“I take a lot of pride in doing a job well and always try to maintain a positive attitude, which helps make any situation go that much smoother,” said an enthusiastic Kenney.  “I look forward to coming to work each day because FocalPoint is such a pleasant and comfortable atmosphere, and the credit union’s state-of-the-art computer system makes conducting members’ transactions quick and efficient.”

A self-described “people person,” Kenney prides herself in being self-motivated and a quick learner.  “The nice thing about working at a credit union is that everyone is always ready to help each other. So I will have the opportunity to learn the various functions of the different departments and gain a better understanding of how we fully serve our members’ needs.”

A huge Syracuse football fan (she’s been a season ticket holder since 1980), Barbara feels right at home in FocalPoint’s “orange” color scheme and team approach to member service.  For relaxation, she enjoys camping, gardening, and volunteering in the community.  She is currently helping out with the annual rummage sale at St. Cecilia’s church in Solvay, NY.

This morning at approximately 3:53 a.m. sheriff’s deputies responded to a one car crash where a 1996 Ford Ranger pickup truck, operated by Michael Whyte (54) of 27 Wallace Ave., Apartment A in Auburn, crashed into a home on Warners Road.

Deputies at the scene report that Whyte was traveling north on Hindsale Road when he failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection of Hinsdale and Warners Road. Whyte crossed the intersection and drove up an embankment before becoming airborne and crashing into the side of the home at 3543 Warners Road.

Whyte’s pickup crashed into the bedroom of Carolyn (48) and Kenneth Coyne(48), who were sleeping at the time of the accident. The impact from the crash caused heavy damage to the house and rescue crews had to extricate Whyte and his passenger, Keith Ferrin (52), also of 27 Wallace Ave., Apartment A in Auburn, from the vehicle. Whyte and Ferrin were transported to University Hospital with non-life threatening injuries and both Carolyn and Kenneth Coyne were not injured.

Whyte will face charges of driving while intoxicated, passing a stop sign and imprudent speed.

(Town of Geddes, NY – July 8, 2010) Onondaga County Sheriff Kevin E. Walsh reports that a Camillus man has been charged in connection with the stabbing reported yesterday afternoon outside the Byrne Dairy.

Joseph Magee (19), of 212 Slawson Drive, has been charged with assault in the 2nd degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the 4th degree, and is accused of stabbing Joseph Watkins(39), of 500 Montrose Avenue, outside the Byrne Dairy, located at 769 State Fair Boulevard, at approximately 1:43 pm July 8.

Detectives investigating the incident learned that Watkins, a passenger in a vehicle operated by Dan Meyer (51), of 302 Vanida Drive, was traveling east on Armstrong Road when they were passed at a high rate of speed by a car operated by Jared Kowalski (20), of 6559 VanBuren Road and passenger Joseph Magee (19), of 212 Slawson Drive. As Meyer and Watkins approached the intersection of State Fair Boulevard they noticed the driver of the same vehicle pumping gas at the Byrne Dairy. Meyer pulled into the parking lot where he and Watkins exited his vehicle.

Meyer began talking with Kowalski while Watkins called the 911 center on his cell phone to report the reckless driving. After fueling his car, Kowalski got into his 1999 Chevrolet Metro and began driving away. As Kowalski drove off, Watkins was struck by the passenger’s side mirror which broke off the car door. Words were exchanged and Watkins picked up the mirror and threw it into Kowalski’s car as he pulled out of the parking lot.

When Kowalski pulled onto Bergner Road, Magee exited from the vehicle and ran back towards Meyer and Watkins. Magee approached Watkins, began yelling threats, and took a swing at Watkins. Watkins was able to avoid being struck and grabbed hold of Magee who subsequently pulled out a pocket knife and struck Watkins in the neck.

A bystander and Meyer both grabbed the suspect and secured the knife from him until sheriff’s deputies arrived.

Watkins was transported to University Hospital for treatment where he is expected to be treated and released.

Magee will be arraigned in the Town of Geddes Court where bail will likely be set.

The New York State Canal Corporation and Parks & Trails NY recently announced the beginning of the 12th Annual Cycling the Erie Canal, a 400-mile bicycling tour from Buffalo to Albany scheduled for July 11-18, 2010.

The eight-day recreational bicycling tour will help highlight the beauty, history, culture and recreational appeal of the Canal System and the Canalway Trail, a prime tourism destination in New York State.

More than 500 cyclists from 36 states are participating in this year’s event, as well as international representatives from as far away as France.

Carmella R. Mantello, Director of the New York State Canal Corporation said, “The Canalway Trail provides numerous recreational, tourism and economic development opportunities throughout New York State as demonstrated through the success of Cycling the Erie Canal. Each year, cyclists from all over the country and the world participate in this popular event to experience firsthand the unparalleled history and beauty of the New York State Canal System and Canalway Trail. The Canal Corporation is pleased to once again partner with Parks & Trails NY to sponsor the Twelfth Annual Cycling the Erie Canal bike tour.”

Robin Dropkin, Executive Director of Parks & Trails New York, said, “The 12th annual Cycling the Erie Canal tour is a great event that lets people of all ages and from 36 states experience the Erie Canal corridor in a unique way. Although the many historic and interesting sites along the way are a real plus for participants, the Canalway Trail itself is the real draw, as cyclists can relax and enjoy riding in a safe, car-free environment.”

Roughly two-thirds of the 400-mile bicycle tour takes place on the completed portion of the Canalway Trail. When complete, the New York State Canalway Trail System will span more than 500 miles and connect numerous cities, towns and villages along the Erie, Cayuga-Seneca, Oswego and Champlain Canals, making it one of the longest multi-use recreational trails in the country.

During the bike trek, Cycling the Erie Canal participants will have the opportunity to participate in guided tours of the Canal, historic sites and museums, such as the Erie Canal Village, Fort Stanwix National Monument, and Old Erie Canal State Park.

Participants are scheduled to arrive in Buffalo on Saturday, July 10, to register and participate in optional bike rides and an opening reception. The complete schedule for the 2010 Cycling the Erie Canal Tour is as follows (Arrival/departure times are approximate and are subject to change without notice):

Sunday, July 11–Buffalo to Medina

Overnight: Medina Middle School, Gwinn St., Medina

5:30am – 7:30am – Breakfast at Nichols School

6:30am – 7:30am – Registration at Nichols School

7:45am – Brief kickoff ceremony

8:00 am – Start of ride

8:30am – 12:00pm – Morning Rest Stop, Amherst Erie Canal Museum

10:30am and 12:30pm – Lockport Boat Tours

12:00pm – 5:00pm – Afternoon Rest Stop – Middleport, Municipal Park

1:00pm – 6:00pm – Swimming in Medina Middle School Pool

5:00pm – 7:00pm – Dinner at Medina Middle School

7:00pm – 8:00pm – Talk on canal history – Tom Grasso, President, NYS Canal Society

Monday, July 12–Medina to Pittsford

Overnight: Nazareth College – 4245 East Ave., Pittsford

6:00am – 8:00am – Breakfast at Medina Middle School

8:00am – 12:00pm – Morning Rest Stop, Holly-Canal Park

11:00am on – Escorted bike rides to High Falls in downtown Rochester

12:00pm – 5:00pm – Afternoon Rest Stop, Rochester–Genesee Valley Park; swimming, canoes and kayaks available

2:00pm – 9:00pm – Shuttle service to dorms and Schoen Place, Pittsford

5:00pm – 7:00pm – Dinner at Nazareth College in Pittsford

7:00pm – 7:30pm – Talk by Judy Ertel from the Susan B. Anthony House Museum at Nazareth College, Pittsford

7:30pm-9:00pm – Music

8:00pm – 9:00pm – Swimming at Nazareth College

Tuesday, July 13–Pittsford to Waterloo

Overnight: Mynderse Academy, Seneca Falls

6:00am – 8:00am – Breakfast at Nazareth College with representative from the Mormon Church and the Village of Palmyra

8:00am – 12:00pm – Morning Rest Stop, Palmyra Village Park hosted by the Palmyra Kiwanis

12:00pm – 5:00pm – Afternoon Rest Stop, Clyde Village Park; Town of Galan Historic Society open

3:00pm – 9:30pm – Shuttle bus taking cyclists to Seneca Falls museums and dinner in Seneca Falls and Vince’s Park for swimming

4:30pm – 6:30pm – Wine & cheese reception at Peoples Park, Seneca Falls

5:00pm – 7:30pm – Bike repair at campsite

7:00pm – 8:00pm Community Band Concert and Ice Cream Social, Peoples Park, Seneca Falls. Museums in Seneca Falls open late.

Wednesday, July 14 – Seneca Falls – Syracuse

Overnight: Burnett Park, Syracuse

6:00am – 8:00am – Breakfast at Mynderse Academy

8:00am – 12:00pm – Morning Rest Stop, Port Byron Middle School

12:00pm – 5:00pm – Afternoon Rest Stop, Camillus; Sims Erie Canal Store/Museum

3:30-4:45pm – Reception – Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnett Park, Syracuse; drawing for Terry Cycling saddles and repair kit (must be present to win)

2:00pm – 9:00pm – Shuttle Service to Erie Canal Museum (until 8:00) and Armory Square

5:00pm – 7:00pm – Dinner at Rosamond Gifford Zoo

7:00pm – 8:00pm – Sam Clemence, talk at the Zoo on the engineering of the Erie Canal

7:00pm – 9:00pm – Music by Chris Farrar at the Zoo

Thursday, July 15 – Syracuse to Rome

Overnight: Fort Stanwix National Monument, James Street, Rome

6:00am – 8:00am – Breakfast at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnett Park

8:00am – 12:00pm – Morning Rest Stop, Chittenango; Chittenango Landing Boat Museum Canastota. Free admission to the Canal Town Museum

12:00pm – 5:00pm – Afternoon Rest Stop, Verona Town Hall

2:00pm – 5:00pm – Visit Erie Canal Village in Rome; tour the Rome Sports Hall of Fame; tour Fort. Stanwix National Monument; swim at YMCA

4:00pm – 9:00pm – Shuttle buses to area restaurants and enjoy live music by Caribbean Steel Drum Sound at the campsite.

7:00 – 9:00 – Entertainment at Fort Stanwix

Friday, July 16 – Rome to Canajoharie

Overnight: Canajoharie High School, 136 Scholastic Way, Canajoharie

6:00am – 8:00am – Breakfast at Rome YMCA

8:00am – 12:00pm – Morning Rest Stop, Town of Schuyler Town Hall

12:00pm – 5:00pm – Afternoon Rest Stop, Little Falls, Herkimer Home Historic Site

3:00pm – 9:00pm – Shuttle bus to downtown Canajoharie

4:00pm – 6:00pm – Swimming at the Canajoharie Middle School

5:00pm – 7:00pm – Dinner at Canajoharie High School

7:00pm – 9:00pm – Music – George Ward, Erie Canal Music & more

Saturday, July 17 – Canajoharie to Scotia

Overnight: Collins Park, Mohawk Ave. Schonowee Avenue, Scotia

6:00am – 8:00am – Breakfast, Canajoharie High School

8:00am – 12:00pm – Morning Rest Stop, Fultonville Town Hall

12:00pm – 5:00pm – Afternoon Rest Stop, Mabee Farm Historic Site

Until 8:00pm – Swimming available at the park

2:00 – Walking Tour of historic Stockade Area, walk over as a group

4:00pm – 5:00pm – Reception at Collins Park

5:00pm – 7:00pm – Dinner at Collins Park

7:00 pm – 8:00pm – Program & Celebration

7:30pm – 9:00pm – Music at Freedom Park area at Collins Park

Sunday, July 18 – Schenectady to Albany

6:00am – 8:00am – Breakfast at Collins Park

8:00am – 11:00am – Morning Rest Stop, Peebles Island State Park, Waterford

10:30am – afternoon – Riders finishing at Corning Preserve, Albany

The New York State Canal System is comprised of four historic waterways, the Erie, the Champlain, the Oswego and the Cayuga-Seneca Canals. Spanning 524 miles across New York State, the waterway links the Hudson River, Lake Champlain, Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes and the Niagara River with communities rich in history and culture.

The Canal Corporation is a proud sponsor of the 2010 World Canals Conference to be held in Rochester, N.Y., from Sunday, September 19, 2010, through Thursday September 23, 2010. For more information about the World Canal Conference please call 585-355-6037 or visit www.wccrochester.org .

The New York State Canal Corporation is a subsidiary of the New York State Thruway Authority. Since 1992, following State legislation transferring the Canal System from the New York State Department of Transportation, Canal operating and maintenance activities have been supported by Thruway toll revenue.

Some Cycling the Erie Canal events are open to the public. For more information on Cycling the Erie Canal, contact Parks & Trails NY at 518-434-1583 or visit www.ptny.org.

For more information regarding events, recreation and vacation opportunities along the Canal System, please visit www.canals.ny.gov or call 1-800-4CANAL4.

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The New York State Thruway Authority/Canal Corporation offers a free email service called TRANSalert to its customers via email or text messaging to inform them of major incidents and emergencies that may affect travel on the Thruway or navigation on the Canal System. To sign up for the Canal TRANSalert service, customers can visit the Corporation’s website at www.canals.ny.gov/tas/ . To sign-up for Thruway TRANSalerts please visit the Authority’s website at www.thruway.ny.gov/tas/ .

Permalink: http://readme.readmedia.com/Cycling-the-Erie-Canal-Bike-Tour-Gears-Up-for-July-11th-Start/1580778

Now through July 30, participating charitable organizations are selling tickets to the tournament, receiving 100 percent of the face value of all tickets sold. Good Any Day tickets, priced at $25, can be used any day during tournament week from Wednesday through Sunday. A Weekly Booklet is available for $100.

Tickets for Charity is administered by the Upstate New York Empowerment Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Oneida Indian Nation and The Turning Stone Resort Championship. Its Honorary Host Committee, comprised of community leaders from across the region, plays a significant role in the success of the Empowerment Fund by creating awareness and generating widespread support.

Ticket-buyers can support their favorite causes by purchasing directly from the charities or they can log onto The Turning Stone Resort Championship web site at www.turningstonechampionship.com for a list of participating organizations, allowing them to designate a charity when purchasing tickets online.

2010 Tickets for Charity participants (listed by county)

Albany

Addictions Care Center of Albany, Inc.

Cayuga

SGMA, Inc.

Cortland

Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks #748

Preble Children’s Center

Fulton

Mountain Valley Hospice

Herkimer

Federated Church of West Winfield

Madison

Building Futures Foundation

Chittenango Rotary Foundation

Community Action Partnership for Madison County

Greater Lenox Ambulance Service, Inc.

Madison County Habitat for Humanity

Madison County Office of the Aging, Inc.

Madison Hall Association, Inc.

St. Patrick’s School

Monroe

The First Tee of Rochester, NY

New York

Autism Speaks

Oneida

American Red Cross – Rome Area Chapter

Central Association for the Blind, Inc.

Clinton ABC Program, Inc.

Clinton Swim Club

Clinton Youth Foundation

Clinton Youth Hockey

Constable Hall Association

Family Services of the Mohawk Valley, Inc.

Friends of the Arc Foundation

House of the Good Shepherd

Humane Society of Rome

Jervis Public Library Assoc., Inc.

Kids Oneida, Inc.

Kirkland Town Library

Masonic Care Community

New Hartford First United Methodist Church

North Utica Senior Citizens Community Center, Inc.

Notre Dame Jr/Sr High School

Rome Catholic School

Rome Sports Hall of Fame & Museum

Sauquoit Valley Foundation

St. John the Evangelist Church

St. Paul’s Church

Stevens-Swan Humane Society

The Neighborhood Center, Inc.

Thea Bowman House, Inc.

Zion Episcopal Church

Onondaga

Alumni Association of SUNY College E.S.F.

American Red Cross of Central New York

Baldwinsville Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc.

Boys & Girls Club of Syracuse

Camp Good Days & Special Times

Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Foundation of CNY

Chadwick Residence, Inc.

Children’s Consortium

Cicero Hockey League

Clay Panthers Football Pop Warner

CNY Challenged Champions Fund

Crouse Health Foundation, Inc.

Eastwood Rotary Foundation, Inc.

Elmcrest

Erie Canal Museum

Everest Foundation

Fayetteville Senior Center, Inc.

Friends of The CanTeen, Inc.

Friends of the Central Library

From the Ground Up Therapeutic Horsemanship, Inc.

Interreligious Food Consortium

Jewish Community Center of Syracuse

KARE Foundation

Longhouse Council, Boy Scouts of America

Loretto Foundation

Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central New York

Meals on Wheels of Syracuse

Mercy Works Inc.

Multiple Sclerosis Resources of CNY, Inc.

National Kidney Foundation of Central New York, Inc.

Positively Pink Package

The Rescue Mission

Ronald McDonald House Charities of CNY

St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center Foundation

St. Lucy’s Church

Syracuse University Whitman Alumni Club

Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, Inc.

The First Tee of Syracuse

Transitional Living Services of Onondaga County, Inc.

Troop 62 Tully NY – Boy Scouts of America

Upstate Medical University Foundation

Vera House, Inc.

Oswego

United Way of Greater Oswego County

Rensselaer

New York State Association of Fire Chiefs

St. Lawrence

St. Joseph’s Foundation

Jacob Rodriguez from Syracuse, NY, serving with the 14th Finance Detachment is promoted to the rank of Specialist.

Ryan Brountas from Camillus, NY, serving with the Headqarters and Headquarters Company, 2-108th Infantry is promoted to the rank of Captain.

On Wednesday, June 2 the Special Olympics Torch began its journey in Canandaigua, NY. Canandaigua Police Department and Ontario County Sheriff’s carried the torch down state Route 5 until Geneva Police Department took over.

From there the torch passed Knight Elementary, Starlite Lanes Bowling Alley, Seneca/Cayuga ARC, West Genesee Elementary, and East Middle school. The run was passed to the Onondaga County Sheriff’s department at Rolling Wheels Raceway where it passed Millstone Golf Course and the Cambridge Inn.

It was then be passed to the Camillus Police Department and passed by Walmart, Lowes and the Fairmount Fire Department. Day one ended at Westvale Plaza.

On Thursday June 3 the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Department along with the New York State Police will begin with the Torch in Dewitt at the Holy Cross Church starting at 2:00 pm. The torch will pass by Wegmans Plaza, the Lyndon Golf Course, Fayetteville Town Center, Chittenango Plaza and end at the New York State Police Barracks in Oneida, NY.

Tomorrow, Friday June 4 the Torch will leave Oneida via bicycle by the NYS Police and seven Special Olympics athletes and travel to the New Hartford Shopping Center. From there, the torch will be run down Genesee Street into the city of Utica where a press conference will be held at 11 a.m. at City Hall. Businesses from all throughout the town are invited to cheer on the athletes and officers while they run through the city of Utica.

The press conference will feature Mayor David R. Roefaro, Chief of Police Mark W. Williams, Senator Joseph Griffo and Special Olympics CEO Neal Johnson.

That evening at approximately 9:30 p.m., officers and athletes, surrounded by cars, lights and sirens, will run the final torch run leg into the opening ceremonies of the Special Olympics New York Summer Games.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) is the largest grassroots fundraising and public awareness vehicle for Special Olympics in the world. In addition to carrying the “Flame of Hope” to their local and state Special Olympic games, Law Enforcement officials organize and conduct additional fundraising initiatives such as Polar Plunges, Merchandise Sales and Golf Outings. In 2009, more than $34 million was raised internationally through LETR events. This is an exciting time in the New York LETR program! More than $1 million was raised last year for our athletes through LETR fundraisers in New York!!

Special Olympics New York has 48,761 athletes across New York State compete and train in 22 Olympic-style sports throughout the year, always and no cost to them or their families.

Patrick Hall Onondaga Baldwinsville

Paula Tardone Onondaga Brewerton

Ashley DeJohn Onondaga Camillus

Samantha Daley Onondaga Cicero

David Murk Onondaga Liverpool

Monique Cooper Onondaga Syracuse

JaQuan Denson Onondaga Syracuse

Carlton Elijah Onondaga Syracuse

Ta’Quell Morris Onondaga Syracuse

Shaun Norfolk Onondaga Syracuse

By Mary Messere

(Camillus, NY – May 22, 2010) The “Grand Celebration” for the opening of the first navigable, restored aqueduct on the Erie Canal will be held on May 22. This will be a historic occasion of national importance for the Syracuse area. The celebration will be the culmination of many years of work by volunteers who envisioned saving a piece of New York States great history.

isitors are urged to Park at Reed Webster Park or at the DOT on Devoe Road where a shuttle will take them to the event.

At 10:30 sharp, at the Canal Park just off of Devoe Road, festivities will begin with a “Boat Parade” and flotilla on the canal to the aqueduct with many dignitaries. At the same time there will be a land parade over the aqueduct, marking the official opening of the Nine Mile Creek Aqueduct.

Among the guest speakers at the aqueduct ceremony will be Carmella Mantello, Director of Canal Corporation and Tom Grasso, President of the Canal Society, State of New York.

Entertainment at the Aqueduct for this event will include Merry Mischief, the West Genesee Music Department, Open Hand Theater, Pony Express, Syracuse Pipe Band and 122 Regiment Civil War reenactors. At a booth near the Aqueduct, the U.S. Postal Service will be conducting a special cancellation stamp in honor of the occasion.

At noon, traditional Towpath Day activities begin near Sims’ Store Museum featuring demonstrators, crafters, kids stuff with “Make and Take” and good food.

Entertainment during day includes the Marcellus Blue Grass Apple Pickers Association, Morris Dancers, Sarah Irene McGee, and Historical Potatoes in the Snack bar, Bells and Motley’s outstanding performance “Fifteen Years on the Erie Canal” on Stage in the Pole Barn, with the West Genesee Fiddlers at 4:00 PM.

The evening will be special as well, starting with a Chicken BBQ scheduled for 6 PM. Entertainment by the “Lock 53 Jazz Band” at the Aqueduct will be followed by Fireworks at 9:15.

Handicapped guest may use parking facilities close to the Aqueduct area. Thompson Road will be closed. Police, WAVES and Fire Department services and restroom facilities are available.  For more information on this once in a life-time historical event, you can call 315-488-3409 or go to their website at http://www.eriecanalcamillus.com or for a Youtube video of the park go to http://www.youtube.com:80/watch?v=1RzSOikoeYI

(Camillus, NY) May is a special month for the Town of Camillus and the Camillus Canal Society as they are preparing for a very special Towpath Day on Saturday May 22 beginning at 10:30 in the morning. The day will mark the grand opening of the 1844 Nine Mile Creek Aqueduct.

Aqueducts were water-filled bridges that allowed canal boats to cross over rivers, streams and even valley areas. The Camillus aqueduct, listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, is 144 feet long and features four arches made from Onondaga limestone.

Work on this project has included many volunteer hours from many different sources, including local businesses like the Home Depot who are helping to landscape and improve the park setting for the upcoming celebration that is a special part of the Town of Camillus’ annual “Towpath Days.”

National, state and local officials will be on hand for the event that includes a boat flotilla and land parade. Following the official ceremony at 11 A.M., at the newly completed aqueduct, the park will hold its traditional Towpath Day activities with entertainment. In the evening a concert and fireworks have been scheduled. Shuttle bus service will be available from Reed Webster Park and the DOT.

For more information on the park and event you can contact Liz Beebe at 315-488-3409 or visit the parks website at http://www.eriecanalcamillus.com.