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‘The Long Shadow of Katy’s Killer’ ‘Hidden Soul’ Salina resident writes new book on 1986 campus murder On the eve of the convicted killer’s ninth parole hearing, true-crime author William D. LaRue is again shining a spotlight on the 1986 murder of Clarkson University sophomore Katherine “Katy” Hawelka, of Syracuse. LaRue is an award-winning journalist and former reporter for The Post-Standard and a retired online producer for newspaper websites owned by Advance Local. A native of Potsdam, he received a bachelor’s degree in English from State University College at Potsdam and a master’s degree in communications from Syracuse University. LaRue, a father of two, lives in the town of Salina his wife, Kathleen. LaRue recently released latest book, “The Long Shadow of Katy’s Killer,” through Chestnut Heights Publishing. This follow-up to his 2021 book, “A Stranger Killed Katy,” gives readers a front-row seat to startling new developments, including her murderer’s 2021 and 2023 parole hearings, where Brian Milton McCarthy clashes with com-
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Salina resident William D. LaRue is again shining a spotlight on the 1986 murder of Clarkson University sophomore Katherine “Katy” Hawelka, of Syracuse, with his latest book. missioners who question the level of his remorse and challenge his claims that he struck Katy just one time during consensual sex. His 2023 hearing is his longest and most intense, after McCarthy fails in his demand for a postponement so he can find a way to remove copies of “A Stranger Killed Katy” that found their way into his parole file. At one point, he complains that LaRue
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“wrote the book to try to make my crime look worse than it really is.” McCarthy quickly backtracks: “I don’t think you can. It was the most heinous crime, in my opinion.”
“The Long Shadow of Katy’s Killer” is available in both paperback and eBook formats. LaRue’s first book about Katy Hawelka profiled Author l Page 11
Race to promote Parkinson’s awareness By Katherine Rakowski
April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month. Whether you know someone with Parkinson’s disease or not, if you want to get outside and help to make a difference in the lives of those fighting this disease, you can join the community for the 2nd annual Empowered 5K Run/Walk. The event will be held on Saturday, April 26 at Long Branch Park in Liverpool at 3813 Long Branch Road. Check in is at 9 a.m. with the race beginning at 10 a.m. Registration can be done the day of the event. Last year, over 250 people participated, raising more than $12,000. Hosted by Upstate Medical University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, proceeds benefit Empower Parkinson, Inc., which is Central New York’s only Parkinson’s Wellness Center, offering a wide range of services aimed at helping people with Parkinson’s Disease maintain their independence and function. Empower began eight years ago when Patrick Van Beveren, a physical therapist at St. Camillus at the
time, realized that people with Parkinson’s disease needed more than just to learn an exercise program in rehab and then go home to do it on their own. “They just don’t stick with something like that,” Van Beveren said. “They need something like a community exercise program to keep them going.” He then set out on a mission to create something that would best help those affected by the disease. Van Beveren trained in Rock Steady Boxing, a method of exercise specifically designed to impact and slow down the symptoms of Parkison’s. Out of the boxing classes grew more classes and more teachers who offered yoga, Tai Chi, spin classes, and most recently, physical, occupational and speech therapy. “Today, we’re a genuine wellness center for all areas of Parkinson’s Disease,” he said. Empower just moved into a brand new building on West Taft Road in Liverpool. The money raised at this year’s walk/run will help with some big ticket items like a new roof and new
flooring, both needed for the new location. But the event is about more than raising money. “It’s a great community event,” Van Beveren said. “We have families with three generations coming together to support their loved one with Parkinson’s. You’ll see all different skill levels with most people walking and then some runners or joggers. Lots of strollers with children in them. It’s just wonderful to see people coming together to support their family member or their friend and walk with them.” Van Beveren hopes people know that there is so much that can be done for people who have received a Parkinson’s diagnosis. “Parkinson’s is a neurological degenerative disease. It’s a full body deterioration. So these people are fighting tremendous odds,” he said. “Powerful intervention is exercise. It is possible to slow this disease down with exercise. There is a lot of hope.” For more information about the services that Empower provides, or to sign up for the run/walk, visit empowerparkinson.org/.
LHS to host Senior Citizen Community Dance The Liverpool High School Student Council recently announced the return of the Senior Citizen Community Dance on Friday, April 25, from 5 to 8 p.m., at Liverpool High School, 4338 Wetzel Road.
The event is open to community members 55 and older. Join the Student Council for a Wild West Country Dance, as well as a Western-themed movie in the high school auditorium. Tickets cost $6 per person and
can be purchased online through the HomeTown Ticketing Web site at tinyurl.com/mstsmvfj. Any questions? Call 315-4531500 ext. 4103 or e-mail jolden@ liverpool.k12.ny.us.
Saxophonist Frank Grosso brings his quartet to Liverpool Public Library at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 13, to conclude the library’s concert series dedicated to “Syracuse Songwriters.” Grosso’s group will perform music by local jazz composers.
Music by CNY jazz composers to be performed April 13 in Liverpool By Russ Tarby Contributing Writer When the Frank Grosso Quartet concludes the “Syracuse Songwriters” concert series on Sunday, April 13 at Liverpool Public Library, they’ll perform music by several Central New York jazz composers. Among the tunes the quartet will play is one titled “Hidden Soul,” written by longtime Liverpool educator and saxophonist Joe Riposo. The free concert is scheduled at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St., in the village of Liverpool; lpl.org; 315-457-0310. The Grosso foursome includes Frank Grosso on tenor and baritone saxophones, bassist Dave Arenius, pianist Barry Blumenthal and drummer Tom Killian. They will perform compositions by Ithaca guitarist Steve Brown, Utica pianist Rick Montalbano and Liverpool saxophonist Joe Riposo among others. The April 13 audience will also hear tunes such as “It Might Be You” by trombonist Bret Zvacek and “Song for My Mother” by saxophonist Walt Weiskopf. Pianist Barry Blumenthal will be featured on his own composition, “Majestic Whisper.” Bandleader Frank Grosso earned a music master’s degree at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. He is a regular member of the Central New York Jazz Orchestra, Salt City Jazz Collective and the Micro Big Band. He has played in the pit orchestras of numerous area theaters. As a performer, Grosso has accompanied touring artists such as Aretha Franklin, Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, Dianne Schuur, The Spinners, The Temptations and Manhattan Transfer and many others. He previously performed with the blues-rock band Little Georgie & The Shuffling Hungarians as well as the hard rock group, The Bogeymen. The April 13 concert – a collaboration of Liverpool Public Library and the Liverpool Is The Place Concert Committee – is made possible thanks to generous support from the NY State Council on the Arts administered here by CNY Arts.
Volume 132, Number 15 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: Meet the mayors of North Syracuse.
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sports: Liverpool lax starts 2-0; C-NS still undefeated.
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