Apr 25, 2013 — A plan to build and upgrade emergency communications towers on four summits in the Adirondack Park is sparking new controversy because of the possible impact on a rare songbird called the Bicknell's thrush. The thrush is a "species of concern" in New York, because of its dwindling population and its small, alpine breeding area.

Last winter, the Adirondack Park Agency set strict rules for the construction project, designed to limit any impacts on the songbird. But facing pressure from local leaders, the APA decided earlier this month to scrap those restrictions.

The last-minute change is drawing criticism from scientists and conservation groups that study Bicknell's thrush.  Go to full article

Jan 21, 2013 — New York State first responders have had plenty of opportunity to put their training to the test over the past two years during extreme weather events like Hurricane Sandy and Tropical Storms Lee and Irene.

The Innovation Trail's Matt Richmond reports on research that may make their challenging job easier, starting from the ground up.  Go to full article

Elizabethtown, NY, Dec 14, 2012 — The Adirondack Park Agency approved a new $16 million emergency communication system that will link first responders over a huge swath of the central and eastern Adirondacks.

APA commissioners voted unanimously to green light the project, which will mean improved communication for police, fire, and ambulance squads from Tupper Lake to Johnsburg to Elizabethtown.  Go to full article

North Creek, NY, Nov 27, 2012 — A rafting guide from North Creek has pleaded guilty to criminal negligent homicide following the death of a client on a tributary of the Hudson River this fall.

Rory Fay of North Creek is expected to serve roughly a year behind bars after guiding a party while intoxicated.  Go to full article

Oct 29, 2012 — Local governments and state officials scrambled through the weekend to prepare for the potentially devastating impacts of Hurricane Sandy.

Damaging winds and flood-level rains are expected to reach the North Country by mid-afternoon today.

After the "shock and awe" impact of tropical storm Irene last August, government agencies are taking no chances.  Go to full article

Oct 26, 2012 — Sunday 3rdd Update: AUDIO FROM GOVERNOR'S SUNDAY ADDRESS ON LONG ISLAND.

Governor Andrew Cuomo today will visit the town of Jay fire hall in Ausable Forks as he reviews hurricane preparedness across New York state.

Earlier in the day, Cuomo mobilized more than a thousand National Guard soldiers to help prepare for the landfall of Hurricane Sandy.

"They will provide vital assistance to various regions of the State, and it is essential that they are positioned to be ready to serve wherever they are called," Cuomo said.

"These troops, along with critical equipment, vehicles and aircraft, are ready to answer at a moment's notice."

The National Weather Service is now predicting that high winds and heavy rains will hit the region beginning on Monday, with the blast expected to continue into Tuesday.

The advisory includes warnings for people in northern New York, Vermont, and particularly homeowners "with marine interests along Lake Champlain."

The current forecast suggests that foul weather will arrive Monday afternoon and will intensify through the night, tapering off late Tuesday morning.

A flood watch for that period is in effect. Winds are expected to peak between 5 pm and 3 am with gusts anticipated between 50 and 80 miles per hour.

Powerful winds are also expected in the St. Lawrence Valley.

Previously: Governor Andrew Cuomo on Friday declared a state of emergency in New York ahead of the landfall of Hurricane Sandy.

That means more resources available to local governments, and a suspension of many regulations "that would impede rapid response."

"As we prepare for the possibility of Hurricane Sandy hitting New York State, I am activating all levels of state government to prepare for any potential impacts," Governor Cuomo said, in a statement.

State officials have been coordinating with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Also, state Conservation officials issued an advisory late Friday urging all backcountry travelers in the Adirondack-North Country to be out of the woods by sundown on Sunday.

They also canceled reservations at the Fish Creek Campground near Saranac Lake next week.

The path of the storm remains unclear but local governments and state officials are taking pains to prep the North Country for a possible blast of foul weather.

With memories fresh from big storms and flood events last year, village officials in Saranac Lake say they're drawing down the level of Lake Flower.

"[T]he village began gradually lowering the level of Lake Flower two days ago and will do so more aggressively over the weekend," said village manager John Sweeney in a statement.

Local crews are also working to clear storm drains to prevent street flooding.  Go to full article

Feb 15, 2012 — More than five months after tropical storm Irene sent floodwaters surging through the Adirondacks, families and communities still face some tough decisions.

Tomorrow night in the town of Jay, residents will meet with state and Federal officials to talk about a buy-out program that could help people relocate out of the flood plains along the Ausable and Boquet Rivers. The meeting to talk about the flood plain buy out program is scheduled for 7 pm tomorrow night at the Jay town community center in Ausable Forks.

More than sixty families in Essex County have expressed interest in the buy-out. Brian Mann checked in yesterday with Randy Douglas, town supervisor in Jay and head of the county's board of supervisors. Douglas says the number of people considering relocation continues to grow.  Go to full article

Jan 06, 2012 — Governor Andrew Cuomo used his state of the state address yesterday to lay out a broad new vision for improving emergency and flood response planning.

The governor called for dozens of flood-control projects to move forward. The plan drew praise from Adirondack leaders still reeling from tropical storm Irene. But as Brian Mann reports, towns say they also need more direct financial aid.  Go to full article

Oct 24, 2011 — The cell tower building boom in the Adirondacks has slowed this year. Applications to the Adirondack Park Agency are down - the agency has only issued nine permits or amendments for cell projects as of early October.

That's a big drop when compared to last year: 28 projects, and 2009, when the APA approved 27. Despite the trend, cell service providers say they're still planning to grow their wireless networks in the Park. Chris Knight reports.  Go to full article

Aug 31, 2011 — The clean-up effort is still in its early stages, with many homes in the North Country still without water or electricity. But now that Federal aid is on the way, local leaders, business owners and residents also face some tough, long-term questions.

How to pay for the recovery is one daunting challenge, but painful decisions also have to be made about how and where to rebuild. Brian Mann has this story from the town of Jay, NY.  Go to full article