Latest news with #OnondagaCountyLegislature
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘I could just picture him as one of my brothers': Ithaca Fire Department pays respects to fallen Binghamton firefighter
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — One final time to pay their respects to a hero they loved but never knew. 'I could just picture him as one of my brothers at Ithaca,' said James Wheal, the assistant fire chief for the Ithaca Fire Department. Wheal says his firefighters were not going to miss the chance to say goodbye to JR. 'We all started texting each other and calling each other and reaching out to find out what happened, to find out he was killed in the line of duty at a fire doing the job that he loves,' Wheal said. Corrections officers strike for second day: Demanding for safer conditions in prisons Digging out of the snow is far from over for Oswego County 'I could just picture him as one of my brothers': Ithaca Fire Department pays respects to fallen Binghamton firefighter High demand for de-icing materials continues Onondaga County Legislature GOP will not vote for any more funds for aquarium It's part of a firefighter's code to support each other. 'To show up even though I didn't know JR, I hope that it's helpful for friends and family and the Binghamton firefighters,' Wheal said. Through the stories and memories shared Wednesday, the Ithaca Fire Department knows JR would've fit right in. 'I can just tell he was a terrific guy. A guy I'd love to go for a beer with, like to hang out with,' Wheal said. 'It was very humanizing and I think that's the best thing a funeral can do, celebrating what a good person someone is.' Other fire agencies from around Central New York paid their respects, including the Syracuse, Auburn and Cortlandville fire departments. 'We all do really work together. We often say, 'It's the same circus, different clowns.' Firefighters across the country are a diverse group, but there are a lot of similarities. We support each other, we trust each other, we look out for each other,' Wheal said. They don't know what tomorrow will bring, but the support and commitment to each other will always remain to the very end. A go-fund-me for the Gaudet's family has topped 280 thousand dollars. The Syracuse Fire Department's credit union also continues to collect donations. If you'd like to donate to either fund, you can find links to both on the Binghamton Fire Department's Facebook page. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Onondaga County Legislature GOP will not vote for any more funds for aquarium
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — The Republican leadership of the Onondaga County Legislature announced on Wednesday, Feb. 19, that it will not support any additional funding for the aquarium being built in Syracuse's Inner Harbor. $85 million dollars was originally approved in 2022 by the county legislature to build the aquarium, but Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon said the estimated cost for completing the aquarium has now risen to $100 million due to inflation over the past few years. Plan to vote on more money for aquarium removed from agenda 'The cost is essentially $15 million higher. If you look at the inflation over that period of time, that makes sense. Things in 2021 are more expensive in 2024, going into '25,' McMahon said on an episode of Newsmakers from November 2024. The county Republican leaders say that the best path forward to cover increased costs is through private-public partnership. A new local law will also be considered that allows the county to solicit, receive and appropriate donations and sponsorships for the project. The county legislature's Ways and Means Committee will start to consider the law next week, county Republicans said. In December 2024, McMahon requested a vote from the county legislature on $11 million in funding that would then have been paid back over time as the county executive sought out private donations and sponsorships. The vote was removed from the agenda the day the meeting was held. 4 groups to watch as House GOP eyes vote on advancing Trump agenda Man who admitted to shooting Black teen at wrong door dies before sentencing Lingering snow leads to light accumulation of snow for some Onondaga County Legislature GOP will not vote for any more funds for aquarium Trump endorses House budget plan Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
