Before he killed his parents, Upstate NY man terrorized his girlfriend: ‘I felt like I was dying’

Before he killed his parents, Upstate NY man terrorized his girlfriend: ‘I felt like I was dying’

For months before he killed his parents, Justin Sislo physically and psychologically abused his girlfriend with relentless brutality.

The abuse — broken bones, burns and terror — was so bad she twice attempted suicide to escape the torture. By the end of it all, she had 32 fractures in her ribs. She thought he would kill her, she told police.

Instead, Sislo last week murdered his parents, Steve Sislo and Donna Walker-Sislo, in their home in the rural town of Madison. He then fatally shot himself.

newyorkupstate.com
u/syracusedotcom — 7 days ago

Dad found guilty of drowning 9-year-old daughter, hiding body in Upstate NY

Luciano Frattolin, 46, was convicted Monday by a jury Monday of second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse in the death of Melina Frattolin. According to the CBC, he kept a neutral expression, shaking his head slightly, as the verdict was read.

Frattolin called 911 on July 19 last year and said his daughter went missing from a parking lot near Lake George while vacationing in the Adirondacks region. He claimed two men forced the child into a white van, according to New York State Police.

An Amber Alert was issued, but police later concluded there was no abduction after finding inconsistencies in Frattolin’s story. Melina’s body was found in the shallow water of a pond off a state highway in Ticonderoga; the remains had been concealed with a rock near a fallen tree.

newyorkupstate.com
u/syracusedotcom — 8 days ago
▲ 551 r/DebateVaccines+1 crossposts

What Trump’s latest vaccine rollback means for New York’s schoolkids

President Donald Trump’s executive order Monday to downsize and spread out the number of vaccinations will have no effect on what’s required for New York’s schoolchildren.

There’s actually only one vaccine on New York’s required list that is no longer on the federal list: the hepatitis B vaccine.

At the federal level, that vaccine is now recommended only for high-risk groups or with parental consent.

newyorkupstate.com
u/syracusedotcom — 8 days ago
▲ 157 r/FishingNY+1 crossposts

If you see this voracious fish-eating seabird in NY, report it

Sightings of double-crested cormorants, a voracious fish-scarfing seabird, have lately been on the rise in New York’s Great Lakes region, particularly in Sodus Bay, causing concern among anglers and residents of lakeshore communities.

newyorkupstate.com
u/syracusedotcom — 8 days ago

Syracuse film seeks mid-century home with ‘warmth’ as main location

Producers of an independent feature film are searching for a Central NY home with Mid-century or 1970s-inspired architecture to serve as a primary location for filming from mid-September through October.

Contact Emily Campbell, location manager, at syrfilmlocations@gmail.com with a brief description of your property, including several current photos of the interior and exterior.

newyorkupstate.com
u/syracusedotcom — 13 days ago

Downtown eatery geared toward training people with disabilities to open this fall

A longtime area restaurateur is reviving a decades-old downtown eatery geared toward training people with disabilities to earn their way into the food business.

Marty Richardson will bring her second E.A.T. (Eggs and Toast) concept to the revamped Chimes Building on South Salina Street. The breakfast and lunch spot is scheduled to open this fall across the street from the Salt City Market (which doesn’t open until lunch). Hours will be 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Richardson is already the owner of four other restaurants, including the original E.A.T. on Onondaga Hill.

This place will be different.

She’s partnering with AccessCNY to hire employees with disabilities. AccessCNY ran the nonprofit Provisions Bakery, which provided workplace training in Armory Square for 32 years before shutting down at the beginning of the pandemic.

u/syracusedotcom — 15 days ago

Howe Caverns: The mesmerizing underground world that’s been captivating families since 1842

A national treasure, Howe Caverns has kept itself remarkably refreshing, new and exciting ever since Ol’ Lester Howe stumbled upon a hidden hole in his pasture on May 22, 1842, while out looking for a wandering cow named Millicent. This is a list of some of what you can expect.

newyorkupstate.com
u/syracusedotcom — 15 days ago

After 20 years away, Tori Amos brought Syracuse fans to their feet with a performance that felt like coming home

Full concert review and photos from her Landmark Theatre performance.

newyorkupstate.com
u/syracusedotcom — 16 days ago

This Central NY county is among worst 20 in the state for hunger

Oswego County was among the top 20 in the state for hunger overall and hunger among kids in 2024, according to new data.

A total of 14% of all people in Oswego County were considered food insecure in 2024. Among children, the rate was 19.1%.

newyorkupstate.com
u/syracusedotcom — 16 days ago

Change of Pace is officially for sale after 44 years

After more than four decades, Change of Pace on Grant Boulevard is up for sale for $750,000.

Owners Steve Grilli and Bob Brazell, who bought the restaurant in 1982, say they're ready to retire but hope the next owner keeps the neighborhood sports bar's traditions alive. Along with the business, they're willing to pass along the recipes, memorabilia and staff to help make the transition.

u/syracusedotcom — 20 days ago

More than a place to walk your dog, Syracuse's only arboretum receives international recognition

When Stephen Harris became chief arborist for the City of Syracuse in 2010, the James Pass Arboretum, a nearly 100-year-old park in the city’s Tipperary Hill neighborhood, didn’t quite live up to its title as an arboretum.

“At that time it seemed that James Pass Arboretum management was mostly about tree removals,” Harris said. “It didn’t seem like there had been much proactive management or additions to the arboretum leading up to that.”

But thanks to recent improvements, James Pass Arboretum is now an internationally recognized arboretum. Phase I included planting new species to support local biodiversity, tree labeling, the creation of outdoor ‘classrooms’ and walking path upgrades to improve accessibility and safety. Phase II of improvements begins this fall.

newyorkupstate.com
u/syracusedotcom — 20 days ago

This abandoned school in the Catskills could get new life as a wellness resort with 3 restaurants

*Thanks to everyone calling out the location! The heading cannot be changed, but will make sure to edit everywhere else.

Copake, a tiny town along the Taconic Mountains and minutes from the Massachusetts border, is considering a proposal to transform the historic Roeliff Jansen Central School into a hotel and wellness resort.

Property plans filed with the Town of Copake state the proposed Roeliff Jansen Hotel and Wellness Resort would include:

  • three restaurants (one fine-dining spot, a cafe and “wellness” grill);
  • a 400-seat theater;
  • two bars (one cocktail bar, one taproom);
  • spa facilities;
  • a gym, pilates studio and yoga studio;
  • a farm store with a greenhouse;
  • a bakery and ice cream shop;
  • and pools, hot tubs, saunas, tennis and pickleball courts.

Full story.

u/syracusedotcom — 20 days ago
▲ 18 r/upstate_new_york+1 crossposts

Syracuse swimming guide: Find Central New York lakes and waterfalls open for public swims

This weekend is a warm one.

💧 Whether you need some fun in the sun, a place for kids to burn off energy or relief from a too-warm house, there are many pools, beaches and waterfalls within 60-90 minutes of Syracuse.

We’ve rounded up public swimming areas worth checking out. Dive into our list and don’t forget your sunscreen: https://www.thisiscny.com/living/2026/07/guide-to-central-new-yorks-lakes-and-waterfalls-open-for-public-swimming.html

u/syracusedotcom — 20 days ago

This Adirondacks gem was just named one of America’s most beautiful lake towns

It's easy to love Lake Placid. 🩵 The Adirondack gem with Mirror Lake at its heart has been named one of America’s 10 most beautiful lake towns by Travel + Leisure. Read the full story.

What's your favorite thing to do in Lake Placid?

u/syracusedotcom — 21 days ago
▲ 10 r/Buffalo

Comedy, psychics and Chautauqua Lake: 12 reasons to visit this Upstate NY county

Just south of Buffalo sits Chautauqua County, home to a little bit of everything, including a village of spiritual mediums, the National Comedy Center, historic utopian communities and an amusement park from the Gilded Age.

newyorkupstate.com
u/syracusedotcom — 22 days ago
▲ 353 r/upstate_new_york+1 crossposts

Remains found in Florida canal identified as Upstate NY woman missing for 41 years

According to the Cape Coral Police Department, human remains were discovered in May 2024 by kayakers in a canal in Cape Coral, Florida. Two years later, the department’s Violent Crimes Unit used DNA to confirm the remains belonged to Rose Marie Gayhart.

Gayhart, of Dansville, N.Y., was 23 years old when she disappeared in 1985. She was known to be living and working in the Cape Coral/North Ft Myers area at the time, cops said.

newyorkupstate.com
u/Bodhidharma33 — 22 days ago

This Finger Lake supplies nearly half of Central NY’s drinking water, but it’s aging at an alarming rate

As the easternmost Finger Lake, Otisco Lake is not only a physical outlier, but it also contains higher phosphorus levels than every other Finger Lake except Honeoye Lake, located 30 miles south of Rochester.

“It’s very clear that Otisco Lake is going in the wrong direction in terms of phosphorus nutrients,” said Dr. Lewis McCaffrey, a limnologist with the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s Division of Water. “It’s approximately four to five times higher in phosphorus than the adjacent Finger Lake of Skaneateles Lake.”

“When phosphorus becomes elevated, that brake pedal is off, and algae and aquatic plants are able to grow and become overabundant," explained Dr. Andrew Brainard, executive director of UFI.

newyorkupstate.com
u/syracusedotcom — 22 days ago