LP NATIVE AT VIRGINIA TECH DURING SHOOTINGS

A 2002 graduate of Lake Placid High School was among the thousands of students locked down on the campus of Virginia Tech Monday morning during a shooting rampage that left more than thirty people dead.

Renee Cavallero, a senior at Virginia Tech, lives off campus but was conducting interviews with a student organization on campus when news of the shootings began to spread. 

She said she was in a building very close to the West Ambler Johnston dormitory where the first two victims were killed.

“We had a small intermission during our interview process, checked our e-mails and found out there was a shooting on campus,” she said.  “We continued on with our interview and by the end of that interview it had exploded and we were locked down in the building.”

Cavallero said they watched the television coverage of the shootings from an office, growing more and more alarmed as the death toll climbed from two to twenty and eventually 32 victims.

She said they were in disbelief that something so horrible could happen there.  “Blacksburg, Virginia reminds of Lake Placid and Saranac Lake,” Cavallero said.  “Nothing happens here – it’s such a safe place, you can leave your car unlocked.  The crime rate is so small and for something of this magnitude to happen here hits you really hard because it’s not something you would ever expect.”

Cavallero said they felt safe inside the building during the lock down.  But when they were allowed to leave around 12:30 p.m. they ran to their cars because they were scared to be out in the open.

Cavallero doesn’t believe she knows any of the victims of the tragedy personally.  “I haven’t heard of anybody I know,” she said.  “But I’m sure I’ve had contact with some of these people.”

Asked how she was holding up, Cavallero said she was doing “pretty well.”  But the reality of what happened is starting to sink in more and more, she said. “It gets sadder, especially as some of the victims pictures are posted on the TV. It gives faces to names and makes it all that much more real.  It’s definitely sad.”

Cavallero’s mother, Lisa Planty, says she first heard of the shootings through several phone calls from her daughter’s high school friends.  She turned on the television and “started freaking out,” she said. 

It wasn’t until roughly 90 minutes later that she got a cell phone call from Renee reporting she was safe.  

“I called her to ask her if she wanted to fly home because they’ve cancelled classes for the rest of the week,” Planty said.  “But being that she graduates next month she thought it better she stay down there.  She’s got three roommates and she’s a pretty level-headed kid and I think she’ll be alright.”

Cavallero planned to attend today’s convocation ceremony on campus along with a candlelight vigil scheduled for tonight. 

To hear the full interview – click here.

LP TO RECEIVE $375,000 TO REIMBURSE SPILL CLEAN UP COSTS

The Village of Lake Placid will receive nearly $375,000 to cover the costs of removing and cleaning up contaminated soil found during a sewer line replacement project two years ago.

Mayor Jamie Rogers said during Monday night’s village board meeting that the money will pay for expenses the village incurred after uncovering petroleum contaminated soil in August 2005 at the intersection of Route 73 and Mill Pond Drive, near the site of a former gas station and former heating oil business.

Village attorney Janet Bliss said the $375,000 reimbursement comes from the state Environmental Protection and Spill Compensation Fund. 

She said the village board, in order to receive the money, has to approve an agreement releasing the state fund from any causes of action arising out of the spill if someone is found responsible.

Rogers said the Department of Environmental Conservation conducted an investigation into the source of the spill, but “no responsible party was found.”

Trustee David Jones said the money will cover 100 percent of the costs the village incurred including removal of the soil, dewatering and testing.

Trustee Peter Roy commended Rogers for his effort in pursuing the reimbursement.  “I think you earned this money for the village,” he said.

The board voted unanimously to approve the agreement.

In other news from last nights meeting, the board approved the rates for this year’s parking permit system. 

Police Chief Scott Monroe had recommended a charge of $75 per year for the permits, which have been changed to stickers that will have to be attached to the permit holder’s vehicle.  The system will now be administered through the police department.

The board, however, opted for a fee of $100 per sticker per year – still $25 less than last year.  The charge will also be pro-rated down from $100 after the first six months of the year.

And, Mayor Rogers reported on a meeting earlier in the day where the future location of the Lake Placid-Essex County Visitor’s Bureau was discussed.  The bureau is currently located in a section of the Olympic Center that will eventually become the Lake Placid Conference Center.

Rogers said a conceptual agreement was reached to move the visitor’s bureau to the village beach house.  However, the meeting room of the beach house would remain open for community meetings, he said.

No rent would be charged to the visitor’s bureau but it would have to pay for the costs of operating the building.  Considering the vital role the organization plays in the community, Rogers said it “seems foolish” to charge them rent.

TRI-LAKES UNINSURED TASK FORCE CONTINUES ITS MISSION

For the fifth year in a row, a coalition of hospital officials, insurance companies and other advocates are working to educate the public on their health insurance options during “Cover the Uninsured Week.”

Running April 23-29, the campaign includes eligibility screenings and a luncheon to educate business owners on insurance coverage for their workers.

Chandler Ralph, Adirondack Medical Center’s President and CEO, said this year’s effort comes on the heels of “very good news” from the state.

Governor Spitzer has recently expanded eligibility requirements for the Child Health Plus program to families with incomes up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level.  The previous standard was 250 percent, Ralph said.

“That will take into the fold for being insured more people in New York State,” she said.  “We really commend Governor Spitzer.  He led the charge on that issue and we’re very excited about that.”

Ralph said the initiative matches their goal of leaving no child in the area uninsured.  The group already met its other goal – reducing the number of uninsured in the Tri-Lakes region by 25 percent – in its third year. 

But there are still many people who don’t know there are affordable health insurance programs available and opt to go without coverage.

Dan Hill, AMC’s Wellness Director, encouraged people to contact an enroller or go to one of the screenings next week. “This is a great way for people to get their questions answered,” he said.  “Certainly, when we try to interface with the public and answer those questions, we’re more likely to keep that percentage of people who are uninsured down.”

Past surveys conducted by the task force also found many area businesses wanted more information on health insurance options.  Chandler Ralph said some think they can’t afford coverage for their employees.

“That’s where a lot of the struggle of the uninsured comes from – small businesses think they can’t afford to insure their employees,” she said.  “But there are a lot of options out there that, once people know about them may find them affordable for their staff.”

Ralph said she’s hopeful that the Uninsured Task Force won’t have to continue its work indefinitely, now that some states have begun looking at the concept of universal health care.  “New York is looking at those really carefully,” she said.  “I think an awareness has been raised on the state level in the past couple years, and that gives us a lot of hope.”

Insurance eligibility screenings are scheduled to take place April 24 from 4-7 p.m. at the Harrietstown Town Hall; April 25 from 4-7 p.m. at the Tupper Lake High School; April 26 from 4-7 p.m. at Lake Placid High School and April 27 from 11-2 p.m. at the Mountain Health Center in Keene.

The luncheon for business owners is hosted by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield and will take place April 27 at the Lake Placid Hilton.

To contact a facilitated enroller call 897-2725.

DONATIONS CONTINUE FOR TL BIKE PATROL

The donations continue to pour in for support of the Tupper Lake Police Department starting up a bike patrol.

Last night the Tupper Lake Village Board acknowledged $2,225 more in contributions from local businesses and residents in the community including a $1,500 gift to cover start-up costs.  “It shows the value the people put on our police department,” said Mayor Mickey Desmarais.

“The overwhelming response from the community has been absolutely spectacular,” said Trustee Chad Martin.

Officer Michael Vaillancourt initially approached the board with the idea, saying the bike patrol would be a good way to be more in touch with the community and would be an extra tool for law enforcement.

In other news from last night’s meeting, the board gave kudos to Sergeant Sean Stradley and Chief Fee for their quick thinking in handling the recent fire at Franklin County Chief Assistant District Attorney Jack Delehanty’s office.

Also Chief Fee said with the cooperation from several local residents and other agencies they were recently able to arrest an individual for a string of burglaries. “Some young people in this community came forward with good information,” said Fee. 

Police arrested 19-year old Christopher Beaudette for his alleged involvement in three burglaries since December.

Fee said with the community’s help more arrests would be made. “We have one young man in jail and several more arrests that will take place during the week,” he said.

ANOTHER FATALITY DURING SUNDAY SNOWSTORM

State Police have released more details on a second fatal accident on the Adirondack Northway during Sunday’s spring snowstorm.

57 year-old Jocelyne Toussaint of St. Rose, Quebec was thrown from a 2000 Ford that slid out of control and rolled over twice on I-87 in the Town of Chazy.

State Police say the accident occurred when the driver, 56 year-old Jean Lafranc of Montreal tried to pass another vehicle.

Toussaint was pronounced dead by Clinton County Coroner David Donah.

Another passenger, 52 year-old Raymonde Lorgis was also ejected. He suffered a neck injury and was taken to CVPH, where he was listed in stable condition.

Police said both Toussaint and Lorgis were not wearing seatbelts.

Several other passengers in the vehicle suffered neck, shoulder and back injuries and were treated at CVPH.

Lafranc, the driver, was ticketed for speeding.

Another crash on Sunday killed 27 year-old Sara Rosen of Maryland and left her two-month-old daughter, Malkah Rosen in critical condition.

The snowstorm led to many other less-serious accidents, power problems and school closings on Monday.

A state of emergency was declared in Essex County discouraging residents from unnecessary travel because the weight of the snow was causing trees to fall on power lines and roadways. Some of the hardest hit areas included Schroon Lake, Minerva, North Hudson and Crown Point.

The state of emergency will remain in effect until 12 noon Wednesday, although the county has rescinded the travel advisory.

SHOTGUN BLAST LEADS TO ARREST IN MALONE

A Malone man has been charged with first-degree reckless endangerment after firing a shotgun near another man’s residence.

On Sunday at 5:45 p.m. State Police in Malone received a call from 31-year old Scott Smith reporting that 61 year-old William J. Sousie discharged one round near his home. After firing the gun, Sousie allegedly left the area in a black pick-up truck.

Responding troopers located the truck at Sousie’s residence. He initially refused to exit his residence making threats to harm himself and/or responding police personnel. But after a series of negotiations Sousie surrendered without further incident.

He was arraigned in Town of Malone Court and remanded to the Franklin County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash bail or $100,000 bond.

The case remains under investigation by the New York State Police and Franklin County District Attorney’s Office.

POLICE REPORT

State Police in Ray Brook arrested a teenager Sunday night after he allegedly assaulted another student at Mountain Lakes Academy in Lake Placid.  16 year-old Christopher Groves of Peru was charged with second-degree assault, a felony, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a misdemeanor.  Groves allegedly hit another student several times with a belt, causing a gash.  He was arraigned in North Elba Town Court and sent to the Essex County Jail on $2500 bail.