ECRWSS PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID DENTON PUBLICATIONS/ NEW MARKET PRESS PO Box 338 Elizabethtown NY 12932 Postal Patron
Saturday,ÊJ anuaryÊ28,Ê2017
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In SPORTS | pg. 26-27
Rivalry week returns Moriah-Ti showdown starts on lanes
www.SunCommunityNews.com
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In GUEST VIEWPOINT | pg. 6
The Adirondacks and Jack Ma And his 30/30/30 initiative
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In MORIAH | pg. 12
Artist of the month
Chamber hosting exhibit of works
Champlain Bridge incident probed Inspection hatches on bridge connecting NY and Vt. removed By Lohr McKinstry
lohr@suncommunitynews.com
CROWN POINT – The Champlain Bridge was reduced to a single lane for six hours Sunday as authorities tried to determine why someone removed the manhole inspection covers from the span. Both lanes were reopened to traffic just before 6 p.m. Someone out for a jog on the bridge Sunday at about noon reported the circular access plates missing. The metal covers were thrown over the side into Lake Champlain, and the Port Henry Fire Department’s fire boat was called to the site around 3:30 p.m. to recover the metal hatches from the lake. The boat was able to launch from the Van Slooten Harbour Marina and make its way
through ice and frigid waters to get under the bridge. The lake is only partially frozen so far this winter, and is open under the bridge. New York State Police, Vermont State Police, Essex County Sheriff ’s Department, New York State Department of Transportation and the Essex County Office of Emergency Services were all on site investigating the apparent vandalism. State Police had a special team at the bridge checking the inspection tunnels that run under the surface of the roadway, to make sure whoever removed the manhole covers hadn’t gone inside to do damage or plant anything. At about 4:30 p.m., a U.S. Department of Homeland Security helicopter arrived at the bridge to do an aerial inspection. There’s some evidence whoever removed the covers may have also tried to get atop the bridge, Essex County Emergency Services Director Donald Jaquish said. “It appears they tried to climb the bridge,” >> See BRIDGE | pg. 24
The Champlain Bridge was reduced to one lane Sunday, with State Department of Transportation workers directing traffic. Someone heaved the bridge’s manhole inspection covers into the lake overnight, and police were checking for possible sabotage of the bridge’s systems.
TownÊ canÊ massÊ notifyÊ citizenry Ticonderoga now has a mass calling system for emergencies By Lohr McKinstry
lohr@suncommunitynews.com
Master plan revealed
Gov. Andrew Cuomo rolls out preliminary plans for ‘Gateway to the Adirondacks’ By Pete DeMola
pete@suncommunitynews.com
NORTH HUDSON — The governor has opened up about the proposal that would transform the abandoned Frontier Town theme park into a gleaming new tourism hub. “It’s a sad story now, but we are going to invest in it because we believe we have the volume and we want to build a gateway to the Adirondacks at that spot,” said Gov. Andrew Cuomo >> See GATEWAY | pg. 25
TICONDEROGA – The Town of Ticonderoga is developing the means for mass notification of residents by phone, text or email for local emergencies and issues. Councilman Wayne Taylor said the town has contracted with Everbridge of Burlington, Mass. to keep residents, staff and emergency personnel informed with quick and up-to-date information. “The system will provide push alerts by text, voice or email in any variety or sequence the person wants,” Taylor said. “It will also serve the hearing or visually impaired by TTY/TTD (teletype) devices. It will be used for law enforcement alerts, water/sewer alerts, town office closures or opening delays, general pubic notices, highway/traffic infor-
mation, public hearing notices. We will continue to develop its uses as we learn more of its capabilities.” The equipment has been installed at the Ticonderoga Community Building, where the town has its offices. Taylor said messages will be sent to residents on their preferred contact paths: cell phone, SMS/text message, home phone, email, fax, pager and others, to ensure realtime access to community information. “We have a commitment to ensure public safety, community awareness and emergency response,” he said. “To uphold this, when critical information and public service announcements are available, we need to reach our residents as quickly and reliably as possible.” He said the Town of Bolton in Warren County uses Everbridge and is pleased with the results. >> See TI | pg. 2