From overgrown weeds and
scrubs, to graffiti on the facade. The owner of Tony's Pizza is hoping to
transform the former cosmopolitan center into this....a healthy moneymaking
business. Today Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri confirmed the sale of another
vacant property owned by the city.
The Mayor says, "We're taking a building that has been
somewhat taken off the tax rolls a building that is need of repair that has
been vacant for over 8 years and this year we've been aggressively trying to
market the building."
The mayor says he had others interested in the property and says
these plans are a great fit for the city's vision.
Palmieri added, "I think this was just a natural venue
for them, something that was beneficial for them, but more importantly
extremely beneficial for the city and what it's going to offer our city."
Currently the building is in rough condition and a
project assistant for tony says it could take hundreds of thousands to restore
but they see it as a worthwhile investment.
Frank Cristiano, the project assistant says, "Putting the
money in there will be a no brainer because we expect to get some immediate
results from being right next door to the Utica Auditorium itself, part of that
Bagg's West downtown area development as well with future sites going up it
should sort of buffer what we do."
The
city says it has a three year plan to begin development in Bagg Square West and
Frank says they are more than happy to help breathe new life into the City of Utica.
Cristiano continued, "You can't give up on things that are
happening down there, to progress we need more people to get involved. You know
we're taking a shot, but sometimes those are the best things that happen when
you go out there on a limb and try to extend and do something good."
The New York SAFE Act, which was recently signed into law by Governor
Andrew Cuomo, has been a controversial topic since the day it was signed
into law. But now law enforcement officers are up a...
Homicide laws may be changing here in New York, and that's sparking a debate between pro-life and pro-choice. Governor Cuomo's annoucement of a forthcoming 'Reproductive Health Act' in his address a...
The rescue efforts in and around Oklahoma City continue, but the recovery efforts are also underway. Officials say at least 24 people were killed in the devastating 2-mile wide twister that entire 4...
Many taxpayers across New
York State are voting on their respective school district's budget and board of
education today.
The biggest budget being
voted on in our area is that of the City...
As taxpayers of the Herkimer
School District vote on the school's budget, they'll also decide whether or not
an area library will change its funding structure.
Basloe Library is to approve...
The Herkimer County Legislature
has proclaimed today as a "Day of Reflection and Recognition."
Officials tonight will
remember the four lives taken on March 13th during a shooting spree in...
This very warm and very muggy air-mass continues to only get more so, through Thursday, and when combined with daytime heating, and little disturbed pockets moving through the atmosphere, when they...
The Trenton Town Supervisor accused of sexually abusing a young boy
began his trial today. Mark Scheidelman was in Oneida County court this
morning for a single charge of first-degree sexual is...
When everyone is running away.. they're the ones running toward the fires, floods, and shootings. Red Cross is implementing a new program to increase volunteerism in Central New York. They've an for...
Today marks the start of 'Small Business Week' across the entire state. In Herkimer County, the Chamber of Commerce is encouraging residents to shop locally by hosting different events all week In a...
As taxpayers of the Herkimer
School District vote on the school's budget, they'll also decide whether or not
an area library will change its funding structure.
Basloe Library is asking
residents to approve them to become a library district, meaning the taxpayers
will vote on the library's budget and its board of trustees.
In return, it will provide
more funding for the library.
"We're looking to get
$270,000 out of this vote. That will restore our funding to where it was five
years ago. This is what it's about- to restore our funding," said Library Director,
Lesley Paul.
The library is currently
funded by the Village of Herkimer. Over the years, officials say the village
had to cut contributions to the library. By becoming a library district,
funding will be coming from the taxpayers within in the school district.
The Herkimer County Legislature
has proclaimed today as a "Day of Reflection and Recognition."
Officials tonight will
remember the four lives taken on March 13th during a shooting spree in the Herkimer
and Mohawk communities.
First responders and
public safety agencies that responded that day will also be recognized for
their brave services.
"During the events of
that day and that month, we had to bury the dead and mourn appropriately. Now
we let everything reset," said Chairman Vincent Bono.
A ceremony will take place
tonight at HCCC's gymnasium. The public is invited the event will kickoff at 7
tonight.
This very warm and very muggy air-mass continues to only get more so, through Thursday, and when combined with daytime heating, and little disturbed pockets moving through the atmosphere, when they link up, you get thunderstorms...and when they link up well, the storms can become severe...which in this case, would involve heavy wind (over 50 mph) and small to medium size hail (over 3/4" in diameter). The risk is low the rest of today, medium tomorrow PM, and higher Thursday. Beyond that, rain will likely linger into Friday...while cooler air is pouring in...but the rain will by evening. But then, a cool wind will blow in through the weekend, although skies will be fair.
The Trenton Town Supervisor accused of sexually abusing a young boy
began his trial today. Mark Scheidelman was in Oneida County court this
morning for a single charge of first-degree sexual abuse.
Jury
selection is all about finding an honest jury with no outside
influence. But when it comes to a case involving a well-known town
supervisor, also a former political leader, that process can be more
difficult. Oneida County Court Judge Michael Dwyer spoke to more than 70
potential jurors before a selection was made.
"We need you to be
fair and impartial and that means coming into this courtroom without
any preconceived notions," says Judge Michael Dwyer, Oneida County
Court.
It's
a case that's garnered media attention; and after hearing, reading, and
seeing several allegations about Mark Scheidelman these past few
months, will a jury of his peers give him a fair shot? Scheidelman is
charged with first-degree sexual abuse after he was accused of sexually
touching a boy through his clothes in the presence of two other boys.
Scheidelman's attorney says his clients' social standing will only help
his case
"I'm not worried about it. I'm pleased with it because
he has such a well respected standing in the community. And I certainly
think it will be reflected in the outcome. He's earned a good standing,
he's earned a good reputation," says George Aney, Scheidelman's attorney.
A
topic of debate in previous hearings has been a secretly recorded
conversation Scheidelman had with police while he was being questioned.
Scheidelman was not in custody at the time. But Judge Dwyer ruled that
police did not violate his rights and prosecutors will be allowed to use
parts of that conversation in the trial.
"That secret recording,
which I do not approve of, strangely enough, bodes well for Mark. Not
only then but throughout the trial and let's find him not guilty and
let's be done with it, that's the way it should be," says Aney.
Judge
Dwyer also ruled that prosecutors could not use any part of the
recording after Scheidelman said he wanted to speak with an attorney -
that was 16 minutes into the recording.
After a long
selection process, there will be 5 men and 8 women serving on the jury
for Scheidelman's trial. Both sides also gave opening statements.
Witness testimony will begin on
Wednesday, and is expected to last through Thursday.
When everyone is running away.. they're the ones running toward the fires, floods, and shootings. Red Cross is implementing a new program to increase volunteerism in Central New York. They've created an on-call program for their Disaster Response Team; those are the volunteers that respond to day-to-day accidents. Members will be on-call for one full week at a time and then off for 3 weeks. Coordinators say this will provide more structure to the Red Cross and more responsibility for volunteers.
"Having a small group of 6-10 people is fine and we could cover the 2 counties that way. But we'd like to have a big bench so if something happens like the Herkimer shooting, we're not relying on 6-10 people. Now we have 20-30 responders and they can help us with those," says Rich Hajeris, Red Cross Emergency Service Manager.
Coordinators say this new program will require more staffing though and that's why they're urging people to volunteer today.
For more information, visit: www.redcross.org/ny/utica and/or www.redcross.org/ny/syracuse
Today marks the start of 'Small Business Week' across the entire state. In Herkimer County, the Chamber of Commerce is encouraging residents to shop locally by hosting different events all week long. In honor of Main Street Monday, Eyewitness News visits an Ilion restaurant who says this week has a big impact on owners, as well as community members.
"We're giving people a different variety and with our product , we've very personal, we like to take care of our customers. Something special, fresh cooked, and just taking care of our customers like we do our family members," says Kelley Holmes-Morton, owner of Froggy's Take-Out in Ilion.
Complete week-long schedule of events:
May 20th: Main Street Monday- encouraging residents to shop locally May 21st: Tidy-Up Tuesday- Deb Cabral the DeClutter Coach hosts efficiency consulting at HCCC 8:30am May 22nd: Wine & Dine Wednesday- encouraging residents to support local restaurants May 23rd: Thank you Thursday- Find out how HCCC can help your business at an Evening Reception 5:30-7:30pm May
24th: Fun Friday- Stop in the Chamber Office for additional information
from week's events and grab some coffee and a doughnut 7:30-9:30am
For more information, visit: http://www.herkimercountychamber.com/
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