Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: What Oneida County’s new kratom ban means for Utica businesses now
You won't want to miss Jay Medal Soirée on the Utica Patch calendar

Morning Utica! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- What Oneida County's new kratom ban means for Utica businesses now
- What Bill Keeler's exit means for Utica's morning radio listeners
- Did you see this Route 12 semi? Utica police need tips now
Also on today's calendar: Jay Medal Soirée and 2 more events.
Today's riddle: What is the longest word in the dictionary? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Saturday: Sun and some clouds, with a high of 81 and low of 63 degrees.
- Sunday: A shower and t-storm; humid, temps: high: 77, low: 57.
- Monday: An afternoon shower or two, with a high of 68 and low of 56 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Picente signs local law prohibiting sale of kratom in Oneida County (oneidadispatch.com) — Oneida County, based in Utica, has officially banned the sale of kratom and kratom-derived products, with health officials and law enforcement now conducting compliance checks at local businesses. County Executive Anthony Picente says the move is meant to protect residents from opioid-like risks, and violators face escalating civil fines for each prohibited item found on their shelves.
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2. Utica NY Radio: Morning Talker Bill Keeler Exits WIBX (blogspot.com) — Morning radio in the Utica-Rome area is changing, as longtime local host Bill Keeler has been removed from WIBX's morning slot after more than 13 years. Corporate owners replaced his show with a syndicated program, leaving just three local on-air personalities across Townsquare's Utica-Rome stations and reshaping what many residents hear during their commute.
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3. Utica Police investigating after hit and run leaves one dead (timestelegram.com) — Utica police are asking for the public's help after a deadly hit-and-run on Route 12 near the Burrstone Road ramp, where a northbound semi-truck fatally struck a man late on August 19. Investigators want anyone who saw the truck or knows the driver to call 315-223-3520 or 315-360-6976, stressing that even small details could assist the case.
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4. How Oneida County High Schools Scored In The U.S. News Rankings (wibx950.com) — Families in and around Utica can now see how their local high schools stack up statewide, with Utica Academy of Science Charter School and other Oneida County schools earning specific spots in U.S. News & World Report's latest rankings. The list breaks down performance based on graduation rates, college readiness, and state assessments, helping parents gauge options before the new school year.
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5. New Hartford immigrant still unaccounted for after case dismissed (uticaod.com) — A New Hartford building maintenance worker who owned a Utica-based painting and carpentry business remains unaccounted for after his grand larceny case was dismissed and he reportedly planned to self-deport. Local officials, federal agencies, and his former attorneys have all declined or been unable to clarify his current status, leaving questions for Utica-area residents who worked with or hired him.
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📸 Around Utica
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Utica
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Jay Medal Soirée →
Jay Estate, 210 Boston Post Rd, Rye
5:30 pm
Saturday September 19
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Board of Education Regular Meeting
Utica City SD Utica, NY 13501
6:30 pm - Utica R.I.S.E. Second Annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser →
Stonebridge Golf & Country Club, 2430 Graffenburg Rd, New Hartford
9:00 am - Walk and talk →
Clinton Arena, 36 Kirkland Ave, Clinton
6:00 pm - District V FGCNYS Flower Show →
303 Genesee St, Utica
1:00 pm
Tuesday August 25
Sunday August 30
Monday August 31
Friday September 11
📣 Utica Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Tech Time with Jim →
Dunham Public Library, 76 Main St, Whitesboro
10:30 am - Modified, JV & Varsity Practices/Tryouts Begin
Clinton Csd Clinton, NY 13323 - Fall Sports Begin
Oriskany Csd Oriskany, NY 13424 - Technology for Beginners →
Dunham Public Library, 76 Main St, Whitesboro
2:00 pm - Cardio Drumming Exercise Program For Adults →
Dunham Public Library, 76 Main St, Whitesboro
5:15 pm - Wigglers Story Time →
Kirkland Town Library, 55 1/2 College St, Clinton
10:30 am - Regular Board of Education Meeting, Comets Library
Clinton Csd Clinton, NY 13323
5:30 pm - Board of Education Meeting (If Needed)
Oriskany Csd Oriskany, NY 13424
6:00 pm
Saturday August 22
Monday August 24
Tuesday August 25
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- For Sale - I have a brand new Pride electric scooter for sale - purchased but unfortunately never used.
Paid $2400 for it - selling it for $1800 - has extra wide seat, 2 baskets, phone holder, both arms go up and down for easy on and off, has a full… (Nextdoor N Utica) - For the past 10 years, I have been caring for rescue cats and have adopted several with the intention of find higher quality homes for them.
As I am getting older with some health and financial limitations, I realize I need to decrease my commitment to helping the cats I care for in my… (Nextdoor Utica College)
- Applegreen US posted a job opening for Team Members & Supervisors - Oneida, Schuyler, Indian Castle & Iroquois Travel Plazas in Utica. Apply here.
- Mohawk Valley Health System posted a job opening for Housekeeping/EVS Worker I - Part Time - Days in Utica. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Utica here.
Ok Utica! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Smiles, because it has a mile between "s". (Thank you Sharon M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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