Massena, NY, Sep 19, 2012 — You might think that selling custom made gravestones would be a little uncomfortable at a gathering of senior citizens. But that's exactly what one man was doing at the recent Seniorama in Massena, and he's today's Heard Up North.  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, Oct 28, 2011 — Potsdam police said Friday in a press release that 12-year-old Garrett Phillips' death has been listed as a homicide in initial autopsy reports.

The release said other information will be made available when the final report is received. The police say they are investigating leads, and they haven't listed a suspect or person of interest in the investigation.  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, Oct 27, 2011 — At a press conference Wednesday night, Potsdam police chief Ed Tischler said his department is continuing to investigate the death of 12-year-old Garrett Phillips, but that no new information had emerged since he spoke to reporters that morning.  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, Oct 26, 2011 — Potsdam Police had little new information on Garrett Phillips' death at a press conference Wednesday morning...and Chief Ed Tischler was at pains not to provide information that would fuel speculation.

Tischler went over the facts: Police were called to the apartment where Phillips lived with his mother on Monday evening at about 5:00, and found him unconscious. EMTs performed CPR and took Phillips to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead three hours later, at 8:08.  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, Oct 26, 2011 — There's not much more known today about the death of a 12 year-old boy in Potsdam Monday. Police in Potsdam say Garrett Phillips was alone in his mother's apartment early Monday evening when neighbors reported hearing a loud noise and the sound of someone moaning for help.

When police officers and the manager of the apartment building entered the residence, they found the boy lying unconscious on the floor. He was taken to Canton-Potsdam Hospital, where he died around 7:20 p.m. Monday.

Rumors that his death was the result of an assault have circulated, but this morning, a spokesman at the Potsdam Police Department could neither confirm nor deny those reports. The department plans a press conference at 10. Nora Flaherty reports.  Go to full article

Aug 04, 2011 — Dozens of swimmers will gather in Hannawa Falls for the annual "Swim a Mile for Hospice" event on Saturday. It's a non-competitive mile long swim to benefit the work hospice does in the St. Lawrence Valley. Last summer, 67 swimmers young and old took to the water at Postwood Park Beach. Todd Moe caught up with members of Team Cobb -- a father-daughter swim team -- just before a recent practice swim in the pool at St. Lawrence University. They swam last year and will be back in the water on Saturday.  Go to full article

Oct 19, 2010 — Over the past few months we've been bringing you stories about Vermonters who are "greening the afterlife." Home burial and other do-it-yourself methods are legal in Vermont.

It's different in New York State. Today, we hear from a man who dealt with death on both sides of Lake Champlain - and found that different laws made for a very different experience. Angela Evancie has more in this, Part IV of the series.

(Angela Evancie is working with NCPR this year as part of a Compton Mentor Fellowship.)  Go to full article

Saranac Lake, NY, Sep 06, 2010 — Last week, we began a new on-going series called the Hospice Path.

North Country Public Radio is looking in-depth at the way hospice programs across the region are changing people's lives at a time when they're forced to confront the certainty of death.

We're telling that story in part by spending time with the Gallagher family in Saranac Lake.

Bill Gallagher is 87 years old and his lungs are slowly failing.

But with the help of High Peaks Hospice, he's been able to stay at home with his wife Tomi.

In order to better describe their experience, our reporter Brian Mann decided to first spend some time asking about Bill's long life before he got sick.  Go to full article

Sheldon, VT, Sep 02, 2010 — When we think of the death of a family member, we usually think of cemeteries and funeral parlors. But some people are taking burial home. Home burial is legal in both New York and Vermont. In New York, however, a licensed funeral director has to be involved. In our series, "Greening the Afterlife," we've met a Vermont woman who wants to be buried behind her home. And we've heard from a carpenter who builds biodegradable wooden coffins. You can hear those stories and watch slide shows of them on our website, ncpr.org. In part 3 of the series, Angela Evancie introduces us to a Vermont family who already buried a husband and father on their own property.  Go to full article

Jan 31, 2007 — The harrowing death of a 63-year-old man on the Northway last week has revived a bitter feud over cell phone coverage in the Adirondacks. Alfred Langer, from Brooklyn, died of exposure after running his car off the highway last Thursday. He was trapped with his wife Barbara for more than 32 hours before state police spotted the wreck in a ravine. Barbara Langer survived the ordeal and is described in fair condition. As Brian Mann reports, what was once a regional feud over cell service has quickly escalated into a statewide controversy.  Go to full article