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Town of Moreau Saratoga County Prescribed Burn: On Sept. 10, Forest Ranger Clute, additional DEC staff, and Albany Pine Bush staff conducted a prescribed burn on 18 acres of Big Bend Preserve in Moreau Lake State Park. Prescribed fire is an important land management tool used to improve habitat for lands and wildlife. These burns are regulated by law and regulation and require technical expertise to safely conduct. Controlled burns help prevent the spread of invasive species, and in some areas, prescribed fire is used to reduce the buildup of wood, timber litter, and other fuel to reduce the potential for wildfires that threaten public safety and critical infrastructure. DEC carefully implements prescribed fires only when conditions are favorable to meet land management goals.
Moreau Lake State Park prescribed burn
Moreau Lake State Park prescribed burn
Town of Fine St. Lawrence County Wilderness Rescue: On Sept. 10 at 10:30 a.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a request for assistance from a 65-year-old hiker on the Cranberry 50 trail with a possible food-borne illness. Forest Ranger Ezumah responded by boat across Cranberry Lake to campsite 17. Ranger Ezumah escorted the hiker from Ballston Spa by boat and then to their vehicle in Wanakena. The hiker declined further medical attention and DEC resources were clear at 1:45 p.m.
Town of St. Armand Essex County Wilderness Search:Read more »
State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Fulton County District Attorney Mike Poulin and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James announced that the former president of the Snowdrifters of Stratford, Chad Daley, 52, pleaded guilty to stealing $17,000 from the nonprofit. As part of his plea agreement, Daley paid full restitution to the club.
“Chad Daley abused his position to enrich himself with funds meant to support his community,” said DiNapoli. “Any violation of the public’s trust for personal gain is unacceptable. Thanks to our partnership with District Attorney Poulin and the New York State Police in this case, Mr. Daley has been held accountable for his crimes.”
James said, “I commend our State Police members, the State Comptroller’s Office, and Fulton County District Attorney’s Office for their rigorous work on this case. This individual abused the position he was entrusted in, taking thousands of dollars that were meant to keep snowmobile trails and the community safe. We have zero tolerance for those who seek to defraud others and put the unsuspecting public in harm’s way.”
The Snowdrifters of Stratford receives funding from New York state and Fulton County to maintain snowmobile trails in the Adirondacks. Daley was the organization’s president for more than 10 years.
From late 2018 through 2023, Daley stole $5,300 in checks made payable to the “Snowdrifters Club” by depositing them into his own personal bank account. He also transferred over $3,000 in funds from the club’s account to his personal account and wrote a $3,500 Snowdrifters’ check to cash, which was endorsed and cashed by his longtime partner.
Daley also made cash withdrawals of over $5,000 from the Snowdrifters’ bank account without authorization or a corresponding purchase order. He took advantage of the club’s tax-exempt status to purchase snowmobiles and trailers using the organization’s funds while registering the vehicles to himself. Daley used the money he stole to support his personal expenses as well as to purchase a snowmobile for his own use.
Daley pleaded guilty to petit larceny before Judge Nicholas Rissmeyer in Stratford Town Court.
Funding Will Further Fuel New York’s Research Excellence; Brings Governor’s Total Investment in Higher Education Research Under Her Leadership to $1.34 Billion
Sept. 17, 2025 Gov. Hochul News Release: Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $300 million to establish the Quantum Research and Innovation Hub at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, further catapulting New York’s national leadership in groundbreaking research that saves lives, grows the economy and improves national security.
“At a time when national investment in research and innovation is at risk, New York State is doubling down and SUNY is on the move,” Governor Hochul said. “The State University of New York at Stony Brook is a research powerhouse and will now be able to reach new heights in quantum. We know that to provide our state and nation with a brighter future, we need to invest today, and that is what New York is committed to do.”
Reversing years of disinvestment, since Governor Hochul took office in 2021, the State University of New York at Stony Brook has received $73 million in additional Direct State Tax Support operating aid and $969 million in additional State capital commitments (including the $300 million for the Quantum Research and Innovation Hub). In addition to increased operating aid, Stony Brook has also received $12 million to support new full-time faculty, $8 million to fully close the “TAP gap,” and access to the State’s $500 million endowment match. The latter provides a $1.00 in Direct State Tax Support for every $2.00 raised by philanthropic activity at the University Centers.Read more »
Stewart’s News Release, September 16, 2025 —Stewart’s Shops Eggnog and Strawberry Milk won 1st place in the 2025 World Dairy Expo in Wisconsin.
All counted, Stewart’s won 17 awards at North America’s best dairy products competition, including 1st place for Rainbow Sherbet, Pistachio Gelato and Lactose-Free Milk.
This year’s competition marked the second time in three years that Stewart’s Eggnog was selected as the Best of the Best in North America.
Stewart’s also won 2nd place awards for Chocolate Ice Cream, French Vanilla Ice Cream, Maple Walnut Ice Cream, Mango Dragon Fruit Sherbet and Salty Caramel Gelato.
Stewart’s won 3rd place for Vanilla Dairy Shake Refreshers, Bark in the Dark Ice Cream, Peanut Butter Pandemonium Ice Cream, Limited-edition Dirt Cake Ice Cream, Milk Chocolate Gelato, 1% Chocolate Milk and Unsweetened French Vanilla Half & Half.
This competition is open to dairy producers across the world and serves as the only competition of its kind in North America. These awards are a testament to the skill and dedication of the 21 family farms, who supply our milk, and the partners, who are committed to producing the highest quality milk and ice cream at our plant in Greenfield, New York.
Founded in 1945, Stewart’s Shops is an employee and family-owned convenience store chain based in Saratoga County, NY. Stewart’s is known for offering milk, ice cream, coffee, food to go, gasoline, and other convenience items. Today, there are over 400 Stewart’s Shops in New York, Vermont and New Hampshire.
The Beekmantown Central School District announced its decision to place a staff member on leave following complaints from families about social posts reacting to the Utah shooting.
September 15, 2025 – WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Chairwoman of House Republican Leadership Elise Stefanik issued the following statement after the House passed her Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act to award Congressional Gold Medals to the members of the historic 1980 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team in recognition of their remarkable achievement at the 1980 Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid, New York.
The U.S. team’s victory over the Soviet Union’s hockey team in what is known as the “Miracle on Ice” remains one of the most memorable moments in American sports history.
“It is an incredible honor to represent Lake Placid, where the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men’s Hockey Team pulled off one of the greatest sports upsets in world history,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “The American defeat of the Soviet Union during the Cold War was a triumph of perseverance, unity, and spirit, not only for the athletes on the ice but for all Americans. As we commemorate the 50th anniversary of this legendary victory, I am proud to lead this bipartisan effort to ensure that their extraordinary achievement is properly recognized. This legislation will ensure that future generations will never forget the legacy of the ‘Miracle on Ice.’”
Background:
The House passage of the bill brings the team one step closer to receiving the Congressional Gold Medal they rightfully deserve. The bill will now head to President Trump’s desk to sign into law after it was previously passed by the Senate on September 8, 2025. Stefanik’s original legislation was reintroduced in April 2025 by Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN) and co-led by Stefanik in the House.
The Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act designates three Congressional Gold Medals to be awarded to the members of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men’s Hockey Team. These medals will be placed in three prominent locations: the Lake Placid Olympic Center in Lake Placid, NY; the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in Eveleth, MN; and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs, CO. These sites will serve as enduring symbols of the team’s legacy and the profound impact their victory had on the nation.
UVM Health Network, the parent company of the state’s largest hospital, is “physically and spiritually distant” from its mission and from Vermonters’ needs, said the chair of the Green Mountain Care Board.