Mar 26, 2008 — A state Supreme Court judge has fined and admonished a lakefront property owner in the Adirondacks for building a "floating boathouse" without a permit. In a March 13 ruling, Judge David Demarest assessed a $200,000 fine on J. David Beneke, who owns a waterfront lot on Upper Saranac Lake, to cover legal fees incurred by the Town of Santa Clara in the case. As Chris Knight reports, Beneke's lawyer is asking the state's highest court to hear the case.  Go to full article

Jun 20, 2007 — Paul Smiths College has drawn criticism in recent weeks, following the alcohol-related deaths of two students in May. But academic and law enforcement officials across the region say the problem of underage drinking is complicated, with few easy answers. In the final part of our series on alcohol and campus safety, Brian Mann reports that the debate often winds up in a legal and ethical gray zone.  Go to full article

Apr 13, 2007 — The deadline for filing state and federal income taxes hits next Tuesday. It's a day that millions of Americans dread. Around the country, a small group of tax protestors claim that the collection of income taxes is illegal and violate the U.S. Constitution. One of their leaders, Robert Schulz, lives in Queensbury and runs an organization called "We the People." Critics say Schultz's arguments amount to little more than an urban myth. But according to the Federal government, thousands of people have been misled by Schultz's amateur tax advice at a cost to the treasury of more than 20 million dollars. As Brian Mann reports, the Justice Department is now suing Schultz in an effort to end what they call a "tax scam."  Go to full article

Feb 23, 2007 — The state attorney general's office is investigating the condition of UPS delivery trucks in the North Country. The probe follows allegations from a whistleblower in Watertown. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Dec 27, 2006 — This week, North Country Public Radio is speaking with North Country members of Eliot Spitzer's transition team. These are the people who are helping the Governor-elect formulate his policies going forward. Lee Clary of Black River sits on the criminal justice transition committee. Clary retired as a Jefferson County Court judge in 1999. He served as Jefferson County's district attorney for 10 years. He spoke with David Sommerstein about the Rockefeller drug laws, civil confinement of sex offenders, and the local justice court system. Clary says rural communities deal with a different mix of crimes than cities.  Go to full article

Sep 28, 2006 — Town and village judges hold a lot of power over the people who come before their courts. They can send people to jail or levy fines. But a New York Times report published this week found widespread examples of incompetence and improper behavior, especially here in the North Country. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

Sep 28, 2006 — State officials have begun implementing reforms to the local court system in New York, including a new measure requiring local courts to keep records of legal proceedings and more training for local judges. Lawrence Marx is administrative director for the State Office of Court Administration. He's the man who will make those changes. He spoke with Brian Mann.  Go to full article

Sep 25, 2006 — A report published this morning in the New York Times alleges widespread incompetence and abuse of power in New York's system of town and village courts. The article, based on a year-long investigation by the Times, focuses on six local courts in the North Country. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

Jun 26, 2006 — Ogdensburg's Town Council will consider a law tonight that would bar sex offenders from living within 800 feet of any school, park or playground. Gregory Warner has more.  Go to full article

Nov 16, 2005 — State Senator Betty Little has introduced a bill that would require blood tests for boat captains involved in serious accidents. The legislation follows the capsizing of the Ethan Allen on October 2 on Lake George. That accident left twenty elderly passengers dead. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article