Archive for category: Frontpage Article

At 25th Adoption Day Gathering, a ‘Founding Father’ Finds a Roomful of Children, Love and Meaning

by Sean Kirst (November 24, 2025) — Story references Syracuse Firefighter Dave Johnson

Up in the front, prominent family court judges at a massive head table offered words of gratitude Friday to dozens of about-to-happen adoptive families, seated throughout a packed Oncenter conference hall.

In the back — where many women and men were watching on their feet, part of the standing-room-only spillover of a crowd of easily 500 — Eva Mroczek weaved through the pack, an infant who would soon formally become her daughter in her arms, looking for a guy she wanted the chance to thank.

When Eva spotted anyone she knew within the tight Syracuse adoption community — which was a lot of people — she would ask: “Have you seen Kevin Harrigan?” …

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Honorable Retiree of the Syracuse Fire Department,

On September 11, 2001, at 8:46 a.m. on a clear Tuesday morning, an American Airlines Boeing 767 loaded with 20,000 gallons of jet fuel crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. The impact left a gaping, burning hole near the 80 th floor of the 110-story skyscraper, instantly killing hundreds of people and trapping hundreds more on higher floors.

As the evacuation of the tower and its twin got underway, television cameras broadcast live images of what initially appeared to be a freak accident. Then, 17 minutes after the first plane hit, a second Boeing 767—United Airlines Flight 175—appeared out of the sky, turned sharply toward the World Trade Center, and sliced into the south tower near the 60th floor. The collision caused a massive explosion that showered burning debris over surrounding buildings and onto the streets below. It immediately became clear that America was under attack.

You are cordially invited to attend as the City of Syracuse observes 17 minutes of silence on Thursday, September 11, 2025. The ceremony will be held at Forman Park, located at 717 E. Genesee St. between E. Genesee St., Almond St., and Forman Ave. in Downtown Syracuse, with opening remarks at 8:30 a.m. Please RSVP to cbalduzzi@syr.gov by Thursday, September 4th.

Sincerely,

Michael J. Monds
Chief of Fire

Letter from Chief of Fire, Michael J. Monds

You are cordially invited to attend the Syracuse Fire Department 2025 Awards & Promotions Ceremony on Wednesday, June 11 at 5:00 PM at the National Veterans Resource Center (101 Waverly Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13224). Immediately following the ceremony, Local 280 will host a reception at the upper level of this location. Please help us to recognize the brave members of the Syracuse Fire Department for their exemplary service to the department and the Syracuse community.

Please RSVP the number attending (including yourself) by Wednesday, June 4th by e-mailing cbalduzzi@syr.gov.

Michael Monds, Chief of Fire

Join the brothers of Syracuse and other New York State Fire Departments for the 18th Annual SFD Bass Tournament. The Syracuse Fire Department 2025 Bass Tournament will take place on Tuesday, June 17th on Oneida Lake (just north of Syracuse, NY).

Cash prizes for – TOP 5 BASS/BOAT – LUNKER BASS – LARGEST WALLEYE, plus drawings for many great door prizes. The entry fee is $50/person, and includes:

• 2024 Event T-shirt
• BBQ dinner catered at the Arrowhead Lodge

Contact Jay Smithers at 315-450-5890 or jaysmithers1@yahoo.com. Mail checks to 8242 US Rte. 20 Manlius NY 13104. Venmo- SMI-Jay (include all last names in the note).

This event is restricted to NY professional firefighters, both active and retired, and their friends and family members. Each boat must have at least one professional firefighter to participate, and each person is required to register.  You may enter the top 5 bass caught in your boat only. The weigh-in will be conducted at Oneida Shores County Park boat launch. http://www.onondagacountyparks.com/oneida.

To preserve the resources of our waters, catch and release is encouraged. A penalty of 2oz for each “dead” fish entered will be deducted off the total weight. However, it is your choice if you decide to keep your fish for consumption after the weigh in.

Live or artificial bait may be used. Remember that you must keep your receipt for any live baitfish. NYS DEC will request proof of purchase if your boat is inspected.