🌱 Fentanyl-Laced Synthetic Marijuana + Fine Arts Festival + 75K Grant

Hello, neighbors! It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Patch newsletter. Let's get this week started off right with a quick guide to everything you need to know about what's happening these days in town.

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny, showers around. High: 56 Low: 41.

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Here are the top three stories in Utica today:

1. The Oneida County Overdose Response Team has issued a public health advisory for fentanyl-laced synthetic marijuana after seven cases of overdose in the county. Overdose Detection and Mapping Application Program data showed that seven non-fatal overdoses occurred from Apr. 19-25, which were attributed to synthetic marijuana suspected to contain fentanyl. The chemicals are sprayed on dried, shredded plant material and their effects can be life-threatening. Death can occur when opioids such as fentanyl are added without the user knowing. (Oneida Dispatch)
2. The Utica City School District is hosting its sixth annual Fine Arts Festival from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 6 at Proctor High School. Aimed to create an arts-based celebration in the Utica school community, the festival will feature a carnival-style display of treats, arts and crafts, raffles, and fair-themed activities in the first-floor cafeteria. (Rome Sentinel)
3. The City of Utica has received a $75,000 grant to help with flood mitigation planning in North Utica, according to Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri. The grant comes from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation as part of the New York State Consolidated Funding Application process. With this grant, the city will conduct a Comprehensive Stream Corridor Assessment, which includes a flood risk assessment for Mohawk River tributaries in north Utica, including Reall Creek and at least six unnamed streams in the area. (Rome Sentinel)

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Today in Utica:

• My Fair Lady At The Stanley Theatre (7:30 PM)
• The Utica University and MVCC Concert Bands At MVCC Utica Auditorium (7:30 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Starting today (May 1), the City of Utica and the County of Oneida are hosting a special project at Baggs Square from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The traveling public, both vehicular and pedestrian, will experience road closures, parking restrictions, and intermittent delays through May 2. (City of Utica)
• "The Busy Corner" at Liberty Bell Park is one of many murals in Utica. It features a vibrant river of roses and bluebirds. To read more on the mural concept narrative, visit the link. (The City of Utica, NY via Facebook)
• Utica’s annual Puppy Parade returned on Saturday to raise awareness of animal welfare. The event featured vendors, animal rescue groups, advocacy groups, and more! (FOX 2)

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Featured events:

• I'll Build a Staircase to Paradise - The Life of Bunny Mellon with Mac Griswold (May 7)
• Online Jury Focus Group - $150! (May 8)
• Add your event

Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you all soon for another update!

— 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.