essex-county

A Fox Attacked People in Westport. It Tested Positive for Rabies.

On the morning of Saturday, May 30, a fox attacked multiple people in Westport, NY in two incidents close in time and location. By Tuesday, June 2, Wadsworth Laboratory confirmed the animal tested positive for rabies.

Essex County Health Department staff were alerted that weekend while on call, coordinated with the Deputy Sheriff to have the fox dispatched and stored, and immediately connected exposed individuals with post-exposure rabies treatment. Dogs involved in the incidents received rabies booster vaccinations.

On Monday, the Health Department worked with Adirondack Veterinary Hospital to prepare the specimen for lab submission.

"These were very concerning situations, but the immediate risk now appears to be resolved," said Jessica Darney Buehler, ECHD Deputy Director. "We remind residents never to approach or attract wildlife."

Town Supervisor Ike Tyler praised the response: "I appreciate the coordinated care undertaken by the Health Department with the Sheriff's Department, Westport Fire and EMS, and Elizabethtown Community Hospital."

Public Health Director Linda Beers urged residents to vaccinate their pets at one of the county's upcoming free clinics. The next is Tuesday, June 23 from 6–7:30 PM at the Chesterfield Knights of Columbus.

Full clinic schedule and registration: health.essexcountyny.gov/rabies-clinics

If you believe you were exposed to the Westport fox or any wildlife, contact Essex County Health Department. More information on rabies prevention is available at health.essexcountyny.gov.

The World's Best Mountain Bikers Are Coming to Lake Placid This Fall. It's Also the Last Time.

The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series returns to Lake Placid and Wilmington on October 2-4 — the third and final year of the event in the Adirondacks. ORDA board chair Joe Martens says the authority is feeling contemplative as they plan to end the event after this fall. The

Main Street Is Closing This Weekend. Blame the Cars — In a Good Way.

Downtown Saranac Lake is shutting down for the weekend, and this time it's intentional. The Village's 2nd Annual Cruisin' 2026 Car Show takes over Main Street on Friday, June 19 from 3pm to 10pm, and Saturday, June 20 from 8am to 3pm. Main Street and

Heads Up: The Lake Placid Marathon Is Today. Here's What's Closed and When.

If you're driving anywhere near Lake Placid this morning, plan around it. The 21st annual Lake Placid Marathon, Half Marathon, and 10K runs today, Sunday June 14, with nearly 1,500 racers expected between the three events. The 8am start and 2pm cutoff mean the impact runs through

The Two Democrats Debated. They Agreed on Almost Everything Except the One Thing That Matters Most Here.

The NY-21 Democratic primary debate aired Thursday night on CBS6. If you were expecting a brawl, you didn't get one. Blake Gendebien and Stuart Amoriell agreed on most of it — universal healthcare, getting corporate money out of politics, repairing the relationship with Canada. They even shook hands

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The World's Best Mountain Bikers Are Coming to Lake Placid This Fall. It's Also the Last Time.

Main Street Is Closing This Weekend. Blame the Cars — In a Good Way.

Heads Up: The Lake Placid Marathon Is Today. Here's What's Closed and When.

The Two Democrats Debated. They Agreed on Almost Everything Except the One Thing That Matters Most Here.