Albany, NY, Jan 16, 2013 — When New York's senate passed tough new gun legislation Monday, 18 Republican senators voted against the package, including all four senators representing the North Country.

Senator Patty Ritchie of St. Lawrence County says she would have voted yes for individual bills, like the one known as Mark's Law. That will impose tougher sentences on people who shoot first responders. It's named after a Cape Vincent EMT who was shot and killed when responding to a call in 2009.  Go to full article

Burlington, VT, Jul 30, 2012 — A peaceful protest in Burlington turned violent late yesterday afternoon when demonstrators clashed with police. Approximately 500 protestors took the streets downtown to protest the 36th annual New England Governors conference. While New England governors and eastern Canadian premiers met at the waterfront Hilton Hotel to discuss energy policy, protestors demonstrated outside, voicing their opposition to a proposed pipeline across northern New England that would ship Tar Sands oil to Portland, Maine. Sarah Harris has our story.  Go to full article

Watertown, NY, Jul 27, 2012 — Community meetings are popping up as fast as the bizarre stories surrounding a drug known as bath salts or glass cleaner. The drugs are sold in head shops and convenience stores; they are not typical bath products or window cleaners. As Joanna Richards reports, three meetings in Jefferson County this week aimed to address the growing drug problem.  Go to full article

Watertown, NY, Jul 26, 2012 — A first-ever nationwide raid on the synthetic drug industry was conducted yesterday, and hit stores in Watertown, Syracuse and around the area. As Joanna Richards reports, the raid follows a new federal law that bans many of the chemical compounds used to make synthetic drugs like bath salts.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Jan 13, 2012 — State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is again pushing for legislation to create an online database to report and track the use of prescription narcotic drugs. On Wednesday, Schneiderman announced that his Internet System for Tracking Over-Prescribing Act, which he proposed last year, has bipartisan support in the Legislature. He also issued a report that details the growing prescription drug abuse problem in every corner of the state, including the North Country. Chris Knight has our story.  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

Summerstown, ON, Jun 03, 2009 — The international bridge between Massena and Cornwall, Ontario has been closed for more than two days now. And the stand-off between Akwesasne Mohawks and the Canadian government continues. The Mohawks are peacefully protesting Canada's new policy of arming their customs officers. The policy was to have taken effect on Monday. But the officers closed the border crossing on Cornwall Island the night before, saying they didn't feel safe. As David Sommerstein reports, neither side appears ready to budge.

Editor's note: NCPR encourages people of all points of view to post comments on our news stories. However, we require some civility in the discussion, and reserve the right to remove any post for any reason. We have exercised that right on many comments in this thread. If you want to be heard, please don't be abusive.  Go to full article

Canton, NY, May 22, 2009 — If you're frustrated that your vehicle's inspection or registration sticker is peeling off the windshield, don't fret. It's not your fault, or your mechanic's, for not cleaning the glass first. The state Department of Motor Vehicles says a batch of 2010 stickers are faulty and won't adhere to the windshield. You can fix the problem with scotch tape, the agency says, or you can stop by your local DMV office to get new ones at no charge. That's what David Sommerstein did for today's Heard Up North.  Go to full article

May 13, 2008 — A gun-mounted camera developed in the North Country could soon be standard equipment for police officers across New York state. The Pistol-Cam was created by Legend Technologies, based in Keeseville, in Clinton County. A state Senator who used to be a policeman says the mini cameras mounted would help collect accurate data during a shooting incident. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Nov 05, 2007 — We're covering a number of tight, local campaigns this election season, including the race to be St Lawrence County Sheriff. Gary Jarvis, who's held the position since 1999, is not seeking re-election. He says the sprawling geography of the county and a tight budget that prevents him from hiring more officers has strained the department's ability to patrol the roads, respond to calls, and transport inmates to and from jail. As Jonathan Brown reports, the two men vying for his seat differ in their views as to how they'd deal with these challenges.  Go to full article