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Editorial
Kudos to the railway for its commitment to freight
August 18, 2012
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MAKING HISTORY
ELIZABETHTOWN IN MINERVA
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Minerva woman teaches through puppetry PAGE 2 REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK
A small group of VIPs takes the historic train ride on the Saratoga & North Creek Railway's Sanford Lake Branch Wednesday, Aug. 8 from North Creek to the Barton mine processing plant in North River, a total of 6 miles. The railway is re-establishing freight service along these tracks, which had not been used since 1989 when the Tahawus mine closed. From left are Ed Ellis, president of Iowa Pacific Holdings, Inc., Charles Bracken, Jr., chairman, the Barton Group; and Brian Barnoski, operations manager at the Barton mine. Photo by Andy Flynn
VIPs ride freight line to Barton Mines By Andy Flynn andy@denpubs.com NORTH CREEK — Freight train service was discontinued on the tracks between North Creek and the town of Newcomb in 1989, when the Tahawus mine shut down. But that all changed Wednesday, Aug. 8 when the Saratoga & North Creek Railway opened 6 miles of track to North River.
By McKenna Kelly
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NORTH CREEK
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newsenterprise@denpubs.com NORTH CREEK — The Johnsburg Town Board will hold a public hearing to discuss a proposed local law to allow all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) to cross approved town roads. The hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 21 at the Tannery Pond Community Center.
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written statement during the Town Board’s July 17 meeting. “I feel strongly that we must do this for our residents.” Olesheski said he feels that encouraging ATV use in Johnsburg would not only help local ATV owners, but would also invite out-oftown ATV enthusiasts, therefore giving a boost to the local economy. According to the proposed law, CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
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ers. It would not immediately open any roads, either; actually designating a road for ATV travel would require a separate action on the part of the Town Board. He did, however, mention the seasonal use portion of River Road would be a likely candidate. “State law is clear, it is within our right as a local government agency to designate and open sections of any roads under our jurisdiction for ATV travel,” Olesheski said in a
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The law, proposed by Councilman Pete Olesheski, would allow the Town Board to open certain roads for ATV use in order to access trails on opposite sides of the road when it’s impossible to make the connection otherwise. It would also encourage the creation of an ATV trail system within Johnsburg. Olesheski said the law would not open all roads to ATV use, and that it was not meant to encourage reckless or illegal behavior in ATV driv-
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NORTH CREEK
Johnsburg public hearing on ATV law set for Aug. 21
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crowd from the back of the train, and headed for North River, home of the Barton mine. They first passed mile marker 29 — the tracks begin at the Tahawus mine almost 30 miles to the north. Railway manager Steve Torrico said that’s an original mile marker from the Sanford Lake Branch, built in 1942. Also known as the Tahawus Line, construction began on the tracks 70 years ago this month.
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MINERVA
A ceremonial inspection train took the first run, and made history in the process. It was a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony in the hot sun. VIPs were in front of engine 52 at the North Creek station. Ed Ellis, president of Iowa Pacific Holdings, parent company of the Saratoga and North Creek Railway, said a few words, followed by Barton Group Chairman Charles Bracken Jr. Ellis cut the ribbon, the two climbed aboard a red caboose, waved to the
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NORTH CREEK — The 9th Annual Upper Hudson Bluegrass Festival returns to North Creek Aug. 17-19 at the Ski Bowl Park. National headline acts will include Audie Blaylock & Redline, Goldwing Express, Vern Young and James King. Regional favorites will include Smokey Greene of Queensbury and Dave Nichols and Spare Change of Malone. Green Mountain Music (Pete “N” Cora Bolster) is providing sound and Don Sprague will return as the emcee. There will be free camper parking for the weekend and food and craft vendors on site. The festival runs from noon to 10:45 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17; 9 a.m. to 10:45 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18; and 9 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19. Tickets at the gate are $60 for three days; $25 for Friday; $30 for Saturday; and $15 for Sunday. After 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, tickets are $10. Children 15 and under, accompanied by a parent, are free. Visit www.upperhudsonbluegrassfestival.com.
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