WAER News Round Up: Feb. 13-17

WAER | By Brooke Borzymowski

Published February 17, 2023 at 4:11 PM EST

Graphic for Feb 13-17 Round-up — The I-81 ruling, SCSD budget proposal, and more round up this week's news stories at WAER.

In this week's news, updates come on the I-81 project, Upstate Medical and Crouse Health merger, and Jamesville Correctional Facility closure. Other stories include the rejection of Gov. Kathy Hochul's chief judge nominee and the proposal of the Syracuse City School District budget.

Catch up on more of the week's news below:

1. Both sides in I-81 litigation interpret judge's decision differently

The I-81 viaduct looking south as it passes by Pioneer Homes.

A judge ordered the state to submit a supplemental environmental impact statement to justify the removal of the viaduct and replacing it with a community grid.

2. Upstate and Crouse merger called off, Upstate president confirms

Upstate Medical Hospital sits next to Crouse Hospital on University Hill.

Upstate Medical has confirmed they will not merge with Crouse Health, but will enter an independent partnership to streamline medical care.

3. Jamesville jail closure plan submitted to state commission

Jamesville Penitentiary — Jamesville is only at about 1/4 of its capacity due to changes in state and federal bail and sentencing laws.

Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon on Tuesday shared with a state commission his plan to close the Jamesville Correctional Facility and consolidate inmates and staff at the downtown Justice Center.

4. New York Senate rejects Hochul's chief judge nominee

Judge Hector LaSalle at his state Senate confirmation hearing on Jan. 18, 2023.

In a full floor vote, the New York State Senate rejected Gov. Kathy Hochul’s choice for the state’s chief judge, 39-20. This marks the first time in recent history that the Senate rejected a governor’s nominee for chief judge.

5. Syracuse City School District presents proposed budget

Printed pages fanned out of a school budget proposal. — The Syracuse City School District's proposed budget for the 2023-2024 school year was presented to school board members Feb. 15.

Public hearings are set for next month to give the public a chance to weigh in on the district's spending plan.

6. White racist gets life sentence for Buffalo market massacre

A young man in a facemask and wearing an orange jumpsuit is guided by a member of law enforcement. — FILE - Payton Gendron is led into the courtroom for a hearing at Erie County Court, in Buffalo, N.Y., on May 19, 2022. The white supremacist is set to be sentenced to life in prison Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, for killing 10 Black people at a Buffalo supermarket in an attack fueled by racist conspiracy theories he encountered online. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

The sentencing hearing for Payton Gendron was disrupted briefly when he was charged by a man in the audience, who was quickly restrained.

7. City of Syracuse hires Chief Accountability Officer to oversee police reform at SPD

Provided photo

Syracuse Police Department

Jawwaad Rasheed will serve as Syracuse's first Chief Accountability Officer in the Syracuse Police Department

Jawwaad Rasheed brings more than 40 years of public and private sector experience to the role, from lawyer to educator.

8. Attendance in New York state parks reaches record highs

Niagara Falls is a group of three falls in a system between Lakes Ontario and Erie.

New York experienced record high attendance in its state parks, peaking at 79.5 million attendees.

9. New York wants to make it easier to get medications that treat opioid use disorder

The Reach Project, Inc.

WSKG

The Reach Project, a nonprofit medical provider based in Ithaca, provides low-threshold medication treatment for opioid use disorder.

New York will be lowering the threshold for support for opioid withdrawal, taking inspiration from REACH and affordable treatment.