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AUBURNÌý— The third time is the charm.Ìý

Gov. Andrew Cuomo visited Auburn Friday to announce that the city has won a $10 million grant in the third round of the state's Downtown Revitalization Initiative. The program, which launched in 2016, awards $100 million to 10 municipalitiesÌý— one in each of the state's regional economic development councils.Ìý

Auburn applied for the grant in 2016 and 2017, but lost to Cortland and Oswego in the past competitions. This year, the city was the Central New York Regional Economic Development Council's choice for the award.Ìý

"I know that you have competed before, but I believe those attempts and those exercises actually made your plan," Cuomo told a capacity crowd at Auburn Public Theater. "You sat and you learned and you grow and you see the evolution of your downtown plan."

Video: Gov. Andrew Cuomo announces $10 million for downtown Auburn

Gov. Andrew Cuomo's announcement at Auburn Public Theater on Friday, July 27, 2018, that the city of Auburn was the central New York winner in…

The city's proposal for the 2018 competition seeks to invest $44.3 millionÌý— the $10 million grant and private fundsÌý— into the downtown area. City officials conducted an outreach effort to develop the plan, which was titled "This Place Matters."Ìý

Some of the projects outlined in the report include $1.5 million for improving the East Hill Family Medical Center, $1.2 million for a public safety facility, $1.1 million for an arts campus on the city's west end and $300,000 to expand Auburn Public Theater.Ìý

The next phase for the city will be to develop a strategic investment plan. Up to $300,000 from the $10 million award will be used for the planning process, according to the governor's office. A local planning committee will spearhead the drafting of the strategic plan to determine how to best invest the state funding.Ìý

Auburn's plan will be completed sometime next year. But for now, city officials are celebrating their victory.Ìý

"This is a great day for Auburn and for the entire region," said Auburn Mayor Michael Quill.Ìý

The event also gave Cuomo an opportunity to highlight his economic development record over the past eight years. He is seeking a third term as governor and is facing a primary challenge from fellow Democrat Cynthia Nixon. The Republican nominee is Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro.

Cuomo touted his focus on upstate New York. He said his administration has invested more than $36 billion in upstate projects since he took office in 2011. One of the initiatives that has provided money to upstate municipalities is the Downtown Revitalization Initiative.Ìý

One reason why Cuomo created the competitive grant program is that young people are returning to New York. Younger residents, he explained, prefer living in or near downtown areas because of the close proximity to the arts scene, their employers and local restaurants.Ìý

"That's what they like," Cuomo said. "They want a downtown that offers it all."Ìý

Cuomo also offered praise of Auburn. It's a city that is quite different from when he last appeared at the Auburn Public Theater in 2010. When he campaigned for governor eight years ago, the State Street corridor was littered with vacant structures and the economic downturn was still being felt.Ìý

In 2018, the city's downtown area is experiencing a renaissance. It's home to a thriving arts scene, two craft breweries and several bars and restaurants.Ìý

Not far away from Auburn Public Theater, the $10 million Equal Rights Heritage Center is being constructed across from city hall. The new facility is scheduled to open this fall.Ìý

"I love Auburn, Cuomo said. "I hope you don't take it for granted. It is a jewel. It really is a jewel."Ìý

Gallery: Auburn wins $10M downtown grant

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Three people have been arrested following a stabbing in Cayuga County Tuesday afternoon, according to the New York State Police.Ìý

After troopers responded to a reported stabbing at a residence on Emily Drive in Aurelius, they soon learned that the incident actually occurred at a home on North Division Street in the town of Throop.Ìý

Jorge L. Sanchez, of Auburn, was arrested for allegedly stabbing his brother, Alex A. Baez, 23, also of Auburn. Baez was stabbed in the stomach with a knife, police said.Ìý

Sanchez has been charged with second-degree assault, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and endangering the welfare of a child.Ìý

Baez, who received treatment at Auburn Community Hospital for a minor stab wound, was arrested following the incident. He has been charged with criminal obstruction of breathing and endangering the welfare of a child.Ìý

Louise A. Partin, 23, of Auburn, was also arrested. Partin, who is Sanchez's girlfriend, allegedly provided false information about the stabbing to police. She was charged with making a false written statement.Ìý

Baez and Sanchez were arraigned in Throop town court. Sanchez was remanded to the Cayuga County Jail in lieu of $2,500 cash bail or $5,000 bond. Baez was released on his own recognizance and is scheduled to reappear in court at a later date.Ìý

Police said Partin was issued an appearance ticket. She will appear in Throop town court at a later date.Ìý

The state police were assisted by the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office and Cayuga County Child Protective Services.Ìý

AUBURNÌý— Auburn Public Theater was packed to capacity Friday afternoon as the crowd anxiously awaited an announcement they had been wanting to hear for three years: Auburn was the winner of the state Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant contest.Ìý

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that Auburn is the winner of the 2018 DRI contest and the $10 million grand prize, which will be used to fund a variety of projects with the goal of continuing Auburn's downtown renaissance. Cuomo delivered the good news at the theater, which was included in the city's winning application. The theater is seeking $300,000 to expand its current space and build a cafe.Ìý

Cayuga Community College has a project in the works to build a culinary education center on State Street. College President Brian Durant said the projectÌý"aligns well with our college initiatives of engaging the agricultural community and providing educational opportunities in the area of hospitality and tourism."Ìý

"We want to provide rich and robust continuing education options for individuals who want to gain skills in the area of culinary arts as well as be able to take a number of other experiences that match regional opportunities" Durant said. "Having a facility, having it downtown will allow us to grow even more."Ìý

Nick's Ride 4 Friends, aÌýpeer-based clubhouse that provides support and assistance to individuals struggling with addiction, has outgrown its current space and is looking to expand into a vacant building at 13 Chapel St. Founder Joel Campagnola is hoping to get a loan from the city, funded through the DRI, to continue to help those in recovery.Ìý

"We're losing a lot of young men and women each day," he said. "We need to offer the people in recovery something and help them get back to being a viable part of this community. I don't think there's enough programs out there or enough people that do help them."

Other projects listed in the includeÌýinclude $1.5 million for improving the East Hill Family Medical Center, $1.2 million for a city and county public safety facility, $1.1 million for an arts campus on the city's west end andÌý$1.1 million for neighborhood redevelopment on John Street.Ìý

The city applied for the DRI the past two years. In 2016, the top prize went to Oswego and last year, Cortland won the $10 million. Director of Capital Projects Christina Selvek said what set the city's application apart this year is it embraced Auburn's history using the theme "This place matters."Ìý

"We embraced our community history this time and we weren't shy about it," Selvek said. "We're very proud of our heritage and what better thing to base your downtown planning on?"Ìý

Auburn Downtown Business Improvement District Executive Director said she "absolutely thrilled, overwhelmed and excited" when she heard Cuomo announce Auburn was the big winner.Ìý

"It's going to have a huge impact on our community," DeVito said of the grant. "Tourism is thriving and booming and we already have so many things that are in our wonderful city to bring people to Auburn. We want to continue to be a destination and this is just going to enhance the many more things we're able to do to bring people into our community."Ìý

Not only the city will benefit from the $10 million prize, though. Cayuga County Administrator J. Justin Woods and Cayuga Economic Development Agency Executive Director Tracy Verrier said the whole county will be positively impacted.Ìý

Verrier said having aÌýstrong downtown is a key for the whole county to grow.Ìý

"Having downtown Auburn grown and be successful and sustainable means there's a hub for visitors, there's a hub for residents, there's a business center where people can get services and goods and all those good things," Verrier said. "Having that downtown core is a big quality of life issue, it's a big tourism issue."

Woods said the county is "absolutely thrilled about this investment."

"As the city grows, the county grows," he said. "The city is the hub of much of the economic and social life. We have our vibrant farm economy and agrarian economy in the north and south but a lot of that cultural and social offerings that attract people to a region are in the center."

Gallery: Auburn wins $10M downtown grant

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A few years ago, Pat Carberry was looking to buy a big barn when she stumbled upon a "For Sale" sign in Skaneateles Falls. But it wasn't a barn that was for sale: It was an old stone chair factory.

At the time, Carberry had been looking for some property to transform into a wedding venue, an idea that came to her when she was searching for a venue for her son.

"I flipped a few homes and I love decorating and restoring things, so I wanted to do something with that when I retired," the former elementary school psychologist said. "When our oldest son was looking for a wedding venue, we thought, 'Gosh, there really isn't a lot in the area,' and I thought, 'Maybe that's what we should do.'"Ìý

Initially, Carberry envisioned remodeling a barn, and she began driving around Cayuga County in search of real estate. Then, in 2016, she saw the old Sinclair Chair Factory on Jordan Road was for sale, and that July, she, her husband, Bob, and their four sons purchased the property with close friends Dave and Kelly Engle.Ìý

Built in 1861, the Sinclair Chair Factory began in a basic brick building on Skaneateles Creek. Then, 10 years later, founder Francis Sinclair erected a second and third building to meet demand.Ìý

The factory made chairs through the 1940s, operating as the Sinclair Chair Factory, Sinclair-Allen Chair Works and Mottville Chair Works until a local pilot and heavy metal equipment operator purchased the property in 1943. Eventually, Carberry said, the buildings were bought by a man named Dave Mazzeo, who lovingly cared for the buildings for 20 years.Ìý

Since 2016, the Carberry and Engle families have worked hard to renovate the space, and on Aug. 5, 2017, the Sinclair at Skaneateles celebrated its first wedding at the facility. Last year, Carberry said, the venue hosted eight weddings; this year, it has booked 32.Ìý

In renovating the former factory, Carberry said, it was important to both families to maintain as much of the original structure as possible, including the stone walls, steel beams and large iron chains, which give the venue a unique industrial feel. They also spent the past two years buying hundreds of original Sinclair chairs, which are now used for receptions.Ìý

"We tried to keep as much history as intact as possible," Carberry said, noting that the families worked with contractors Doug Wood and Ron "Moses" McDonough and blacksmith Chandler Dickinson on the renovations. "When we got a big bunch (of chairs) at one point, we were almost in tears because it was like we were bringing the chairs home. These are the chairs that were built here, and it's all we use."Ìý

The Sinclair at Skaneateles uses the main three-story factory as its venue. The first two floors can seat up to 200 guests while the third floor is designated for the bride, and there is an outdoor arch and pews available for an on-site ceremony alongside Skaneateles Creek. Carberry said the facility also features an outdoor fire pit and lawn games, which creates a fun, open atmosphere for guests.Ìý

"We're really different," she said. "I think our venue encourages movement, which I like. I don't like going to a wedding where you're just sitting at a table. So I think because of the way we flow, everybody gets up and gets involved."Ìý

While the Sinclair primarily focuses on weddings, Carberry said the venue can also be used for showers, corporate workshops or birthday parties. And in the summer, the facility hosts a happy hour on Thursdays, featuring live music and food and beverages from the Potatoes & Molasses food truck and the Red Rooster.Ìý

In addition, the Sinclair rents out the original 1861 building to Gazella Training, Fitness & Yoga and uses the third building to provide office space to several businesses, including an architect, a psychiatrist, a psychologist and Clear Edge Filtration. And Carberry said the families continue to renovate the facility and come up with new ideas every day.

"This was our first full year ... and it was a learning experience," Carberry said. "We'll see how this year goes, but we're getting new ideas all the time. ... We love being here so much. It's like our second home."Ìý

AUBURNÌý— The city of Auburn is planning a project to replace the bridge over the Owasco River on State Street — and on Tuesday the public got a first look at the project.Ìý

The project will include replacing theÌýexisting 73-foot bridge with an 80-foot span that will "provide an additional 75-years of service life to the city of Auburn," according to a description of the project provided during a public meeting at Memorial City Hall. Reinforced concrete abutments will be constructed to support the new bridge.

"We are going to have to take the bridge out, there's no getting around it," Superintendent of Engineering Services Bill Lupien said. "It'll be out for a period of time. In the meantime, there will be detours."Ìý

Roads around the bridge will be repaved as well. According to the project description,Ìýthe project will begin at the intersection of State Street and Arterial West and end approximately 150 feet north of the bridge between West Garden Street and Wall Street.

A 6-foot-wide bike lane will be added on the northbound lane on State Street, leaving room for an 11-foot travel lane, as well as some on-street parking spaces outside Curley's restaurant, said Jeff Reina, an engineer with C&S Companies, who the city is working with to design the project. Southbound, there will be a 14-foot shared-used travel lane with an 11-foot right-turn lane, Reina said.Ìý

Additionally, 200 feet of road will be rehabilitated on West Garden Street and a pocket park will be constructed at the corner of State Street and West Garden Street. The pocket park will be constructed on a property that is currently designated as a brownfield and contains contaminated soil. Reina said those environmental issues will be remediated and the property will act as a node for the Owasco River Trail, which extends south on State and West Garden streets.ÌýÌý

Construction won't begin until the late summer or early fall of 2019, Reina said. The bridge will be closed for a portion of the construction, though Reina estimated that will not occur until the spring of 2020. The project is scheduled to be completed by fall 2020. During the road closure, vehicular traffic will be detoured around the bridge on North and Seymour streets. Pedestrian and bicycle traffic will be redirected on West Garden Street.Ìý

State Street detours

State Street vehicle detour

State Street pedestrian detour

The project has a budget of $5 million, 95-percent of which is funded through a grant from the BridgeNY Program. The city will be responsible for funding the remaining $250,000.Ìý

According to the project description, the State Street bridge is utilized by more than 6,400 vehicles per day, as well as "many" pedestrians and bicyclists.Ìý"Critical" water, electric, gas, telephone and cable lines also cross the river on the bridge.Ìý

Anyone with comments or questions about the project can contact Lupien at (315) 255-4129 or wlupien@auburnny.gov or Reina at (315) 455-2000 or jreina@cscos.com. 

Two years ago, Winky&Dutchy Inc., brought its business to central New York, moving much of the company to the village of Port Byron. Now, Winky&Dutch is making a different kind of move — this time to over 3,000 Walmart stores nationwide.Ìý

Last month, Winky&Dutch CEO Alice Globus visited Walmart headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, to pitch her products during the retail conglomerate's 5th Annual Open Call. The event is part of Walmart's commitment to purchase an additional $250 billion in products made, sourced or grown in the United States by 2023, giving dozens of American entrepreneurs shelf space at their stores each year.

This year, Winky&Dutch was one of them.Ìý

Founded in 1987, Winky&Dutch started in a machine shop in New York City, where Alice's father, engineer Ronald Globus, had begun experimenting with photography, cameras and lenses. And it was while working with something called a venticular lens that Ron had an idea, and he began making "winkies," charms that looked like little buttons with eyes that moved back and forth.Ìý

Since then, the company has amassed quite a collection of products, including handcrafted metal charm bracelets, earrings, necklaces and cufflinks that feature more than 800 unique, vintage images, and soon, some of those products will appear in the sewing and jewelry aisles at Walmart.Ìý

On June 13, Alice was one of more than 450 entrepreneurs invited to pitch products to Walmart buyers. According to Walmart's press office, Ìý

Alice compared the event to "speed dating," as businesses were assigned 30-minute slots to meet with different buyers. Then, she said, there was round two in which the businesses set up tables and buyers walked the floor to see what they liked.Ìý

Alice said Winky&Dutch focused on presenting its sew-on buttons, a "craft good item" intended for Walmart's sewing section. It was ultimately one of eight New York companies to be selected on the spot, and it was all due to the company's new patent-pending technology.

"As exciting as buttons can get, for the fashion industry, having the ability to wash your clothing is huge," Alice said. "Some buttons can't even be hand washed or dry cleanedÌý— you have to physically remove them before washing. ... What makes ours special is we can wash them."

For the past two to three years, Alice said, Winky&Dutch had been toying with technology to make their buttons machine washable. Historically, she said, plastic buttons or charms have used an adhesive like glue to secure the image inside, which meant the product could not get wet.Ìý

Then, earlier this year, the small business finally figured it out, and Winky&Dutch filed for a patent in June.Ìý

Alice said she believed Walmart buyers were impressed with their new technology as the company brought in its compliance department to make sure the product worked. When it was clear that the buttons were, in fact, machine washable, Winky&Dutch was asked to be a new Walmart supplier.Ìý

But as it turned out, Alice said, buttons were just the beginning.Ìý

"We showed examples of how the buttons could be usedÌý— on jackets and pillows and different items, and one of the buyers saw what our items looked like and asked if we had any charms (for the craft jewelry aisle)," Alice said. "Then, a third option opened up with the lawn and garden department, and we talked about doing buttons on cushions and pillows."Ìý

Currently, Alice said Winky&Dutch is finalizing the paperwork to begin selling packs of buttons and charms at Walmart next spring. Talks are still in the works with the lawn and garden department.Ìý

According to Alice, Walmart restocks their shelves once a week, and with an agreement to stock at least 3,000 stores and , Winky&Dutch will be plenty busy building up inventory to meet demand. She said the company will begin hiring more people to meet production, which could mean the creation of up to 20 part- and full-time positions in Port Byron.

"We're very ecstatic that they were interested in our product and they want multiple items in their store," she said. "It's been a lot of work, but it's been a fun and exciting and pleasurable experience to work with Walmart."Ìý

Gov. Andrew Cuomo will visit Auburn Friday to make a "special announcement," according to an invitation obtained by мÓƶà¶à¿ª½±¼Ç¼.Ìý

Cuomo is scheduled to appear at 2 p.m. at Auburn Public Theater, 8 Exchange St. The invitation doesn't contain any details about the reason for his visit.Ìý

One possible explanation for the gubernatorial appearance: The $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative. The city submitted an application for the third round of the competition, which awards a multi-million grant to one municipality in each of the state's 10 economic development regions.Ìý

Auburn has applied for the grant in each of the first three years of the contest, but lost out to 2016 winner Oswego and Cortland, which won the prize last year.Ìý

The city's proposal for the Downtown Revitalization Initiative includes $1.5 million for improvements to East Hill Family Medical Center, $1.2 million for a joint city-county public safety facility, $1.1 million for an arts campus on the city's west end, $700,000 for the development of 1-7 State Street and $300,000 for Auburn Public Theater's expansion project.Ìý

Cuomo's appearance will be his first in Cayuga County since May 2017, when he visited Emerson Park in Owasco to announce state approval of Owasco Lake drinking water system upgrades.Ìý

Prior to that swing through the Auburn area, he hadn't visited Cayuga County in three years. In 2014, he hosted the on Owasco Lake and headlined a reception after the tournament.Ìý

Cuomo is up for re-election this year. The Democrat is seeking a third term as governor. He is facing a primary challenge from fellow Democrat Cynthia Nixon. The Republican gubernatorial nominee is Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro.Ìý

When Cuomo campaigned for governor in 2010, he traveled around the state in an RV. One of his stops was at Auburn Public Theater.Ìý

An Auburn man is facing criminal charges for stealing another man's cell phone Tuesday night, the Auburn Police Department said.

Nicholas A. Viola, 27, of 36 Franklin St., Auburn, was picked up on a warrant July 25 and charged with third-degree robbery resisting arrest and violating parole.

Auburn Deputy Police Chief Roger Anthony said Viola knocked on a man's door on Cottage Street and asked to use the man's phone. After using and returning the phone, Viola asked the victim for money, Anthony said. Anthony said that after the victim reached for his wallet, Viola stole the phone and attempted to take the wallet. The victim chased Viola on foot, took the phone back and called the police. Police later found Viola on Dewey Street, but he resisted arrest, Anthony said.Ìý

Viola was arraigned at Auburn City Court Wednesday and was remanded to the Cayuga County Jail with no bail or bond.

AUBURNÌý— Nearly 100 people walked more than a half mile Sunday, from the Seward House Museum gardens to the Fort Hill Cemetery and back, for the Harriet Tubman Booster's third-annual Strawberry Stroll for Harriet Tubman.

From the gardens, participantsÌý— some for the first time, others patronsÌý— made their way alongÌýon Westlake Avenue to the cemetery to visit Tubman's grave site. Once gathered there, Tubman's great-great-grandniece Pauline Copes Johnson honored the local abolitionist with a tribute.

"Harriet was a very courageous woman ... a stubborn rebel," Johnson said. "When she escaped, she escaped by herself the first time."

Johnson went on to explain that Tubman returned first to help free family from slavery, but then went on to take numerous trips between New York and the South to free many others.

"But she was never caught. ... She never took the same route," Johnson said. "And I am so glad she did that. ... She was not afraid of anyone."

Johnson then shared some news she recently discovered herself. The home she lives in now, previously owned be her mother and father, was once owned by the woman who served as the superintendent for Tubman's Home for the Aged.

Before moving on from Tubman's grave to William H. Seward's graveÌý— a new stop in the stroll this yearÌý— Jacqueline Harris expressed a tribute to Tubman in song.

"Harriet's living was not in vain. She tried to help somebody as she traveled along life's way," Harris sang near the end of the song.

The crowed applauded and some shouted out "hallelujah" and "amen" before migrating to Seward's grave.

Allison Hinman, the Seward House Museum's director of development, shared a few words connecting Seward and Tubman.

Hinman explained how Seward's house was a stop on the underground railroad, although it was illegal, and in the 1850s TubmanÌý— a spy for the union army at the timeÌý— left Margaret Stewart, a young girl she'd rescued, to live with and be raised by Seward's wife, Frances, and her sister.

Later, Seward, in his position of as U.S. secretary of state, petitioned Congress so that Harriet Tubman would receive a military pension for her years of service during the Civil War. Hinman shared that Seward said these words of Tubman: "I have known her long and a nobler, higher spirit or a truer, seldom dwells in a human form."

Back at the museum's gardens, strawberry shortcake was served to all the guests. Harriet Tubman Boosters President Laurel Ullyette explained that the theme was chosen because in the late 19th century, strawberry festivals had become "synonymous with African American emancipation and family and community celebrations."

While shortcake was enjoyed, presentations continued.

The Genesee Elementary Harriet Tubman Singers performed an original composition titled "Bridge to Freedom" lauding Tubman.

"You risked your life for others underneath the midnight sky," a handful of students sang. "We're thankful for everything you did for us all, you were the bridge to freedom."

Before closing the event, Barbara Ortiz Howard, Founder of Women on 20sÌý— the organization that inspired the event to start to show support for the effort to put Tubman on the $20 billÌý— shared a few words.

"Our movement was to have women be seen and have our rights respected," Howard said. She added that in the pursuit of equal rights for all people, Tubman is a perfect example of dedication and focus.

"We are doomed if we are divided or distracted," she said.

Gallery: Strawberry stroll for Harriet Tubman

Strawberry stroll for Harriet Tubman

Strawberry stroll for Harriet Tubman

Strawberry stroll for Harriet Tubman

Strawberry stroll for Harriet Tubman

Strawberry stroll for Harriet Tubman

Strawberry stroll for Harriet Tubman

Strawberry stroll for Harriet Tubman

Strawberry stroll for Harriet Tubman

Strawberry stroll for Harriet Tubman

Strawberry stroll for Harriet Tubman

Strawberry stroll for Harriet Tubman

Strawberry stroll for Harriet Tubman

Strawberry stroll for Harriet Tubman

Strawberry stroll for Harriet Tubman

An Auburn man is facing criminal charges for allegedly assaulting a woman in a domestic dispute earlier this month, according to the Auburn Police Department.

Auburn Deputy Police Chief Roger Anthony saidÌýGary A. Hamm, 29, of 290 Grant Ave., Apt. 6., was picked up on a warrant July 24 and charged with second-degree burglary, fourth-degree criminal mischief and second-degree unlawful imprisonment.Ìý

Hamn was in the woman's apartment onÌýSchwartz Drive on July 16 after previously being told to not be there by the victim, Anthony said, and struck the victim and put a pillow over her face. The victim broke free and tried to use her phone to call 911 but Hamm tried to take the phone from her, Anthony said. The victim called the police shortly after Hamm left, Anthony said.

Hamm was arraigned in Auburn City Court Wednesday and remanded to Cayuga County Jail with no bail or bond.