OSWEGO, NY – Here’s a glimpse of the some of the news from the past 12 months.
Mayor Barlow Announces Completion of Phase 2 of Oswego’s Sewer Separation Project
Mayor Billy Barlow announced on Oct. 3 the completion of Phase 2 of 4 of the west side sewer separation project in the city of Oswego.
The project, started earlier this year as part of the $85 million sewer separation project in the city of Oswego, which began in 2011 and will continue through 2022.
The second phase of the project included major road construction and infrastructure replacement work in the city’s Fifth Ward, from Ohio Street to West Albany, from Route 48 to West Fifth Street, and some minor work in the First Ward along West Eighth Street, West Cayuga Street and West Seneca Street, and was completed ahead of schedule and under budget.
“I am pleased to report that the second phase of the sewer separation project was finished almost a month ahead of schedule and $100,000 under our projected budget. We also had minimal complaints from residents and motorists within the construction zone. I greatly appreciate their patience and cooperation with this massive undertaking,” said Mayor Barlow.
Cuomo Announces $27 Million In Grants For Water Infrastructure Improvements In CNY
Governor Andrew Cuomo announced nearly $27 million in grants to support 16 essential drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects throughout Central New York. These grants are part of a $255 million statewide investment, funded through New York’s Water Infrastructure Improvement Act.
“This unprecedented investment continues New York’s commitment to helping municipalities develop necessary infrastructure to protect our water resources,” Governor Cuomo said.
Under the landmark $2.5 billion Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017, announced by Governor Cuomo in April, these grants are part of $255 million in funding available for municipalities statewide to support critical water quality infrastructure projects.
Among the nunicipalities in Central New York receiving grants are:
The village of Cleveland – $2,188,800 toward an estimated project cost of $3,648,000;
The town of Hastings – $3,000,000 toward an estimated project cost of $17,140,000;
The city of Oswego – $1,396,250 toward an estimated project cost of $5,585,000;
The village of Pulaski – $3,000,000 toward an estimated project cost of $5,255,000.
More EEE and West Nile Virus Found
The Oswego County Public Health Department reported Oct. 6 that test results received recently indicated new positive results for both the Eastern equine encephalitis and West Nile viruses.
The report listed two pools as positive for EEE and four pools as positive for WNV on September 18.
It also listed two pools as positive for EEE and two pools as positive for WNV on September 25.
“While mosquito counts are low this time of year, they are still active,” said Oswego County Public Health Director Jiancheng Huang. “With the nice fall weather, people are out hiking, fishing, and enjoying other outdoor activities. It is very important for them to continue to follow their personal protection practices and to reduce mosquito populations around their homes.”
Oswego Crowns Its Great Pumpkin Champ For 2017
In 2016, Chad Tucker placed third with a 1,381.0-pound entry.
This year, the Brushton, NY, resident’s entry was only 1,135.5 pounds. However it was huge enough to claim top honors at the 2017 edition of Oswego’s Great Pumpkin Fest.
“I have been growing great pumpkins for five years now,” he told Oswego County Today. “It’s my second time here in Oswego.”
The only other pumpkin to eclipse the 1,000-pound plateau this year belonged to Ernie Gustinucci of Jackson, Pa. His 1,066.5-pound entry sat atop the leader board just before the final pumpkin of the day – Tucker’s.
Rounding out the top five were: Steve and Jean Marley – Clinton, NY, (867.0) in third place, Ray Fletcher, Ontario, NY, (489.0) in fourth place, and Eric Gerry LaFayette, NY, (386.5) in fifth place. Gerry is a past champion – placing first in 2006 with a 912.5-pounder.
“The right seed in the right patch at the right time,” Tucker said of his winning entry. “Mother Nature helped with a lot of rain. And we had plenty of warm nights. I was real happy about it.”
Cuomo Announces $25 Million Infrastructure Investment In Oswego Canal
On Oct. 12, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a $25 million project will begin in November to reconstruct a critical lock along the Oswego Canal that was built in the early 20th century. Lock O-7, which is located near the Oswego Canal’s entrance from Lake Ontario, will be substantially rebuilt to ensure its stability, safety and operational consistency for another 100 years.
“Public safety is priority number one – and by investing in the resiliency of Lock O-7, we can help ensure Oswego residents and visitors remain safe while visiting one of New York’s great historic treasures,” Governor Cuomo said. “This investment will ensure the lock is built better and stronger than ever before, while providing boaters a seamless experience on the Canal for decades to come.”
Lock O-7, which was built in 1914, has been closely monitored in recent years by the New York State Canal Corporation, which has determined that a complete rehabilitation of the structure is necessary for the safety of visitors and canal users.
The Oswego Canal, which last underwent a major overhaul in 1970, is part of the 524-mile New York State Canal System, which also includes the Erie, Champlain and Cayuga-Seneca canals. Originally built between 1905 and 1918 as the Barge Canal, today’s Canal System will celebrate its centennial in 2018.
Super Sheppard Steals Billy Whittaker Cars 200 Victory from Batman Britten in Last-Lap Pass
On Oct. 8, the Billy Whittaker Cars 200 certainly lived up to the hype. In just over two hours’ time and 200 laps, everyone in attendance at Oswego Speedway for NAPA Auto Parts Super DIRT Week was treated to everything they could have wanted with drama, frustration, heartbreak and celebration. A classic superhero battle between Super Matt Sheppard and Batman Peter Britten brought the crowd to their feet as Sheppard made a bold move on Britten in the last lap to pick up his second NAPA Super DIRT Week victory.
Sheppard started his quest for the NAPA Super DIRT Week sweep after securing the pole. Sheppard then visited Victory Lane in one of the Big-Block Modified Triple 30s during Camping World Friday Night Lights. On Saturday, Sheppard added one more piece to the puzzle with a 358 Modified victory in the Great Outdoors RV 150.
Finally, under a warm, sunny day, the 41-car field of Big-Block Modifieds took the Green at Oswego Speedway. The Waterloo, NY, driver jumped out to an early lead and showed the way. As the race hit the quarter mark, the 5/8th-mile started to take rubber and teams began adjusting their strategies to adapt to the track conditions.
As the afternoon started to tick away, however, the weather changed, effectively changing the conditions of the racetrack and the dynamic of the Billy Whittaker Cars 200.
Shortly after the halfway mark of the 200-lapper, the drama started to kick up a notch in the Billy Whittaker Cars 200. The harder tire compounds started to peel away the rubber embedded into the clay racing surface, and drivers were able to maneuver around Oswego Speedway.
‘Lockout’ Lifted at Oswego Schools Following Suspicious Image Incident
At approximately 12:21 p.m. Oct. 19, the Oswego City Police Department was notified by the Oswego City School District Superintendent that he had placed all seven of their school buildings on “lockout” do to a suspicious image having been observed on social media that was reported to district officials.
The suspicious image was that of, what the district believed to be, an Oswego City School District student making a suspicious and threatening statement.
The identified student was not in school today and Oswego Police worked with the district to locate the student to assess the situation. District officials knew that the student was not on-site at any of their schools.
At no point in time did the district believe that the students were in imminent danger and the lockout was due to “an abundance of caution.”
The student was located by, and was cooperating with, police.
The lockout that was in effect for approximately one hour and has been lifted. Classes continued as normal.
No Charges Pending In School Incident
The Oswego City Police Department investigated the situation and identified the student involved. The student was fully cooperative with police.
After consultation with the Oswego County District Attorney’s Office, it was determined that, although the image (of a student with a gun) may have been suspicious, there were no direct threats made (or intended).
All actions taken by the Oswego City Police Department and the Oswego City School District were precautionary in nature and we do not believe at any point in time the students were in any imminent danger, according to police.
Following the investigation, the student was released and, at this time, there are no pending charges being filed in this matter.
New York Great Lakes Fisheries Specialist Dave MacNeill Receives National Award
David B. MacNeill of Syracuse, was awarded the 2017 William Q. Wick Visionary Career Leadership Award presented by the National Sea Grant Extension Assembly at its biennial meeting in Oregon earlier this month.
The Wick award is the highest honor given to Sea Grant Extension personnel by their peers. MacNeill was selected for the honor from among the 571 Sea Grant Extension professionals serving across the United States.
MacNeill served 28 years as the Great Lakes Fisheries and Ecosystem Health Specialist with New York Sea Grant Extension, based at SUNY Oswego.
Research, extension and outreach work by MacNeill, who retired in August 2017, has advanced the communication to and understanding of Great Lakes science by diverse audiences. His projects focused on improving fish trawl methods and data collection, alerting Great Lakes anglers and fisheries managers to the next likely aquatic invasive species, climate change science, and how dog owners can protect their pets from harmful algal bloom toxins.
Oswego Council OKs Legal Action Against Delinquent Borrowers
The Port City will begin legal action regarding four borrowers that have overdue Community Development Office loans. City Attorney Kevin Caraccioli said it would be nice to see voluntary compliance on the foursome’s part. Going to court to recoup the unpaid funds could take months, he admits.
The group owes approximately $160,000 overall.
The attorney said he hopes to recoup a large portion of the outstanding funds.
“Assuming they don’t voluntarily comply, it’s a legal process, so you’re talking months before anything comes to fruition,” he said following the meeting. “There’s always the possibility (they might comply). But more than likely what will happen is we’ll receive a judgment, and then if they don’t pay, after a 30-day period, then we have the right to collect on the judgment.”
Two charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child
The New York State Police in Pulaski announced the arrest of two men, one an Oswego County Legislator, 51-year-old Shawn P. Doyle of 85 Lake St., Pulaski, and 73-year-old John James Maroney of 185 Leavitt Road, New Haven.
These individuals were arrested after a joint investigation conducted by the New York State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (Mid State Child Exploitation Task Force) and the Oswego County District Attorney’s Office.
The investigation commenced when the parents of a 15-year-old reported what they believed was an inappropriate relationship between their son and Doyle and Maroney.
Doyle and Maroney were arraigned in the Town of Richland released on their own recognizance.
The county was aware of the arrest of Legislator Shawn Doyle, District 3, Pulaski, which occurred October 26, a county press release said.
Oswego County does not have details about the situation, nor do we discuss ongoing investigations as a matter of policy. A founding principal of our criminal justice system is the presumption of innocence until guilt is proven. Following this belief, and out of respect for Legislator Doyle, we will not comment on this matter.
Storm Results In Flooded Roads, Other Issues Throughout County
Heavy rainfall overnight Oct. 29 into Oct. 30 resulted in road closures throughout Oswego County due to flooding, with many of the issues occurring in the towns of Sandy Creek and Richland.
Sandy Creek Town Supervisor Nancy Ridgeway declared a local state of emergency at 10 a.m. due to flooding issues. The Town of Sandy Creek closed eight roads due to flooding and has announced another 15 are compromised. The town of Richland reported four roads were closed.
In the town of Oswego, Lakeshore Road was closed at the swamp, Bunker Hill Road was closed at County Route 20 and Cemetery Road, and West Lake Road was closed at the pond one-mile northeast of County Route 20 due to flooding. Hall Road east of the Chapel Road intersection was closed as the road had been undermined by flooding.
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