Saranac Lake, NY, Apr 29, 2011 — Floodwaters across the North Country continued to surge yesterday, as rivers were swollen by more pounding rain and by warm temperatures that melted snow in the Adirondacks.

Roughly four inches of rain fell in the region over the last several days.

We've seen spring flooding before, of course, but this year it's not just one town or one river valley.

From the Hudson and the Schroon Rivers in the south to the Raquette and the Saranac Rivers in the north, communities are scrambling to protect their homes and businesses.

Transportation was snarled across the region as dozens of highways were closed. A record high level of water on Lake Champlain flooded the ferry dock at Essex, shutting down service to Charlotte, Vermont.

Dozens of roads across Essex County remain closed this morning. The hardest hit area is in the Lake Champlain town of Moriah where two bridges collapsed and many of the road washouts occurred. Officials say the town sustained more than $1.5 million in damage. (We'll have more on the flooding in Moriah Monday morning.)

Essex County officials say the preliminary estimate of damage to roads and bridges is about $2 million. Gov. Andrew Cuomo is expected in Port Henry at midday to meet with emergency officials and brief the press.

In Saranac Lake yesterday, Lake Flower and the Saranac River rose even higher, forcing some evacuations. As Chris Knight reports, officials say it's too early to know when flood waters will recede.  Go to full article

Apr 27, 2011 — Sections of two major Adirondack highways remained closed this morning as authorities watch the swollen Ausable River.

As of 5:15 this morning, the East Branch of the Ausable was more than three feet above flood state at Ausable Forks. State highway officials say Rte 9N in the Town of Jay was closed in Ausable Forks just before 9 last night. That closed section stretches from Route 86 to Church Road. Route 9 from Elizabethtown to North Hudson is also closed because of high waters.

The Hudson River at North Creek is already nearly a foot above flood stage, with waters expected to continue rising through this morning.

At Rouses Point, meanwhile, Lake Champlain was more than a foot above flood stage at 5 am.

Officials are reminding shoreline owners to take measures to protect any property that could be exposed to flooding. They're also urging motorists to be watchful for flooded highways and roads.  Go to full article

Kemptville, ON, Apr 27, 2011 — There are plenty of reasons to have a chainsaw, from getting ready for winter to cleaning up after a storm.

Useful as it may be, a chainsaw can slice through flesh and bone in the blink of an eye. That's why experts recommend paying close attention to safety - whatever your level of experience.

A number of organizations offer chainsaw safety courses, including one conducted in Kemptville, Ontario this April by the Lower Ottawa Valley Chapter of the Ontario Woodlot Association.

Lucy Martin sat in to learn more.  Go to full article

Saranac Lake, NY, Apr 20, 2011 — Across the North Country, volunteer fire squads are struggling to find new recruits.

Departments face a lot of challenges. Many small towns have fewer and fewer young people.

Training demands have grown over the years.

As Chris Morris reports, the region's fire chiefs are organizing to try to rebuild the tradition of service.  Go to full article

Buchanan, NY, Mar 23, 2011 — Governor Andrew Cuomo says the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission has pledged to make the Indian Point nuclear power plant it's first priority in reviewing seismic risk at the nation's nuclear power plants in light of the disastrous earthquake in Japan.

Cuomo stopped short, though, of calling for a shutdown of the Indian Point nuclear power plant. Karen Dewitt reports.  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, Mar 22, 2011 — NCPR is media sponsor for this weekend's "Out at the Movies" film festival . The film series explores aspects of and issues in the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. One of the films addresses bullying in school, and will include a workshop for students, teachers and staff. Todd Moe talks with Jenny Betz, Education Manager for GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network. She'll lead a workshop on safe schools for all students at Potsdam Central School on Saturday.  Go to full article

Mar 17, 2011 — Governor Andrew Cuomo says he's concerned over a report that one of the nuclear reactors at the Indian Point power plant along the Hudson River is on an earthquake fault line, and is checking into the matter. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Mar 14, 2011 — A coalition of leaders from the North Country's snowmobile tourism industry is complaining that law enforcement officials are harassing sledders.

They say sticker inspections and multiple trail stops are discouraging visitors from visiting the area.

But as Brian Mann reports, these concerns come as law enforcement agencies are grappling with a growing number of snowmobile injuries and deaths.  Go to full article

Bolton, NY, Jun 11, 2010 — A Queensbury man faces a charge of reckless operation after a fatal collision yesterday with kayakers on Lake George. Warren County Sheriff's Lieutenant Robert Smith says 73-year-old Donald Peltier apparently did not see the man and woman paddling separate boats on the lake's choppy water. The body of 63-year-old Peter Snyder, of Troy, NY, was pulled from the lake around 8 o'clock Wednesday night. His wife, Bonita Hagan, was also thrown into the water by Peltier's motorboat. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

Burlington, VT, Apr 28, 2010 — A spring storm blanketed parts of northern New York and New England with more than a foot of snow overnight. The snow began falling yesterday morning. It's expected to continue through this morning.

The heavy snow has brought tree limbs down on power lines, causing scattered outages in a swath from southern St. Lawrence County, and along the Canadian border into Vermont. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article