(Cicero-North Syracuse, NY) “After a grinding legislative session and hard-fought national competition, I’m happy to report that New York State has won $700 million in federal Race to the Top funding. The Race to the Top funding is meant to reward states – like New York – that adopt education reforms championed by President Obama.

“Earlier this year, the legislature, governor, teachers’ unions and reform advocates reached compromises on a number of contentious issues meant to better prepare students, reward high-performing teachers and advance reform in New York. The Race to the Top award is a testament to our hard work, and though we may not agree on every issue – such as lifting the charter school cap or tying teacher evaluations to test scores – we can all agree that New York State and our local school districts need this money.

“Specifically, New York’s award will fund a state-of-the-art tracking system that will measure a student’s progress from kindergarten to college, strengthen our standardized tests and improve low-performing schools. This is great news for New York’s students, parents and teachers; now let’s get to work.”

Assemblyman Al Stirpe

At approximately 10:33 pm, a state trooper observed the operator of a red Jeep commit numerous vehicle and traffic law violations while on North Salina Street in the city of Syracuse. The trooper stopped the vehicle and determined that the operator, Podfigurny was intoxicated.

He was arrested for DWI and issued multiple traffic tickets. He was lodged in the Onondaga County Justice Center pending his arraignment in Syracuse City Court later this morning.

Case Agent: Trooper Anthony Nigro, SP North Syracuse, 315-455-2826.

Stirpe’s legislation closes an existing loophole that only forbids sex offenders from school grounds if they are on probation or parole. Once an offender is clear of probation or parole they are no longer banned from schools. Stirpe’s bill expands the crime of criminal trespass for registered Level 2 or Level 3 sex offenders caught on school grounds, whether or not they are on probation or parole.

“In 2007, a convicted sex offender walked into Tully High School and demanded the records of a student he was convicted of raping,” Stirpe said. “That’s inexcusable. For victims of sexual predators, there is nothing more horrendous than the thought of seeing their attacker – not in a court of law, but in school where they should feel safe.”

Stirpe says that his legislation will help prevent similar incidents from happening. Also, he notes that if there are future problems, the offenders will be punished swiftly and severely.

“We must do all we can to protect our kids. Children who suffered through abuse have already paid a high price,” said Stirpe. “Protecting them from further contact with their abusers is crucial to helping them feel safe.”

Cell Phone Tickets VTL §1225c2a :  111

Use of Electronic Device (Texting) VTL §1225D:  0

Other Traffic Violations:  70

For everyone who thinks they can talk on their phone, send text messages, apply make-up or do any other distracting activity while driving, it’s time for a crash course in reality from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

· Nearly 6,000 people died in 2008 in crashes involving a distracted driver, and more than half a million were injured. (NHTSA)

· Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)

· The proportion of drivers reportedly distracted at the time of the fatal crashes has increased from 8 percent in 2004 to 11 percent in 2008. (NHTSA)

· Younger, less experienced drivers under 20 years old have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes. (NHTSA)

While these facts may sound like just statistics, those of us at New York State Police know from personal experience that those numbers translate into the actual faces of mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, aunts, uncles and friends right here in Syracuse, NY. We have had to tell too many families about losses that may have been prevented had everyone been simply paying attention to the road instead of someone or something else.

Cell Phone Tickets VTL §1225c2a :  32

Use of Electronic Device (Texting) VTL §1225D:  0

Other Traffic Violations:  17

For everyone who thinks they can talk on their phone, send text messages, apply make-up or do any other distracting activity while driving, it’s time for a crash course in reality from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

· Nearly 6,000 people died in 2008 in crashes involving a distracted driver, and more than half a million were injured. (NHTSA)

· Drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)

· The proportion of drivers reportedly distracted at the time of the fatal crashes has increased from 8 percent in 2004 to 11 percent in 2008. (NHTSA)

· Younger, less experienced drivers under 20 years old have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes. (NHTSA)

While these facts may sound like just statistics, those of us at New York State Police know from personal experience that those numbers translate into the actual faces of mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, aunts, uncles and friends right here in Syracuse, NY. We have had to tell too many families about losses that may have been prevented had everyone been simply paying attention to the road instead of someone or something else.

To learn more visit www.distraction.gov

(East Syracuse, NY) The National Association of Federal Credit Union has named CORE Federal Credit Union of East Syracuse, NY as Federal Credit Union of the Year in its 2010 Annual Awards Competition. CORE, which won in the asset size category of less than $150 million in assets, will be recognized at NAFCU’s 43^rd Annual Conference held in Chicago on July 22.

“We’re extremely proud to be one of only two credit unions to receive this prestigious, nationwide honor,” said CORE President and CEO William Sweeney. “We’ve always strived to provide superior member service and will continue to uphold the standard of excellence that has made CORE so successful.”

CORE’s achievements in several areas in 2009 made it truly outstanding.  Its strong financial performance in the face of extremely challenging economic conditions was reflected in its membership growth rate that was four times higher than other credit unions in its peer group in 2009.

CORE’s creative “College Cash” private student loan program doubled its volume last year, as the credit union actively looked to reach out to its membership to provide vital, low-rate financing at a time when so many other financial institutions had stopped making private student loans. CORE’s community outreach also included over $10,000 in scholarships and thousands of dollars in donations to area churches and not-for-profit organizations through its “Funds for Fuel” program. It also works actively with Home HeadQuarters to support its Flex Fund program, which provides low-rate loans to low to moderate income borrowers.

CORE is also a leader in student financial literacy training, operating an extensive program that includes a K – 8 bank at school program, after school high school finance seminars, area-wide teen finance forums and adult education seminars. Encouraging students to take an active role as financial educators themselves, CORE also operates the first student-run credit union in central New York at East Syracuse-Minoa High School and has consistently reached out to assist other credit unions and school districts in enhancing their own financial literacy programs.

CORE Federal Credit Union is a financial institution that recently celebrated its 50th anniversary of serving its members and communities in central New York. It has offices in East Syracuse, North Syracuse and a new office in Morrisville, NY.

At approximately 11:52 PM, a state trooper observed a black Toyota Camry drive onto the shoulder several times on Interstate 81 in the Town of Salina. The trooper stopped the vehicle and found the driver to be intoxicated. Her BAC was .17 percent.

Przybylski was issued traffic tickets returnable to the Town of Salina court on August 11, 2010.

Case Agent : Trooper Mark Bender, SP North Syracuse, 315-455-2826

On July 15 at approximately 2:00 AM, state troopers observed a vehicle traveling on Buckley Road, Town of Salina, with only one working brake light. During the traffic stop, the troopers found Goodison, who was a passenger in the car, to be in possession of cocaine. He was also charged with Resisting Arrest when he tried to run from the scene and also struggled with the troopers as they tried to handcuff him.

Goodison was arraigned in the Town of Salina Court and remanded to the Onondaga County Justice Center in lieu of  $10,000 cash or $20,000 bond.

Case Agent: Investigator Scott Harrington, SP North Syracuse, 315-455-2826

Benjamin L. Hodgson, age 25, of 118 Lynnhaven Dr., North Syracuse, was reported missing about 2:20 p.m. July 6 when he submerged under water and did not resurface.

State Police Dive Team along with assistance from Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office Air 1 is currently searching by water and land for Hodgson.

Assemblyman Al Stirpe (D-North Syracuse) announced passage of legislation he authored that will allow fallen State Troopers to receive an improved death benefit if they pass away without the required 20 years of service, but have enough vacation and sick time to reach 20 years (A.10753-A). The bill, which passed unanimously in the Assembly, has also passed the Senate and will be sent to Governor Paterson for his signature.

Stirpe authored the bill in April, nine months after the tragic death of Trooper John Gorke, a 19 year veteran of the force. Trooper Gorke was struck by a car and killed while cycling in the town of Pompey on July 3, 2009. Gorke, 47, was cycling with a friend on Route 20, just seven miles from his home, when a vehicle hit him from behind. Gorke was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

“All New Yorkers are forever indebted to our fallen Troopers, emergency personnel and their families,” Stirpe said. “Any officer who has served for as long as, and with the distinction that John Gorke did, has truly earned – and is most assuredly entitled to – their full service retirement benefits.”

Stirpe’s bill will amend the retirement law to provide the beneficiaries of State Police officers with an improved death benefit equal to the pension reserve. The legislation allows a fallen Trooper’s unused vacation and sick leave credit to be included with their service credit for the purpose of determining their retirement eligibility.

Dan Sisto, 2nd Vice President, NYS Troopers PBA said, “The passage of this wonderful legislation affects a real family with a real problem after their tragic loss. At such a difficult time to be in Albany, the ability of lawmakers to come together to support this measure is a testament to their hard work and dedication to the members of the NYS Police.”