Mohawk Valley Voice | News to Know | Saturday, November 14, 2026 | Morning edition
By Dawn Michelle Laguerre
A Monday application deadline, free student movie outings, tonight’s Remsen concert and holiday lights lead five useful briefs.
This morning’s roundup focuses on practical dates for Oneida County residents, with a state agriculture-business update. All times are Eastern Standard Time. The correction-officer item is a reminder linked to our earlier reporting; the other local listings are upcoming opportunities, not events that have already happened.
Cover: Original AI-generated editorial illustration for Mohawk Valley Voice. The scene is conceptual, not a photograph of an actual venue or event.
1. Reminder: County correction-officer applications close Monday
Oneida County’s correction-officer application deadline is 4:30 p.m. Monday, November 16. The official civil-service listing identifies 85 vacancies and a $58,000 salary. Applicants should review its eligibility requirements and submit through the county’s stated process.
This is not a written multiple-choice test. Approved applicants must complete an online training-and-experience questionnaire during the December 1–15 examination period. Applying by Monday does not replace that second step. The county says applicants who miss the December 15 questionnaire deadline will not receive a score or placement on the eligible list.
Why it matters: The application deadline is two days away. Read our existing application guide, then use the official listing for current instructions. Civil-service questions can go to 315-798-5726. The Sheriff’s Office recruitment page also lists the examination dates.
2. Free holiday movie outings open to Oneida County students
Broadway Utica and Oneida County are offering free holiday movie outings for kindergarten through sixth-grade students in Oneida County, including homeschooled students. Registration closes December 4 or when capacity is reached, according to the organizer’s official program page.
- Monday, December 14: Home Alone at the Stanley Theatre in Utica.
- Tuesday, December 15: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) at the Stanley.
- Wednesday, December 16: The Santa Clause at Rome’s Capitol Theatre.
Each screening begins at 10 a.m., with doors opening at 9:30 a.m. The program includes admission, a snack, water and a souvenir. Groups arrange their own transportation and may register for one film. A submitted form is not a confirmed reservation until Broadway Utica approves it.
Why it matters: Schools and homeschool groups can plan a no-cost outing before seats fill. The partnership announcement provides additional background; program questions can go to 315-624-9444.
3. Loren and LJ Barrigar play Remsen tonight
The Remsen Arts Center lists father-and-son guitarists Loren and LJ Barrigar for 7:30 p.m. tonight, Saturday, November 14, at 9627 Main Street in Remsen. The venue’s event announcement describes a program drawing on acoustic jazz, gypsy swing and Americana, including original instrumentals and music from LJ’s solo release Surge.
The linked ticket listing displays a $16.88–$22.13 range. Check the final checkout amount and seat availability before making plans; the listing is not a guarantee that tickets remain available at the door.
Why it matters: This is a nearby live-music option for tonight. For other previously reported outings, see our November 12–21 Mohawk Valley weekend guide. Recheck each organizer’s current schedule before traveling.
4. Utica Zoo lists 11 Bright Nights evenings
Utica Zoo’s Bright Nights page lists its holiday-light event from November 27 through December 19, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings from 5 to 8 p.m. That schedule provides 11 nights, beginning the Friday after Thanksgiving.
This is a light-show visit rather than a full evening of animal viewing. The zoo says the event uses roughly half the grounds. Bull Reef and Scales and Tails will be open, but most outdoor animals will not be visible.
Why it matters: Families can choose a date now, but should confirm the price for that date before buying. The zoo’s detailed ticket table and its FAQ give different price information. We are not quoting a single admission price while that conflict remains; check the selected date, membership rate and final total in the official ticket flow.
5. New York names seven Grow-NY competition winners
Governor Kathy Hochul’s November 13 announcement names New York City-based Barnwell Bio as the $1 million top winner in the Grow-NY food and agriculture business competition. The state awarded a total of $3 million to seven companies after the Rochester summit.
The company analyzes barn microbiomes. Under the competition’s terms, winners must establish operations in the program’s 22-county upstate region for at least one year and provide a modest equity stake to Cornell University.
Why it matters: The awards support businesses serving the food and farming economy. They are not proof of new Mohawk Valley jobs: the announcement does not identify a local facility or hiring commitment for this region.
Read our full report on the Grow-NY winners for more on the awards.
Source note: Official pages were checked November 14, 2026. The governor’s release is dated November 13. The local program and event pages do not display clear original publication dates, so they are presented as current listings rather than announcements made today.
