As 2017 comes to a close, it’s a good time to reflect on our accomplishments and refocus our efforts to help keep Central New York moving forward. We faced some challenges this year, but once again proved that Central New Yorkers come together to get...

Central New York is a fantastic region to call home, with unique job opportunities, unparalleled medical facilities, exciting social and arts events, and breathtaking green spaces. This year’s Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) Awards included...

In today’s world, access to the internet is vital. Every day, Central New Yorkers go online to pay bills, complete school projects, connect with family members across the world and look for employment. Unfortunately, the Federal Communications...

There’s nothing more heartbreaking for parents than learning that their child has a serious illness. Long-term medical treatment, which often includes countless visits to the doctor, can turn a child’s life upside down and get in the way of them being...

Assemblyman Al Stirpe (D-Cicero) and Senator David J. Valesky (D-Oneida) announced they’ve introduced legislation to create the Virtual Inclusion Plan (VIP) to help fund technology that would allow children with chronic illnesses and those undergoing...

During the holiday season, we gather with friends and family to share in joy, laughter and good food. This year, let’s make sure that we are also extending our hearts to those in the community who may need a helping hand. I’m encouraging everyone...

The brave men and women who serve our country make incredible sacrifices to defend our freedoms. They experience situations that many of us can only imagine. Under the harshest of conditions, they are separated from friends and family to fight for our...

It’s time to dig into a slice of pumpkin pie, enjoy some cider and break out the holiday decorations. With the holiday season quickly approaching, there’s a lot going on with feasts to prepare and gifts to give. Luckily, everything you need for the...

Assemblyman Al Stirpe (D-Cicero) and Senator David Valesky (D-Oneida) announced that a bill they authored to create two-tiered fee structure for licensing food producers has been signed into law (Ch. 400 of 2017). Until now, the license for opening a...

As we decorate our homes with pumpkins, cornstalks and cobwebs, it’s clear that fall is upon us and the spirit of Halloween is in full swing. While the holiday should be filled with treats and fun, remembering to be cautious and reminding your children...

Addiction is a serious issue that continues to claim the lives of innocent people across the state and country. There’s no way to sugarcoat it. Addiction takes a devastating toll on the body and the mind and fractures relationships with family and friends....

There’s so much to do here in Central New York during the fall season. We’re lucky to live in a region with amazing farms that offer activities for the whole family, such as apple and pumpkin picking, lakes for fishing and parks to hike scenic trails...

There’s nothing more important than family. We’d put our lives on hold to ensure that we’re there for our loved ones in their time of need. While this selflessness should be applauded, it has unfortunately been met with a heavy price tag for many...

Getting a bird’s-eye view of vast crop land has the potential to help farmers estimate yields, check on soil health or detect problems with irrigation. Drones can do just that. In fact, experts predict that drone technology will help farmers take such...

The back-to-school rush is upon us and this year, I want to remind everyone that while schedules may become hectic, keeping the safety of our students in mind should be our top priority. As students hop on and off the bus or walk home, it’s more important...

Here in Central New York, our communities were built by the contributions of hardworking families. On Labor Day, we celebrate Central New York’s diverse workforce and its tireless efforts to move our region’s economy forward. From the service sector...

The fight for women’s equality has deep roots here in Central New York. In 1848, the nation’s first women’s rights convention was held right up the road in Seneca Falls. Organized by abolitionists Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, the convention...

On April 15, 1817, the New York State Legislature voted to construct the Erie Canal, and 200 years later, it continues to serve as a vital resource for our communities. The 363-mile waterway represents an unparalleled accomplishment of early 19th-century...

Each minute, nearly 20 people are physically abused by an intimate partner in this country;1 an act of sexual assault occurs every 98 seconds.2 These aren’t just statistics on a page – these heinous acts are happening right here in Onondaga County....

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the nation’s most comprehensive civil rights law that addresses the challenges people living with disabilities face, was signed into law 30 years ago on July 26, 1990. This landmark legislation prohibits discrimination...