NORTH SUBURBS NEWS

Latest North Suburbs News, Events and Opinion

Phoenix, NY -- Divers were searching the Oswego River in Phoenix this morning for a man who bolted from the Phoenix police department after being charged with drunken driving.

Police have no indication that the man, James A. Kipp, 45, of county Route 54, Pennellville, dove into the river, said village Police Chief Rod Carr.

"We have to search it to be sure," Carr said.

Kipp was charged with driving while intoxicated and several other charges, Carr said.

While he was being booked overnight at the police station, located near the river, Kipp escaped, Carr said.

Brendan Pitts

About a million people will go to the New York State Fair this year, viewing more than 375 acres of animals, displays and exhibits.

But for teenagers like me, it's all about the midway.

"I spend all of my time at the midway," said Nick Vecchio, 17, of Lysander. "If you're a teenager, that's where you should be. It's as simple as that."

When I went to the fair on opening day, I was overwhelmed with all the options.

After checking out the butter sculpture, eating some Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, and visiting the various animals, I went to the midway.

Teenagers were everywhere, many of them screaming for joy on the rides. The air was electric.

I felt happy to be where I belonged, but I didn't know what I should do. Without a pass, rides cost about $4 or $5 each. I had to make some hard choices.

Which rides are good for those who want to enjoy a peaceful, lackadaisical setting? Which will make you feel like you are about to get thrown out of your seat? Which will make you scream until you lose your voice?

Teenagers have their views. Read them here.

David Lassman / The Post-StandardAllysa Hart (left) and Nicole Krisop both 14 years old from Perry , N.Y. ride the Himalaya on the midway at the New York State Fair.

Teenagers love the midway at the New York State Fair. They come to socialize and to see the bizarre shows. But the big draw is the rides.

There are 70 rides, and they're not cheap, according to George Weston, midway manager for Strates Shows. The least expensive one cost about $800,000, he said. The most expensive, Top Spin, cost $2.9 million. The most popular rides, he said, are KMG Fire Ball, Top Spin, Zyklon (a roller coaster) the Giant Ferris Wheeland Himalaya.

Which rides are best for thrill seekers? Which are best for screamers? We asked Central New York teenagers to weigh in.

Click the following rides for their reviews:
Enterprise
Himalaya
KMG Fire Ball (two reviews)
Top Spin (three reviews)
Wave Swing
Zipper

Here's more on teens and the state fair:
• Teens love the midway, by Brendan Pitts, a Baldwinsville senior
• Meet, or join the young writers contributing to The Post-Standard and Syracuse.com this year
• A video of the midway by staff videographer Peter Chen
• How much do the rides cost? Read on.

Photo by Chris Snyder, a senior at Westhill High SchoolLeanna Wilkins, 15, of Parish, rides the Top Spin on the midway of the New York State Fair

Glass

THE LOOK: One large cylinder with two rows of seats.

THE STORY:The loud music and flashing strobe lights could be heard and seen from across the midway. As the ride powered up, the hydraulic lift raised the ride high above the midway, creating a perfect view of the entire fairgrounds. Before I could take a breath, the ride dropped and swung like a pendulum, quickly getting enough momentum to spin us 360 degrees, bringing us upside down several times. After the first couple of swings, I could feel the fried dough from The Villa in my stomach.

When the ride came to a temporary stop, the operator asked if anyone wanted more, and of course the crowd cheered for more. It was time for the girls to scream one more time and listen to the music as you whirled past the loud speakers. The loud music continued as the ride finally came to a stop. More kids and teens boarded the ride as their parents and scared friends watched.

MY RATING: 5 stars out of 5.

-- Rob Glass, a senior at Cazenovia High School

Read on for two more reviews of Top Spin

North Syracuse school officials expect to send a $2.8 million transportation renovation project out to bid this week.

Staff photographer Al CampanieFile photo from April 2004 of North Syracuse Central schools director of Transportation, Mike Janisch, inside the old transportation department.

The school district purchased the former Roger Burdick car dealership on East Taft Road for $900,000 last year after voters approved the project.

Last week, the state Office of Facilities and Management Services sent the district a building permit to begin work.

Renovations will include office space, a training room and break room for bus drivers, bathrooms, an elevator and other building updates.

The school board plans to award the bid at the end of September.

Work will begin in October and be finished by April, said Jon Ward, assistant director of maintenance and operations for North Syracuse schools.

The district's transportation and food service departments will move from a building next door into their new building April 13, which is during spring break. They expect to be open for business April 20, Ward said.

"It (The move) will help with communication and efficiency because they'll all be in one location -- the dispatchers, the transportation director and the bus drivers," Ward said. "Right now, they're housed on the second floor of the mechanic's building right next door to the (former Roger Burdick) property on East Taft Road and there's no elevator. It's a much needed improvement for them. They'll have much nicer working quarters. And it will be accessible to everybody."

The old Roger Burdick's repair shop in the back of the building will be used as a small vehicle repair facility for pickup trucks and other school vehicles. The buses will continue to be repaired at the original transportation building.

Clay, NY -- A reverse 911 call was sent this afternoon to residents of a Clay neighborhood along Morgan Road after a man eluded deputies who came with a warrant to arrest him on assault charges, authorities said.

The man, who was not identified, fled deputies sometime before 3 p.m. A precautionary reverse 911 call was made to area residents. He was captured shortly after 3 p.m., a 911 dispatcher said.

Breakfast and lunch are going to cost Liverpool students a little more this school year.

The school board Tuesday night approved a 25-cent increase for breakfast and lunch.

Breakfast will now cost $1.25, instead of $1.

Elementary students will now pay $1.90 for lunch, instead of $1.65.

And students in seventh through 12th grades will pay $2.15 for lunch, instead of $1.90.

"The cost of fuel is affecting school food service programs all over the nation," said Katie Phillips, assistant superintendent for administrative services.

First United Methodist Church in Baldwinsville presents "First Fest" at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 7 in the church's fellowship hall at 17 W. Genesee St.

The event will give visitors and members alike a first-hand look at the many ministries of the church. It will also provide the opportunity for children and adults to sign up for Sunday School classes, which begin Sept. 14.

There will be appetizers and snacks at each group's booth, followed by a hot dog lunch at 11:30 a.m. Everything is free, and the public is invited.

The church's regular schedule resumes Sept. 14 with worship at 9 a.m. in the sanctuary, a contemporary worship service at 10:30 a.m. in the chapel, and fellowship at 10 a.m. Classes for children of all ages, and adults, follow the 9 a.m. service.

For additional information, call Jeff Hodge at 635-6442.