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The Rome Free Academy boys basketball team used its patented defensive pressure on Tuesday night to go on a 17-0 run late in the first half en route to a 92-64 victory over visiting Tri-Valley League rival Whitesboro. 

RFA clinches TVL Colonial Division title with win over Whitesboro
Full-court press.
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February 18, 2026 at 6:30 PM
🎭 The hit musical Mrs. Doubtfire is coming to Utica — and you could win free tickets!

A heartwarming, laugh-out-loud story about a dad who’ll do anything for his kids.

🎟️ CLICK HERE TO WIN TICKETS: https://romesentinel.secondstreetapp.com/Mrs-Doubtfire-The-New-Musical-Comedy-at-The-Stanley-Theatre/
February 18, 2026 at 5:31 PM
Mikaela Shiffrin’s turbulent, 12-year Olympic journey came full circle Wednesday when she won the slalom by a massive 1.50 seconds to break her long medal drought at the Winter Games.

U.S. star Mikaela Shiffrin wins slalom to break 8-year Olympic drought
Mikaela Shiffrin’s eight-year Olympic medal drought is over. The American skiing standout has put in two dominant runs in gorgeous conditions amid the jagged peaks of the Dolomites to show
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February 18, 2026 at 4:31 PM
The Boonville Police Department has released drone footage showing the firefighting efforts after an explosion at the Abundant Life Fellowship church on Route 12 Tuesday morning.
February 18, 2026 at 3:16 PM
Oneida County recognized and thanked the over 1,000 youth who volunteered through the Children Care initiative in 2025 on Tuesday, Feb. 17.

Over 1,000 local youths give back through Oneida County Children Care Initiative
Oneida County recognized and thanked the over 1,000 youth who volunteered through the Children Care initiative in 2025 on Tuesday, Feb. 17.
www.romesentinel.com
February 18, 2026 at 2:03 PM
The Utica Royalties, a nonprofit dedicated to providing youth with safe, creative spaces and community support, celebrated the ribbon-cutting of its first permanent home Tuesday in downtown Utica.

Ribbon cutting marks new chapter for Utica Royalties
On the fourth floor of a building in downtown Utica, laughter and drumbeats echo down the hallway as children file into a space built just for them. In a city where many young people face limited resources and too many negative influences, having somewhere safe to gather, create and simply belong ca...
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February 18, 2026 at 12:46 PM
Lori Nichols, of Herkimer, has been appointed director of human resources at Herkimer County Community College.

HCCC appoints director of human resources
HERKIMER — Lori Nichols, of Herkimer, has been appointed director of human resources at Herkimer County Community College.
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February 18, 2026 at 11:32 AM
The Center for Family Life and Recovery has announced that the inaugural Dry January Mohawk Valley Challenge has raised more than $400 to support prevention, recovery, and mental health services in the Mohawk Valley.

CFLR receives donation from inaugural Dry January Mohawk Valley Challenge
UTICA — The Center for Family Life and Recovery has announced that the inaugural Dry January Mohawk Valley Challenge, created and led by The Mindful Mixer, raised $460 to support
tinyurl.com
February 18, 2026 at 10:16 AM
Tiger Woods says he has no timetable for a return to golf, but the 15-time major champion hasn't ruled out the 2026 Masters even as he ponders the over-50s Champions Tour.

Woods return timeline uncertain, but won't rule out Masters
Tiger Woods says he has no timetable for a return to golf, but the 15-time major champion hasn't ruled out the 2026 Masters even as he ponders the over-50s Champions
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February 18, 2026 at 4:46 AM
After all votes were tallied on Presidents' Day, the slimy showstopper came out on top, winning the hearts of Utica Zoo fans and visitors alike.

Burmese python chosen as Utica Zoo's 'preZOOdent'
Utica Zoo’s 2026 PreZOOdential election has officially come to an end, and they are excited to announce that their fourth ever PreZOOdent is Spot, the Burmese python.
www.romesentinel.com
February 18, 2026 at 3:31 AM
The Boilermaker Road Race has surpassed the halfway mark of its 2026 cap for the 15K, with more than 5,500 of the allotted 11,000 spots already claimed.

Half of Boilermaker 15K spots are now claimed
Registration information for the Boilermaker Road Race's 5K and 15K, as spots fill up ahead of the July race.
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February 18, 2026 at 2:16 AM
UPDATED: Four Boonville firefighters, including Chief David Pritchard Jr., and Pastor Brandon Pitts, were critically injured in a suspected propane explosion at the Abundant Life Fellowship Church on Route 12 in Boonville Tuesday morning.

UPDATED: Five in critical condition in fire, explosion at Boonville church
Rescue personnel were called to the Abundant Life Church on Route 12 for a reported explosion with injuries Tuesday morning, according to Oneida County Emergency Services.
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February 17, 2026 at 11:46 PM
The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance has released some tips and advice on how to avoid dishonest tax preparers.

Hiring someone to do your taxes? Know your rights in New York State
State and federal taxes are due by midnight on April 15. The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance has released some tips and advice on how to avoid dishonest tax preparers.
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February 17, 2026 at 10:16 PM
Lindsey Vonn said "being back on home soil feels amazing" after returning to the United States having undergone four operations on the broken leg she suffered in the crash which dashed her hopes of Winter Olympics glory.

Being back in the USA 'feels amazing', says Vonn
Lindsey Vonn said "being back on home soil feels amazing" after returning to the United States having undergone four operations on the broken leg she suffered in the crash which
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February 17, 2026 at 9:02 PM
The Herkimer County Hunger Coalition and Greater Herkimer Lions Club are once again providing book donations to Herkimer County elementary schools this year.

Herkimer County Hunger Coalition donates books in honor of Black History Month
HERKIMER — The Herkimer County Hunger Coalition and Greater Herkimer Lions Club are once again providing book donations to Herkimer County elementary schools this year.
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February 17, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Check out today's top headlines in just 6 minutes via your favorite podcast platform! 📻

Simply search Sentinel Today on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeart, Stitcher or Pandora to listen to your local headlines. 

Tuesday February 17th: The Battle Over Utica’s Outdated Fees
Utica’s mayor and Common Council are battling over whether the city must keep charging outdated charter-set fees—highlighted by 1964 ski rates at Val Bialas—...
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February 17, 2026 at 6:46 PM
The Denny's Restaurant at 701 Mohawk St. in the village is now permanently "closed," according to a listing on the company's website. 

Denny’s in Herkimer serves its last Grand Slam
The Denny's Restaurant at 701 Mohawk St. in the village is now permanently "closed," according to a listing on the company's website.
www.romesentinel.com
February 17, 2026 at 5:41 PM
BREAKING: Rescue personnel were called to the Abundant Life Church on Route 12 for a reported explosion with injuries Tuesday morning, according to Oneida County Emergency Services.

Reported injuries after explosion at Boonville church
Rescue personnel were called to the Abundant Life Church on Route 12 for a reported explosion with injuries Tuesday morning, according to Oneida County Emergency Services.
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February 17, 2026 at 4:05 PM
New York State Assemblyman Kenneth Blankenbush, R-117, Black River, has been named deputy minority leader for the Assembly Minority Conference for 2026.

NYS Assemblyman who represents Oneida County named deputy minority leader
New York State Assemblyman Kenneth Blankenbush, R-117, Black River, has been named Deputy Minority leader for the Assembly Minority Conference for 2026.
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February 17, 2026 at 3:16 PM
Four straight goals by St. Louis helped the Ambush get a 6-4 road win over Utica City FC in a Major Arena Soccer League matinee on Monday.

Utica City FC's early two-goal lead doesn't hold up against Ambush
Utica City FC remains at the bottom of the Major Arena Soccer League standings after Monday's 6-4 home loss to St. Louis.
www.romesentinel.com
February 17, 2026 at 12:46 PM
The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, a protege of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and two-time presidential candidate who led the Civil Rights Movement for decades after the revered leader's assassination, died Tuesday.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, who led the Civil Rights Movement for decades after King, has died at 84
The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson has died. He was 84. Jackson was a protege of the Rev. Martin Luther King and became a leader of the Civil Rights Movement for
tinyurl.com
February 17, 2026 at 11:31 AM
A new student-curated exhibition at Munson Museum of Art brings works by artists like Imogen Cunningham, Robert Mapplethorpe, Gerhard Richter and Ed Ruscha to Utica this winter through a collaboration with Hamilton College.

'Constellations' exhibit opens at Munson Museum of Art
Munson Museum of Art in Utica will open “Constellations: Works on Paper from Three Collections” on Feb. 20, featuring photography, prints and drawings.
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February 17, 2026 at 10:16 AM
The YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley will offer an educational presentation and performance from St. Louis blues Grammy nominee Candice Ivory in the Rome YMCA gymnasium.

Rome YMCA welcomes award-winning Grammy nominee
The YMCA of the Greater Tri-Valley will host a free blues education program with Grammy nominee Candice Ivory Feb. 20 in Rome.
www.romesentinel.com
February 17, 2026 at 4:46 AM
Rome Free Academy senior forward Jacob Bruno — the runaway points leader in Section III boys hockey — is the Division I player of the year.

RFA senior forward Jacob Bruno named Section III Division I hockey player of the year
Here are all the Section III boys hockey all-stars, along with players and coaches of the year. Rome Free Academy's Jacob Bruno is the Division I player of the year. Whitesboro and New Hartford shared the coaching staff of the year award in Division II.
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February 17, 2026 at 3:30 AM
Aerin Frankel stopped 21 shots for her third shutout of the Olympic women’s hockey tournament and the favored United States advanced to the gold-medal game by defeating Sweden 5-0 at the Milan Cortina Games on Monday.

Aerin Frankel makes 21 saves, U.S, beats Sweden to reach Olympic women's hockey final
Aerin Frankel stopped 21 shots for her third shutout of the Olympic women’s hockey tournament and the favored United States advanced to the gold-medal game by defeating Sweden 5-0 at
tinyurl.com
February 17, 2026 at 2:31 AM