Dec 05, 2002 — The search for a missing hunter in Hamilton County ended Wednesday afternoon, after three grueling days. Despite a foot of fresh snow and sub-zero temperatures, rescue workers located the body of 58-year-old Arthur Birchmeyer. The Syracuse man disappeared on Saturday in a remote area of the cemtral Adirondacks. As Brian Mann reports, forest rangers suspect that Birchmeyer died of hypothermia or natural causes.  Go to full article

Nov 27, 2002 — Officials in Washington County say a house fire early Tuesday morning was the deadliest in the last ten years. Four children were killed in the blaze, which burned a home in Fort Edward. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

Nov 25, 2002 — Olympic gold medallist Jimmy Shea says he'll sit out at least the first half of this year's skeleton world cup season. Shea -- a Lake Placid native and a popular athlete at the Salt Lake Olympic Games - has announced that he's recovering from surgery. Brian Mann has detail.  Go to full article

Nov 19, 2002 — A doctor who worked at the Bare Hill Correctional Facility in Malone has been stripped of his license by New York's department of health. The doctor was accused of having unprotected sex with an inmate. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

Oct 21, 2002 — Over the weekend, three North Country athletes raced in Hawaii's 140-mile Ironman triathlon, the sport's world championship. 55 locals competed this summer in the Lake Placid Ironman. The sport's popularity continues to grow, attracting corporate sponsors and TV contracts. But some critics say more should be done to protect amateur athletes. As Brian Mann reports, a third of those who compete, wind up ill or in the hospital.  Go to full article

Oct 18, 2002 — New York faces a deep shortage of nurses and other health care workers. The crisis is so severe that many hospitals are recruiting nurses from overseas. Yesterday in Saranac Lake, North Country Community College dedicated a new nursing school, designed to recruit and train more people from this region. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

Sep 03, 2002 — This summer, a spill at Lake Placid's wastewater treatment plant sent untreated sewage flowing into the Chubb and the Ausable Rivers. The sewer plant is thirty years old. Village officials are scrambling to raise ten million dollars to build a new facility. But as Brian Mann reports, some residents down-stream worry that the project won't stop the flow of pollution.  Go to full article

Aug 12, 2002 — One of the country's top bond analysis firms has downgraded the credit rating of Fletcher Allen Hospital, in Burlington. The move follows state and federal inquiries into the hospital's 200 million dollar expansion project. Brian Mann reports:  Go to full article

Jul 31, 2002 — Brian Mann talks with Chandler Ralph, CEO of the Adirondack Medical Center, about the serious challenges facing the region's healthcare industry: high rates of uninsured; spiraling prescription drug costs; a shortage of lab technicians and nurses.  Go to full article

Jul 29, 2002 — Intense weather played a huge role in Sunday's Lake Placid Ironman. Top finishers Heather Fuhr and Ryan Bolton negotiated a slick bike course to win the event. As Brian Mann reports, the big obstacle for many racers was the muggy heat--and a powerful late-nite thunderstorm:

Locals Fare Well:

A total of fifty-five north country athletes competed in this year's Lake Placid Ironman. Jackie Hatherly, who moved to Lake Placid a year ago, took third place in the women's competition. Amy Farrell, from Ray Brook, finished fifth. The St. Lawrence graduate raced as an ironman pro for the first time. Nick Fitzsimmons, from Ausable Forks, finished in 29th place, with the region's top time--just under ten hours. Finally, Lake Placid's Charles Cowan won the 50-54 year old age group. Cowan--who's fifty--topped ninety other runners to finish in ten hours and seven minutes.  Go to full article