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Saturday,ÊD ecemberÊ5,Ê2015
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www.SunCommunityNews.com
In EVENTS | pg. 2
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Welcoming the holiday season
In NEWS | pg. 3
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In OPINION | pg. 7
The check is Little Bits: in the mail Silly “Cold” Jokes
Holiday parade to take place Dec. 4
Lawmakers discuss tax rebate program
Little chats about old and new winter jokes
CCC creates three new scholarships
Awards to add incentives for nonresidents to attend the school By Teah Dowling
dent Frederick Smith said. “These new scholarships enable us to assist even more students in getting a college education.” ANY NYS COUNTY
teah@suncommunitynews.com
PLATTSBURGH — Clinton Community College recently approved three new school scholarships for the spring and fall 2016 semesters. The scholarships are designed as incentives for non Clinton County residents to attend the school and provide greater access to the facilitiy. “Clinton has always been a sound economic option for students,” CCC’s Interim Presi-
The Academic Excellence Scholarship is a full-tuition scholarship for high-achieving high school graduates in all of New York State, in comparison to the similar Presidential Scholarship which is only for students in Clinton, Hamilton and St. Lawrence and Saratoga counties. This scholarship will cover unpaid tuition after grants such as TAP and other tuition specific scholarships have been applied. Stu-
dents will be responsible for fees, textbooks and supplies. Students who achieve a 90 or better GPA in a Regents program by the end of their junior year of high school are eligible. Students must enroll in Clinton in the fall or spring semester immediately following their graduation. There is an application process and students will be selected based on the quality of their application. Awarded students may receive the scholarship for up to two years of consecutive study so long as they earn a minimum semester GPA of 2.75 in the first semester and retain a minimum semester GPA of 3.25 for the se-
Ê LightingÊ of Ê the Christmas treesÊ
The Vermont Academic Excellence Scholarship is available to high-achieving Vermont high school students who chose to attend >> Story Continued | pg. 11
Beekmantown town tax rate once again flat
PLATTSBURGH — Several trees throughout the North Country will light up the night sky throughout the beginning of the of December. Places such as Plattsburgh, Cadyville, Schuyler Falls, Peru, Au Sable Forks Teah and Champlain will be decorating their Dowling Christmas trees with lights, ornaments Writer and garlands to begin the holiday season and spread the holiday spirit.
>> Story Continued | pg. 10
VERMONT STUDENTS ONLY
Town of Beekmantown under the tax cap
Several town tree lighting ceremonies to take place in beginning of December
CHAMPLAIN The Village of Champlain Holiday Fest will take place Saturday, Dec. 5 from 1 to 8 p.m. The fun-filled day will begin with cookie decorating, arts and crafts and more at the Champlain Meeting House — leading into a candy cane hunt at the playground at 3 p.m. The tree lighting will take place at 6:30 p.m., followed by visits with Santa, hot chocolate and caroling at Paquette Park. “This is a great community event,” said Janet McFetridge, organizer of the event. “It gives people time to spend outdoors and see the pretty lights.” The event is free and open to the public. For more informa-
mesters following. Along with the Presidential Scholarship and Vermont Academic Excellence Scholarship, this award is designed to attract and bring higher achieving students to CCC. “We have a lot to offer students looking for an academically challenging experience,” Smith said. “We value having higher-achieving students in our classrooms.”
By Teah Dowling
teah@suncommunitynews.com
BEEKMANTOWN — Town of Beekmantown passed the 2016 budget under the .73 tax cap. The total appropriated budget is $3,254,652. Total revenues is $2,148,482 and the fund balance is $245,538 — leaving $860,000 to be raised by taxes. The town tax rate remained flat for another year. “We’ve had a $0 town tax for many years now,” said Kelly LaFountain, town clerk/tax collector for the Town of Beekmantown. The highway tax rate, however, increased from $1.48 to $1.51. Tax rates for fire protection (.55), fire district (.55), the southeast water district (2.49) and Route 9 water district (4.55) remained the same as last year. PERCENTAGE RAISES
The Champlain tree lighting will take place at 6:30 p.m., followed by visits with Santa, hot chocolate and caroling at Paquette Park. Photo by Janet McFetridge
Most town employees got a 2 percent raise, said LaFountain. >> Story Continued | pg. 4