Brewerton Residents Call for New Light

By: NCC News Reporter Mike Desumma

There's controversy in the town of Brewerton and believe it or not it all centers around one intersection. In the past five years, there have 13 serious accidents and two fatalities at the intersection of Mudd Mill Road and Rt. 11. The most recent accident left a 15-year-old girl in critical condition just last week. And some area residents say they just want it all to end.

“It’s a really big problem that causes at least two big accidents twice a year. It usually affects the kids at school, you know. They don’t want to do work because they’re upset their friend just got into an accident,” said Callie Loomis, owner of DG’s Restaurant.

“Over the years, I’ve seen some bad stuff like fender benders but people do get shook up. Something needs to be done,” said resident Suzy Krenick.

Accidents have gotten so bad on Route 11 and Mud Mill Road that for an outsider it’s hard to know where this intersection is. That’s because after the most recent accident the sign, which says “Mud Mill Road”, is left lying on the ground.

Many say the junction’s signals are to blame. Residents want to see a three-light traffic signal put there and as a result have sent many requests to the New York State Department of Transportation. But while those requests have been approved, the state still says that it will take at least a year for a new one to be put in.

“Before that signal can be installed, there’s a lot of work that needs to be done,” explained Michelle Clark from the New York State Department of Transportation.

That work includes surveying the intersection and coming up with a new design for the future lights. But its building the base of the new signal that will take the most time.

“One of the largest parts of the process is waiting for those poles to be manufactured and delivered. Unfortunately this is a process that needs to be followed and it’s going to take a little bit of time,” Clark said.

But it’s time that some say the area can't afford to give.

A Troubled Southwest Community

By NCC News Reporter- Kate Sheehy

Syracuse, N.Y. - Timothy Noble Jennings is known to everyone in his troubled southwest Syracuse neighborhood as well, noble. Leaving behind a life of crime in the streets, he now spends time mentoring young men at the Southwest Community Center many of whom are in street gangs.


"I have personal experience with everything that they're going through, I've been through it," said Jennings.


Young men like Terrence Byrdel, who lost both of his parents to drug related crimes, started to follow the same path.

"I didn't know what I wanted to do, I just knew I didn't want to end up dead or in jail," explains Byrdel.

Its a fate Noble says that is all too common in this neighborhood along South Avenue. And a reason why crime rate is soaring in Syracuse's southside. Noble knows the troubles that young boys growing up in this neighborhood face every day.

"This is the gun line," Noble explains, pointing to a specific area in the southside. "You don't see any signs that say gun line or things of that nature, but you could potentially be putting your life on the line."

The warm weather welcomes more crime to the area. The Memorial Day shooting Monday on Matson Avenue,when a young man in his 20's was shot in the head, is what people in these neighborhoods have come to expect when the temperatures rise.

"If it's a 90 degree day, you hear people's conversation like, 'yo yo somebody's gonna get shot today or somebodys gonna get messed up today'...you can feel it like its in the air," said Byrdel.

And people who live here know the feeling. Mothers like Shaundeese Jones want help protecting their kids.

"Everyday I wake up and make sure that my son is in the house... especially after a shooting...I live on the wrong side of town as I call it," she said. "It's a lot of single parents, a lot of broken homes. There still needs to be somebody for these kids to look up to."

The community center provides a place for kids, off the streets, where for the past 13 years Noble has helped young men finish high school and find jobs.

"People want help, people want to change. I don't know anyone that wants to be stuck in a lifestyle that's basically like hell."

SPCA Gets Saved

By NCC News Reporter Stephanie Berzinski

This past April, the cuddly cats and dogs of the Syracuse Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals came close to being evicted from their North Syracuse home. With a failing economy causing fewer people to donate and more owners giving up their pets, worried staff found the facility filling up fast and in need of more than one hundred thousand dollars. With time running out, Executive Director Paul Morgan turned to the only people he knew would listen.

"We did a plea bargain to the public to let them know our financial situation," said Morgan. The response was overwhelming.

"We had people coming in whether it be for donating actual funds, money, or whether it was food, toys for the animals or medication," explained Morgan.

David Major and his wife Patty owned a 14-year-old lab that died just three months ago. David says he's grateful the SPCA doors will remain open so they can find a new pet to love and hope people will continue to support adoption shelters.

"You know, it's a good way to go," Major said. "I know there's a lot of puppy mills out there and you know, I don't think that stuff is right."

Executive Director Paul Morgan says that although the SPCA is no longer in danger of closing, they are still on a tight budget with an uncertain future.

"Cash wise, we probably have enough money to operate for at least four more months."

Stimulus Money Set to Fix Area Neighborhoods

Syracuse, N.Y. - Syracuse will be receiving $1.6 million dollars in stimulus money to help demolish run down houses and help keep low-income home owners in their homes. The Common Council held a special session on Friday to allow residents to publicly discuss what they wanted to do with the extra money.

The community development stimulus money will be used in two different ways; $1.2 million dollars will be used to demolish damaged buildings and houses; about $400,000would be given to the city's urgent housing program.

The stimulus money will allow the city's Department of Community Development to focus their money spending on neighborhood revitalization and rehabilition projects instead of tearing down buildings.

The additional funds will help bring new residents into the area and help about 40-50 current homeowners stay in their homes.

Crime Fighting Website

Solvay, N.Y. - In addition to their license plate-reading cameras and surveillance videos the Solvay police department has unveiled a new way to fight crime- through an interactive website. The department's website went live today allowing users to submit crime tips online and cops to blog about case updates.

“The whole idea is to get more information flowing between the police departments and the neighborhoods they patrol,” says Lt. Daryl Perrigo. “They really want to reach out to neighbors who may have a tip about a crime, or a concern and are reluctant to pick up the phone and call them.”

The department hopes the new website will have real crime solving potential in the future.

“If there's a case that needs to be solved, an anonymous tip could come in, in real time, to let those officers know there could be a lead on a case they are working on," explained Perrigo.

Man Rolls Vehicle into Canal

Chittenango, N.Y. – A man is in the intensive care unit after rolling his car into the Old Erie Canal overnight, according Madison County Sheriff’s Deputies. 26-year-old Justin Redmond of Chittenango was found lying in the middle of Boliver Road early Friday morning after escaping the sinking mini-van.

Police found his mini-van upside down and completely submerged in the water about 500 yards from where he was originally found. Redmond was taken to University Hospital in Syracuse. He became unconscious while being taken to the hospital. Officials say Redmond inhaled a large amount of water when he escaped the vehicle.

Police believe alcohol may have been a factor in this accident and charges are still pending.

Rapper Collapses During Concert

Pensacola, F.L. - Rapper Tone Loc, best known for the 1980's hits "Wild Thing" and "Funky Cold Medina", collapsed early Friday morning while performing at the Capt’n Fun Beach Club on Pensacola Beach.

The rapper was taken away in an ambulance to an area hospital. He did not appear to be conscious. According to an Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy who was working security at the show, the rapper apparently fell down and had a seizure. Those details have not yet been confirmed by medical officials.

Tone Loc has a history of having seizures while performing. He suffered a seizure during a January 2008 performance in Charlotte, N.C. Officials won't say whether or not the heat and humidity at the open-air club contributed to his collapse.

Student-Hit List

Tonawanda, N.Y.- An 11-year-old Buffalo-area middle school student is facing 10 weeks of suspension after being charged with threatening the lives of fellows teachers and students. The sixth-grader, whose name is not being released because of her age, created a spreadsheet list on a library computer with the names of nine students and two teachers she wanted to kill.

Police say the Tonawanda Middle Schooler started the list in January. It wasn't discovered until recently after a student reported overseeing her own name on the list. The girl was charged Wednesday for making a terroristic threat. The case is being handled in the Erie County Family Court.

Undercover Cop Shot

New York, N.Y.- A plainclothes police officer, who drew a gun on a man that broke into his car, was shot and killed by a fellow officer last night. 25-year-old Omar J. Edwards died late Thursday evening after being shot just blocks away from the Harlem police station where he worked.

Edwards had just finished his shift around 10:30 p.m. and was headed back to his vehicle when he noticed the passenger window had been smashed and a man was going through his car. Edwards struggled with the man before chasing him down a side street with his gun drawn. A sergeant and two plainclothes officers, in an unmarked police car, saw the pursuit and proceeded to follow the two men.

An officer jumped out of the car and fired six shots. Two of the shots hit Edwards, one in the arm and one in the chest, according to Commissioner Raymond Kelly. Edwards died from his injuries at the Harlem Center Hospital an hour later.

NAACP Celebrates 30th annual Freedom Awards Banquet

SYRACUSE, N.Y.-- The Syracuse/Onondaga County NAACP honored several individuals and organizations during their 30th annual ceremony on Thursday night.

Several business and community leaders will be honored for the work in the area. One of those was Kitty Rice, a M&T bank branch manager. "It was a humbling experience to just realize that the people you really think you out there working with and for recognize it and appreciate it so I'm elated." said Rice. She will recieve the Freedom Award, the organization's highest award

The dinner starts at 6 p.m, followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Dinner tickets are $75. For reservations, call 445-0451.

Long-standing Delays in the Buckley Road Bridge Construction

Reporter: Kevin Wallace, NCC News

Salina, N.Y.-- The Reconstruction of the Buckley Road bridge was supposed to be completed last December. Bulldozers and tractors can still be seen on the bridge that is narrowed down to one lane.

Commuters coming through the Thruway are frustrated at the ongoing construction delays. "Everyday I live right down the street. No, this is the only way, in and out," Said Liverpool resident, Vincent Pascaralla.

The finish of the construction had been pushed back to late August. "We ran into some unforeseen utility issues that weren't located. We knew once we ran into these problems, we weren't going to be able to complete it on time," said New York Thruway Authority Engineer, Ken Margrey.

Businesses are also negatively affected by the construction. "I lose tips and if I don't lose tips like if I take a different way pther than the Buckley Road bridge, I have to go a longer way. Either way way I'm losing tips and anything thats past that bridge," said Ashley D'Agostino of D'Agostino's pizza.

A nurse also said those en route to the Liverpool Dialysis center may harm their bodies if toxins remain in their bodies. The construction offically started in April 2008 and the scheduled date for completion is in August.

Gardening at the Regional Market

Reporter: Chris Almonte, NCC News
SYRACUSE, N.Y.-- Gardening enthusiasts, and people looking to brighten up their homes filled the Regional Market on Thursday.

Twice each week, the market opens to people looking for ways to spruce up their yards and ways to forget about the cold of winter. "As the weather gets nicer people start getting in the mood to plant their gardens and put their flower beds in," said flower vendor, Ray Bibik.

A recent survey from the National Gardening Association found that 19 percent more folks are planning to grow vegetables, fruits, berries or herbs this year than last. And, that’s on top of a 10 percent increase in vegetable gardening between 2007 and 2008.

Bibik said the hard times have only recently started to affect the flower industry and most people have found the regional market as a way to deal with the hard times. "In general, people are getting back to basics, a lot of gardening here, a lot of people are planting more vegetables than we've seen in prior years."

Many people at the market offered shoppers the plants and knowledge they need to turn their homes into summer gardens. Vendors have seen an increase in the number of people looking to save money by growing their own vegetables. "Vegetables have seemed to sell a lot this year, people are planting gardensto try to decrease their cost of groceries," said vendor, Debbi Caltabiano.

Rush Minute Traffic

Reporter: Courtney Pertrouski NCC News

Syracuse, NY- Syracuse is not used to traffic but yesterday was the first day that the two-lane section of 81 South near the Salina Street ramp was closed down to one lane. I-81 from Hiawatha Boulevard at 8:12 am is sure to be a repeat of the unusual traffic jam there yesterday.

The interstate was gridlocked during Wednesday's morning commute. But, after a few stops and starts, commuters could make it to the downtown exits with only about five minutes tacked onto the drive. "I-81 from Hiawatha Boulevard to 690 is slow, but there's no reason to avoid it." the traffic report on the radio said. Drivers on 690 West weren't as lucky.

The Depart of Transportation is hoping that now that the lane closure is in place, more people will find ways around the bumper-to-bumper traffic by either leaving earlier or finding alternative routes.

Onondaga Lake Park Assault

Reporter: Megan Rowls NCC News

The Onondaga county sheriff's department is still looking for a man who they say tried to assault a woan along Onondaga lake on Memorial Day. The John Haley Memorial Trail, better known as the West Trail is along the Western Shore of Onondaga Lake.

Deputies say a 20-year-old woman was rollerblading along the west shore of the lake monday evening when a man grabbed her arm when she went by. Deputies say the woman struggled with the suspect but then broke away and contacted police. The assault happened near the middle of the trail, right agaist the shore, a popular place for bicyclists, runners and nature-lovers.

Teach For America Applicants Rise

WASHINGTON, D.C.-- Teach For America is facing an unprecedented number of applications. This year, the organization chose 4,100 recruits out of 35,000 applicants. The organization has turned away a record number of applicants who met the admission criteria.

The program allows recent college graduates to teach in poor communities across the nation. 24 Syracuse University students have been accepted into the program.

Many feel that the economy has contributed to the spike in applications due to schools tighten their budgets. Some schools in the southern part of the country have experienced growth in job openings. South Louisiana and schools in the Mississippi Delta will have more than double the number of recruits this year.

Bike Giveaways

Reporter: Vijeta Kadarmandalgi NCC news

Now that the weather has gotten nice, children are coming outside to play and ride their bikes. But, not all children can afford a bicycle. One man has taken it upon himself to make sure that everyone can enjoy the outdoors.

Last night Jan Maloff was helping someone over their sadness, today he's giving children a reason to be happy. Maloff owns a funeral home in Syracuse. He says his profession makes him want to make people happy as much as possible. "I like making people happy and as a funeral director, I see a lot of sadness, it's nice when you can do something in a positive situation - giving people things taht they don't have," said Maloff.

14 years ago, Maloff started the Central New York family bike giveaway to give bikes free of charge to low income families. "I always thought if I was ever able to, when I was older, give bikes to children I would do it," he said. "That's how this thing got born."

This bike giveaway has slowly caught the eye of volunteers both young and old. They all say they enjoy doing their part to help the community. "Everyone's just happy we're helping them, people don't have bikes, it's just a good thing."

Children both young and old turned to get their free bikes. Some see more value in getting a bike than just getting a bike than just getting something for free. Maloff said he gave away 80 bikes and those 80 children can enjoy the outdoors.

Tonight Show Change

Tomorrow night will mark the end of an era in American television. Jay Leno will host his last Tonight Show on NBC. He will be joined by musical guest James Taylor and his successor, Conan O'Brien. Starting Monday night, O'Brien will take over the Tonight Show. Leno has been the host of the show since 1992, when he took over for Johnny Carson.

Abduction Hoax

Disney World is not the 'happiest place on earth' for the Philadelphia woman who faked her and her daughter's abduction but were found unharmed in Orlando.

Bonnie Sweeten is facing charges of identity theft for using a co-workers driver's license to purchase plane tickets and fly to Orlando with her nine-year-old daughter.

Bonnie Sweeten asked a former co-worker for her driver's license saying she needed it to fix office paperwork. Instead she jetted to Orlando and called 9-1-1 to say the two had been kidnapped by two men after a car accident in Philadelphia and stuffed in the trunk of a car. Sweeten who is white, described the two men as black, but did not offer any other descriptions. The district attorney in Philidelphia says Sweeten was saying goodbye to her loved ones from the trunk of her car.

"...she was crying at the time she said that she was scared she told her husband that she loved him and if she never saw her children to tell them that she loved them."

Sweeten and her daughter are now in custody in Florida.

Onondaga County Health Department Releases New H1N1 Flu Guidelines

Onondaga County, NY-- The County Health Department recommended on Thursday that any school student going to the school's nurse's office with a fever or flu-like symptoms are required to wear a mask until their parents pick them up.

The department also asks students to stay home for seven days.

The Department has confirmed four more cases of H1N1 (swine flu) in Onondaga County in the past day. Three cases are children; one is an Onondaga County school age child who goes to school in Cayuga County, and two are students at Bellevue Elementary School in Syracuse.

There are 17 total confirmed cases in Onondaga County.


The symptoms of the flu may include:
*fever
*cough
*sore throat
*runny or stuffy nose
*body aches

The Health Department continues to reinforce that anyone who has mild flu-like symptoms should stay at home and not go to the emergency room or urgent care facilities.

For more information, Visit the Onondaga County Health Department

Earthquake Rocks Hondarus

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras-- An early thursday earthquake toppled nearly two dozen homes in Honduras and Belize.

The 7.1 magntitude earthquake killed at least four people and injured at least 40. The Earthquake struck off the Caribbean coast of Honduras, 80 miles northeast of the beach town of La Ceiba

Electricity, phones and Internet connections have been reportedly cut across a large part of Honduras.

Democracy Bridge, which spans the country's largest river, the Ulua, collapsed in the town of El Progreso. The bridge is one of two connecting the northern city of San Pedro Sula, Honduras' second-largest, with the rest of the country.

The last major earthquake to rattle the Central American nation was a 6.7 magnitude in July 1999, according to the U.S.G.S

Ten-Minute Golf Lesson

Reporter: Kim Hrabovsky NCC News

Syracuse, Ny- Golf is pretty tricky sport all about finesse, concentration, and follow through. Some People have the natural skill and ability; while others need a little help and guidance.

Tom Speicher is one of many professional golfers across the nation who are taking part in the "Play Golf America" program. "We use the month of May to find time to offer free ten-minute lessons, and try and promote the game and get more people involved in the game." Even though these free lessons are only ten minutes, Speicher says a lot can be learned in just a short amount of time.

"Well one of the most important things in a golf game is your follow through, so if they're not making a complete balanced follow through that's one thing we work on." Speicher also works on your hand grip, stance, and head motion and uses videos of professional golfers to try and give you a better idea of how to perfect your swing.

And if your wondering if these golf lessons are just for golf pros, think again. Speicher says he even gets people who have never picked up a club in their life to take advantage of these free lessons. "People who have never touched a club in their lives, they're not an athlete at all and they come out with a boyfriend or husband and they get to hitting some balls and get hooked." Now while these 10 minute lessons won't get you to the PGA tour playing alongside Tiger Woods anytime soon, the lesson will help drive your game to a higher level.

FAO Schwarz Buyout

The giant toy store chain made famous with Tom Hanks dancing on a piano in the 1988 movie "Big" is soon to be no more. FAO Schwarz has been bought out by Toys-R-Us.

Toys-R-Us will operate FAO Schwarz's flagship store in New York City where Hanks famously danced on the piano and another store in Las Vegas. FAO Schwarz has struggled for years through bankruptcies due to competition from discount stores such as Walmart and Target. The toy store will keep its catalog and website under it's name.

Toys-R-Us operates more than 1,500 stores wordwide including three here in Central New York.

Local Girl Spells in National Competition

Can you spell "sententious" or "perciatelli"? Neetu Chandak of Seneca Falls can. The 13-year-old correctly spelled both words during the Scripps National Spelling Bee semi-finals earlier today.

Chandak is not new to the spelling bee world , this is her third appearance in the national finals. She also excels in math and music and has participated in regional math competitions and plays the clarinet in an all-county band. Chanak's favorite sports include badminton, basketball, hiking, and swimming. She also collects coins and rocks and speaks fluent Hindi.

Chandak aspires to become an architect or interior designer.

Endangered Whales Sing Near New York Coast

ITHACA, N.Y.-- For the first time, Blue whales have been positively identified off the coast of New York. The discovery was made by Research experts at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Bioacoustics Research Program.

In January, researchers recovered a sound 70 miles off the coast of Long Island and New York City and a second one was recorded from a further distance.

“Blue whales are the largest animals ever to have lived on Earth and their voices can travel across an ocean” said Christopher Clark, the program director.

When speeded up 10 to 20 times, recordings of the whales’ vocalizations sound like low moans and purrs. At normal speed, the vocalizations are too low for humans to hear.

Vacations Down

The number of people taking vacations is down this summer compared to past summers. Diana Dibble who works at AAA Travel and Insurance Company says she has noticed more people booking trips to Canada and other places closer to home.

According to a Marist Opinion poll Central New Yorkers aren't the only ones and fewer than half of all Americans plan to take a summer vacation this year which is down from 63% just two years ago.

Home Assessments Over the Top?

Many home owners are receiving an unpleasant surprise in their mail, letters from the town assessor telling them their property taxes have increased. Tax grievance started yesterday and will go throughout the week. People can make appointments with their town assessor to debate the increase by comparing their taxes with those of their neighbors and people in comparable markets.

Home Owners like Tammy Fish are worried that the hike in taxes will make it impossible to sell their home. She says the town has placed too high of a value on her house. Her taxes are over 800 dollars.

“My house is worth 68 thousand and they want to sell it at $98,000...there's no way this house will sell,” said Fish.

Fish said that she also took on about $20,000 in structural damage that the assessor did not take into account.

So Fish will join many others this week in disputing this increase in taxes. If their request is denied, they can still fight back according to Joseph Pancini, author of "Fighting Back: Appealing Your Property Tax Assessment Made Easy (A Property Owner's Challenge and His Story)."

Pancini took his case all the way to the Supreme Court, eventually getting his assessment reduced by $60,000.

Check the Syracuse Post-Standard website for more information about making an appointment with your town assessor's office.

N-C-C Reporter Brittni Smallwood spoke with Tammy Fish about her frustration with her home assessment.

More Bottles to Count

The Bottled Water Craze

New York State’s “Bigger Better Bottle Bill” gives people the opportunity to get money for turning in their empty water bottles. Not everyone is happy with the bill, or even think that it will have a positive effect on the environment.

People have been collecting and turning in their beer and Coca-Cola bottles for money since the early 80’s. Bottles water did not really exist and become popular until recently. With so many people drinking bottled water now, state lawmakers have decided to include water bottles for redemption, encouraging people to recycle these empties along with their coke cans.

Expensive for Some, Encouraging for Others

But many small convenience stores are not taking peoples’ empty water bottles. Business owners like Paul NoJaim of NoJaim Brother’s Super Market in downtown Syracuse, say it is very costly to accept the bottles.

"We're supposed to sell wholesome food in a safe environment but the reality is we're forced to comply with a law that's very dirty and that requires us to clean bottles and an awful lot of pest control and it requires a lot of labor… it's a very expensive proposition," said NoJaim.

He also thinks that the law is not encouraging people to recycle. NoJaim said that people are still carelessly throwing out their garbage and it is people living off of the streets trying to make some money, who are cashing in on these bottles.

Yet bottle pickers like Mary McCabe were happy to hear the bill had passed and see it as an added opportunity to benefit from what others throw away.

N-C-C News Reporter Leigh Paterson took to the streets to see what people were saying about the bill.

Prop 8 Upheld in California

© 2009 AP Photo/Paul Sakuma

6-1 Decision by the Court

Despite the cries of many, California's Supreme Court upheld the state's gay-marriage ban Tuesday. The court did say that the 18,000 same-sex marriages that took place before the ban passed are still valid.

Demonstrators outside the court yelled, "Shame on you!" Activists said they will rally voters to repeal the ban next year.

Chief Justice Ron George wrote the 6-1 decision in which the court rejected arguments that the ban caused a big enough change to the California Constitution that it needed to pass through the Legislature for approval.

The Voice of Protest

A group of about 80 people rallied outside the Los Angeles County clerk's office, where marriage licenses are given out. Waving rainbow flags and holding signs that read "Repeal Prop 8 in 2010."

Much of San Francisco's gay population reside in the Castro District and here they lowered the large rainbow flag above the Harvey Milk Plaza to half mast and put a black stripe on the top.

"We're relieved our marriage was not invalidated, but this is a hollow victory because there are so many that are not allowed to marry those they love," said Amber Weiss, 32, who was part of the crowd at San Francisco's City Hall.

But the tone coming from Christian conservatives was much different.

"We are extremely pleased that the Supreme Court has acknowledged the right of voters to define marriage in the California Constitution," said a lawyer for ProtectMarriage.com, Andrew P. Pugno.

The court said that although the ban prevents gay couples from using the term "marriage," they still have the basic right to form a relationship and raise a family with the person of their choice. California allows domestic partnerships among gay couples.

Experts said that gay rights supporters can still appeal in the federal courts by arguing that Proposition 8 violates the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution.

Explosion in Pakistan

© 2009 AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary

Suspected suicide attackers set off a car bomb Wednesday in Lahore, Pakistan that ruined a police building and took the walls off of the top intelligence service in the city. 30 people died in the bombing and at least 250 were wounded.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik said this has been one of the deadliest attacks in Pakistan this year. Malik said it could be rebellion against the government's military offensive to drive Taliban militants out of the Swat valley.

The recent attacks in Lahore, Pakistan's second-largest city near the Indian border, have sparked fear that fighting will spread beyond the northwest region next to Afghanistan.

Police said no one has claimed responsibility for the attack, but two suspects have been detained. Senior minister in the Punjab provincial government Raja Riaz said that at least nine police officers and several intelligence agents were killed, but the rest of the dead and people wounded are civilians that got caught in explosion, which was in a busy part of downtown.

Although U.S. Officials and others have accused the Inter-Services intelligence agency of having ties to militant groups including the Taliban in Afghanistan. But the agency has also helped capture and interrogate al-Qaida terrorist suspects. They have also assisted the military's campaign against militants along the border.

President Asif Ali Zardari said his government was dedicated to pushing terrorists out and he condemned the attack.

The military predicted that militants will be cleared out of Mingora, the largest town in the Swat Valley, in the next few days.

Orange Men's Lacrosse Team are Repeat Champions

The Syracuse Orange men’s lacrosse team defeated Cornell 10-9 and became Division I national champions for a second time. What was really amazing was not what happened to the overtime, but what the Orange pulled off in the final minutes of regulation.

The team was trailing by three and with only four minutes to play, the ‘Cuse staged a tremendous comeback, including a game tying goal from Kenny Nims. This was with less than five seconds left on the clock. Less than three minutes into the sudden death overtime, Cody Jamison fired home the winning goal and the celebration was on.

N-C-C Reporter Aujai Smith talked with the winning team about their triumphant win.

Swine Flu Continues to Claim Lives

©2009 AP Photo/Marco Ugarte

Two more New Yorkers have died from Swine Flu, bringing the death toll to 100. This virus has infected more than 12,000 people. According to the WHO's pandemic rating the virus has reached phase 5. Experts say that a global outbreak is looming, but to reach a phase 6 the disease would need to spread beyond North America.

Twenty schools reopened on Tuesday in New York City. One of these schools was home to the assistant principal who was the first person to die in the city. Five more schools closed and the deaths of two people on Friday due to Swine Flu puts the number of deaths in New York City caused by the virus to four.

There have been 83 deaths in Mexico, 14 in the U.S., two in Canada and one in Costa Rica. Authorities said governments are already responding as if the virus has reached a pandemic.

"We are comfortable that countries are doing the kinds of public health actions that they need to be taking right now," said Assistant Director of WHO, Keiji Fukuda.

Meanwhile Singapore's health ministry said they are trying to find people who were on board a flight from New York after a 22-year-old woman from the flight came down with the country's first swine flu case.

Australia is dealing with possible cases from passengers off of a cruise ship and Chile reported three more cases, bringing their total to 79.

The Poor Economy is Affecting SAT and ACT Prep Courses

Reported by Kevin Wallace

An MSNBC study has shown that parents don't feel that SAT and ACT Prep Courses are effective in helping students prepare for the test.

But N-C-C News Reporter Kevin Wallace found out that in Syracuse the ability to afford Prep Courses is a bigger problem.

With the poor economy, fewer high school students are able to afford SAT and ACT Prep courses. This has caused a drop in test scores around the city of Syracuse.

"Our scores have been below the national average the past couple years, which usually causes some anxiety for many students right before they take the test," said Val Brown, Henninger High School.

But there are cheap and effective ways students can prepare for the tests.

"Students can use name-brand testing centers from old SAT books and take practice tests over and over," said Corry Unis, LeMoyne College.

According to Brown, there has been talks about getting grant money this summer or next year to fund public classes that would be beneficial to students.

A Montana County Willing to House Gitmo Detainees

The tiny town of Hardin, Montana is coming to the rescue and taking in the current detainees of Guantanamo Bay after Gitmo is closed by the end of the year - as President Obama has said would happen. Hardin has offered its services and prison facilities as a new Gitmo for the current Gitmo detainees.

Hardin has a population of 3,400 and sits in the southeast corner of Montana - in the state's poorest county. Hardin is a small downtown and is deserted by midday. Their dollar store is going out of business and the Hardin Mini Mall is already shut. This town is in need of jobs and this presents the opportunity.

Hardin borrowed $27 million through bonds to build two correctional facilities - the Two Rivers Regional Correctional Facility - and create more jobs. The jail was ready to house prisoners two years ago but has not had even one yet.

Last month, the Hardin city council voted unanimously supporting a proposal to bring the Guantanamo Bay detainees to their prison.

California High Court Upholds Gay Marriage Ban

The California Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld a ban on same-sex marriage that state voters passed in November, but it allowed about 18,000 marriages performed before the ban to remain valid.

The decision Tuesday rejected an argument by gay rights activists that the ban revised the California constitution's equal protection clause to such a dramatic degree that it first needed the Legislature's approval.

Opponents of the ban argued that the controversial Proposition 8 improperly altered the California Constitution to restrict a fundamental right guaranteed in the state's charter.

This decision was met with chants from a crowd of demonstrators of about 1,000 people who gathered outside the court building in San Francisco to hear the ruling.

The ruling was 6-1.

T.I. Misses 1pm Deadline to Report to Prison

Rapper T.I. missed his 1 p.m. to report to Forrest City's federal prison complex in Arkansas. He was charged for purchasing unregistered machine guns and silencers from undercover federal agents in March.

T.I. - Clifford Joseph Harris, Jr. - was sentenced to a one year and one day sentence. He was fined $100,000 and sentenced to three years of probation after his release. T.I. reached a plea deal with prosecutors after spending time on house arrest speaking in front of community groups and high schools about the dangers of drugs, violence and guns.

T.I.'s community service prior to his scheduled start of jail time was recorded by MTV and turned into a reality show called "T.I.: Road to Redemption."

T.I. spent his last few days of freedom leaving a last memory to his fans. T.I. had a concert last night where he told his fans that he'd see them all in "366 days."

Rockefeller Trial Underway

The kidnapping trial of the man claiming to be Clark Rockefeller is underway. The first juror has been chosen in the trial of Christian Karl Gerhartsreiter in Boston today.

Gerhartsreiter is accused of kidnapping his seven-year-old daughter, Reigh "Snooks" Boss last July during one of their visits. Both father and daughter were found six days later in Baltimore, with the girl being unharmed.

He has gone by the name Rockefeller since 1993 and claimed to be a phyicist, art dealer and mathmetician.

Gerhartsreiter is also accused of using aliases to infiltrate himself into highbrow circles in Boston, New York and Los Angeles as part of a well-orchestrated plan to kidnap his daughter.

The defense is going to plead insanity and has asked the court to refer to Gerhartsreiter as Rockefeller but Superior Court Judge Frank Gaziano ruled that the defendant will be referred to by his actual name and that only his attorneys could call him Rockefeller.

Gerhartsreiter entered the court today after 10 months in prison. Police have been conducting two separate investigations concerning Gerhartsreiter. One being the kidnapping of Boss and the other being the actual identity of Gerhartsreiter.

The jurors of this case will never hear a four-hour interview Gerhartsreiter gave to Boston police because Judge Gaziano ruled that Boston police and FBI ignored Gerhartsreiter's requrest to remain silent. Gaziano said that Rockefeller "clearly and uneqivocally invoked his right to remain silent and law enforcement officers failed to scrupulously honor that decision." Gaziano blocked this interview from being aired in court.

North Korea Tests 2 More Missiles

A day after detonating a nuclear bomb underground, North Korea reportedly tested two more short-range missiles Tuesday. This move is pushing the regime further into a confrontation with world powers despite the threat of U.N. action.

The two missiles -0ne ground-to-air, the other ground-to-ship- were test fired from an east coast launchpad. Both missiles have a range of 80 miles.

The United Nations security council immediately condemned the tests.

The UN is expected to discuss new sanctions against the north again later today.

Central New York Has a New Catholic Leader

Reported by: Mario Sacco

Central New York officially has a new bishop as of this afternoon. Bishop-designate Robert Cunningham was installed Tuesday afternoon as the new spiritual leader of the seven-county Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse at Syracuse's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.

There was a Mass for Cunningham this afternoon and they got a full house. Nearly 1,000 worshippers came to the Mass. Of the 1,000 worshippers 24 bishops and 250 priests were in attendance.

Cunningham, 65, is a Buffalo native and was ordained in 1969. He was appointed bishop of Ogdensburg in northern New York in 2004.

Cunningham is Syracuse's 10th bishop and was named the new bishop by Pope Benedict XVI on April 21st. The previous bishop, James Moynihan, has served from May 29,1995.

NCC News Reporter Mario Sacco went downtown and talked to Central New Yorkers about the new bishop.

Syracuse Police Arrest Man in Monday's Shooting

Reported by: Leigh Paynter

Syracuse police have charged Jabre Davis with attempted murder after a shooting on Monday afternoon that has left another man in critical condition. Sgt. Tom Connellan said Davis was charged soon after midnight - this is nearly eight hours after the shooting.

James Ellis, 28, was shot in the head on Salina Street and is still in critical condition at University Hospital Connellan said. Ellis was found, yesterday, lying on the ground near a house at 116 Matson Avenue. Police say the motive is still unclear at this point.

Connellan says police are still looking for the gun that was used in the shooting.

Police said four people - two men and two women - were taken into custody after the shooting but Davis is the only one who has been charged so far. Davis was set to be arraigned today in criminal court.

NCC News Reporter Leigh Paynter was not there for the event but, she followed up on Tuesday.

Two Injured in Train vs Minivan Crash Still in Critical Condition

The man who was seriously injured while trying to rescue his two-year-old son from a minivan before a freight train struck the vehicle remains in critical condition at Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital in Wisconsin.

Scott Partenfelder ,47, of West Ellis was driving behind his wife and son when their van got stuck on the train tracks Monday afternoon. With a train approaching, Partenfelder was able to rescue his wife but his son was still in the van when the train struck the vehicle.

The wife and son were not seriously hurt in the accident.

Partenfelder and Elm Grove Police Officer John Krahn both underwent emergency surgeries to treat their injuries.

President Obama Picks Sotomayor

Image:CNN

President Barack Obama nominated federal Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the United States Supreme Court. Sotomayor would be the first Hispanic and third female U.S. Supreme Court Justice if confirmed.

The announcement was made this morning in the East Room of the White House.

Obama called Sotomayor "an inspiring woman who I believe will make a great justice."

Sotomayor, a 54-year-old judge on the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, was named a U.S. District Court judge by President George H.W. Bush in 1992, and was elevated to her current seat by President Clinton.

Sotomayor, who is of Puerto Rican descent, over came a rough childhood in the projects of the South Bronx and went on to attend Princeton University and Yale Law School.

"I am an ordinary person who has been blessed with extraordinary opportunities and experiences," said Sotomayor, whose brother Juan is a doctor in Central New York.

Sotomayor will be replacing Justice David Souter who plans to retire at the end of his term in June.

NCC News Reporter Courtney Petrouski got reaction from Central New Yorkers about this new appointment.

High School Graduate Falls Off Cruise Ship

The United States Coast Guard is searching for a teen who reportedly fell overboard off a Carnival Cruise Lines ship during a graduation celebration.

The teen, Bruce O'Krepki Jr., of Hammond, La., a recent high school graduate was celebrating with a group of friends when he fell overboard around 9:45 Sunday. Krepki fell overboard about 150 miles southwest of Tampa and was reported missing at 10 pm.

The Carnival ship helped in the rescue operations with the Coast Guard until 2:50 am. The ship then continued sailing toward Key West where it is suppose to arrive around 1 pm. The Coast Guard is continuing to search for Krepki.

The ship, Fantasy, was on a seven-day cruise en route to Key West and Nassau, before returning to New Orleans Saturday.

Dinosaur BBQ Expands to Include Entertainment

Reported by: John Crisafulli

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, recently named the Best Barbeque restaurant in the U.S. by Good Morning America, just finished expanding the restaurant this past weekend.

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que finished renovating upstairs to make room for entertainment. The room upstairs is going to be used for private parties, concerts, comedy shows and an overflow room on very busy weekends.

This popular restaurant is also looking at the possibility of expanding to other cities in the Northeast including Albany, Buffalo, Boston, Providence and Philadelphia.

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que expanded to Rochester in 1998 and New York City in 2004 and has been successful so far and they expect the concept to be successful elsewhere too.

"I think the concept works in other cities because BBQ is kind of something that brings everybody to the same level--- it's not high end," Dinosaur Bar-B-Que Office Manager, Lindsey Amorese said.

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que said it has not felt the impact of the current economy as much because they provide a unique ambiance that is unmatched. Their food does not hurt business either.

The restaurant expects people who come to the restaurant for the food will come, now, for the entertainment as well.

NCC News Reporter John Crisafulli went and found out about the renovations at Dinosaur Bar-B-Que.

Mike Tyson's 4-Year-Old Daughter in Critical Condition

Former World Boxing Champion, Mike Tyson, traveled from Las Vegas to Phoenix to be by the bedside of his 4-year-old daughter, who is in critical condition after being injured in a treadmill accident.

Exodus Tyson was found by her 7-year-old brother on a treadmill with her neck on a cable attached to the machine. Her mother immediately took her daughter off the cable and called authorities. As of this afternoon, Tyson's daughter is in critical condition and is on life support at a Phoenix area hospital.

SU Lacrosse wins National Championship

The SU men's lacrosse team is national champion again - for a record 11th championship overall. Syracuse rallied from three goals down to beat Cornell in overtime 10-9 and win its second straight championship.

Cornell's John Glynn scored three goals and had two assists to help his team get a three-goal lead over Syracuse. But, then Syracuse started to chip away. With 3:37 left in the game Stephen Keough scored and then a minute later Cody Jamieson scored again to cut Cornell's lead to one, 9-8.

With a few seconds left in regulation, Keough got the loose ball and passed it over his head to Matt Abbott. Abbott found Kenny Nims right in front of the goal and Nims tied the game. Nims was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.

This is the ninth time the NCAA lacrosse championship game has gone into overtime. This is first overtime game since 2001 when Princton beat Syracuse 10-9.

Then, with 2:40 left Jamieson scored again to win it for Syracuse in the 4-minute, sudden death overtime. This made SU the first team to win consecutive men's lacrosse championships since Princeton did it in 1997-1998.

There has been no announcement from the mayor's office about a parade for the 2009 lacrosse champions.

Former West Genesee Players Go Head-to-Head in Division 1 National Title Game

Reported by: Michael Hardman

The West Genesee Boy's Lacrosse coach Mike Messere is getting his team ready for the playoffs, as Messere looks to win his 16th state title. But this weekend Coach Messere was paying close attention to the NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse National Championship Game because two of his former players took center stage as coaches of the final two teams.

Former Syracuse Coach John Desko and Cornell Coach Jeff Tambroni are both West Genny alumni and Coach Messere has fond memories of both of his former players.

"Tambroni was a smooth player and became a very outstanding collegiate attack man," Coach Messere said. John Desko was a quick and strong player."

And as Messere watched the game this weekend he says he was cheering on both Central New York teams.

"It doesn't matter who wins, I'm happy and proud of both teams, said Messere. "I just like watching the kids and coaches compete."

Coach Messere and the Wildcats will begin post season play this Saturday.

The Economy Is Affecting Teenagers

CNY Works has an annual Youth Employment Fair at the OnCenter, but this year the employment fair saw a larger turnout than normal. For the first time buses were sent to various schools to transport them from school to the OnCenter. Students were being let out of school to visit the OnCenter and the job fair in their hunt for Summer jobs.

CNY Works has also recieved $1.3 million from stimulus money to expand the program and they increased the age range they accepted from 14-21 usually, to 14-24 now. Students packed the OnCenter and interviewed with local companies for various positions with media companies, landscaping companies, etc.

The students were required to bring a resume, which some students said was hard because they are in eighth grade, but they were trained to give an interview, create a strong resume and make a good impression, overall.

The career fair was broken down over a few days and the age groups were divided and assigned to specific days. Today is dedicated to students ages 14-16. Some students said that they really wanted to get a Summer job to financially help their parents who had recently gotten laid off.

The economy is now, apparently, hitting not just those in the working world, but students too.

NCC News reporter Courtney Petrouski went to the job fair and caught up with some of the students.

Sex Offender Bill

Senator Defrancisco held a meeting today to rally support for a state bill that would send email alerts to people when registered sex offenders move into their neighborhoods. The legislation would require sex offenders to register their email addresses and screen names into a database.

Restrictions would be placed on offenders who committed a crime using the internet, who are considered Level 3 offenders or who committed crimes involving minors-those under 18 years old.

The vote passed unanimously in the Senate and will go to the Assembly in the next few weeks for a vote. Senator DeFrancisco said he wants the bill to go even further and create a serious penalty for those offenders who do not register on the database.

"If there's not a serious penalty for doing that then the whole concept would be meaningless," said DeFrancisco.

According to the state Division of Criminal Justice Services there are 1,269 sex offenders living in a four-county area in Central New York.

N-C-C News Reporter Brittni Smallwood spoke with people in the community to get their opinion about the new law.

Cicero Hosts Special Olympics

Cicero-North Syracuse High School hosted a Special Olympics today for area high schools. Around 200 to 300 students participated in activities ranging from track and field to wheelchair races and a morning parade that kicked off the daylong event.

Teachers said students prepare for this event all year long in their physical education classes. They say the activity is very beneficial in developing their motor skills. Parent volunteers and participating schools provide support for the event.

“It’s a great event that all the kids enjoy every year. My son loves seeing all his friends,” said one parent.

Kids from elementary to high school play in the games.

N-C-C News Reporter Aujai Smith went to check out the excitement today.

Lessons in Life and Language

With only stories of violence to remind them of their homeland, Werdi Mugaya and Zeytun Aden have made a connection with a new language, and a new life in America. Werdi and Zeytun were born in a refugee camp in Kenya after their parents escaped years of war in Somalia. They are now part of the close-knit support system of Somalians in Syracuse.

The brother and sister did not have the often have the opportunity to attend school in Africa, and when they did, it was less than ideal.

"If you were late they would slap your hands and make you do push-ups," said Werdi.

Culture Clash

Upon arriving in America the two did not know any English and barely knew how to read and write in their native tongue, Maimai (my-my). So they had to start from scratch. Werdi and Zeytun entered third grade at Grant Middle School. In a foreign environment they were scared and frustrated.

"I think I cried the first day," said Zeytune.

They were teased by American students, reminding them of the prejudice their parents suffered in Somalia. Werdi and Zeytun are Somali-Bantus, a minority underclass in Somalia that was first brought to the country as slaves.

"I felt upset and angry. It made me want to leave America and go back to where I came from in the first place," said Werdi.

It Takes a Community

They got help learning English and coping with social issues during a program organized by the Somali-Bantu community. At what they simply call, Saturday School, they are tutored by students from Syracuse University and other volunteers. Haji Adan is the director and very passionate about its purpose.

Haji tells the kids, “If someone is teasing you, don’t listen and focus on your own personal education.”

Somali-Bantus volunteer their time and donate what money they can, even buying snacks for the kids with food stamp money. Haji and other organizers have raised money from churches, government aid programs and have discussed their plan with the Mayor Driscoll. Their goal is to educate youth so that they can have a future here in America, that was not possible in Africa.
Looking Toward the Future

“When we first started the program I thought it would only be open for one or two months, but now we have 120 kids,” said Haji.

Haji hopes to have over 200 kids soon. Werdi and Zeytun want to someday take what they learn here, back to Africa to help others as they have been helped.

Decades of Child Abuse in Ireland

©2008 Robert Mecea/Ap Images

A nine-year investigation revealed the suffering of Ireland’s poorest children in orphanages. The investigation covered decades of abuse from the 1930s to the 1990s. Some of these victims have spent a lifetime trying to have their story heard and believed. While the results of this research verify their horrific claims, many are still angry because their abusers names cannot be revealed to the public.

The Christian Brothers’ leader in Ireland, Brother Kevin Mullen said they wanted to keep names out of Wednesday’s report in case there are mistakes in the investigation. He says they are not trying to protect the abusers.

But many of the victims are anxious to see justice served. They say they suffered starvation, beating and rape without any way out or anyone to tell.

“I didn’t have a childhood,” said Buckley, one of the victims.

More than 30,000 children were taken away from their families because of petty theft, truancy or coming from an undesirable household-which included unmarried mothers. Victims say that they were then hidden away from society at these orphanages to suffer in silence. Buckley once tried to send a letter out discussing the abuse at the orphanage in Dublin. She was caught and severely beaten. Many children did not survive the day to day abuse.

A government appointed panel has paid abuse survivors an average of $90,000 each and about 2,000 more claims are pending. The decision for compensation was made by individual churches, not by the Irish Catholic Church as a whole, said Cardinal Sean Brady, leader of Ireland’s 4 million Catholics.

The Irish government issued a formal apology back in 1999 for its role in permitting decades of this abuse to happen.

Panhandling Crackdown

Today Syracuse Police began a two week sweep of handing out warnings to panhandlers on city streets and highways. Although there is a state law prohibiting people from begging in the streets or on medians, many still continue to do so.

Initially police will be giving warnings to people and handing out a list of resources as well. Syracuse Police want help from local homeless advocacy groups and service organizations to act as intermediaries, making the process more agreeable to all parties involved, the Post-Standard reported.

"It's going to be done as compassionately as we know how," said Syracuse Police Lt. Joe Cecile.

Police say part of their mission is to gather more information about panhandlers to find out how many of them are actually homeless.

The Battle Over Guantanamo

©2008 Charles Dharapak/Ap Images

Today President Obama and former Vice President Dick Cheney gave contrasting speeches about America's stance on terrorism.

President Obama focused his address on his unwavering decision to close down the Guantanamo Bay detention center. Despite a wave of opposition from Congress and the FBI, Mr. Obama says he will continue to fight for the prison to be closed.

American Values

In his speech Mr. Obama said that America's fight on terrorism should not compromise American values. He said that the United States are known all over the world for shutting down institutions like this. Both Congress and the FBI said during a heated debate yesterday that the president has not outlined a secure plan for shutting down the prison and transplanting detainees. President Obama responded to peoples' fear of former detainees plotting terrorist attacks, by reminding people that fear cannot outweigh the government's ethical approach.

"Americans must demonstrate that our values and institutions are more resilient than a hateful ideology," said President Obama.

The Rebuttal

Former Vice President Dick Cheney gave a rebuttal almost immediately after President Obama’s speech. Mr. Cheney’s speech was titled “Keeping America Safe.” He is leading the Republican opposition against closing down the prison, saying it will make America more vulnerable. defending Bush administration techniques at Guantanamo. He defended Bush administration techniques at Guantanamo, saying they were necessary to prevent future attacks.

"We can't forget what happened in 9-11 and we can't let 9-11 be a prelude to something worse," said Mr. Cheney.

President Obama's speech is on the heels of Attorney General Eric Holder Jr.’s announcement that the first Guantanamo detainee will go to trial on U.S. soil. Ahmed Ghailani will go to a criminal civil court in New York City. Ghailani was indicted by a federal grand jury in New York for the attack on U.S. embassies in Africa in 1998. The bombing killed 224 people, including 12 Americans.