Dec 07, 2007 — A state supreme court judge has ordered New York officials to stop paying real estate taxes to municipalities for state-owned land within their borders. If it stands, the ruling could devastate towns, counties, and school districts in the Adirondacks and the Catskills that rely on the state's tax payments. The ruling, issued last month, follows a suit filed against former Governor Governor Pataki by a town supervisor in western New York. The supervisor claimed that some municipalities unfairly received the tax money, or payment in lieu of taxes, while others did not. In his ruling, acting State Supreme Court Justice Timothy Walker agreed with the argument, describing the arrangement as "palpably arbitrary." Brian Mann discussed the landmark ruling with Martha Foley.  Go to full article

Oct 30, 2007 — Next Tuesday, millions of New Yorkers will vote on a constitutional amendment that will determine the future of one tiny Adirondack village. The proposed change would allow the 160 residents of Raquette Lake to draw drinking water from a well that sits on the Adirondack forest preserve. The constitutional amendment is needed because most human structures are banned on state land in the six-million acre park. As Brian Mann reports, the ballot initiative represents a partnership between local government leaders and pro-environment groups.  Go to full article

Sep 21, 2007 — The Nature Conservancy is selling more than fifteen thousand acres of land in the central Adirondacks. The $1.8 million deal involves five lakes and ponds and a half-dozen small mountains in the towns of Long Lake and Webb. As Brian Mann reports, the Nature Conservancy says the property will still be protected from further development.

NOTE: Story corrected at 11:50 am.  Go to full article

Nov 15, 2006 — Hamilton County, in the central Adirondacks, voted a straight Republican ticket last Tuesday. It was one of only two counties in the state to do so. The other was rural Wyoming County, south of Rochester. The rest of New York -- and even much of the North Country -- voted staunchly Democratic. As Brian Mann reports, even many Republicans in this very conservative part of the state say their party has to expand its appeal.  Go to full article

Feb 13, 2006 — State police say two north country men died in separate snowmobile accidents over the weekend. One fell through the ice on Saturday and the other collided with a tree Saturday night. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

Nov 23, 2005 — Arvilla Vikstrom has been teaching Swedish language classes at Long Lake Central School this summer and fall. She has a handful of core students in the Adirondacks. She told Todd Moe that her husband and father were Swedish and she's traveled to Sweden many times.  Go to full article

Oct 11, 2005 — A dedication ceremony was held yesterday in Long Lake for the first wilderness area in the Adirondacks designed to accommodate people with disabilities. International Paper has donated a nearly 16,000-acre conservation easement to the state. It will compromise the International Paper John Dillon Park, named for the paper company's now-retired chairman. As Chris Knight reports, the park is meant to provide its visitors with the therapeutic experience of the wilderness.  Go to full article

Jul 16, 2004 — After a successful revival of a historic Long Lake tradition last summer, a second Regatta and Woodchoppers Ball will be held Saturday. Organizer Hallie Bond says the celebration of boats, water, food and music has its roots in the 1920s.  Go to full article

Jun 22, 2004 — In these final hours of the legislative session, North Country lawmakers are hoping to push through a bill that would allow local governments to drill for water on state forest preserve land. If approved, the legislation would launch a lengthy process to amend New York's Constitution. Brian Mann has our story.  Go to full article

Feb 26, 2004 — In the North Country, winter is a great time to get outside, into the woods. It's bug-free. Travel over snow is often easier than over muddy, rocky trails. There are also fewer crowds.
But winter is also a time when even the best-laid plans can be erased by harsh weather and changing conditions. Brian Mann sends this audio postcard from a three-day ski on the Northville-Placid trail in the Adirondacks.  Go to full article