Craig K. Streeter, a 73-year-old resident of Mahopac, NY, is currently the subject of an active multi-agency search after going missing while camping in the Moose River Plains in Hamilton County in the Adirondack Park. [Read more…] about Search Continues For Moose River Plains Missing Man
State Police
Early Season Paddling Tragedies Are A Cold Reminder
Water currents can be strong at any time of year, but early season boaters, paddlers, anglers and swimmers are at a greater risk in spring when waters are still cold – cold enough to cause cold water shock, hypothermia and death in minutes.
Three recent stories highlight the dangers of recreating on and around cold and fast waters in Spring: [Read more…] about Early Season Paddling Tragedies Are A Cold Reminder
18-Hour Search Locates Struggling Adirondack Hiker
An almost 18-hour overnight search in deep snow by more than 20 New York State Forest Rangers ended when an overdue hiker was found alive in a remote area of the Adirondack High Peaks.
The rescue effort began at 8:45 p.m. Wednesday when the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation’s Ray Brook dispatch received a call at about 8:45 pm Wednesday from the spouse of hiker reporting that they were overdue in the Dix Range, a rugged and largely trail-less line of five mountains over 4,000 feet. [Read more…] about 18-Hour Search Locates Struggling Adirondack Hiker
Florida Man Found Deceased in Pharaoh Lake Wilderness
A man from Florida who failed to check out of his rented cabin in Schroon Lake in the Adirondacks was found deceased Tuesday, according to the New York State Police.
At about 12:30 pm on Tuesday, February 24th, State Police were called about the missing hiker, though to be on the Crane Pond Trail in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area in the Town of Schroon, Essex County. [Read more…] about Florida Man Found Deceased in Pharaoh Lake Wilderness
Rangers Respond to Stranded Vehicles, Snowmobile Accident, Schaghticoke Search
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State locating and extracting lost, injured or distressed people and policing state lands.
This report of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers was prepared by DEC: [Read more…] about Rangers Respond to Stranded Vehicles, Snowmobile Accident, Schaghticoke Search
The Attica Prison Uprising and New York City
The Attica State Prison uprising in September, 1971 that resulted in 43 deaths had a profound effect on the Prisoner’s Rights movement. Some prisoner’s rights activists argue that Attica resulted from prison conditions and abuses routine in American prisons. On the other hand, administrators blamed the incident on a lack of oversight and security measures.
Another important factor was the rural location of a prison housing predominantly black and brown prisoners, guarded by white officers. Regardless of the contrary views, the loss of lives at Attica and destruction of property had a profound effect on the nation, and on New York City, the home of 20 deceased inmates. [Read more…] about The Attica Prison Uprising and New York City
Skiers Rescued After Gore Mountain Gondola Break-Down
Dozens of skiers and snowboarders were trapped on the Northwoods Gondola at Gore Mountain Ski Area when the lift broke down on Wednesday morning according to State Police.
Shortly after the lift started running 67 people were trapped in about 20 gondola cars. Olympic Regional Development Authority spokeswoman Darcy Norfolk Rowe said the issue was “a mechanical alignment matter.” [Read more…] about Skiers Rescued After Gore Mountain Gondola Break-Down
Skier Dies at Whiteface Mountain Ski Area
On Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at approximately 1 pm, New York State Police responded to Whiteface Mountain Ski Area in Wilmington, Essex County, NY, for a reported skiing incident.
State Police later reported that Michael E. Vacek Jr., age 44, of Atlanta, Georgia, had been reported missing at about 10 am by the group of friends he was skiing with. The report was made to Whiteface Mountain Ski Patrol after Vacek failed to return while skiing the trails. [Read more…] about Skier Dies at Whiteface Mountain Ski Area
12-Year Old Hunter Inspires Overnight Search
New York State Forest Rangers have reported that on October 12 at about 9 pm, Herkimer County 911 requested Forest Ranger assistance with the search for an overdue hunter who entered the woods off Christman Road in the town of Ohio in Herkimer County adjacent to Ferris Lake Wild Forest.
Rangers say a 28-year-old from Dolgeville took a 12-year-old hunting during the big game season’s youth hunt, but the pair became separated. [Read more…] about 12-Year Old Hunter Inspires Overnight Search
Rangers Make Rescues Across Northern New York
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State locating and extracting lost, injured or distressed people and policing state lands.
This report of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers was prepared by DEC: [Read more…] about Rangers Make Rescues Across Northern New York
30 Deer Over 5 Years: Persistent Poacher Faces Felony Charges
On August 6, 2025 New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO) Lieutenants Burnell, Grogan, and ECO Hilton arrested a subject accused of widespread deer poaching in Oswego County following a lengthy investigation that began in late 2024 with a complaint about gunshots on posted, County-owned property. [Read more…] about 30 Deer Over 5 Years: Persistent Poacher Faces Felony Charges
The Vanishing Hitchhiker of the Glens Falls-Lake George Road
Over the decades, one of the worldwide urban legends has been that of the vanishing hitchhiker. The stories go somewhat like this. A driver of a vehicle offers a ride to a person hitchhiking. After spending time in the car, the stranger seemingly vanishes without any logical explanation. There are numerous versions of this unbelievable story, too. One of those is the traveler is someone who before disappearing offers the motorist a prophecy.
In 1933, the Glens Falls-Lake George Road (Route 9 in Warren County, NY) had its own variant of the vanishing hitchhiker tale. [Read more…] about The Vanishing Hitchhiker of the Glens Falls-Lake George Road
Sand Flats State Forest Party Plan Thwarted by Police
On May 17 at about 9:20 pm, New York State Forest Rangers received a report about a possible underage drinking party at Sand Flats State Forest in the town of Lyonsdale in Lewis County. Rangers Cooley and Maxwell patrolled the area and discovered 10 individuals gathering. By about 11:20 pm, the number of individuals increased to 30 and Rangers learned that the party details had been shared on social media. A New York State Police unit and two additional Forest Rangers responded. [Read more…] about Sand Flats State Forest Party Plan Thwarted by Police
Missing Adk Hiker’s Body Recovered, Rangers Make Overnight Catskills Rescue
A multi-agency search for a missing Quebec hiker Léo Dufour, 22, begun in December 2024 has come to an end with the discovery of his body by hikers near Mount Allen in Newcomb, Essex County, NY. Dufour had failed to return from a planned one-day hike. His car was found covered in snow at a trailhead, but tracking him had been difficult due to recent snowfall.
Mount Allen is the 26th-highest of the Adirondack High Peaks, with an elevation of 4,340 feet, but is a very challenging hike, which takes an average of almost 9 hours to complete the 18 mile round-trip route. [Read more…] about Missing Adk Hiker’s Body Recovered, Rangers Make Overnight Catskills Rescue
Beware the Enemy: World War II Upstate New York Manhunts
It was July 1942, the seventh month of the United States in World War II (1941–1945). The German military had driven into the Caucasus region of southeastern Europe. New York residents were shocked, too, by news that fascists from a German U-boat had landed several weeks earlier in eastern Long Island but the Nazi agents were captured.
Then the media reported that on July 16, six parachutists had been spotted in the skies near Hyde Park, NY, home of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The government worried that enemy spies or assassins might be near Roosevelt’s Hudson Valley residence. [Read more…] about Beware the Enemy: World War II Upstate New York Manhunts
3 Airlifted from Wintry Mountain Summit Plane Crash
On Wednesday, February 26 at about 9:20 am, New York State Police (NYSP) Aviation received a call to assist with a plane crash on Mt. Equinox in Bennington County, Vermont.
The report indicated three passengers were aboard the plane at the time of the crash. [Read more…] about 3 Airlifted from Wintry Mountain Summit Plane Crash
NY State Police Changing Design of Patrol Vehicles Reflects History
New York State Police is unveiling a new patrol vehicle design, according to an announcement made on Instagram several weeks ago.
Beginning this year the State Police fleet “will transition to a gray body with gold striping, a look that pays tribute to our historic roots,” the announcement said. The transition is expected to occur gradually as older vehicles are replaced – only one car currently has the new color scheme.
[Read more…] about NY State Police Changing Design of Patrol Vehicles Reflects History
Attorney Dies at Sagamore Trail in Gore Mountain Ski Accident
On February 8, 2025, at about 11:00 a.m., New York State Police in Chestertown responded to the Gore Mountain Ski Resort in North Creek, Warren County, NY for the report of an injured skier.
A severely injured skier had been discovered in the area of the Sagamore Trail. Witnesses at the scene told New York Almanack he lost control and went off the trail into the trees. [Read more…] about Attorney Dies at Sagamore Trail in Gore Mountain Ski Accident
One Dead After Five Snowmobilers Crash on Adirondack Lake
The New York State Police are investigating a fatal snowmobile accident that occurred early Sunday morning on Fourth Lake in the town of Webb in the Adirondacks involving five snowmobiles. [Read more…] about One Dead After Five Snowmobilers Crash on Adirondack Lake
Man Dies in Adirondack Rail Trail Snowmobile Accident
New York State Police are investigating a deadly snowmobile accident that occurred on the Adirondack Rail Trail in the Town of Harrietstown, Franklin County, NY, in the early afternoon of Saturday, February 1st. A snowmobiler had crashed close to the trail’s intersection with McMaster Road, known as McMaster’s Crossing, near McCauley Pond. [Read more…] about Man Dies in Adirondack Rail Trail Snowmobile Accident