Montreal, QC, Sep 12, 2012 — Huge freighters from all over the world ply the waters of the St. Lawrence River on their way to the Great Lakes. Some are new and high tech. Others are rusty and old. The vessels vary greatly in their safety measures and labor conditions.

The U.S. and Canada each inspect these ships individually, but now a new joint project aims to speed up the process and boost commerce in the region.  Go to full article

Hammond, NY, Sep 10, 2012 — The elaborate castle built on the St. Lawrence River by sewing machine magnate Frederick Bourne is a relative newcomer to the Thousand Islands tourism scene. Singer Castle on Dark Island was only opened to the public ten years ago, and is accessible only by water from the United States. A Canadian lawmaker is pushing the U.S. to open a port of entry there to increase visitor traffic.  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Sep 07, 2012 — Workers are three months into what they call "a total reconstruction" of the village of Canton's Main Street. One of the North Country's main east-west corridors, Route 11, is being detoured onto side streets.

Downtown is hot, dusty, and congested. And there's no shade because all the historic maple trees had to be torn down.

Yet despite the inconvenience, the mess, and past run-ins with state transportation officials, residents and business owners are taking the disruption in stride.  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Sep 07, 2012 — We've received many questions about the extensive construction in the village of Canton. With the help of the state Department of Transportation's engineer-in-charge, Tom Maroun, here are some answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.  Go to full article

Parishville, NY, Aug 29, 2012 — Tomato and potato growers beware. Cornell Cooperative Extension has confirmed the first case of late blight in St. Lawrence County.  Go to full article

Massena, NY, Aug 24, 2012 — Senior citizens vote at higher rates than the rest of the population. So they'll be key to the eventual winner of the North Country's 21st Congressional district. And issues important to seniors, like health care law and Medicare, will take front stage until November.

Democrat Bill Owens' campaign has been ratcheting up the debate with Republican Matt Doheny on Medicare. Owens himself reached out to senior citizens at the Seniorama expo yesterday in Massena.  Go to full article

Gouverneur, NY, Aug 22, 2012 — St. Lawrence County Sheriff's investigators arrested former Gouverneur Mayor Christopher Miller Tuesday. The Watertown Daily Times reports he was charged with a felony count of third-degree grand larceny. Miller resigned from his position as mayor last Wednesday. The newspaper reports that he's accused of drawing up a fraudulent contract for the sale of a house he only partially owned.

He reportedly sold the house for $50,000, but allegedly failed to tell the people he sold it do that he was a joint owner. Deputies told the newspaper that Miller did not have the right to sell the property. The Times reports that the buyers gave Miller $10,000 as a down payment on the house, but a written agreement drawn up by Miller, gave them credit for only $1,000 dollars.

Miller was brought to the town court in Canton and was released under probation supervision. He resigned as mayor after a discussion last week with then deputy Mayor Ronald McDougall. McDougall read Miller's resignation letter at the village Board of Trustees meeting last night.

Julie Grant spoke with McDougall Wednesday morning, and asked him if he encouraged Miller to resign last week because he was about to be arrested.  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Aug 21, 2012 — Three years ago, St. Lawrence County finished work on a state-of-the-art jail that cost taxpayers more than $30 million. It was needed because the old jail on Court Street was outdated and overcrowded.

Today, that new jail is full. And people in the justice system aren't quite sure what to do except wait for the crime rate to go down.  Go to full article

Waddington, NY, Aug 20, 2012 — The St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce is working hard to market the St. Lawrence River as the world's fishing capital, an initiative it calls "FISH CAP." One part of that project is to hook the next generation of anglers with the 10th annual International Junior Carp Tournament. It was held over the weekend.

Massena's Bryaunna Murphy took first place, the first girl to win top honors in the tournament. She took home the $1500 grand prize.

David Sommerstein stopped by just as Jessica Payne, an eighth grader from Lisbon Central, was reeling in a 14 pound, 6 ounce carp.  Go to full article

Gouverneur, NY, Aug 16, 2012 — Christopher Miller resigned as village mayor of Gouverneur, N.Y., Wednesday afternoon. Deputy Mayor Ronald McDougall told multiple news sources that the two met Wednesday to discuss Miller's job, and agreed he should step down.

After Miller was elected last fall, village residents learned he was a convicted felon, for drug possession and forgery. He had also pleaded guilty to petit larceny and criminal trespass, and was on probation.  Go to full article