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Onondaga County Veterans Day Ceremony

SYRACUSE , N.Y. (NCC News) — Taps echoed throughout the crowd at the hallowed hall of the Onondaga County War Memorial, patrons looked on and honored the sacrifice so many have made for our country. Anne Marie Mancilla, who served in Iraq, had her kids in attendance at the event.

“Maya was born while I was still serving, and it’s important for them to see and just all generations of people that I’ve served, you know, outside of us,” said Mancilla. “But yeah, just to, you know, be able to to be part of these ceremonies.”

Friends of Veterans Award recipient Cindy Meili said that it’s important to remember and thank those who put our country ahead of themselves right.

“We just need to show them that they what they’ve done will be reflected in the future,” said Meili

With Vets in attendance who are running for congress like Brandon Williams and from all around New York,  those from Wounded Warrior projected and even from serving in the navy on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Mancilla says the having these events are meaningful, “That’s what it’s about. We all did this to protect our freedoms.”

The purpose of the event was to honor vets and Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon and Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh read a proclamation to cement the day in history.

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New Solar Farm Approved For Conquest

CONQUEST,  N.Y.  (NCC News) — Conquest New York will be the new home of the Garnet Energy solar farm. The future 200-megawatt facility was approved by the state and will be one of largest of its kind. The project will cover nearly 2,300 acres in the town as part of the state’s climate and clean energy initiative. The project will cost nearly $215 million.

Charles Knapp, the town supervisor, said there will be an adjustment, “this changes our whole landscape. I mean we’re a farming community.”

Some residents in farming community have voiced their concerns at various public comments. Residents have cited complaints of future property value with solar panels in their backyards.

Rory Christian, the siting board chair, sent out a statement through the department of environmental conservation earlier this week showing support for the new facility saying that the project is vital in meeting carbon reduction targets in the state.

“The Garnet Energy solar farm and other renewable energy projects built or currently under development are vital to meet the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act’s aggressive carbon reduction and clean energy targets to combat climate change,” said Christian. “This solar farm will benefit all New Yorkers by reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, boosting clean-energy investment, creating clean-energy jobs, and improving our environment.”

Even though the project has already been approved, Knapp said the state never gave Conquest the proper representation on the siting board,  “the Article 10 process clearly states that two people from the town would be on that board to represent the town, and that never happened.”

Although conquest was never able to gain those seats on the board Knapp said the project still brings some positives. “I’m going to be pushing to help everybody we can with that funding.”

The project will bring in an extra nearly 300,000 dollars a year used for improvements at places like the fire department and the municipal center. The project set to begin in 2023.

Knapp said he has one goal in mind,  “If we’re going to be forced to take this thing and we’ve got to make it the best possible, beneficial project for the town across.”

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Extreme Heat in Central New York Leads to Extreme Caution

Live report from the field on Thursday, Aug. 4th.

SYRACUSE, N.Y.  (NCCNews) — A heat advisory is in effect for the city of  Syracuse as temperatures are expected to hit triple digits with humidity, something Central New Yorkers have unfortunately been getting used to.

It’s not easy to stay cool, especially with the humidity cutting through the clouds like a knife.

Trying to beat the heat can be a challenge, but some are starting to figure it out.

Pat Tato is a local musician and was out walking his dog today during the cooler part of the day. Tato said it was a quick decision to try to get around the heat today.

“I was going to test it out, and I saw that  at 10 o’clock it was going to be the hottest and it’s going to stay this way all day. We’ve been in front of the fan quite honestly,” Tato said.

The New York State Department of Health recommends drinking plenty of water and avoiding unnecessary activities outside.

Also, if possible, stay in an air-conditioned building or visit the nearest cooling center, which may include a public library or even some community centers. You can find a full list of cooling centers in our area here:  https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/weather/cooling/ 

Other tips from the New York State Department of Health:

-Wear sunscreen
-Slow your pace
-Drink water and rest more often
-Seek shade and avoid long periods in direct sunlight
-Do not hike in extremely hot weather

It is also important to pay attention for signs of heat stroke.  Heat is the number one weather-related killer in the United States. These heat-related deaths and illness are preventable.

Symptoms of heat stroke include:

Hot, dry, red skin
A rapid pulse
Rapid and shallow breathing
A body temperature higher than 105 degrees
Loss of alertness, confusion, and/or loss of consciousness

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Central New York Farmers are Looking to use Their Voices

FABIUS,  N.Y. (NCC News) – Local Farmer Bret Bossard gets into his tractor every day to check around his farm in Fabius, making sure his product is up to standard. In this case, the farm produces dairy goods. Bossard and his team face different challenges day in and day out and he wants more people to know that it is not easy to be a farmer.

“It’s hard, it’s a struggle every day,” Bossard said. “We face the same challenges as every other industry…labor shortages, inflation, rising costs.”

Governor Hochul, who grew up in a farming family, knows that change is needed. The legislation that is simply known as the Farm Bill is set to expire next year and the governor wants to hear directly from the people the bill affects most.

“People from elsewhere think of New York, they don’t always think agriculture. But, that’s what we live and breathe in our state,” Gov. Hochul said.

The state will be hosting a series of roundtables inviting the farming community to give their thoughts on where the future of farming is heading.

For an industry that accounts for nearly $7 million acres of land in New York or a quarter of the state, Bossard said he wants local farmers to have a seat at the table.

“As long as those that are making the laws are, you know,  can hear the voices and hopefully we can have an equal say,” Bossard said.

The dairy farmer has 75 people employees. They all depend on the farm to put the product they help produce on their own tables. Bossard said the upcoming changes are important to get right.