🌱911 Center Raises Salaries + Utica University Cuts Athletic Programs

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But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Cloudy with a few showers. High: 69 Low: 57.
• Saturday: A couple of showers. High: 68 Low: 57.

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Here are the top three stories today in Utica:

1. Oneida County is substantially raising salaries at the 911 center to help ease the staffing crisis. There are currently 55 authorized positions at the 911 center, with 16 vacant positions and 11 relatively new employees still training. The Public Safety Telecommunicator, Supervising P.S. Telecommunicator, and CAD Administrator positions will all see increases in pay. (WKTV)
2. Utica University cut four athletic programs from varsity competitions in the 2023-2024 school year. The decision affects the university's aquatic programs, specifically men’s and women’s swimming, diving, and water polo. The reasoning for cutting these programs was high revenue costs and lack of student interest. (Subscription: Rome Sentinel)
3. An Oneida County executive spoke out against a possible change in election law that would change with the upcoming election. This change would move New York town and county elections to even-numbered years. The reason for this change was to save money, but according to Anthony Picente Jr., it would do the opposite and further confuse the electorate. (Utica Observer Dispatch)

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Today and tomorrow in and around Utica:

Friday, June 16

• 1800 Tequila Tasting At Bremer's Wine & Liquor, New Hartford (1:00 PM)
• Utica Blue Sox vs. Watertown Rapids At Donovan Stadium (6:45 PM)
• Juneteenth Celebration At Bellamy Harbor East, Rome (7:00 PM)

Saturday, June 17

• Kindness Jars At Utica Public Library (10:30 AM)
• FrogFest 34 At Herkimer County Fair Association, Frankfort (12:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Are you interested in working for the Police Department? Well, the Utica Police Department is hiring. The next Civil Service Exam is Sep. 9th. (City of Utica, NY Police Department via Facebook)
• Summer at the Utica Public Library has begun! Starting Monday, Jun. 26, kids and teens can sign up for the Summer Reading Program! (Utica Public Library via Facebook)
• Did you know The Foolers is coming to the Stanley Theatre? On Sep. 16, Penn and Teller's television magician show will bring a magical performance. (The Stanley Theatre via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• Crossing Over With Psychic Medium John Edward live in Syracuse! (July 15)
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You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you soon!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.