All articles tagged with #onondaga county
Onondaga County is expecting 20 to 30 inches of snow from a heavy lake-effect snowstorm, prompting officials to prepare a travel advisory and potentially an all-out travel ban, with emergency measures in place to manage the storm's impact.
The newest Chick-fil-A in DeWitt, located at Erie Boulevard East and Bridge Street, is set to open on Thursday, marking the third location in Onondaga County, about two years after its proposal.
Syphilis cases in Onondaga County have increased nearly 30-fold over the past 20 years, with a significant rise following the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting a national trend of increasing STD rates and highlighting ongoing public health challenges.
The Onondaga County Health Department has confirmed the presence of two rare mosquito-borne diseases, Jamestown Canyon Virus (JCV) and Flanders Virus (FLAV), in local mosquitoes. While JCV can cause symptoms ranging from mild flu-like symptoms to severe encephalitis, FLAV has not been known to cause disease in humans but may indicate potential West Nile Virus transmission. The Health Department advises the public to take precautions against mosquito bites and will continue monitoring and reporting on these viruses.
Nearly 100 emergency vehicles escorted the hearse carrying the body of slain Onondaga County Sheriff’s deputy, Lieutenant Michael Hoosock, from the medical examiner’s office to the funeral home. Hoosock, a seasoned veteran of the sheriff’s office and a volunteer firefighter, was shot and killed while responding to a call at a home. The procession was joined by many fire departments and captured on camera from various locations, with the community showing support as the hearse passed underneath bridges. The gunman also shot and killed a Syracuse Police officer before being fatally shot by other officers. Funeral plans for the officers have not been announced.
Christopher R. Murphy, a 33-year-old local from Salina, was identified as the shooter who fatally shot two Syracuse law-enforcement officers before being killed in a shootout. The officers had followed him to a residence after he refused to pull over during a traffic stop, and a gunfire exchange ensued, resulting in the deaths of all three individuals. Murphy had a previous history of charges, and authorities have secured the house, stating there is no further threat to the community. The slain officers have not been publicly identified, but were described as dedicated and well-liked members of law enforcement.
The shooter responsible for the killing of two law enforcement officers in Salina has been identified as Christopher R. Murphy, 33, of Salina, according to the Onondaga County District Attorney.
A Syracuse police officer and an Onondaga County Sheriff’s deputy were shot and killed while investigating a suspicious vehicle in the Town of Salina. The officers responded to a home to investigate a stolen vehicle and, upon inspecting the vehicle, heard what sounded like someone manipulating a firearm from inside the residence. An exchange of gunfire ensued, resulting in the deaths of the officer, deputy, and the suspect. The Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office is working to search the home for any additional individuals involved in the initial crime, while a procession was held to honor the fallen officers.
Multiple police officers were shot and injured while responding to a stolen vehicle in Salina, with a Syracuse police officer and an Onondaga County Sheriff's deputy being shot and killed. One person has been taken into custody, and the area has been secured while authorities await a warrant to search the house where the car was found. The injured officer and deputy are in critical condition, and the situation is still developing.
A large police presence was reported in Salina following initial reports of two police officers being shot, with a possible third person also shot. A vehicle was seen rushing a person to Upstate University Hospital, prompting police to shut down an Interstate 81 ramp. A mass casualty incident was described, indicating three or more victims. A command center has been set up at Driftwood and Darien Drive as police flood the area, with the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office helicopter in the air above the scene and state police units on site.
New York State is experiencing a rise in positive flu cases, with nearly 60,000 people tested and 39% testing positive, a 9% increase from the previous week. In Onondaga County, 250 people tested positive for the flu. Local schools and doctors are reacting by encouraging people with flu symptoms to stay home, emphasizing the importance of hand hygiene and teaching children about coughing and nose-wiping etiquette. Family doctor Matthew Cambareri advises against returning to work or school with a fever over 100.4°F, wheezing, or persistent coughing.
Onondaga County's health commissioner, Dr. Kathryn Anderson, recommends Paxlovid as a highly effective treatment for Covid-positive seniors, but notes that the majority aren't receiving it, possibly due to cost, medication interactions, or hesitancy. With a surge in Covid cases, declining vaccination rates, and the potential for simultaneous outbreaks of Covid, RSV, and flu, Anderson emphasizes the importance of vaccines, Paxlovid, and targeted masking to combat future surges and protect public health.
Onondaga County leaders are urging people to get three vital vaccines: the flu shot, the updated COVID-19 vaccine, and the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine if eligible. With preventable deaths and hospitalizations still occurring in older adults, staying up to date on vaccinations is crucial. The county is encouraging everyone to get vaccinated to protect themselves, their loved ones, and the community, especially during a time when hospitals are overwhelmed. The RSV vaccine is available for those aged 60 or older or newborns, while the COVID-19 vaccine is available for anyone and is free of charge.
Onondaga County in New York has reported 33 drug overdose deaths in the first quarter of 2023, with all but two deaths attributed to fentanyl use. The county has been battling a surge in overdose deaths in recent years, primarily driven by the potent synthetic opioid fentanyl, which is often mixed with other drugs to increase potency. The county has consistently recorded over 100 overdose deaths annually since 2018, with fentanyl-related deaths surpassing those caused by heroin and other opioids. The county continues to witness a high number of fatal and non-fatal overdoses each week, with 1,225 opioid overdose deaths recorded since 2012.
Onondaga County District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick believes that conservative voters rejected the Conservative Party's pick for district attorney, Chuck Keller, in the primary election, signaling their disapproval of being used as pawns in a political grudge match. Fitzpatrick, a Republican who lost the Conservative Party endorsement to Democrat Keller, sees this as a rejection of the "politics of hate" promoted by Tom Dadey, the former Conservative Party chairman.