☀️ Today’s Weather
After a frigid start to the day, temperatures will climb to a milder 43°F by the afternoon, so at least we've got that going for us. Expect mostly cloudy skies north of Onondaga County, with a little more sun mixed in for the rest of CNY. By evening, a warm front pushes in bringing breezy winds (gusts up to 20 MPH) and some light rain showers or sprinkles, so keep an umbrella handy if you're heading out. Good news for anyone hitting up weekend events: Saturday looks similar but dry enough to enjoy.
🗞️ Top Stories
1. Syracuse Diocese Finally Closes the Book on Bankruptcy and Pays Up After nearly five years, the Syracuse Catholic Diocese has officially exited bankruptcy and made its payment into a $176 million victims' fund for those sexually abused by clergy and other staff. A judge signed off on the final order, bringing a painful chapter closer to closure for hundreds of survivors. It's been a long road, and while no dollar amount makes things right, this marks a significant moment for CNY.
2. SU Women's Basketball: Legette-Jack Has One Message Going Into the Postseason "We Gotta Go Higher." That's the rallying cry from head coach Felisha Legette-Jack as the Orange gear up for postseason play, and honestly, we're here for the energy. After dropping the ACC road finale at Notre Dame, the team has some momentum to build, but if anyone can fire up a locker room, it's FLJ. Stay tuned, things are about to get interesting.
3. Electric School Bus Mandate Has New York Parents and Officials Asking Questions New York State's push to mandate electric school buses is drawing serious scrutiny, with Sen. Griffo calling on Governor Hochul and NYSERDA to redirect $2 billion in unspent climate funds toward utility bill credits instead. With energy bills already shocking residents across CNY, the timing of this debate feels very local, very real.
⚡ Quick Hits
A Cazenovia financial advisor admitted to stealing $640K from clients, saying "I gambled with people's livelihoods, and I failed"… yikes.
A Syracuse-area hotel owner was ordered to repay $373K in taxes he dodged, and has pleaded guilty to grand larceny. It's a bad week to be a shady business owner in CNY.
A historic Syracuse factory has been converted into 38 affordable condos priced as low as $127,000, a rare piece of good news on the housing front.
Downtown Syracuse has a new cafe called Wake Up Coffee & Sandwich serving bánh mì piled high with four kinds of pork, consider your Friday lunch plans sorted.
A top-seeded Syracuse wrestler is gunning to become the city's first state champion in 35 years, let's go!
📅 Events This Week
Tully Winterfest | Sat. Feb. 28, 1–8 PM at ONCO Fermentations in Tully; free community celebration with a Comfort Crock Cookoff, snow sculpture contest, firepits, and live music from The Ripcords… a perfect small-town Saturday.
Pancake Breakfast at Beaver Lake | Sat. Feb. 28, 9 AM–12 PM; cozy pancakes surrounded by nature trails, great excuse to get the family out of the house.
Sugarbush Saturdays | Sat. Feb. 28, 10 AM–1 PM at Beaver Lake Nature Center; free maple syrup experience that's a hit with kids and adults alike.
Fashion Show Fundraiser | Sun. March 1, 12–3 PM at The Emerson; local boutiques and designers hit the runway for a good cause, style meets community.
Picnic (SU Drama) | Running through Sun. March 1 at Syracuse Stage; this Pulitzer Prize-winning play closes out the weekend, last chance to catch it!
Stay warm out there CNY, the weekend's almost here and there's plenty to do. We'll see you for our first Weekend Edition tomorrow!