Scott Willis

Syracuse

Host, Reporter and News Producer at WAER-FM (Syracuse, NY)

Husband, Father, Journalist. Trying to manage life.

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Articles

National Grid fined $3.7 million for missing customer satisfaction goals

2 weeks ago | waer.org | Scott Willis

New York’s utility regulators say National Grid fell short of customer satisfaction goals to the tune of $3.7 million in 2024. That’s the amount the company is being fined by the Public Service Commission for not meeting performance goals for residential and commercial/industrial customers. National Grid isn’t alone. New York State Electric and Gas and Rochester Gas and Electric face even stiffer penalties. In all, utilities owe the state nearly $29 million in fines.
Onondaga County deputy arrested on felony forgery charges

2 weeks ago | waer.org | Scott Willis

The Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office has arrested and fired one of its own deputies on felony forgery charges. The department alleges 22-year-old Jamell Darden of Liverpool forged references’ signatures needed for a pistol license application. The forgery was discovered during a mandatory background check, which included phone calls to the listed references. While the individuals agreed to serve as references, they did not sign the form themselves.
Early voting begins Saturday for primary elections in Syracuse, three towns

2 weeks ago | waer.org | Scott Willis

Voters in the city of Syracuse and three towns in Onondaga County can start heading to the polls Saturday for their respective Republican or Democratic primaries. Several races are at stake as early voting gets underway. Whether or not you’re casting a ballot in the coming days depends on your party enrollment and where you live. Democratic Elections Commissioner Dustin Czarny said Syracuse Democrats are choosing candidates for mayor, councilor-at-large, and education commissioner.
Syracuse mayoral primary candidates Hogan, Majok pan gang outreach programs under Walsh

2 weeks ago | waer.org | Scott Willis

The Walsh administration has tried a number of different approaches to combat gangs and gun violence in Syracuse. One that stirred controversy was a plan to pay gang members to stay out of trouble. That idea was dropped in an effort to get support from common councilors for a series of anti-violence programs. But the fallout illustrates where the three Democratic mayoral primary candidates might stand on the broader issue of addressing gang activity as the election approaches.
CNY registered sex offender arrest raises concern about other potential victims

2 weeks ago | waer.org | Scott Willis

Onondaga County law enforcement agencies are investigating whether a man recently arrested for sexually assaulting a child might be responsible for similar crimes. Sheriff’s deputies arrested 33-year-old Ryan Pontello of Clay Sunday after he allegedly used candy to lure a five-year-old from a playground to a wooded area. District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick said Pontello is connected to an incident involving a three-year-old earlier this year.
Shakespeare in the Park cancels ‘Othello’ performances

2 weeks ago | waer.org | Scott Willis

Fans planning to attend this year’s Shakespeare in the Park production of Othello will need to adjust their plans. The upcoming performances, scheduled for the next two weekends, have been canceled after a key performer suddenly became unavailable. The company will return to Thornden Park’s Amphitheater later this summer with performances of Twelfth Night during the first two weekends of August. Admission is free, with donations accepted.
Syracuse councilors kill city-wide property reassessment in politically charged year

2 weeks ago | waer.org | Scott Willis

Some Syracuse homeowners can breathe a sign of relief now that a city-wide property reassessment is off the table. The Walsh administration has been pursuing the ambitious plan in an effort to better balance tax inequities among the city’s more than 41,000 properties. Common councilors are refusing to spend #1.8 million to hire a firm to do the reassessment. Finance committee chair Corey Williams made their intentions known at a meeting reviewing the council’s agenda.
Schumer, Gillibrand push back on Trump order affecting Finger Lakes forest

2 weeks ago | waer.org | Scott Willis

New York’s U.S. senators are fighting back against an executive order they say could harm the state’s only national forest. Democrats Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand are opposing President Trump’s executive order directing the U.S. Forest Service to increase timber production in national forests by 25%. Schumer says the policy would endanger the Finger Lakes National Forest and threaten New York’s outdoor recreation economy.
Health insurance premiums could surge 43% in Central New York under GOP bill

2 weeks ago | waer.org | Scott Willis

Central New Yorkers could see their monthly health insurance premiums surge by 43% if the Republican reconciliation bill currently being debated in Congress passes. The state’s health commissioner says new data shows the proposed elimination of enhanced tax credits would add an average of $250 per month for couples. As many as 80,000 New Yorkers could also lose individual marketplace coverage if the bill passes in its current form.
Upcoming primary could spell beginning of end of most odd-year local elections

2 weeks ago | waer.org | Scott Willis

Voters in about a dozen communities across Onondaga County begin casting their ballots Saturday as early voting gets underway in this year’s primary elections. It’s likely to be the final odd-year local election. The push moving most local elections to coincide with even-year state and federal elections has been the subject of hot debate and litigation. A state appeals court reversed a lower court decision last month, ruling the state’s 2023 law is constitutional.