Each week, syracuse.com will look back at some of our most important and valuable journalism from the previous week. Here are six stories for the week of Dec. 14, 2025.
Syracuse issued over 21,000 tickets for speeding and red-light violations in school zones in November, generating potential revenue exceeding $1 million. The city retains 65% ($650,000) of the ticket revenue, while the camera operating company receives 35% ($350,000). Following a grace period with warnings, the number of speeding violations decreased by about 60% from October to November as drivers adjusted to the new enforcement measures.
Anonymous couple leaves $1,000 Christmas tips at two Syracuse diners (video)
Two waitresses in Syracuse received unexpected holiday gifts while serving a couple who ordered modest breakfasts. Each time, the couple left a sealed envelope containing $1,000 in cash with a message, “Happy Holidays.” The first gift occurred at Dee’s Diner, where waitress Joyce Chapman was overwhelmed by the generosity and planned to share the money with colleagues in need. The second act of kindness happened at Mother’s Cupboard, where Patricia Yager found a similar envelope after serving the couple, expressing her intentions to use the money to buy gifts for others.
Repairing the broken water transmission line may take longer than the initially estimated two weeks due to the complexities involved. Conservation efforts have stabilized the water supply, with daily usage reduced from 5 million to approximately 3.5 million gallons, crucial for maintaining supply levels. Support from neighboring areas, such as Syracuse and Oneida, is providing additional water supplies to affected regions. The village of Manlius and northern parts of Pompey are at the highest risk of losing water supply due to their distance from alternative water sources…