Thunderstorms have done a lot of damage locally over the past couple of days.

The photos below were provided by listeners, family, and staff.

About seventy-five students and their families were honored at the General Herkimer Home as part of “Our Community Salutes: The First Annual Central New York High School Graduate Military Enlistment Recognition Ceremony” at the Herkimer Home State Historic Site on Saturday, May 18, 2013.

The students are high school seniors from Oneida, Herkimer, Otsego, and Schoharie counties who have chosen to enlist in the military after graduation.

After a ceremony that included the playing of the songs of each branch of service the graduates were treated to free tours of the Herkimer Home.

if you figure the average cost of 18 holes with the cart at $25, the deal pays for itself after four rounds.  that leaves 8 more rounds for free or approximately 67 percent savings.

And to top it off, your Golf Card also gets you discounts at Play It Again Sports.  Get more details and purchase your card here.

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09:01pm A round of applause to the Boston PD and law enforcement who took down the suspect in the Boston Marathon bombings.

CAPTURED!!! The hunt is over. The search is done. The terror is over. And justice has won. Suspect in custody.

— Boston Police Dept. (@Boston_Police) April 20, 2013

08:47pm – It’s OVER!  Tsarnaev is found hiding under tarp in a boat parked in the backyard of a Franklin Street home.  His condition is unknown but he’s alive.

Suspect in custody. Officers sweeping the area. Stand by for further info.

— Boston Police Dept. (@Boston_Police) April 20, 2013

08:44pm Is it over?

RT @martinepowers: CROWD BURSTS INTO APPLAUSE

— The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) April 20, 2013

08:32pm Three people in custody according to Boston Globe.

BREAKING NEWS: Three people taken into custody in New Bedford as part of Boston Marathon terror bombing investigation.

— The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) April 20, 2013

07:48pm Police surround a building in the Franklin Street area.  The situation is being described as extremely volatile.  The suspect is believed to be inside a boat.  Officials think he may still be wearing a suicide vest and are proceeding carefully.

07:29pm A CNN reporter on the scene is reporting that children are being carried out of a Franklin Street building.  They are being taken to an ambulance waiting in a nearby parking lot.

7:19pm Residents in the Franklin Street area are being told to remain inside because of  a “heavy police presence” in the area.

7:10pm Police have rushed into the Franklin Street, Watertown area.  The lockdown has been reinstituted.  The are reports that shots have been fired.

06:50pm Governor Patrick says residents must “remain vigilant” as a dangerous man is still at large.

6:16pm Mass transit is now operational.  Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick is lifting the “stay at home” order.  Officials, however, say that they are no closer to capturing “Suspect #2,” Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, at this hour than they were earlier in the day.

Mayor Tom Menino says the community will “get through this crisis” together.

As the search continues into the evening, the FBI and Boston Police are asking the public to contact them with tips.  Calls can be made to the FBI Tipline at: (800) CALL-FBI (800.225.5324) or via e-mail at boston@ic.fbi.gov.

5:28pm The door-to-door search continues.

In a story on CNN’s website, the suspects’ father, Anzor Tsarnayev, is quoted as telling a Russian news agency that his sons were framed.  ”I don’t know who exactly did it. But someone did. And being cowards, they shot the boy dead. There are cops like this.”

4:19pm  Following up a previous report that WIBX relayed this morning, the Boston Globe tweets:

BREAKING NEWS: With his brother shot by police, Dzhokhor A. Tsarnaev drove over him, two law enforcement officials said.

— The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) April 19, 2013

3:54pm When discussing a specific location, one law enforcement official chimes in ..”can we not put that on the air, please?” (via Metro Boston/ State Police scanner)

3:49pm CNN reports several homemade explosive devices found in searches

3:44pm Boston Police are no longer looking for the green Honda vehicle:

#WANTED: Vehicle (MA Plate: 116-GC7) has been found. Police no longer looking for this car. twitter.com/Boston_Police/…

— Boston Police Dept. (@Boston_Police) April 19, 2013

White House shares photo of President Obama meeting with national security team:

PHOTO: Pres. Obama met with his national security team today on developments in the Boston bombings investigation. twitter.com/whitehouse/sta…

— The White House (@whitehouse) April 19, 2013

3:37pm Police alerted to a ‘suspicious package’ at 1 Dexter Place, reports Boston Metro PD/ State Police scanner.

3:24pm Amtrak Boston to New York suspended TFN:

#CommunityAlert: AMTRAK service between Boston and New Yorksuspended pending further notice.

— Boston Police Dept. (@Boston_Police) April 19, 2013

3:20PM Police request tactical team for a man on the ground at Hazel and Howe. ‘We want to check him out.’ The man was directed to get down on the ground and complied.

3:12pm Major sporting events in Boston for Friday night April 19, 2013 have been postponed:

#CommunityAlert: Bruins Game, Red Sox Game & Big Apple Circus performance scheduled for tonite have been postponed.

— Boston Police Dept. (@Boston_Police) April 19, 2013

3:11pm  Boston Police scanner: suspicious vehicle empty with driver side door open at the Beth Israel Hospital

3:00pm Boston Police urge patience, say the search is 70% complete, reports CNN.

2:35pm Reports are being received that a sister of the suspect, 22-year old Ailina Tsarnaev, is now being questioned by police. News 12 New Jersey spoke with the woman through a cracked door.

2:07pm Boston Police are now looking for a different car.  Anyone who has seen a green 1999 Honda sedan, license plate number 116-GC7, is asked to call Boston Police immediately.

1:35pm The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency is telling workers to go home.A message on the agency’s website says “shelter in place” restrictions remain in effect but they do not prevent workers from returning home:

LIVE VIDEO coverage is posted here as long as the situation remains active.

1:22pm The Boston Police Department says that the public should expect another controlled explosion this afternoon on Norfolk Street in Cambridge, Massachusetts. 1:07pm The Boston Police Department is extending its condolences to the family of MIT Police Officer Sean Collier, killed last night in the shootout. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s Twitter account is revealed.  For the full story click here. The suspects’ uncle, Ruslan Tsarni, is calling his nephews “losers,” and is urging Dzhokhar Tsarnaev to turn himself into authorities and “ask for forgiveness.”  He said they “put a shame on our…family” and on the Chechen people.  For the interview click here.

12:55pm Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick is asking residents to remain safe and stay inside their homes as police continue searching for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.  Police Chief Ed Deveau is thanking citizens for their “exceptional patience and cooperation.”

12:46pm Boston Police say sixty percent of their search is complete.  They are asking the public to remain patient while they continue their investigation.  The area lockdown remains in effect for Watertown, Massachusetts.

11:42am There are no updates on the law enforcement from but more information on the bombing suspects is emerging. The Boston Globe is saying it appeared that the “(b)ombing suspects were local, ‘normal’ US immigrants.”  According to a story written by Mark Arsenault, Patricia Wen, and David Filipov in the Globe, the two brothers came to the United States five years ago from southern Russia, near Chechnya “…and assimilated through school and sports into the Greater Boston community and culture.” 26-Year old Tamerlan Tsarnaev is dead. He was a boxer whom the Globe is saying was possibly Olympic-bound.  For a profile story on Tamerlan click here.

11:35amReports that police are “swarming” Watertown continue; guns are drawn.

11:01am University of Massachusetts Dartmouthis on lockdown after officials confirmed that the suspect was a student at the college. A “controlled evacuation” of the college has been underway since 10:28am.

10:50am Boston Police are reporting that the car has been found unoccupied.  Taxi service in the city has been restored.  Law enforcement authorities are examining the car for evidence:

10:35am Boston Police are now looking for a car with this license plate.  It is a four-door 1999 Honda CRV, possibly gray.  Authorities are asking anyone who has seen the car to immediately call them. The Boston Globeis reporting that residents of Watertown, Massachusetts should remain inside their homes.  Police are looking for the suspect in the area:

9:46am Police have released this updated photo of the suspect still at large:

The suspect is Dzhokhar Tsarnaev:

The Federal Bureau of Investigationand Boston Police are formally asking the media for assistance in processing what is still a “live” crime scene by not giving information on their whereabouts:

8:30am This photo of the “white hat suspect” at the marathon was released by Boston Police:

The following photo was released by the FBI:

Boston Police are saying a suspicious device was detonated safely near Comm Avenue and Charlesgate. An updated posting on the department’s Facebook page warned residents that the community-wide lockdown remains in effect and warned residents to open their doors only to uniformed officers only.

Police held at press conference this morning to discuss details of the incidents that took place overnight and update the status of the suspect, said to be at large:

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with additional reporting by Jeff Monaski

Culturefest at the Stanley Theatre in downtown Utica is a showcase of the cultures of the world.

Check out photos from the event.

He is eighteen and on parole.  Now he is also in police custody.

Utica Police responded to a report of a man carrying a gun and stopped Tremayne Bowen who was walking near Plymouth Bethesda Church on Plant Street.

He was allegedly carrying heroin, crack, cocaine, and marijuana.

51-Year old Jean Noviscky was with Bowen.  There was a felony bench warrant for her arrest.  She was allegedly carrying drugs as well.

Six people are under arrest following a weekend brawl in West Utica.

Between seventy-five and 125 people were involved in a street fight that broke out at about 5:00 last night near Schuyler and Knox Streets.

Police described the scene as “very chaotic” and more fights were breaking out on the 800 blocks of McVean and Wager Streets.

Residents in the area said that the fights were the result of a dispute between two rival gangs.  Police returned to the scene of both fights several times following the initial calls.

Those arrested include:

• Timothy Howard, age 22 of Cleveland Avenue in Utica
• Anthony Howard, age 24 of Knox Street in Utica
• Tyjuan Howard, age 20 of Knox Street in Utica
• Tekeya Howard, age 19 of Knox Street in Utica
• Dondre Mungo, age 17 of Oneida Street in Utica
• DeAndre Brown, age 23 of Plant Street in Utica

April Fool’s Day is no joke for the cast and crew of one of America’s most celebrated soap operas.

ABC‘s “General Hospital” is celebrating its golden anniversary today, with fifty years on the air.  Executive Producer Frank Valentini and head writer Ron Carlivati joined cast members Tony Geary, Genie Francis, Kin Shriner, Jason Thompson, Kelly Monaco, and Finola Hughes to ring the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange this morning.

“General Hospital,” created by Frank and Doris Hursley, debuted on April 1, 1963 and has been named one of the “Top 100 Television Shows of All Time.”

The NYSE opened over 14500 after a three-day break since the Good Friday holiday.

Today’s closing bell will commemorate “Donate Life Month,” designed to cause increase awareness of organ and tissue donation.

April Fool’s Day is no joke for the cast and crew of one of America’s most celebrated soap operas.

ABC‘s “General Hospital” is celebrating its golden anniversary today, with fifty years on the air.  Executive Producer Frank Valentini and head writer Ron Carlivati joined cast members Tony Geary, Genie Francis, Kin Shriner, Jason Thompson, Kelly Monaco, and Finola Hughes to ring the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange this morning.

“General Hospital,” created by Frank and Doris Hursley, debuted on April 1, 1963 and has been named one of the “Top 100 Television Shows of All Time.”

The NYSE opened over 14500 after a three-day break since the Good Friday holiday.

Today’s closing bell will commemorate “Donate Life Month,” designed to cause increase awareness of organ and tissue donation.

A sting gives some prostitutes the red light.

U.S. Marshals and Utica Police worked together to put five women behind bars during a week-long operation.

The following women, ranging in age from twenty-four to almost fifty, were arrested on charges of prostitution:

• Shanta Blue, 24, of Cassville
• Susan Christman, 49, of Utica
• Shannon Izzo, 33, of Whitesboro
• Amanda Nemcek, 31, of Whitesboro
• Brooke Smith, 38, of Utica

Assemblywoman Claudia Tenney is causing a stir for wearing pink…ok, there might be a little more to it than that.

Sporting a pink hat from Remington Arms on March 13, 2013, she took a picture in a doorway at the Governor’s mansion and put the hat away in her bag.  While waiting for the Governor to speak, she was repeatedly approached and told not to wear the hat and finally that if she did, she would be asked to leave the breakfast.

After taking the initial picture she did not take the hat out of the bag again.

Why all the fuss?  We welcome your comments on our Facebook page.

Chef Louis talks about his menu at The Grapevine and Culture Fest.

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The Utica College Men’s Hockey team battled back from a 2-0 deficit by scoring four unanswered goals on their way to a 4-2 victory over Bowdoin on Saturday night at the Aud.

Goals from junior’s Jordan Hobaica (Clinton, NY/Northwood School), Trever Hertz (Jaffray, British Columbia/Quesnel Millionaires (BCHL)), and Ridge Garbutt (Toronto, Ontario/Brewster Academy (NH)) followed by an empty-netter from senior Eric Peterson (Newton, NH/Valley (EJHL)) in the final minute would secure UC’s spot in the NCAA Division III Semifinals.

The victory advances Utica to the Frozen Four in Lake Placid next Friday against  Wisconsin-Eau Claire at Herb Brooks Arena at 7:30.

WIBX was at Saturday’s game. Check below for a photo gallery taken by Bill Keeler.

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RULES: TOWNSQUARE MEDIA CONTEST RULES APPLY WITH THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS:  Contestants will qualify on the Keeler show from 6-9 am through March 15th.  The drawing for the grand prize winner will happen on Monday, March 18th, 2013.  Contestant must be a legal resident age 18 years and older and a homeowner in Oneida, Herkimer, Madison, Lewis, or Montgomery counties of New York State. This contest is void where prohibited by law. Contest is not open to employees, officers or directors of New York Sash, TownSquare Media or their families.

Click here for general TownSquare WIBX Contest Rules.

See Photos of the New York Sash Window Below:

Three men are under arrest for a shots fired incident in Utica.

Police said witnesses heard several shots fired in a yard off of Green Street.

Utica Police are now charging three men for allegedly firing a shotgun in the area.  Two empty shotgun shell boxes and ten spent rounds of ammunition were found.

23-Year old James Schiess, 20 year old Billie Jo Shaver, and 31-year old Kyle Leonard are all facing charges of reckless endangerment.  Schiess is also facing marijuana possession charges.

We held Central New York’s largest 50 Shades of Grey party at Valentino’s Banquet facility in New Hartford.  Did we catch you there?  Check out the photos.

The night was off the hook with drag queens, dancing and a lot more we can’t quite describe here.  Check out the photos and if you had some, post them to Twitter or Instagram using hashtag #50ShadesUtica

This is an adult-themed event, and although there’s nothing here that too NSFW, your discretion is advised.

Firefighters are still investigating a weekend fire on Lincoln Avenue.

No injuries were reported and it appears that it may have begun in the attic. The fire broke out on Sunday at 1507 Lincoln Avenue in Utica.

Everyone inside the home got out safely.

The proposed Ilion-Mohawk school merger is generating much discussion.  A vote is scheduled next week, February 12, 2013 on the issue.  Many of those most closely involved in the debate joined WIBX First News with Keeler in the Morning to participate in a forum.

The conversation, and the debate leading up to the forum, has been passionate over the past several months.  Both sides feel strongly about their assertions.  Voters in the districts feel so strongly that many have been to public discussions and to the polls almost a dozen times in the past year.

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Keeler spoke with:

• Eugene “Gene” Beirne, Interim Superintendent of Schools for Mohawk
• Dan Monahan, a resident who is against the merger
• Matt Obreza, a resident who supports the merger
• Cosimo Tangorra, Superintendent of the Ilion Schools
• Rick Timbs, Executive Director, State School Finance Consortium

Here is a sampling of what was said:

Dan Monahan:

Matt Obreza:

Rick Timbs:

Cosimo Tangorra and Eugene Beirne:

Eugene Beirne:

Cosimo Tangorra:

The only way you can earn a chance to win that spot in Sunday’s contest, and become eligible to win $250 cash from the Gold Guys,  is to enter here online.  Follow the instructions below to enter:

Click on the email link below and in the body of the email be sure to include the following:  1) Your name  2)  address 3) telephone number

We must receive your email before 3:00pmET on Sunday, February 3, 2013. WIBX and First News with Keeler in the Morning and our partners can not be held responsible for late, misdirected, or deleted e-mails.  To qualify to win the WILDCARD spot in our contest…

Click here to qualify to win Wildcard spot via email

(Some Internet Explorer users have had problems with the above link.  If you are having problems, follow these directions:  You can also paste this address into your email program:  contest@keelerinthemorning.com   Use “Big Game” in the subject line)

Keeler will randomly select one name from all of the email entries received.  The winner will receive one square in the Keeler Big Game Office Pool Squares Contest.  They will be contacted by 6:00pm on Sunday, before the “Big Game.”

Score for the Wildcard spot on our squares board:  San Francisco  4  Baltimore  4

The overall contest winner will be announced on WIBX First News with Keeler in the Morning on Monday, February 4, 2013.  The $250 cash prize is provided by DLL Management, The Gold Guys in Utica and Rome.

ALSO, please hit the LIKE button below!