Vera House Program Reflects Increase in Domestic Violence Cases

Vera House hosted community leaders in Onondaga County at Curtin Auditorium for their 21st Annual Report to the Community on domestic and sexual violence. In spite of the decreased funding from the city, Vera House verahouse.org established an International Victims Program to provide legal assistance to immigrants and refugees who are victims of domestic violence. Additionally, it also expanded its shelter to provide safe housing to men and transgender individuals.

Co-founder of Mothers Against Gun Violence, Lakisha Martin spoke today about violence within Syracuse and her experience overcoming it. "We had no idea we were going to open pandora's box. We had no idea we were going to trip over it. Violence is a complex thing," said Martin.

The report showed that law enforcement response answered less domestic calls in 2009 compared to 2008. The Police Department says it "looks like were on track," because the arrests they've made on domestic and sexual violence has increased.

Survivors of domestic violence spoke today on behalf of Vera House, "from my mistakes I've learned to never keep a secret. Someone is always watching. Vera House helped me help myself and they can do the same for you," said Ed. Victims withheld their last name in hopes to remain anonymous in order to protect their safety.

Vera House also displayed a clothesline exhibit of over 500 shirts created by survivors of sexual assault. The Clothesline Project can be seen at Great Northern Mall and Clinton Square.

Despite their efforts to rally support today and update the community on its services, there has actually been an increase in couple's homicide. In 2008 there was 1 couple's homicide in Onondaga County and so far in 2009 the number has risen to 6.

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Jennifer Shaw, program coordinator of Vera House says "all we can do is let the community know and keep them informed."

Price of tomatoes up three dollars

If dealing with this year’s poor economy isn’t enough, local farmers and grocery stores are putting up with something else. Phytophthora infestans, better known as Late Blight, has ruined thousands of tomato crops up and down the east coast this year. Late Blight was the culprit of the infamous Irish Potato Famine.

Fewer tomatoes means prices are going up. But for one local organic grocery store, the Syracuse Real Food Co-Op, business is still rocking – even though tomatoes cost three dollars more today than they did a year ago. Business is surviving because customers come here for what they want.

“A lot of food is better,” said Brian Looper, who was stopping for coffee at the Co-Op Wednesday morning. “Definitely the coffee is better here than what you get somewhere else.”

Even though store management says, for the most, business is doing okay, customers have changed their shopping habits.

“We've seen frozen sales go down,” Syracuse Real Food Co-Op Information Manager Ryan Gorham said, “Some produce, in bulk especially, (has) gone up. It seems like a lot more people are staying home and cooking more meals at home.”

Sales have been driving customers to make purchases. Purchases that would be cheaper at a non-organic, conventional grocery store.

“Whatever's on sale kind of seems to be the most common for the month,” said cashier Matt Siebert.

Sales can only do so much and can do little to offset higher prices caused by Late Blighte. Gorham said tomatoes cost $1.99 per pound a year ago but are now 4.99 per pound.

“The Late Blight affected tomatoes and potatoes the most and many, many farmers lost their entire tomato crops this year which is thousands of dollars in loss,” Gorham said.

The higher price doesn’t seem to stop some shoppers from buying organic.

“I think That's worth it to me because I think you're getting higher quality produce,” said vegan Matt Gasda.

Other shoppers are not so sure.

“As the price increases we might not be able to get organic every single time but I don't think it will stop us from buying organic,” Kelly Hixon said.

Despite the high prices and the prospect of loosing customers, the management remains optimistic.

“They're gonna sell either way. They might not sell as fast,” Gorham said.

The Matilda Joslyn Gage House

"I fell in love with a dead woman, what can I say?" commented Sally Roesch Wagner, Executive Director of the Matilda Joslyn Gage Foundation on why she is so passionate about Mrs. Gage. "This woman so intrigued me and what I realize now is that I'm not the only person this has happened to."

The Matilda Joslyn Gage House can be found in Fayetteville on the corner of Genesee Street and Walnut Street just past the town center. Gage was a nationally known abolition and women's rights advocate who lived in the Greek revival style home from 1854 until her death in 1898.

The home is now currently under construction to become a museum. Restoration began in September and is expected to be completed before the end of 2009. Once completed, the museum will include rooms dedicated to women's rights, the Underground Railroad, religious freedom, the Gage Family, local history, and the Haudenosaunee Native American Tri

be.

"This was a woman who was the head of the women who were ahead of the times," said Wagner who quoted Gloria Steinem, a current day feminist writer and activist. Gage worked along side Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton brainstorming women's rights initiatives in this house. During the years before the Civil War, the house functioned as a dry goods store to those walking by, but secretly served as an Underground Railroad station.

The foundation's goal is to bring Gage's ideas and the relevance of them today to the community. "We really stand to become the center of heritage tourism in this region," says Wagner.

Other than Christmas, Halloween is the most commercialized holiday in the US as Americans spend hundreds of dollars every year on costumes and decorations. Central New Yorkers are no different.

And like millions of other Americans, last year Halloween-related sales were down across the board in CNY due to the economy. But this year things are looking up.

Sara Murphy, a worker at Dougherty's Masquerade in Syracuse notes that, "Its been really busy in here, I think things are getting better." Murphy adds that it is much more crowded than last year.

Not only are people buying costumes once again, many aren't holding anything back. One cashier remembered a customer paying $230 dollars on his costume.

Bobbi Walker, the store's office manager, thinks that the holiday falling on a weekend helps a lot. She says that because there is no work the day after Halloween, more people will have costume parties on the 31st.

"I think Halloween is a holiday where people can forget about all of the things going on with the economy and just go out and have a good time with your friends," says Chelsea Colon, a student at LeMoyne and customer at Dougherty's Masquerade.
Walker also says there is a big rush during the final week as people change their minds about what they can spend.

"A lot of people think they are not gonna do it." Walker says, "They are not gonna go out and get dressed up and then at the last minute they go, nah I think I better go get out something. "

The employees say that the store's top selling this year has been the Michael Jackson "thriller" set which comes complete with a jacket and glove.

Horses In The City

While driving through downtown Syracuse it’s tough to miss the four-legged animals strolling across the crosswalks. That’s because horses have taken over the Oncenter and the War Memorial for the week.

Nearly 400 horses arrived to compete in the 7^th Annual Syracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament this week. That is where the logistics get interesting. Where can you keep 400 horses in downtown Syracuse?

Well, organizers start by housing a majority of the horses not competing at the fair grounds. Horses then take turns cycling into the make-shift stable that was created in the parking garage across from the Oncenter. Storing horses on the streets is something riders and horses do not see in many other competitions.

“It’s really different for the horses to be in this environment, walking on the street to the show ring and everything,” competitor Navajo Gallegos said.

However it presents a different atmosphere that has created an interesting challenge for competitors.

“I think it was a really great vision that John Madden had when he said let’s hold a horseshow in the middle of the city of Syracuse,” Horseshow Management Team member Heather Kallas said. People said how are you going to do that? And we’ve been doing it now for seven years and successfully, so it worked out.”

Despite all the craziness of moving horses through the streets of Downtown Syracuse, with the help of volunteers and police, traffic continues to move relatively smoothly throughout the city.

Watch the video form of this story:

Safety Concerns with this Year's Halloween in Syracuse?

When Halloween rolls in, normally people think about candy and spending time at get togethers; however, residents of neighborhoods near the East Side of Syracuse University have more important things to consider.

"We've got right now four people in custody in the Onondaga County Justice Center that were involved in robberies that occurred on or near campus and those folks are sitting in jail on twenty thousand dollars bail each," said Syracuse University Chief of Public Safety Anthony Callisto, Jr.

Over the past two months there have been numerous robberies and a sexual assault case that have caused area law enforcement to be on hightened alert.

Among other things, the Syracuse University Department of Public Safety has increased its number of on-duty officers as well as extending the area that the Department covers.

City of Syracuse Police have also increased efforts by having plain-clothes officers patrol the area.

The joint work has paid off thus far, as several residents said that they feel safe with their Halloween plans.

For the whole story, check out Devon's story for NCC News.

Onondaga County Begins Distributing Flu Shots

SYRACUSE - The first round of scheduled flu shots given by Onondaga County were given out Wednesday afternoon at the Magnarelli Community Center. Three hundred people were expected to show up to the event which required an advance registration. Those looking for a flu shot had to go online, sign up for an appointment, and then either present proof of insurance or pay thirty dollars when showing up for the shot.

Vaccines were made available either as a traditional shot or through a nasal spray that was shot once in each nostril. Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney was on hand for the event and got her flu shot too. “Easy and painless” is how Mahoney described the shot. She also encouraged everyone to get their shot, but to be patient because not everyone could get one right away due to limited supplies.

Onondaga County Health Commissioner Dr. Cynthia Morrow was originally expected to be in attendance, but was “laying low” according to Deputy Commissioner Linda Karmen. Morrow is expected to speak about the flu tomorrow.

Hunters Invade Syracuse Invitational

The 126th Annual Syracuse Invitational began this morning at the Oncenter Complex in Downtown Syracuse. This year's competition brings riders from all over the country to take part in various events. Perhaps the least well known of these is the Hunters competition.

Unlike the jumping competition that has clear-cut and spelled out criteria for judging, Hunters is more subjective. Junior Trainer Frank Madden of Oyster Bay, Long Island describes it as, "a lot like either figure skating or gymnastics where there’s some compulsory things horses need to do and do well."

This morning, competitors rode green horses-- animals that have only been showing for a year or two. Since the judgments are based on the movement and finesse of the horse, there's not much the equestrians can do to help their horses succeed in this environment.

Alex Arute, an 18-year-old from Avon, CT, is here to compete in several events-- one of which is Hunters. She's been competing since she was six and says that while she has won many awards in the past, she's yet to take home a trophy from the Syracuse Invitational. It's Arute's third year taking part in the competition. Like many of her fellow riders, she travels to compete in Hunters almost every single weekend.

Watch a video version of this story here.

You're Never Too Old To Cook

Maybe you can't teach an old dog new tricks. But you can still teach an old man new recipes.

The Onondaga County Department of Aging and Youth is in the fourth year of its "Men Can Cook" program. The program helps men from their 60s and up learn how to cook healthy recipes. Maria Mahar of the Department, who runs the program, says "these men have wives who have become dependent on them or they are dependent upon themselves."

"Men Can Cook" is a four-week program which changes its location from year to year. This year, it takes place at Assumption Church in Syracuse. A group of nine or ten men ranging from their mid-sixties to mid-eighties generally shows up.

John Murray, 81, of Syracuse, said he enjoys not only the skills learned at the program but also the people he meets, saying "I would recommend this program to everyone and I want to think the Department of Aging and Youth for letting us do this."

Central New Yorkers Are Cutting Back On Their Pets

The CNY SPCA is filled over capacity, with little to no room left for any more animals. But what’s the reason for this overflow? Many Central New Yorkers can no longer afford their pets during this rough economy, forcing them to either give them away or completely abandon them.

Over the past few months, the SPCA has found cats and dogs left at their front door by their owners in the middle of the night. This has given the organization about 120 cats and close to 100 dogs, which is more than their kennels can handle.

The biggest expense owners can no longer afford is food. It costs on average $35 per month to feed a pet, on top of veterinary bills that aren’t always expected. But the CNY SPCA is trying to help with their Food Bank program. Anyone with a pet can fill out a form to begin receiving free food while their budget is tight.

But while many people are giving up their pets, equal amounts are looking to adopt. There has even been a large increase in adoptions, with several going home each day. This is the result of many wanting a companion to get through this tough time, as well as animal lovers in fear of what might happen to the cats and dogs if no one takes them home.

The one downside to the increase in adoptions is that many are getting returned within weeks because of their expense. The SPCA says before adopting, it’s important to know all the responsibilities involved with adding a pet to your family.

Watch the video version of this story below:

Ground Breaks for the Construction of Three Green Homes in the Near West Side

The city was invited to a public ceremony this Wednesday to celebrate the construction of three ‘green homes’ in Syracuse’s Near West Side. The houses are winners of a sustainable development contest sponsored by Syracuse University’s School of Architecture, Home Headquarters Inc., and the Syracuse Center for Excellence. The initiative began through Syracuse Art, Life, and Technology District, otherwise known as SALT.

The houses will be built on Otisco St. and Marcellus St. They will cost $80,000 per year and are slated to be completed by spring of next year.

Ben Zender, a Syracuse resident working for the university will be the first to purchase a home from the project. Zender says he should be more conscientious in caring for the environment and believes owning an energy efficient home is his way to give back.

Both New York State and Syracuse University are helping to fund the project.

From Old To Green: Former Temple Will Be Converted Into Hotel

A new hotel is set to open in Syracuse next year. While there are plenty of hotels on the hill, this one plans to set a new hospitality industry standard in going green.

"We're not only building this for everything that's going on in the market now, but we're also trying to build a product that will reach farther beyond and actually help the environment and help the guests everyone else who travels to the area," said Tom Fernandez, the director of marketing at the Genesse Grand Hotel.

A building once considered an eyesore on the corner of South Crouse Avenue and Harrison Street is now set to become the Hotel Skyler. It was once Temple Adath Yeshurun, until the congregation moved into the suburbs.

The building hosted the Salt City Players until 2004, when it fell into such a state of disrepair, they were forced to move.

The original structure will remain intact. Sam Gruber, a Jewish Art Historian, said this building has changed with the context of the neighborhood. Once again, it is undergoing a metamorphasis, but this time, it's going green.

The Woodbine Group, which also owns the Genesee Grand Hotel and the Parkview Hotel, is targeting environmentally conscious travelers through various technological investments.

Fernandez said room key cards will not only unlock the door in the new hotel. Once the guest is in the room, they must place the card on the wall, which controls the lights.

"It gives the guest a sense of control over their environment," said Lynee Sauer, the business manager of the Woodbine Group.

Sauer said some of the sheets and linens will be reclycled and some of the furniture will be made out of bamboo.

SU Professor of Hospitality Management Linchi Kwok said these practices are already in place in Asia, but newer to the United States.

The Hotel Skyler is LEED certified, which is an international rating system that evaluates buildings based on sustainability and efficiency.

Kwok said going green is "a must" in the hospitality industry and that it is a trend that is picking up speed nationally.

"You have to be green. You need to start becoing environmentally conscious or you're going to miss the boat," said Syracuse University Sheraton Hotel General Manager David Heymann.

A sign in the hotel's lobby shows several of their own initiatives. However, Heymann doesn't see a threat from an entirely green hotel only streets away.

"It's going to be a very niche-y customer, but... it certainly has opportunities to be successful," he said.

SU student Amy Nightingale said going green isn't her top priority when it comes to choosing a hotel, "Primarily, when I stay at a hotel, I'm staying at a hotel because I'm traveling and I need a place to stay--not what it can do for the environment or how it can better the environment."

While it may not be a top attraction for everyone, Fernandez said many corporations now have incentives to seek green hotels, when sending employees on business.

He said just because the hotel is greener doesn't require more green from your pocket. The hotel is set to cost somwhere between the rates of the Woodbine Group's other two hotels.

Hotel Skyler is set to open summer 2010.

End of Month, End of Construction?

For residents of Onondaga County, the morning and evening commutes are becoming impossible.

Three major construction projects are taking place simultaneously, leaving few alternate routes and many angry commuters. Three Syracuse bridges that run along I-81--Spencer St., Court St., and Butternut St.--are in the process of being reconstructed.

But Department of Transportation Public Infomation Officer Gene Cilento says the Spencer St. and Court St. bridges should be completed by Oct. 31. The demolition of the Butternut St. bridge will take place this winter and it will be reconstructed next spring. The bridge projects began last November.

In addition, there has been paving on 690 since last April. Cilento also expects it to be completed by the end of the month. The paving on 81 and 690 is simply routine maintenance to get 8-10 more years out of the roads, according to the DOT.

Here are some useful Web sites for regular commuters:

http://trafficland.com/ - features live video of local roads 24/7!

http://511ny.org/ - find out where the accidents are!

Watch the video version of this story below:

Teens Targeted in "Operation Hang Up"

New York State Troopers are handing out violations for motorists driving with a cell-phone. New research from the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) says teenagers are at the highest risk of being pulled over for breaking this law.

"Operation Hang Up" is a four day initiative to eliminate distracted drivers from the highway and reduce traffic accidents. The program began Monday, October 12 and the enforcement period ends Thursday, October 15th.

Le Moyne students were not surprised to hear that troopers were handing out tickets to most of their classmates. Tyler Hammond, a junior at Le Moyne told reporters, "Honestly if the phone rings while I'm driving, I'm going to pick it up."

According to the NHTSA, in 2008, teenagers comprised 22% of people injured in crashes involving distraction. In response to the increasing numbers, members of Troop T issued 5, 403 tickets to Thruway motorists that year.

In comparison to its last attempt in April, Troopers aren't seeing much success this time around. Sergeant Martin, a State Trooper says "there is just not enough man power within the unit to have eyes everywhere."

Most drivers are caught at toll booths, under passes, or stop lights. But police say it's still difficult to tell if someone is on their phone or using the hands free blue tooth technology.

Violators who are ticketed face up to $100 in ticket fines combined with a $60 court fee.

Temperature Change. Global Warming?

Now that the fall season has arrived, the leaves have begun to change color. However, that is not the only thing that has changed. There are also changes in the temperature as well. This month Syracuse has experienced lower than normal temperatures. With the weather feeling a lot more like winter, then early fall. Leaving some to wonder if it is because of global warming. Syracuse Research Professor, Bruce Wilkinson, chimes in. "When I moved her four years ago, we had record snow fall and someone had written a paper, that I will not name, who said were getting record snow fall because the climates are warming," said Wilkinson. Two years later, It was completely different. "The next two years we had below average snow fall even though the temperature's were warmer," he said. "Then in the next two years, we had below average snow fall. Even though the temperatures were warmer. So there is a lot of variation in the weather. That's why it's always hard to convince people that global warming is the real thing." Forecasters predict that we will experience some unusual weather before the end of this week.

Hang up or get ticketed.

Today, ends Operation Hang Up II. A four day initiative that started Monday to crack down on people who drive while talking on their cell phone. This is the second time this year the New York State Thruway Authority has set up this kind of enforcement. Operation Hang Up I was back in April. Troopers ticketed over 800 people.

State Trooper Marting Zubrzycki says this week's enforcement hasn't been as successful as the first one, but it is because more people are following the law. However, there are still drivers out there talking and texting on their phones and troopers will stop them if caught. "We are looking, we are enforcing, and we are serious about it," says Zubrzycki.

Traps have been set up along the New York State Thruway and can be found at various locations such as toll booths. Because drivers have to come to a stop to pay a toll, or at least a slow roll to go through EZ Pass, Troopers find it easier to catch drivers talking on their phone.

The dead give away says Zubrzycki is "The hand to the ear or the actual person moving their mouth."

New York State was the first state in the US to ban talking on the phone while driving. Last month, the state banned texting while driving as well. Although harder to catch, texting has become a serious issue, especially among the younger age group. Over one-third of drivers under 24 years old are texting while on the road.

Even though Operation Hang Up II ends today, law enforcement will still be out looking for offenders. In 2008, the state of New York gave out 5,400 hundred tickets to people distracted by their phones while driving. If caught you will be ticketed a$160 fine.

CNY Farm scares away economic problems

With Halloween around the corner, nothing scares local businesses more than the state of the economy, but one Baldwinsville farm has been running pretty busy this fall. Abbott Farms relies on its core crops of apples, pumpkins, and corn to bring in customers and has even expanded its selection in the past few years.
Warren Abbott, the owner of Abbott Farms, says that the decision to focus on the products is what is keeping his farm alive in the current economy.
“We’re focusing on retail; we’re focusing on pick your own [produce].” Abbott says.
From May till December the farm is open for people to come down and pick their own crops.
Customers say that the food at the farm is worth the extra cash, even in times like these.
Caroline Penn, a longtime customer, notes that while the farm has raised prices a bit this year, “The produce is so good that the extra you pay is well worth it.”
However, it was a lot of work for Abbott, the 5th generation owner of the farm, to find the right amount of each product to grow and sell.
“We have had to look at each part of the business as everyone has done in the country and looked at areas that were underperforming and change.”
One change this year is that the farm got rid of its apple cannon due to the economy. Abbott said the cannon simply cost too much to operate.
The apple cannon was one of the family friendly activities at the farm. The farm still has a corn maze, tractor rides, and a petting zoo. Abbott says it’s to promote a family friendly environment.
Julie Cooper brought a daycare class of four-year-old boys to the farm and was happy with what it had to offer. “Its great interaction, they get to play with the animals and get to go pumpkin picking.”

Business as usual at one CNY Farm despite tough economy

It might come as a surprise, but not every business in Central New York is hurting because of the current economy. At Abbott Farms in Baldwinsville business is as usual. Despite a tough economy the farm hasn't had to make many changes to its annual fall routine of apple picking and attractions.
"We're focusing on retail," Farm owner Warren Abbott said. "We're focusing on pick your own but we have had to look at each part of the business as everyone has done in this country and looked at areas that were under performing or not performing and change."
But that change is small. The only different thing this year is there's no apple cannon. Abbott said the apple cannon became too expensive to maintain and manage during the fall months.
Abbott says his business is doing well because his business model is working. Whether it be pumpkins, corn, squash or potatoes, Abbott says local produce is the core to his business.
Apples are for sale inside the store on the farm. Customers say the quality of the produce is why they shop here. They are even willing to spend a little more.
"The produce is so good that the little extra you pay is well worth it," said Caroline Penn who lives a few minutes down the road. She says she comes to the store at Abbott farms to find her favorite potatoes - something she can't find anywhere else.
To supplement produce sales, Abbott Farms attracts families with young children to feed the animals. A corn maze and tractor rides are also available.
Abbott Farms is in a 15 year process of changing the types of apple trees it grows thus changing not the business practice but the crops.

Troopers on the lookout for chatty drivers

“Operation Hang Up II” is in full swing and that means drivers that like to talk on their cell phones could be in for some trouble. New York State Troopers are staking out positions along the Thruway and at toll booths getting off of the highway looking for people who are talking on their cellphones.

Troopers started the four day initiative on Monday and it runs through tomorrow. So far officers say their numbers are down from the first round of “Operation Hang Up” earlier in the year, but a reduced number of officers from the East Syracuse outpost of Troopers has made the difference.

Officers say the place where it’s the easiest to catch offenders is at tollbooths because the cars have to slow down and they can see if the driver is holding a phone to their ear. Despite the popularity of Bluetooth devices, a lot of drivers still talk away despite the increased enforcement, officers said.

Fines can go as high as $160 dollars for offenders, although no points are put on a drivers record. Along with drivers who talk on their cellphones, police also keep an eye out for those who send text messages while driving.

Texting while driving is illegal in Onondaga County and a statewide ban is going into effect November 1st.

CNY Climate in Flux?

With the temperature dropping and the leaves changing color, fall is officially here in Central New York.

Thus far, fall has brought unique weather conditions to the area.

At this point in the month, the average rain fall is just under three-and-a-quarter inches, but, so far, it's only up to a little over one-and-a-half inches.

This low rain fall total comes on the heels of back-to-back winters with very low and very high snow acumulation, respectively.

Has climate change hit Central New York?

One expert says no.

"The amount of precipitation that comes every year can change over the long term, over tens of hundreds of years, but over the short term, its really like watching traffic go up a highway," said Syracuse University earth science professor Bruce Wilkinson. "Sometimes there's a lot of cars close together and sometimes they're pretty far apart."

Wilkinson also said that there aren't many scientists that would think that climate change has hit Central New York merely based off of some recent abnormalities in the weather.

For more on this, head over NCC News' Web site to watch Devon Heinen's story.

Green Hills Hits 75

Green Hills Farms, a family-owned supermarket on South Salina Street in Syracuse, is celebrating its 75^th Anniversary this week. As a thank you to its loyal customers, between October 11 and 17 every 75^th customer receives his or her groceries for free.

In this time of economic struggle, some chain supermarkets have had to shut down some of their outlets. However, Green Hills is still able to give away a significant amount of produce without having to worry about losing too much money. The Hawkins family opened up a food stand during the Great Depression in 1934 that eventually became the supermarket. Green Hills Farms is no stranger to surviving a financial crisis.

As fourth generation Gary Hawkins says, “We’ve been here 75 years this year so hopefully we’re doing something right. I think it’s really a combination of a number of things, from just being a part of this community for so long and shoppers have been with us and shopped with us for decades in some cases.”

The idea for the promotion stemmed from an idea that Hawkins heard through the grapevine.

Green Hills Farms Marketing Manager Hilarie Zani says of the promotion, “Our local community are loyal shoppers in general and they give us so much that we thought it would be a wonderful thing to give back to them too.”

Local Shops Not Hurt by Flavored Cigarette Ban

New York's attempt to cut down on underage smoking has come into full effect September 24th. No more flavored cigarettes will be sold anywhere in the state. However, this hasn't hurt business in local areas, at least according to Magdi of Graby's Convience Store in Syracuse. Magdi says despite the fact he can no longer sell flavored cigarettes, either most of his customers aren't affected, or they will make a switch. "Most of the customers we have here are legal and buy regular cigarettes." Magdi said.

His most popular flavored cigarette, the Djarum Black, along with all the rest, were sent back to their manufacturers as soon as the ban took effect. But Magdi seems to think that anyone who bought flavored cigarettes in the past won't quit just because they can't get their favorite flavor anymore. They'll just make a switch. "The customer has a way of going around it" Magdi said.

His most interesting theory is that he believes the ban originated not from concerned politicians, but from the American cigarette giants such as Phillip Morris. Magdi believes that because of their lobbying power and political influence due to their sheer size and amount of money the company turns over, if their business is being hurt by a competitor such as a flavored cigarette company, they can simply get a ban passed to help them take down that competition.

Magdi believes cigarettes such as the Dutch Masters will be the next victims of the cigarette giants. He thinks they will end up being banned next.

Help For Syracuse Housing

About a dozen Syracuse University students slept outside last night in the rain and lightning during the second annual Shack-A-Thon. Participants slept in huts that will later be donated to families as playhouses and raised 12 thousand dollars for Habitat For Humanity to build a new home on Elliott Street.

“It made me think about how people do that every night and we still were able to find cover when we were worried about getting struck by lightning, said Karan Elson, a Shack-A-Thon participant. “But some people don’t even have that.”

And while the students will only spend one more night on the Quad, organizations like Home Headquarters work year round on the Syracuse housing problem. With 13-hundred vacant properties around the city, many families are living in unsafe, rented apartments.

“We had one customer here that had an apartment she was renting,” said Karen Schroder of Home Headquarters. “Her son had to pack a bag every day before he left for school of his favorite toys because otherwise they might not be there when he gets back. Someone would break into their apartment almost every day,” she said.

Home Headquarters has been buying up these abandoned properties and rebuilding them to be sold to families who normally couldn’t afford a house. Empty homes can be found all over the city, but for now, a major focus is on Syracuse’s West Side.

Recession Doesn't Scare Halloween Celebrants Away

The National Retail Federation came out with a survey late September saying that during the state of the recession, Americans will spend less money this Halloween than they did last Halloween, citing consumers will spend an average of $56.31, down from $66.54 last year.

At Spirit Halloween Superstores at the Great Northern Mall in Clay, district sales manager Dominick Caruso is not worried about a predicted decrease in sales. In fact, he says he has trouble keeping items stocked on the shelves.

When asked if she would spend less money on Halloween this year, Baldwinsville resident Sadie Buis says she would rather scale down on a Christmas tree than on Halloween festivities. She says Halloween is the only time that her family can come together by making costumes and decorating the house.

Shawn Regan of Oswego may have come up with the perfect compromise. He says that to save money, he will re-use his Halloween supplies, but if he has to buy a mask, he will do so.

Only time will tell on whether NRF’s survey lives up to it’s expectations, but for now, consumers are busy planning their Halloween weekend.

Housing Troubles In Syracuse

Little wooden huts sit on the Syracuse University quad, attempting to raise money to build houses for needy families in the city.

While these SU students make this their mission three days a year, other organizations take on this initiative year-round.

Syracuse’s Home Headquarters rebuilds homes and helps families afford to live in these reconstructed houses.

A large number of properties in the city are unused and vacant, so finding places to rebuild is not hard. However, finding the money to build is difficult.

That’s why these Syracuse students camped out over night on Tuesday and Wednesday to raise money for Habitat for Humanity. Syracuse Habitat for Humanity hopes to raise around $14,000 towards building a new house for someone in the city.

Rain And Dirt - A Bad Combination at the State Fairgrounds

It's not called Mud Week for a reason.

Wednesday practice at the New York State Fairgrounds for Super Dirt Week XXXVIII was canceled due to inclement weather. Constant rain throughout the morning and afternoon put the mile-long track in unsuitable conditions for dirt car racers. Practice was canceled because dirt car driving would do nothing to help the already sloppy condition of the track.

26-year-old driver Jeff Brownell, Jr. spent most of his day in his trailer and under a tent with his crew members and team owner Jeff Brownell, Sr. Brownell, Jr. was succinct in his thoughts about the weather, saying "it sucks. Can't race in the rain." Brownell and the crew still showed their enthusiasm for the upcoming Rite Aid 200. Crew member Jeff McMillan compared it to NASCAR's biggest race, saying "it's like the Daytona 500, except it's at the end of the year." Brownell says this race means the most to him of any on the Super DirtCar series. He is from Waterloo, New York, and will have family including his nine-year-old daughter Abigail in the stands on Sunday.

The season-ending race is scheduled to start at 2:00 PM on Sunday. The winner will take home a first-place check of $50,000.

Flavored Cigarette Ban Lights Up Debate

At Graby's Mini Mart on the corner of Wescott and Euclid, flavored items line the counter. Candy, blunt wraps and mints make for a colorful display. The one thing missing is flavored cigarettes.

A new FDA ban on flavored cigarettes went into effect last month. The government asserts flavored cigarettes attract children toward a life of addiction.

However, a Graby's store clerk, who asked only to be called by his first name--Magdi, said the threat of foreign tobacco companies for American companies is the driving force behind the ban.

"Phillip Morris supported the ban because most companies that make flavored cigarettes are foreign, like these Djarum Black ones from Indonesia," he said.

Graby's was able to sell most of the flavored cigarettes it had in stock. The rest were sent back to the manufacturer.

While the new regulations haven't hurt business, they are leading people to find new ways to make cigarettes more palatable.

Magdi predicted flavored blunt wraps will become the most popular way around the ban.

Rain Keeps Dirt Week Racers off the Track

Rain prevented dirt car drivers from getting on the track Wednesday for Super Dirt Week XXXVIII at the New York State Fairgrounds. Competitors for Sunday's mile-long Rite Aid 200 were limited to their trailers while a series of storms swept through Central New York.

Driver Jeff Brownell, Jr., an automatic qualifier for the Rite Aid 200, drove from Waterloo, N.Y. with his team for a fifth straight year for a chance at the $50,000 prize.

"This is the Indy 500 of dirt car racing," Brownell said.

The Rite Aid 200 is scheduled to start Sunday at 2:15 p.m..

*Update: Brownell finished 39th in Sunday's race. Click here for a complete list of race results.

Stories About Real People

This is where 17 TV News reporting students from Syracuse University will post the text versions of the real stories they cover as television packages in the local media market. They'll post the packages as well. In the process, they'll learn more about the place they live in and cover, while preparing for the multi-platform business many of them already are working in. Their professor, as veteran of more than 40 years in media, will be learning with them. Comments, constructive criticism and suggestions are welcome.