Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced $25 million is now available through the first round of a new program for land conservation partners to protect and preserve open space in New York State. Sun Community News reports municipalities, not-for-profits, and Indian Nations or Tribes can apply for Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act funding through the Open Space Conservation Grant Program to purchase land for permanent conservation.

Monday was the last scheduled Tupper Lake Village Board meeting for two longtime trustees, Leon LeBlanc and David “Haji” Maroun. The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports the terms for trustee-elects and political newcomers Brasen LaVassaur and David Plummer begin on Dec. 1. For LeBlanc, it closes out 18 years of service on the board over nine consecutive two-year terms. He was first elected in 2007. Maroun has served on the village board for a decade.

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik said Wednesday that she wants to make the fertility procedure IVF cheaper for New York families, backing a bill in Washington to do just that. The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports just over a year ago, Stefanik said in an interview that she was opposed to the procedure, was pro life and opposed late term abortion.

150 inspiring, ambitious, and committed youth leaders from 23 schools from New York and Vermont convened recently at The Wild Center in Tupper Lake for the Youth Climate Summit. The annual Adirondack Youth Climate Summit founded and pioneered by The Wild Center in 2009 has been a catalyst for Youth Climate Summits in 28 states and 11 countries. Now in its 15th year, the two-day, onference planned by youth for youth brings together teens to learn from one another and empower each other to accelerate change toward a more sustainable future in their own lives, schools, and communities.

An Ocean City woman is charged with lying about a violent attack at the Nature Reserve in Egg Harbor Township this summer. According to BreakingAC.com, 26 year old Natalie Greene was found lying in a wooded area just off the trail with her hands and feet bound by zip ties, her shirt pulled over her head and lacerations on her face, neck, upper chest and shoulder. She and an unnamed co-conspirator from Ventnor told police that they were attacked by three men while walking the trail at the reserve on Zion Road. Police say an investigation found that Greene had paid a body modification/scarification artist to deliberately cut the lacerations on her face, neck, upper chest and shoulder, based on a pattern that she had provided beforehand.

On Thursday, November 20 and Friday, November 21, a detour will be in effect on Shore Road in Northfield, between Mt. Vernon Avenue and Northfield Avenue, 7:30 am – 5 pm, weather permitting, for work by the City of Northfield. Motorists should follow the posted detour and plan travel time accordingly or seek an alternate route. Police and traffic directors will be on site to assist.

On Monday, November 24 through Wednesday, November 26, Zion Road in Northfield will be closed between Shore Road and Wabash Avenue, 7:30 am – 4 pm, weather permitting, for work by the City of Northfield. Motorists should follow the posted detour and plan travel time accordingly or seek an alternate route. Police and traffic directors will be on site to assist.

In Talbot County, the Commissioners of Oxford announced Nov. 18 that Oxford Police Chief Christopher Phillips had been terminated effective immediately. The Star Democrat reports Phillips’ termination was a unanimous decision by the commissioners, who met in closed session on Nov. 17. In a statement released by the town, commissioners said they made the “difficult” decision “for cause.” No specific cause was stated. Commissioners will provide additional statements at their Nov. 24 meeting.

The investigation of a homicide earlier this month near Chestertown is “moving forward,” according to a spokesman for the Kent County Sheriff’s Office. The Evening Enterprise reports Lt. Sean Maloney, commander of the sheriff’s office Criminal Investigation Division, said no arrest has been made. At about 3:35 p.m. on Nov. 4, the sheriff’s office responded to a 911 call about a car stopped in the roadway on Lovers Lane — near the S-bend not far from where Lovers Lane intersects with Quaker Neck Road. The male driver, subsequently identified as Jermaine Lafel Miles, 50, of Grasonville, was deceased from an apparent gunshot wound.

An ordinance was passed in Huntington last week which aims to improve pedestrian safety. The ordinance adds “aggressive conduct” to the city’s disorderly conduct code and specifies that pedestrians can not sit or stand on medians less than 36 inches wide in areas where the speed limit exceeds 20 mph. It also requires a three-foot path to be open to pedestrians when crowds are present on sidewalks. Assistant city attorney Erika Hernandez said in the city council meeting. “Injuries or death were reported in 86% of the collisions. Of the 86%, two of the incidents resulted in the death of the pedestrian and six incidents resulted in incapacitating injuries.”After language changes, the ordinance was passed 8-3, but after even now, some are left with more questions than answers.

Construction continues in South Charleston at the Park Place Shopping Center, bringing in several new businesses like Kroger Marketplace and Mission BBQ.The excitement about the progress goes beyond Park Place. Andrew Shamblin ,Owner of Andrew’s Boots and Workwear, said the growth in South Charleston motivated him to move a store into the area. With the stores moving in, South Charleston Mayor Frank Mullens said the benefits that businesses established in the area will be seeing is part of the goal. While the full completion of Park Place is still way down the line, Mullens said the city’s goal of being business friendly can already be seen.