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

Canton, NY, Apr 07, 2009 — St. lawrence County is starting a new public transit route, bussing people between Gouverneur and Watertown. Missing links connecting the towns and villages of the rural North Country have long been considered an obstacle to economic development in the region. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

Jan 07, 2009 — A piece of news yesterday brings us the next installment of our new series, "Story 2.0". We're revisiting stories from the North Country Public Radio archive to see what's happened since. CITGO, the U.S. branch of the national oil company of Venezuela, is stopping shipments of free heating oil for poor families in America's cities. That word came yesterday from the non-profit organization that distributes the fuel. CITGO also donates free heating oil to native tribes, including the Akwesasne Mohawks. The company has given away $1.5 million in heating oil to Mohawk families. David Sommerstein was there in 2006 when CITGO began the program, sparking some geopolitical controversy.  Go to full article

Apr 16, 2008 — Nursing homes across the North Country have struggled in recent years, hit by low Medicre reimbursements and by a new tax on retirement homes. In North Creek, the Adirondack Tri-County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center has been pushed to the brink. The home, with more than 80 elderly residents, owes more than a million dollars in back taxes to New York state. Administrator, David Lovelace, told Brian Mann that the community is rallying to try to save the home.  Go to full article

Mar 03, 2008 — The Spitzer administration is proposing a major boost to state funding for doctors in under-served areas. That could help the North Country attract more physicians. But critics say the Governor's spending plan also strips millions of dollars from nursing homes and home healthcare programs that are already struggling. As Brian Mann reports, local leaders say the budget could mean some facilities closing their doors.  Go to full article

Feb 28, 2008 — The Plattsburgh Press-Republican is reporting that a highly infectious virus has killed three residents at the Horace Nye nursing home in Elizabethtown over the last week. According to a report first published late yesterday on the newspaper's website, the ailment has led to a quarantine at the county-operated facility. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

Mar 07, 2007 — Remember a couple months ago when it felt like spring on Christmas Day? If this winter has taught us anything, it's that warm spells aside, the North Country still has bitter cold and heavy snows. The deep winter hits senior citizens especially hard. Many older people lack the money, health, or energy to keep their homes warm. As David Sommerstein reports, help is out there, but many programs go underused.  Go to full article

Nov 29, 2006 — Seven nursing homes are on the list for closure. Dozens of others are targeted for mergers or downsizing. As Brian Mann reports, the commission is recommending changes at two North Country nursing homes, in Canton and Watertown:  Go to full article

Mar 01, 2006 — A nursing home in Tupper Lake was evacuated Monday after the boiler failed, leaving the building with no heat on one of the coldest nights of the year. Residents at Mercy Healthcare Center were taken to Sunmount, a nearby mental health facility. Kind of routine, but not that easy. 94 year-old Rita Chaisson described the experience to Gregory Warner.  Go to full article

Aug 01, 2005 — One of the nation's oldest office-holders will step down this fall. Potsdam village mayor Ruth Garner says she won't run for re-election. Instead, she'll seek a seat on the village board. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article