🌱 Utica To Host World Lacrosse Tourney + Teacher's Wreck Anniversary

Hello all. I'm back in your inbox this morning with your new edition of the Utica Patch newsletter, fresh off the presses. Here's all the community news you need to know right now.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: A passing shower or two. High: 60 Low: 38.
• Saturday: Times of clouds and sun. High: 67 Low: 42.

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Here are the top three stories today in Utica:

1. Joshua Williams, 30, of Utica was arrested and charged on counts of second-degree assault and third-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon on Wednesday. Utica officers and firefighters responded to the scene of 700 Blandina Street around 4:15 p.m. where they found two victims suffering from injuries after being repeatedly struck with wooden and metal objects. After transporting the victims to a local hospital for treatment, officers located the suspects and attempted to negotiate with Williams through a locked door. Crisis negotiators were eventually called to the scene and after an hour of conversation, Williams turned himself in without an incident. (WUTR/WFXV - CNYhomepage.com)
2. The 2024 World Lacrosse Box Championships will be coming to Utica in 2024 as Oneida County will be hosting both the men's and women's tournaments. The tournament is set to take place Sept. 13-22, 2024; this will be the sixth men's tournament and the historic first women's tournament. Games will be split between the Adirondack Bank Center and the Utica University Nexus Center, with the opening night game and gold medal games held at the Bank Center. Utica was also recently announced to be the host of the International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Championship in April 2024. (The Central New York Business Journal)
3. Saturday, Apr. 29 marked the 112th year anniversary of the tragedy known as the "Teacher's Wreck" where seven Utica teachers lost their lives and several more were injured. On this Saturday, 175 teachers from across Central New York left Utica train station at around 8 a.m. for an education convention in Washington D.C.; after a stop in Pennsylvania, the train hit a curve going about 50 miles per hour four cars derailed, fell down a hill, and caught fire. In addition to the seven Utica teachers who lost their lives, four railroad employees were killed, and 50 people suffered from injuries. This accident prompted lobbying for steel cars rather than the wooden ones that caught fire. (WETM - MyTwinTiers.com)

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Today and tomorrow in Utica:

Friday, May 5

• Five After Five - Saranac (5:00 PM)
• Cinco De Mayo Celebration - Downtown Utica (6:00 PM)
• Ed Hildreth Live - Bagg's Square Brewing Company (7:00 PM)

Saturday, May 6

• Spring Composting Workshop - Oneida-Herkimer Recycling Center (10:00 AM)
• Utica City School District Sixth Annual Fine Arts Festival - Thomas R. Proctor High School (11:00 AM)
• You Make Me Crazyyy!! Comedy Show - HK Restaurant And Lounge (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Utica Police Department is requesting the public's assistance in locating Ziana White who was last seen on Apr. 7. She is believed to be with a male companion in the Brooklyn area. If you are able to locate this young teenager, please contact the Utica Police Department Juvenile Aid Unit. (City of Utica, NY Police Department via Facebook)
• The Utica Fire Department wants to send its thoughts and well wishes to the Syracuse Fire Fighters Local 280 I.A.F.F. The department had to send four firefighters to the hospital earlier this week after responding to a large fire that took place right outside of downtown Syracuse. (Utica Fire Department via Facebook)
• The Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey will be receiving an honorary degree from Utica University at the 2023 Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony. In addition to his honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree, Sankey will be addressing the graduating class on Thursday, May 11 during the 74th Commencement exercises. (Utica University via Facebook)

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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)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday off right! I'll catch up with you soon with 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.