Apr 18, 2003 — Senator Chuck Schumer outlined his agenda of North Country issues in two appearances yesterday. New York's senior senator discussed a statewide snowmobile insurance plan in Brantingham in Lewis County. Then he met with local officials in Massena, where he pledged to aid the ailing dairy and aluminum industries. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Jan 27, 2003 — It's been a week since Lewis County residents could begin dialing 911 in case of an emergency. With the new system in place, dispatchers now have quick access to information about a caller's location and identity. But, as Jody Tosti reports, county officials say the system hasn't been perfected yet. They still have a few glitches to work out  Go to full article

Jan 24, 2003 — Most dairy farmers in the North Country milk their cows all year long. It brings in a steady paycheck and ensures a steady flow of milk to manufacturing plants. But a small but growing number give their cows a break during the coldest months. It's a technique called seasonal dairying. Its supporters say it's gentler on the cows, easier on the environment, and gives small dairy farms a future in an industry that's growing ever bigger. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Jan 15, 2003 — The real estate market in parts of the North Country saw significant growth in 2002. Prices for single family homes also rose. David Sommerstein reports low interest rates and the stagnant stock market have been enticing people to buy new homes.  Go to full article

Jan 08, 2003 — State officials continue to talk with insurance companies about protecting landowners and snowmobile clubs from liability for accidents on private trails. Clubs closed thousands of miles of trails across the state last week due to inadequate insurance. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Jan 06, 2003 — Snowmobile clubs in Lewis, Jefferson, and St. Lawrence counties and across New York State have had to close their trail systems after discovering their insurance policy doesn't cover snowmobile riders. The interruption comes at the height of the season that generates tens of millions of dollars for local economies. As David Sommerstein reports, irresponsible drivers are fueling a perception that the sport is too dangerous to insure.  Go to full article

Dec 06, 2002 — Fewer than 10 percent of North Country dairy farmers graze their cows on pasture. Most confine their herd to big barns and feed them grains and hay. But since the 1980s, agronomists have been encouraging small farms to embrace intensive rotational grazing during the warmer months as a way to cut costs. Farmers then only buy feed for the winter. David Sommerstein reports on a model 60-cow grazing farm in the Lewis County town of Denmark, near Carthage.

The Adirondack North Country Association's Martha Pickard consults for free with farmers to design a grazing management plan. You can reach her at 518-891-6200.  Go to full article

Nov 25, 2002 — County lawmakers across the North Country are approving steep property tax hikes in next year's budgets, in some places by 10 to 20 percent. They say they need the money to pay for soaring Medicaid costs. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Nov 21, 2002 — Last summer, New York State, the Nature Conservancy, and a Boston-based timber company announced a plan to preserve 45,000 acres of forest on the Tug Hill Plateau. It's the result of a decade of coalition building between the many users of the Tug Hill. So far it has broad support. David Sommerstein visited what's now called the "East Branch of Fish Creek Working Forest" to see how the plan is shaping up.  Go to full article

Oct 16, 2002 — Some 50 people gathered at the Northside Improvement League in Watertown last night to hear a debate among Assembly candidates in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties. In the mostly rural and Republican 122nd district, Republican incumbent Dee Dee Scozzafava faces a challenge from Democrat Andy Byrnes. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article