Jul 28, 2005 — The shuttered Appleton Paper Mill in Newton Falls was on a list of regional impacts Congressman McHugh cited in his vote against CAFTA. Closure of the mill in 2000 only made matters worse for Star Lake, Cranberry Lake, and Newton Falls. They've struggled for years to reverse the impact chronic high unemployment has on their communities. People came together five years ago in a concerted effort to identify projects that would help. A follow-up round of revitalization meetings is wrapping up tonight in Wanakena. As David Sommerstein reports, many residents see a bright future. Many others can't forget the silent mill.  Go to full article

Jun 03, 2005 — Hundreds of outdoor enthusiasts in the North Country will spend tomorrow cleaning up, mending and clearing trails. Those who use trails in the region will help celebrate National Trails Day. Todd Moe talks with Jamie Savage, who's organizing the 3rd annual National Trails Day activities in the Clifton-Fine area.  Go to full article

Mar 24, 2005 — A summer resident of Cranberry Lake died earlier this month from a rare illness known as sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease. Timothy Smith was sixty years old. The devastating brain ailment appears to occur randomly. But the disease is often confused with "mad cow," an illness spread by infected cattle. Smith was a part-time farmer who raised cattle. But as Brian Mann reports, health and agriculture officials say there's no indication that his herd was contaminated.  Go to full article

Nov 04, 2004 — Locals in Tupper Lake and Lake Placid hope to end electricity shortages by extending a power line from St. Lawrence County. State Senator Betty Little is supporting a plan that would build a new line from Newton Falls, down through Cranberry Lake, and on to Tupper Lake. As Chris Knight reports, organizers say more electricity would end black-outs that have plagued the area. They also say the line could boost economic development.  Go to full article

Apr 09, 2004 — Snowmobilers and local leaders praised Wednesday's announcement of $250,000 in state funding for a new snowmobile trail in the Five Ponds Wilderness Area. The Alice Brook trail will connect networks in St. Lawrence County and the Tug Hill Plateau. As David Sommerstein reports, environmentalists are most worried about what happens off the trail.  Go to full article

Jun 01, 2001 — Saving New York's smallest hospital. Communities in southern St. Lawrence county have been struggling since Appleton Papers closed its mill in Newton Falls last fall. Town leaders had worried that losing the mill could also mean the closure of the Clifton-Fine hospital. Brian Mann reports efforts to save the facility--and more than forty jobs--seem to be paying off.  Go to full article

Jun 01, 2001 — Brian Mann talks with Sue Avery of the Clifton-Fine Economic Development Corporation about revitalizing the area's economy in the wake of the closing of the Appleton Paper Mills in Newton Falls.  Go to full article

May 23, 2001 — This time of year, thousands of college students in the north country are graduating and preparing to move on. Most have had unique experiences, but few can match the year spent by students at the Ranger school in Wanakena. Brian Mann visited the remote campus, on the shore of Cranberry Lake in the western Adirondacks.  Go to full article

May 15, 2001 — One of the classic Adirondack canoe routes begins near Tupper Lake and winds through the Five Ponds Wilderness toward Cranberry Lake. That section of the north country offers some of the most remote forests and rivers in the East. Two of our reporters, Brian Mann and David Sommerstein, made the trip earlier this month. They sent back this audio journal.  Go to full article