WELLESLEY ISLAND, NY, Jun 09, 2011 — Save the River is the only policy advocate on environmental issues on the U.S. side of the St. Lawrence River.

Now they are collaborating with area schools and taking students on field trips to learn from the river first hand. David Sommerstein tagged along with a group of seventh graders from Thousand Islands middle school and has this report.  Go to full article

Watertown, NY, Jun 09, 2011 — The city of Watertown this week granted two food pantries' requests for special funding to buy more emergency food aid.

The pantries say they always see more need in summer, when children on free or reduced-price school breakfasts and lunches aren't getting those meals. As this summer approaches, the slow economy and rising costs means these nonprofit groups are struggling to keep up with increased demand. Joanna Richards has the story.  Go to full article

Evans Mills, NY, Jun 08, 2011 — There are support groups for service members and spouses, but what about the children of 10th Mountain Division soldiers sent overseas? A theater class at Indian River High School teamed up with a local playwright to produce a very personal look at how teens respond to their parents' deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan. The play, "In My Shoes", will be performed in the school's auditorium on Friday night. Todd Moe stopped by to meet the students and creative team.  Go to full article

Clayton, NY, Jun 07, 2011 — The St. Lawrence River watchdog group Save the River has announced the final push in a two-and-a-half-year fundraising campaign.

The organization hopes to raise $700,000 to expand its office space and its programs. Joanna Richards reports.  Go to full article

Watertown, NY, Jun 03, 2011 — The state commission of corrections is citing Jefferson County's jail after an inspection yesterday.

According to the Watertown Daily Times, the jail was cited for inadequate nurse staffing and the improper housing of a medically impaired inmate.

Overcrowding at the jail has drawn the commission's attention.  Go to full article

Watertown, NY, May 27, 2011 — Watertown's baseball team nearly left town recently after revelations it owed the city more than $40,000. The Watertown Wizards play in the summer collegiate league, and has produced some professional players. The team hadn't paid for use of city-owned fields for several seasons.

It turns out that was because the city's Parks and Recreation department wasn't collecting its bills. The results of an audit released this week slams the department. Watertown correspondent Joanna Richards has more.  Go to full article

Fort Drum, NY, May 11, 2011 — The Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization has begun a study they're hoping will ultimately help them better meet the public transit needs of the area's military and civilian populations. Nora Flaherty has the details:  Go to full article

Fort Drum, NY, Apr 11, 2011 — The war in Libya, unrest through the Middle East, and the nuclear crisis in Japan have pushed America's war in Afghanistan down the news agenda.

Fully half of Fort Drum's soldier population is on the ground in Afghanistan. The Army base's commander is in charge of coalition troops in the most dangerous part of the country. General James Terry briefed the media while on leave from Afghanistan last week. David Sommerstein was there and has out report.  Go to full article

Montreal, QC, Mar 24, 2011 — St. Lawrence Seaway officials are forecasting a cargo increase over last year. The first freighter of the 2011 shipping season rumbled through the locks in Montreal on Tuesday. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Mar 18, 2011 — Leaders across Lewis, Jefferson, and Oneida counties are making a full court press to save the Tug Hill Commission. The 38 year-old agency provides planning, development, and natural resource management assistance to the isolated towns and villages of the Tug Hill Plateau.

The State Senate has included $1.1 million for the Commission in its spending plan. That's a 10% budget cut, on par with what other agencies are dealing with. But the Assembly is so far following Governor Cuomo's recommendation to dissolve the Commission. That's left Tug Hill leaders fighting for the agency's survival. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article