The Peru Gazette

New York State Police are investigating the death of a 51-year-old man forest rangers found in a lean-to in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Click here for the Adirondack Explorer story 

Click here for the NCPR story 

Click here for the NCPR story 

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced a new online exam for people seeking to become licensed Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators (NWCOs). To provide enhanced access, DEC is offering these examinations online and free of charge. “As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance the customer experience, DEC is proud to offer […]

Town of Keene Essex County Wilderness Recovery: On February 12 at 3:05 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call through Essex County 911 from a hiker with a dog who said they slipped off the trail near the summit of Mount Marcy and were unable to get back on the trail. The initial response included six Forest Rangers on snowmobiles, […]

Click here for the New York Focus story 

Click here for the New York Focus story 

Several shortcomings identified.  Beekmantown Fire District No. 1 – Board Oversight (Clinton County) The board did not adequately oversee the district’s financial operations related to maintaining accounting records, preparing bank reconciliations, submitting monthly and annual financial reports, auditing and approving claims and performing annual audits. The board did not provide oversight of the secretary-treasurer’s duties […]

Albany, Feb. 18, 2026 – New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced DEC is holding academies for its newest classes of Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) and Forest Rangers. The six-month training academies will prepare up to 50 of DEC’s newest recruits for careers protecting New York State’s natural […]

Click here for the Heart Media story 

Last year Governor Hochul allocated millions to a prison oversight body. This year, she doesn’t want to renew the grant. Click here the New York Focus Story 

Click here for the NCPR story 

Click here for the WCAX News story 

Albany, News Release Feb. 11, 2026 – Governor Kathy Hochul today highlighted her proposals to bring down costs of auto insurance rates and tackle fraudulent claims across New York State. The Governor is taking common-sense steps to battle fraud, limit damages paid out to bad actors and ensure that consumers, not insurance companies, are prioritized. […]

Defendant Had Fled Sentencing in June and Was Later Captured in Cohoes With Help of Cohoes Police Department State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Rensselaer County District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly, and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James announced that Devin Zielinski was sentenced to serve two to six years in state prison for […]

Click here for the Adirondack Explorer Story 

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the New York State Police and local law enforcement agencies statewide are participating in the national enforcement initiative to eliminate impaired driving during this year’s Super Bowl celebrations. The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) funds the campaign, which began Tuesday, February 3, 2026, and runs through Super Bowl Sunday, […]

Governor Hochul states that the bill’s guardrails will ensure integrity of patient decision and preparedness of medical institutions, February 6, 2026 – Governor Hochul today signed legislation S.138/A.136 that will allow medical aid in dying to be available to terminally ill New Yorkers with less than six months to live. This historic bill signing comes […]

Flags To Be Flown at Half-Staff Across New York State Saturday, February 7 Governor Kathy Hochul today directed flags on all State government buildings be flown at half-staff, Saturday, February 7, from sunrise to sunset, in honor of Charlie Hall, a correction officer who died from a medical emergency while on duty at Five Points […]

Ample Fishing Opportunities Await New Anglers Free Fishing Days Support the Governor’s “Get Offline, Get Outside” Initiative Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the 2026 dates for Free Fishing Days in New York. The requirement for a freshwater fishing license is waived during the following six days […]

Click here for the Adirondack Explorer story 

Ice began drifting on Lake Champlain, causing dangerous conditions for skaters who needed to be rescued Click here for the Adirondack Almanac story 

  Click here for the NCPR story   

A years long staffing crisis at state-run facilities has taken its toll on incarcerated kids and the workers who watch over them. Click here for the New York Focus story 

Town of New Lisbon Otsego County Wilderness Search: On January 28, Forest Ranger Laymon responded to a call for a search for a missing 70-year-old. The missing subject’s husband called at 4:38 p.m. to report his wife missing from their home. Otsego County Sheriff’s Deputies followed her tracks to Butternut Creek. Ranger Laymon went to County […]