Good morning, Syracuse.

Citizens for Lysander and Food & Water Watch will hold a town hall on data centers Saturday, Aug.

29 from 10 a.m. to noon at C.W. Baker High School in Baldwinsville, where state senator Kristen Gonzalez and experts will discuss impacts amid a statewide pause on new hyperscale centers.

Maurer Funeral Home closed its two locations in Baldwinsville and Liverpool on Monday after nearly 100 years in business due to the owner's retirement.

Four employees will finish prearranged services, and prepaid customers will soon receive guidance on new service providers.

A father and daughter from Camillus impressed a basketball game operator at the New York State Fair (sinking back-to-back impossible shots on a towering rim) and preserved a cherished family memory from the early 1990s.

On Aug. 25, the 2026 Great NYS Fair Butter Sculpture was unveiled in Geddes, N.Y.

Sculpted over 11 days from (800 lbs) of butter, it showcases New York traditions including baseball, dairy farming, and iconic landmarks and will be recycled at Noblehurst Farms after the fair.

Disney On Ice presents Find Your Hero will perform at the Upstate Medical Arena from Dec.

17-20, featuring beloved Disney characters including Mickey, Minnie, and favorites from Frozen, Moana, and Encanto. Families can purchase tickets via Ticketmaster or the venue box office.

A state audit, issued Aug.

14, found that OCM BOCES did not verify background checks for 14 non-employees with direct student contact and building access, and its Board of Education must submit a corrective plan within 90 days (per the Comptroller’s Office). The audit recommended enhanced verification procedures.

SUNY ESF raised $43M from over 9,000 donors, boosting efforts to cut deficits and fund academic programs, research and scholarships as state aid increased.

The college is expanding marketing efforts — aiming to recruit more transfer and out-of-state students.

Eligible New Yorkers who filed their 2024 tax returns will automatically receive energy rebate checks starting in September with mailings ending in December (amounts are $200 for joint filers making under $150K, $150 for joint filers between $150K and $300K, and $100 for single filers under $150K).

Tim’s Pumpkin Patch has expanded with Tim’s Brew Barn, which opened last Friday and offers a full bar + pub favorites in an old-time saloon setting.

The family venue features live music, seasonal fall attractions, and will run through Halloween before reopening next spring.

Christian Brothers Academy star Ryann Murphy has been named to the U.S. Girls’ U17 Youth National Team following summer evaluations - her first contest is set for the Brogden Cup Sept.

25-27 at USA Lacrosse headquarters in Sparks, Md.

Syracuse.com hosted its 2026 fall media day on Tuesday, Aug.

18 at Cicero-North Syracuse High School where girls soccer teams gathered with reporters to preview the season. More photos, interviews and videos will appear on syracuse.com over the next three weeks.

Syracuse’s training camp wraps up as head coach Fran Brown says Malachi Nelson leads the backup quarterback race while key players continue to develop amid tough drills.

Justus Ross-Simmons and tight end Daunte Bacheyie are among those working to improve (recent updates detail these battles).

Players from 26 Central New York field hockey teams took over syracuse.com's fall media day at Cicero-North Syracuse High School on Aug.

19, showcasing team spirit before the season begins and adding a personal touch to the event presented by Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists (SOS) and Crouse.

Central New York girls soccer players participated in syracuse.com’s fall media day (presented by SOS and Crouse Health) on Tuesday, Aug.

18 at Cicero-North Syracuse High School; they shared interviews, photos and discussions ahead of the 2026 season.