public-safety

Franklin County Confirms First Rabid Bat of 2026. Free Vaccination Clinics Available Through October.

Franklin County Public Health confirmed the county’s first rabid bat of 2026 on May 22. Free pet vaccination clinics run through October. Here is what residents need to know.

Franklin County Public Health has confirmed the county’s first rabid bat of 2026. The bat was found in the Town of Malone earlier this month and tested positive on May 22.

Bats are the leading cause of rabies in humans. Their teeth are small and sharp enough that a bite can go unnoticed — which is why health officials treat any contact with a bat as a potential exposure.

A possible exposure includes a bite, scratch, or contact with bat saliva on your eyes, nose, mouth, or an open wound. If a bat is found in a room with a sleeping person or a young child, exposure cannot be ruled out.

If you find a bat in your home, do not release it. Contain it safely for testing. Contact Franklin County Public Health at 518-481-1710, option 6.

Free rabies vaccination clinics are available for pets now through October. Clinics require pre-registration — registration links are posted at the Franklin County Public Health website approximately 10 days before each clinic.

Rabies is fatal if not treated. Treatment after exposure is effective if started promptly.

What to do if you are exposed

Wash any wound immediately with soap and water and seek medical attention right away. Do not wait for symptoms. Report all animal bites to Franklin County Public Health at 518-481-1710, option 6.

Source: Franklin County Public Health Department.

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.