Ë®¹ûÅÉAV

After a thorough search of the store, a review of security camera footage and an interview with the “Cowboy," Snyder said, police determined that the gun carried by the individual was indeed a fake, alleviating concerns about public safety. The shopper had attended an event earlier in the day that had apparently inspired their choice of attire, resembling a character out of the Old West.

However, Snyder continued, "In today’s environment, the sight of any firearm, even if it turns out to be a replica, understandably raises alarm. Seneca Falls Police would like to remind the public to exercise caution and consider the potential impact of their actions, even in the context of costumes or themed attire."

Store operations returned to normalcy shorty after the incident was deemed false.

Sheriff Brian Schenck said in a news release that the arrest stemmed from a month-long investigation into the mishandling of funds at an area business, and it is alleged that Brenchley stole funds in excess of $250,000 over the course of a year. According to his Facebook profile, Brenchley is controller for Aurora Ridge Dairy in the town of Ledyard.

Schenck said the investigation culminated in a search warrant at Brenchley’s residence. He was arrested and processed at the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office and held at the Cayuga County Jail pending centralized arraignment.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Michael Baim at (315) 258-3868, or tips can be left at . Tipsters may remain anonymous.

"Significant renovations and upgrades" are planned for the rest stops, according to the Thruway Authority. Although the facilities will be closed, fuel services will remain available.Ìý

The rest stops are scheduled to reopen in the first half of 2024.Ìý

Empire State Thruway Partners was awarded a 33-year contract to operate the 27 service areas. The entity was created by Applegreen, an Ireland-based company with travel plazas in the U.S. and United Kingdom.Ìý

The first phase of the reconstruction project began in July 2021 with the closure of 10 Thruway service areas. The initial plan was for the project to be completed in three phases, but delays altered the timeline. Indian Castle Service Area on I-90 was the first rest stop to reopen to the public in August 2022, 13 months after it closed for construction.Ìý

Over the past year, more of the rest stops have reopened and construction began on other service areas. Work on the first wave of service areas that closed in 2021 has been completed. Once those facilities reopened, 10 others closed for construction.Ìý

Some of the rest stops that are under construction, including the Port Byron Service Area in Cayuga County and Seneca Service Area near Rochester, are expected to open later this year. Others won't reopen until 2024.Ìý

One goal of the $450 million project is to offer better amenities at the rest stops. Restaurants like Chick-fil-A and Shake Shack have replaced McDonald's and Roy Rogers. Electric vehicle charging stations will be available at every location and select rest stops will have special amenities for truckers, such as laundry services and showers.Ìý

The revamp of the rest stops has faced criticism, mainly because of the lack of space and the smaller restrooms compared to the previous facilities. Some critics have questioned why Chick-fil-A was selected as one of the restaurants when it's not open on Sunday.Ìý

The Thruway Authority has noted that not all of the rest stops will be the same size. The first few service areas that reopened were among the smallest in the state. But other service areas that have been rebuilt, namely Clifton Springs and Pembroke, are some of the largest rest stops in the state.Ìý

Officials say the patient died of acute intoxication due to "the combined effects of controlled substances, both prescribed and unprescribed." 

In another case, Chi prescribed Adderall, a drug used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, to a patient. But medical records did not indicate whether the patient had been diagnosed with ADHD. Despite Chi telling the patient to decrease their use of Adderall and not mix it with other medications, he continued to prescribe the drug, officials said.Ìý

A third patient received prescriptions for several controlled substances, including fentanyl patches, Oxycodone and Percocet, from Chi. When the patient was hospitalized in 2018, authorities noted that another doctor commented on the patient's "problem with polypharmacy," a term referring to the use of multiple drugs to treat medical conditions.Ìý

Chi admitted that the patient's medications were "heavy," but he only reduced them after being questioned by the Drug Enforcement Administration.Ìý

As part of the federal settlement, Chi agreed to surrender his DEA registration. He cannot seek renewal of the registration, which allows doctors to prescribe controlled substances, for 15 years.Ìý

Last year, Chi surrendered his medical license after he was charged by the state Board for Professional Medical Conduct. The allegations against him included failing to provide "appropriate care and treatment for patients" and prescribing controlled substances "in an inappropriate manner." 

Chi had been licensed to practice medicine in New York since 1976.Ìý

The winning tickets are each worth $16,912.50.Ìý

Take 5 has two daily drawings, one at 2:30 p.m. and another at 10:30 p.m. The five winning numbers are selected from a field of 1 through 39.Ìý

The winning numbers for Monday's evening drawing were 10, 13, 28, 34 and 38.Ìý

According to the New York Lottery, the odds of winning the Take 5 jackpot are 1 in 575,757.Ìý

Winners have up to one year from the date of the drawing to claim their prizes.Ìý

At 6 a.m. the next day, a group of six juveniles was observed in an SUV in the parking lot of the store by a citizen who called 911, Newton continued. The group broke into the store again, this time stealing ammunition, but police arrived before the juveniles left. Two were apprehended at the scene. The SUV later crashed in Camillus, and another three juveniles were apprehended there.

Newton said officers are searching for the sixth juvenile. He thanked officers with the Solvay and Geddes police departments, and New York State Police, for assisting with the response.

The group is also believed to be behind the burglary of at least one gun store in Oswego County, Newton continued, as well as a rash of vehicle thefts and smoke shop robberies in Onondaga County.

"We caught them," he said, "so hopefully we broke up this ring of thefts."

The , which was approved by every board member present at Tuesday's meeting, is similar to the earlier one. However, it includes more instances where device use can be allowed. At Auburn High School, for example, teachers can designate certain times when devices can be used in their classrooms, and administrators can allow device use on district property during school hours.Ìý

Student can't use devices for activities such as disruptive behavior, illegal activities, cheating on assignments or tests, or harassing, intimidating or humiliating others, the amendment says. As with the previous amendment, the final one includes additional disciplinary actions depending on the amount of times a student uses a device in violation of the policy.Ìý

Before the vote, Dr. Eli Hernandez, a board member, noted changes can be made to the amended policy as needed.

Board member Francis "CJ" Calarco said the cellphone policy that was previously in place and the newly amended version are comparable.

"For the most part, the policy's not really changed, we're just looking for more effective enforcement," Calarco said.

Tripp, whose family owns Owen Orchards in Sennett, told Ë®¹ûÅÉAV that there is usually minimal damage if temperatures dip into the upper 20s. It was 40 degrees at bedtime. When he woke up, temperatures were in the mid-30s.Ìý

"It must have been a prolonged period of time because we ended up with a lot more damage than we thought we were going to have," Tripp said.Ìý

As apple season approaches, growers like Tripp are learning more about the devastating effects of that freeze. Owen Orchards estimates it lost most of its crop. The family farm also grows peaches, more than two-thirds of which were lost due to the late spring freeze.Ìý

However, it's the apple losses that will hit Owen Orchards the hardest. There will be some apples sold in Owen Orchards' store on Route 5, and cider will be produced. But plans for U-pick, where customers can walk into the orchards and pick their own apples, are on hold.Ìý

"The problem with the U-pick is there's a lot of waste," Tripp explained. "People knock a lot of stuff on the ground. We can't afford to have that kind of loss this year. Usually, we just figure it in. But we need all the apples we can get to keep our store going and keep our cider going." 

Even with its losses, Owen Orchards should get something out of this apple season. The same cannot be said for Grisamore Farms in Locke.Ìý

The freeze wiped out the farm's apple crop, a first in the 45 years since the Grisamore family began growing apples in southern Cayuga County.Ìý

If that wasn't bad enough, Grisamore Farms also lost its cherry and peach crops. The freeze affected the farm's main crop, strawberries, as well. Mary Grisamore, co-owner of the farm, told Ë®¹ûÅÉAV that they did not lose their entire strawberry crop, but the first blossoms froze in May.Ìý

"It's going to be a tough year," Grisamore said.Ìý

The freeze affected other crops, namely grapes. The losses vary for vineyards in the Finger Lakes and across New York. Some lost their entire crop.Ìý

After gathering information on the damage, the state Farm Service Agency asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture to declare an agricultural disaster for 31 counties, including Cayuga. The request was supported by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.Ìý

To be eligible for a federal agricultural disaster declaration, counties must have farms that lost at least 30% of a crop. Farms in Cayuga County reported more than 30% of apple, cherry, grape and peach crops were lost because of the May freeze.Ìý

The U.S. Department of Agriculture declared a disaster in mid-August for 31 primary counties and 24 contiguous counties, mostly in upstate New York. The agency's action allows farms to apply for low-interest emergency loans of up to $500,000.Ìý

Among local growers, reaction was mixed. Grisamore would rather receive grants than loans, but said it would help them get through this year. Tripp called the federal government's response "a big farce."

"Everybody thinks that we're all getting this free money," he said. "It's not. It's just a low-interest loan — if you quality for it." 

Jeff Williams, public policy director of the New York Farm Bureau, acknowledged that farmers are split on the form of assistance provided by the federal government. But, he continued, some farmers find that the loans "help them bridge the gap to next year." 

The Farm Bureau was instrumental in securing the agricultural disaster declaration. Williams said the group encouraged farmers to report their damage, which allowed the state Farm Service Agency to make its disaster request.Ìý

With Congress working to draft the next farm bill, Williams said there needs to be a more responsive crop insurance program that would help Grisamore Farms, Owen Orchards and others that lose high-value crops.Ìý

"That's something we're definitely working on," Williams said.Ìý

For Grisamore Farms and Owen Orchards, the transition from summer to fall is usually their prime time. While there is no doubt the freeze will hurt their business, they are trying to salvage this season.Ìý

Mary Grisamore told Ë®¹ûÅÉAV that her farm will have pumpkins this year, one crop unaffected by the freeze. They will buy apples from another farm to sell in their store and for cider production.Ìý

Owen Orchards, a popular destination in the Auburn area, has some apples available. Although there was significant damage to the crop, David Tripp said there is a "decent crop" in a few areas.Ìý

The impact of the May freeze is being felt beyond Cayuga County. There are some orchards that sustained damage but will have an apple crop this year. Others, like Grisamore, expect to lose their entire crop.Ìý

"Everybody that I talked to has got some damage," Tripp said.Ìý

Both the Panthers' Mindy Gilbert and the Warriors' Theresa Leonardi retired after the 2022 season, following distinguished careers with their respective programs.Ìý

Gilbert, who took over in Port Byron in 2014, led the team to Section III, Class D titles in 2019 and 2022, with her coaching career culminating in the Panthers' first ever trip to the state tournament last fall.Ìý

Leonardi's head coaching career dates back to 1996. Under her watch, the Warriors won four straight Section III, Class D titles from 2014 to 2017 and countless other championship game appearances.Ìý

For 2023, both Port Byron and Weedsport tabbed new leaders for their programs. The Panthers' Nicole Nevidomsky and the Warriors' Kathy Holden emerge from vastly different coaching backgrounds, but with the same goal in mind: Continued success for their prestigious programs.Ìý

'I'm learning on the fly'

When word spread that Gilbert would be leaving Port Byron after a near-decade, Nevidomsky became a popular contact.

"Everyone saw the post and said, 'Nicole, you should go out for this,'" Nevidomsky said. Never mind that the 2005 Port Byron graduate lacked coaching experience.Ìý

As a player, Nevidomsky boasts an impressive resume. In her four years on the Panthers' varsity team, she received multiple all-league selections, was an all-state pick and represented the United States Futures Team.Ìý

While at the time Nevidomsky envisioned pursuing a coaching career some day, instead "life took over." She had two children and started her own business.Ìý

When Port Byron posted its coaching vacancy, Nevidomsky tossed her hat in the ring and was eventually rewarded with her hiring.Ìý

"I think Port Byron is very committed to having alumni and keeping those connections," Nevidomsky said. "That, and knowing I have a high level of expectation for these players, mirrored what Mindy Gilbert had already established. Going in we had a lot of the same thought processes.

"Coming in not being a coach, I definitely wondered if I'd be considered. I am absolutely honored that I was considered and 100% committed to elevating this program for years to come."

It helped that there's a strong support system.ÌýNevidomsky said she's been leaning on her former head coach Angie Hitchcock and former teammate Sophie Riskie for advice.Ìý

Riskie, now the head coach at William Smith, invited Nevidomsky to attend some practices, and also helped run a clinic for Panthers players in early August. Port Byron also competed in a summer league at Champions For Life in Auburn, which helped Nevidomsky gain some familiarity with her group.

"It definitely gave me a blueprint of things we have to work on and helped immensely with planning things moving forward," Nevidomsky said. There's a lot of organization and a lot of planning outside of just practices and games, but honestly I am a freakishly organized person, so that's probably how I got the job too. I find peace in figuring out how all of this is going to work."

With a new coach coupled with the loss of several crucial players due to graduation, Port Byron's path toward a section title repeat will be no easy feat.Ìý

Early on the team's focus has been on conditioning, which Nevidomsky hopes will power Port Byron through the opening games on the schedule.Ìý

In hopes of keeping a light atmosphere, she's even presented a deck of cards to her team at practices with each suit representing a different conditioning drill. For example, if Nevidomsky draws a spade sit-ups ensue, while a diamond means sprints.Ìý

If she pulls a joker card, the team runs one mile.Ìý

"I'm trying to keep the practices fun while making sure they're always on," Nevidomsky said. "I will say, Mindy has developed and set the standard of this program so high, so these kids know what's expected of them. They made my life extremely easy. These girls had the taste of victory and they know what they have to do to get there again."

'The program's tradition goes back to my roots'

Kathy Holden is no stranger to Weedsport field hockey, as a player nor as a coach.Ìý

She was once a teammate of Leonardi's, volunteered with the varsity program in the late 1990s and, after a stop as a junior varsity coach in another district, returned to take on Weedsport's JV team around 2009.Ìý

The timing of the promotion to varsity was, Holden said, spot on. Leonardi had considered retirement for a handful of years, but two COVID-ravaged seasons in 2020 and 2021 delayed those plans.Ìý

Leonardi wanted to return for one more normal season on the sideline last fall before stepping away. That, paired with the recent graduation of Holden's children, opened the door for the bump from JV.Ìý

"The timing is perfect for me," Holden said. "I'm really looking forward to sinking my teeth into this, and helping the girls improve their skills and their love of this wonderful game."

Because of her previous position with the program, Holden already has plenty of familiarity with her players. Of Weedsport's 11 returners to varsity, Holden estimates she's already coached half of them.Ìý

"That helps a lot. The girls know me as a teacher and as a coach being on the field with them, even if I wasn't the head coach," Holden said. "That comfort level hopefully starts right away."

One early challenge has been the team's transition to a turf field, after decades on grass. The surfaces make for an entirely different approach to the game.Ìý

On grass, the game is much slower and random due to uneven terrain, while turf  allows for more precision but less time to protect from defenders.Ìý

"The skillset is different, and more of a focus on speed with and without the ball, and off-the-ball movement," Holden said. "'TL' did a lot of that on grass also. I think it's easier to see on turf because the passes go where you want and it's not determined by the grass, which slows things down a lot."

Weedsport enters 2023 coming off consecutive losing seasons — the Warriors fell to Port Byron in the section semifinals last fall — but Holden isn't focus so much on the team's win-loss record this season. Her expectation is more nuanced, and inspired by her former coach Anita Jewell.Ìý

"There's a tradition of conduct, to put your best foot forward regardless of what's going on around you and to conduct yourself like a lady," Holden said. "Those kind of mindsets go back to coach Jewell and she'd be thrilled with that. We certainly want to maintain and even improve our sportsmanship, because that's always been a mainstay in the Weedsport program. To be good opponents and gracious victors, and accept defeat as an opportunity to improve."

As the chase continued north, the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office became involved as well, Sheriff Brian Schenck told Ë®¹ûÅÉAV. However, once the car reached the Thruway in Weedsport, the sheriff's office and Auburn police suspended their pursuit, Schenck and Slayton said. As they did, Auburn police notified New York State Police and the Thruway Authority of the situation, Slayton added.Ìý

When asked for comment on the chase by Ë®¹ûÅÉAV, state police Troop E referred back to Auburn police. Troop T, which covers the Thruway, said it has no record of a pursuit there that day.

Slayton added that Auburn police did not make any arrests nor issue any tickets as a result of the chase. There were no injuries, and no property damage was reported to his department.

The Auburn police chief said he believes state police did not become involved in the chase because most area troopers were assigned to the New York State Fair that day.

Schenck added that he could find no sign that the pursuit continued on the Thruway.