☀️ Today’s Weather
Thursday's bringing a cloudy start with some light rain showers and sprinkles rolling through on a warm front. The good news: it should dry out as the day goes on, with a few peeks of sunshine possible near sunset. High of 49, low dropping to 46 in the evening before creeping back up. The real reward? Friday and Saturday are looking like a spring dream with temps pushing into the upper 60s and low 70s. Patience, people.
🗞️ Top Stories
1. Dryden House Fire Kills Three, Including a 3-Year-Old Girl This one hits hard. A fire broke out Wednesday morning at a home on Cortland Road in the Town of Dryden, killing two women, Christy Oralls, 30, and Katherine Gray, 31, and Oralls' 3-year-old daughter, Paisley Wood. A fourth resident, 54-year-old David Welch, was transported to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse and is listed in stable condition. Oralls and Gray were his nieces, and Paisley was Oralls' daughter. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Our hearts go out to the family and the Dryden community.
2. SU Football's Biggest Recruit Is Already in Trouble This is a tough one for Orange Nation. Calvin Russell III, the highest-rated signee in Syracuse football history and ESPN's No. 4 wide receiver in the 2026 class, will miss an "indefinite period of time" after suffering an injury during spring practice. Sources are pointing to a lower-leg injury (rumored to be an Achilles tear), and a return for late in the 2026 season has not been ruled out yet, but nothing is confirmed. Russell's absence is a significant blow to a receiving corps already missing its top seven receiving yards leaders from last year's 3-9 finish. Wishing CR3 a speedy recovery, Orange Nation's got your back.
3. So Long, Panini's… A Downtown Lunch Staple is Closing After 25 years feeding downtown Syracuse workers their midday fix, Panini's on Harrison Street is calling it quits. Their last day of service is next Friday, April 10th. If you've never made it in for one of their focaccia paninis or signature sandwiches, this is your final week so don't let it slip by. End of an era for a lunch spot that's been part of the downtown fabric for a generation.
⚡ Quick Hits
National Grid customers, brace yourselves: Electricity bills are going up 7% this month, maybe time to start unplugging that phone charger.
Onondaga County officially wins: A court ruling gives the county full ownership of the long-vacant ShoppingTown Mall after winning an eminent domain case against the last holdout.
Mercury found at Onondaga Lake marina: A new discovery of mercury near the marina has raised concerns about possible broader contamination — yet another chapter in the lake's long environmental saga.
Gas prices on the rise: CNY drivers could soon be staring down $4+ per gallon at the pump, so maybe combine those errands.
Auburn faces a $5M budget gap: City leaders are facing a $5 million shortfall and have put together preliminary plans to address it, more on that as it develops.
📅 Events This Week
SU Drama's A Rebel Prayer — Opens tonight, Thursday April 2 at 8 PM at Syracuse Stage; a brand-new musical about protest, art, and loss running through April 5. Grab a ticket.
Stay Fresh Artist Series: Anthony Beckham — Through Friday, April 3, 7–11 PM at Stay Fresh; free illustration and painting exhibit. Pop in, no excuse not to.
Beginnings: A New Century of Associated Artists of CNY — April 3–5 at City Hall Commons; a centennial art show with paintings, photography, glass, fiber art, and more. Totally free, a great weekend afternoon outing.
Maple Syrup Celebration at Critz Farms — Sunday, April 4, 9 AM–6 PM in Cazenovia; wagon rides, maple demos, breakfast buffet, and all the family fun you can handle.
Easter Brunch at Marriott Syracuse Downtown — Sunday, April 5, seatings at 10 AM, 12 PM, and 2 PM in the Grand Ballroom; Easter Bunny included, reservations strongly recommended.
That's your CNY wrap for Thursday. Stay dry out there, look forward to the weekend warmth when it hits, and we'll see you tomorrow.