Fort Drum, NY, May 10, 2010 — Fort Drum's commander says the Army post near Watertown is the busiest he's ever seen it. Major General James Terry told reporters at a media briefing Friday that the 10th Mountain Division's headquarters is training to take control of the Kandahar region of Afghanistan. Meanwhile, most Fort Drum soldiers are either in, returning from, or preparing to go to Afghanistan or Iraq. General Terry highlighted efforts to address mental health as the Army continues to struggle with combat trauma and the stress of repeat deployments. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Plattsburgh, NY, May 05, 2010 — Over the next few days, farm leaders are taking a sort of local food road show across the North Country. Cornell Cooperative Extension is offering an "Eating Local Yet?" conference tomorrow in Plattsburgh, Friday in Canton, and Saturday in Watertown.

The goal is to persuade more consumers to buy local fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy. The keynote speaker is one of the pioneer's of the local food movement.

Jennifer Wilkins is nutritional science expert at Cornell University. She wrote the nation's first food guide tailored to regional eating in the 1990s. She told David Sommerstein processed foods that rely on commodity subsidies and a heavy carbon footprint dominate the supermarket and fuel America's obesity epidemic. Local produce, on the other hand, is fresh and better for you and the land.

"Eating Local Yet?" conference, which will be held tomorrow night in Plattsburgh, Friday night in Canton, and Saturday afternoon in Watertown. The event will provide contacts for local farmers, recipes to cook local produce and meat, and lessons on how to make your own sauerkraut, lard, and other foodstuffs. Pre-registration is required. Contact your local extension office to register. The fee is $10.  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Apr 07, 2010 — It's Easter recess for Congress. That means lawmakers are criss-crossing their districts, making their case to constituents that their vote on health care was the right one. For freshman Congressman Bill Owens, that was a "yes" vote.

The Democrat from Plattsburgh will face a rematch this November against Conservative Douglas Hoffman. Alexandria Bay native Matt Doheny and Franklin County legislator Paul Maroun are seeking the Republican nomination along with Hoffman.

Owens made his case for the health care reform package on the western side of the 23rd district yesterday. He visited Croghan's meat market and met with agricultural leaders in Lewis County and Boonville. In the morning, he spoke to classroom full of third through sixth graders at St. Mary's catholic school in Canton. He shook hands with teachers and some parents.

Afterwards, he told David Sommerstein he's reminding residents of the district that some provisions in the health care bill kick in later this year, things like family insurance for children up to 26 years of age, limits on lifetime expenses, and protections for people with pre-existing conditions.  Go to full article

Apr 05, 2010 — The Vermont Senate is expected to take a final vote this week on a bill that would phase out the chemical bisphenol-A in some types of packaging. The bill would ban use of the chemical in reusable food and beverage containers, as well as infant formula and baby food containers. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England says BPA has been linked to a high number of health problems, including infertility, miscarriage, and breast and prostate cancer. The American Chemistry Council, an industry group, maintains that it is safe and helps keep food safe by keeping it fresh.

There's been a rise in reports of behavioral disorders in kids over the past decade or so. Some researchers say genetics, lack of sleep, and chaotic households all contribute to things like ADHD. Now researchers say another cause could be personal care products. Julie Grant reports.  Go to full article

Brasher Falls-Winthrop, NY, Mar 31, 2010 — The "buy and eat local" movement continues to grow. In at least one instance, it's struggling with success. More people are eating local beef, lamb, and other meats for health, safety and economic reasons. And more farmers are raising the animals. But in between consumer and producer, there's a shortage of slaughterhouses. Local abattoirs used to dot the North Country landscape. But consolidation in the food industry and onerous USDA regulations have pushed many out of business. Another problem is a lack of skilled meat cutters. In part two of a series on the slaughterhouse shortage, David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Alexandria Bay, NY, Mar 04, 2010 — About 60 people braced the chilly winds coming off the St. Lawrence River yesterday to urge River Hospital not to close its nursing home and adult day care unit. The hospital says it can't sustain the home's financial losses. But the demonstrators believe the community can raise the money needed to keep open the place their elders call home. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Alexandria Bay, NY, Feb 22, 2010 — The River Hospital in Alexandria Bay is closing its 27-bed nursing home, the only one in the Thousand Islands. Officials say the home has been losing money and threatened to bring down the hospital itself. 44 people will lose their jobs. Many community members say they were never given a chance to help keep the home open, like they did with the hospital several years ago. They're fighting to keep the home open for their elders, many of whom have never lived outside the Thousand Islands region. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Saranac Lake, NY, Feb 17, 2010 — A new study released this morning aims to rank New York's counties by the health of their residents. The report, compiled by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, also looks at local factors like air quality and the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables that can help people get healthier. The study gives high marks to some North Country counties - including Essex, Hamilton and Warren. But Franklin and St. Lawrence Counties don't fare so well. Brian Mann has our story.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Jan 22, 2010 — Facing a more than $7 billion deficit, Governor Paterson is plumbing even long-shot revenue sources to make up the spending gap - things like the so-called "obesity tax" on soft drinks. Another is collecting tobacco taxes from the state's Indian Nations. Initial reaction from tribal chiefs suggests Albany shouldn't expect the money anytime soon. As David Sommerstein reports, Paterson has been reluctant to tread where past Governors have failed.  Go to full article

Syracuse, NY, Dec 10, 2009 — As the unemployment rate in much of the North Country remains just under 10%, more families are struggling to put food on the table. Thousands of people live with food insecurity - that means at some point, they don't know where their next meal will come from. Demand at the region's food pantries and kitchens is up. But the Food Bank of Central NY says it's been planning for this kind of crisis for years, and it's still ready and able to fill the demand. Todd Moe and David Sommerstein revisit a story from 2008.  Go to full article