☀️ Today’s Weather
Thursday is shaping up to be a mostly dry day with a mix of sunshine and clouds, though don't put the umbrella away just yet since an isolated pop-up shower is possible from late morning through early evening. It'll feel noticeably cooler than the 70s we had earlier this week, with a high near 56 and a breezy west-northwest wind picking up in the afternoon with gusts up to 25 mph. By tonight, temps drop to around 38, so layer up if you're heading out after dark.
🗞️ Top Stories
1. Amazon Wants to Drop Packages From the Sky Over Syracuse
Amazon held a public informational meeting Wednesday about bringing its Prime Air drone delivery service to the Clay area, and it's as futuristic as it sounds. If approved, customers within seven and a half miles of the Amazon warehouse on Route 31 could have packages under five pounds dropped in their yard in less than an hour, with the drone hovering about 13 feet up before releasing the box. The drones are fully autonomous, travel at roughly 70 mph, and carry an extra delivery fee of around $4.99 for Prime members. CNY's notorious weather could ground flights on bad days, but the service would otherwise run during daylight hours. Nothing is final yet, but it's moving forward.
2. Westhill Lacrosse Hazing Lawsuit Reveals Terrifying Details
A lawsuit filed in Onondaga County Supreme Court is pulling back the curtain on what happened during the April 2025 Westhill lacrosse hazing incident, and it's a lot more alarming than originally reported. According to the lawsuit, two younger players identified as C.G. and H.G. were essentially abducted, driven to an unknown location, and confronted by masked individuals carrying a realistic-looking fake firearm. C.G. was forced to the ground, had a pillowcase put over his head, his hands tied, and was locked in a car trunk while it sped away, all before being told it was a prank. The lawsuit names the Westhill Central School District as a defendant, accusing it of failing to protect younger players from older teammates. Eleven players were involved, and the team's 2025 season was canceled. Plaintiffs are seeking financial damages.
3. Girls on the Run Director Charged With Stealing $79K to Fund Her Vegas Lifestyle
Nicole St. Weigel, 44, of Fonda, the former executive director of Girls on the Run of Central New York, was charged with grand larceny after allegedly stealing more than $79,000 from the nonprofit between February 2023 and September 2025. State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli says St. Weigel used the organization's funds for ATM cash withdrawals, personal hotel stays, car rentals, Broadway shows, a mountain bike, kayaks, and a trip to Las Vegas that included a show at the Sphere and restaurant meals. Girls on the Run is a program designed to build confidence in girls ages three to six. St. Weigel was due back in court Thursday.
⚡ Quick Hits
Camillus basketball trainer Chad Snow, 42, now faces 12 total charges after investigators found three AI-generated child pornography images on his phone, all appearing to depict the same victim, and Snow remains out on bail with a June court date.
Salt City Bread in Manlius is closing its original location by the end of May, ending a beloved local bread run for CNY carb lovers.
Cicero's South Bay Bridge has reopened after a closure that hurt local businesses, bringing some much-needed relief to the area.
Syracuse DPW workers from Local 400 picketed outside City Hall for a second straight day Wednesday, warning that staffing shortages are putting city services at risk.
A Cornell lab tech who was just looking for free parking stumbled onto what may be the world's largest cluster of ground bees, with millions of the non-stinging, apple-tree-pollinating insects discovered on the Ithaca campus.
📅 Events This Week
The STARS Tour Featuring Anne Wilson hits the Landmark Theatre on S. Salina St. tonight, Thursday, May 7, at 7:00 PM, a worship concert built around her STARS album with fan favorites mixed in.
CeCe Winans: More Than This Tour follows Friday, May 8, at 7:00 PM at the Landmark Theatre for a second big night of gospel music in Syracuse.
Oswego Food and History Tour kicks off Friday, May 8, at 2:30 PM as a guided walking tour blending local history with food samples from Oswego businesses.
Food Truck Battle runs Friday, May 8 from 4:00 to 10:00 PM and Saturday, May 9 from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM at the NYS Fairgrounds on Chevy Court, featuring 55 food trucks, live music, and family-friendly fun.
Guided Nature Walk at Rice Creek is Saturday, May 9, at 11:00 AM at Rice Creek Field Station, 193 Thompson Road in Oswego, about an hour long and open to all.
SU Commencement for the Class of 2026 is Sunday, May 10, from 9:30 AM to noon at the JMA Wireless Dome, so expect heavier traffic around the Hill all weekend long.
That's your Thursday rundown. Stay warm out there, CNY, and we'll see you tomorrow.