Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: What SU’s chancellor says about the budget deficit and your degree
And check out Jay Medal Soirée on the Syracuse Patch calendar
Hi there, Syracuse! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- What SU's chancellor says about the budget deficit and your degree
- How long will Syracuse police stay short-staffed despite bonuses and incentives?
- How close is your nearest safe lithium-ion battery drop-off site?
Also on today's calendar: Jay Medal Soirée and 7 more events.
Today's riddle: What is the 1 way to guarantee winning a small fortune at the casino? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Tuesday: Humid with a heavy t-storm, with a high of 81 and low of 68 degrees.
- Wednesday: A shower and t-storm; humid, temps: high: 82, low: 70.
- Thursday: A couple of showers; humid, with a high of 79 and low of 63 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Haynie backs SU's investments, says demand isn't 'problem' (dailyorange.com subscription) — Syracuse University Chancellor Mike Haynie is reassuring the campus that SU's budget deficit is manageable while doubling down on investments in top programs and new initiatives. He says demand for a Syracuse education remains strong and has tasked a 12-person committee with recommending concrete steps by November to address the shortfall and support future growth. 
2. SPD staffing shortage could take years to fix (cnycentral.com) — Syracuse's police force is still short about 64 officers, and Chief Mark Rusin warns it could take several years to rebuild staffing to the 425–450 officers he believes the city needs. Despite hiring bonuses, free exams, and relaxed residency rules, most applicants are screened out, forcing SPD to reshuffle units and shift gang investigations while trying to recruit and retain experienced officers.
3. Lithium-ion battery recycling amid uptick in fires (spectrumlocalnews.com) — Syracuse fire officials are warning residents about the growing risk of lithium-ion battery fires and stressing proper disposal at local drop-off sites, including OCRRA locations within 30 minutes of downtown. Experts say nearly all New Yorkers live near recycling stations, and emphasize that everyday items like e-bikes, laptops, and vape pens can spark dangerous, long-burning chemical fires if mishandled.
4. NYS Fair souvenir stories: Syracuse attorney found a competitive outlet inside Horticulture Building (newyorkupstate.com) — A Syracuse attorney has turned his lifelong competitive streak into a winning hobby inside the New York State Fair's Horticulture Building. Growing up in the city and now living in Onondaga County, he's collected ribbons for meticulously prepared plants while building friendships and a friendly rivalry with his sister over who can grow the best blooms.
5. Rochester and Syracuse among cities sharing $20 million for youth programs (fingerlakes1.com) — Syracuse will receive $2 million in new state funding for youth programs through Project RISE, supporting mentoring, mental health services, arts, sports, and job training. The grant is part of a $20 million package for 10 New York communities, with local steering committees deciding how the money is shared among Syracuse organizations and grassroots groups.
📸 Around Syracuse
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Syracuse
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Jay Medal Soirée →
Jay Estate, 210 Boston Post Rd, Rye
5:30 pm
Saturday September 19
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- First Day of School
Syracuse City SD Syracuse, NY 13204 - Ray LaMontagne →
Crouse hinds concert theater, 411 Montgomery St, Syracuse
7:00 pm - Walking & Talking Wednesdays Tour- Footsteps in Freedom
Onondaga Historical Association NY
12:00 pm - Board of Education Business Meeting
Syracuse City SD 725 Harrison Street, Syracuse, NY
5:30 pm - Who Celebrated Sullivan-Clinton in 1929 and Why? The Lasting Legacy of the 150th Anniversary
Onondaga Historical Association Skä•noñh-Great Law of Peace Center, 6680 Onondaga Lake Parkway, Liverpool, NY, 13088, United States
6:00 pm - 1st Annual End of Summer Celebration →
B & R Bunkhouse, 6225 E Taft Rd, North Syracuse
11:00 am - Spirits from the Mansions of the Green Way Ghostwalk
Onondaga Historical Association 652 West Onondaga Street, 652 West Onondaga Street, Syracuse, NY, 13204, United States
2:00 pm - Pop Evil - North America 2026 →
The Song & Dance, 115 E Jefferson St, Syracuse
6:00 pm - Dermot Kennedy →
Empower FCU Amphitheater at Lakeview, 490 Restoration Way, Syracuse
8:00 pm
Tuesday September 8
Wednesday September 9
Friday September 11
Saturday September 12
Saturday September 19
Saturday September 26
📣 Syracuse Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- KWS BRE Kindergarten Orientation
North Syracuse Csd KWS Bear Road Elementary School 5590 Bear Road, North Syracuse NY 13212
9:00 am - O-Town @ New York State Fairgrounds →
Chevy Court
1:00 pm - Staff Development Day
Solvay UFSD Syracuse, NY 13209 - Superintendent's Conference Day: No School for Students
East Syracuse Minoa Csd East Syracuse, NY 13057
Tuesday September 1
Wednesday September 2
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- This car has been parked on Driscoll Ave at the corner of Avery for a week.
Weird place for a car to be left especially this long. I reported it as potentially stolen but it's still sitting there. There's not odd even parking… (Nextdoor Far Westside)
- Syracuse University posted a job opening for Assistant Director Academic Advising in Syracuse. Apply here.
- TradeJobsWorkforce posted a job opening for American Airlines Gate Agent in Syracuse. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Syracuse here.
Ok Syracuse! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: By starting with a large fortune. (Thank you Kourtney Z. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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