Destiny USA preps for Regal Cinemas construction, closure of Margaritaville

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Destiny USA says Regal Cinemas is set for $15 million remodel that will update the entire facility, and at the same time, the Margaritaville restaurant/bar will be closing with its lease expiration. Both were part of a Wednesday announcement outlining what Destiny USA is expecting in the year ahead. It describes itself […]

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Both were part of a Wednesday announcement outlining what Destiny USA is expecting in the year ahead. It describes itself as New York state’s largest shopping, dining, and entertainment destination.

Destiny USA called Margaritaville “a treasured part” of the mall’s offerings during the past 10 years, and its upcoming departure is “part of the normal course of business.”

“This is a common occurrence in our business, unfortunately sometimes tenants close. The good news is we are continually adding new tenants to the center and are always enhancing our tenant mix,” Stephen Congel, CEO of Pyramid Management Group, said in the Destiny USA announcement. “Destiny USA continues to perform exceptionally well, thanks to our unique combination of retail, dining, and entertainment. We are in the process of bringing in exciting new tenants and are very optimistic about the future.”

Destiny USA cited Margaritaville as being among a few long-term leases that will conclude in early 2025, but it didn’t name the other affected tenants.

New tenants

Besides the Regal Cinemas project, Destiny USA announced several new additions that it believes will enhance its shopping, dining, and entertainment offerings.

They include Barnes & Noble, which opened in 2024; American Eagle, which renewed its lease for seven years with a store remodel coming soon; and Victoria’s Secret, which also recently renewed its lease for five years with a store remodel, which is currently underway.

The offerings also include Indoor Pickleball, a 40,000-square-foot facility that will be under construction later this spring; Virtual Reality Concept, a 14,000-square-foot venue that will be under construction in early spring; and Charcoal Grill and Modern Buffet, which is a new buffet restaurant that is coming to the mall’s Canyon area.

In addition, JD Sports, which is known for its innovative athletic footwear and apparel, will hold a grand opening on Saturday morning, beginning at 10 a.m.

“Destiny USA continues to thrive with a vibrant mix of retail, dining, and entertainment options,” Michael Gately, general manager at Destiny USA, contended in the announcement. “We are excited about the new tenants joining our center in 2025 and remain committed to providing exceptional experiences for all our guests.”

Capital Region auto dealer sentenced for $160K in sales-tax theft

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COLONIE, N.Y. — An Albany–area car-dealership business owner has been sentenced for stealing more than $160,000 in sales taxes by underreporting more than $2 million in taxable sales. That’s according to a Friday, Jan. 24 announcement from New York Attorney General Letitia James and Acting Commissioner of the New York State Department of Taxation and

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CNY Community Foundation wins $400K grant for lead-poisoning prevention efforts

Nonprofits, Education & Training, Energy, Environment & Sustainability, Featured, Health Care, New York News

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Central New York Community Foundation’s LeadSafeCNY initiative will use a $400,000 grant to support the LeadSafeCNY coalition’s outreach and community engagement

Tracy Wimmer

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Former Candor mayor admits to stealing money from Tioga County village

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CANDOR, N.Y. — The man who once served as mayor of the Village of Candor in Tioga County has admitted he stole more than $23,000 from the village government. New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and the New York State Police announced Eric Halstead’s guilty plea on Jan. 10. As part of his plea, Halstead

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Hamilton College receives $750K grant to establish American Indian and indigenous studies program

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CLINTON, N.Y. — Hamilton College has received a $750,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation to establish a program in American Indian and indigenous studies (AIIS). The college says it will help it fulfill one of its original missions to provide an immersive and inclusive education in American Indian and indigenous studies and amplify its efforts

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CLINTON, N.Y. — Hamilton College has received a $750,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation to establish a program in American Indian and indigenous studies (AIIS).

The college says it will help it fulfill one of its original missions to provide an immersive and inclusive education in American Indian and indigenous studies and amplify its efforts to build a sustainable partnership and collaboration with the Oneida Indian Nation, Hamilton College announced.

The grant funding will support course development, cultural programming, and collaborative research between faculty, students, and members of the Oneida Indian Nation. It will also offer the resources to integrate indigenous knowledge systems, history, and contemporary issues into the college’s curriculum.

If approved by the faculty, the AIIS program will become Hamilton’s 59th area of study.

“This renewed partnership is grounded in shared history, mutual respect, and a commitment to education and cultural understanding,” Nathan Goodale, Hamilton College’s associate VP for academic affairs said in the announcement. “Hamilton College and the Oneida Indian Nation are uniquely positioned to bring forward narratives that challenge dominant historical frameworks, highlight indigenous perspectives, and inspire thoughtful dialogue about the future of America.”

Goodale co-leads the initiative with Brianna Burke, faculty fellow in native and indigenous students and visiting associate professor of environmental studies.

Key elements of the initiative include hiring two new faculty members and annual grants for course development to existing faculty along with summer research projects, internships, and annual events in partnership with the Oneida Indian Nation. Programs outside the classroom will begin with an indigenous film festival in 2025, a truth and reconciliation series in 2026, and a resilience and sovereignty speaker series in 2027.

The grant will also fund the creation of an AIIS programming coordinator, preferably an Oneida Nation member, to support ongoing collaborations between the college and the Nation.

Hamilton College was founded in 1793 as a school for local American Indian and colonial settler children on land originally given by Oneida Indian Chief Shenendoah to Rev. Samuel Kirland. When the then Hamilton-Oneida Academy became Hamilton College in 1812, it became focused solely on settler youth, omitting any commitment to educating indigenous youth, the announcement stated.

Dean Ngonidzashe Munemo, who arrived at Hamilton College in 2022, made establishing a program dedicated to American Indian and indigenous studies a priority.

New CEO of HOA starts position in mid-February

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DeWITT, N.Y. — Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY (HOA) is getting ready for a leadership transition in mid-February. HOA has appointed Jennifer Pichoske as its next CEO, effective Feb. 15. She will succeed the retiring Maryann Roefaro, who has served as CEO since 2002, the health-care provider specializing in oncology and hematology announced. Described as a

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DeWITT, N.Y. — Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY (HOA) is getting ready for a leadership transition in mid-February.

HOA has appointed Jennifer Pichoske as its next CEO, effective Feb. 15. She will succeed the retiring Maryann Roefaro, who has served as CEO since 2002, the health-care provider specializing in oncology and hematology announced.

Described as a “long-time member of the HOA family,” Pichoske has filled “progressively responsible” leadership roles in the organization since 2012 when she became the director of nursing. In 2020, she became chief clinical officer, and in 2023, began serving as HOA’s COO.

Pichoske’s nearly 30 years of experience in hematology and oncology care also include serving as a nurse practitioner at HOA, as an instructor at the Crouse Hospital School of Nursing in Syracuse, and as a hematology/oncology nurse practitioner and nurse in Buffalo.

“As a leader for HOA, [Pichoske] has driven innovation, operational excellence and patient advocacy efforts, and we are thrilled to have her as our new CEO,” Dr. Tarek Sousou, president of the board of directors at HOA, said in a statement. “Her deep industry knowledge and visionary leadership will be instrumental in continuing our mission to provide the highest level of quality care in a healing environment for the mind, body and spirit of patients dealing with cancer and blood disorders.”

Pichoske said she’s “excited and honored” to take on the new role.

“I look forward to continue working with the talented team at HOA to build on our organization’s strong foundation to drive continued ground-breaking therapies, expand our reach and create the highest quality caring environment for our patients, their loved ones and our employees,” she added.

Roefaro

When HOA acknowledged its 40th anniversary three years ago, its online announcement included this comment from CEO Roefaro, “In 40 years of operation, HOA has expanded services and improved care, but our founding principles remain unchanged: to care for patients’ mental, emotional, and physical well-being. That mission propels our every decision.”

Roefaro’s time as CEO also included the opening of a new cancer center at 5490 Cobbler Way in the town of Camillus in September 2024. The new 21,000-square-foot center replaces and expands upon HOA’s previous Onondaga Hill location.

“We are excited to bring this new Comprehensive Cancer Center to the CNY community,” Roefaro said in a statement at the time. “Providing our patients with the best possible care includes a modern, spacious location close to their homes where they can conveniently and cost-effectively receive all their cancer care.”

Established in 1982, Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY is a private community cancer center that provides care for those dealing with cancer and blood disorders. A member of the Community Oncology Alliance, HOA has offices in Auburn, Camillus, and DeWitt.

Work begins on Binghamton apartment-complex renovations

Construction, Design & Real Estate, Law, Accounting & Taxes, Nonprofits, Southern Tier

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — Town and Country Apartments will be renovated in a $94 million project that includes full electrification of the 22-building, 256-unit housing development,

Utica woman- and minority-owned businesses can apply for grant funding

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BAE providing actuator control units for JetZero

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