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Hi Oneida County, hope you’re having a great weekend!

In today’s in-case-you-missed-it edition: Riverdance 30, I BIRD NY Challenge, and St. Patrick’s Day parade + the top stories from this week & a sneak peek at next week.

From today’s sponsor, FinanceBuzz: Many New York drivers end up paying higher auto insurance premiums because they don’t shop around enough. The same driver with the same car can get wildly different quotes from different insurers, so it truly pays to compare. Their free tool makes it easy.*

📰 Most-clicked stories this week

Snow-laden roof sparks disaster: Boonville’s Abundant Life Fellowship pastor Brandon Pitts has been released from the hospital after the church explosion, thanking the community as three firefighters remained hospitalized as of February 23, 2026 — read the full story.

DEC launches birding initiative: The 2026 I BIRD NY Challenge is underway. Identify 10 wild bird species in Oneida County and submit a challenge sheet to earn a patch, certificate, and entries for prizes — see how to participate.

Federal earmark fuels neighborhood renewal: U.S. Rep. John Mannion announced $2 million to help demolish and prepare the St. Luke’s Hospital campus in Utica, as Oneida County advances redevelopment plans focused on future housing — get all the details.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*

Gold & silver are hot: Last year was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. Curious about precious metal investing? GoldCo has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.*

All the crowd favorites:

• Swing into spring with Half Moon Orchestra
• Dress pups for St. Patrick’s parade
• Craft floral soy candles with friends

💎 This week’s top finds

Add to your TBR: Whether you’re after a quirky paperback, a comfort reread, or a spot-on staff pick, The Letter and Leaf offers cozy, low-key treasure. Browse used-and-new shelves, soak up neighborly vibes, and see why a quick pop-in so often turns into lingering.

Weekend nature reset: Whether you want a quick loop through the South Woods switchbacks, toss a few discs on the new course, or watch deer and skyline views, Roscoe Conkling Park delivers year-round breathing room. Plus the zoo, courts, and that hilltop breeze… easy options when you want more without leaving the green.

Channel your inner ninja: When bouldering cravings hit and there’s no local wall, Valley Gymnastics offers Valley Warrior classes packed with swinging, balancing, and jump-friendly obstacles, giving you grip and core cross-training without the chalk storm. Low-pressure, all-ages energy turns weekday movement into play, right when you need it.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements — they’re the local spots your fellow readers clicked on most this week.

🫶 We got your back

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Paying full price is officially optional: Blu Dot just marked down dozens of their best sofas, beds, dining tables, outdoor pieces, and lighting by as much as 60%. Not because something’s wrong with them, but because every great design eventually has to make room for the next one. The deals change daily, so it’s always a new adventure. *See what’s on sale today →

Most people have no idea what’s happening inside their body: Not because the data doesn’t exist, but because no one’s collecting it. Routine annual checkups miss things like body composition, biological age, and the biomarkers that can help predict long-term patterns. The good news? HumeHealth offers tools to help you track all of that at home for less than the cost of a specialist visit. *Use code NEW20 to save 20% →

Something in your house is about to break: It might be your AC, your water heater, your fridge… doesn’t matter. Every major appliance has an expiration date, and when it goes, you’ll be staring down a repair bill that can climb into the thousands fast. An AHS home warranty covers these types of surprises + *select plans are $150 off right now →

📆 Sneak peek at next week

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.

☘ St Patrick’s Day Parade @ All Creatures Boarding (Rome) | Tuesday (3/17) at 8:00 AM – Whether your terrier answers to O’Malley or just “sit,” the St. Patrick’s Day parade is going full wag with the neighbors. Sign up, bring the dog, dress them in ridiculous amounts of green, and enter the best dressed contest for bragging rights, and a prize.

💃 Riverdance 30- The New Generation @ The Stanley Theatre (Utica) | Wednesday (3/18) at 7:30 PM – Whether you wore out the old VHS or just love a toe-tapping spectacle, Riverdance returns to The Stanley with a slick 30th anniversary reboot. New choreography, costumes, and tech, plus a cast not even born back then. Snag seats, feel young-ish again.

🕯 Girl’s Night: Candle Workshop @ Candace’s Play Based Learning Center (Rome) | Friday (3/20) at 6:00 PM – Nothing beats a girls’ night that requires zero experience and leaves you with something that smells good. Julia walks you through pouring a soy candle with essential oils and a wooden wick, then you dress the jar with pressed florals. Snacks, laughs, $35, 20 spots.

❄ Winter Market @ Union Station (Utica) | Saturday (3/21) at 9:00 AM – Craving farmers market vibes without freezing your knuckles? Head to the Winter Market in Union Station’s lobby for the best locally grown foods, artisan goods, and handcrafted finds. Vendors rotate, lists drop the day before, so it’s basically a weekly treasure hunt, just warmer.

🎷 Swing into Spring Jazz Concert @ New Hartford JAMPAC Auditorium | Saturday (3/21) at 4:00 PM – This high-energy jazz afternoon at New Hartford Auditorium lets Half Moon Orchestra kick winter to the curb with sharp solos and a salute to local legend Chuck Mangione. Bring a friend, claim a seat, and call it culture, cardio, and community at once.

🌙 Community Eid celebration @ Utica Royalties, INC. | Saturday (3/21) at 4:00 PM – Eid al-Fitr calls for joy, snacks, and a proper neighborhood get-together, and this free, family-friendly celebration delivers. Expect henna, a fashion show, musical chairs the kids will take too seriously, cultural treats, and plenty of neighborly warmth on Broadway. Bring curiosity, and the whole crew.

🍴 Food + Art Unite: Multicultural Food Tasting @ Munson Museum of Art (Utica) | Sunday (3/22) at 12:00 PM – Whether you’re loyal to riggies, empanadas, or a good shawarma, Munson turns Root Court into a global tasting room with area restaurants, live performances, and multicultural music. Third year running, family friendly, and your Sunday dinner can take the day off, napkins, not passports, required.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Oneida County report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 44°F – Low: 37°F – Precip: 27%

A chance of snow between 8am and noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. East wind 2 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Later: A chance of rain showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Southeast wind 12 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 63°F – Low: 20°F – Precip: 87%

A chance of rain showers before 2pm, then showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 63. Southeast wind 12 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Later: Showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Most popular house this week

This spacious two-story in the Village of Whitesboro delivers nearly 2,000 square feet with 4 to 5 bedrooms and 2 baths, ready for flexible living. A main-level room suits a bedroom, office, or guest suite. Extras include a full basement and detached garage. On a manageable lot near shops, dining, and parks, in Whitesboro Central School District, with public utilities.

Take a peek inside →