News Staff

Warren-Hamilton Counties Office for the Aging is beginning its annual distribution of financial assistance to seniors to buy fresh fruits and vegetables at local farmers markets, but the distribution process is changing this year because of ongoing COVID-19 concerns. The Farmers Market Check Program offers $20 toward local fruits and vegetables, redeemable at participating farmers markets through November 30th, 2021.

A 19-year-old man is facing assault charges, after police say he injured a 7-week-old baby in Glens Falls. WNYT reports the baby is recovering at Glens Falls Hospital. Glens Falls police say the baby was injured while in the care of Tyler Zaugg on Broad Street Sunday. They did not say the relationship between the baby and Zaugg.

Gov. Cuomo has issued the first-in-the-nation Executive Order declaring gun violence in New York as a Disaster Emergency — the first step in a comprehensive plan that aims to tackle the surge in gun violence throughout the state.
The disaster emergency status will allow the state to address the gun violence crisis by expediting money and resources to communities so they can begin targeting gun violence immediately. This is the first step in a comprehensive plan Cuomo outlined composed of 7 key areas — all with the aim of quelling the gun violence surge

Lake Luzerne Supervisor Gene Merlino was recently surprised with the presentation of an early retirement present from the mayor of Lake George. The Sun Community News reports Lake George Mayor Robert Blais — the longest-serving mayor in the U.S., delivered a green double-seat Adirondack chair to Merlino, who announced in February that he was going to retire from his work as town supervisor this December.

State construction workers will stop roadwork Friday to help ease traffic for anyone traveling during the holiday weekend. Gov. Cuomo has ordered projects on state highways to be suspended from 6 a.m. Friday to 6 a.m. on Tuesday.
AAA predicts travel over the holiday weekend to nearly fully recover to pre-pandemic levels, making it the second-highest Independence Day travel on record.

New York State Police will increase patrols and crack down on drunk and drugged driving and other traffic infractions this 4th of July weekend. State Troopers will conduct sobriety checkpoints and target reckless and aggressive driving statewide to keep New York highways safe during one of the busiest summer holidays for travel. The campaign will begin this Friday, July 2 and run through Monday, July 5. Last year, the State Police issued nearly 9,214 vehicle and traffic tickets during the 4th of July weekend. Troopers arrested 180 people for DWI and investigated 456 crashes and one fatality.

The village of Lake George will kick off its 2021 fireworks shows with one on Sunday, July 4. The Post Star reports following the Independence Day show, the village will have fireworks on Thursdays at 9:30 p.m., weather permitting.
Several of the village’s back streets will be closed to traffic prior to the show to allow emergency vehicle access. Village officials are asking people to arrive before 7 p.m. and wait at least one hour after the show to avoid the long delays.

A ranger rescue in the Town of Stony Creek, Warren County. DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch was contacted by a 50-year-old man who became disoriented while hiking on West Stony Creek Road. Forest Rangers Savarie and Donegan responded to assist. Ranger Donegan located the hiker from Stony Creek and escorted the subject out of the woods. Roughly a half hour later, Ranger Donegan and the hiker were out of the woods and clear of the scene.

A Floating Classroom will be in Sandy Bay to support the Lake Stewardship Group of Cleverdale Asian Clam Day on Thursday July 15. Asian Clam Day is a hands-on educational and awareness event for residents and visitors. The Floating Classroom will depart from Lake George Village at 8:30 am and return to the Village at approximately 10:30 am. While onboard passengers will learn all about the threats to water quality facing Lake George.

There will be no food vendors at this year’s Adirondack Balloon Festival as part of continuing precautions in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Post Star reports festival officials say it’s been difficult to plan the event because of the necessity of adhering to rules from the local and state government, as well as the Federal Aviation Administration. The festival takes place at the Warren County airport in Queensbury and is bookended with balloon launches at Crandall Park in Glens Falls.