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Hello Oneida County! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning.
In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Hospice homes expansion, a classic amusement park, and a $28 million bus facility + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, Spot Pet Insurance, is something I wish I had before a late-night emergency vet visit left me with a $10,000 credit card bill. It’s cheaper than Netflix… and means you never have to choose between your pet and your savings. It takes less than 5 minutes to sign up – get started here.
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📰 In the news
Building more places of peace: Abraham House plans to expand into Herkimer and Lewis counties, bringing hospice homes where none exist. Community donations are fueling a vision of 10 sites offering free, 24-hour end-of-life care — get all the details.
An antidote to mega parks: Right on Oneida Lake, Sylvan Beach Amusement Park offers classic rides, a colorful midway, and a beloved Tilt-A-Whirl that makes Central New York families feel like kids again — see why it stands apart.
Regional mobility set for upgrade: Schumer and Gillibrand announced $28 million for a new CNYRTA bus facility in Utica, expanding service into Herkimer and Madison Counties, with construction starting fall 2028 and finishing late 2030 — learn what’s funded and when.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Highlights this week:
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🐾 One pet emergency can cost $10,000+
Together with our sponsor Spot Pet Insurance
Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache.
From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving.
As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Spot.
It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% on qualified vet bills. It was too late for me, but it’s not too late for you. Sign up today.
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🫶 We got your back
Tapas night, anyone? Ancora!pairs Mediterranean-Italian comfort with a legit tapas lineup… think bruschetta, arancini, and shareable bites. An open kitchen and gleaming wine tower add drama. Ideal for a midweek catch-up or low-key date when you want variety without the Syracuse drive.
Snow days, sorted: Since 1959, Skier’s Outlet @ Schuss has kept locals gliding with skis, snowboards, snowshoes, and the layers to survive CNY gusts. Get quick tune-ups, binding tweaks, and easy rentals when your setup needs love, then sneak in a few extra laps without the fuss.
Old-school screen magic: Skip the couch and see a film as it was meant to be seen: lush decor, big sound, real community. At Capitol Theatre, classic screenings meet lively special events, so there’s always a reason to make it a movie night with friends.
Access cash without selling your home: A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your home. Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much flexibility your home could provide, with no commitment required.
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📆 Fun for the whole fam
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🏁 4th Annual U.S. Oval Championships @ Accelerate Sports | Thursday (3/5) at 8:00 AM – Swing by PRW’s carpet oval in Whitesboro for the U.S. Oval Champs, the season finale where the cars are small, the egos are not, and the lap times are silly. Horsham nostalgia, national-level fields, crisp commentary, and fresh-baked snacks, so spectate, rib, and savor.
🦋 Butterfly Kisses Ball @ Hart’s Hill Inn | Friday (3/6) at 6:30 AM – Break out dress shoes and your finest dad jokes for a father daughter night at Hart’s Hill Inn, with buffet dinner, sundae bar, photo booth, slow-dance moments, and butterfly princess cameos. Go all inclusive for a portrait, a corsage and boutonnière, and Butterfly Boutique Bucks.
🏒 Utica Comets Local Firefighter Game @ Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium | Friday (3/6) at 7:00 PM – Ready to trade sirens for goal horns? The Comets salute our firefighters with a night that runs hot, specialty jerseys on the ice, and the kind of applause that actually matters. Show up, cheer loud, and leave the hoses at home.
❄ Winter Market @ Utica Union Station | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Duck into Union Station’s lobby for the winter market, where you can stock up on farm-fresh stuff, artisan goods, and that handmade candle you swear you needed. Vendors rotate, lists drop the day before, so consider it a weekly surprise. Warm, local, no cart jousting.
🎱 9-Ball Open @ Utica Billiards on the Boulevard | Saturday (3/7) at 11:00 AM – Utica Billiards is hosting the Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour, so expect geometry you can use, and cash on the felt. Watch or play, pros and brave locals buy in onsite, collared shirts only, alcohol-free room, strong coffee, and a Sunday second chance if luck rattles.
🏆 5th Annual Copper City Classic @ Rome Free Academy | Saturday (3/7) at 12:00 PM – Craving synchronized spins without freezing your toes? The 5th Annual Copper City Classic packs 44 winterguard units under one roof, plus vendors, concessions, and hometown pride, with tickets at the door or through that Black Knights friend who always knows a guy.
🏳 Gayme Night 2026 @ Dream Castle Gaming LLC | Wednesday (3/11) at 6:00 PM – Second Wednesday means Gayme Night at Dreamcastle, where the only dicey thing is your strategy. Bring your favorite, borrow one from OCPA, or impulsively buy a new obsession, then settle in for friendly rivalries, actual laughs, and zero small talk about parking. All are welcome.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
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📻 Oneida County report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 43°F – Low: 26°F – Precip: 0%
Areas of fog before 9am. Partly sunny, with a high near 43. West wind around 2 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 26. East wind around 2 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 43°F – Low: 38°F – Precip: 49%
A chance of rain after 7am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. East wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Later: Rain. Cloudy, with a low around 38. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Someone Googled you this week 👀
It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.
Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.
Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.
This house is wild
At the quiet end of a dead-end street, this nearly one-acre ranch delivers over 2,400 square feet and a blend of seclusion with convenience. Warm hardwoods lead to a kitchen with dark quartz, never-used appliances, and a statement hood. Three bedrooms plus an office anchor the main level. A daylit walkout lower level adds a full bath and epoxy floors.
Take a peek inside →
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