Caroga yearns for decision on $50K herbicide grant

Caroga yearns for decision on $50K herbicide grant

CAROGA — For decades, scuba divers have hand-picked invasive plants from the depths of Caroga Lake. It's a dangerous mission. And the town-funded program still isn't enough to ward off Eurasian watermilfoil, maintained Walter Hogan, a West Caroga Lake Association member.   "You can't just sit around and not do things differently year after year after year and costs are rising, rising, rising," he said.Back in March, Hogan applied for a $50,000 grant from the state Department of Environmental Conversation to try out a new herbicide on the lake, ProcellaCOR. If awarded, it would fund a two-year chemical treatment study.Hogan, who sits…
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GAVAC acquired by Priority Ambulance, agency will be renamed Lake Valley EMS

GAVAC acquired by Priority Ambulance, agency will be renamed Lake Valley EMS

AMSTERDAM — Priority Ambulance has completed its acquisition of Greater Amsterdam Volunteer Corps (GAVAC) several years after such plans were first announced. GAVAC will continue to provide ambulance services in the region under a new name, Lake Valley EMS.“Lake Valley EMS – formerly GAVAC – will operate business as usual, providing trusted and exceptional EMS care to the communities we serve,” said Thomas Pasquarelli, now director of operations at Lake Valley and formerly executive director at GAVAC, on Wednesday.GAVAC, a non-profit, served the Mohawk Valley and Southern Adirondack for over 55 years. The Amsterdam-based ambulance agency answered emergency medical calls…
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Advocates and lawmakers urging more action during Gun Violence Awareness Month

Advocates and lawmakers urging more action during Gun Violence Awareness Month

The month of June is recognized as Gun Violence Awareness Month and state lawmakers and advocates are pushing for more legislation and funding to combat the problem.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports there were 1,078 gun-related deaths in New York in 2021, the latest year data is available. The U.S. saw an increase in gun violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nationwide, there were 48,830 gun-related deaths in 2021, the highest of any other year on record. New York has some of the strictest gun laws in the country, but state Sen. Zellnor Myrie, D-Brooklyn, said more can be done…
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Following a $1 billion investment for mental health, racial inequities are discussed at state summit

Following a $1 billion investment for mental health, racial inequities are discussed at state summit

ALBANY -- A summit was held this past week in Albany focusing on mental health and addressing race-based inequities in the system. The summit held at the Crowne Plaza Desmond on Wednesday was organized by the state Office of Mental Health to bring attention to inequities and social determinants that ultimately create unequal access to quality health care and treatment. OMH’s Chief Diversity Officer Matthew Knutson said the goal of the summit is to create a public policy plan to address these barriers.“A list of recommendations are being collected from these meetings that’s going to then actually concretely influence the work…
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Do you have unclaimed funds in NY? Here’s how to check

Do you have unclaimed funds in NY? Here’s how to check

New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli is continuing to promote an initiative to help New Yorkers get back lost money from the state. There is $1.5 million returned to the state each year and the state Comptroller’s Office holds more than 49 million unclaimed funds accounts that are valued at a total of $18.4 billion as of last month. Unclaimed funds come from utility deposits, trust funds, old bank accounts, uncashed checks, old investment accounts, insurance claims, stocks and other inactive accounts that have remained dormant for several years. The Comptroller's Office reports it can trace lost money that dates back several…
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