NewsChannel 9 - Your Stories

What is the construction on the Fremont Road Bridge for: Your Stories

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:39:23 -0400

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – Question: What is the construction on the Fremont Road Bridge over the CSX Railroad tracks in Manlius for?

Answer: The Onondaga County Department of transportation says it is rebuilding the bridge.

Crews have been working on the bridge since March and will be pouring a new concrete deck this weekend.

The bridge needs to be vibration-free while the concrete cures, so it'll be closed Friday, June 21 at 6 p.m. through Monday, June 24 at 6 a.m.

The work could last longer if the weather doesn't cooperate.

Signs are posted for a detour that will take you through the village of Minoa.

If you have a question for the Your Stories team, call (315) 446-9900 or email YourStories@9wsyr.com.

What's the latest on the Brewerton rest stop: Your Stories Question

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:03:41 -0400

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – Question: What’s the latest with the Brewerton rest stop off I-81 and would the state consider allowing a fast-food restaurant to be established there?

Answer: The state has no plans to reopen the Brewerton rest stop according to Gene Cilento with the New York State Department of Transportation.

It is one of six stops along several New York interstates that were shut down in 2010 to save money.

New York’s policy is to have motorists use the services available at the exits along non-toll roads. Only the State Thruway – a toll road – has fast food and fueling facilities on the road itself.

If you’d like to know What’s in Store, call the Your Stories team at (315) 446-9900 or email YourStories@9wsyr.com.

OptiGolf re-opening at Destiny USA: What’s in Store

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 17:04:51 -0400

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – OptiGolf is set to re-open on Saturday with a special week-long celebration.

The week begins with an event for Syracuse City School District students participating in the “First Tee of Syracuse” program.

The remainder of the week will be filled with re-opening activities, competitions, and giveaways.

OptiGolf closed in March so that crews could dismantle some of the facility and reinforce parts of the roof.

If you’d like to know What’s in Store, call the Your Stories team at (315) 446-9900 or email YourStories@9wsyr.com.

What happened to Cheeburger Cheeburger? What’s in Store

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 16:56:10 -0400

Camillus (WSYR-TV) – A popular eatery in Camillus has closed and residents are wondering why.

According to the State Department of Taxation and Finance, Cheeburger Cheeburger was closed because the owner failed to pay back sales taxes.

The restaurant on West Genesee Street owes New York nearly $50,000.

The state says the department is eager to resolve the situation.

They say the owner can either establish a payment plan – chipping away at the unpaid taxes in installments – or pay the debt in full.

NewsChannel 9 reached out to the owner on several occasions, but calls were not returned.

If you’d like to know What’s in Store, call the Your Stories team at (315) 446-9900 or email YourStories@9wsyr.com.

Why is I-690 rougher after resurfacing? Your Stories Question

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:40:12 -0400

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – Question: Why does I-690 seem rougher after resurfacing?

Answer: According to Gene Cilento of the State Department of Transportation, the bumps on I-690 are temporary.

He says they are areas of pressure relief joints that were dug out and filled with asphalt.

It’s nearly impossible to compact them fully since they’re only two feet wide.

The DOT says they plan to spend the next few weeks and months milling and resurfacing the highway from Hiawatha Boulevard to Route 48.

If you have a question for the Your Stories team, call (315) 446-9900 or email YourStories@9wsyr.com.

Why can’t I see the Peregrine falcons on top of the State Tower Building? Your Stories Question

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 15:34:51 -0400

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – Question: What happened to the Peregrine falcons nesting on the State Tower Building in Syracuse?

Answer: The DEC says the Peregrine falcons have not used the State Tower Building in Syracuse as a nesting site this year and – at this point – biologists don’t expect that they will.

This is the third year in which they have not produced young.

While biologists can’t conclusively say what the reason is for the falcons’ failure to nest, they believe it is possible that they have grown too old or there is a new mate who isn’t yet mature enough to produce offspring.

If you have a question for the Your Stories team, call (315) 446-9900 or email YourStories@9wsyr.com.

Cicero Dunn Tire relocates to Mattydale Plaza: What's in Store

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:22:50 -0400

Mattydale (WSYR-TV) – Dunn Tire in Cicero has relocated to the Mattydale Plaza off Brewerton Road in Mattydale.

The new location is just four miles south of its previous location.

The Dunn Tire in Mattydale offers additional service bays, a larger waiting area, free wi-fi and the convenience of shopping within walking distance.

Auto Zone being constructed in Cicero: What's in Store

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:07:20 -0400

Cicero (WSYR-TV) – An Auto Zone is being constructed on Brewerton Road in Cicero.

The auto parts and accessories retailer is in the property development stage.

The Auto Zone will be located next door to Aspen Dental.

Crews are preparing the site for a nearly 16,000 square-foot building.

Currently, there is no time frame for completing the construction according to Cicero Town Supervisor Jim Corl.

Aldi's being built in Cicero: What's in Store

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 11:56:39 -0400

Cicero (WSYR-TV) – An Aldi’s is coming to the old Country Max Plaza off Route 31 in Cicero.

Aldi’s is currently refurbishing the building to make a nearly 16,000 square-foot grocery store.

Renovations began several weeks ago and Cicero Town Supervisor Jim Corl says the interior work will take several months.

The Aldi’s is expected to open later this fall.

Taxes on buying American flags: Your Stories

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 15:37:19 -0400

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – Question: What are the rules on taxes when buying American flags?

Answer: According to the state Department of Taxation and Finance, flags of the United States of America and the state of New York are tax exempt.

Accessories like a pole, rod, base or bracket are also tax-exempt provided these accessories are sold with a U.S. or New York State flag.

If you are mistakenly charged tax on your flag purchase you can request a refund from the state. Click here to visit the Department of Taxation and Finance’s website.

New attraction coming to WonderWorks at Destiny USA: What's in Store

Fri, 31 May 2013 04:50:00 -0400

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – A new attraction just for kids is coming to WonderWorks at the Destiny USA mall expansion.

Sky Tykes will open this weekend.

The attraction features a ropes course designed for children ages 2 through 7.

It’s on the second floor of the mall expansion in the Canyon Area.

The course is designed for easy parent participation.

If you’d like to know What’s in Store, call the Your Stories team at (315) 446-9900 or email YourStories@9wsyr.com.

Will the Tully Burger King be rebuilt? What’s in Store

Fri, 31 May 2013 04:50:00 -0400

Updated: Fri. May 31 at 3:30 p.m.

Tully (WSYR-TV) – A well-known Burger King location in Tully was ruined by fire in February and while the owner says it will be rebuilt, it's not known when that will happen.

A mechanical failure in the ventilation system sparked the fire and severe damage put it out of business.

Rich Bartlett of the Bart-Rich company, which owns the Tully location and 20 other Burger King restaurants in Central New York, says he's working with the insurance company and architect.

Bartlett says the old building will have to come down. He says there's no timetable yet for when a new Burger King will be built.

If you’d like to know What’s in Store, call the Your Stories team at (315) 446-9900 or email YourStories@9wsyr.com.

Groundbreaking for new Loretto development planned for Wednesday: What’s in Store

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:10:30 -0400

Cicero (WSYR-TV) - Loretto is breaking ground on a housing development for independent seniors in Cicero next week.

According to Cicero Town Supervisor Jim Corl, an event is scheduled for Wednesday at 2 p.m. near the Cicero Twin Rinks.

The planning and zoning office says there will be 12 residential-style buildings with 13 occupants in each.

If you'd like to know What's in Store in your neighborhood, give us a call at 446-9900, or you can e-mail yourstories@9wsyr.com.

McShane’s in East Syracuse closing, planning to open food truck: What’s in Store

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:07:27 -0400

East Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - The doors are closing at McShane's on Kinne Street in East Syracuse.

According to the restaurant's Facebook page, the last day for business at the brick-and-mortar pub is Friday, but a food truck will soon take its place.

No word yet on when the "Chicken Bandit" might be ready or where it will be located.

McShane's was recently featured on the Food Network show "Restaurant Impossible."

If you'd like to know What's in Store in your neighborhood, give us a call at 446-9900, or you can e-mail yourstories@9wsyr.com.

New Thrifty Shopper store open at Wesvale Plaza: What's in Store

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:03:40 -0400

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - The Rescue Mission has opened its 14th Thrifty Shopper store in Syracuse’s Westvale Plaza.

The location includes a donation center and mission returns redemption center.

Thrifty Shopper stores sell gently used clothing and household items.

Proceeds benefit the Rescue Mission's efforts to combat hunger and homelessness.

If you'd like to know What's in Store in your neighborhood, give us a call at 446-9900, or you can e-mail yourstories@9wsyr.com.

Stolen backpack is Army widow’s cherished memory of her late husband

Mon, 20 May 2013 17:51:00 -0400

Liverpool (WSYR-TV) - With her husband killed, a victim of war, Ginny Gaudet cherishes everything that brings back memories of him.

It's why the events of this past weekend are so devastating. The backpack once owned by Army pilot Bradley Gaudet has been stolen.

Gaudet remembers her late husband, Brad, arriving home from Afghanistan just in time to see their daughter Addyson born.

Two weeks later, he shipped off to war, again with his favorite backpack on his shoulder.

“The twentieth of May 2011 is when we sent him off at Hancock Field, That was the last time I saw him, walking away with that backpack on,” Gaudet said.

That backpack is something she has held onto after the Army pilot was killed in action in June of 2011.

This weekend, it was stolen from her car at Frank's Plank Road Café in Cicero.

On Saturday night, the suspect broke the car window and grabbed the bag which was on the floor in the backseat. Gaudet says it had some clothing and makeup in it.

“It's not necessarily the things that are in it, I could care less about those things, they can be replaced. It's the bag itself. It was his. It was the last thing he had when he was here. It's just a very sentimental thing to me, and to these people, it's just a thing to them,” Gaudet said.

Cicero Police are now investigating. If you have any information, call them at 699-3677.

New Chipotle restaurant and Verizon Wireless store coming to Clay: What’s in Store

Fri, 10 May 2013 13:01:41 -0400

Clay (WSYR-TV) - COR Development has built a 6,000 square-foot retail space for a new Verizon Wireless store and a Chipotle restaurant in front of the Lowe’s on Rt. 31 in Clay.

The developers have said the tenants would move in sometime this spring and the stores would likely open by mid-summer.

We're still waiting on word of any changes to the timeline. If there are any, we'll pass those along as soon as we get them.

LaFayette country club closed down: Your Stories

Fri, 10 May 2013 12:57:48 -0400

Onondaga (WSYR-TV) - The LaFayette Hills Golf & Country Club has shut down operations because of a battle over taxes.

Last fall, Onondaga County was going to put the property up for auction, but that was prevented when the owner signed an installment agreement to pay back taxes owed.

Regular payments were made until March. That payment hasn't come through yet.

More than $140,000 is owed on the two parcels of land that make up the country club.

The owner of the property is negotiating with several parties regarding leasing of the clubhouse facilities and has scheduled to pay all property taxes ahead of the current agreement by the end of this month.

Gannon’s opening downtown ice cream location Monday

Fri, 10 May 2013 12:56:46 -0400

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – On Monday, Gannon's Isle ice cream will hold a grand opening of it’s new downtown Syracuse location.

The new shop is on Jefferson St. in the old Dey's building.

Gannon's has two other locations, one on Valley Dr. at West Seneca Turnpike, the other on McDonald Road.

Land cleared near OCRRA compost facility in Amboy: Your Stories

Thu, 09 May 2013 16:23:41 -0400

Question: Why has land been cleared near the OCRRA compost facility in Amboy?

Answer: Kristen Lawton with the Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency says they are expanding the composting facility to accept food waste from the commercial sector.

Construction started last month and as they move forward, crews will install new access roads to improve traffic flow.

They'll also create a storm-water pond and wetland area to protect the water quality.

Work should wrap up and the area should be ready for use in the fall.

Again, this drop off service will be for commercial use only to start, not for private households.

Do you have a question for the Your Stories team? Call 446-9900 or email yourstories@9wsyr.com.