Quantcast

Back to profile

Thom Randall

Stories by Thom

Tease photo

Despite public outcry, Thurman board signs with Warrensburg EMS

Four years of heated controversy came to a climactic conclusion Monday April 8, as the Thurman Town Board bypassed the local ambulance squad to sign a contract with Warrensburg Emergency Medical Services to provide EMS coverage in town. Prior to taking the vote, the board members said the Thurman's squad's financial problems, intermittent shutdowns and lack of Advanced Life Support services — plus the Warrensburg agency's expertise and reliability — were reasons behind their decision.

Tease photo

Wrrnsbg. Supervisor Kevin Geraghty named ‘Citizen of the Year’

Forty years of basketball scorekeeping and nearly as many organizing charitable events has earned Kevin Geraghty the title of 'Citizen of the Year' — an award bestowed this week by the Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce.

Tease photo

Warrensburg teacher recalled fondly in eulogies

Strict and exacting, Jean Frulla prepared thousands of Warrensburg students for their careers — and she was also a leader in the local effort for historical preservation, people said in eulogies delivered at her funeral Friday April 5.

Tease photo

‘Pixel Project’ video fest set for Sunday

Creativity reigns in the premier area art-video festival- the People's Pixel Project, a competition conducted by the Lake George Arts Project.

Tease photo

State budget director details new initiatives during Glens Falls visit

A slate of tax cuts, 100 percent funding for full-day pre-kindergarten, lengthened school days and launching "innovation hot-spots" to inspire and attract high tech entrepreneurs were some of the initiatives that state Budget Director Robert Megna detailed at a presentation of the 2013-14 state budget Thursday April 4 in Glens Falls.

Tease photo

Thurman board mulls contract with Warrensburg ambulance squad

The controversy is likely to reach a crescendo Monday Apirl 8 over whether to have the town government pay a local independent ambulance squad to respond to fewer than 100 calls per year — or to pay a neighboring ambulance corps to do so.

Tease photo

Progress cited in forming Lake George Business District

The mayor of Lake George and a leading Capital Region economic development official are both optimistic about the attitude of downtown merchants towards working together to promote tourism, commerce, and special events in the village.

Tease photo

Parade in Lake George to honor Warriors, state hoop champs

Battling through a tournament against higher-ranked teams staffed with towering athletes, the Lake George High School Basketball team racked up a string of upset victories — many of them come-from-behind wins — that earned them the state Class C Championship title. Their athleticism, heart and determination will be celebrated April 9 by the region's citizens with a ticker-tape parade and an awards presentation.

Tease photo

Cogeneration to yield windfall soon for taxpayers

The state has procrastinated for a half-dozen years on paying reimbursement of expenses associated with off-the-grid electricity generation at Warren County's Westmount Nursing Home. Now after facing legal action, it looks like the state may pay up the money it promised toward the costs of providing the facility's electricity and heat.

Tease photo

Westmount site may evolve into senior care campus

Bidders reveal privatization plans

Corporations bidding to purchase Warren County's Westmount Nursing Home revealed their plans recently — and o a CEO of one firm seeking to privatize the home talked of developing a health care campus for seniors at the Westmount site.

Tease photo

State boosts roadway repair funding

With pothole season here, motorists swerving to miss those suspension-jarring pits in the asphalt can take solace in knowing that state legislators have boosted funding for local roadway and infrastructure repair by more than 20 percent.

Tease photo

Allowing tall buildings prompts debate at Lake George zoning forum

At a recent zoning hearing, all the Lake George Village Board members expressed support for allowing buildings up to six stories tall to be built in downtown Lake George — a proposal that has sparked considerable controversy locally.

Tease photo

Northway Exit 23 Price Chopper tax break approved

The developers of a long-awaited full-size Price Chopper supermarket plaza were granted a 10-year tax break for their development off Northway Exit 23 in the town of Lake George, just south of Warrensburg.

Tease photo

Warren County leaders: let’s retain Countryside Adult Home

Since the 1800s, Warren County has provided a public home for its elderly of modest means. But in recent years, budgetary stress has prompted repeated calls to close Countryside Adult Home. County supervisors, however, voted March 22 to keep it in operation.

Tease photo

Owens says jobs are his top priority; citizens air opinions on gun control

In Republican territory, Democratic Congressman Bill Owens handles questions from the public on gun control, jobs and the proposed minimum-wage hike during a forum held March 26 in Glens Falls.

Tease photo

Boy Scouts thriving in northern Warren County

While the scouts organizations are experiencing falling membership in many metropolitan areas, Boy Scouts in northern Warren County are flourishing, and scouts are enjoying various adventures whie building valuable life skills.

Tease photo

Warren County hailed on its 200th anniversary

Warren County — known for tourism, its natural resources and its prominent role in American history — was honored this week on the 200th anniversary of its founding.

Musical ‘Grease’ this weekend at Warrensburg High

Year after year Warrensburg High School presents musicals that provide top-quality entertainment — because Director Jim Corriveau Jim Corriveau has developed an exceptional drama program that has enriched the lives of students from pre-teen years through high school.

Tease photo

In upset victory, Lake George captures first basketball state championship.

Lake George basketball team makes history as they overpowering a far taller team and top of an outstanding season by winning the New York State Class C. Boys Basketball championship.

Tease photo

Llama farm among Thurman Maple Days’ attractions

Thurman Maple Days isn't just about all things maple — it also features visits to the Peru Llama Farm, where children can enjoy an old-fashioned hay barn experience as well as an encounter with a llama or two.

Tease photo

New administrator named for Warren County's nursing home

With Warren County's nursing home on the block, it was no surprise that the facility's CEO decided to leave her position — and on March 15, Warren County leaders appointed her replacement.

Tease photo

Krystal Chrysler rewards woman who returns $11,000 in cash

An armored Brink's truck spewed $11,000 like a rolling ATM along a desolate rural roadway. Patty Wesner, following in her vintage SUV, couldn't believe her eyes. She pulled over, gathered the money and called the police, an act which a responding state Trooper called "unbelievable" honesty. To reward the good deed, Krystal Chrysler of Warrensburg fixed her car and filled her gas tank.

Tease photo

With EMS squads in jeopardy, Warren Co. mulls Advanced Life Support ‘fly cars’

With volunteerism on the decline and ambulance squads short of ALS-trained manpower, a new idea has surfaced concerning meeting emergency medical needs in rural areas.

Tease photo

Deep tax breaks sought for Price Chopper plaza near Warrensburg

Warrensburg residents have been waiting with keen anticipation for the new Price Chopper supermarket to be built near I-87 Northway Exit 23. But their enthusiasm cooled this week when the project developers requested a hefty tax break that represents a windfall for developers but a substantial loss of potential tax revenue for the school district and town — at a time they are facing extreme financial stress.

Tease photo

‘Sham-Rock the Block' fest returns to Lake George

Lake George has always been known to provide a good time for revelers. But right out of the gate, the 'Sham Rock the Block event, a St. Patrick's Day party, has proven with its popularity that it's far more, providing a memorable time for children as well as the older partyers.

Tease photo

Lake George merchants to meet on business improvement district proposal

After years of balking on the concept, Lake George merchants are now expressing nearly unanimous support for the proposal of forming a business improvement district in the village.

Tease photo

Crowd savors food and fun at Thurman’s Jack Wax Party

Since the mid-1930s, Thurman residents have demonstrated their community spirit and charitable character through their involvement in the annual Jack Wax Party — a hometown fest that features maple syrup drizzled over shaved ice or snow.

Tease photo

Public to hear proposals to privatize Westmount nursing home

After receiving proposals from private firms detailing potential privatization of the taxpayer-owned Westmount nursing home, Warren County officials have decided to have each bidder explain their offers to the public before negotiations begin.

Tease photo

Rachael Ray show in Lake George — tickets on sale this Saturday

Every year. celebrity chef Rachael Ray — Lake George High School's most famous alumnus — returns to her alma mater to meet and greet her hometown fans, and tickets for her 2013 appearance are going on sale this Saturday.

Tease photo

Town of Lake George poised to repurchase stake in Charles Wood Park

The town of Lake George is preparing an offer to reclaim ownership in Charles Wood Park. Although the previous town administration sold their share of ownership, claiming the park was likely to be a money pit, present town Supervisor Dennis Dickinson said this week his town would likely reap considerable revenue from adjacent parking — a key element of the pending ownership negotiation with Warren County.

Tease photo

Village officials seek prosperity through stricter standards, taller buildings

Lake George officials are seeking to allow development of buildings of up to six stories tall, as well as strengthen their architectural standards — in an effort to boost prosperity.

Tease photo

Bands & Beans fest will ‘rock the house’ Sunday in Lake George

Wall-to-wall people intent on partying, gourmet hearty food, bands on two stages — It's northern New York's "mother of all parties" — the Bands 'N Beans benefit for the Lake George Arts Project!

Tease photo

Sunday’s ‘Wing-Off' in Warrensburg to fund youth mission

Teens look forward to brigntening others' lives

A group of Warrensburg teens are embarking on a mission to help make a difference in others' lives, and they're holding a fundraiser to help pay for the trip's expenses.

Tease photo

Thurman EMS in limbo, agency to reorganize

Although Thurman residents overwhelmingly support local emergency medical services, the residents of the town have yet to figure out how best to pay for the operations of their ambulance squad.

Tease photo

Savvy young drivers outwit adults piloting wacky sleds downhill

Wacky homemade sleds, created and piloted by both adults and children, evoked laughs, cheers and occasional trepidation in the annual Krazy Downhill Derby held Feb. 23 in Chestertown.

Tease photo

For 2013, crowds returned to Lake George Winter Carnival

Participatory activities are increasingly popular, organizers of the Lake George Winter Carnival discovered during the 2013 edition of the region's premier off-season event.

Tease photo

Warrensburg advances to Sectional semi-finals

Combining a strategic game plan with aggressive play, the Burghers' Girls Varsity Basketball team defeated one of the top squads in the region Feb. 22 and moved forward into the Section II semifinals.

Tease photo

Family fun featured at concluding Carnival weekend

For decades, the Lake George Winter Carnival has been curing "cabin fever" during weekends in February — by offering a prescription of family activities. The final weekend of the Winter Carnival for 2013 — set for Saturday Feb. 23 and Sunday Feb. 24 — includes a bonfire and entertainment, snowmobile rides, demonstrations, a petting zoo, outdoor games and fireworks at dusk.

Tease photo

‘Krazy Downhill Derby’ sled race set for Saturday

Winter sports enthusiasts in Northern Warren County annually express their humor and ingenuity in fashioning weird and wacky cleds for Chestertown's Krazy Downhill Derby,

Tease photo

Retail sales break records in Warren Co., gov't. credit rating boosted

By trimming jobs and cutting expenses, Warren County government survived the recession — and had their credit rating boosted this week. Meanwhile, sales tax revenue is breaking records, indicating that retails sales are robust.

Tease photo

Warren County leaders hail Warrensburg’s 200th

The 200th anniversary of Warrensburg's existence was commemorated Feb. 15 as Warren County Supervisors held a ceremony honoring the town's bicentennial.

Tease photo

Activist to county leaders: ‘No gambling casino study’

Proponents of siting a casino in Lake George have talked about the jobs and economic expansion that would accompany the development and operation of a $1 billion gambling resort here. Opponents of the concept have warned of the negative consequences of a gambling casino on family life, area crime, traffic, social services and infrastructure. Citizen activist Joanne Gavin said this week studying the issue was a waste of money.

Tease photo

Galloway awarded for decades of community service

For decades, a former Lake George Town Board member has been reaching out and helping others. This week, he was recognized for his deeds, as the town board presented him with the first annual Lake George Community Stewardship Award.

Tease photo

Crowd demands Thurman EMS support through taxation

Thurman board opts for merger

The most people in history attended a Thurman town board meeting — the crowd demanded government support of emergency medical services, while the board rejected the idea of boosting taxes and argued for voluntary support — or merger with a neighboring ambulance squad.

Tease photo

With gusto, Warrensburg citizens ring in their town’s third century

Warrensburg citizens observe the exact day of their town's bicentennial and share memories of the town's past

Tease photo

Citizens to hail Warrensburg on its 200th birthday today

Warrensburg, historically considered the gateway to the Adirdonacks, is celebrating the 200th year of its founding throughout 2013 — with a special tribute to occur Tuesday Feb. 12 — the exact day of it was established as a town in 1813.

Tease photo

First-ever Brant Lake Winter Carnival set for Saturday

Outhouse race to be featured

An outhouse race, a snowshoe softball game, ice skating, broomball, cross-country skiing, children's games, ice bowling, a lakeside bonfire, stellar entertainment, ice bowling and more are planned for the debut edition of the Brant Lake Winter Carnival — to be held beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday Feb. 9 at Jimbo's Club off state Rte. 8 in Horicon. The free family-friendly event is sponsored by the Tri-Lakes Business Alliance and Jimbo's Club.

Tease photo

Hickory Ski Center's slopes may open Saturday

With heavy snowfall predicted Friday Feb. 8, the ski center renowned for its vintage skiing experience, natural snow and incredibly scenic vistas may have its slopes, trails and glades open Saturday. Regardless of the snowfall, the lodge and cafe will be open.

Tease photo

Snocross racing returns to Lake George this weekend

Fun in store at Lk. Geo. Winter Carnival

The second weekend of the Lake George Winter Carnival is to feature the thrill-a-minute action of East Coast Snocross — championship sanctioned snowmobile racing

Tease photo

Area economic development chief is departing

Vicki Pratt Gerbino was less than two years on the job here

Vicki Pratt Gerbino, hired by Warren Co. Economic Development Corp as President less than two years ago, is leaving her post, catching county leaders off-guard. Gerbino was known as a dynamic advocate for job growth and was recognized for boosting collaboration between economic development agencies.

(Continued on Next Page)