Utica

State report shows Utica in fiscal decline

Ellen Abbott — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 19:19:31 +0000

A new state report describes the city of Utica as a city in fiscal decline. The state Comptroller's office has released a fiscal snapshot of the city as part of its new fiscal monitoring system.

Saranac brewery cuts ribbon on new biodigester

Ryan Delaney — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 11:04:00 +0000

The historic F.X. Matt Brewery, maker of the popular Saranac line of beers, is getting more "green" next month. It won't be making green beer on a regular basis, as some brewers do for St. Patrick's Day, but it will flip the switch on a new anaerobic digester.

Hanna re-election bid in full swing

Catherine Loper — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 15:21:04 +0000

Representative Richard Hanna marked what he called the official kick off to his re-election bid -- opening one of his campaign offices in Utica Wednesday. The one-term Republican has been running for re-election in the newly drawn 22nd congressional district, and in fact has already had one debate with his opponent, Democrat Dan Lamb.

Oneida County bath salts use down, but drugs still a problem

Luke Tubia — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 13:40:16 +0000

The use of synthetic drugs like bath salts became a growing health and law enforcement problem in upstate New York this summer. Wednesday, the public had a chance to learn more about this latest trend in drug abuse at a forum in Utica.

Utica's Burmese community excited about Aung San Suu Kyi visit to US

David Chanatry — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 14:00:08 +0000

Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is on the third day of her tour of the United States. Wednesday she will be honored at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. In the audience to witness Suu Kyi receiving the highest honor Congress can give, will be several Burmese refugees now living in Utica.

New charter school proposed for Utica

Kayla Binette — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 20:41:11 +0000

A charter school in Syracuse is hoping to expand to another part of central New York. The school believes it can provide another option for children and parents.

New York's craft breweries bubble on thanks to tax credit deal

Ryan Delaney — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 12:03:00 +0000

Nick Matt ducks into side doors and up staircases while rattling off the history of the F.X. Matt Brewery in Utica.

The brew house is like a second home to Matt because it was his grandfather, F.X., who first opened the brewery 124 years ago.

If you're racking your brain to see if you've ever heard of F.X. Matt Brewery, try this: they make Saranac ales and lagers. For the older generations, does Utica Club ring a bell?

How the maker of Saranac beer is turning wastewater into energy

Ryan Delaney — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 13:23:00 +0000

Five big new tanks have arrived at the F.X. Matt Brewing Company in Utica. But they won't be used to make the brewery's signature Saranac brand craft beer.

Instead, the tanks will act as anaerobic digesters for the brewery's wastewater.

Special bacteria will munch on the yeast and grains left floating around. The process will get the water about 85 percent cleaner before it's discharged into the sewer system, according to CEO Nick Matt.

But the digestion process also gives off methane gas and carbon dioxide.

That methane will be used to power a generator. CEO Matt says the new system will cover up to 40 percent of the brewery's electricity needs.

Utica residents try to save psychiatric center

Ellen Abbott — Thu, 17 May 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Utica area lawmakers, activists and residents are trying to save the Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center. The community is galvanizing its support of the facility, which has been in the area for over a century.

Utica: A home for sculpture, Part 2

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 11:03:50 +0000

You might not think of central New York as a home for world-class sculpture, but it is. Utica's annualS culpture-Space brings artists from all over, to enjoy the freedom to create all kinds of sculpture.

Sarah Beck gives us a tour of the city's sculpture landscape.

Utica: A home for sculpture, Part 1

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 10:25:35 +0000

There are well-known communities around the world that embrace sculpture as a community art form. You see it in the photos from places such as Athens and Rome. But many sculptors on this side of the Atlantic recognize a place in Utica as a home for sculpture as well.

In the first of two stories, WRVO's Sarah Beck introduces us to Utica's "Sculpture-Space."

Hear Part Two of Sarah's story Wednesday on WRVO's Morning Edition.