The Oneida County Health Department (OCHD) announced today that it will replace any expiring Narcan® it provided to local businesses and organizations.  the Oneida County Opioid Task Force launched the “Save-a-Life” campaign which helped expand access to naloxone by distributing free overdose rescue kits to more public places including businesses and community organizations The Narcan® in those kits may be expired or soon expiring and should be replaced.  “Consider Narcan® to be another tool in your first aid kit.”      The “Save-a-Life” campaign greatly increased the number of public places that have naloxone helped laypersons recognize signs of an overdose and understand how to administer naloxone nasal spray Oneida County and its community partners have mailed Narcan® to over 840 homes provided Narcan® to 836 businesses and have stocked over 230 Narcan® cabinets,” said County Executive Anthony J To order Narcan® for your business or home, visit https://opioidtaskforce.oneidacountyny.gov/. Expired Narcan® should be disposed of like other medications at a free collection site near you or can be dropped off at the OCHD at 406 Elizabeth St Live in-person Narcan® trainings by the OCHD can be requested by calling 315-798-6400 or visiting https://oneidacountyny.gov/departments/health/programs-and-services/health-promotion/request-health-department/ Subscribe to receive Oneida County updates Digital by TRAINOR — New York State Attorney General Letitia James released bodycam footage in an investigation into the death of Matthew Brown who was in the custody of New York State Police in Oneida County troopers responded to a residence in Barneveld for a 911 call Troopers spoke with Brown and tried to take him into custody for a mental health evaluation A struggle between Brown and the troopers ensued The footage released by James's office is from two troopers and a deputy with the Oneida County Sheriff's Office shows when law enforcement first responded to the scene Brown appears confused and enters his home The troopers follow him and Brown's confusion continues "the bullet," and slowly approaches them He then reaches toward the officer and the struggle ensues He is placed in handcuffs when he is put on the ground The troopers can be heard telling Brown to "catch his breath." Brown is the ground breathing heavily The troopers ask a person in the home if Brown takes any medications and or any drugs That person responds by saying that Browns takes THC and it "sometimes throws him over the edge." The police hold Brown they wait for EMS crews to arrive "Dad," with much of it being inaudible the bodycam video from Trooper Rotach shows police holding Brown down for more than 20 minutes the police are attempting to get Brown upright one officer requests medical unit to come to the residence faster The video ends with someone in the residence demanding that EMTs get into the house quicker and informing them that Brown had "just stopped" breathing The other footage is from the bodycams of Deputy T. Bronson and Trooper B. Gokey. They can be viewed at this link The New York State Attorney General's Office of Special Investigations launched its investigation into the matter in early April The OSI is required by state law to assess every death of a person that may involve a law enforcement or corrections officer The Oneida County Sheriff’s Office is urging motorists to watch for slow-moving vehicles as the growing season starts and farmers get on the road Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol was joined by numerous agriculture officials to urge motorists to watch for slow-moving agriculture vehicles and to remind farmers of their responsibilities when operating farm equipment on public roads The event was held at the Broulette Farms on Brouille,tte Road in the town of Marshall we are now beginning to see farm vehicles and equipment on the roads and motorists need to be ready to respond appropriately,” Maciol said in a statement "These vehicles are extremely important to Oneida County’s agriculture community When motorists encounter a slow-moving vehicle on the roadway Operators of the farm tractors and equipment should be aware that the slow-moving vehicle triangle should be placed in the center of the back end of the vehicle whether self-propelled or used in combination must separately display the required emblems It is illegal to put slow-moving vehicle emblems on stationary objects self-propelled agricultural equipment can be used on public roads after dark and when visibility is less than 1,000 feet when it has two white headlamps one red tail light on the rear as far left as possible and two amber lamps at least 42 inches high and visible from the front and rear Vehicles drawn by animals must display on the rear either a slow-moving vehicle triangle or a lighted lantern with a red lens at least four inches in diameter with the center of the lens to be 42 inches above the ground the lantern to be near the left edge of the vehicle The vehicle also should have 72 square inches of a high quality white or whitish-gray reflective tape “Farmers are the lifeblood of Oneida County,” Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr but agriculture is the main industry that drives our economy As our farmers take to the roads with their vehicles and equipment this time of year we must be aware of their presence to ensure everyone’s safety Please use caution when traveling near county farmland so we can all ‘Share the Road’ together.” ASHWAUBENON (WLUK) -- Oneida Street will reopen to traffic earlier than expected following the NFL Draft. A portion of Oneida Street has been closed to traffic since March 28 to construct the NFL Draft theater space It was previously reported Oneida Street was reopen on May 10 but that date has been changed to May 6 vehicles were driving down the westbound lanes of Lombardi Avenue Eastbound lanes of Lombardi Avenue are expected to reopen Friday Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInONEIDA (WBAY) - Oneida Casino Hotel is warning people about a scam using its name on Facebook and Instagram to promote online gambling Ads circulating on social media and a fake Facebook page include photos of the casino in Ashwaubenon and online gambling with the “Oneida Club.” The ad promises a $1,000 bonus for joining and promotes an app on Apple and Google app stores and says it accepts major credit cards you’ll be asked for personal and financial information “Oneida Casino Hotel does not operate any online gaming or promotional giveaways through Facebook ads,” the casino warns It says it’s working with Meta to remove the counterfeit page and bogus ads and it asks people who see the ads to tap on the 3 dots on the ad and report it The Facebook page includes a toll-free number similar to, but not the same as, the legitimate casino and hotel. The legitimate website for the casino and hotel is oneidacasinohotel.com If you became a victim of this online gambling scam Oneida Casino Hotel urges you to report it immediately to your bank and/or credit card company You should also notify local law enforcement -- which may not be able to investigate the case, but you’ll have it on record -- and the Federal Trade Commission, which investigates fraud and deceptive business practices, and to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center that investigates cyber crimes It’s important to note that online gambling Former Marcy Corrections Officer pleads guilty to manslaughter in case involving the death of an inmate in December 2024 — Homeowners around Oneida Lake in Central New York are grappling with the implications of recent amendments to New York State Article 24 of the Environmental Conservation Law allowing the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to classify Oneida Lake as a wetland expressed her surprise and frustration over the new designation "I guess you have to follow every single government platform to learn what's coming down the pike," she said there's so much out there that nobody knows it feels kind of like it was a secret." Husted also highlighted the increased government hurdles she now faces you have to go through the canal corps to make any changes," he said I have to go through the DEC as well in the town of Cicero and everybody's got their hand in my yard." noted the concerns among residents and municipalities about declining property values people are concerned about the property values decreasing," said Snyder "Municipalities are concerned about the property values decreasing and lowering the tax levy because people can't use and develop and maintain the properties as they're accustomed to." To use this interactive map, follow this link,to find if your property may be considered a wetland now New York State Senator Joe Griffo (R-53) has co-sponsored legislation to exempt lakes from wetland designation "We're working with the Oneida Lake Association and others across the state It's really unnecessary," Senator Griffo said "We're hoping DEC will reconsider and work with us But I'm concerned that they may not do this within the administrative structure." The Chautauqua Lake Association has already taken legal action against the state over this legislation and the Oneida Lake Association is closely monitoring the situation announced today that his 2025 State of the County Address will take place on May 20th at the Turning Stone Resort Casino and will be preceded by a luncheon at noon The event takes place in the Shenedoah Clubhouse It will be livestreamed here Former Marcy Corrections Officer pleads guilty to manslaughter in case involving the death of an inmate in December 2024. CICERO, N.Y. — Four people fell into Oneida Lake when their canoe overturned. The victims were approximately 600 yards from shore when the incident happened. At 3:17 p.m., the South Bay Fire Department, with Mutual Aid Fire Departments and Oneida Lake Task Force, was alerted by the Onondaga County Department of Emergency Communications for an overturned canoe. The first responding units to arrive were on scene within two minutes of dispatch in the area off of Lakeshore Road. That unit confirmed the number of victims in the water and how far from shore they were. Four ALS Ambulances were requested to come to the marina. South Bay Water Rescue arrived on the scene and removed the four victims from the water. Three other people were nearby in kayaks. They were advised to return to shore. All parties involved had proper personal flotation devices. Water Rescue provided basic life support care to the victims before transferring them to the EMS units on shore. All victims were transported for hypothermia precautions, as current lake temperatures are averaging 40 degrees. The South Bay Fire Department encourages everyone to exercise caution around water and always be aware of their surroundings. This incident highlights the importance of wearing a life jacket. Armstrong Williams takes on the news of the week and asks the questions you want answered. Don’t miss our weekly town hall. — Agricultural experts and Oneida County officials are urging drivers to be on the lookout for slow-moving vehicles they are advising drivers to be cautious of farm equipment on the road Below is a list of what they say drivers should do when they encounter slow-moving vehicles: we are now beginning to see farm vehicles and equipment on the roads and motorists need to be ready to respond appropriately," said Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol "These vehicles are extremely important to Oneida County’s agriculture community which is our county’s largest industry." officials are reminding farmers to be mindful of their responsibilities when they are road with their equipment as well such as keeping an orange triangle on the back of their vehicle We are now accepting applications for the NYS Trooper Entrance Exam! Please visit joinstatepolice.ny.gov to learn more More than $2 million in federal funding will go to expand rental assistance for Native American veterans who are unhoused or at risk of becoming homeless as the nation’s federal housing agency faces cuts to grants and staff.U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner announced $2.2 million in new funding Thursday on the Oneida Nation’s reservation which spans roughly 65,000 acres in Brown and Outagamie counties The money is part of leftover funds from previous fiscal years that will be made available through HUD’s Tribal Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing or the VASH program.During a press conference Turner said more than 500 veterans in 29 tribal communities are currently being housed under the program The Oneida Nation has helped Native American vets under the program for the last decade said it’s helped meet the community’s needs for affordable and available housing Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System and Wisconsin Educational Communications Board addressed the digital divide needs of children of the Oneida Nation at the Inspire Change Digital Divide event at Oneida Elementary School on Thursday Packers fans explored the Draft Experience across Lambeau Field and Titletown for the final day of the NFL Draft on Saturday The NFL hosted a bike parade in reference to the Green Bay Packers' bike tradition at the 2025 NFL Draft on Saturday The NFL put on a drone show on Friday evening of the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay on April 25 Packers fans filled the parking lot at Lambeau Field for the second day of the NFL Draft on Friday USA Football coaches and former NFL players went through football drills with kid at Titletown on Friday Prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft attended the NFL Red Carpet event at Lambeau Field on Thursday Green Bay Packers partner with GENYOUth and Schreiber Foods to bring the ultimate Wisconsin supper club experience to the 2025 NFL Draft and raise funds to end student hunger in Wisconsin the Packers Everywhere Draft Haus was officially unveiled on Wednesday WPS and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) held their annual tree pickup event distributing trees to 15 Brown County communities that are receiving trees through the First Downs for Trees program to hand out cleats to nearby youth sports teams on March 17 Love will continue to donate over 1,300 new cleats throughout the NFL offseason to 26 youth sports team in Wisconsin one team for every touchdown he scored during the 2024 season The Packers and Green Bay Police Department teamed up to hold a movie night for kids from the Brown County Pals Program at the De Pere Cinema on Monday The Green Bay Packers hosted a literacy-themed event "Timeout for Reading" at Lambeau Field on Saturday announced today that Oneida County was successful in receiving a temporary restraining order in New York State Supreme Court against Governor Hochul’s executive order restricting the hiring of separated correction officers “This ruling is a victory for Oneida County and for the dedicated men and women who have served as correction officers and deserve the opportunity to continue their careers in public service,” Picente said “The Governor’s executive order was an unjust overreach that not only harmed these individuals but also jeopardized the safety and operations of our Sheriff’s Office We will continue to fight to ensure that this temporary order becomes permanent and that Oneida County retains the ability to hire qualified personnel to serve our community.” State Supreme Court Justice Ryba ruled on April 1 2025 that Oneida County successfully showed irreparable harm in not being able to hire the separated officers to fill several vacancies in its Sheriff’s Office and other departments and that the county demonstrated a likelihood of succeeding on the ultimate merits of it lawsuit The order only pertains to Oneida County and not statewide “This decision is a crucial step toward ensuring that we can fill critical vacancies in our Sheriff’s Office with experienced well-trained correction officers,” said Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol “The Governor’s executive order unfairly targeted these professionals preventing them from continuing to serve their communities and this ruling allows us to strengthen our workforce and better protect the residents of Oneida County.” The Sheriff’s Office has already hired three separated officers who will begin on April 3 with several more to be processed in the coming weeks Oneida County filed the request for injunction on March 19 2025 in response to Executive Order 47.3 which was issued on March 10th banning 2,000 separated NYS correction officer from seeking employment in any government job at any level 2025 to make the restraining order permanent which would prevent any possibility of the order being renewed in Oneida County View today’s press conference here — The Oneida Indian Nation revealed a first look at the progress for the "Turning Stone Evolution" on Wednesday The $370 million Turning Stone Evolution is set to be the largest conference destination in New York State It's expected to produce a one-time economic impact of more than $600 million and create more than 3,500 jobs It is also expected to generate more than $22 million in state and local tax revenues Oneida Indian Nation Representative and Turning Stone CEO Ray Halbritter called The Evolution "generational." “We are taking what we have built here to even greater heights,” said Halbritter the investment we are making is the next chapter of the dream we laid out over three decades ago to transform this region showcase all we have to offer and leave it better than we found it for our grandchildren’s grandchildren.” Wednesday's unveiling also included a topping ceremony, or the placing of the final beam, for The Crescent Hotel, which is part of the project The Turning Stone Evolution is set to open in 2027 The Oneida Nation announced the project in July 2023 The Oneida County Health Department works in accordance with the NYS Department of Health to provide programs and services to benefit the wellbeing and safety of those in our communities We strive to present relevant and important information and guidance on general health children and youth with special health care needs Click here to complete and submit the Early Intervention Referral Form. someone from the Early Intervention Program will be in touch with you to discuss your concerns Online Payment Service by VPS (paylocalgov.com) Call (315) 798-5064 (daytime and after hours) Call (315) 798-5064 (daytime or after hours) Call (315) 798-5064 or email environmentalhealth@oneidacountyny.gov Call (315) 798-5064 or email environmentalhealth@oneidacountyny.gov Available at both Utica and Rome Clinics - Call (315) 798-5747 or stop during business hours Call Passport Health at (855) 729-2479 Authorization – Non-Parent/Guardian to Accompany Patient Form Click here for information on Immunizations / Vaccines. COVID-19 Information Hepatitis A Information STD Information Please Visit Our Health Promotion Web Page Birth, Death, or Marriage Records Click here to sign up or to see previous issues Mammography Resources https://oneidacountyny.gov/departments/health/septic-system-replacement-funding/ The Oneida County Health Department (OCHD) announced that it has scheduled rabies vaccination clinics through August Appointments are required for the clinic and can be made by calling 315-798-5064 or online at oneidacountyny.gov/rabies Rabies is a deadly disease that affects the brain and kills both animals and humans Animals pass the virus through saliva when the infected animal bites OCHD investigated 672 cases of human or pet contact with a variety of potentially rabid animals including bats Thirteen animals were lab-confirmed positive for rabies rabies is also almost 100 percent preventable for your pets if they are vaccinated but there are measures we can take to protect ourselves and our pets Have your pets vaccinated and avoid contact with wild animals Rabies vaccinations not only protect your pet If you are concerned that an animal is injured and/or may need help do not touch it but contact a professional for assistance For the safety of pets and the convenience of county residents the county Health Department offers rabies vaccination clinics throughout the year in various community locations Additional Oneida County rabies vaccination clinics will be scheduled in 2025 dogs and ferrets four months or older must have a current rabies vaccination Unvaccinated pets or pets whose vaccinations have lapsed could be euthanized or quarantined for an extended period if exposed to rabies contact the Oneida County Health Department at 315-798-5064 or log onto our website at oneidacountyny.gov/rabies State Police responded to the area of 910 River Road in the town of Boonville for a reported UTV crash.  On arrival Troopers located a 2022 Kawasaki UTV overturned with a male operator still inside.  The male was identified as Bryan M Postal was extricated from the UTV and appeared to have a serious head injury.  Postal was treated by Boonville Ambulance on scene and airlifted by Mercy Flight Helicopter to Upstate Hospital in Syracuse where he is listed in critical but stable condition The crash remains under investigation.  announced today that the 14th Annual Oneida County Intergenerational Spring Clean-Up saw 465 youth volunteers service the homes of 102 seniors.  "The success of our Annual Intergenerational Spring and Fall Clean-Ups is a direct result of our dedicated and hardworking youth volunteers and their mentors,” Picente said who can no longer physically do the work or financially afford to have the work done for them have benefitted tremendously from this initiative and its volunteers efforts They continue to remind us that there is good in our youth in our world and that Oneida County is a special place to live.” The 14th Annual Intergenerational Spring Clean-Up was a collaboration between the Oneida County Youth Bureau the Oneida County Office for the Aging and Continuing Care and local colleges sidewalks and driveways and brought light refuse to the curb at the homes of seniors throughout the county Volunteers participated from Utica University football and field hockey as well as the Organization of Justice Studies and Alpha Phi Delta national fraternity; Mohawk Valley Community College’s Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society; New Hartford High School varsity and junior varsity baseball and varsity softball; T.R Proctor High School Key Club and Young Scholars Program; Clinton High School varsity baseball and National Junior Honor Society; Notre Dame High School varsity baseball and National Junior ROTC; Whitesboro Middle School and Marcy Elementary School PTO; Camden High School athletics; Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Interact Club; Oriskany High School Track & Field and Key Club; Rome Free Academy; CNY Football Club; St Elizabeth College of Nursing; YWCA AMEND Together; ICAN SNUG and Broadway Utica Youth Ambassadors “With the outpouring of support given by our youth and the supportive number of youth volunteers represented these kids see the big picture,” Youth Bureau Director Kevin Green said caring enough to do the work and bringing joy to others are three characteristics these 465 youth volunteers brought to Oneida Counties senior citizen population.” The 2025 Spring Clean-up took place on April 12 and 13 During the 2024 Intergenerational Fall Clean-Up this past October 470 youth volunteers serviced the homes of 105 senior citizens throughout the county The 2025 Intergenerational Fall Clean-Up is scheduled for October 18 and 19 and the 2026 Intergenerational Spring Clean-Up is scheduled for April 18 and 19 school districts and youth organizations interested in volunteering should contact the Oneida County Youth Bureau at 315-798-5027.  CBC LiteSectionsNews • Canada • LondonIndigenous communities mark Red Dress Day honouring MMIWG, educating young girlsKendra Seguin | CBC News | Posted: May 5, 2025 9:00 AM | Last Updated: 23 hours ago Activities include memorial walks, red dress displays and self-defense lessons Caption: Danielle Hill (centre) stands with her sons Oaklynd Hill and Luca Hill at a Red Dress Day event. This year, she says events in Oneida Nation of the Thames will focus on how young Indigenous girls can protect themselves. (Submitted by Danielle Hill) Caption: Red dresses hang from trees at Victoria Park in London, Ont. on Red Dress Day in 2024. (Isha Bhargava/CBC) Caption: Kristen Longdo is the Indigenous Strategic Learning Guide at Fanshawe College. This year, the college will display close to 40 red dresses around campus to honour missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. (Submitted by Kristen Longdo) Caption: Hundreds of Oneida Nation of the Thames community members participate in the community's annual Red Dress Day memorial walk on May 5, 2024. This year's event will have an interactive component, with photos and signs along the walkway. (Isha Bhargava/CBC) .embed_embed__gX4nW button { display: none; }In addition to the Red Dress Day display Fanshawe College will also host a morning vigil to honour MMIWG2S+ followed by a screening of Highway of Tears a documentary about the unsolved murders and disappearances of Indigenous women in British Columbia Atlohsa Family Healing Services in London will host a drop-in community fire and lunch at the Wiigiwaaminann Lodge at 550 Wellington Rd. rattles and shakers to play around the fire.The City of London is also participating in the day by displaying red dresses at City Hall and ribbon skirts in the J Some city facilities and buildings downtown will be lit red to mark the occasion.More Stories Like ThisThe related links below are generated automatically based on the story you’ve just read ONEIDA  |  The Lady Indians softball team capped a four-win week by sweeping a District 2-2A doubleheader against Pigeon Forge at Bear Creek on Friday The Lady Indians picked up wins of 17-0 and 12-1 against the Tigers one day after defeating Cumberland County 11-0.  Game 1 against Pigeon Forge saw Oneida put up 14 runs in the second inning to force a run-rule ending in just 2.5 innings after Pigeon Forge was unable to retaliate in the top of the third Kennedy Shoemaker had three RBIs and scored three runs on a two of two batting effort that included a double.  while sisters Kamryn and Melanie Lee each had two runs and an RBI Shiloh Shoemaker and Ashlyn Cotton each had two runs and an RBI as well Duncan picked up the win by striking out five batters and allowing no hits across three innings Game two of Friday’s double header saw Oneida scatter 12 runs across four innings to defeat the Tigers but that was all that they needed to do their damage Lauren Stephens drove in a run and scored a run, as did Kennedy Shoemaker Stephens had the game’s only extra-base hit Kamryn and Melanie Lee each scored two runs Duncan and Kamryn Lee each pitched two innings In Thursday’s game against Cumberland County the Lady Indians put up seven runs in the fifth inning to cruise to a run-rule victory over the Jets It was a 4-0 game after a four-run second inning for Oneida and that’s the way the score remained going into the bottom of the fifth when the Lady Indians broke the game open and eventually walked off with a run-rule win Shiloh Shoemaker drove in three runs and scored a fourth while Kennedy Shoemaker drove in two and scored two while Duncan also drove in two runs.  Melanie and Kamryn Lee each scored two runs while Lewallen and Shayla Shoemaker each scored a run Cotton and Kennedy Shoemaker had extra-base hits striking out five and allowing no runs.  It was a 7-0 game in the fifth with two outs when Cotton singled to score Melanie Lee and Shiloh Shoemaker Kennedy Shoemaker hit a two-run double to score Cotton and Lewallen ending the game due to the 10-after-5 run rule The Independent Herald Sports Network offers broadcasts for the Oneida Indians and Scott Highlanders the Independent Herald is the voice of Scott County and Big South Fork Country ASHWAUBENON - With the 2025 NFL draft less than a month away, some road closures begin March 29 as construction begins on the draft stage and campus The village of Ashwaubenon has a tentative timeline set for closures on seven different roads in the area Closures may remain in place through early May The exact dates for closures are subject to change Village Administrator Joel Gregozeski said Road closures for the draft will start March 29 as crews begin building the draft stage In order to build the stage and tear it down after the event portions of South Oneida Street and Armed Forces Drive will be closed from 7 a.m These portions of the roads will be closed: The next set of road closures will begin in early to mid-April in order to set up the surrounding draft campus These closures are also expected to last through early May the eastbound traffic lanes of Lombardi Avenue from South Military Avenue to Holmgren Way and South Ridge Road from Lombardi Avenue to Valley View Road will close These lane closures will be from April 13-May 2 the westbound traffic lanes will also close completely closing the stretches of Lombardi Avenue and Ridge Road until May 2 In the heart of New York's Mohawk Valley After announcing a $500 million expansion in Twin Falls Chobani broke ground today on a new, $1.2 billion This new facility is about building for the future—creating jobs “This is a generational win for Oneida County and the entire Mohawk Valley," said Oneida County Executive Anthony J "We believed in the potential of the Griffiss Triangle site and invested over $6 million to make it shovel-ready because we knew it could attract a world-class partner like Chobani I’m proud of the role Oneida County played in bringing this transformative project to fruition This $1 billion investment will create over 1,000 good-paying jobs and reaffirm our region as a hub for innovation and opportunity We couldn’t be happier to welcome Chobani to Rome and begin this new chapter together.” "New York is where Chobani's journey began It was the perfect spot to start Chobani 20 years ago and it's the perfect place to continue our story Working with dedicated dairy farmers and the resilient community we built something truly special—something bigger than the food we make We ignited a movement toward better food made with heart and only the highest-quality ingredients," said Hamdi Ulukaya "With our new plant in Rome and our original home in South Edmeston partnering with hard working people across the heartland of New York to build an ecosystem of natural food production and nourish families throughout the country you're not just building a business—you're building a future." A 150-acre open stretch of land located at the Griffiss Business & Technology Park will transform into a thriving center of food production enabling Chobani to keep up with soaring product demand and create runway for new innovations The 1.4 million square-foot facility is expected to create over 1,000 full-time jobs with competitive wages and access to a suite of on-site health and wellness amenities Rooted in the belief that business can be a force for good the Rome plant is not a standalone operation—it's designed to be a catalyst for an entire ecosystem of food innovation across the Mohawk Valley and beyond and community organizations to drive new thinking train the next generation of high-skilled labor and fuel economic opportunity far beyond the walls of the new plant With capacity to produce over one billion pounds of high-quality dairy products per year the new plant will house up to 28 production lines designed to process approximately 12 million pounds of milk per day One of the largest buyers of raw milk in the state Chobani purchases over a billion pounds of raw milk from New York State dairy farms each year Chobani will purchase an estimated 6 billion pounds per year, creating additional economic opportunity and strengthening the state's dairy industry Watch the livestream from today's announcement here.  State Police seized 12 pounds of crystal methamphetamine as well as drug packaging materials and scales members of the New York State Police Troop D Violent Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Team and Oneida County Probation located and apprehended the primary suspect Croniser was taken into custody at a residence on Glenridge Drive in Annsville attempted to conceal Croniser and obstruct the apprehension Croniser: Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 2nd Degree (Class A-II Felony) Centro: Hindering Prosecution 1st Degree (Class D Felony) and Obstruction of Governmental Administration (Class A Misdemeanor) Both individuals are currently being held at the Oneida County Jail pending centralized arraignment.  Additional charges are anticipated as the investigation continues SUNBRIGHT  |  A 15-run first inning set the tone for a 25-1 win by Oneida in just three innings of play here Tuesday afternoon while also taking advantage of 12 walks and seven Sunbright errors to score the 25 runs Kaidence Lewallen, Kennedy Shoemaker and Kamryn Lee each batted in three runs and scored three runs, while Melanie Lee batted in three and scored two Ashlyn Cotton scored three runs, while Hailey, Duncan, and Shayla Shoemaker each scored two. Reed, Addison Johnson, Katie Mae Sexton Duncan picked up the win with one inning pitched UPDATE: Oneida County will file legal action against New York State no later than Wednesday Kathy Hochul’s executive order prohibiting local governments in the state from hiring any of the former state corrections officers who were fired in response to a strike Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr the county will begin hiring the former state employees to fill vacancies in the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office and other county departments “The men and women who have honorably served the public despite unacceptable working conditions do not deserve to be treated so terribly,” Picente said “It is a violation of their rights and of our home rule as local governments We will not stand for such an abuse of power and will gladly give these dedicated workers the support and respect they are entitled to.”       The Oneida County Board of Legislators passed a resolution allowing the Oneida County Attorney to take legal action against New York State regarding Gov Executive Order 47.3 targeted around 2,000 corrections officers who participated in a wildcat strike and did not return to work terminating their position and prohibiting them from being hired by a New York State agency This also includes municipalities like Oneida County Hochul said in her executive order that by engaging in the strike these individuals “...engaged in misconduct that undermines the public trust and is inconsistent with suitability for public service roles.” Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente called Hochul’s order overreach before the Oneida County Board of Legislators on Wednesday and urged the Board to pass the resolution The board passed the resolution with 23 yes votes and Timothy Julian were not in attendance and did not vote said the actions by Hochul test the county’s self-governance and its charter “But it also inhibits us from hiring people who could fill some of our vacancies in our county jail.” which transferred $11.5 million to different departments that were short funds and had overages “The biggest one was an almost $4 million transfer for overtime at the jail,” Flisnik said If we could hire just 20 or 30 ex-correctional staff members County need for corrections officersAt a press conference after the meeting Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol said he’s interviewed “...four dozen” corrections officers and they can’t deal with all the issues at these facilities that lead to the strike.” Maciol said if they could hire the applicants who have approached Oneida County Corrections it would provide additional relief by diminishing overtime and giving more opportunities for time off Picente added at the press conference that what the governor was doing was an unlawful abuse of authority “This executive order suspends not just various aspects of county law the general powers of the board of supervisors NY Republicans: New York Senate Republicans ask Trump Admin to federally activate National Guard Bus Crash: Funeral for Holland Patent school bus driver who died in crash is Friday. Here are details Arrest: 72-year-old woman arrested in Verona hit-and-run death Picente said the county is not going to court just yet — Oneida County Attorney Amanda Cortese-Kolasz is instead researching what pathways and recourses the county could take When asked about the fact that these corrections officers participated in an illegal strike Cortese-Kolasz said civil service law delegates the determination with each civil service “We have a commissioner and his sole authority whether or not someone is suitable for employment so long as they meet the minimum qualifications,” she said “The type of action that the governor talks about deeming someone is morally not suitable because they have a disrespect for the law is a determination that lies solely with the municipal commissioner.” Picente said it should be left up to the municipalities to decide whether or not to hire these individuals after they do their own checks and research Senator Joseph Griffo said in a statement that this executive order is unacceptable and urged Hochul to rescind the order The statement was released shortly after Picente's press conference "The governor and legislative majorities are responsible and share the blame for the issues that have plagued the state’s prison system Under their leadership and because of one-party control we have seen legislation passed and policies like the HALT Act implemented that have emboldened criminals and created dangerous conditions in correctional facilities," Griffo said "Instead of standing with our hardworking men and women in corrections who have raised legitimate concerns about their safety the administration has turned its back on them These are dedicated public servants who are being targeted by the state because they stood up for a safer and more secure work environment." announced today that the Oneida County Department of Planning in partnership with UP Development Planning LLC (Urban Planners) will be presenting the County’s Housing Market Inventory Assessment and Strategy Report at a public meeting on March 13 The report will presented at two separate sessions to maximize the opportunity for those interested in attending: “Housing is a critical piece in preparing for the future of Oneida County,” Picente said “It is essential to economic and community development at all levels It is the way we grow to attract more people and more businesses and allow them to thrive throughout our community I urge everyone to attend one of our report presentation sessions to learn how this holistic approach will provide a real strategy for strengthening our housing sector.” Representatives from the Planning Department and Urban Partners will be available at each presentation session to answer questions from the public and light refreshments will be served Those who would like to attend are asked to RSVP for either session by calling 315-798-5710 or emailing planning@oneidacountyny.gov.  Picente announced the commission of the Housing Inventory Assessment in the Summer of 2023 as part of an initiative to address the needs and gaps in county housing options through a strategic plan The goal of this first-of-its-kind comprehensive housing plan is to innovatively bring together market influencers and workforce drivers to accurately assess current needs and provide a strategy for the future of housing within Oneida County using meta-analysis of existing data identified housing needs and projected housing needs across the region — The Oneida County Sheriff's Office filed an Extreme Risk Protection Order against one of its deputies following a house fire in Utica the Utica Fire Department responded to a house fire that was later determined to be arson is believed to be responsible for the fire based on "strong physical evidence." said Alshaman was in a relationship with someone who lived there Deputy Alshaman was found near the scene of the house fire "This behavior is uncharacteristic for the respondent and calls into question his mental," the order stated should not be allowed to possess or purchase any firearms at this time." An Extreme Risk Protection Order is granted by a judge and issued when a person is believed to be a danger to themselves or others It falls underneath New York State's Red Flag Laws It allows law enforcement to search for and remove weapons from whom the order is against The Sheriff's Office alleged that Alshaman is likely to harm himself or someone else The order said Alshaman owns a handgun and a rifle Official charges against Alshaman were not announced Extreme Risk Protection Orders are temporary and may take effect for up to one year Oneida County restaurant inspections: How safe is your favorite place to eat?Utica Observer DispatchThousands go out to eat in Oneida County every day Whether it’s a quick stop for a coffee or a breakfast sandwich during the morning commute they take for granted that the food they're buying is safe and that it's not going to make them sick Consumers can feel safe because of a team of inspectors from the health department visit each establishment to ensure that food is being prepared in a clean environment and that health and safety regulations are being followed Inspection reports are public documents, and the online database at https://data.uticaod.com/restaurant-inspections/ has the results of inspections in Oneida County and across New York state Readers can see when a facility was last inspected and get a summary of the violations that inspectors found reflecting observations from a single day when inspectors were in the restaurant Problems that were found on one occasion were likely fixed and a clean slate in one report doesn't mean that problems can't crop up later This story was updated to include the name of the deceased incarcerated individual An incarcerated man at the Oneida County Correctional Facility was found unresponsive in his cell Sunday and later pronounced dead according to the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol said just before 3 p.m The officer activated their medical response protocol Medical staff at the correctional facility responded and began life-saving efforts The Stanwix Heights Fire Department and Kunkel Ambulance arrived at the facility and Scofield was transported to Wynn Hospital Maciol said the Sheriff’s Office is conducting a full investigation into this death along with subsequent independent investigations by the New York State Commission of Corrections and the New York State Attorney General’s Office Hochul: NY governor calls for arrests after Marcy inmate death ruled a homicide. What we know Brooks case a homicide: Robert Brooks' death ruled a homicide by medical examiner, lawyer says The Office of Special Investigations within the Attorney General’s Office requires an investigation into the death of anyone who is in the custody of a police or peace officer anywhere in New York State. Packers and NFL team up to tackle tech gaps for Oneida studentsby Josh Cavender ONEIDA (WLUK) -- With the NFL Draft in town the league and the Green Bay Packers are aiming to tackle the digital divide for Oneida schools The NFL Foundation and the Packers awarded a joint $150,000 grant to non-profit Compudopt which will gift nearly 500 new and refurbished devices to Oneida Nation students for use in-school and at home NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell joined the tour which included interactive STEM stations and flag football drills led by USA Football Goodell said Green Bay may be the smallest NFL city but it's the mightiest -- and provides an iconic setting for this year's NFL Draft “I think this is going to be a great event the franchise deserves it and I think it will be great for the NFL and this country," he said very proud franchises with a long history in the league and I'd like to say that you could not write the history of the NFL without the Green Bay Packers," Goodell continued Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy says this has been years in the making It's something obviously we worked on for a number of years and it's exciting to see it finally come to fruition I remember vividly when they put up the clock in the Atrium and it said 365 days," Murphy said Murphy says Goodell's confidence in Green Bay to host the league's second largest event speaks volumes Roger thinks highly of Green Bay and the Packers organization We're by far the smallest city to ever host the draft," Murphy said.