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Keene is continuing to update its Strategic Plan, but it needs more volunteers to help. The town adopted its last Strategic Plan — a document that describes its goals and details specific plans to achieve them — on June 8, 2021. Sun Community News reports town officials want a community-driven process guided by a Steering Committee, which the town is now organizing. However, other residents and members of the town board, school board, and planning board are encouraged to get involved. The town will host a recruitment event on Oct. 21.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Monday signed an executive order declaring a disaster emergency in response to the growing number of measles cases in rural, undervaccinated parts of the state.The order comes amid a growing number of measles cases the state has seen in recent weeks, and as the vaccine-preventable disease continues to spread throughout parts of the country, including neighboring Pennsylvania, which has reported five deaths in rural counties that border New York.New York has reported 108 measles cases this year, with 92 occurring since July 15 among under-immunized, rural communiti

Republican Congressional candidate Anthony Constantino is alleging that his Democratic opponent, Blake Gendebien, has illegally dumped tires and cattle carcasses at a property owned by the Ogdensburg farmer. According to the Adirondack Daily Enterprise, at a press event Monday, Constantino showed drone footage captured by private investigators over Gendebien’s Lisbon property that showed tires and debris scattered in a wooded area.Constantino said that the property was owned by Gendebien and located approximately 600 yards from the candidate’s Twin Mill Farms in Ogdensburg.

Saranac Lake’s new code enforcement officer says he wants the village to be a place that attracts builders to grow the community. According to the Adirondack Daily Enterprise, a builder himself, Christian Rottner said making the role as effective as possible will take consistent communication on his end, and transparency with the public.

A New York state judge has dismissed a lawsuit brought by the applicant seeking to build a howitzer testing facility in the Essex County town of Lewis. The developer alleged conflict of interest and bias within the Adirondack Park Agency, but the court threw out the case on procedural grounds. The judge's ruling did not address the merits of the bias claims. The decision clears the way for state regulators to continue reviewing the controversial artillery range proposal.

The Saranac Lake Civic Center has announced the results of its board officer election, welcoming new leadership while recognizing four board members who are stepping away from the board and highlighting the continued service of its treasurer. Adirondack Daily Enteprise reports officers are now Cliff Beairsto as president, Stephanie Colby as vice president, Chris Knight as secretary and Matt Raymond, who will continue serving as treasurer.

Facing a $273,000 budget deficit driven by rising energy and health care costs, the town of Keene has introduced a tentative 2027 budget that eliminates all $58,000 in municipal funding for its 122-year-old public library—a move residents warn could permanently close the facility. The Adirondack Explorer reports news of the potential closure broke when a resident scanning documents in the $2.5 million budget on the town website noticed the library was receiving no allocation for 2027, and about 30 people squeezed into the town hall to voice their displeasure.

Lake Placid is preparing to welcome the world back for another season of major international and national competition, with a 2026-27 Olympic Authority events calendar featuring World Cups in mountain biking, freestyle aerials, ski jumping and Nordic Combined, along with the return of the FIS Alpine Junior World Ski Championships to Whiteface Mountain for the first time since 1994. Sun Community News reports from October through March, Olympic Authority venues will host elite athletes across cycling, skiing, sliding, hockey, biathlon, figure skating and other disciplines, drawing athletes, tea

North Country Community College has announced the launch of the Advancing Success in Associate Pathways (ASAP) program. The initiative helps students gain and maintain academic momentum so they can graduate on time. Through $318,000 in new state funding, North Country will capitalize on this highly successful model that is proven to increase student completion rates and bridge opportunity gaps.

North Country Assemblyman Michael Cashman co-sponsored a bill that puts a one-year moratorium on new data center permits in New York. He defends that position at a public symposium called “The Backlash Against AI Data Centers.” Supporters say a pause gives New York time to set tougher environmental and energy standards and address impacts on local communities. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed an executive order creating a moratorium. AI companies argue the centers are critical to compete with China and create jobs.

The ice is coming back to the Saranac Lake Civic Center, and with it comes another season of hockey, skating, curling, learning and community connection. Sun Community News reports the Civic Center will officially open its 2026–27 ice season on Sunday, Oct. 4, with a special Ice Season Open House and first public skating event of the season from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., inviting community members to come see what’s happening on the ice and learn more about the many programs available throughout the season.

Soon, interested town residents will be able to compost their food waste at the Highway Garage. Thanks to a $22,000 municipal composting grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), which was awarded last year, the Town of Jay is working to launch a residential food-scrap drop-off pilot program. The Sun Community News reports those who sign up would receive a countertop bucket for $5 for their household to fill with food scraps and then drop them off at the Highway Garage.

The future of the annual electronic music festival at Dewey Mountain is being debated as neighbors of the town-owned venue say it is too loud and supporters say the festival is a boon for the town. According to the Adirondack Daily Enteprise, as organizers of the free Dewey Dubs electronic music festival submit plans for their third annual festival next summer, neighbors and festivalgoers are lobbying the town council.

A nonpartisan political forecasting outlet is projecting a loosening Republican grip on the NY-21 Congressional seat held by U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik for the last 12 years. The Cook Political Report has moved the seat from its “Solid Republican” designation to “Likely Republican” as GOP candidate Anthony Constantino competes with Democratic nominee Blake Gendebien to succeed Stefanik. The report noted that Gendebien is still facing an uphill battle to capture a seat held by the GOP for the last dozen years. Democrats need to flip four House seats this November to gain control of the chamber.

State Supreme Court Justice Allison McGahay on Friday dismissed a lawsuit alleging bias and conflicts of interest from the Adirondack Park Agency, its executive director Barbara Rice, board member Rush Holt and hearing officer David Greenwood as part of the agency’s hearing for a proposed howitzer testing range in the town of Lewis. The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports though not directly related, this decision came two weeks after Greenwood suspended proceedings — citing the applicant’s missed deadlines amidst a broader pattern of procedural disregard — and recommended the APA deny the per

DEC has announced the continuation of the annual River Creel survey of the Saranac and Boquet Rivers, tributaries to Lake Champlain. The survey is focused on the Atlantic salmon spawning runs in the Saranac River and the Boquet River. The survey will provide DEC fisheries biologists with a better understanding of angler use, catch, and harvest data, as well as angler expectations on New York’s salmon rivers. Information gathered will be used to monitor the salmon fishery and inform management actions on these rivers.

More than 6,200 visitors gathered at Whiteface Mountain over the weekend to celebrate the resort’s annual Oktoberfest. The two-day Bavarian-style festival in Wilmington featured authentic German food, beer gardens, live oompah music, and family-friendly activities. Festivalgoers also took advantage of the peak autumn weather by riding the scenic Cloudsplitter Gondola to take in panoramic views of the Adirondack fall foliage. Organizers hailed the strong turnout as a major seasonal highlight for the region

During Climate Week NYC, Gov. Hochul announced $16.8 million is available for projects that will help address the impacts of climate change and protect water quality across New York State through the Climate Resilient Farming (CRF) Grant Program. Funded projects aim to help New York farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect water quality, protect and enhance soil health and increase on-farm resiliency. These funding opportunities build on the Governor’s efforts to support programs and initiatives that combat climate change and support the conservation of the state’s natural resources.

A man who portrays Santa locally and who was busted last week in a child sex sting is back in police custody after he failed to show up in court. Clarence Russell Jr. was supposed to appear in court Wednesday but failed to appear. Russell Jr. is facing attempted rape and child welfare charges. An amateur investigator lured him with the promise of a woman offering her children for sex and then alerted police when he showed up.

After 13 years of organizing the annual free Thanksgiving dinners at the Saranac Lake Adult Center, Kelly Morgan says she’s hanging up her turkey baster this year. According to the Adirondack Daily Enterprise, leaders at the adult center say that if an ambitious organizer wants to try to keep the tradition alive, they’d still be willing to offer their kitchen and dining room as a venue come Nov. 26.