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Two people are dead after a crash in Malone over the weekend. State Police responded to a three-car motor vehicle collision on State Route 37 in the town of Malone. An investigation revealed a 2005 Chevrolet Trail Blazer operated by Lisa L. Rupert, 42, of Massena, was traveling eastbound on State Route 37 when her vehicle struck a 2005 Chrysler Town & Country, operated by Charles V. Yaddow, 49, of Brasher, traveling westbound. A third vehicle, a 2019 Honda Pilot, operated by Mark W. Mainville, 57, of Malone, was also traveling westbound and struck Rupert’s vehicle. Franklin County Coroner Brian Langdon responded and pronounced Yaddow deceased at the scene. The front seat passenger of Yaddow’s vehicle, Kimberly S. Delles, 42, of Brasher, was transported to the Alice Hyde Medical Center in Malone where she was pronounced deceased. A one-year-child, who was in Yaddow’s vehicle, was not injured. Autopsies on the deceased are scheduled for November 12, 2019.

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik called on Governor Cuomo to work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to make sure the communities impacted by recent flooding have access to the resources they need. The letter from her, and Represenative Anthony Brindisi, reads, in part, “On October 31st and November 1st, areas of the 21st and 22nd Congressional Districts sustained heavy damage as a result of flooding and high winds. As representatives of these communities, we urge your office to initiate a joint Preliminary Damage Assessment with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and work with federal officials to thoroughly assess the impact and magnitude of the damage caused by these devastating storms. Since a request for federal disaster assistance must be submitted within 30 days of the incident, we believe it is necessary for a Preliminary Damage Assessment to be initiated without delay.”

The Village of Saranac Lake announces the launch of the Village’s improved website, www.saranaclakeny.gov, which makes it easier for residents and others to access services, find area information and engage with local government. The completely redesigned website has several new features, such as a calendar of upcoming events, summaries of current projects, comprehensive information about village parks and recreation amenities, and more. This new website gives a fresh look to the pages featuring each department and provides a more streamlined system for finding documents and forms. There are also local business profiles and an interactive real estate guide designed to support economic development in the village. The report an issue page adds transparency to the process of reporting on issues from potholes to broken street lights.

The 11th annual Adirondack Health Turkey Trot 5K Walk and Run is drawing near. It happens Thanksgiving morning, 8:30am, at the Lake Placid Olympic Oval. A flat 5K course will take runners around Mirror Lake before returning to the Oval for the finish. Fun, Thanksgiving-themed prizes will be given to the top three male and female finishers. Early registration on active.com by Nov. 26 is $25 per person or $75 for a group of four. Kids under 12 run free.

DEC has a new strategic planning initiative for sustainably managing public use in the Adirondack High Peaks. The High Peaks Strategic Planning Advisory Group, comprised of key stakeholders with expertise in a number of areas will collaboratively provide advice on how to balance the critical issues associated with the increased public use of High Peaks resources in order to protect these resources for future generations.
DEC has identified five goals for managing public use in the High Peaks Region: ensuring public safety within communities, along roadways, at trailheads, and in interior areas; protecting natural resources and recreation infrastructure; providing a quality recreation experience; supporting local economic vitality; and making decisions based on science using the best available data.

A bug spray maker is looking to spread its wings in Saranac Lake. The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports the village Development Board approved a special-use permit and site plan review for a bug spray manufacturer on the grounds of the former Trudeau Sanatorium. Carpe Insectae makes all-natural bug repellents for both humans and pets and currently works out of a garage, but wants to move into the 5,042-square-foot building at 600 AMA Way for more space. The owner assured concerned residents that the roads surrounding the site can handle the traffic his business would bring.

DEC’s backcountry advisory remains in effect for the Adirondacks as DEC continues to assess storm-related damages that could affect the safety of trails. In addition, DEC is evaluating roads and other state facilities in the region that were damaged by flooding and other storm impacts. Many town, county, and state roads were impacted by the Oct. 31 storm. In addition, storm damage has made some bridges impassable and washed out roads and seasonal access roads. Many backcountry trails throughout the Adirondacks have infrastructure damage, including washed out bridges and downed trees, creating unsafe hiking conditions. The public is encouraged to contact local agencies and DEC before they visit to verify if roads are passable and trails are saf

A couple called rangers in essex county in keene to report that their friends were overdue from hiking Gothics Mountain. State Police reported that the hikers’ vehicle was still in a parking lot. Forest Rangers performed a trail sweep up their original route to Pyramid and then to Gothics Mountain. Ultimately, the hikers were found on the Beaver Meadow Falls trail leading back down to the AMR Lake Road. The hikers said they had gotten off the trail when navigating around blowdown and were unable to find the trail again until the morning. Fortunately, the hikers were well prepared with the appropriate equipment to spend the night in the woods. They were given a ride back to their vehicle.

Ranger rescue in the Town of Keene. Dispatch received a call from two women who became lost while hiking in the High Peaks. The callers stated that their ordeal began when they spent an unexpected night at the Feldspar lean-to. From there they attempted to get back to the Adirondak Loj by hiking toward Lake Arnold. During their hike, the 59-year-old woman from Gloucester, Massachusetts, and 60-year-old woman from Colts Neck, New Jersey, decided to go back toward Lake Colden before taking a wrong turn and ending up on Mount Redfield. Rangers found the hikers at the Lake Colden Dam at 7:13 p.m., and proceeded to escort them back out to the Adirondak Loj. After reaching Marcy Dam, the hikers were given a ride out on an UTV using the truck trail to the Loj.

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has signed on as an original cosponsor of the bipartisan Seeding Rural Resilience Act. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Anthony Brindisi (NY-22), directs the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to raise awareness and carry out a public service campaign to address mental health issues surrounding farmers. It also establishes a voluntary stress management employee training program for United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) employees that work with farmers, in order to give them direction on how to assist farmers in crisis. Additionally, it creates a task force to address mental health issues in rural areas.