☀️ Today’s Weather
After a chilly overnight with frost in some spots, Tuesday shapes up to be a really nice day. Expect wall-to-wall sunshine with temperatures climbing about five degrees higher than Monday, topping out near 61. Winds will be light out of the west-northwest, so no complaints there.
🗞️ Top Stories
1. Suspect in Officer Shooting Was Out on Bail for Sex Abuse Charges Rodney Vanderpool, 55, is now behind bars facing three counts of attempted murder after shooting two Syracuse police officers and injuring a third during a six-hour standoff at his Tyler Court apartment on May 9. What has people talking today is what District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick revealed: Vanderpool had been released without bail in March on pending felony sex abuse charges dating to 2013. All three officers are home and recovering, which is the best news out of an otherwise alarming situation.
2. World-Famous Chef Gives Syracuse Restaurant His Stamp of Approval Eric Ripert, the chef behind New York City's three-Michelin-star Le Bernardin and one of the most respected names in the culinary world, stopped into Noble Cellar on a busy Saturday night and came away genuinely impressed, calling the Syracuse restaurant "absolutely amazing." For a spot that only opened in 2024 inside a repurposed historic church on East Onondaga Street, that kind of unsolicited praise from a chef of Ripert's caliber is a pretty big deal for the local food scene.
3. Community Rallies to Save CNY Senior Ball in Under Four Hours When a venue situation threatened to derail a local high school's senior ball, restaurants, custodians, and parents jumped in and pulled off a full rescue in less than four hours. It is the kind of story that reminds you why CNY communities are worth writing a newsletter about, and if you have a kid or know a kid who got to dance that night, you already know how good this one feels.
⚡ Quick Hits
The machete attack that kicked off the Tyler Court standoff left neighbor Bronson Mims shaken and his two dogs badly injured, though the pups came through surgery and are reportedly recovering well.
Mike Tirico delivered the commencement address at Syracuse University's 2026 graduation ceremony, urging thousands of new graduates to hold onto their curiosity and cherish their friendships.
The I-81 project is about to make things noticeably messier downtown over the coming months, so if you drive through that area regularly, now is a good time to start planning alternate routes.
Senator Ryan's bill to delay New York's zero-emission school bus mandate is being folded into the state budget, giving school districts more time before the switch becomes required.
Playa Bowls is opening its first Onondaga County location, for anyone who has been making the drive to get one.
📅 Events This Week
Friends of the Central Library Author Series: TJ Klune (Tuesday, May 12, 7:30 PM) at the Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater; Klune wrote "The House in the Cerulean Sea" and is a fantastic night out for book fans.
Alter Bridge: What Lies Within Us (Friday, May 15, 7:00 PM) at the Landmark Theatre; hard rock, loud, and a great Friday night out.
RetroGameCon Spring Edition (Saturday-Sunday, May 16-17, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM) at the Oncenter Convention Center; vendors, cosplay, tournaments, and more at Upstate New York's biggest pop-culture weekend.
The Syracuse Orchestra Presents Dancing Queen: The Music of ABBA (Saturday, May 16, 7:30 PM) at the Crouse Hinds Theater; live vocalists, full orchestra, and you will absolutely leave humming Waterloo.
Superhero Celebration in Oswego (Saturday, May 16, 2:00-5:00 PM) at Evergreen Hill Golf Course; games, treats, a cape ceremony, and superhero activities for the kids, but registration is required so sign up ahead.
Nate Bargatze: Big Dumb Eyes World Tour (Sunday, May 17, 7:00 PM) at Upstate Medical Arena; clean, funny, and one of the hottest comedy tickets going right now.
Joe Satriani and Steve Vai: Surfing With The Hydra 2026 Tour (Sunday, May 17, 7:30 PM) at the Landmark Theatre with Animals as Leaders opening; a truly special night for anyone who loves guitar.
"Painting Oswego" Exhibit Presentation (Sunday, May 17, 1:30 PM) at the Richardson-Bates House Museum; the Oswego County Historical Society opens a new exhibit of 19th and 20th century local artwork, a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
That is your Tuesday. Stay in the sunshine today because rain is coming later this week, and we will keep you posted. See you tomorrow, CNY.