Canton, NY, Nov 10, 2009 — Governor Paterson's deficit reduction plan is facing opposition from many groups who rely on government funding. People with disabilities have been keeping a vigil in Albany since last week to protest proposed cuts. St. Lawrence County NYSARC didn't send anyone to Albany to join in because they couldn't afford it, says Daphne Pickert, the group's executive director. NYSARC provides services to 650 people with disabilities and employs almost 600 people in St. Lawrence County alone. Pickert told David Sommerstein the 10% proposed cuts would leave her with no choice but to cut programs and jobs.  Go to full article

Copenhagen, NY, Oct 28, 2009 — A rural tradition is now a thing of the past, or at least, so says the law. Two weeks ago, New York outlawed burn barrels and many other types of open burning. You can still burn brush and small tree limbs and have small campfires. The question is will people obey the new burn ban? David Sommerstein surveyed some residents and has our story.  Go to full article

Oct 15, 2009 — New York's ban on open burning took effect yesterday. With the exception of small brush and campfires, it's now illegal to burn trash, papers, plastics and even leaves anywhere in the state. The new law's provoked applause and outrage in places like the North Country, where backyard burn barrels have been a sign of everyday rural life. Supporters of the ban celebrated yesterday. And a project is ramping up to help farmers recycle the agricultural plastics many used to burn. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Sep 21, 2009 — The burn barrel is one of those ubiquitous - and smelly - symbols of country living in New York State. In most towns with fewer than 20,000 people, you can burn pretty much what you want. Beginning this fall, that will no longer be the case. Burn barrels and other forms of garbage burning will be made illegal statewide. That's welcome news to St. Lawrence County planner Jon Montan. He organized the county's burn barrel awareness campaign a few years ago. His efforts were mentioned in the state's rationale for passing a burn ban. Montan told David Sommerstein awareness of the public health dangers of burn barrels began in the early 1990s, when St. Lawrence County was gripped in a debate over whether to build a big trash incinerator.  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, Sep 17, 2009 — Tomorrow is the deadline to enter the St. Lawrence County Health Initiative's 3rd annual adventure race. It's a benefit for the not-for-profit. It'll be held on September 26. The Health Initiative's Carol Zimmerman told David Sommerstein the race is a triathalon for the whole family.  Go to full article

Aug 26, 2009 — Congressman John McHugh won't be confirmed as Secretary of the Army until September at the earliest. But that hasn't stopped his hopeful successors from campaigning already. Republican candidate Dede Scozzafava had to put her campaign on hold earlier this month when her father underwent emergency bypass surgery. But he's home recovering now, and Scozzafava is back on the campaign trail. Last weekend, she hit a museum in southern St. Lawrence County, a parade in Oneida County, and a clam bake in Jefferson County. This week, she'll make appearances in Hamilton, Madison, and Oswego counties. Scozzafava is well-known in the western part of the 23rd district. But in the Adirondacks and the Champlain Valley, she lacks the name recognition of her Democratic challenger, Bill Owens. And she's facing a challenge from the right by Conservative party candidate Douglas Hoffman. Scozzafava spoke with David Sommerstein yesterday from her hometown of Gouverneur. She said many of the people she's meeting just want to get to know her.  Go to full article

May 19, 2009 — To many of us our pets are part of the family. Now with the recession some families are having to split up. As a part of our series, A Year of Hard Choices, our intern Sarah Minor looked into the effects of the recession on the Potsdam Humane Society. Here's today's Heard Up North.  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Apr 24, 2009 — The federal stimulus bill is funneling $5 billion to states to make drafty homes more energy efficient. That's more than quadruple the amount ever set aside at one time for weatherization. The Obama Administration says the money will create thousands of "green jobs". But right now, there aren't enough qualified contractors to fill those jobs. North Country Public Radio's David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Apr 09, 2009 — A new report details the billion dollar trafficking of untaxed cigarettes into Canada from the Akwesasne Mohawk reservation near Massena. The investigation by the Center for Public Integrity documented 5 to 10 unlicensed tobacco factories in Akwesasne and on the Kahnawake reserve near Montreal.

Smugglers carry cigarettes across the Canadian border and sell them in Ontario and Quebec for $20 a carton. A legally taxed carton costs $80 to $90. The Canadian government estimates it is losing $1.6 billion a year in taxes while health care costs associated with smoking are rising. William Marsden of the Montreal Gazette reported the story. He told David Sommerstein the tobacco smuggling has attracted more organized crime and drugs to an already porous region of the U.S.-Canada border.  Go to full article

Fort Drum, NY, Apr 07, 2009 — Senator Kirsten Gillibrand focused on the wellness of soldiers and their families at Fort Drum yesterday. It was the Democrat's first visit to the Army base near Watertown. Gillibrand praised Fort Drum's role in protecting the country and revitalizing the local economy. But she said soldiers need more downtime and more mental health resources. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article