Auburn-area cannabis businesses raided, ordered to cease sales
Unlicensed cannabis dispensaries in the Auburn area were raided by law enforcement Tuesday and ordered by the state to cease sales.
A notice from the state Office of Cannabis Management was posted in the doors of I’m Stuck at 9 E. Genesee St. in downtown Auburn and the Weed Warehouse on Crane Brook Drive in Aurelius:
“Illicit cannabis has been seized and this location must immediately cease the sale of unapproved and unauthorized cannabis products.”
Another document posted in the doors said a state investigator observed the sale of “THC flower, edibles, pre-rolls and concentrates” at the businesses. A hearing is scheduled for July 14.
The Office of Cannabis Management did not immediately respond to a request for comment by The Citizen on Tuesday afternoon.
Owned by David Tulley, of Lyons, I’m Stuck and the Weed Warehouse opened in January and last year, respectively. Tulley owns another four locations of I’m Stuck in ayne County.
Yet another location of I’m Stuck opened in Fingerlakes Mall in April but was closed by mall management due to “lack of vision” the following month, Tulley told The Citizen afterward.
In text messages to The Citizen on Tuesday, Tulley said that he planned to fight the state’s enforcement actions, and that he has hired an attorney.
“They’re not shutting us down … I’m going to smack Albany in the face,” he said. “I am the new Al Capone. I am bigger than they are.”
Exploiting a loophole, Tulley advertised his businesses as “marketing firms.” They charged for consultations about cannabis products instead of the products themselves, technically making them gifts.
The state nonetheless sent Tulley cease-and-desist letters, but lacked the means to punish “gray market” shops like his until the state passed legislation in May raising the fine for unlicensed retail possession of cannabis from $500 to $7,500, among other measures. Enforcement actions since then, including one in Ithaca and Binghamton, have seized more than 1,000 pounds of cannabis.
“These illicit shops endanger the public’s health, safety and well-being with untested, unregulated products but also confuse the public as they try to perpetrate their businesses and products as licensed and sanctioned even though they are not. … These closures are necessary,” New York State Assembly Majority Leader Crystal People-Stokes said in a news release.
New York state, meanwhile, continues to license dispensaries after a nearly two-year delay to launch its legal cannabis market following the passage of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act in March 2021. The first licenses for dispensary applicants in the Finger Lakes region were issued June 16, and the first licensed dispensary in central New York opened this month in Syracuse.
‘A negative vibe’: How smoke shops have changed one area of Auburn
‘A negative vibe’: How smoke shops have changed one area of Auburn
David Tarala has worked on East Hil for 42 years.
Police trying to identify suspect in Cayuga County larceny
The Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying a person in relation to a recent larceny.
In a post Tuesday from the sheriff’s office’s Facebook page, the office said it needs help identifying a subject in some security video images relative to a larceny that happened in the town of Sennett June 27. The post does not specify where the larceny occurred, but the images show the person in a location that appears to have a large amount of wine bottles.
Those who know the subject or have information that could aid in the investigation are asked to call Deputy Jerry Field at (315) 294-8134. People can also send anonymous tips to cayugacounty.us/452/Send-a-Tip.
Auburn-area car dealership founder sentenced for tax fraud
AUBURN — A former Auburn used car dealership manager convicted of tax fraud has been ordered by a Cayuga County Court judge to pay back a total of $400,000 owd to the state.
Michael B. LoPiccolo, 52, was in front of Judge Thomas Leone for sentencing Thursday, facing a count of second-degree grand larceny and eight counts of tax fraud. LoPiccolo was the founder and general manager of LoPiccolo’s Auto Group. Cayuga County District Attorney Brittany Grome Antonacci said after court that LoPiccolo sold the business.
In court Thursday, Chief Assistant District Attorney Christopher Valdina said he wanted to comment on the seriousness of the crimes LoPiccolo was convicted of, noting the defendant owes a total of $400,000 to New York state. Valdina said it was determined LoPiccolo was collecting sales tax from auto sales but would withhold that money from the state and pocket it himself.
Valdina recommended LoPiccolo be sentenced under a previous agreement where he would receive five years of probation for the larceny count and also be sentenced to five years of probation for one of the tax fraud charges, in satisfaction of the other charges an with both sentences running concurrently. Adding that LoPiccolo has already paid back $25,000, Valdina said LoPiccolo would be paying $4,000 a month and would need to pay his remaining balance within that five year period.
“We’re trying to work with Mr. LoPiccolo (so he can) pay the money back,” Valdina said.
Rome Canzano, LoPiccolo’s attorney, said he was confident his client would pay off the restitution. When asked by Leone if he wanted to say anything on his own behalf, LoPiccolo declined.
The judge ultimately gave LoPiccolo the recommended sentence.
Also in court
• Timothy A. Alcock, 45, with a previously listed address of 61 E. Genesee St., Apt. 1, Auburn, was before Leone for sentencing Thursday, facing a charge of first-degree criminal contempt. As a previous agreement, he was sentenced to 1 and 1/2 to 3 years in state prison.
• Cole J. Chapman, 25, was sentenced to 1 1/3 to 4 years for both a third-degree criminal mischief charge and a third-degree robbery charge, wit the sentences running concurrently.
• Chanchhayavan T. Chourb, 32, was before Leone with a third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance count and a fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance count. For the third-degree possession charge, he was sentenced to 12 years in state prison followed by three years of post-release supervision. He was sentenced to seven years in prison followed by three years of post-release supervision for the fourth-degree possession count.
• Ryan P. Clement, 37, was facing one count of third-degree grand larceny. He was sentenced to 3 1/2 to 7 years in state prison.
• Robert L. Rodgers, 54, was facing one count of third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. He was sentenced to years in state prison followed by two years of post-release supervision to be served as parole supervision.
• Rebecca M. Stevens, 44, with a previously address of 1851 Grant Blvd., Syracuse, was in front of Leone on a second-degree assalt charge. Due to a previously agreed-upon sentence, she was given shock probation, with the first six months in the Cayuga County Jail, followed by five years of probation.
• Mark Thompson, 29, was facing charges of second-degree criminal contempt, second-degree obstruction of government administration, two counts of fourth-degree criminal mischief and two counts of aggravated family offense. Due to a previous agreement, he was sentenced to 1 to 3 years in state prison for both family offense charges, with those running consecutively, totaling up to 2 to 6 years in state prison. He was sentenced to 364 days in the Cayuga County Jail for the contempt count, but that will merge with the other sentences.
Weedsport considering eight potential nicknames to replace “Warriors”
The Weedsport Central School District is one step closer to determining a replacement for its longtime Native American-based nickname.
At its board of education meeting on Monday, Weedsport approved a resolution t terminate the “Warriors” nickname and related imagery by June 30, 2025.
The school district also presented eight potential nicknames, and is seeking community input before making a final choice.
The choices are Centurions, Gators, Green Storm, Hawks, Shamrocks, Snapping Turtles, Waves and Woodchucks.
While determining a new nickname, the school district is asking the community to consider several determining factors for the new nickname, including a color scheme that complements the school district’s green and white theme, is relevant to the school and community, and has a quality of timelessness.
Weedsport will consider community input through July 7, and will accept emails at logo@weedsport.org.
New York state’s school districts were informed in a November memo from the education department that Native American-themed nicknames are prohibited. While initially unclear, it was determined in April by the Board of Regents that “Warriors” was among the nicknames included in the bn.
Weedsport committed to retiring its nickname in mid-April and conducted a community survey for potential candidates through early June.
School districts that failed to commit to removing Native American-themed nicknames by the end of this month risked losing state financial aid.
There are exceptions to the Native American nickname ban. School districts that receive a written agreement from a tribal nation allowing the nickname are exempt.
Weedsport is one of several schools in the Syracuse region that are affected by the ban. Clinton, Hannibal, Indian River, Liverpool, Morrisville-Eaton, Westhill and Whitesboro also used the “Warriors” nickname.
While Weedsport agreed on a resolution to eliminate its nickname, not all school districts followed suit. In a report from syracuse.com, Liverpool’s school board voted Monday to keep its “Warriors” nickname, arguing that the mascot depicts a Roman warrior.
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Bullish on biochar: Cayuga County farm shows manure tech to global audience
UNION SPRINGS — Farmers, manufacturers and scientists from around the globe recently gathered at a Union Springs dairy farm to observe New York state’s first cow manure biochar production, an effort to make fertilizers that heavily enrich soils without the drawbacks of traditional manure use.
“Just look at all the people here,” said Doug Young, co-founder of Spruce Haven Farm, who patiently fielded questions from more than 100 guests on Friday morning. “I’m thankful they decided to come. A woman from a country in Africa thanked me and said it was a real honor to be here.”
Spruce Haven, home to 2,000 Holstein dairy cows and heifers, has also been a proving ground for sustainable technologies.
“This system results in a 90 to 95 percent volume reduction of manure,” said Jff Hallowell, founder and CEO of Biomass Controls, a corporation that has pioneered development and use of environmentally friendly innovations. “It also provides the permanence of introducing carbon to the soil, which is excellent for the soil.”
The biochar process separates liquids from solids in the raw material, then heats the solids at very high temperatures – creating a black, pebble-like substance called biochar.
Farmers typically have to store manure for use as fertilizer, which takes up a great deal of space and can also result in release of carbon to the air. Used in fields directly as fertilizer, the biochar – as explained by Hallowell – keeps carbon in the soil where it can benefit plants rather than contribute to the earth’s greenhouse effect.
Methane gas captured is also an environmentally friendly heat source, he added, which can be integrated into other farm operations.
Friday’s event was part of a two-day program offered through the auspices of Cornell University clled Biochar Field Days, included presentations from the USDA and the American Farmland Trust.
Manure biochar
Dustin Young discusses manure biochar technology with Kofi Debrah of Kenya at Spruce Haven Farms in Union Springs on Friday.
John Kelly DeSantis, Special to The Citizen
According to organizers and attendees, there would be no danger of raw material shortages for creating biochar.
“There are 4.6 million cows in the U.S.,” said Dustin Young, son of Doug Young, with whom he operates the farm, along with his brother Luke and another partner.
Dustin Young noted that the technology can have important local impacts. “This will be an effective way to sequester carbon and keep phosphorous out of the Finger Lakes,” he said.
The farm’s focus on sustainability and being kind to the environment wherever possible, he said, are among chief reasons that he chose staying in the family business. Like his father, Dustin answered questions from various visitors after a short, formal presentaton was made by Hallowell and others.
Kofi Debran, an attendee who traveled to New York State from Ghana, and Jules Giuliano, who traveled from Atlanta, peppered Dustin with questions about the system.
“I love it,” Giuliano said, employing an interjection seldom heard during discussions of manure. “It is beautiful.”
Peter and Mandy Kjelle, natives of Denmark who operate plantations growing coconuts pineapple and citrus in Belize, said time spent at the farm was valuable for them.
“We would like to see how we can apply this technology to our operation,” Peter said.
One point frequently discussed was how biochar changes the practice of manure spreading. Currently, scientists at the event said, many farmers spread manure when their storage space for it becomes scarce. That can lead to overapplications and resulting pollution of water and other harmful results. Because the biochar is so compact, they explained, storage no longer becomes a problem, and the farmers can use the fertilizerwhen they see fit rather than when storage circumstances dictate.
Kathleen Draper, board chair of the International Biochar Initiative, nodded approvingly while observing the enthusiasm for the project displayed by visitors.
“It gives me hope,” she said. “Hope that there are practical available solutions to mitigate climate change and to address food security.”
Hallowell, an early supporter of modern biochar uses and its potential for application to manure, said the event demonstrated hope for the future.
“It’s the right thing to do,” he said of continuing development and research. “It is events like this where you can see how other people get excited it about it, that give you the energy to go on.”
Biochar
A sign at Spruce Haven farm’s biochar demonstration project explains how the process works.
Provided
