Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What crucial evidence is at stake in this Utica arson case?

Be sure to catch Recognizing the Slow Burning Love of God—ECK Light and Sound Service on the Utica Patch calendar

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Thursday December 25th Patch AM
Thursday December 25th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hi there, Utica! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What crucial evidence is at stake in this Utica arson case?
  • How Utica Plumbing is brightening local kids’ holidays this year
  • How Utica firefighters helped tackle a deadly Christmas Eve blaze

Also on today's calendar: Hoilday Train Display at the Oneida County History Center and 2 more events.

Find out what's happening in Uticafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did the little needle say to the mother needle when it brought home a failing report card? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Uticafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Thursday: Cloudy; breezy in the p.m., with a high of 35 and low of 2 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Friday: Frigid; afternoon snow, 1-2", temps: high: 17, low: 14.
  • Saturday: Low clouds and not as cold, with a high of 27 and low of 16 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Suppression Hearing for Utica Arson Case Involving Former Oneida County Sheriff's Deputy (wktv.com) — A former Oneida County sheriff’s deputy is facing a key suppression hearing over what evidence can be used in an arson and attempted murder case tied to a Kellogg Avenue home in Utica. Prosecutors say vehicle data placed his patrol car near the house when it burned with family members inside, and the hearing will continue next month.
   

2. Utica Plumbing Makes Toys for Tots Donation (wktv.com) — Utica Plumbing teamed up with the Marine Corps League this holiday season to collect Toys for Tots donations for local children in Oneida and Herkimer counties. Volunteers say the toys, especially stuffed animals, can comfort kids facing fires, accidents, or other crises, and they visited the Utica business this week to personally thank staff for their generosity and year-round support.
   

3. One dead in Christmas Eve fire in Verona (cnyhomepage.com) — A deadly Christmas Eve house fire in nearby Verona drew mutual aid from the Utica Fire Department as crews battled a fully involved structure where one person was later found dead inside. Oneida County authorities are still investigating and withholding the victim’s identity, while a section of Main Street in Durhamville remains closed to traffic following the response.
   

4. New York's holiday spirit shines with 2,250 pounds of food and thousands of donations (cbs6albany.com) — Utica played a visible role in New York’s statewide holiday donation drive, with the Compassion Coalition contributing nearly 1,300 pajamas and toys for families in need. State agencies moved thousands of items, including from Utica offices, to nonprofits serving regions like the Mohawk Valley and beyond.
   

5. Pro Curling League Ready to Rock With Unveiling of Team Names, Badges (sportslogos.net) — Utica is slated to host one of Rock League’s first full-season curling stops in early 2027, putting the city alongside Moose Jaw, Halifax, and Ottawa on this new global circuit. The world’s first professional curling league launches with a preview season in Toronto in 2026, then expands to week-long events featuring men’s, women’s, mixed, and mixed-doubles matches.
   

📸 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 ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 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

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Utica PatchAM possible:

  • Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
    Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Hoppy Hollandaise Tram Pals!!
    Join us THIS and NEXT week for some respite from the requirements ! Tram wants to be your comfy getaway and your exciting adventure in sound and… (Nextdoor West Utica)
  • I have made an honest effort for about 2 years to meet people.
    I have acquaintances. But, I need real people I love to be with. Over 40, do best with Women. I am not a drink beer, watch sports , and get DWI… (Nextdoor Downtown)
  • Securitas Inc. posted a job opening for Hospital Security Officer - Utica, NY in Utica. Apply here.
  • Munson posted a job opening for Campus Safety Officer - FT/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: I guess I’m not as sharp as I thought.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Utica