A tragic tornado struck Clark Mills on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of three individuals, which has left two families in mourning. Shelly Johnson, a 50-year-old resident of Millstream Court, died when a tree fell on her home; her partner was prevented from reaching her due to the tree's size. The tornado also claimed the lives of six-year-old twins, Emily and Kenni Bisson, who were killed when a large tree crashed through their house on Hoyland Avenue, separating them from their mother at the time of the disaster. Both girls were pronounced dead at the scene, and in response to the tragedy, Clinton Central School will offer counseling services to students and staff following the school’s closure on Monday. In an effort to support the bereaved families, a Go Fund Me account has been established, with a fundraising goal of $9,000 for Johnson’s funeral costs, and another campaign aimed at raising $380,000 for the Bisson family, which has already garnered over $216,000 from more than 3,500 donors. As recovery efforts begin, community members are coming together to help those affected by this devastating incident.
On June 22, 2025, a devastating storm struck Central New York, particularly affecting the area of Clark Mills in Oneida County. Emergency crews discovered a tragic situation, reporting three fatalities due to the violent weather conditions. Two children died in one home, while an adult was killed in another residence as high winds, heavy rain, and lightning swept through the region around 4 a.m. The Oneida County Sheriff's Office indicated that further details would be released later. The National Weather Service had previously issued warnings of gusts reaching 70 mph and a tornado warning that lasted about an hour, prompting safety alerts on cellphones in affected areas, including Clinton.
In addition to the fatalities, two individuals were injured in Vienna when a large tree fell on their camper, trapping them inside. They were rescued by the local fire department and transported to Upstate Hospital with serious injuries. Meanwhile, Utica's Mayor Mike Galime reported widespread damage but noted that the city did not face the same level of tragedy as Clark Mills, although a significant cleanup effort would be necessary.
On June 22, 2025, a severe thunderstorm struck Oneida County, NY, particularly affecting the community of Clark Mills and surrounding areas. The storm brought winds exceeding 70 miles per hour, heavy rainfall, flooding, and potential tornadic activity, resulting in extensive damage and power outages across the region. Over 60,000 residents were left without electricity, with more than half of those impacted in Oneida County alone. County Executive Anthony Picente reported that emergency response teams are actively assessing the storm's aftermath, which has left at least 30,000 residents without power. The towns of Kirkland, Lee, Westmoreland, and Trenton, as well as Clark Mills, experienced significant destruction, including downed trees and power lines, damaged buildings, and localized flooding. National Grid is working on restoring power, while residents are urged to exercise caution due to hazardous road conditions and electrical dangers. The National Weather Service is investigating the possibility of tornadoes touching down during the storm, and residents are advised to report outages and storm damage responsibly.
State Police in East Herkimer have released the details regarding a one-vehicle crash in the Village of Herkimer on Wednesday afternoon. Police had been waiting to release the name of the victim until next of kin was notified.
investigation into a confrontation at the Teugega Country Club earlier this month with former Mayor Jim Brown, according to Oneida County Sheriff Rob Maciol. The charge was filed on Thursday by special prosecutor, Herkimer County District Attorney Jeff Carpenter.
New York's AI Safety Bill has cleared New York's Senate and Assembly, and now awaits the Governor's signature to become yet another law in New York that can't be enforced.
New York State's DRI for Utica was highlighted on Wednesday as Munson celebrated its transformational landscape project along Genesee Street with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the completion of one of the largest projects included in Utica’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant from New York State.