News Channel 9: Your Stories

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.

What’s in Store?: Your Stories Q&A

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:50:36 GMT

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - What's in Store? A big-name city restaurant may be looking to expand into the eastern suburbs, a new drug store for the north side, and when will the pumps open again in Fayetteville?

First, we've got a new pharmacy to fill a void in the Lyncourt area. They're working hard at the site of the new C&J’s North Side Pharmacy at Lyncourt Plaza at Teall Avenue and Court Street.

The owner is Chris Verrillo, one of the former pharmacists at Lyncourt Drug, which recently closed just a stone's throw away after years in business on nearby Arterial Road. Verrillo tells us she hopes to open the new C&J's within the next week or two, next to Freihofer's at Lyncourt Plaza, offering a full line of prescription medications, along with health and beauty aids and durable medical equipment.

Heading east, to Fayetteville, a lot of you have been asking about the construction on the northeast corner of Route 5 and Burdick Street. The old Mobil station is down, and going up in its place, soon, will be a new Express Mart. We’re told by an Express Mart executive it'll be a 24-hour gas station and convenience store, offering hot and cold food.

She can't yet confirm the brand of gasoline. She does say a touch-free carwash will return to this site. The opening is targeted for the end of this year or early 2010.

In the Village of Manlius, Mayor Mark-Paul Serafin confirms that the Village Walk project in the center of town will be anchored by a very familiar restaurant. Serafin's message on the village website says Pastabilities, the longtime Armory Square eatery, will open a casual dining restaurant and bake shop in the Manlius. This would be a second location; the downtown eatery will stay put.

Late Wednesday, Pastabilities owner Karyn Korteling told us that the Manlius mayor is a bit premature in making his announcement. "At the moment, we are just in talks with the Village Walk Manlius developers, and no decisions have yet been made,” Korteling says.

Serafin says talks are also ongoing with other established, well-known central New York businesses and retailers to locate in the Manlius Village Walk, which will take shape over the next two years.

We’ll keep you posted.

If you want to know What's in Store in your village, town or neighborhood, call the Your Stories line at 446-9900, or e-mail yourstories@9wsyr.com.

Extended unemployment benefits: Your Stories Q&A

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:48:57 GMT

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – This Your Stories Q&A deals with the waiting game for all the unemployed who've almost exhausted their 26 weeks of benefits.

They're waiting for -- and wondering about -- an emergency, 13-week extension.

We got that question in an e-mail from Marcia, but it could easily have come from any one of thousands of central New Yorkers unemployed and nearing the end of their current 26 weeks of benefits.

There is federal legislation that would extend those benefits by another 13 weeks, but only half of Congress has approved that legislation.

The House has passed the bill that would tack on the extra 13 weeks of emergency unemployment benefits, but Democrats and Republicans can't get it together in the Senate.

Senate Democrats moved twice last week to pass the bill; Republicans, pushing back against other economic recovery programs from the administration, blocked the legislation.

We checked in Tuesday with the office of one of our two U.S. senators. Kirsten Gillibrand says she and other Democrats will try again this week to extend the jobless pay, but until the Senate acts and the president signs the bill, keep claiming your weekly benefits in the usual way.

Stay with 9wsyr.com and the state labor department's website for the very latest.

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

Animal abuse worries: who to call? Your Stories Q&A

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:50:04 GMT

A concerned Your Stories viewer wants to know who you should call if you think you’re witnessing animal cruelty first hand.

The viewer is worried about a dog she sees in a neighbor’s yard that ison a five foot chain, round the clock in the front yard, with no foodand very little water in sight. She says her calls to local police andthe dog control officer were not returned.

Depending on where you live, there may or may not be animal controlofficers and depending on time of day, or night, you may havedifficulty getting a hold of your local police agency.

Paul Morgan, the Director of the Central New York SPCA said the bestthing to do is call 911. Morgan says if the call goes on record rightaway and if a police officer response is required, an officer can bedispatched right away.

The 911 directors and deputy directors in every local county agree: 911will take those calls and say you should not hesitate to call if yousee animal cruelty.

In Oswego County, Mike Allen says his call-takers will refer youimmediately to the appropriate animal control officer and give youtheir number. Fulton Police has its own full-time officer for thosetypes of calls.

It’s important to also keep in mind 911 calls are dispatched on a priority basis, human life and safety first.

What’s in Store: Three businesses slated to open in CNY

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:25:40 GMT

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - What's in Store around central New York? You've been calling us and sending lots of e-mails about new places popping up and old ones coming down -- and we're doing our best to keep up with you.

In East Syracuse, within a few weeks, the area's newest fitness center will open. You've seen the work going on inside and outside this building, and been wondering what's going in here along West Manlius Street in the village, and we can tell you it will be Kathy's Fit Stop.

Kathy Caiello tells us her new location will offer 24-hour access, personal trainers, nutrition classes, and hot stone treatments. She's hoping to open early in November.

Also in the eastern suburbs, on the southwest corner of Route 5 and Burdick Street in Fayetteville, Empower Federal Credit Union is under construction. It'll be Empower's first branch on the east side of town. The credit union's top spokesperson tells us there had been a tremendous demand for a location in the Fayetteville-Manlius area, and this is where it will be.

When will it open? We’re told it'll be the end of January or early February, sooner if possible.

And Lori called us from Ithaca, wondering What's in Store along Route 13, where they've been tearing down the former Bruce's Car Wash. A new Panera bakery and cafe will go up in front of the K-Mart there on the Meadow Street part of Route 13.

Ithaca city planners say the new eatery will be opening by early to mid-2010. Two other tenants will reportedly be joining Panera on the site, but we don't know yet who those will be.

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 e-mail yourstories@9wsyr.com.

Bottle bill money, where does it go? Your Stories Q&A

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:52:00 GMT

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - We'll start with the new source of revenue, thanks to the so-called, "Bigger, Better, Bottle Bill."

Robert gale e-mailed us at Your Stories, asking "what happens to all those 5-cent deposits on unreturned bottles and cans?"

Well, until now, the beverage distributors kept all those unclaimed nickels. But under the law, now...the distributors will keep just 20% of those unclaimed deposits.

The State General Fund gets the other 80%. A spokesperson for the State DEC says the state's share is estimated to be more than $100 million in the next fiscal year. That estimate includes a projection for a certain number of bottled water deposits that are not redeemed. The state hasn't been able to start collecting the deposit on water, because of court challenges. The two sides are expected back in court on that, next week.

Also, Karen from Manlius asked if all the billions we spend on lottery tickets is really going to school aid, as intended.

The lottery division is quick to give us hard numbers because they get this question all the time. In the last fiscal year, we're told, net proceeds to education totaled 2.5 billion dollars. That's 31% of all lottery revenue. Where does the rest of it go? 60% gets paid out in prize money. 6% goes to retail and commissions, just under 2% to vendors and another 1.8% to operating costs.

What’s in Store: New restaurants, gas station upgrade

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:48:25 GMT

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - What's in Store around central New York? A couple new restaurants, and a waiting game for commuters in one of the northern suburbs who've lost their gas station for the time being.

On Erie Boulevard East, where the old Bennigan's used to sit, a new Japanese steak house will soon open.

Koto Japanese Steak House could be open by the holidays, but manager Will Cheung tells us it all depends on how quickly they can button things up with construction and finishing touches.

This marks Koto's entry into the Syracuse market. The chain has other restaurants in the
Albany area and in New England. Chung says the steak house will have a sushi bar, 14 hibachi tables and private banquet rooms.

At Taft and Buckley roads, people who normally use the Sunoco station there have been driving somewhere else to get gas for a week or so, and we’re told you'll have to keep doing that for about another week or so.

A Sunoco spokesman says they continue to replace the older pumps there with newer equipment. The upgrade, he says, is normally about a two week job, and they're pretty close to being on schedule.

The Sunoco convenience store there has remained open and will stay open while the outside work continues.

And, for three years, the old Cross Lake Inn and Marina had been closed. The marina reopened in May, and Thursday, they'll have a grand reopening for the restaurant, located on Fire Lane 18 in Cato, about nine miles west of Baldwinsville.

Everything's been remodeled there; they'll be open every day except Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Co-owner Daryle Loguidice tells us up to 30 full- and part-time jobs are being created for the waterfront restaurant.

Like to know What's in Store in your neighborhood, town or village? Give the Your Stories line a call at 446-9900 or e-mail yourstories@9wsyr.com.

OCC’s new $600k sign; Your Stories Q&A

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:00:58 GMT

Onondaga County Lawmakers are expected to finalize one of the toughest, tightest county budgets in years Tuesday. Major spending, job cuts, and tax hikes are all on the table.

Some of you have been asking the Your Stories team about where the money came from for a brand-new, very visible sign at Onondaga Community College that cost $600-thousand to put in place.

OCC spokesperson Amy Kremenek told NewsChannel 9 says the $600-thousandprice tag will be offset, at least partially, by private donations.

The signs greet people as they enter the campus from either Route 175 or Route 173.

The college says the new signs were way overdue and that the old ones had been there just about as long as the campus itself.

Kremenek says the specific design was chosen so the college could have more flexibility communicating with the public. The new LED message boards in the new big signs allow the instant communication of both scheduled events and, if needed, emergency information.

The new sign on Route 175 is nearly finished. The college says they should have the Route 173 sign done within a few weeks.

We’re told the new signs should last at least 20 to 30 years.

OCC says they are well worth the money spent and are needed for spreading messages to students, staff and visitors.

What’s in Store: Drug store opens, car dealerships close

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 20:23:27 GMT

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - In this What’s In Store, there’s word of a new pharmacy just opening up – and word of two car dealerships that have shut down.

The newest drug store in town is inside the Nojaim Brothers supermarket at the corner of Gifford and West streets in Syracuse. It's a Kinney Drugs pharmacy, open for business seven days a week, with free prescription delivery offered Monday through Friday.

Kinney says it hopes to improve access to prescription drugs and preventive health care on the near west side.

A bit further west, along auto row, we've been asked about the old Sam Dell dealership at the corner of West Genesee and Geddes streets.

Pyramid brokerage is handling the sale of the property there. Broker Tom Lischak tells us the asking price right now is $2.5 million, and he says developers from across the country are taking a hard look because of its prime location.

Lischak says the most interest is coming from developers who are thinking of putting new retail there, with clothing stores and fast food restaurants all likely in the mix, he says.

The old Dell building would come down, he says, to make way for all that. There are no deals yet, but we'll keep you posted.

Along Hiawatha Boulevard, the Joe Romano Chevy dealership is dark, empty and closed. A recorded phone message confirms the closing and urges customers to call other Chevy dealers for sales, service and parts.

We tried to learn more Friday from Romano CFO Tom Kennedy, but were told that he would have no comment on the closure of the Chevy dealership.

If you'd like to know What's In Store, call us at 446-9900, or e-mail yourstories@9wsyr.com.

Smoking to end near hospitals: Your Stories Q&A

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:42:03 GMT

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – This Your Stories Q&A centers on smoking near hospitals.

You've been wondering how much longer smokers will be allowed to light up so close to both University and Crouse Hospitals, and the answer is not much longer.

Delores from Mattydale e-mailed this one in. She went to the ER at University Hospital with her daughter a few days back, and on their way back to their car, they had to walk through a group of nurses smoking along Adams Street, near the front entrance to the hospital.

She knows there's a no smoking policy on the hospital campus, and wonders why it's not being enforced.

Well, in a few weeks, it will be. Hospital spokesman Darryl Geddes says because Adams Street falls just outside the hospital's jurisdiction, (it's actually within the city's control) enforcement has been an issue along the sidewalk.

But on November 1st, a new county law takes effect banning smoking within 100 feet of any hospital property -- and the law gives the hospital enforcement authority in that wider area.

Geddes says University and Crouse hospitals are working together right now on signs and pamphlets to let smokers know about the change. He says that educational effort, which also includes smoking cessation help for staff, will be pointed towards November 18th, the annual Great American Smokeout Day. And after that, the enforcement will begin.

Geddes says both hospitals have heard from a lot of non-smokers who've run the Adams Street smoking gauntlet. They know it's a nuisance, and after mid-November, it should be a thing of the past.

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