Keene Valley, NY, Oct 11, 2012 — Tom Smith grew up in Connecticut, but his family has owned land in Keene Valley for four generations. He was drafted in 1968 and flew helicopters in Vietnam. Smith saw lots of combat, was shot down numerous times, and when he returned to the States, he says he was a changed person - easily irritated and angered.

In the '70's and '80's he moved around, living in Alaska, Hawaii, California and then back in the Adirondacks.

He turned to writing as a way of coming to terms with post-traumatic stress disorder. He calls his third book, Facing PTSD: a Combat Vet Learns to Live with the Disorder, an auto-ethnography. It includes heartwarming stories of family and friends and also comical adventures. Tom and his wife, Kathy, have two sons. He told Todd Moe that while he is still dealing with bouts of pain, anger and sadness, life is good. Todd spoke with Smith from his home in Keene Valley about his time in Vietnam, writing the book and reaching out to a new generation of "wounded warriors".  Go to full article

Elizabethtown, NY, Aug 31, 2012 — When Tropical Storm Irene hit the Adirondacks one year ago, state transportation crews and private contractors worked around the clock for nearly two weeks to repair damaged roads and washed out bridges in hard hit areas like Keene, Jay and AuSable Forks. All of those involved say the response to the disaster was unprecedented.  Go to full article

Keene Valley, NY, Jul 20, 2012 — Adirondack musicians Martha and Dennis Gallagher will premiere some new harp and 9-string guitar music this Sunday night in Keene Valley. Todd Moe spoke with them about the concert at the Keene Valley Congregational Church at 7:30 p.m. It'll include new solo tunes and familiar favorites. Martha says this will be a rare opportunity for the couple to perform their music together.  Go to full article

Keene Valley, NY, Jan 06, 2012 — About 20 years ago, Matt Horner started climbing rocks and ice in the High Peaks. Today, the Keene Valley resident continues to work and play around granite boulders, but he's found a way to make art. More than 60 of his works -- carved sculptures and stone vessels -- are on display at View in Old Forge this season.

Matt is also a professional fly-fishing guide and well-acquainted with the smooth river stones in the region. He told Todd Moe that shaping stones started a few years ago while working on a rock wall.  Go to full article

Nov 09, 2011 — Musical headliners in the Adirondacks will do their part this Sunday to raise money for those still rebuilding homes and businesses in the aftermath of late summer storms. Many of the best-known Adirondack acoustic musicians will gather at the Indian Lake Theater (2 pm) to perform some of their favorite music to benefit victims of Hurricane Irene. Todd Moe spoke with Johnsburg singer-songwriter Tom Akstens, one of the organizers of the concert. He calls the event a celebration of Adirondack spirit.  Go to full article

Keene Valley, NY, Oct 07, 2011 — The Keene Valley Congregational Church hosts an evening of music, stories and poetry Saturday night (7:30pm), and an opportunity to help those still rebuilding from the summer floods.

Adirondack harpist Martha Gallagher will host the benefit concert. Her home was one of the many heavily damaged by the flooding from tropical storm Irene.

Saturday night's concert, arranged by the East Branch Friends of the Arts, will also mark the release of a new CD that Gallagher recorded recently to benefit flood victims. All the proceeds from the concert and CD will go to the Keene and Jay Flood Recovery Funds. Todd Moe has a preview.  Go to full article

Sep 13, 2011 — New York Governor Andrew Cuomo was in the Adirondacks once again Monday morning, this time to announce the reopening of state Route 73 outside Keene Valley.

Appearing in the tiny hamlet of St. Hubert's, Cuomo was joined by Joan McDonald - commissioner of the state Department of Transportation - as well as local and state lawmakers.

Cuomo stressed that reopening Route 73 is vital to the area's economic health, especially with fall foliage season right around the corner.

Chris Morris was on hand for Monday's ribbon cutting and has this report.  Go to full article

Keene, NH, Aug 31, 2011 — Roughly 20-percent of Vermont schools are delaying the start of classes because of damage from Irene. Most of the delays are because of washed out roads and damaged bridges that make it impossible for students to get school safely.

But few - if any - schools in New York are opening late.

Julie Grant reports on how New Yorkers are working to get schools, businesses, and homes back to normal after the storm.  Go to full article

Aug 30, 2011 — Governor Cuomo was in the Adirondacks today, and he made a few announcements about post-Irene recovery.

First, Cuomo established the Upstate Storm and Flooding Recovery Task Force, to coordinate disaster response and recovery efforts for the North Country, Catskills, Upper Hudson Valley, and Mohawk Valley.

In a press release, Cuomo's office said the task force would "ensure seamless communication between agencies" to coordinate infrastructure rebuilding, economic development, agricultural renewal, power restoration, and assistance with private insurance.  Go to full article

Aug 29, 2011 — New Yorkers are watching rising creeks and rivers this morning. The Associated Press reports more than 900,000 homes were without power, more National Guard soldiers were deployed to clean-ups, and major highways and roads remained closed.

At least three deaths were blamed on the tropical storm. One thousand National Guard troops deployed over the weekend are to be augmented Monday with more engineers to help clear streets and debris and restore power.

Irene was no longer a hurricane by the time it hit the North Country counties, but it still packed a powerful punch. As of 10:30 last night, dozens of roads in Essex County were closed, the county's emergency radio system was off the air, many people remained stranded by high water and the county was in a state of emergency.

More than 100 roads in the county are closed because of flooding, washouts and high water threatening bridges. While the damage was widespread, County Emergency Services Director Don Jaquish said Keene and Keene Valley were hit the hardest. The Keene fire station was swept away by the floodwaters. "It's been washed away," Jacquish said last night.

People in Keene and Keene Valley had evacuated and Jacquish's crews were preparing evacuations in Upper Jay. He anticipated severe flooding in the hamlet of AuSable Forks, calling the crest of the East branch of the Ausable "unprecedented."

Brian Mann was in Keene early this morning. Talking with Martha Foley, he described a community devastated by the flash flooding.  Go to full article