🌱 Tree Planting Returns + A Charity Hockey Game

Hello, neighbors! It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Utica Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with everything that's fit to print about what's happening in town these days.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Clouds and sun; windy, cooler. High: 45 Low: 24.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny. High: 48 Low: 23.

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I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

Here are the top three stories in Utica today:

1. The Urban Tree Planting Project is returning to Utica. Last year, the campaign planted a variety of trees across the town as part of a plan to improve air quality, enhance property value, and create shaded areas. The project is looking for Utica homeowners who are interested in receiving a free tree with the application deadline scheduled for Jun. 1. (Subscription: Rome Sentinel)
2. A scary scene unfolded at the Kennedy Plaza Apartments on Tuesday. A man barricaded himself in his apartment for several hours after allegedly threatening a staff member with a knife following accusations that he had been responsible for the graffiti found on the walls of the complex. Officers eventually got into the room and took the man into custody. (WKTV)
3. A 17-year-old Utica teen is facing gun charges. On Monday, he and several other males were reportedly spotted fleeing a scene on Howard Ave and Leah Street following the sound of gunshots in the area. The incident occurred at approximately 4:30 p.m. (WKTV)

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Today and tomorrow in Utica:

Friday, April 7

• Easter Bunny Express At Holland Patent Station (Various Times)

Saturday, April 8

• Eggstavaganza 2023 At the Utica Zoo (10:00 AM)
• Adult-Only Easter Egg Hunt At Rutger Park (12:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Nearing the end of a relationship? In a quirky story, there are five locations in Utica that have been deemed the best break-up locations. Spoiler: one of the spots is the Utica Zoo. (WIBX AM 950)
• A charity hockey game between the Utica police and firefighters is set for this weekend. The event will be held on Saturday afternoon at the Adirondack Bank Center and is being run by the Save of the Day Foundation, which was started by former NHL goalie Robert Esche. (WIBX AM 950)
• If you never knew how Utica got its name, a recent lookback has all the answers you need. The origins of the name stems from an ancient North African city that was written on a slip of paper that happened to be pulled out first among a group of villagers at an old tavern. (Utica Observer-Dispatch)

As a heads up, the Patch staff will be taking some time off for the Easter holiday. You won’t be receiving a newsletter this Monday, but I’ll be back soon with your next update. In the meantime, have a great weekend!

— 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.