(Nedrow, NY – July 13, 2011) The Onondaga County Sheriff’s Department reports that 3-year-old Jordan Chrisjohn is expected to recover after falling into his grandparents above ground pool. Tonight at approximately 8:12pm, the 3 year old had fallen into a pool after taking his floatation device off. A family member quickly pulled Jordan from the water and initiated CPR while EMTs from the Nedrow Fire Department responded.

Jordan, who was revived and breathing on his own when he was transported to University Hospital by TLC Ambulance for treatment.

(Utica, NY – June 20, 2011) Stephanie C. Reynolds, LMSW, a veteran higher education leader and student counselor, has been appointed as Mohawk Valley Community College’s Vice President for Student Affairs. Reynolds’ appointment was made by MVCC President Randall J. VanWagoner and ratified June 13 by the Board of Trustees, successfully concluding a nationwide search that began in March. Reynolds, of Syracuse, joins the college July 5. In her new role, she will lead MVCC’s expansive efforts to provide co-curricular experiences that help students be more successful.

“Our community and our students face greater challenges than ever, and their experiences at MVCC play a major role in shaping opportunities for success,” says President Randall J. VanWagoner, Ph.D. “The need for this college to tailor its offerings to a diverse population has never been greater, and Stephanie’s wealth of knowledge and experience will greatly assist MVCC in meeting and exceeding the needs of the Mohawk Valley.”

Says Reynolds, “I am excited by the momentum at Mohawk Valley Community College, and I am impressed with its close-knit ties to the community we serve. I am very much looking forward to working with the accomplished Student Affairs team to create new opportunities for MVCC students to succeed in college and in life.”

Reynolds brings extensive and diverse leadership experience to MVCC. She moves to MVCC from the post of Vice President for Student Services at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse, where she implemented comprehensive programs to facilitate students’ academic, personal and social growth. She supervised counseling, disability services, health services, residence life, student government, student activities, judicial affairs, student engagement initiatives, testing services, and veterans’ affairs. She was previously Associate Vice President of Student Services and Director of Counseling and Advising at OCC.

Before her time at OCC, Reynolds was Director of Syracuse University’s Partnership for Better Education, a collaborative venture involving SU, other colleges and universities, and the Syracuse City School District. She also served as Director of the Student Success Initiative in SU’s Division of Student Support and Retention; Associate Director of the Academic Improvement Program; and as a counselor, therapist, and educator in the University’s R.A.P.E. Center. Earlier in her career, she worked in the field of health care for organizations including SUNY Health Science Center’s Pediatrics Unit and the VA Medical Center in Syracuse. She has 10 years’ experience teaching as an adjunct faculty member in SUNY Empire State College’s Human Services Division.

Reynolds has been published nationally in “The First Year Experience” (2005) and Community College Times (2009). Her educational background includes a BA in Counseling and Human Services from SUNY Empire State and a MSW from SU’s School of Social Work. She holds New York State licensure as a Master Social Worker.

Reynolds fills the role previously held by Denise DiGiorgio, who retired in May after 32 years of exemplary service at MVCC. For more information about student services at MVCC, visit www.mvcc.edu.

(Town of Clay, NY – June 15, 2011)  Onondaga County Sheriff Kevin E. Walsh reports that a Cicero Woman faces an additional arson charge in connection with a 2010 Town of Clay fire.

Donna Burke, (59), of 317 Hamilton Road, was charged this afternoon with second-degree Arson in connection with a storage room fire that was reported on Oct. 3, 2010 at the Allen Meadow Apartments, located at 5562 Bear Road.

Yesterday, Cicero Police charged Burke with third-degree arson accusing her of intentionally setting a basement fire at her Cicero home.

Onondaga County Fire Investigators, who were working with Cicero Police Department, recognized Burke’s name and recalled that she resided at the Allen Meadow Apartments in 2010 at the time they investigated a storage room fire. This information was forwarded to detectives assigned to the Sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Division.

Following up on the information, Detective Jon Seeber interviewed Burke who stated that she tossed a lit cigarette into the storage area causing the fire.

Burke, who was already being held at the Onondaga County Justice Center on the Cicero charges, was arraigned this afternoon in the Town of Clay Court where bail was set in the amount of $50,000 cash or $100,000 bond.

Burke is scheduled to return to the Town of Clay Court on Jun 28.

Arson in the 2nd degree is a class B felony.

(Utica, NY – June 13, 2011) United Way Board of Directors has approved funding allocations for 2011 – investing $1.4 million in Herkimer and Oneida Counties.

“United Way is able to meet the needs of many children, families, and individuals in our community due to the generosity of our donors and volunteers,” Executive Director Brenda Episcopo said. “Our community volunteers make this process possible spending countless hours reviewing funding requests and utilizing their expertise to ensure we support programs and initiatives that touch the greatest number of lives and achieve positive, measurable results in Herkimer and Oneida Counties.”

United Way has served the Mohawk Valley region for 90 years and is driven by the mission to promote individual well being, strengthen families, and improve the quality of life in Herkimer and Oneida Counties. United Way is committed to addressing the most critical needs of our community by supporting initiatives in both Herkimer and Oneida Counties in the following areas:

Health: To enable the achievement and maintenance of a healthy lifestyle for individuals.

Program Example: Free rides to senior citizens to and from medical appointments who would otherwise have no transportation or support.

Education: To enable children and youth to be ready for school and prepared to be successful in life.

Program Example: Homework help, tutoring and quality activities for at-risk children and teens during out-of-school time.

Income: To provide opportunities and support for every individual in our community, to achieve and sustain financial self-sufficiency.

Program Example: Direct job placement and transitional support to individuals with disabilities.

Community Safety Net: To support our community so that it can respond to those individuals and families in crisis.

Program Example: Ensuring everyone in our community has safety from an unexpected disaster or tragedy.

Beginning in July, United Way will support 53 programs and initiatives between Herkimer and Oneida Counties. The program funding comes from donations made locally during the 2010 annual campaign, which raised $2.74 million.

“The overwhelming generosity of individuals and families in the Mohawk Valley makes it possible to meet the pressing needs of our community,” Episcopo said. “Our donors expect their financial gifts to lead to meaningful improvements in the lives of individuals across all segments of our community. The programs our volunteers have chosen to support reflect the vast needs of children, individuals, and families in Herkimer and Oneida Counties.”

A diverse group of about 40 volunteers on the five Funding Allocation Panels carefully reviewed the proposals and presented a recommendation to the United Way Board of Directors, which was approved on May 26, 2011. After the designated contributions from the State Employee Federated Appeal (SEFA), the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), and designations to other agencies and programs are set aside, the following are the funding highlights for this cycle:

$414,750 – Community Safety Net

$286,040 – Health

$458,249 – Education

$206,609 – Income

$30,273 – Education and Income

$5,000 – Community Empowerment Grant

Following is the list of the 2011-2012 funded programs:

(Utica, NY – June 8, 2011) The Glimmerglass Festival may just be over the Otsego County line in Cooperstown, but traditionally, only a small percentage of its audience comes from Herkimer and Oneida counties. With the support of a grant from The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, Inc., the people behind the Festival aim to change that.

This year, residents of Herkimer and Oneida counties who have never attended a Glimmerglass performance, or have not been since 2006, can attend a production for just $12; the remainder of the ticket cost is subsidized by The Community Foundation grant. Glimmerglass Festival’s Artistic & General Director Francesca Zambello encourages audience members to enjoy the scenic Glimmerglass campus and has added an array of special events, such as short musical programs, cast and crew question-and-answer sessions and special lectures to the season calendar.

The festival runs July 2 through August 23, with many matinee and early afternoon offerings. This year’s productions are Carmen, Medea, Annie Get Your Gun and the double bill of A Blizzard On Marblehead Neck and Later the Same Evening. Residents of Herkimer and Oneida counties who meet the criteria for the special ticket rate should call the Glimmerglass Box Office at (607) 547-2255 and mention HOCF to receive the special offer. Visit www.glimmerglass.org for details.

For more information about The Community Foundation, call 315-735-8212 or visit www.foundationhoc.org.

(March 3, 2011) We ask our readers to bear with us at this time as we are experiencing technical difficulties with our online edition.

We will make every effort to bring the news to you with or without photos in a timely manner and will work diligently to correct the problems.

Thank you for your patience,

Onondaga County Courier Staff

(March 3, 2011) We ask our readers to bear with us at this time as we are experiencing technical difficulties with our online edition.

We will make every effort to bring the news to you with or without photos in a timely manner and will work diligently to correct the problems.

Thank you for your patience,

Onondaga County Courier Staff

(March 3, 2011) We ask our readers to bear with us at this time as we are experiencing technical difficulties with our online edition.

We will make every effort to bring the news to you with or without photos in a timely manner and will work diligently to correct the problems.

Thank you for your patience,

Onondaga County Courier Staff

(March 3, 2011) We ask our readers to bear with us at this time as we are experiencing technical difficulties with our online edition.

We will make every effort to bring the news to you with or without photos in a timely manner and will work diligently to correct the problems.

Thank you for your patience,

Jefferson County Staff of M3P Media LLC

(March 3, 2011) We ask our readers to bear with us at this time as we are experiencing technical difficulties with our online edition.

We will make every effort to bring the news to you with or without photos in a timely manner and will work diligently to correct the problems.

Thank you for your patience,

Jefferson County Staff of M3P Media LLC