From left: Graham Cox, PhD., chair, Council of Forest Resource Organizations; Hilary Smith, APIPP director and NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens.

The Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (APIPP) received the 2013 National Invasive Species Awareness Week Award in the category of Outstanding Achievement in Invasive Species Leadership during a Forestry Awareness Day celebration at the Legislative Office Building in Albany on Tuesday, March 19.

This national recognition is for APIPP’s leadership in invasive species prevention and control, including collaboration and coalition building.

APIPP is a partnership program founded by The Nature Conservancy’s Adirondack Chapter, New York State Departments of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Transportation (DOT) and New York State Adirondack Park Agency (APA).

“We are deeply honored by this recognition, which affirms the importance of local action and strong partnerships. With the extraordinary dedication of so many partners, collaborators, landowners and volunteers working together, we are making a difference to address tough challenges and know that solutions are within our grasp,” said APIPP Director Hilary Smith.

The first program of its kind in New York State, APIPP started in 1998 as a grassroots effort to implement a landscape-level approach to address threats posed by invasive species and minimize costs to governments, businesses and landowners. Continue reading →

Herkimer County Sheriff Chris Farber delivered three portable digital radios to Town of Webb Police Chief John Russell on Friday, March 15.

The radios, valued at over $1,200 each, are capable of receiving over 120 channels and can be run digitally or in analog mode. They were acquired through a federal Homeland Security grant secured by the Herkimer County Sheriff’s Department.

According to Chief Russell, Homeland Security is awarding grants to sheriffs’ departments throughtout the country in an effort to upgrade and digitalize their radio systems. Continue reading →

Bette Pepper of Old Forge was the winner of the 50/50 raffle conducted by MAC’s Safe Ride during the Old Forge St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Irish Stew Cook-Off on Friday, March 15.

Tickets were sold by MAC Nuggets Joanne Maly, Diane Heroux, Amy Townsend, Martha Denio, Leslie Beauchamp and Nanci Russell.

Pepper’s name was drawn during the Cook-Off at the Old Forge Fire Hall by Shelby Townsend of Inlet.

Pepper shared in the $2,600 in proceeds with MAC’s.

Due to the area school childrens’ early spring break, the Inlet Youth Commission will sponsor its traditional Egg Hunt a little later this year.

The hunt will be held Saturday, April 13 when all children have returned from vacation.

The event is open to children up to 12 years old, or sixth grade. All participants are asked to bring their own bag or basket to collect the plastic eggs that will be traded in for treats.

Among the eggs will be some golden eggs that can be returned for special prizes.

Every child will receive a bag of treats, and will have an opportunity to win additional prizes by entering their names in a raffle. Prizes will be awarded to a girl and boy in each specific age group.

More information is available by calling Mary Marleau at (315) 357-6121 or the Inlet Information Office at 357-5501.

A Loaves and Fishes Café Luncheon will be held on Thursday, March 28 at noon at St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church in Old Forge.

The luncheon will include assorted soups, sandwiches, desserts and hot and cold beverages.

All neighbors from Raquette Lake, Inlet, Town of Webb, and Woodgate are invited.

An elevator with operator will be available to those who have difficulty with stairs.

Anyone in need of transportation can call Bev Meeker at (315) 369-2234 to make arrangements.

he luncheons are co-sponsored by the organizations of St. Anthony’s and St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Churches, Niccolls Memorial Church and community members.

The Niccolls Church Mission Boutique, formerly known as the Thrift Shop, will be closed for two weeks for spring cleaning and seasonal changeover.

Normally open on Friday and Saturday, the shop will be closed March 29 and 30 and April 5 and 6. It will reopen on Friday, April 12th.

The Herkimer County Department of Motor Vehicles satellite office in Old Forge will be closed Friday, March 29 in observance of Good Friday.

The office will reopen on Monday, April 1 for its regular hours of 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Monday through Friday. The office will close for lunch from noon to 1 p.m.

The office is located at 183 Park Ave. and can be reached by calling (315) 369-3301.