinsville Twin Trees hopes to offer some sit down service, too.

And you've been zipping by a construction job along Route 81 northbound in Cicero. Sue emailed us because she is wondering what's blocking her view of Gander Mountain!

It's the newest project by the Action Companies -- a Holiday Inn Express and Suites. They broke ground in July, and expect to open the doors the first week of January. The location will have 71 rooms with an indoor pool, fitness and business centers. So early in the New Year, the new Holiday Inn will join the Gander Mountain landscape in Cicero.

If you'd like to know What's in Store in your neighborhood, give us a call anytime. The number is 446-9900, or you can email us.

Two long-term roadwork projects underway: Your Stories Q&A

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:36:11 GMT

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - You've been asking about a couple of sizeable projects in the northern suburbs, and now, we have the answers for you.

First, a $5.5 million dollar project to rebuild the bridge that takes Cold Springs Road (Route 370) over the Thruway.

They started this big job about three weeks ago, and a Thruway spokesman tells us it's slated for completion in December of next year. For the rest of the fall, they'll make short-term repairs to the current deck surface, so it will hold up to traffic next year when the reconstruction gets underway.

The spokesman says the bridge will be rebuilt one side at a time, and two lanes of traffic, one in each direction, will remain open at all times. They'll also be adding a sidewalk as part of the project so pedestrians can safely share the bridge with vehicles.

The contractor there is Economy Paving of Cortland.

In North Syracuse, you've been asking about the work being done along East Taft Road near Church Street. This, too, is the beginning of a long-term project by the county transportation department.

Commissioner Brian Donnelly tells us right now, all you'll see is the relocation of utilities, including water and gas lines, but starting in the spring, East Taft, all the way from South Bay Road to Northern Boulevard, is in for a $7 million widening.

Barrett Paving Materials has the contract on this one. Detours and lane restrictions are likely, but Taft Road will remain open in both directions throughout the job. They expect to have it finished no later than December of next year.

If you've got a question for us, call the Your Stories line at 446-9900, or e-mail yourstories@9wsyr.com.