Alexandria Bay, NY, Sep 27, 2010 — A hundred years ago, the Thousand Islands was one of the vacation spots for the nation's elite. Millionaires built palatial summer homes on the St. Lawrence River. And they liked to race their newest boats. From this culture sprang a new idea in motor boat racing - build a bunch of boats exactly the same. So when they're raced, the skills of the driver - and not the design and cost of the boat itself - will determine the winner. David Sommerstein has the story of the Thousand Islands' Number Boats.  Go to full article

Alexandria Bay, NY, May 06, 2010 — Alexandria Bay businessman Matt Doheny came into the race for the 23rd Congressional district with a liability. His main competition for the Republican primary, Douglas Hoffman, had massive name recognition after last year's special election. But Doheny has out-fundraised Hoffman. And he's secured more support from GOP county chairs. He sat down recently with David Sommerstein. In a moment, we'll hear his stance on immigration reform. He believes illegal immigrant farmworkers should have to go home before they can apply for a guest worker program. First, Doheny talks about his opposition to the federal stimulus package. In his stump speech, Doheny distinguishes between "good" and "bad" government spending. He supports federal spending at Fort Drum, and on roads and highways and bridges. And he's for spending on education.  Go to full article

Alexandria Bay, NY, Mar 04, 2010 — About 60 people braced the chilly winds coming off the St. Lawrence River yesterday to urge River Hospital not to close its nursing home and adult day care unit. The hospital says it can't sustain the home's financial losses. But the demonstrators believe the community can raise the money needed to keep open the place their elders call home. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Alexandria Bay, NY, Feb 22, 2010 — The River Hospital in Alexandria Bay is closing its 27-bed nursing home, the only one in the Thousand Islands. Officials say the home has been losing money and threatened to bring down the hospital itself. 44 people will lose their jobs. Many community members say they were never given a chance to help keep the home open, like they did with the hospital several years ago. They're fighting to keep the home open for their elders, many of whom have never lived outside the Thousand Islands region. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Alexandria Bay, NY, Jan 06, 2010 — A professional hockey team is coming to the Thousand Islands. today at 1 pm at Bonnie Castle resort in Alexandria Bay, officials will unveil the colors and logo of the Thousand Island Privateers. The franchise will compete with teams in Ottawa, Rome, and Danbury, Connecticut in the new single-A Federal Hockey League. The Privateers' home ice will be in the Bonnie Castle recreation center in Alexandria Bay. A 60-game schedule begins in November 2010. Nicole Kirnan-Hall is the Privateers' owner. She was assistant captain of the St. Lawrence Saints team that went to the first-ever women's Frozen Four in 2001. She has since coached college hockey and owns two hockey-related businesses in Westchester County. Kirnan-Hall told David Sommerstein the Privateers' name comes from the Thousand Islands' smuggling and War of 1812 history.  Go to full article

May 07, 2009 — Almost ten years ago, conservationists tried a novel experiment to protect the common tern, a threatened native bird on the St. Lawrence River. The tern's nesting habitat was getting overrun by gulls and geese. So a group of people sort of faked that habitat on the Seaway's giant navigation buoys, known as "nav cells". The plan worked. In 2006, the number of tern nests on the St. Lawrence was the highest recorded since 1982. The tern restoration project is a collaboration between Save the River, the Thousand Islands Land Trust, and Massena-based biologist Lee Harper. And the group has not stood pat. For our series "Story 2.0" - revisiting reports from the NCPR archive - David Sommerstein returns to the Thousand Islands to see the latest in tern-saving technology - a wire grid that keeps tern chicks in and other aggressive birds out.  Go to full article

Dec 16, 2008 — Another day brings more gloomy news to the North Country economy. The Riveredge resort in Alexandria Bay will close for winter, laying off 40 people until spring. It's the first time the prominent Thousand Islands resort will close for the season in almost 20 years. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Jun 26, 2008 — At least 260 St. Lawrence River residents spoke with one voice at a water levels hearing last night in Alexandria Bay. It was the last chance to persuade the International Joint Commission to adopt a more environmentally friendly plan for controlling the waters of the St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario. The plan, called "B+", has the support of local, state, and federal lawmakers, including Governor David Paterson, and a broad coalition of environmental groups. But following a five year, $20 million study, the IJC wants to implement a plan that's very similar to the original 50-year old one. The agency says it has to protect homeowners along the southern shore of Lake Ontario.  Go to full article

Jun 19, 2008 — Advocates of a new water levels regime for the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario will converge on the Quality Inn in Massena tonight at 7. The International Joint Commission is holding a public hearing on its proposal to replace the 50-year-old water levels plan. The hearings follow a five-year, $20 million study on Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River water levels. North Country stakeholders want the IJC to replace some of the natural ebbs and flows of the water. They say it would benefit wildlife, restore wetlands that are rapidly disappearing, and give boaters a longer season to boot. But right now the IJC opposes that plan because it could damage property along the southern shore of Lake Ontario. So the IJC wants to implement a water levels regime that's very similar to the original plan. Dan Barletta has lived along the Lake Ontario shoreline near Rochester for more than 20 years. He's been very involved in the water levels study. He spoke with David Sommerstein.  Go to full article

Apr 24, 2008 — Thousand Islanders gave a harsh welcome to a new water levels plan for the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario last night in Alexandria Bay. The International Joint Commission wants to implement a plan that's similar to the existing 50-year-old formula. That decision has been derided by Congressman John McHugh, Senator Chuck Schumer, New York's DEC, and both Jefferson and St. Lawrence County governments. It even prompted an environmental group to name the St. Lawrence one of the nation's ten most endangered rivers. As David Sommerstein reports, river residents are spoiling for a fight for a plan that's better for the environment and boating.  Go to full article