Sentinel Today

Governor Hochul has proposed a law to ban local police partnerships with ICE in New York, aiming to keep immigration enforcement separate from community policing and public safety efforts.

Big news for Central New York’s biotech scene—CUNY Upstate Medical Center’s Biotech Accelerator is getting a major boost. State officials have just announced nearly $3 million in funding for a renovation and expansion project that aims to grow the region’s life sciences ecosystem.

Gordon Mower, who confessed nearly three decades ago to killing his parents on their family farm in Richfield Springs, is back in court. This time, he says he got bad legal advice when he took a plea deal in 1996.

The Rome Common Council approved up to $70,000 in bonds for window blinds at City Hall to address severe heat and glare issues caused by large uncovered windows installed during recent renovations.

When a major winter storm dropped more than 14 inches of snow on Utica, it was the city’s Department of Public Works that stepped up to keep things moving.

Eight elementary school positions have been cut in the Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Central School District, part of a broader plan to reconfigure grades across the district starting next school year.

A legal battle is unfolding in the town of Deerfield, where a proposed affordable housing project has sparked a heated dispute between a nonprofit developer and the local government.

In Utica, property owners are legally responsible for clearing snow from sidewalks in front of their properties, and failure to do so can lead to warnings, fines, or added costs on their tax bill.

In a world where you can rent everything from treehouses to submarines on Airbnb, it takes something special to stand out. And yet, tucked away in the quiet woods of Remsen, there’s a cabin doing just that.

A 49-year-old man, Wilson Rentas-Jimenez, has been sentenced to twenty-five years in state prison for a brutal attack inside a woman’s home. The sentence was announced by the county District Attorney’s Office.

Former Proctor High School principal, Andre Paradis, is suing the Utica City School District—and one of its board members.

Mathew Brooks, a resilient 18-year-old from Eaton, was honored in a heartfelt commencement ceremony just days before his passing, leaving behind a legacy of strength and kindness.

The Rome Common Council began 2026 by unanimously approving funding for local organizations, property leases, infrastructure projects, and administrative resolutions, setting a collaborative tone for the year ahead.

Former correctional officer, Michael Fisher, is currently on trial for manslaughter after allegedly failing to intervene while fellow officers fatally beat inmate Robert Brooks.

Utica University is turning eighty this year, and there’s a lot to celebrate—including a new chapter of leadership. Stephanie Nesbitt has just stepped in as the university’s 11th president, bringing with her not only deep institutional knowledge, but a genuine passion for the community she’s served for over a decade.

Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado is stepping up his challenge to Governor Kathy Hochul, and this week, that campaign brought him to Utica.

Hundreds gathered in Rome this past Saturday for what’s being called an "ICE Out for Good" rally—a national call to action following a fatal shooting by "Immigration and Customs Enforcement" in Minneapolis.

Nathan Jochum has begun his role as director of the Utica Public Library, bringing decades of experience and a people-first vision focused on community partnerships, welcoming spaces, and expanding access for all residents.

After more than three years of planning and anticipation, Micron is finally breaking ground on its massive new semiconductor facility in Clay, just outside Syracuse.

After 16 years under Tom Powers, Utica’s Celtic Harp is changing hands to longtime manager Devin Mccovery, who plans to preserve its Irish-American charm while ushering in a new era.

New York lawmakers are weighing in on the military operation that ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The responses fall largely along party lines, with Republicans offering strong support and Democrats raising questions about what comes next.

A small business owner in Utica is sounding the alarm, over what he calls repeated neglect by his landlord, that’s left his shop damaged, flooded, and in jeopardy.

Crust Kitchen & Bar has announced plans to open a second, larger location in Utica at the former Bagg’s Square Brewing Company site on Main Street, with hopes of opening within about three months.

Florence Viola Barnett, Rome’s first Black school principal, is remembered as a compassionate yet firm leader and lifelong community advocate whose lasting legacy lives on through the students, educators, and leaders she inspired.

If you’re in Rome and looking for something to lift those post-holiday blues, there’s good news. Connected Rome is kicking off the new year with a free, family-friendly event called Skate Back from Break.

The Utica Comets closed out their 2025 calendar year on a tough note, suffering a blowout 7-0 loss to the Belleville Senators on Sunday in Ontario. It was one of the roughest outings of their season so far—not just in terms of score, but also in execution.

Looking to start the new year with less screen time and more fresh air? New York’s "First Day Hikes" return January 1st, offering a simple way to get outside and reset.

A Rome Free Academy graduate, Logan Dorfman, won Best Student Film at the Lake Placid Film Festival for his short movie "Cipher in the Clouds", which reimagines the enduring mystery of plane hijacker DB Cooper through a fictional investigation.

Utica just landed over five point seven million dollars in state funding, aimed at transforming the city through a mix of economic development, tourism, and cultural revitalization projects. It’s part of New York’s larger Regional Economic Development Council initiative.

The Kraeger Christmas Village in Rome, a decades-long tradition started by Sam and Arlene Kraeger, has grown into a beloved, community-powered holiday display that brings joy and festive spirit to thousands each year.

The Rescue Mission of Utica has opened a free Community Resource Room to help people access technology and one-on-one support for jobs, housing, education, and healthcare needs.

The civil rights lawsuit over the death of Robert Brooks is expanding—and it now names even more correctional officers as defendants.

Parents in the Rome City School District are pushing back after officials said a recent bedbug discovery at Stokes Elementary School was handled promptly. But several families say that doesn’t reflect what they experienced.

Utica saw a thirty-one percent drop in gun violence in 2025—part of a statewide decline—thanks to targeted policing efforts and state-led initiatives like "Give".

Senator Joseph Griffo’s monthlong drive collected a thousand used phones to support "Cell Phones for Soldiers", providing over one-hundred thousand minutes of free calls for troops, and aiding veterans in need.

State lawmakers in Upstate New York are proposing new legislation to combat severe doctor shortages by expanding loan repayment programs, offering tax incentives, and improving access to medical education in rural and underserved areas.

Rome Health has secured a nearly twenty million dollar state grant to modernize its IT systems, unifying electronic records and enhancing cybersecurity and telehealth as part of a broader, years-long transformation.

Jim Kramer is stepping down as New Hartford’s head football coach after nine successful seasons to spend more time with his family, leaving behind a revitalized and championship-caliber program.

Broadway Utica is bringing the fast-paced, stage adaptation of the classic whodunit “Clue” to the Stanley Theatre, blending comedy, mystery, and nostalgia while also engaging local students through community outreach.

Early Tuesday morning in Rome, tragedy struck as a fire tore through the Countryside Apartments on Rome-Oriskany Road. The blaze left one person dead, another critically injured, and around twenty residents displaced.

Central New York is under a winter storm watch with up to seven inches of snow expected Wednesday, mixed with rain due to warmer temperatures, and hazardous travel conditions likely.

The annual "Shop With A Cop" event in Utica brought together police officers and over a hundred children for a joyful holiday shopping experience that fostered community connection and support for families in need.

Mohawk Valley Health System is getting ready to open a brand-new outpatient surgery center in Utica, and it’s being billed as a major step forward for healthcare in the Mohawk Valley.

The Rome Planning Board approved a new phase of the Woodhaven housing project, adding a hundred garden-style apartment units off Floyd Avenue as part of a larger residential expansion across the city.

Utica is launching a modern paid parking system downtown, aiming to boost business access by replacing outdated meters with app-based and kiosk options that improve space turnover and enforcement.

A weekend brawl at a newly opened family attraction in New Hartford ended with viral video footage, a police investigation, and two people facing criminal charges.

Clinton’s annual Shoppers’ Stroll brought festive cheer and community spirit to the village while encouraging support for local businesses, marking a bittersweet farewell for longtime shop owners Alan and Dawn Perta as they prepare for retirement.

New York State is investing sixteen point two million dollars to help nonprofits like Utica’s "Home Ownership Center" turn vacant, uninhabitable apartments into safe, affordable homes.

New York State has awarded over one-hundred and twenty-five million dollars for supportive and affordable housing projects.

Utica has begun a two million dollar project to restore snowmaking and year-round operations at the Val Bialas Ski Center, marking the first major revitalization of the historic community hill in more than a decade.