🌱 Taco Bell Gifts Grant To Local Organization + Pink In The Park Game

Hello all. It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Patch newsletter. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening in town today.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: A t-storm around in the p.m.. High: 84 Low: 63.
• Thursday: A shower and t-storm; humid. High: 83 Low: 66.

Here are the top three stories in Utica today:

1. Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. has announced plans to expand broadband internet access in the county, benefiting nearly 1,000 homes and 2,600 residents. Through a mapping analysis, the county identified areas with clusters of 20 or more homes lacking high-speed internet, resulting in 10 project areas across six townships. Two internet service providers, Adirondack Techs and Charter, have been selected to carry out the expansion projects, aiming to bridge the digital divide and provide equitable access to broadband for all residents of Oneida County. (CNYcentral.com)
2. The Taco Bell Foundation has awarded a $9,550 grant to the Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency to support their programs addressing food insecurity among youth and teens in the local area. The grant was made possible through customer donations via the round-up program at Taco Bell locations in Utica, New Hartford, and Rome. The foundation will be donating a total of $198,000 to charities in Rochester, Albany, Watertown, and Utica as part of its annual grant program. (WKTV)
3. The American Cancer Society and the Utica Blue Sox are joining forces to raise funds and show solidarity with local breast cancer survivors through the "Pink the Park" game. The game will feature the Utica Blue Sox players wearing special pink-themed uniforms, which will be auctioned off during the game to raise money. Local cancer survivors can receive free tickets to the game and will be recognized before the game as well. The funds raised will support innovative breast cancer research, provide education on risk reduction, and offer comprehensive patient support through the American Cancer Society. (WIBX AM 950)

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Today and tomorrow in Utica:

Wednesday, July 12

• Comedy Open Mic At Utica Uptown Theatre (7:30 PM)

Thursday, July 13

• Divine Direction Fitness With Donna At The Link At Sunset (11:00 AM)
• Showtime Live At The Celtic Harp (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Earlier this week, Utica Coffee Roasting Company celebrated National Blueberry Muffin Day with one of its own scrumptious muffins! If you weren't able to celebrate the day of, you still have time to stop by and get a taste of what you missed. (Utica Coffee Roasting Company via Facebook)
• If you have some professional clothes sitting in your closet collecting dust, consider donating them to Utica University's Career Closet. Utica will be hosting a Career Readiness Professional Clothing Drive today, Jul. 12, from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the Utica University Campus. (Utica University via Facebook)
• Did you know that there are only about 6,000 White-Naped Cranes remaining in the world? This is due to climate change drying out their natural habitats as well as advances in human agricultural developments. Luckily steps have been made as well as legal conservation in protecting the species, including at the Utica Zoo. (Utica Zoo via Facebook)

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

— 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.