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‘Lion King Junior’ hits the stage Liverpool girls reach state final for first time by Phil Blackwell
This time around, when the Liverpool girls went east to Troy’s Hudson Valley Community College, it wanted to bring home something more than memories. And a first-ever state championship for the program was within the Warriors’ grasp until, in Sunday morning’s Class AAA
championship game, Pougkeepsie’s Our Lady of Lourdes proved too strong and too skillful, claiming the title by a score of 69-54. Just to get this chance, Liverpool met up with Section VI champion Lancaster in the state semifinal a day earlier and unleashed its full skill set, especially on the defensive side, to roll to a 77-38 victory over the Legends. Hoops l Page 2
Elmcrest teacher arrested Charged with kicking a 5-year-old BY RUSS TARBY CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Submitted photos
Gillette Middle School will present Lion King Junior, March 21, 22 and 23 at 7 p.m. in the school auditorium. More than 100 students and directors are involved in this classic tale. It is really a human tale told through animal characters- thus the Broadway costume that purposely showed the human actors within the animal costumes. The story deals with a prodigal son trying to find his place, an uncle thirsting for power and a kind tribe just wanting what is right and fair. The popular musical score was written by highly esteemed musical collaborators Elton John and Tim Rice and includes such classics as Circle of Life, I Just Can’t Wait to be King and Can You Feel the Love tonight. It is one of the longest running shows on Broadway. https://my.hometownticketing.com/agency/2a2ae8fe-3c43-4998-af27-470936151c91
Senior center plans eclipse party By Kathryne Rakowski
It’s rare to have a total solar eclipse happen in your own backyard. But that’s exactly what will be happening locally on Monday, April 8, and the Clay Senior Center will be marking the occasion with what organizers say will be a legendary event in its own right. A “Totality” Awesome Eclipse Party will be held at the center, located at 4948 Rte. 31 in Clay, and is open to all registered Clay seniors. Tickets for the event are $3. This is the first time the area will be in the path of totality in nearly 100 years, meaning the sun will be completely covered by the moon, causing total darkness. Chrissy Clancy, senior coordinator of the recreation department at the center wanted to make sure seniors had the opportunity to take part in this once in
a lifetime event. “Besides totality, I chose to do this event at our senior center so that our area seniors would have a mobility safe space to view the eclipse with easy access and indoor comfort,” she said. Doors open for the event at 11 am. Seniors will be able to enjoy mobility assistance for outdoor viewing which begins at 2:10 p.m., with totality occurring at 3:22 p.m. Camp chairs for outdoors are welcome. Seniors will receive NASA list viewing glasses needed to look at the sun. They can also remain indoors for a NASA live stream. In addition to the eclipse, it will be an action packed day. There will be a lunch buffet, beverages and desserts to enjoy, and impromptu games and giveaways throughout the day.
A photo backdrop will be on display for photos, and there will be an art space to design a commemorative eclipse space rock. There will be a 50/50 drawing, raffle prizes, and a contest for best representation of an eclipse. Totality bingo will follow the eclipse for $2, giving seniors a chance to linger a bit after the eclipse ends and hopefully avoid the traffic that other viewings may cause. Clancy is sure it will be a memorable day. “I’m most looking forward to providing and sharing an exciting and epic universe event as part of the Town of Clay contribution to our senior community,” she said. Tickets can be purchased by contacting Chrissy Clancy at 315652-3800, ext. 137 or cclancy@ townofclay.org. For more information on events at the center, visit facebook.com/townofclayseniors/.
Clay Price Chopper to close April 19 The Price Chopper supermarket located at 3863 State Route 31 in Clay will permanently close on Saturday, April 19. “After thoroughly reviewing the store’s current and future viability, we concluded that closure is the appropriate action to take,” said Blaine Bringhurst, Price Chopper/Market 32 president. “We have a long history in the community and are grateful to all of our teammates and customers
who have supported us over the years.” All 103 teammates working in the store (24 full time, 79 part time) have been offered positions at other stores in the Central New York area. “It’s never easy to close a store - and we rarely do - but we have an obligation to make business decisions that support the company’s continued health and growth,” Bringhurst said.
Price Chopper/Market 32 was founded by the Golub family in 1932. Based in Schenectady, the company operates 130 Price Chopper and Market 32 supermarkets and one Market Bistro, employing 11,000 teammates in New York, Vermont, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Melissa Harrington, 47, a kindergarten teacher at Elmcrest Elementary School was arrested March 12 and charged with first-degree endangering the welfare of a physically disabled person, a class E felony. The arrest made by Onondaga County Sheriff ’s deputies, was based on an incident that occurred in December 2023, in which Harrington allegedly kicked a 5-year-old child, according to the sheriff ’s public information officer, Sgt. Thomas Newton. Harrington was issued an appearance ticket by deputies and is scheduled to appear in the Town of Clay Court on March 26. The minimum jail sentence for someone convicted of a class E felony is one year, and the maximum sentence is five years. Harrington has worked for the district since 2008. Onondaga County Chief Assistant District Attorney Jarrett Woodfork said Harrington is accused of kicking a student several times on school property. Woodfork also maintained that there were witnesses to that alleged abuse. Allegations of abuse against three other students are still under investigation. In mid-February, Onondaga County District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick told reporters that his office was investigating four incidents each involving a different student, who were either shoved, pushed or grabbed. Meanwhile, the teacher under suspicion was suspended from the school. On Feb. 16, an email from LCSD Superintendent Daniel Henner announced that Elmcrest principal Daphne Valentine had been replaced. Sources indicated that she was being let go due to possible failures to properly report the incidents. “Unfortunately, due to unforeseen personal reasons, Mrs. Valentine will no longer be able to return to Elmcrest Elementary,” Henner wrote. “In light of this transition, I am pleased to announce that Robert Mack-
ey will be stepping in as the interim principal at Elmcrest Elementary for the remainder of the school year, through June 2024.” Henner also indicated that the district is cooperating with the DA and sheriff ’s office as the investigation continues. “Our paramount goal is to ensure the safety of our students and staff every day,” the superintenant wrote, “and we want to assure you that the district will continue to take appropriate steps throughout this process.”
From the superintendent
Below is the complete letter from Henner addressing this matter. I am reaching out to you today with a heavy heart to address a development that was made public concerning the investigations into allegations of misconduct at Elmcrest Elementary School. We have been notified that an arrest has been made due to allegations of misconduct that are deeply concerning to us all. As the Superintendent, let me be clear and unequivocal to our parents and to our school community: the safety and well-being of our students and staff are the District’s absolute number one priority. The news of this arrest is profoundly disappointing and the purported conduct that formed the basis of this arrest, if true, is completely antithetical to the values and ethics we uphold in our school community. We understand the gravity of this situation and share in the sentiment of unease and distress that these events have inevitably wrought in our school community. With the above in mind, please understand that the District has been and will continue to be fully cooperative with law enforcement officials as they continue in the course of their investigation. The one piece of information that we can confirm in this matter is that the initial referral to law enforcement of the allegations in this case was made by the District’s central office administration as soon as the allegations were discovered and brought to the District’s attention in accordance with our legal duties and Teacher l Page 13
Volume 131, Number 12 The Star-Review is published weekly by Eagle News. Office of Publication: 2501 James St., Suite 100, Syracuse, NY 13206. Periodical Postage Paid at Syracuse, NY 13220, USPS 316060. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Star-Review, 2501 James St., Suite 100, Syracuse, NY 13206.
cnyspca pet of the week: Rufus needs a home.
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sports: Local schools announce spring sports schedules.
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death notices ����������� 4
Obituaries ��������������� 4,7
Editorial ��������������������� 6
PennySaver ���������������� 8
letters ������������������������ 6
Sports ����������������������� 13