69传媒

AURELIUS 鈥� There's a new sight while driving down Clark Street Road.

Instead of the bright yellow monolithic facade synonymous with Buffalo Wild Wings, a vibrant coat of azure has freshened the exterior of the same building. Casa Azteca Restaurante Mexicano & Cantina鈥檚 wordless emblem looms high above the road, keeping the building from going the way of the buffalo or becoming another chain restaurant.聽

Before Casa Azteca was even a thought, restaurant co-owner Joel Aguirre told 69传媒 on Monday, his footprint in the Finger Lakes started with a road trip. He decided to take the scenic route through the region while driving back to Ohio, where he calls home, from his Rhode Island restaurant, Agaves Mexican Grill.

鈥淚t鈥檚 an attractive part of New York,鈥� Aguirre said, noting he had heard good things about the region. Things began to click in Ithaca, where an idea rushed through Aguirre's mind. He credited the beauty of Buttermilk Falls. The rest is history: In 2015, Old Mexico Restaurant & Cantina came to fruition in Ithaca, followed by more restaurants.

The latest of them, Casa Azteca held its soft opening last weekend. The doors to the restaurant opened for family and close friends, giving them a taste of what 69传媒 and the surrounding area can expect. A bombardment of aesthetics 鈥� darkened interior, muted yellow walls, minimal decor and a working fountain in the center of the dining area 鈥� greets patrons before the host does.

鈥淲e didn鈥檛 have to do much,鈥� Aguirre said in regard to revamping the former Buffalo Wild Wings. Most of the work went into updating the kitchen and installing the fountain.

Much as the aesthetics may pop, Aguirre continued, it's the food and atmosphere that take precedence.聽

鈥淲e want to bring the flavors of Mexico to (the Finger Lakes region),鈥� Aguirre said. 鈥淲e want good vibes and happy people.鈥�

The restaurant seats more than 200 people, making it a place families and friends can gather, relax and enjoy the food and company. Eventually, they'll be able to enjoy live music as well. Aguirre said he wants to partner with a mariachi band out of Cornell University to provide that addition to the atmosphere.

Casa Azteca's other co-owner, Rafael Atilano, is tasked with running the restaurant alongside Jose Reyes. Atilano told 69传媒 he鈥檚 been familiar with the restaurant business since childhood, taking on a variety of roles from his teenage years through the present. He moved to the area with his family from Tennessee, and they can be found helping out in the kitchen and elsewhere.

鈥淢y kids are first-generation here,鈥� said Atilano, who hopes to keep Mexican traditions thriving in central New York.聽

The food at Casa Azteca is solely Mexican, not Tex-Mex. Aguirre, whose cultural roots stem from the state of Puebla, southeast of Mexico City, said the menu will focus on the cuisine from that region. Patrons can find tacos and quesadillas on the menu, but the restaurant wants to include more traditional cuisine like聽pozole, a soup with vegetables, meat and spices, and al pastor, a seasoned pork.

鈥淲e鈥檙e sticking with the menu with what we have for the time being,鈥� Aguirre said, 鈥渂ut customers can expect more traditional specials.鈥�

Smiling, Aguirre said customers can expect "a pop in their tastebuds鈥� from Casa Azteca's food and beverages. As the menu develops, drink specials will as well, such as a jalape帽o margarita with mezcal.

Plans for an official grand opening are underway. Aguirre emphasized that he wants the restaurant to grow naturally, and for kinks to be worked out as they emerge, so a date has not yet been set.

Gallery: Mexican restaurant Casa Azteca opens in Aurelius

A former town justice in Cayuga 69传媒 is facing a felony charge for allegedly stealing court funds 鈥� an accusation that led to her resignation over the summer.聽

June Shepardson has been charged with fourth-degree grand larceny. Her attorney, J. Justin Woods, confirmed she was arraigned in Aurelius Town Court.聽

Shepardson, who served as a town and village justice in Moravia since 2001, was suspended July 5 amid a state investigation. Her suspension was handed down by Judge James Murphy, the deputy chief administrative judge who oversees town and village courts in New York.聽

More details about the investigation were included in a stipulation by the state Commission on Judicial Conduct. The commission revealed that Shepardson, who resigned聽on Sept. 1, was under investigation for the theft of more than $6,000 in court funds from the town and village of Moravia.聽

"Town and village court justices are responsible for safeguarding, reporting and promptly remitting all official monies collected by their courts from fines, fees and other sources," said Robert Tembeckjian, the commission's administrator. "The failure to do so undermines public confidence in the integrity of the judiciary, and the commission takes seriously any credible allegation that a judge has stolen or otherwise misappropriated such funds."聽

With Shepardson resigning and agreeing to not seek judicial office in the future, the commission concluded its investigation. But it did not shield her from any criminal proceedings.聽

In a statement, Woods said his client "developed a gambling addiction for which she is now in recovery." He told 69传媒 that Shepardson is in the process of voluntarily excluding herself from New York casinos.聽

While the criminal case must be resolved, Woods said Shepardson "looks forward to returning to private life, continuing in recovery and helping bring awareness and treatment resources about gambling addiction to those isolated in rural areas."聽

Two drivers were seriously injured in a head-on crash in Cayuga 69传媒 this week.

The Cayuga 69传媒 Sheriff鈥檚 Office said in a news release that the accident occurred at about 5:20 p.m. Thursday on Route 90 near Creek Road in the town of Genoa when a vehicle traveling westbound went off the north side of the roadway. The vehicle came back onto the roadway and crossed into oncoming traffic, resulting in a head-on collision with a vehicle traveling eastbound.

The operator of the westbound vehicle was transported to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse. The operator of the eastbound vehicle was airlifted to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.

Both remained hospitalized Friday, police said, and there were no other passengers in either vehicle. The names of the drivers were not immediately released.

The cause of the crash was still under investigation Friday by members of the sheriff鈥檚 office's Criminal Investigations Division and Accident Reconstruction Unit, and the office is requesting that anyone with more information on the accident contact Detective David Harkness at (315) 294-8143. Information can also be shared at .

The sheriff鈥檚 office said it was assisted by the King Ferry Fire Department, Genoa Fire Department, Locke Fire Department, Southern Cayuga Instant Aid, LifeNet, the Cayuga 69传媒 Office of Emergency Services, New York State Police, the New York State Department of Transportation and Cayuga 69传媒 E-911.

An employee at a youth residential facility in Cayuga 69传媒 was arrested last month for allegedly causing an altercation between two teenagers, New York State Police said.

Ali VanGiesen, an employee at the Harriet Tubman Residential Facility in the town of Sennett, was arrested Nov. 30, according to a . A months-long investigation by the聽New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation from the 69传媒 station found that VanGiesen, 28, of 69传媒, was allegedly involved in causing an altercation between two female 15-year-olds at the facility on Sept. 21.

The investigation was prompted by a report from the New York State Justice Center, police said.

VanGiesen was charged with official misconduct and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child (all class C misdemeanors).

She was issued an appearance ticket returnable to Sennett Town Court on Jan. 10.

Just before her trial was set to begin, a Syracuse woman has pleaded guilty to robbing the Kohl's department store in Aurelius.

Cayuga 69传媒 District Attorney Brittany Grome Antonacci said in a news release Monday that Kahlila Bender-Baker, 36, pleaded guilty to the entire indictment charging her with second-degree robbery, a violent felony, and third-degree grand larceny.

Bender-Baker聽was scheduled for a jury trial beginning Monday morning on charges that she, along with three others, all from Onondaga 69传媒, entered the Kohl's store on June 11 and stole more than $3,000 worth of merchandise.

Bender-Baker also threatened an employee with a taser while leaving the store through the back emergency exit. She was taken into custody by members of the 69传媒 Police Department and the New York State Police in the area of Dill Street.

Bender-Baker faces an aggregate maximum prison sentence of 3.5 to 15 years, followed by five years of post-release supervision. She is scheduled to be sentenced before Judge Thomas G. Leone on March 21.

鈥淭he Cayuga 69传媒 District Attorney鈥檚 Office has made it a priority to prosecute repeat offenders who target retail stores in our county," Grome Antonacci said. "To combat the ever-rising retail theft across the state, our office, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue our commitment to holding these individuals accountable for their actions and seeking swift prosecution of these offenders.鈥�

A driver who was injured crashing into trees in the town of Mentz had been drinking, police said.

The Cayuga 69传媒 Sheriff's Office on Thursday said that William A. Sanderson, 20, was traveling south on Lasher Road at about 4:30 a.m. Nov. 5 when his vehicle crossed over the northbound lane, exited the roadway and collided with several trees, causing substantial damage to the vehicle.

The office's Patrol Division found Sanderson, the sole occupant of the vehicle, injured at the scene, and he was transported via ambulance to Upstate Hospital in Syracuse.

The investigation determined that Sanderson had been driving while intoxicated by alcohol, the sheriff's office said, and once a blood toxicology report returned from the lab, he was charged with driving while intoxicated and other traffic infractions. He was released and is scheduled to appear in Mentz Town Court on Dec. 11.

The sheriff's office said that it was assisted by the Port Byron Fire Department, AMR ambulance and the Cayuga 69传媒 E-911 Center.

The air grows cooler, and the days become shorter as we approach the end of the year. It is a reflective and special time to think about family and blessings; often these memories are tied with the warmest of feelings. Let鈥檚 take a moment to applaud family in all shapes, and family everywhere! Today鈥檚 story is a two-part tale, one big and one small, but they both focus on family.

We will begin with the smaller tale. It was a postcard that reunited us, it鈥檚 true! A card sent from the East Coast to the West Coast, and that journey resulted in a mini reunion this summer at Caf茅 108. But before that story unfolds, consider school life in the 1970s. At that time, baby boomers flooded the classrooms, both public and parochial. Mary Ann Daly and Teresa Ringwood were classmates at Holy Family School, graduates of the class of 1972! Many of us traveled the hallway maze of classrooms (first and second floor) together from kindergarten through eighth grade. It was different for Mary Ann; she joined the Holy Family crew in middle school, coming all the way from Sennett, where she lived on a farm! This was a novelty to so many of us that were most familiar with neighborhood life in 69传媒. The birthday party celebrations at the family farm were like magic, another world for all of us 鈥渃ity鈥� girls. Oh, that glorious red barn!

Those were innocent years; friendships were carved during elementary and middle school days, and by the end of our eighth grade year we felt like family, our own special family. How is it that we never really consider a proper 鈥済oodbye鈥� to some of our classmates/family who went on to other high schools, like Mary Ann to Weedsport High School, Patty O鈥橞rien to Jordan-Elbridge and Susi Doyle to Bishop Ludden? Like all family members traveling life鈥檚 journey, pathways and choices are different. However, it is the core love for family that ties us all together and brings us home. It was great fun to reunite (yikes, after more than 50 years) with Mary Ann this summer; we traveled from the 1970s to the present (in Grant's/Caf茅 108) with ease and laughter. Both of us are grateful for that Holy Family School experience.

Now, let鈥檚 get back to that magnificent red barn and the family that calls it home. As always, full disclosure, it was not the postcard that brought Mary Ann hopping a flight to central New York from Portland, Oregon 鈥� it was the summer 2023 Daly family reunion! Central New York is blessed with an abundance of farm life and stunning rural settings. For many travelers leaving 69传媒, perhaps heading north on Route 34 to the Thruway, the big red barn about 5 miles outside the city is a memory marker 鈥� it stands with majesty! So, what鈥檚 the story behind that piece of land?

The Daly family farm

In the early 1930s, this piece of land was purchased by the honorable Judge Michael Cuddy from 69传媒; he made investments in farmland. In 1936, Dennis Daly and his wife, Mary Keough Daly, moved to this property and operated a dairy and crop farm, serving as tenant farmers on the Cuddy farm. A love affair for this land began; while older Daly children moved away, 19-year-old son Dick continued to work the farm. In 1945 he married Marian Ryan, and together they managed the farm and purchased it in 1952, the Daly farm. They raised their family (Roger, John, Rich, Tom, Patty, Mary Ann and Joan) on this beautiful piece of property.

From an outside perspective, this life appeared idyllic. But as Mary Ann Daly described, her parents 鈥渨orked hard鈥� every day 鈥� seven children, 360 acres and countless farm animals easily absorbed the majority of hours in a day. It has to be a love affair because the work is all-consuming. Another added piece of charm (and sweat) to this farm story is Dick鈥檚 strong appreciation for horses. As a farmer, he valued the advancements of equipment, but Dick continued to love the tranquility of working behind a team of horses to till and cultivate the land. In 1978, Dick and Marian retired, and the family farm was sold.

鈥淚t was a unique experience growing up in an environment where everything was alive," Mary Ann Daly said. "Crops were growing, gardens flourished, animals reproducing. Along with all of this there was a sense of freedom in this natural world that we are so far removed from today. My favorite memories are running lemonade to my Dad and brothers in the field, riding the wagon to fix fence posts and waiting for fresh milk to feed the barn cats.鈥�

And yet, destiny would suggest that it was always meant to be a Daly farm. In 2015, Dick鈥檚 son John and his wife, Linda, purchased the farm. Along with the help of their son, Ryan, they immediately went to work restoring the land and the buildings. John鈥檚 sister Joan also plays a critical role as she cares for the grounds surrounding the house and barns. It continues to be a family affair.

"Farmland should be available for future generations to farm," John Daly said. "We have turned down offers of millions by solar companies. Older farmers should not be greedy and destroy the chance of younger generations to farm.鈥�

The Daly family reunion

Like the Holy Family School Class of 1972, classmates took a variety of pathways in life. So true with the Daly family, but at its core is the land that sits on a hill on Route 34. It has become a tradition to celebrate this family and farm! Every other year (the third weekend in August), Daly siblings, children, grandchildren, aunts, uncles and cousins show up! At least four generations of relatives cluster together, coming from Colorado, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Washington, Oregon, New Mexico, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Maryland, Georgia, Florida and, of course, New York! Family, joined by memories and rooted to the land 鈥� a lot to celebrate!

Cheers to mini elementary school reunions and the Dennis and Mary, Dick and Marian, and John and Linda Daly families (along with all their descendants). They are true legends of central New York and beyond!

The owners of Waterloo Premium Outlets have updated the property and renamed the shopping complex Finger Lakes Premium Outlets.

In a news release on Thursday, real estate investment trust Simon said the name change "will better reflect the region and complement the other attractions in the area."

The property also received an updated exterior color palette, "giving it a more modern and refreshed look," as well as new pylon and monument signs.

鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to debut our new, revamped look at Finger Lakes Premium Outlets,鈥� General Manager Jennifer Dombrowski said. 鈥淎s one of the main destinations in the area, we look forward to welcoming shoppers to the Finger Lakes region for an elevated shopping experience.鈥�

To commemorate the renaming, Finger Lakes Premium Outlets will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 11, beside the new monument sign at the main entrance.

鈥淔or nearly three decades, the outlet mall has been recognized as one of the premier shopping experiences in the Finger Lakes,鈥澛燬eneca 69传媒 Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Jeff Shipley said. 鈥淎s the Finger Lakes Premium Outlets continues to evolve as a center for commerce and activity, its new name reflects the role that the local community has as a regional gateway for both visitors and residents alike.鈥�

Recently, Under Armour and Puma expanded to larger spaces in the outlet mall, and other familiar brands such as Adidas have opened there, joining more than 100 brand name and designer outlet stores.

A proposal to build a 7,500-square-foot homeless shelter was met with some support and skepticism at an 69传媒 Planning Board meeting Tuesday.聽

The project would replace an existing 16-bed facility at 290-292 Grant Ave. with a three-story, 80-bed emergency shelter. The existing shelter is operated by Chapel House, but the new shelter would be operated by the Syracuse-based Rescue Mission.聽

Proponents of the plan highlighted the proposed shelter's features, from support services for homeless individuals and families to 24-hour security. Cayuga 69传媒 has already committed $1 million聽for the construction of a new facility.聽

Chris Trevisani, vice president of business development for Housing Visions, the Syracuse-based developer behind the project, explained that it's part of a larger plan to provide more housing options in the 69传媒 area. While the shelter would provide temporary housing to those in need, other projects would focus on permanent supportive housing, permanent housing and pathways to homeownership.聽

But the planning board's focus was on the shelter. Christine Bianco, commissioner of the Cayuga 69传媒 Department of Social Services, detailed why there is a need for a larger shelter. In 2020, the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were 249 adults and 89 children housed by the department in the shelter or local hotels. This year, the numbers have increased to 399 adults and 161 children.聽

As of Dec. 1, the department is providing housing to 90 individuals and 28 families.聽

"We don't have enough capacity in a shelter setting," Bianco said.聽

Demand is a factor, but so is the use of local hotels as shelter space. According to Bianco, the department uses four hotels in 69传媒 and two outside of the city to house homeless individuals and families. That is costly, with the county paying $100 to $110 per night for each room. She said one of the hotels may raise the price to $120 a night in 2024.聽

The hotels lack the features that the new shelter would possess, such as case managers, support services and security.聽

The Rescue Mission's Gary Mann noted that relying less on hotels for shelter space may discourage people who aren't homeless but qualify for services from seeking hotel stays.聽

"No one really wants to stay in a shelter. People are there because that's it," he said. "Hotels are a little different."聽

A public comment period after the presentation showed that while there is support for building a larger shelter, there is also some opposition.聽

Shari Weiss, executive director of the Cayuga Community Health Network, endorsed the project due to the increase in homelessness. Stephanie Hutchinson, executive director of the 69传媒 Housing Authority, said she supports the plan because it's the most effective and secure way to address the problem.聽

But two nearby residents spoke out against the project. Matt Fraher, who lives on Bowen Street, is a retired Syracuse police officer who believes the larger shelter will lead to increased calls for police service. While he acknowledged there's a need for more shelter space, he questioned whether the existing property is large enough for the project.聽

A similar stance was shared by Tony Ventura, a Hickory Street resident.聽

"We're taking this huge building ... and putting it on a postage stamp," said Ventura, who also noted the shelter would be located along one of 69传媒's busiest thoroughfares. He urged the project's backers to find a better site for the shelter.聽

The planning board did not take any action on the application for the proposed shelter. The board voted to schedule a public hearing, which will be held Jan. 2, and require Housing Visions to submit a longform environment assessment form.聽

AUBURN聽鈥� Zuri Beck's eyes lit up like Christmas lights as she met Santa Claus in person for the first time Saturday.聽

Zuri, 20 months, saw jolly ol' Saint Nick during an event at Willard Memorial Chapel in 69传媒 where children could spend time with a Santa of color. The event, which saw 17 children greeted by the holiday icon over seven sessions, was held by Erica Manners' photography and blog business, Essentially Erica. Manners, sporting elf ears, took pictures of the interactions.

As Zuri slowly walked up to Santa, she rubbed her eyes, as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing. She held her mother, Alexis Williams-Beck, close with one hand. In the other, her Elf on a Shelf doll.

"Ho, ho, ho!" filled the room. After Santa handed Zuri a dinosaur doll, she gave Santa her elf. Zuri walked away with her new dinosaur, but Williams-Beck reminded her daughter to take back her elf, which she did eagerly. Zuri then walked around the wide space of the room, sometimes returning to her mother and Santa. Williams-Beck's nephew, Liam Guerra, 9, later had a chat with Santa as well.聽

Williams-Beck's desire to have her daughter meet a Santa of color helped inspire the event, she told 69传媒. She and her husband, Kyle Beck, were unable to find one last year, as she wanted her daughter to see a Santa who "reflects her experience." In September, while trying to arrange a holiday photo session, Williams-Beck messaged Manners to ask if she could set one up with a Santa of color.

Beaming after Zuri's sitdown with Santa, Williams-Beck said she was thrilled her daughter could meet him for the first time. A teacher in Syracuse, Williams-Beck believes it is "important that kids can see people who look like them, who can inspire them to do great things," from St. Nick himself to educators and doctors. That equal representation can change a child's self-image and self-confidence.

"I hope and I pray that this is something that can continue, to give the kids around this area an opportunity," she said. "I searched high and low and I could not find a Santa of color."

Standing in a room of the chapel with breakfast pizza and doughnuts donated by Byrne Dairy, as well as letters that could be written to Santa, Manners said she has known Williams-Beck a long time. When she asked the photographer about setting up a session with a Santa of color, Manners continued, "I figured, she must be desperate for this, for one, and it must not exist (elsewhere in the area)."

After Manners agreed to put the event together, she went through a whirlwind of phone calls and conversations to make it a reality. She thanked Santa for attending the event and praised the chapel, as well as the businesses that sponsored the photo sessions and supplied food and materials. Each child received an ornament with their name on it from Lake Life Laser Studio, and Manners said that when she posted on Instagram on Friday about not having cookies for the event, Jordan Ashley of JordanAshley Bakery in Weedsport made ones showing a Santa of color and delivered them to the chapel.

"I'm fortunate enough to be able to be surrounded by so many great people who are willing to help out, willing to participate," Manners said.

Manners said she invested the effort for the event, which she wants to hold annually, because she didn't see that kind of representation much when she was growing up. Her mother, Sherry Stephenson, told her when she was younger that in order to see change, she would have to enact it herself. Looking around at the event, Manners said she was thrilled to see it come together.

"Honestly, it's magical," she said.

After Zuri spent some more time with Santa, Williams-Beck's family left the chapel full of smiles. Later, Manners took pictures of Santa with Sasha Scott and her children Uzziah Murray, 9, Zaniyah Murray, 7, and Za'noviah Murray, 2, all decked out in festive red and green clothes. Scott said her family has had a difficult year, and she was glad they were able to come to the event.聽

"It gives me hope, it really does," she said. "To see people doing good for others, this is a really nice thing."聽

Gallery: Children meet a Santa Claus of color in 69传媒