Look Inside: Editorial
The state smiles on the Adirondacks
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Enterprise En
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December 28, 2013
2013
4 192
A Denton Publication
Tri-County receives state funding
Serving the Upper Hudson River Region
FREE • Take One
SANTA VISIT
This Week LONG LAKE
By Pete DeMola pete@denpubs.com
NORTH CREEK Ñ A graying region is set to glow slightly greener with last weekÕ s announcement by the New York State Department of Health of a $7.1 million grant to the Blue Line Group (BLG), a partnership of regional not-for-profit nursing homes, to explore new models of elder care for the regionÕ s aging population in order to stave off closures. The grant is a direct response to the fiscal distress that four elder care facilities in the BLG network, including Adirondack Tri-County in North Creek, Heritage Commons in Ticonderoga, Mercy Living Center in Tupper Lake and Uihlein Living Center in Lake Placid, have endured following years of losses accrued by Medicaid reimbursements that have fallen short of actual costs. Eighty percent of Adirondack Tri-CountyÕ s residents are Medicaid recipients with few other options for longterm care, said administrator Hal Payne. The discrepancy in Medicaid reimbursements costs Tri-County $82 per day for each resident, or $1.9 million each year. The other facilities in the network face similar shortfalls. BLG plans to use the funds, with the first payments scheduled to reach coffers in March, on expenses across the board, including daily operations and essential supplies, to keep the facilities afloat and to explore options for long-term sustainability. CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
Notice to readers
Griffin Farr tells Santa what he’d like for Christmas at the Long Lake Town Hall on Dec. 14. Photo provided
MCS Board of Education debates online courses By Mike Corey
denpubs@denpubs.com MINERVA Ñ The Minerva Central School Board of Education had its regular monthly meeting the evening of Dec. 12 following its first budget workshop regarding the 201415 budget year. Among the many items up for discussion (including regular business items) was debate concerning the possible availability of on-
line classes to supplement the regular classroom and distance learning courses now offered to MCS students. Due to budget cuts during the 2013-14 school year, fewer electives are now available for high school and accelerated middle school students and the board is searching for ways to add to the list of courses students can now take. Joining a consortium of other schools that are currently participating in online opportuni-
ties would allow MCS to offer various Advanced Placement courses worth up to one credit for each course. There would be a cost involved, something that the board will be looking into. At least two companies that offer online classes were being considered by the board. MCS Superintendent Tim Farrell will further investigate the possibility of providing online elective courses, including a polling of students to see what
types of classes they would like to see available. Farrell will also be checking into costs of various options. Under correspondence, a letter was read from recently retired third grade teacher Patricia Gonyo (after 31 years with the district). According to her letter, no one knows how special a place MCS is without being a part of it. Her letter was graciously accepted. CONTINUED ON PAGE 7
NORTH CREEK Ñ Beginning with the issue of Jan. 4, 2014, the News Enterprise will begin individually addressing each paper to better manage and optimize the paperÕ s delivery each week. By doing so we can ensure that each household is receiving a copy of the paper and at the same time this method will allow us to better manage addresses for unoccupied homes and homes that for whatever reason do not want to receive the printed copy each week. Over the course of the next few months we will be fine tuning the addresses and ensuring that they follow USPS Carrier Walk Sequencing. If for some reason you do not receive the paper as you normally have in the past and you reside within our free delivery zone, please call our office at 518-873-6368 or email us at circulation@ denpubs.com so that we may add you to our list of addresses.
Local leaders pursue concept of NYS ski museum in North Creek thom@denpubs.com
EDITORIAL
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QUESTION OF THE MONTH
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OBITUARIES
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SPORTS
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CLASSIFIEDS
PAGE 2
By Thom Randall
Index
ADIRONDACK OUTDOORS
Polar Bear Plunge returns to Long Lake
8 9-11
NORTH CREEK Ñ An effort is underway to establish a New York State ski industry museum in North Creek, state Sen. Betty Little revealed at the Warren County Supervisors meeting held Friday Dec. 20. With its rich history of winter sports, North Creek would be ideal for a ski museum that could serve as a regional attraction and draw people from across the state — which would benefit local commerce, she CONTINUED ON PAGE 7
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