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Hello Oneida County! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: School board shakeup, a reading retriever, and a free movie night + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today's sponsor, SmartAsset, is helping people around Oneida County evaluate their retirement income strategy and plan for a retirement that could last decades. Their free quiz matches you with vetted fiduciary advisors who serve your area and are legally required to act in your best interests. Take the quiz and find your match.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
District leadership shakeup: Utica's school board voted Tuesday to place an employee on paid leave after a special meeting. Unanimous, and the first meeting since not renewing Superintendent Dr. Christopher Spence's contract -- read the full story.
Hometown hockey homecoming: The Utica Comets signed Marcellus native Eamon Powell to a one-year deal. The 24-year-old Boston College standout returns to Central New York after a broken jaw tested his rookie season -- read the full story.
Historic symbol finds new home: New York’s Merci Train 40 and 8 boxcar moved to Utica Union Station, displayed beside Amtrak and Adirondack Railroad, putting the 1949 French Gratitude Train gift back in public view -- read the full story.
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you've been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It's an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $1,100 this year.1 Some users report saving up to 50% on their monthly rates -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*2
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's 50% off right now.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor The free quiz matching 50,000 people a month with a fiduciary advisorIf you've saved $2.5 million, you're well ahead of most Americans. But how long it lasts depends less on the balance and more on the decisions you make with it. Take the 4% rule, a common benchmark. It suggests withdrawing about $100,000 your first year from a $2.5M portfolio, then adjusting for inflation over time. While it can be a useful starting point, it doesn't account for factors such as other income sources, taxes, spending goals, or changing market conditions. That's why many retirees choose to work with a financial advisor. A financial advisor can help build a tax-efficient withdrawal strategy around your situation, including how much to take from each account and when - so you have a clearer picture of how much you can spend each year. SmartAsset's free quiz matches you with vetted fiduciary advisors who serve your area, each legally bound to work in your best interest. The quiz only takes a few minutes. No cost. No obligation. Find your advisor match.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Old-school charm, new finds: Since 1981, Vintage Furnishings has been a Utica staple, stocked with quality used furniture and antiques: Victorian wood, mid-century finds, lamps, mirrors, even oriental carpets. A calm, character-filled browse when you’re dodging the big-box vibe.
Craving saucy comfort: Whether it’s a classic pie, crispy wings, or a Buffalo chicken sandwich that hits the spot, SLOPPY JOE'S PIZZA is the low-stress takeout move your week deserves. Local favorite, no frills, just tasty fuel for game night, couch night, or everything in between.
Rotating taps, cozy vibes: Nail Creek Pub keeps the draft list changing with every keg and backs it up with from-scratch, often locally sourced fare. If you need an easy win this week, expect friendly faces, a deep craft lineup, and yes, brunch too.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade →
65% of families have lost photos they'll never get back: One accidental delete, one dead hard drive, one phone that won't turn on, and the pictures of the kids, the trips, and the loved ones who've passed are gone. This photo stick makes sure that day never comes: plug it into any phone, tablet, or computer, press one button, and it finds and saves up to 120,000 photos and videos automatically, even clearing out the duplicates. No cloud, no subscription. *Save your photos →
A blown engine can cost more than your car is worth: And it almost never warns you. One day it runs fine, the next you're staring at a $7,000 repair on a car you still rely on every morning. That's the kind of bill an extended warranty exists to absorb, the engine, transmission, and electrical failures that wreck a budget overnight. You bring it to any certified mechanic, pay a deductible, and the rest is handled. Enjoy a free year of Elite Benefits and a 30-day money-back guarantee on top. *See everything it covers →
83% of burglars check for an alarm first: That's from a UNC Charlotte survey of 422 convicted burglars — and 60% said that if they found one, they'd skip the house and look for another target. ADT is the deterrent they're checking for: voted America's most trusted home security provider, with monitoring centers staffed around the clock. And if someone breaks in anyway, ADT's Theft Protection Guarantee reimburses up to $500 of your homeowners insurance deductible. *See how it works → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🤖 Sphero Robotics STEM Camp @ Innovare Advancement Center (Rome) | Wednesday (7/29) at 9:00 AM – Give your 2nd to 6th grader a single day with Sphero robots, real coding, and a brag-worthy obstacle course. They tinker, learn, and compete, you sip coffee and look like a tech-savvy genius. Pick your day for $60.
📚 Miracle Murray, the Reading Retriever! @ Dunham Public Library (Whitesboro) | Wednesday (7/29) at 4:00 PM – Finally, a book club where someone actually listens. Meet Murray, a licensed therapy dog and very good boy, trained to be a calm, judgment-free reading buddy who boosts confidence, soothes nerves, and treats every chapter like a standing ovation.
🎬 Movie Night @ Rome Art and Community Center | Wednesday (7/29) at 8:30 PM – Head to the RACC for a free outdoor showing of Disney’s Wish, ideal for a midweek unwind that doesn’t involve emails or yard work. Bring a blanket, bug spray, and your best sing-along voice, or at least a tolerant smile.
🇺 America 250 Selfie Scavenger Hunt @ Oneida County Public Market (Utica) | Saturday (8/1) at 9:00 AM – Kick off the History Center’s annual selfie scavenger hunt at the Oneida County Public Market behind Union Station, grab your clue sheet, then track down battlegrounds, markers, and monuments like a patriotic paparazzo. Free, all ages, and a perfectly respectable reason to linger by plaques.
🎶 Music, Stories, and Art @ Rome Art and Community Center | Saturday (8/1) at 10:00 AM – Saturday morning calls for corralling the preschool-to-early-elementary crowd in the garden for free live music, a narrated story, and a hands-on art project, all before nap time. Local pros Elizabeth Evans, Janelle Bookhout, and Kristen Kelly Hahn handle the tunes, you handle the snacks.
🤠 Utica Stampede Rodeo and Expo @ Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium | Saturday (8/1) at 7:00 PM – If you’ve been itching to dust off your boots, the Utica Stampede brings APRA-sanctioned rodeo to Adirondack Bank Center for two nights. Expect bull riding, barrel racing, and steer wrestling, plus expo with western gear, food, drinks, and a VIP Cowboy Experience. No passport required.
⚔ The Siege Begins Day @ Fort Stanwix National Monument (Rome) | Sunday (8/2) at 9:30 AM – Revolutionary War drama, minus the cannon smoke. Fort Stanwix marks the day the siege began in 1777 with a special ceremony and activities honoring its defenders, a low-key way to soak up local history, stretch the legs, and feel smug about calling this place home.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Your homeowners insurance has a blind spotIt covers your house if a tree falls on it. It doesn’t cover your furnace when it quits in January, your AC when it dies in July, or your water heater when it starts leaking on a Tuesday. Those are all classified as "normal wear and tear," and they're 100% on you. American Home Shield can help fill that gap for ~$1/day (even if your appliances and systems are really old). *See what it covers → |
07 — Oneida County report Weather forecastToday — High: 76°F — Low: 61°F — Precip: 93%
Rain showers before 11am, then showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 76. East wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 61. North wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 78°F — Low: 59°F — Precip: 62%
A chance of rain showers before 11am, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. Northwest wind 2 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 8pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Chance of precipitation is 60%. This house is wildThis 4-bed farmhouse revival pairs timeless charm with a full top-to-bottom renovation on 2.6 scenic acres in Lee. Two primary suites, quartz countertops, vaulted ceilings, a gas fireplace, and new everything create polished comfort throughout. A 4-car barn garage with workshop space and loft, plus direct access to Lee Town Park, adds serious bonus appeal.
Take a peek inside → |
1Average potential savings based on initial quotes received by 151,494 customers seeking insurance through Insurify. Savings and lowest rates do not reflect typical results. 2Estimated. |
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