Valley News stories of the year, part two

Sid Couchey, in 2003, with cartoons of the three "bad guys," featured in a comic book about local western star Tom Tyler. Couchey passed away Sunday, March 11. Photo by Keith Lobdell.

By Keith Lobdell

As of Wednesday, December 12, 2012 -1:40 p.m.

Bruce the Moose

Photo by Bill Moore

This nice bull moose was recently discovered feeding along the banks of the Ausable River, in the late afternoon. Moose are currently paired as they approach the peak of their annual breeding. Both moose and moose calls have become a rather common occurrence across the Adirondacks in recent years.

The simple euthanasia of a moose in the Wilmington Notch turned into a firestorm of protests and defending the decision to kill the injured animal, which earned the name Bruce the Moose.

From the story: “Certainly euthanizing the moose wasn’t the outcome we wanted or hoped for, but it ended up being the most humane choice for the moose,” Lance Durfey (of the Department of Environmental Conservation) said.

“We were hearing that people didn’t think what was done was right or they were angry the moose had to be euthanized, but what was done was part of the protocol for our department,” Durfey said. “We get involved when wildlife is impacting people, it’s one of our department’s responsibilities.”

“The question is was there were any alternatives? They didn’t ask if there were any alternatives,” Pam Smith said. “What’s the difference of them taking him out sedated or dead?”

Junie meets donor family

Photo by Keith Lobdell

The combined family: back from left, Doug Jerdo, Debbie Jerdo, Linda Buttery, Pam Drollette, Rich Drollette, front from left, Robby Drollette, Lisa Szewczyk, Harold “Junie” Tart, Leslie Cowty and Aliceson Drollette.

Harold “Junie” Tart of Essex was given the gift of life when he received a liver transplant, while another family grieved the loss of a loved one. Almost a decade later, the two families came together in Willsboro.

From the story: On Nov. 2, Leslie Cowty and Lisa Szewczyk landed at the Burlington International Airport, just moments after Linda Buttery, another of Tart’s daughters.

“We met, hugged each other and immediately started sharing,” Buttery said. “It was really awesome. I am a gabber, especially when I get nervous, and we just talked and talked.”

Over the next three days, the two families got to know each other, talk about Linda Reilly and the life that Junie Tart has had thanks to his new liver.

“I feel a lot better because I feel that her liver went to the perfect person,” Cowty said about Tart. “He is hilarious, a super down-to-earth person and has an amazing family.”

Denpubs.com

Breaking News