Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Could your community work win Syracuse’s new $10,000 cultural prize?

You won't want to miss NYE Bash on the Syracuse Patch calendar

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Wednesday December 24th Patch AM
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Good morning Syracuse! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Could your community work win Syracuse’s new $10,000 cultural prize?
  • How will Syracuse’s $9.3M BRT buses change your daily commute?
  • Did your favorite Syracuse restaurant pass its latest health inspection?

Also on today's calendar: NYE Bash.

Find out what's happening in Syracusefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: I used to work in a doughnut shop. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Syracusefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Wednesday: Breezy in the morning; cloudy, with a high of 36 and low of 28 degrees.
  • Thursday: Cloudy; breezy in the p.m., temps: high: 36, low: 11. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Friday: Colder; afternoon snow, 1-2", with a high of 25 and low of 22 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. The Syracuse Prize: $10K award will go to one resident who has enriched the city — is it you? (syracuse.com) — A new $10,000 Syracuse Prize will honor one city resident whose work has significantly enriched Syracuse’s cultural life, with four additional finalists recognized at a 2026 ceremony. Eligible applicants include artists, educators, volunteers, and advocates who can show clear community impact. Syracuse residents have until January 25, 2026 to apply online.
   

2. Centro Secures $9.3M for New Buses in Syracuse (iheart.com) — Centro has secured a $9.3 million federal grant to buy nine new compressed natural gas buses for Syracuse’s upcoming Bus Rapid Transit lines. The X-shaped routes will link Syracuse University, Destiny USA, and Onondaga Community College with buses every 12–15 minutes. The redesign aims to speed up trips, especially for low-income riders without cars, by 2028.
   

3. Which food services passed or failed their health inspections? December 7 (localsyr.com) — Onondaga County’s latest restaurant inspections show that every food service checked from Dec. 7–13 passed, including many familiar spots in Syracuse neighborhoods and nearby suburbs. From downtown cafes and Westcott centers to Carrier Circle hotels, the clean bill of health covers dozens of places locals eat, shop, and gather.
   

4. Teens could be responsible for dozens of burglaries across Onondaga County (syracuse.com) — Law enforcement say a group of teenagers arrested Tuesday may be tied to 20 to 30 recent burglaries in Syracuse, Camillus, DeWitt and North Syracuse. Deputies used surveillance and license plate data to track suspects, recovering stolen property, guns and vehicles reported stolen from Syracuse. More charges are expected in the coming weeks.
   

5. Kantrowitz named interim Hendricks dean as Konkol steps down (dailyorange.com) — Syracuse University has named Associate Dean Rebecca Reed Kantrowitz as interim dean of Hendricks Chapel after Rev. Brian Konkol announced he’ll depart to lead Valparaiso University. Kantrowitz, an SU alum, will oversee Hendricks’ staff, budget, programs, food pantries and student support funds while the university conducts a search for a permanent dean this spring.
   

📸 Around Syracuse

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Syracuse

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

    Wednesday December 31
  • NYE Bash
    3 Destiny USA Dr , Syracuse
    4:00 pm

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • We, on the east side, have been asked to conserve water.
    I will share what I am doing, but am interested in knowing how others are conserving. My trick: Before I shower, I run the water from the bath… (Nextdoor DeWitt)
  • Hello Neighbors!!!
    This may seem like a weird request but it would absolutely mean the world to my daughter. She goes to Vanduyn Elementary and had Ms. Meaghan for… (Nextdoor Valley & W. Seneca NW)
  • TradeJobsWorkforce posted a job opening for United Airlines Ticket Counter Agent in Syracuse. Apply here.
  • SUNY Upstate Medical University posted a job opening for Night Shift Manager 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: I got tired of the hole business.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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