Weekly top reads: Cayuga County crime stories, Weedsport Field Days, Memorial Day

The Citizen's top 10 most-read stories of the week. Authorities said an

The Citizen's top 10 most-read stories of the week.

Authorities said an Onondaga County man was charged after shooting at a decoy turkey that law enforcement officers were monitoring in the town of Niles.

According to a news release from the state Department of Environmental Conservation, three members of the Environmental Conservation Police were conducting a turkey decoy detail in the town of Niles when "a familiar subject pulled up and shot the decoy out the driver's side window of his pickup truck while his 14-year-old son watched from the passenger seat."

The DEC said the shooter, John A. Rio, 49, of Jordan, is well known to two of the officers "as someone who repeatedly fails to comply with New York State Environmental Conservation Law."

Rio was ticketed for possessing a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle and shooting from a public highway, both misdemeanors, with the tickets returnable to Town of Niles Court.

The DEC said that additional charges may follow, pending consultation with the Cayuga County District Attorney's Office.

Police charged a Utica man with a felony for allegedly driving while intoxicated with a child in his vehicle.

New York State Police on Wednesday said that troopers from the Auburn barracks responded to a motor vehicle accident on Wise Road in the town of Ira on May 29 and found a driver to be intoxicated.

Felix M. Munoz, 28, of Utica, was arrested for driving while intoxicated, aggravated driving while intoxicated with a child, and several traffic infractions.

Troopers said Munoz was transported to the Cayuga County Jail for arraignment.

An Elbridge design studio will have its fingerprints on a prominent corner in downtown Auburn — literally.

At its May 23 meeting, the Auburn Public Arts Commission voted to award a contract for a new sculpture at the corner of Genesee and South streets to Unite Two Design, of Elbridge.

The studio's proposal, for a 15-foot sculpture of two human hands with a spark of energy between them, was one of three finalists for the contract. Also under consideration by the commission were a "Garden Lady Sculpture" and a "Garden Lady Mosaic & Relief" by Pittsburgh artist James Simon, and "Growing Up," a stainless steel leaf sculpture by Chicago artist Michael Young.

Jesse Kline, assistant director of the Auburn Downtown Business Improvement District, told The Citizen the "very dramatic design" of Unite Two's sculpture appealed to the commission.

In its proposal, Unite Two said the sculpture is "a response to Auburn's rich history of innovators, inventors, industrialists, theologians, builders, agriculturalists, entrepreneurs and free-thinkers." The studio chose stainless steel because "the underlying theme of the piece is intended as a response to Auburn's notable citizens (so) it was important for the viewer to see their reflection."

"The other pieces were more generic and didn't really speak to Auburn," Kline said. "But this one complements the existing body of public artwork and sculpture that we have downtown."

Unite Two's sculpture was also favored by about 90% of the 180 responses the proposals received during a public comment period, Kline added. The sculpture will cost about $30,000 to create and install, and will be funded by the $285,000 public art portion of the city of Auburn's $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant. Its installation is currently scheduled for April 2024. Meanwhile, Audrey Iwanicki's "Sky Woman" sculpture, which is also funded by the grant, is scheduled to be installed in the grass median at the corner of William and Lincoln streets this summer and fall.

Kline said the planting bed at the corner, in front of Genesee Center, will be flattened out before the Unite Two sculpture is installed. The city is working with landscape architect Sue Steele on the project.

"We're very excited to beautify that corner," Kline said. "It's the heart of downtown, and with the new Tubman mural there we can really start to reimagine that center of Auburn."

Two downtown Auburn art projects were approved to move forward Tuesday, including a sculpture of local cultural significance.

An Auburn man is facing felony drug and weapons charges after the Finger Lakes Drug Task Force executed a search warrant on Wednesday night in the city.

According to a press release from the Auburn Police Department, at about 9:20 p.m. Wednesday, the Finger Lakes Drug Task Force, which is comprised of the Auburn Police Department, Cayuga County Sheriffs and New York State Police, executed a search warrant at 68 Clark St., Apt. 1, and also did a body search of Drew Strong.

Multiple people were located inside the residence. Strong, who was wanted on unrelated charges that included robbery and menacing, was located and placed under arrest. Shortly after Strong was secured. A search of the residence resulted in more than 60 glassine envelopes, which contained fentanyl, according to the news release.

Also in the search, 12 illegal daggers were secured, a pair of metal knuckles, a switch blade style knife, and one BB gun, which replicated the look of a Beretta 92 handgun.

Strong was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon for the knives and metal knuckles.

Strong was wanted on a bench warrant as well as an arrest warrant. The arrest warrant, issued in February, stemmed from an incident in December in which he was accused of robbing a person in Auburn of their clothing and a backpack, according to police records.

Strong

Police said Grace Shepard, who was one of the individuals inside the apartment at the time of search warrant execution, possessed a glassine envelope containing fentanyl. Shepard was charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

The FLDTF thanked all that assisted in the investigation and asked anyone with drug-related tips to call (315) 282-7540.

Police are looking for information that might lead to suspects regarding an incident of vandalism at a cemetery in Port Byron.

State police in Auburn said they received a report of damaged monuments and a head stone at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery on Park Street in the village that is believed to have happened between April 9 and April 10.

Troopers are seeking any tips from the public in regard to possible individuals responsible for the criminal mischief. Tips can be called into the state police barracks in Auburn at (315) 255-2767.

AUBURN — After the Memorial Day ceremony concluded, veteran Jim Gardner said there are a couple of people he served with who died that he thinks of frequently, not just during the holiday.

Gardner, who served in the U.S. Marines, was at the wreath-laying event at Veterans Memorial Park in Auburn Monday. Praising the Auburn Civic Band and others who participated in the ceremony, he talked about why he wanted to attend the event.

"This is for all the guys who gave their tomorrows for our todays," Gardner said.

Following the downtown parade, more than 130 people attended the ceremony. Wreaths from entities such as the Swietoniowski-Kopeczek American Legion Post No. 1324 and the Carnicelli-Indelicato American Legion Post No. 1776 were laid during the function.

At a stage set up across the street from the memorial park, the Rev. Joshua Czyz gave the invocation and benediction. The Auburn City Council and some other local officials were also on the stage.

After a rifle volley and the military bugle call taps played, Navy veteran Bill Staley sang the first two verses of "God Bless America" as the civic band played, before the rest of those gathered at the event joined in on the third verse.

During the conclusion of the ceremony, U.S. Coast Guard veteran Terry Winslow, who emceed the event, thanked veterans and "those who've gone before us and died in the line of defending our country." He then addressed the crowd.

"As you leave here today and you make your way to wherever it is you're going, family cookouts, celebrations, get-togethers, do so in the name of freedom and remember to take a moment to thank all of those who perished in the name of our freedoms," Winslow said.

After the event, James Best, director of the civic band, said he has been participating in the city's Memorial Day events with the band for at least 25 years. He cited his grandson, Calvin Best, who is in the Marines, as one of the reasons why he participates in these ceremonies. James Best also talked about why he feels it is important to participate in Memorial Day events.

"I would say it's sort of an obligation to support the young people that have kept this country afloat," he said.

Veteran Jerry Hall plays the baritone with the Auburn Civic Band during the veterans service after the Memorial Day parade at Veterans Memorial Park in Auburn.

Members of American Legion Swietoniowski-Kopeczek Post #1324 lay a wreath during the veterans service after the Memorial Day parade at Veterans Memorial Park in Auburn.

Members of American Legion Swietoniowski-Kopeczek Post #1324 participate in a wreath-laying ceremony during the veterans service after the Memorial Day parade at Veterans Memorial Park in Auburn.

Representatives for the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States lay wreaths during the veteran's service after the Memorial Day parade at Veterans Memorial Park in Auburn.

Wreath-laying ceremony during the veterans service after the Memorial Day parade at Veterans Memorial Park in Auburn.

Members of Carnicelli-Indelicato American Legion Post 1776 salute during the wreath-laying ceremony during the veterans service after the Memorial Day parade at Veterans Memorial Park in Auburn.

Rifle volley during the veterans service after the Memorial Day parade at Veterans Memorial Park in Auburn.

Josh Czyz gives the benediction at the close of the veterans service after the Memorial Day parade at Veterans Memorial Park in Auburn.

Navy veteran Bill Staley sings "God Bless America" at the close of the veterans service after the Memorial Day parade at Veterans Memorial Park in Auburn.

A Cayuga County Court judge determined the rights of a former Auburn Police Department officer were not violated during a criminal investigation into alleged sexual abuse of a minor.

Judge Thomas Leone issued a decision Tuesday to not drop or reduce the indictment against William Morrissey, 33, with a last listed address of Seymour Street, Auburn. The decision follows a late March hearing in which Leone heard arguments on whether the city of Auburn's internal probe into allegations against Morrissey improperly influenced the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office investigation that led to criminal charges.

Morrissey, who worked as a school resource officer at Auburn High School, was arrested by the sheriff's office in early March 2022 on charges alleging he sexually abused a 14-year-old student.

After hearing five witnesses, Leone reserved on making a decision and asked that the Cayuga County District Attorney's Office and George Hildebrandt, Morrissey's defense attorney, turn in memorandums on whether rights violations occurred during the investigation and if so, what the proper remedy would be and why.

Leone's decision released Tuesday denied a motion to dismiss the indictment, disagreeing with Hildebrandt's assertion that the prosecution against his client was the result of statements Morrissey made during an interview with Auburn city officials at Memorial City Hall on March 1, 2022. Public employees have rights meant to protect them from being compelled to incriminate themselves in order to keep their jobs.

The decision said that during that interview at city hall, Morrissey disclosed giving the student rides after school in his personal vehicle, communicating with her through text and communication services such as Snapchat and FaceTime, and giving her a pair of Air Jordan basketball sneakers as a birthday present. Leone said the defense argued that if Morrissey had declined to be interviewed, the matter would have ended. The defense also argued the information Morrissey gave during his interview at city hall as a part of the city's probe was the only impetus for continuing the investigation, the decision said.

Leone disagreed with that conclusion.

"This premise is speculative and unsupported by the record," the decision said.

Leone wrote that the grand jury minutes for Morrissey's indictment established that the defendant's statements to city officials "themselves were not utilized directly or indirectly." The decision argued there were independent sources for the admissions Morrissey gave in his interview, such as surveillance videos from the school showing Morrissey giving the student rides and messages recovered from the student's phone.

Leone also noted anonymous letters sent to Auburn Police Chief James Slayton and Auburn City Manager Jeff Dygert Feb. 28 about the alleged relationship between Morrissey and the student mentioned the rides and electronic communication. The decision also noted that simultaneous to Morrissey's interview at city hall, the student confirmed the defendant had given her rides and that in an earlier interview with Morrissey before the one at city hall, he denied giving the student rides.

"The mere conflict between these facts alone could reasonably have prompted further investigation regardless" of whether Morrissey had spoken with officials at city hall, Leone's decision said.

The decision also noted the statements made by Morrissey in his city hall interview "were not particularly remarkable or otherwise valuable from an investigative or charging standpoint." Leone noted Morrissey never admitted in his interview to engaging in physical contact with the student, let alone taking part in conduct that could be seen as criminal.

The decision said allegations of Morrissey sending sexually explicit communications to the student through cell phones did not emerge until after the sheriff's office took over the investigation, "which was wholly separate and independent" from the defendant's interview as a part of the city's probe.

Leone also denied a defense motion to inspect the grand jury minutes and for the indictment to be dismissed based on a lack of legally sufficient evidence, improper instruction to the grand jury and grand jury proceedings being defective.

"The court has reviewed the grand jury minutes and concludes that the evidence was legally sufficient to support the charges, and the grand jury was properly instructed," the decision said.

Cayuga County District Attorney Brittany Grome Antonacci said via email that "we are not permitted to comment while the case is pending."

George Hildebrandt, Morrissey's defense attorney, said he was disappointed by the court's decision.

"I don't think there was any question in my mind that (Morrissey's) protected statements (to his employer) were used in making the decision to continue the investigation against him," Hildebrandt said.

Morrissey was charged by the sheriff's office on March 3, 2022.

The sheriff's office said at the time Morrissey had taken part in "repeated inappropriate conduct with a student occurring in and around the City of Auburn including Auburn High School where he was serving as a School Resource Officer." He was charged with first-degree sexual abuse, a class D felony, and official misconduct and endangering the welfare of a child, which are misdemeanors. Morrissey was later indicted in July on an additional count, disseminating indecent material to minors, which is a class D felony.

Morrissey was also charged in March 2023 in a recently unsealed Cayuga County grand jury indictment for second-degree criminal contempt, a misdemeanor. The indictment said Morrissey added the alleged victim in the sexual abuse case to his Snapchat "by search" in October, which violated an order of protection.

The Weedsport Fire Department will host its annual Field Days, featuring rides, live music and more, this week.

The event begins at noon Thursday, June 1, with lunch at the field at Route 31 and Towpath Road in the village. Rides by Towpath Rides will open at 6 p.m., and a Community Parade will take place at 6:30 p.m. DJ Piper will provide music.

The field will reopen at noon Friday, June 2, with lunch. Rides will open at 6 p.m., followed by a Grand Parade at 7 p.m., a department auxiliary cake booth at 8 p.m. and live music by John Rogalia at 8:30 p.m.

At noon Saturday, June 3, the field will open for the finale. There will be a chicken barbecue, an auxiliary cake booth, music by DJ Piper, rides from noon to 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. to close, a horseshoe tournament at 1 p.m. and music by No Filter at 8 p.m. The field will close at midnight.

Ride wristbands and ticket strips are available in advance for $15 and $5, respectively, at the village office, Shurfine and the Pit Stop in the village. Mega bands for Saturday only, giving access to rides both that afternoon and evening, will be available that day for $30. Advance sales end at 4 p.m. Thursday, June 1; afterward, sales will be available at the field.

A village tradition the first weekend of June, the Field Days have taken place since at least the 1930s.

For more information, visit facebook.com/weedsportfiredept.

I love a good story. Our favorite Auburn storyteller, Ormie King, was right in the middle of a great story. He knew everyone, and everyone knew him! I recognize that I prefer to be on the sidelines observing the story.

For the past few years, I have been pushing myself through lane six in the YMCA pool, while a group of women would meet just on the other side of the lane for their aquacise class. Doing laps allows for lots of thinking time, and these women captured my attention.

Who are they and what brings them to this class each Monday-Wednesday-Friday morning? The only way I was going to find out was to join the class. They kindly welcomed this swimmer with no rhythm into their class recently! What fun, and now they are my oh-so-favorite Auburn bathing beauties!

After class we met in the lobby at the tables. With heads nodding, they echoed each other with comments, "The group is like a second family. We are here to support each other!" Not only do they "share" the water but also, garden vegetables, grandchildren stories, travel adventures, and even television recommendations. (The documentary about aliens on the History Channel earned high praise.)

Nancy is a soft-spoken and lovely teacher. It came as no surprise to me that she was a 1st grade teacher for many years until retirement. From head to toe and fingertips to fingertips, we moved and stretched in the water. With clear instructions and adaptations, she guided all the members of this sweet group.

Sandy is the friendly cheerleader. Her warm smile and kind greetings warm the hearts of everyone, including the preschool children, standing like soldiers, in a straight row. Sandy is a treasured YMCA ambassador and aims to make everyone feel welcome.

Linda, another instructor in the MWF rotation, has been involved in aquatic training and teaching for over 18 years and Kathy, a 17-year veteran! Dina, known to most of us with a needle and thread in her hands, is a newbie. She proudly shared that she took her first swimming lesson just two months ago at the urging of her daughter! In fact, Dina, along with some of the other women, swim in both an 8 a.m. and the 9 a.m. class. They are dedicated!

Exercise, stretching, water fun, camaraderie, friendship and LOTS of laughter, this group exemplifies what is core to the YMCA philosophy by creating "strong, positive relationships" with each other and their community. The compassion of the staff spills over to the members, and YES, for many, the YMCA is our second family.

Cheer to my favorite Auburn bathing beauties and cheer to 100 years of YMCA fun and friendship.

WEEDSPORT — Moms toting toddlers, guys running rides, and just about everyone else gave the same answer when asked what the best thing was about the Weedsport Firemen's Field Days.

The faces of happy, smiling children.

"I was nervous, I’m a bit overprotective, but I’m happy," said Sabrena Hawker, whose 4-year-old daughter, Rosabelle, had just disembarked from a ride called the "Clatterpillar," a brightly-colored, child-sized rollercoaster of sorts.

Rosabelle had sat next to 7-year-old Willow Piston, whose mother, Heather, said she was happy as well.

"I love it," Heather said. "I love that she's having fun."

Weedsport Fire Department members and officials who were queried had differing thoughts on when the fair started, with some guessing around 1934 and others suggesting the mid-1950s. The Field Days event, held at the Cayuga County Fairgrounds beside NY 31 at Towpath Road, has been a fund-raising mainstay for the Fire Department, but also has helped as a tool for recruiting sorely needed volunteers.

"Some people have come for the field days and ended up thinking that volunteering would be good to do," said 2nd Assistant Chief Tommy Young, acknowledging that his department, like others across the country, have seen their memberships wane.

For fire department members who manned some of the booths Saturday, helping out was at least as much fun as attending.

Attendance for this year had not been tabulated as of Saturday afternoon, but Young said the crowds usually run between two and three thousand for the entire three-day event.

"I like the camaraderie, it's very community oriented," said firefighter Cassandra Weeks from behind the counter of the "Pull Tab Booth" – what used to be called the "gambling booth," where tickets similar to scratch-offs can be purchased for $1 each, their pulled tabs revealing how much of a prize was won.

A couple with a fistful of tabs came to cash out. Their $80 investment returned a winning of $1, but they didn't seem to mind, noting that the game's proceeds go to the fire department.

Back at the Clatterpillar ride, operator Paul Frederick, recently relocated to Weedsport, led children into their seats for the next ride, and said that so far he was greatly enjoying the work.

"I love it," he said. "Kids’ emotions are just so genuine and so raw, they just keep smiling every single day."

Over near the fried dough booth, Angela Mosson, of Syracuse, clutched a menagerie of stuffed swag earned at the fishing pole contest.

"We got these because we were so good at our skills," she said, referring to the two blue unicorns, blue owl, pink frog and other favors. Mosson, her friend David Kinney, of Weedsport, and 5-year-old Pharah.

At the hoop shooting concession Tommy Lee Stevens, 12, tried a few shots as did his brother, 9-year-old Matthew, but without positive results. Their father, Tom Stevens, took a crack at getting the ball into a basketball hoop but didn't do better, even after shifting spots to allow for a gusty west wind that he thought might be harming his chances.

"We did win some things," Matthew said, displaying a small stuffed tiger. Tommy Lee showed off a stuffed shark of similar size, and then the trio headed for a food concession.

Derek Burrow, the hoop attendant, said he had awarded two of the giant-sized prizes – pandas and other animals – on Friday.

"Yes, people win," he said. "That's good because then they are happy and get to go home with something nice."

The company Burrow works for, Wheelock rides, hauls its rides and attractions to fair sites within a 200 mile radius of Syracuse, and has provided the entertainment for the Weedsport field days for more years than anyone remembers.

Allison Wheelock, the youngest of three Wheelock generations keeping things running smoothly, said she sees the same people year after year at Weedsport, and loves how she has witnessed them growing from being young children to teens and then adults.

"It's what I love best about all this," she said. "Seeing their faces."

Firefighters from several area departments respond to a fire at a home in Sennett late Sunday afternoon. The call came in at around 6:04 p.m. …

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Weekly top reads: Cayuga County crime stories, Weedsport Field Days, Memorial Day