JULY 11 RUNNING — 2010 Boilermaker Road Race (with results for area 15-kilometer finishers and photo gallery — updated July 16).

JULY 8 NEW YORK COLLEGIATE BASEBALL LEAGUE — Photos from Mohawk Valley DiamondDawgs' breast cancer awareness event.

The Mohawk Valley DiamondDawgs were already looking pretty in pink Thursday. A 4-3 win on Greg Solomon’s game-winning single in the bottom of the 15th inning made them look just a little prettier.

Not many people are thinking about winter coats in the middle of the summer.
But in an attempt to make sure that the children who may need cold weather clothing in just a few months, Laura Hailston and Ron Schoonmaker, of Ilion, approached the Herkimer County Hunger Coalition with a plan to raise funds for its Gram Lorraine Christmas Program.

Several area health care providers are interested in taking over the county’s Certified Home Health Agency license, and legislators decided last week to see just how much the agency could be worth.

Patriotism ran high as people gathered to remember the life of a fallen soldier during ceremonies Sunday afternoon by waving American flags, wearing yellow ribbons and playing patriotic tunes.
St. Peter’s Church on North James Street had nearly a full house as friends, family and even strangers came to honor Army Spc. Blair Thompson. The 19-year-old soldier and 2008 Rome Free Academy graduate was killed in action in Afghanistan during an insurgent attack on June 25. Thompson had been injured in an earlier attack and had the option to go home, but chose to stay and fight.

Sometimes, people get so caught up in the pageantry of July 4th: the barbeques, the fireworks and the parades.
They get wrapped up in the showiness that the Fourth sometimes gets made into, and they forget about what the day really is about: the celebration of our country’s independence and honoring those who fight for that independence.
They certainly didn’t forget Friday night at Veterans Memorial Park, as the Mohawk Valley DiamondDawgs honored those who served our country before their game against Glens Falls.

A tornado touched down in the village of Herkimer Monday afternoon, leaving a trail of damaged homes, trees and scattered debris along a close to mile-long path, according to National Weather Service officials.
While the tornado measured the lowest classification on the Enhanced Fujita scale, according to Raymond O’Keefe, meteorologist in charge for the NWS in Albany, its winds reached 80 miles per hour, capable of knocking people off their feet and severing or uprooting trees.

Images from graduation ceremonies held at area high schools — Herkimer, Little Falls, Ilion, Dolgeville, Oppenheim-Ephratah, St. Johnsville, West Canada Valley, Poland, Mohawk, Fort Plain and Frankfort-Schhuyler — during the weekend of June 25-27. (expanded July 1)

JUNE 16 NEW YORK COLLEGIATE BASEBALL LEAGUE — Photos from the Mohawk Valley DiamondDawgs' 'School Field Trip Day' game at Veterans Memorial Park.

Photos from area American Legion baseball games during the period of June 4-15, 2010. (expanded June 17)

The returns are in and and the mayor’s office has a new occupant.

Republican challenger John P. Stephens defeated incumbent Mark Cushman by a margin of 460 votes to 399.

Fire officials are still investigating the cause of a blaze that burned down a former tavern Sunday afternoon.

Village Fire Chief Charles Conigliaro said the fire was fully involved on the first-floor where it started in the former Ron-da-Vou Bar at 245 E. Main St. and it spread quickly to the second floor. He said upon arrival they were informed that the building had been evacuated.

Photos from Saturday's fund-raising event held for the first time at the athletic complex on the grounds of East Herkimer Elementary School. (expanded June 15)

Fire swept through a Main Street apartment and tavern Sunday afternoon leaving the building in ruins and several people homeless. 

The call first came across the scanner shortly before 2 p.m. that smoke was coming from the Ron-da-Vou Bar. Reports then came that it was a fully-involved structure fire and several fire departments needed to be called to the scene, including Frankfort, Frankfort Center and Ilion. Despite the efforts of the firefighters, the building collapsed around 2:44 p.m.

JUNE 7 TRACK AND FIELD — 'Mott Marathon' raises money for teacher's ailing son.

Photos from area scholastic athletic events during the week of May 30-June 5, 2010.

An eighth-grader at Little Falls Middle School died Friday after suffering “severe respiratory problems” while on a school field trip to the Great Escape.

Photos from area scholastic athletic events during the week of May 23-29, 2010.

An Ilion man faces a felony drug charge and a second person has been charged with interfering with the seizure of evidence from a residence following the execution of a search warrant Sunday afternoon.
Village police charged Lee E. Vandawalker, 55, of 125 John St., with first-degree criminal possession of marijuana.