🌱 Utica Man Pleads Not Guilty After Viral Video + New Johnson Park

Hello, Utica! It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Patch newsletter. Let's get this Friday started off right with a quick guide to everything you need to know about what's happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: A couple of afternoon showers. High: 75 Low: 66.
• Saturday: A shower and t-storm; humid. High: 79 Low: 64.

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Here are the top three stories in Utica today:

1. On Wednesday, Jun. 21, 40-year-old Mitchell Clark, the inmate who ran from deputies into traffic outside Utica City Court, was in Oneida County Court. Although the video of Clark running into the street has gone viral, he entered a not guilty plea to an escape charge. The Oneida County District Attorney's Office has given Clark a plea offer and he has until Jul. 19 to accept. (WKTV)
2. Wednesday, Jun. 21, was a groundbreaking day for a new green community center at Johnson Park in Utica. Rev. Ursula Meier, chief operations officer at Johnson Park, also gave an update on the new housing, which will include 62 low-income apartments. The apartments will be located at 6 Johnson Park, 200 Square Street, and 14 Johnson Park. (WKTV)
3. The Utica Peregrine Falcon Project looks after a peregrine falcon couple, Astrid and Aries, and their chicks. Utica’s "highest-flying couple" has made their nest on a 15th-floor ledge of the Adirondack Bank building since 2014. The group is looking for more volunteers to help watch the two chicks, Amelio and Niles, to make sure they stay safe. Learn more here. (Utica Observer-Dispatch)

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Today and tomorrow in Utica:

Friday, June 23

• Steal Your Face LIVE At Saranac Brewery (6:00 PM)
• Darling And Dapper - Acoustic Duo At Bagg's Square Brewing Co. (7:00 PM)

Saturday, June 24

• Jerry Harrison & Adrian Belew - Remain In Light At Saranac Brewery (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Stewart’s Shops is introducing a new flavor named Sundae Runday as a tribute to the Utica Boilermaker, a popular 5k and 15K race! Find the vanilla-flavored ice cream with brownie bites, cookie dough pieces, and a fudge swirl at Stewart’s Shops in the Utica area. (Stewart's Shops)
• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has awarded the Neighborhood Center clinic in Utica a federal grant! The grant will allow the Neighborhood Center, a behavioral and mental health clinic, to officially become a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC). (Local SYR)
• On Jun. 21, a Utica woman celebrated her 100th birthday! Marge Cahill, who used to sing at the old James Theater on James Street in Utica, celebrated the special day with friends and family. View the link to hear her sing a song for her birthday. (WKTV)

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Featured events:

• Crossing Over With Psychic Medium John Edward live in Syracuse! (July 15)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed. 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.