🌱 Local Indicted For Utica Drive-By Shooting + 1st District Councilor

Good morning, Utica! I'm Nicole Fallon-Peek and I'll be your new source for all the events, news, and general happenings in your town. Here is everything you need to know today in five minutes or less.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Mostly cloudy. High: 31 Low: 23.
• Thursday: Low clouds. High: 32 Low: 19.

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Here are the top three stories in Utica today:

1. Jacquesse Woods-Williams, 21, was indicted by a grand jury in connection with a drive-by shooting in Utica that left one person injured. Woods-Williams has been charged with first-degree reckless endangerment and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Witnesses say that on Nov. 3, individuals drove by a group of people standing in a driveway on the 1500 block of Kemble Street and fired their weapons, hitting one man in the back of the leg. (WKTV)
2. Incumbent Katie Aiello, who represents the first district (which includes parts of Utica), has "questions and concerns" regarding the Utica Democratic Committee’s endorsement of Mirela Pekmez instead of Aiello for first district councilor. Speaking about the night of the endorsement, Aiello said, "Something was up from the moment I walked into that room." Aiello also said she has concerns about previous interactions with Pekmez and her fiancé Russell Pelli. Pekmez responded, "We both screened with the committee, and they chose to endorse me. She said it herself in her radio interview that there would be many reasons why they would choose someone else over her, so why this came as a surprise to her, I’m not sure." (Rome Sentinel)
3. The annual Parade Day Fundraiser hosted by the Utica Center for Development will take place on Mar. 11 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 726 Washington Street in Utica! All fundraiser proceeds will go toward a memorial fund in memory of seven-year-old Bryan L. Jasek, who passed away on Jan. 20, 2020. (WKTV)

Today in Utica:

Wednesday, March 8

• Irish Flag Raising Over City Hall At Utica City Hall (12:00 PM)
• Stand-Up Comedy Open Mic At Utica Uptown Theatre (7:00 PM)
• Debunking Irish Myths At Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Oneida County deputies arrested 26-year-old Alexander Makley at the Oneida County Office Building in Utica on Mar. 3. The homeless man allegedly made physical contact with a deputy during his arrest and has been charged with resisting arrest, criminal possession of a controlled substance, obstructing governmental administration, and harassment. (WKTV)
• The Players of Utica will present 'Glorious' from Mar. 24 to Apr. 2! The show tells the true story of "the worst singer in the world." (WKTV)
• Looking for a new job or thinking about a career change? Start your search close to home with the latest job openings in the Utica area, including Administrative Assistant, Travel Nurse RN, and Associate Advisor - Wealth Management. (Utica Patch)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Wednesday! 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.