Tupper Lake, NY, Apr 22, 2011 — For seven years, developer Michael Foxman has been promising to build a massive new resort in Tupper Lake, worth roughly $500 million.

He's hoping to win final approval for the project from the Adirondack Park Agency this fall.

Many community leaders have embraced his vision as a way to revive a former logging and manufacturing town that lost seven percent of its population over the last decade.

But an investigation by North Country Public Radio, in partnership with the Adirondack Explorer magazine, found that significant doubts remain about the economic viability of Foxman's resort.

Over a period of weeks and dozens of interviews, we found that important questions remain unanswered about how the resort will be financed and marketed.

As Brian Mann reports, it's unclear when the project's elaborate infrastructure and amenities, including those at the Big Tupper ski area, will be built.  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Feb 10, 2011 — As the snow piles up across the North Country, homeowners are looking nervously at those deep drifts piling up on their roofs. Snow can also block furnace and drier vents.

Officials say roof collapses are rare, but a few high-profile barn collapses have residents eager to get their roofs shoveled.

That's keeping contractors busy. David Sommerstein spoke with one on a rooftop in Canton yesterday.  Go to full article

Tupper Lake, NY, Sep 10, 2010 — Developers of a new resort in Tupper Lake won a major victory yesterday when a local jury awarded them road access to a 1200-acre parcel of land.

The decision will allow the Adirondack Club and Resort to maintain a short road easement across neighboring property owned by the Adirondack Nature Conservancy.

The company says they needed access in order to move their project forward. The green group says the developers wanted to take their private property rights.

Brian Mann was in Tupper Lake and has our story.  Go to full article

Lake Placid, NY, Aug 12, 2010 — The Adirondack Park Agency has won a five year legal battle against a Plattsburgh businessman who built a 10,000-square-foot mansion in Lake Placid in violation of an APA permit. A judge has upheld the APA's enforcement action against Arthur and Margaret Spiegel - a decision that could force the Spiegels to tear down their partially built home in Lake Placid's Fawn Ridge subdivision. Chris Knight reports.  Go to full article

Malone, NY, Jul 22, 2010 — A state audit is slamming the management of one of the North Country's largest non-profit social service agencies. A Comptroller's report released yesterday claims that ComLinks, headquartered in Malone, has suffered for years from mismanagement and nepotism.

The audit also alleges that former ComLinks CEO Nancy Reich diverted nearly $100,000 in funds for her private use.  Go to full article

Ray Brook, NY, Jul 06, 2010 — An effort by North Country lawmakers to limit the enforcement power of the Adirondack Park Agency failed to pass the state Assembly last week. The bill which passed in the Senate would have placed a ten-year statute of limitations on environmental and zoning violations.

As Brian Mann reports, supporters of the change say they'll bring it back next session.  Go to full article

Concord, NH, Apr 13, 2010 — New regulations designed to eliminate childhood lead poisoning go into effect on April 22. The change brings strict new requirements for building contractors, property owners, renovators and a host of others who work with lead paint. While health advocates call the regulations long overdue, some contractors say the cost to comply is way too high. As part of a collaboration with Northeast stations, New Hampshire Public Radio's Amy Quinton reports.  Go to full article

Feb 04, 2010 — Essex County farmer Salim "Sandy" Lewis won another round in court yesterday in his battle with the Adirondack Park Agency. According to the New York Times, a state judge has ordered the APA to pay all of Lewis's legal fees and expenses following a lengthy court fight. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

Au Sable Forks, NY, Jan 04, 2010 — For years, critics have claimed that a prominent environmental group called the Adirondack Council holds too much sway over decisions made by the Adirondack Park Agency. Nearly half of the public members now sitting on the Park Agency commission are former members of the Council's board of directors. State officials say safeguards are in place, preventing any outside group from influencing the APA's deliberations unfairly. But a lawsuit filed in November claims that Park Agency worked secretly with the Council, targeting a real estate developer in Clinton County. Brian Man has our special report.  Go to full article

Buffalo, NY, Oct 05, 2009 — The big bad wolf gave straw houses a pretty bad reputation. But it turns out straw bale houses are incredibly strong and energy efficient. The century-old building material is making a comeback as an eco-friendly choice for modern home construction. And these homeowners aren't afraid of a little wind. One woman is even building a straw bale house in the sometimes cold, blustery climate of the east. Joyce Kryszak tells us her story.  Go to full article