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NCPR News Staff: Chris Knight
Adirondack Correspondent
Chris Knight Chris Knight is a senior staff writer for the Adirondack Daily Enterprise in Saranac Lake. Before joining the Enterprise, Chris was the news director for Mountain Communications, which owns several Saranac Lake radio stations, for eight years. Chris works for North Country Public Radio as an occasional contributing reporter.Away from work, Chris enjoys hiking, skiing, kayaking and just about anything else in the outdoors. He and his wife Kate-Lyn live in Saranac Lake and have two children. E-mail
Stories filed by Chris Knight
The view from the Loon Lake golf course. Photo: Adirondack Daily Enterprise - Lou Reuter
Another big Adirondack real estate development?
May 17, 2013 — Adirondack Park Agency officials have been meeting with a company looking to develop a large resort around Loon Lake, in Franklin County. Loon Gulf Inc. owns 2,800 acres, including the former Loon Lake Golf Course, which closed 10 years ago.
At this point, though, the company's representatives say they're just testing the waters at this point and have no immediate plans for the property. Go to full article
At this point, though, the company's representatives say they're just testing the waters at this point and have no immediate plans for the property. Go to full article
OK Slip Falls in summer. Photo: C. Heilman, courtesy Adirondack Nature Conservancy
Adirondack Park Agency will hear from public on how to use new lands
May 13, 2013 — The Adirondack Park Agency has drafted seven options for classifying 47,000 acres of state land in the central Adirondacks, including the first phase of former Finch, Pruyn and Co. timberlands acquired by the state.
The options range from mostly wilderness, the most restrictive state land classification where motorized vehicles are prohibited, to wild forest, where more opportunities for public access and recreation are allowed.
The APA board voted Friday to host a series of public hearings on the proposals. Go to full article
The options range from mostly wilderness, the most restrictive state land classification where motorized vehicles are prohibited, to wild forest, where more opportunities for public access and recreation are allowed.
The APA board voted Friday to host a series of public hearings on the proposals. Go to full article
Adirondack Health CEO Chandler Ralph, center, at a public meeting May 1 on the proposed conversion of the Adirondack Medical Center-Lake Placid emergency room to an urgent care center, held at Lake Placid Center for the Arts. Stan Urban, left, is chair of Adirondack Health's Board of Trustees; to the right is Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Broderick. Photo: Chris Knight via Adirondack Daily Enterprise
Plan to close Lake Placid ER faces harsh criticism
May 08, 2013 — Adirondack Health will host the second of two public meetings tonight on a controversial plan to convert the emergency room at its Lake Placid hospital to an urgent care center.
At the first meeting last week, representatives of the Saranac Lake-based hospital faced a hostile crowd. Many people said the change would leave the community vulnerable and put a strain on the emergency medical service system. Adirondack health officials say a decision could come at the end of the month. Go to full article
At the first meeting last week, representatives of the Saranac Lake-based hospital faced a hostile crowd. Many people said the change would leave the community vulnerable and put a strain on the emergency medical service system. Adirondack health officials say a decision could come at the end of the month. Go to full article
Adirondack Health Chief Senior Services Officer Marc Walker talks with Uihlein Living Center resident Peggy Forkey at the Lake Placid nursing home in November of last year. Photo: Chris Knight via Adirondack Daily Enterprise
Can the North Country make nursing homes work?
May 03, 2013 — Many nursing homes around the state are seeing big financial losses, and the situation is the same, if not worse, here in the North Country.
That's sparked a dialogue in the last few months among the region's long-term care leaders about ways they can partner, share services or even consolidate under one organization. Leaders of at least eight to 10 of the region's nursing homes have been involved in these talks.
Some long-term care advocates believe North Country nursing homes are at a tipping point. Go to full article
That's sparked a dialogue in the last few months among the region's long-term care leaders about ways they can partner, share services or even consolidate under one organization. Leaders of at least eight to 10 of the region's nursing homes have been involved in these talks.
Some long-term care advocates believe North Country nursing homes are at a tipping point. Go to full article
Photo: Courtesy of the Adirondack Daily Enterprise.
Why some North Country parents want kids to boycott state tests
Apr 17, 2013 — Students in grades three through eight across New York sat down Tuesday for the first of six days of state standardized tests in English and math. But not every student showed up to take the tests.
The parents of some children who oppose the state's increased use of standardized testing are refusing to let their kids take the assessments. The boycott is also tied to tougher education standards the state is implementing this year. Go to full article
The parents of some children who oppose the state's increased use of standardized testing are refusing to let their kids take the assessments. The boycott is also tied to tougher education standards the state is implementing this year. Go to full article
Beekmantown High School Principal Diane Fox will take over July 1 as the next superintendent of the Saranac Lake Central School District. Photo: Chris Knight, via Adirondack Daily Enterprise
Incoming SL school super: the problem is money
Apr 02, 2013 — Many school districts in the North Country face cutting staff and programming in order to trim their budgets and stay under the state's property tax cap. Some are showing signs of serious financial stress.
Just last month, Tupper Lake School District leaders said the district could become insolvent and may have to close its doors in a few years unless it gets more state aid.
Neighboring Saranac Lake Central is struggling to find a way to preserve its core programs while closing a more than $1 million budget gap.
The district recently hired a new superintendent, Diane Fox, who said working within its budget constraints will be her biggest challenge. Go to full article
Just last month, Tupper Lake School District leaders said the district could become insolvent and may have to close its doors in a few years unless it gets more state aid.
Neighboring Saranac Lake Central is struggling to find a way to preserve its core programs while closing a more than $1 million budget gap.
The district recently hired a new superintendent, Diane Fox, who said working within its budget constraints will be her biggest challenge. Go to full article
The Essex Chain of Lakes. The process is now underway to determine what kind of recreation and public use will be allowed. Photo: Carl Heilman, courtesy Adirondack Nature Conservancy
What will NYS do with Finch, Pruyn Adirondack lands?
Mar 26, 2013 — The state is close to completing the purchase of two more parcels of former Finch, Pruyn and Co. timberlands that will be added to the Adirondack Forest Preserve.
Meanwhile, staff from the Adirondack Park Agency are preparing for the first of what's expected to be several years of work to classify 69,000 acres of the former Finch lands. The state made that $50-million landmark deal with The Nature Conservancy last year. Some of those lands are set to be opened up for public recreation later this year. Go to full article
Meanwhile, staff from the Adirondack Park Agency are preparing for the first of what's expected to be several years of work to classify 69,000 acres of the former Finch lands. The state made that $50-million landmark deal with The Nature Conservancy last year. Some of those lands are set to be opened up for public recreation later this year. Go to full article
Adirondack Health is also considering converting its around-the-clock emergency room in Lake Placid to a 12-hour urgent care center as another cost-cutting move. Photo: Mark Kurtz
More job cuts at Adirondack Health, ER cuts considered
Mar 25, 2013 — One of the North Country's largest employers is cutting staff for the second time since December. Adirondack Health is blaming these 18 layoffs on a loss of Medicare revenue and an ongoing decline in in-patient numbers.
The organization let another 17 workers go in December.
Adirondack Health is also considering converting its around-the-clock emergency room in Lake Placid to a 12-hour urgent care center as another cost-cutting move. Go to full article
The organization let another 17 workers go in December.
Adirondack Health is also considering converting its around-the-clock emergency room in Lake Placid to a 12-hour urgent care center as another cost-cutting move. Go to full article
Students from LP Quinn Elementary School in Tupper Lake learning to tap maple trees. Photo: The WIld Center, CC some rights reserved
Tupper school finances at a tipping point
Tupper Lake, NY, Mar 21, 2013 — School districts across the North Country have been closely following state budget negotiations in Albany, hoping a budget deal will lead to a bigger increase in aid than proposed in Gov. Andrew Cuomo's original budget.
Officials at one school district in Franklin County said this week that they've reached a financial tipping point. Tupper Lake School leaders said the district may be headed for insolvency, and may have to close the doors in a few years without more state aid. Go to full article
Officials at one school district in Franklin County said this week that they've reached a financial tipping point. Tupper Lake School leaders said the district may be headed for insolvency, and may have to close the doors in a few years without more state aid. Go to full article
Invasive Eurasian watermilfoil in Saratoga Lake. Photo: Janice Painter, CC some rights reserved
Park regulators approve herbcide for Loon Lake milfoil battle
Mar 18, 2013 — The state Adirondack Park Agency voted unanimously Friday to approve the controversial use of a chemical herbicide to kill invasive plants in a lake in Warren County.
The Town of Chester plans to disperse 1,500 gallons of Renovate OTF in the southeastern corner of Loon Lake this spring.
It's an herbicide used to kill Eurasian watermilfoil, which has clogged waterways across the Park and has been a nuisance to boaters and swimmers.
This would be only the second time Renovate has been used in the Adirondack Park. Go to full article
The Town of Chester plans to disperse 1,500 gallons of Renovate OTF in the southeastern corner of Loon Lake this spring.
It's an herbicide used to kill Eurasian watermilfoil, which has clogged waterways across the Park and has been a nuisance to boaters and swimmers.
This would be only the second time Renovate has been used in the Adirondack Park. Go to full article
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St. Lawrence University, Canton,
New York 13617 • phone: 1-877-388-6277 • email
radio@ncpr.orgNCPR is a proud affiliate of:
NPR • American Public Media • Public Radio International
