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CNS students participate in All County Jazz Festival
Submitted photos
Pictured left to right for Vocal Jazz are Ethan Meives, Gabby Pinoargotte, Lucy Barrera, Raiah DeLooze, and Brigg Liberman. Cicero-North Syracuse sent six students to the All County Jazz Festival on March 28 and 29. These students auditioned along with many others across the county. To be selected for this event requires a high level of musicality, preparation, and responsibility and is a huge honor. There are only 24 in the vocal jazz group who are chosen from around the county. The vocal students will be working under renowned Vocal Jazz Director Carol Jacobe who is professor of vocal studies and director of The Jazzuits Vocal Jazz Ensemble at LeMoyne College.
Mark Morris sat first chair trombone in the Junior High Jazz Ensemble directed by David DiGennaro. Morris currently plays first trombone with the CNS high school jazz ensemble. The Onondaga County Music Educators Association (OCMEA) 2025 All-County Jazz Festival was held at C.B.A. The program consisted of the Junior High Jazz Ensemble, Senior High Vocal Jazz Ensemble and Senior High Jazz Ensemble. All students are part of CNS’s Jazz Ensembles under the direction of Danielle Rausa.
Pictured with his trombone is Mark Morris, chosen for the JH Jazz Ensemble.
Complex of 168 apartments proposed along Lake Drive By Russ Tarby Contributing writer
A
bout an hour into his annual State of the County Address on Thursday, March 20, County Executive Ryan McMahon announced that a massive apartment complex is being proposed along Lake Drive in the village of Liverpool. McMahon received a burst of applause after he made this statement: “Today I’m pleased to announce that the Gormel family, a staple in the village of Liverpool, and local developer Lou Santaro will be investing in a $46 million housing project on Lake Drive facing Onondaga Lake. The project will be 168 units, with 99 one-bedroom units and 69 two-bedroom units.” He added that the development team is also considering restaurant and retail uses, plus an in-ground pool and fitness center. Contacted a few days af-
ter the announcement, Adam Gormel – whose family owns The Retreat, The Cobblestone and the Barking Gull – said that the proposal is in its earliest stages. “We’re excited, but we’re taking it just one step at a time,” Gormel said. “There are a lot of details to take care of. It’s no sure thing.” The developers’ concerns include the possibility that prices for building materials – including wood and steel – could rise significantly in future months. Gormel said that McMahon had seen some drawings of the apartment complex and asked the developers if he could announce it on March 20. The county executive urged them to include some mixed uses. Over the last couple decades, the Gormel family has purchased virtually all of the properties along Lake Drive, and around the corner onto South Willow Street where they own the Barking Gull as well as the
building that previously housed the White Water Pub. So the Gormels have been considering some type of development there on that so-called Basin Block for some time. Back in 2018, the Gormels floated plans for a 45-unit complex, complete with impressive artists’ renderings, but a shaky economy discouraged investment, and the project fizzled. This time, the Gormels have a solid investment partner in Lou Santoro, an experienced East Syracuse real estate developer and owner of Attilio’s Restaurant at 770 James Street. To design the apartments, they have engaged one of the most versatile architecture and engineering firms in Syracuse – QBK Design – whose portfolio includes the New York State Fair’s Exposition Center, the Empower FCU Amphitheater at Lakeview and Syracuse Technology Garden expansion. The developers, however,
have not yet applied for site review from the village planning board, according to village Codes Officer Bill Reagan. Mayor Stacy Finney, who attended McMahon’s March 20 speech, said she was not completely surprised by the announcement. “I am not sure of exactly where they are in the process,” Finney said. “From my understanding these were preliminary designs, and not set in stone. I am sure once the design is finalized, the Gormels will follow to correct procedures.” After more details are ironed out, Adam Gormel said they’ll contact the village planning board. That board met on Monday, March 24, and engaged in what Chairman Bob Bradt characterized as a “casual conversation” about the news. Reagan was there, and he told the planners. “It’s all speculation until we get an application [for a site review].”
Arrest made in threat to L’pool school district
On March 28, the Onondaga County Sheriff ’s Department reported the arrest of Tahjay Perry, age 21, of Syracuse, who has been charged with seven felony charges of making a terroristic threat in connection with several threatening phone calls made to the Liverpool Central School District. During these calls, Perry threatened to carry out a school shooting, prompting an immediate and thorough investigation. The sheriff ’s office criminal investigations division, computer crimes unit, identified Perry as the individual responsible for the threats. He was taken into custody without incident. As of March 28, Perry was currently incarcerated at the Onondaga County Justice Center. The Onondaga County Sheriff ’s Office takes all threats against schools and public safety seriously and remains committed to protecting the community.
Volume 132, Number 14 The Star-Review is published weekly by Eagle News. Office of Publication: 2501 James St., Suite 108, Syracuse, NY 13206. Periodical Postage Paid at Syracuse, NY 13220, USPS 316060. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Star-Review, 2501 James St., Suite 108, Syracuse, NY 13206.
HISTORY: The millennium capsule.
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sports: C-NS lacrosse teams open with victories.
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