November 7, 2022 – Urban CNY

Neighborhoods News

Deputies find Illegal Handguns after Two Traffic Stops

by Urban CNY News
November 7, 2022

Deputies find Illegal Handguns after Two Traffic Stops City of Syracuse, New York – The Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office reports that four people have been charged with possessing an illegal handgun following two traffic stops the evening of November 2nd. On Wednesday, November 2nd, at approximately 6:00 P.M., Deputies assigned to the Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative detail, initiated a traffic stop in the 500 block of Park Street on a Saturn vehicle that had switched plates and was occupied by four individuals. The driver, identified as Diallo Pugh, 22 of Syracuse, was subsequently taken into custody for operating a motor vehicle that was unregistered and uninsured. Upon placing him into custody, deputies located an un-serialized P80 9mm ghost gun under the driver’s seat. The gun was loaded with 13 rounds in a 31 round magazine. While securing the gun, the three passengers fled on foot. With the assistance from Air 1, as well as additional deputies along with members of the Syracuse Police Department and New York State Police, a perimeter was quickly set up and a search of the area commenced. Two of the three passengers were located within the perimeter and taken into custody. Pugh and the two passengers, Asiya Rice, 22 of Syracuse and a 17-year-old male were all charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the 2nd and 3rd degree as well as criminal possession of a firearm. Pugh and Rice are currently being held in the Justice Center and are expected to be arraigned sometime today. The 17- year-old male is being held at the Hillbrook Juvenile Detention Center and was expected to be arraigned the following morning in Youth Court. Deputies continue to search for the third passenger. As deputies were handling this traffic stop, an additional traffic stop was conducted in the vicinity of Oak Street and Sidney Street by officers assigned to the same GIVE initiative. During this traffic stop, the front seat male passenger was observed in possession of a handgun. As the male was being escorted from the vehicle, he attempted to flee but was quickly taken to the ground and placed into custody. The gun was removed from the male and identified as a 9mm Smith & Wesson that was loaded with 18 rounds. The gun was later determined to be stolen from Ohio. The male suspect, a 17-year-old from Syracuse, was charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the 2nd and 3rd degree, criminal possession of a firearm and criminal possession of stolen property in the 4th degree. The male was arraigned in Youth Court and is currently being held in the Hillbrook Juvenile Detention Center on $20,000 cash or bond. The Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative utilizes a coordinated, multi-agency approach to target, investigate, interdict, and prevent violent gun crimes, as well as the precursors to such activity, within the County of Onondaga. The ultimate goal of the GIVE initiative is to reduce shootings and firearm-related homicides.

Entertainment

Go Under the Sea with Disney’s The Little Mermaid at Syracuse Stage

by Urban CNY News
November 7, 2022

Syracuse, NY – Put the “sea” in the holiday season with the family favorite musical “Disney’s The Little Mermaid,” at Syracuse Stage Nov. 25 – Jan. 8. Tickets are available now at www.syracsuestage.org or through the Box Office (315-443-3275). All ticket purchases are protected by Syracuse Stage’s “Worry Free Guarantee,” which provides automatic refunds to patrons if performances are canceled. Based on the phenomenally popular 1989 animated motion picture (Academy Award for Best Score and Best Song “Under the Sea”), “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” tells the story of Ariel, a young mermaid determined to explore life beyond the depths of her watery home. A trip above the surface of the sea sets her on a romantic adventure filled with possibility and fraught with peril, as she enters into a dangerous bargain with the sea witch Ursula. As the first princess released in the Disney Renaissance era, Ariel made a splash in 1989 for being the first modern heroine. The New York Times referred to her as “a spunky daredevil.” And Roger Ebert praised the character, “Ariel is a fully realized female character who thinks and acts independently, even rebelliously.” In addition to “Under the Sea,” the vibrant score includes “Part of Your World,” “Kiss the Girl,” “The World Above,” “Sweet Child,” “Poor Unfortunate Souls” and many more sung by a beloved cast of characters including Flounder, Sebastian, Chef Louis, Scuttle and, of course, Prince Eric. Co-produced with the Syracuse University Department of Drama, “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” features a cast of 35 led by the accomplished performer Katie Emerson as Ariel. Emerson has performed the role previously under the direction of Melissa Rain Anderson, who returns to Syracuse Stage to guide this production. Anderson said she believes this is a great tale to tell at the holidays because it offers an opportunity to “get behind a real hero” who gives up her home and much more in order to fulfill her life. “It shows just how strong you have to be to become who you are destined to be,” she said. Assisting Anderson in bringing the show to the stage is a creative team of talented designers and artists. Syracuse Stage veteran Brian Cimmet returns as music director and conducts an 11-piece orchestra. Choreography is by Adam Cates. Kimberly V. Powers is the scenic designer with fantastical costumes by Rafael Castanera and wigs by Jason Estrada. Lonnie Rafael Alcaraz is the lighting designer and Syracuse Stage veteran Jacqueline R. Herter is the sound designer. The return of 2 Ring Circus to Syracuse Stage (“The Wizard of Oz,” 2017) adds high flying aerial excitement to the production. 2 Ring’s special circus skills and acrobatics make this production a version of the musical “not done by anyone before,” said Anderson. “The characters will dance in the air.” “The holiday time is a great time for families at Syracuse Stage,” said Bob Hupp, artistic director, Syracuse Stage. “This season is especially exciting as we welcome back 2 Ring Circus to help us create a truly magical production of ‘Disney’s The Little Mermaid.’ Watching this cast light up the rehearsal room, I can’t wait for our community to see them on stage in this stunning production.” With music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, and book by Doug Wright, “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” ran for 50 previews and 685 performances on Broadway from 2008 to 2009. It received a Tony nomination for Best Original Score. It has had numerous productions around the world. “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” Music by Alan Menken Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater Book by Doug Wright Based on the Hans Christian Andersen story and the Disney film that was produced by Howard Ashman & John Musker and written & directed by John Musker & Ron Clements Originally produced by Disney Theatrical Productions Orchestrations by Danny Troob Incidental music and vocal arrangements by Michael Kosarin Dance arrangements by David Chase Directed by Melissa Rain Anderson Musical Direction by Brian Cimmet Choreography by Adam Cates Scenic design by Kimberly V. Powers Costume design by Rafael Castanera Lighting design by Lonnie Rafael Alcaraz Sound design by Jacqueline R. Herter Wig design by Jason Estrada Associate music director: Jacob Stebly Associate choreographer: Andrea Leigh-Smith 2 Ring Circus: Joshua Dean, Ben Franklin Production Stage Manager: Stuart Plymesser* Casting: Bass/Valle Casting Co-produced with the Syracuse University Department of Drama Special Events Nov. 30 – Dec. 4: M&T Bank Pay-What-You-Will Performances There will be 76 tickets available for whatever price patrons wish to pay over the course of five days. Pay-what-you-will tickets must be claimed in person at the Box Office or by phone on the day of the performance wished to be seen, subject to availability. The Box Office opens at 10 a.m. Monday – Friday and noon on Saturday and Sunday and will remain open until the start of the show. There is a limit of four tickets per person. Dec. 4 at 1 p.m.: Prologue (free for ticket holders at 2 p.m. performance) A pre-show discussion with Syracuse Stage Artistic Director Bob Hupp who will share behind-the-scenes information about “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” one hour prior to curtain. Prologue will be held in the Sutton Pavilion. Dec. 7 at 1 p.m.: Wednesday @ 1 Lecture (free for ticket holders at 2 p.m. performance) Join Leo Rode, education coordinator at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo for a talk about the real life under the sea creatures found in “Disney’s The Little Mermaid.” The lecture will be held in the Archbold Theatre. Dec. 7: Open Captioning at 2 p.m. Performance for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing. Dec. 8: Happy Hour Join us before the 7:30 p.m. performance for Happy Hour. Drink specials, complimentary appetizers and live entertainment begin at 6 p.m. in the Sutton Pavilion. Dec. 10 at 1 p.m.: Prologue (free for ticket holders) A pre-show discussion with Syracuse Stage Artistic Director Bob Hupp who will share behind-the-scenes information about “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” one hour

The Hall Monitor Voices

This Election Day, March to Your Polling Location and Vote as if your “Rights” Depend On It

by Ken Jackson
November 7, 2022

As Election Day approaches there are forecasts regarding the outcome that should scare our urban Community into action. Republicans have flooded the airwaves and mailboxes with what in many cases, amount to lies and misinformation. There’s now an atmosphere with hyperbolic results, as friendly commercialized pitches for your vote have turned into angry people with scowls on their faces, blaming every Democrat on the ballot for societal ills that are happening globally. What’s on the mid-term ballot? Windfall profits of War, Civil Rights, Voting Rights, Women’s Rights, and the future of our Democracy. These issues aren’t only national issues of concern, the MAGA Republicans have infested the political system to its core. In addition, we have a local candidate for Congress NY-22, Brandon Williams, a candidate who is associated with the Make America Great Again movement and he’s openly tooted dog whistles in a campaign commercial stating, “It doesn’t feel like our country anymore”. Due to COVID-19 there are still supply chain and staffing issues within the entire global economic system. With thousands dying from the COVID pandemic, and a record number of Americans retiring over the last two years, we’re going to have staffing issues. What’s apparent to me is Republicans channeling their anger to meet voters’ frustrations, without offering any real solutions. Republican candidate for New York Governor, Lee Zeldin frightens people with grainy crime footage, tapping into that suburban fear of the big bad violent criminal let loose. By the way, the Micron deal we’ve been gushing over, Zeldin has stated that he’s against these subsidies designed to make New York State a major player in microchip manufacturing. And yet, instead of giving us something positive to look towards as a result of his election, Zeldin provides simplistic answers to some of our most complex issues. Windfall Profits of War Due to the Russians invasion of Ukraine, there has been a disruption in supply and include OPEC and their ability to set prices as an organization. According to PBS, Chevron took in more than $11 billion, Shell $9.5 billion, BP over eight billion. And, today, the world’s largest oil company, Saudi Aramco, reported making $42 billion this quarter. ExxonMobil pulled in nearly $20 billion in profit. Chevron took in more than $11 billion, Shell $9.5 billion, BP over eight billion. And, today, the world’s largest oil company, Saudi Aramco, reported making $42 billion this quarter. Republicans blame President Biden for calamities that are beyond a US Presidents power to radically change. Gas prices which used to follow the cost of a barrel of oil are no longer reflected at the pump as large oil companies reap record profits in 2022. Civil Rights Another consequence of Republicans taking over both the House of Representatives and the Senate is the ongoing assault on Civil Rights and Voting Rights. Over 30 states have instituted more restrictive voting rules. Enhanced identification, organized voter intimidation, scarcity of polling places in heavily minority districts in the south. Next target, Affirmative Action in college admissions. Women’s Rights A woman’s right to control her own body is on the ballot, as Republicans have signaled, they’ll push for a nation-wide ban on abortion at the Federal level. With an aggressive Supreme Court taking away protections granted by Row V. Wade Congress has the power to codify these rights into law. Or if Republicans gain the White House in 2024 and have both the House and Senate draconian measures are sure to follow. Medicare/Prescription Drugs Democrats major legislative victories, are threatened by a Republican mid-term takeover of Congress. While there won’t be enough votes to repeal, Republicans have shown a willingness to create mayhem out of the most rudimentary governing process. Republicans are against reducing the cost of Insulin for those suffering from Diabetes, in addition to a desire to roll back Medicare’s ability to negotiate lower drug prices. There’s also a plan being floated by Republicans to review Social Security every five years. This contract with the American worker is being threatened with being turned into a discretionary budget item. When Did Voting Become a “Problem” If my memory serves me correctly, we as Americans didn’t have an issue with voting until the election of Barack Obama as President of the United States. As a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1980 I was encouraged to vote, as the state had a same day voter registration policy. A policy they were once proud of. I needed two forms of identification, my student identification, and a utility bill. Since then, Wisconsin has joined those engaged in an organized effort to make voting more difficult, especially for people of color and the poor. Next month or next year, I don’t want to be walking around in a circle complaining about some policy that’s discriminatory. This is “YOUR” opportunity to be heard, loud and clear. Therefore, on this Election Day, March to your Polling location and vote as if your rights depend on it, because they do.

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Deputies find Illegal Handguns after Two Traffic Stops

Go Under the Sea with Disney’s The Little Mermaid at Syracuse Stage

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This Election Day, March to Your Polling Location and Vote as if your “Rights” Depend On It

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Black Voices