Apr 24, 2013 — Human trafficking is a growing problem across the country...including here in the North Country. Undocumented farmworkers can be threatened with deportation. Sex workers or foreign brides can be held against their will. Foreign students with visas to work at Adirondack tourism destinations are vulnerable.

Law enforcement and area not-for-profits are joining forces to stop human trafficking in the North Country. Representatives from Homeland Security, the state attorney general's office and labor department, and social service agencies from St. Lawrence, Jefferson, and Franklin counties met earlier this month at SUNY Potsdam. They were joined by not-for-profits that help immigrants, domestic violence victims, and other vulnerable people.

Renan Salgado is a human trafficking specialist with the Worker Justice Center of New York. He's organizing the North Country human trafficking task force. He spoke with David Sommerstein.  Go to full article

Plattsburgh, NY, Aug 09, 2010 — After months of delay, former Plattsburgh Assemblyman Chris Ortloff is scheduled to be sentenced tomorrow on charges that he attempted to have sex with two underage girls.

Ortloff was arrested in 2008 and has been behind bars since April of last year.

Federal prosecutors say he has been cooperating with police, who are pursuing other sexual predators.

Ortloff's efforts are expected to win him a reduced sentence.

But as Brian Mann reports the disgraced lawmaker still faces at least a decade behind bars.  Go to full article

Jul 23, 2007 — The wife of former Republican congressman John Sweeney says she was physically and verbally abused by her husband. Gayle Sweeney told the Albany Times-Union that Sweeney "coerced" her into denying abuse allegations during last fall's election campaign. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

Nov 02, 2006 — The 20th congressional district race was rocked yesterday when two newspapers published reports of a domestic incident in December involving Republican incumbent John Sweeney and his wife Gaia, who goes by the name Gayle. The Albany Times-Union and the New York Daily News reported that Sweeney allegedly grabbed his wife by the neck. The development comes with just a week left in the campaign, as Sweeney faces the toughest re-election fight of his career against Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand. Brian Mann has the story.  Go to full article

May 02, 2005 — Women and children in southern Franklin county have a new refuge if they're suffering from domestic violence. An organization called Comlinks unveiled a safe house on Sunday that will offer emergency shelter. In the past, women were forced to drive fifty miles.As Brian Mann reports, advocates say the home will offer families a chance to start over away from the threat of abuse and intimidation.  Go to full article

Mar 09, 2005 — The St Lawrence Renewal Center has received over $140,000 to buy and renovate its offices in Canton.  Go to full article

Feb 23, 2005 — The search continues for a Glens Falls man accused of murdering his wife on Sunday. Police now say 42-year-old Laurie DiLorenzo went to a police station just minutes before she was shot three times with a hunting rifle. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

Nov 05, 2003 — October was Domestic Violence Awarenesss Month. Behind every domestic violence statistic there is a story. It's the telling, the sharing of those secrets that is so difficult, and so healing. This is the story of "Jane," who grew up, and out, of a family marked by violence. Jody Tosti reports.

National Domestic Abuse Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE
St. Lawrence Valley Renewal House (shelter, counseling and information):
   Phone: 315-379-9845
   After hours call: 315-265-2422 (Reachout)
   E-mail: rhouse@northnet.org  Go to full article

May 01, 2003 — A North Country intervention group is working with local faith-based organizations to help train clergy in the dynamics of domestic violence. The objective of the daylong seminar this May in Lake Placid is to help clergy create a place where victims feel safe enough to talk about being abused.
Jan Demers has first-hand experience in the positive effects of talking about domestic violence intervention programs. She's eager to show how clergy and their congregations can help stop the cycle of domestic violence. She spoke with Jody Tosti.  Go to full article

Feb 03, 2003 — Tuesday is Legislative Awareness Day in Albany, an event sponsored by the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence. As Jody Tosti reports, the group is asking advocates and domestic abuse victims to join them in pressing legislators for stronger laws against domestic violence.  Go to full article