1000 Islands/Jefferson Co.See also: Fort Drum
A coalition is trying to stop a nuclear plant from shipping low-level radioactive waste to Sweden by way of the St. Lawrence Seaway. Bruce Power operates North America’s largest nuclear power plant northwest of Toronto. The company says its plan is safe and good for the environment. David Sommerstein reports. More...
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An update now on the invasive zebra and quagga mussels. Yesterday, we told you about the Sackets Harbor water treatment plant on the shore of Lake Ontario. It was nearly shut down last week after its intake pipe was so choked with mussels almost no water came through.
This morning, we hear from Dr Dawn Dittman. She’s a researcher with the U.S. Geological Survey in Cortland, New York—and one of only a few people tracking the invasive mussels. She says their numbers appear to be stabilizing. And she tells Jonathan Brown some popular sport fish—native to Lake Ontario—are starting to find zebra and quagga mussels quite tasty. ![]()
A thick cake of zebra mussels nearly shut down a water treatment plant in Sackets Harbor last week. The invasive species has been wreaking havoc in Lake Ontario for more than 20 years now. New regulations on the ocean-going freighters that first brought zebra mussels to these shores—and other measures—have led some to believe the invader has been contained. But, as Jonathan Brown reports, officials in Sackets Harbor now fear the species is rebounding.
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Republican Matt Doheny is tapping into North Country GOP tradition in his campaign for Congress. Longtime Congressman David O’Brien Martin endorsed Doheny for the 23rd district Republican primary yesterday in Watertown. And he took some shots at Doheny’s competition. David Sommerstein reports. More...
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Save the River, an environmental group based in Clayton, NY, wants a three-year delay in development of more wind power along the St. Lawrence River.
A spokesperson for the group says there are proposals for some 400 wind turbines in the Thousand Island region. Preliminary numbers from a study at an 86-turbine wind farm on Wolfe Island, a Canadian island near Kingston, Ontario, show higher than usual mortality among birds and bats. Martha Foley has more. More... ![]()
Vice President Joe Biden says Fort Drum’s 2nd Brigade deserves “a hero’s welcome” for its work training security forces in Iraq. Biden made a personal visit to the Army base near Watertown yesterday. He said it’s the “dawn of a new era in Iraq” as the U.S. prepares to draw down 95,000 troops from the country. The security situation improved so much that Iraqi military and police took control more quickly than expected. That allowed the 2nd brigade to return home three months early. David Sommerstein was at Fort Drum for the vice president’s visit and has our story. More...
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New York's top economic development official visited Saranac Lake last week to talk about the state's new Excelsior Jobs Program.
The program replaces the state's much-maligned Empire Zone program. It was signed into law last month. Empire State Development chairman Dennis Mullen says the new program will help "targeted industries" in some areas of the North Country, but he admitted that it likely won't do much for most of the region, especially areas where the local economy relies on tourism and small businesses. Chris Knight reports. ![]()
It’s already been a hot summer. And, as Jonathan Brown reports, as the mercury climbs, it appears more people are traveling to the North Country.
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In Ogdensburg over the weekend, hundreds of people donned 18th Century garb and re-enacted the battle that ended the French and Indian War 250 years ago. Jonathan Brown strolled through a tent city that re-created the daily lives of soldiers and their families.
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Ogdensburg remembers its history
07/16/10
NCPR is media sponsor for the Fort La Presentation Founder's Day events at Lighthouse Point in Ogdensburg this weekend. This 250th anniversary commemoration of the French and Indian War will feature re-enactments and battles on land and water, a night artillery battle, a bateau race, and a colonial trade fair. Todd Moe talks with Michael Whittaker, a history and re-enactment buff, from Bishops Mills, Ontario. He'll be among hundreds of re-enactors in Ogdensburg this weekend.
![]() *For news, events and weather on the Canadian side of the Thousand Islands, visit the Region: Ontario & Quebec page.
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Community Calendar Events: Special ReportsSoldiers learn to spot IEDs at Ft. Drum Improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, kill more American soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan than any other weapon. David Sommerstein visits a hands-on IED training exhibit at Fort Drum near Watertown. Ian Coristine: Thousand Islands photographer Todd Moe visits photographer Ian Coristine on Raleigh Island, his seasonal home. River residents and visitors have probably seen Coristine aloft in his red ultralight aircraft searching the Thousand Islands for the perfect photo. The Slick of '76: Looking Back and Forward This summer marks the 30th anniversary of the Slick of 76, a 300,000-gallon oil spill in the heart of the Thousand Islands. The event re-shaped the way a generation views its relationship to the river. David Sommerstein reports. Chaumont Barrens: the North Country's Prairie David Sommerstein takes a nature walk on this unique Nature Conservancy land that contains some of the nation's easternmost prairie habitat. Aboad La Duchesse in Clayton La Duchesse is a 110-foot Gilded Age treasure that's become the crown jewel of the Antique Boat Museum's collection in Clayton. Todd Moe tours the historic houseboat. At a Grindstone Island Square Dance Only 11 people live on Grindstone all winter, but when the weather changes, families whove spent generations of summers there return. On Saturday nights, the place to be is the big dance at Dodge Hall, especially when some fiddlers and callers get together for an old-fashioned square dance. Preserving the Indian River Lakes Between the high profile destinations of the Thousand Islands and the Adirondacks, there's a hidden gem of a region. It's called the Indian River Lakes. David SOmmerstein sends an audio postcard. Iraq Through a Camera Lens: Watertown Daily Times Photojournalist Mark Dye Mark Dye, a photojournalist with the Watertown Daily Times, spent a month in Baghdad earlier this winter. He was embedded with troops from Fort Drum, and sent daily photos and stories documenting the lives of soldiers and civilians in Iraq. Kayaking: The Blackwater Challenge The U.S. Freestyle Kayaking Team trials in preparation for the world championships this winter in Australia, was held on the "Route 3 Wave" on the Black River near Watertown. Kayakers have 45 seconds to add up points for each trick they make. If the whitewater flushes them downriver, they can paddle their way back to the wave until time runs out. David Sommerstein reports. Art Without Borders: Carmen D'Avino Carmen D’Avino began his career as a painter in the 1930s. He’s been a World War II military filmmaker, a sculptor, and an avant-guarde animator in New York City. For many years he lived in an old farmhouse in Hammond. David Sommerstein stopped by for a visit. This special report features nine videos of D'Avino's film work, most unavailable anywhere for decades. The artist died later in 2004. The Joy of Junk: Beachcombing with Captain Honk A North Country angler and artist who spends most of his time on Lake Ontario turns junk found along the shoreline into fish sculptures. It's just one of the hobbies that keeps Tom Bintz, aka Captain Honk, busy as he divides his time between fishing, travel, art and demolition derby competitions. Inside Dark Island's Castle On the St. Lawrence River near Chippewa Bay, a representative for the buyers of Dark Island and its historic castle gave David Sommerstein a peek of what visitors could see as early as next summer. Adirondack News Fund Founding Supporters: Paul Smith's College, The College of the Adirondacks · Wildlife Conservation Society · Adirondack Medical Center Foundation · Adirondack Museum · Niagara Mohawk Foundation · Schumann Foundation · John A. Sellon Charitable Trust · several anonymous individual donors |




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