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Tracking the year’s most popular wildlife stories

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Silver Lake Mountain Winter Hike (Joanne Kennedy photo)

Free Guided Hiking Events Offered in Warren, Essex, Franklin, and Clinton Counties to Ring in the New Year

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Region 5, in collaboration with partner organizations, is hosting six First Day Hike events on Thursday, January 1, 2026. First Day Hikes encourage New Yorkers to “Get Offline, and Get Outside” this holiday season, by celebrating the New Year at state parks, historic sites, natural areas, canal trails, environmental education centers, and various other public lands across the Empire State. The 15th annual First Day Hikes program offers varied hike options for people of all experience levels at more than 115 locations throughout the state.

DEC, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and the Canal Corporation are partnering to host these many walks and hikes taking place on New Year’s Day. A full list of New York State First Day Hikes, location details, format, pre-registration requirements and additional information can be found online for DEC, Parks, and Canals. Interested participants are encouraged to check the details of their preferred host site and register where required.

In the North Country, DEC Region 5 staff and partners are hosting the following hike opportunities for the public:

Clinton County:

Silver Lake Mountain 

Date: January 1, 2026

Time: We will start this hike at 6 a.m. to reach the summit for sunrise at 7:30 a.m. Please arrive at the parking lot at least 15 minutes early. We will finish around 9 a.m.

Meet Up Location: Silver Lake Mountain Trailhead, Silver Lake Road, Black Brook NY – located on the north side of Silver Lake Road, 11 miles west of Au Sable Forks, and near the east end of Silver Lake. (GPS Coordinates: 44.511043, -73.849852) Google Maps

Description: Watch the sunrise on the first day of 2026 from Silver Lake Mountain. This 1.8-mile round trip hike led by DEC staff offers big views of Taylor Pond, Whiteface Mountain, and the northeastern Adirondacks from the summit. Registration is required.

Difficulty Level: This is a short hike, but it gains roughly 900 feet in elevation, making it moderately steep. There are a few sections of exposed bedrock and roots, but nothing terribly difficult to navigate. Every 0.3 miles or so there is a small clearing with a lookout, as well as plenty of rocks and logs to sit and rest along the way.

Special Instructions: This is a SUNRISE hike, meaning that we will arrive at the trailhead, and climb the mountain in the dark. Headlamps are a necessity, as are microspikes/crampons due to ice near the summit. Snowshoes and trekking poles are recommended, but not required, as the trail will be packed down from moderate foot traffic. Dress warm, as there is often a breeze at the summit. Hikers must be at least 8 years old to participate in this hike. No pets are allowed on this hike.

Registration Required: Contact Liam Foran at liam.foran@dec.ny.gov or (607) 422-9409 by Wednesday, December 31

Essex County:

Read more »

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U.S. Ski and Snowboard announced a change in venue for two World Cup events due to unseasonably warm weather in Park City, Utah.

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Michelin awards $500 scholarships to each student

News Release Plattsburgh, NY – December 22, 2025 – TDC is pleased to announce the awardees of the “Best Booth” competition at 2025 Manufacturing Day as a group of high school students from Northeastern Clinton Central School who worked with the local team at Michelin to design the winning display. Each student participating in the creation of the Michelin booth has been awarded $500 that can be used for tuition and fees associated with courses through Clinton Community College.

Members of the winning team include Ben Brenahan, Evias Carpenter, Kaze Carpenter, Kevin Castine, Carter Garceau, Seth Rabideau, Otis Reed, and Noah Seller. Their school supervisor is Nicholas Trombley, a physics teacher at NCCS. Awardees were selected following a tally of the votes cast by attending eighth-grade students from schools across the tri-county region, who visited each of the displays and voted by ballot at the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing at Clinton Community College.

Clinton Community College Acting President Ken Knelly said, “Congratulations to the winning team for their creativity and dedication in making North Country Manufacturing Day 2025 such a success. Clinton Community College is proud to host this event at the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing, connecting students from our local school districts with real-world opportunities. We look forward to building on this tradition and inspiring the next generation of innovators.”

Awardees designed an interactive display at which they acted as representatives for Michelin, teaching their peers about the company, employment opportunities in Plattsburgh, and offering the opportunity for attendees to see items produced locally by Michelin and learn about their global use and impact. Their booth included a hands-on opportunity showcasing snowmobile tire treads.  Read more »

News Release of Dec. 23, 2025 – Grand Isle, VT – The Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP), in partnership with NEIWPCC, seeks projects that will restore stream connectivity and remove barriers to aquatic organism passage.

The intent of this opportunity is to remove barriers to aquatic organism passage and restore stream connectivity, adding high-quality habitat, connecting cold-water stream networks, and enhancing the natural ecosystem function of river systems.

This funding may support all phases of culvert replacement or dam removal projects, including outreach, project screening, feasibility analyses, engineering designs, permitting, construction, site restoration, monitoring, and maintenance.

“Reconnecting streams is a vital part of our work to protect habitat in the Lake Champlain Basin,” said Dr. Eric Howe, NEIWPCC Program Director of the Lake Champlain Basin Program. “By replacing culverts and removing dams, we are simultaneously ensuring that fish and other species can move freely, and that our communities will be more resilient in the face of changing weather patterns.”

Up to $2.5 million is available to support awarded projects. Grants of up to $500,000 will be awarded. Two proposals may be submitted per eligible organization.

The awarded grants will support projects that advance the goals of the long-term Lake Champlain management plan Opportunities for Action (plan.lcbp.org). This grant opportunity is supported by funds awarded to Lake Champlain by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) via the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Proposals are due at 5:00 PM EST on February 13, 2026. An informational webinar will be offered on January 15, 2026 at 1:00 PM (join here). Awarded projects are targeted to begin work in late summer 2026 and must be completed by December 2029. More information, including grant guidelines and applications, is available on the Lake Champlain Basin Program’s website at lcbp.org/grants.

The letters paint a picture of a CIU process rife with roadblocks, especially for applicants who didn’t have lawyers.

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One hundred and forty laws that almost were.

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News Release of Dec. 23, 2025 – Plattsburgh, NY — Behavioral Health Services North (BHSN) is announcing the launch of “Together Totes,” a new community initiative providing essential hygiene and seasonal care items to individuals and families in crisis in the North Country. The program is supported through grant funding from The Foundation of CVPH. This collaboration hopes to bring much-needed support to our community when it is needed most.

The program is expected to reach over 1,000 individuals annually, with at least 500 care packages distributed in its first operational year through local community partners and multiple BHSN-run community programs.

Two deliveries of the totes have already taken place on 12/22 and 12/23, to the JCEO and to the Interfaith Food Shelf in Plattsburgh.

You can view video of the deliveries here: https://youtu.be/7PsUa1LbNfg.

Together Totes will be filled with toiletries, basic hygiene products, and winter essentials such as hats and gloves. These items will be distributed to BHSN clients experiencing urgent needs—including those fleeing domestic violence, transitioning out of hospitalization or homelessness.

In addition to supporting BHSN programs, Together Totes will be shared with community partners including JCEO, the Interfaith Food Pantry, and other regional service providers, strengthening collaboration and ensuring equitable access to essential items across the community.

“The Foundation of CVPH’s support allows us to meet people at pivotal moments—when a small act of care can make a major difference,” said Kevin Cooney, Marketing Director at BHSN. “Together Totes are about promoting dignity, stability, and wellness by making sure no one goes without the most basic essentials.”

Construction Closures Temporarily Suspended To Ease Holiday Travel

Albany, NYS News Release, Dec. 23, 2025 – Governor Kathy Hochul today reminded New Yorkers that State Police and local law enforcement agencies are participating in an ongoing nationwide enforcement strategy to remove impaired drivers from our roads this holiday season. The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign — an initiative funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) — will run through Thursday, January 1, 2026. 

“Anyone making the decision to place themselves or other drivers in danger this holiday season will be ticketed or face criminal charges,” Governor Hochulsaid. “Our state has zero tolerance for impaired and reckless driving because the safety of New Yorkers is always my top priority.”

In addition to the driving while intoxicated (DWI) checkpoints and patrols, law enforcement officers will be watching for speeding drivers, distracted drivers and drivers violating the “Move Over Law,” which requires drivers to exercise extreme caution when passing any vehicle that is stopped in or on the side of the road. 

New York State DMV Commissioner and GTSC Chair Mark J.F. Schroeder said, “The holidays are a wonderful time to celebrate, but you must celebrate responsibly. If you drive impaired and break the law, you will face consequences and be held accountable. Take the time to plan for a sober ride home, avoid distractions behind the wheel and slow down, especially in heavy traffic or poor weather conditions.” 

New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “As motorists drive throughout the state to see family and friends this holiday season, we encourage them to make safe driving practices a priority. There’s no excuse for driving impaired, and when someone makes the choice to drive after using alcohol or drugs, they are endangering the lives of everyone. The State Police will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to discourage and detect impaired motorists. I thank the GTSC for their partnership in educating and bringing awareness to all who get into a vehicle in New York State.” 

Construction Closures Suspended

In an effort to ease travel during the busy holiday weekends, temporary lane closures for road and bridge construction projects on New York State highways will be suspended beginning at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, December 24 through 6 a.m. Monday, December 29, and again from 6 a.m. Wednesday, December 31 through 6 a.m. Monday, January 5, 2026.   

The construction suspension aligns with New York State’s Drivers First Initiative, which prioritizes the convenience of drivers to minimize traffic congestion and travel delays due to road and bridge work. Drivers should be aware that some work may continue behind permanent concrete barriers or for emergency repairs. 

Drivers must follow the state’s Move Over Law, which was expanded in March 2024 to require drivers to slow down and move over for all vehicles stopped along the roadway. The Thruway Authority and New York State Department of Transportation urge drivers to stay alert while driving, slow down and safely move over when they see a vehicle on the side of the road. The lives of drivers, employees, roadway workers and emergency personnel depend on it. 

Texting stops, including park-and-ride facilities, rest stops, service areas and parking areas along state highways support the state’s effort to reduce distracted driving.  The New York State Thruway Authority will also continue its tradition of offering free coffee and hot tea to travelers along the Thruway from 11 p.m. New Year’s Eve through 7 a.m. New Year’s Day morning to promote safety and alert driving. 

All 27 service areas located on the New York State Thruway are now open. Drivers can view the service areas and plan their stops on the Thruway Authority’s website and on the free mobile app, which is available to download for free on iPhone and Android devices. The app also provides drivers direct access to real-time traffic and navigation assistance while on the go. Drivers can also sign up for TRANSalert emails, which provide the latest conditions along the Thruway. 

Travelers can also check NYSDOT’s 511NY before traveling by calling 5-1-1, visiting the 511 website, or downloading the free 511NY mobile app on the Apple App Store or Google Play. The free service allows users to check road conditions, view 2,219 traffic cameras and link to air and transit information. The app features Drive mode, which provides audible alerts along a chosen route while a user is driving, warning them about incidents and construction.

Patients in North Country hospitals benefit from donations collected at drives

Plattsburgh, NY – Adirondack Blood Center has partnered with numerous community sponsors to offer the community 18 opportunities to give blood in January.Blood collected at community drives and at the Donor Center, located at 85 Plaza Blvd., benefits patients at Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital, Alice Hyde Medical Center in Malone, Elizabethtown Community Hospital (including Ticonderoga) and the Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake. The Donor Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm.

The schedule of community blood drives in January is as follows:

• Friday, Jan. 2, Lowe’s, 39 Centre Drive, 10 am to 2 pm
• Monday, Jan. 5, Willsboro Fire Department, 1 Point Rd., Willsboro, 3 to 6 pm
• Tuesday, Jan. 6, Riley Ford, 7189 Route 9, 1 to 4 pm
• Thursday, Jan. 8, Elizabethtown Community Hospital, 75 Park St., Elizabethtown, 1 to 4 pm
• Friday, Jan. 9, Monaghan Medical, 153 Industrial Blvd., 9 am to noon
• Monday, Jan. 12, St. Augustine Parish Hall, 3036 Main St., Peru, sponsored by Knights of Columbus, 3 to 6:30 pm
• Tuesday, Jan. 13, Brushton-Moira American Legion, 26 Sayles Rd., Moria, 4 to 7 pm
• Wednesday, Jan. 14, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Headquarters, 1115 Route 86, Ray Brook, 10 am to 2 pm
• Thursday, Jan. 15, Mooers Fire Department, 2508 Route 11, Mooers, 3:30 to 7 pm
• Monday, Jan. 19, West Chazy Fire Department, 7656 Route 22, West Chazy, 4 to 7 pm
• Tuesday, Jan. 20, St. Edmonds Church Hall, 5526 Route 11, Ellenburg Depot, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, 4 to 7 pm
• Wednesday, Jan. 21, Alice Hyde Medical Center, 133 Park St., Malone, 11 am to 3 pm
• Thursday, Jan. 22, Beekmantown Fire Department, 6973 Route 22, West Chazy, 4 to 7 pm
• Friday, Jan. 23, Burke Adult Center 1040 East Main St., Burke, 9 to 11am
• Monday, Jan. 26, Adirondack Medical Center, Redfield Room, 2233 Route 86, Saranac Lake, noon to 4 pm
• Wednesday, Jan. 28, Franklin Academy, 54 State St., Malone, 10 am to 2 pm
• Thursday, Jan. 29, Miner Institute, 586 Ridge Rd., Chazy, 1 to 4 pm
• Friday, Jan. 30, Clinton County Government Center, First Floor Meeting Room, 137 Margaret St., 8:30 am to12:30 pm

Blood donors must be at least 16 years-old (16- and 17-year-old donors must have written parental/guardian consent), in general good health and weigh at least 110 lbs. A screening questionnaire addressing personal medical, social and travel history is completed prior to donating and a donor card or another form of valid identification is also required. Donors must wait 56 days between donations.

Learn more about the Adirondack Blood Center, giving blood and becoming a sponsor at UVMHealth.org/GiveBlood or call 518-562-7406.

SCHENECTADY, N.Y., December 23, 2025– Market 32 and Price Chopper are issuing a voluntary manufacturer recall on Direct Source Seafood, LLC-produced items impacting select Market 32 by Price Chopper brand frozen 26-30ct Farm Raised Raw Shrimp (easy peel) with UPC code 4173501358.

The manufacturer is recalling these products in compliance with an FDA Advisory due potential exposure to Cesium-137 (Cs-137) contamination prior to being shipped to the Market 32 and Price Chopper Distribution Center. This is being done out of an abundance of caution as, to date, no product that has tested positive or been alerted for Cs-137 has entered the U.S. marketplace, no illnesses have been reported – which would require repeated, long-term ingestion – and to alert any customers who may still have the recalled items in their possession. The affected products were sold after July 11, 2025, with “best by” dates from April 22, 2027 – April 27, 2027.

Many of the customers who purchased these items have already been contacted through Market 32 and Price Chopper’s Broadnet recall notification program, which uses purchase data and consumer phone numbers on file in connection with the company’s AdvantEdge (loyalty) card to alert those households that may have purchased the products in question.

Customers who purchased and still possess the affected products should return them to their local Market 32 or Price Chopper store for a full refund. For more information, please call Direct Source Seafood, LLC at 425-455-2291, or contact Market 32 and Price Chopper by phone at 800-666-7667 or via e-mail at consumerresponse@pricechopper.com.

The state plans to ask a court to dismiss some 500 prison sexual assault lawsuits for not strictly abiding by filing requirements.

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Assembly Speaker News Release of Dec. 22, 2025 – Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie alongside a New York delegation of elected officials hosted a humanitarian mission trip to Jamaica following the landfall of the devastating category five Hurricane Melissa. The historic storm was record breaking, becoming the third most intense hurricane in the Atlantic and the strongest to make landfall on the island of Jamaica since Hurricane Gilbert in 1988.

“The people of Jamaica, although resilient, are hurting,” said Speaker Carl Heastie. “It is our duty to assist our brothers and sisters during their time of need. With the recent rise in global temperatures, we are witnessing storms that were once considered rare occurrences, now becoming more frequent and causing widespread destruction and devastation. Representing the 83^rd Assembly district, a district with the largest Jamaican population outside the island, this storm struck a personal chord. It became a top priority to call upon our community to extend a helping hand to our neighbors, families, and friends.”

In preparation for the trip, there was a donation drive hosted at the Northeast Bronx YMCA. Items donated included nonperishable food items, new clothing, toiletries, first aid materials and equipment, and so much more. During the mission, which ran from December 18 through December 21, these goods were distributed across many sites that were impacted by Melissa and included primary schools, churches and community centers across the parish of Westmoreland. Hundreds of people were able to benefit from the donated goods.

“Our hearts are with the people of Jamaica as they recover from the devastating impact of the hurricane. In moments like these, solidarity matters. This trip represents our commitment to stand with communities in their time of need, not just in words, but through action. We go with humility, compassion, and hope, knowing that even small acts of service can help bring relief, restore dignity, and support the long road to recovery ahead,” said Assemblymember George Alvarez.

Why is healthcare so expensive in Vermont? BlueCross BlueShield says it’s, in part, the sheer cost of services from the biggest hospitals.

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Board delays decision, questions consultant price tag

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Click here to the Steve and Andrew perform at the Keeseville-Peru Ecumenical Choir Christmas Concert on December 21, 2025 at St. Augustine’s Church 

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Click here December 21, 2025 at St. Augustine’s Church, Steve Collier and Andrew Woodruff. 

Free time permitted a little editing at the beginning of this video.  Click here to enjoy the concert. 

Prohibits Sale of Kratom to Individuals Under the Age of 21, Imposes Civil Penalties for Violations and Requires Product Warning Label Requirements 

NYS News Release of Dec. 22, 2025 – Governor Kathy Hochul today signed two pieces of landmark legislation to protect New Yorkers from the harmful effects of kratom, a commercially available herbal product sold for recreational use. This comes amid a rise in concerns about the link to potential health risks. Legislation S4552A/A2340A amends public health law to prohibit the sale of kratom products to individuals under 21 years of age. Legislation S8285/A5852A requires any kratom product being manufactured, distributed or sold in New York State to include a consumer warning label. 

“Kratom is a commercial substance that is commonly labeled an “all-natural herb”, leading people to believe it’s completely safe — but the reality is it can be extremely dangerous and unfortunately, in some cases, lethal,” Governor Hochul said. “No parent in New York should have to endure the loss of a child to a substance simply because they didn’t know what was in it. This legislation ensures transparency and strengthens our public health laws so that information about the ingredients and potential harmful risks associated with kratom are clear.”  

Legislation S4552A/A2340A will prohibit sales of kratom to persons under the age of 21. Under this legislation, anyone selling kratom to individuals under 21 years of age can face a fine of up to $500 for each offense.  

Legislation S8285/A5852A will require any kratom product to include a full list of ingredients as well as a consumer warning that the product may be addictive and may interact with certain medications, drugs and controlled substances. 

Kratom is an herb from Southeast Asia that may be used for its stimulant and analgesic, pain relief, effects. The substance is often taken as an energy booster, mood lifter, pain reliever or recreationally. Some consumers also report using kratom to relieve symptoms of withdrawal from opioids.  

While kratom itself is not an opioid, when taken in larger quantities, it can act in a way similar to other opioids, leading to tolerance, physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms. In some rare cases, deaths have been associated with kratom use, though in these cases kratom was usually used in combination with other substances, including fentanyl, other synthetic opioids, benzodiazepines, stimulants, alcohol, anti-convulsants and other medications.  

A minor natural component of kratom, 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), can have a strong opioid effect when in concentrated form. Manufacturers have made synthetic 7-OH (which may be sold as 7-OH or added to kratom plant products) in substantially higher quantities than would be found in unadulterated kratom. Research about 7-OH and its potential association with dependence or overdose is ongoing. The New York State Department of Health began to specifically monitor 7-OH in June 2025.