May 11, 2004 — The high water season of spring gives paddlers an opportunity to run the North Country's best stretches of whitewater. Every year the Adirondack Mountain Club's Laurentian chapter sponsors a classic run on the Grasse River in southwestern St. Lawrence County. From the put-in at Lampson Falls to the town of Russell, the river roars down 9 cascades and miles of rapids. David Sommerstein hitched a ride in the trip leader's canoe and sends this audio postcard.  Go to full article

May 06, 2004 — The federal program that subsidizes air service in rural areas, including the North Country, has faced cuts under the current budget deficit. Lawmakers have fought to keep the service alive, saying it's the only way for airports like Massena, Watertown, and Saranac Lake to remain viable. Under the current system, operated by Mesa Air, all flights go to Pittsburgh. A Massena entrepreneur sees the situation as an opportunity. Ed Kaneb, Jr. is seeking $30-50 million to start his own regional commuter airline based in Massena. It would fly to Syracuse, with connections to northeast cities like Boston, Hartford, Philadelphia, and New York City. Kaneb Jr. spoke with David Sommerstein. He sees the large population centers across the border as potential markets.  Go to full article

May 04, 2004 — A controversial St. Lawrence County activist is taking his write-in campaign for Congress to college campuses. Donald Hassig is challenging Republican Congressman John McHugh's expected bid for re-election. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Apr 08, 2004 — When Kraft ceases cheese production in Canton, the economic effects will be significant, but not bad enough to force many farmers out of business. That's according to Chuck Nicholson, a senior research associate at Cornell University. He prepared a computer model of a Kraft shutdown based on national markets. It predicts a drop in milk prices, the lowest in St. Lawrence County, with ripples felt throughout the Northeast. Speaking with David Sommerstein, Nicholson estimates the average dairy farm could lose up to $12,000. New York could lose $18 million statewide.  Go to full article

Mar 26, 2004 — There's a big change underway in North Country agriculture. The number of dairy farms has plummeted since the 1990s. Most of the victims are mid-size family operations. Large farms are on the rise, but so are small ones. According to the latest agricultural census, there are more 10 to 50 acre farms in New York now than any year since 1974. And most of those don't milk cows. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Mar 25, 2004 — Families from across the North Country have already begun hearing from their loved ones in Iraq. More than 700 members of New York's National Guard have begun a year-long deployment there. They're a part of the United States' largest troop rotation since World War 2, involving more than 200,000 soldiers. Periodically we'll be checking in with soldiers and families. David Sommerstein spoke Tuesday with Molly Ames of Watertown about her son, specialist Mike Ames. She says his unit flew to Kuwait three weeks ago and then convoyed into Iraq.

The Ogdensburg Family Readiness Group is seeking donations for care packages for soldiers. You can contact Molly Ames at 315-323-0873, mba7@cornell.edu, or Sheri Smith at 315-347-2611, ssmith32@twcny.rr.com.  Go to full article

Mar 12, 2004 — North Country businesses will soon have a new option for buying electricity. A St. Lawrence County couple is starting an Energy Services Company, or ESCO, that will buy and sell power on long-term contracts. As David Sommerstein reports, the ESCO hopes to boost the local economy, support renewables like wind and hydro, and promote energy efficiency.  Go to full article

Mar 11, 2004 — Two economic development programs to help agriculture in New York are moving forward. Facing the closure of the Kraft cheese plant this summer, the town of Canton is trying to get in early on both projects. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Mar 09, 2004 — The St. Lawrence Seaway is scheduled to open another shipping season on March 25th. Observers warn letting giant freighters into the St. Lawrence too early can damage riverside ecology and homes. They also worry about the nightmare scenario of an oil spill trapped under ice. As David Sommerstein reports, the Seaway has made compromises over how it chooses an opening date, but critics still fear economics trumps the environment.  Go to full article

Mar 09, 2004 — David Sommerstein talks with Massena attorney Tom Snider about his new book, Power Dam Politics. It's Snider's take on the negotiations to relicense the New York Power Authority's massive hydropower project on the St. Lawrence River.  Go to full article