Jan 30, 2004 — Parents filled the high school auditorium in Saranac last night. Many were angry over a new report that could lead to the closure of two of the district's elementary schools -- in Dannemora and Cadyville. District officials say a dwindling number of students has forced them to make changes. As Brian Mann reports, schools across the North Country face sharply declining enrollments...and some painful decisions.  Go to full article

Jan 29, 2004 — Martha Foley talks with Dr. Fred Kirschenmann, president of Kirschenmann Farms, a 3500-acre operation in North Dakota that was certified organic over 20 years ago. Kirschenmann is also director of The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at the University of Iowa. He's leading discussion today at Jefferson Community College.  Go to full article

Jan 28, 2004 — After 50 years of making cheese in its Canton factory, Kraft Foods is closing its operations in June. Kraft said in 2002 that it would re-eveluate the Canton operation, weighing the small, old plant against its other facilities around the world. Earlier this week Kraft -- now a subsidiary of Philip Morris -- announced it would cut thousands of jobs at all levels of its organization over the next two years. Jody Tosti talks with Canton Mayor Robert Wells about the loss of local jobs and the ripple effects of the closing.  Go to full article

Jan 28, 2004 — North Country Congressman John McHugh called the losing of the Kraft plant a dark period for Canton's economy and the region's dairy farmers.  Go to full article

Jan 27, 2004 — 2003 was a surprisingly good year for dairy farmers in the North Country and around the Northeast. Crops grew well and the price farmers get paid for their milk rebounded after a two year slump. To get a forecast of the issues facing dairy in 2004, David Sommerstein spoke with Susan Harlow, managing editor of Northeast Dairy Business Magazine, a trade publication for dairy farmers in New York, New England, Pennsylvania and Maryland. She says the top issue will always be the price of milk.  Go to full article

Jan 19, 2004 — Today we begin a series on art in the North Country with an artist profile. Carmen D'Avino began his career as a painter in the 1930s. He's been a World War II military filmmaker, a sculptor, and an avant-guarde animator in New York City. He was even nominated for an Academy Award. For the past 15 years he's lived in an old farmhouse in the St. Lawrence County town of Hammond. David Sommerstein stopped by for a visit and found a portrait of the creative process in action.  Go to full article

Jan 12, 2004 — The Aluminum Company of America is cutting more than a hundred jobs at its smelting plant in Massena. The decision announced late last week comes just after a one year reduction in power costs expires. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Jan 09, 2004 — Governor Pataki's most prominent reference to agriculture in his State of the State speech Wednesday was a commitment to expand the state's farmland preservation and conservation program. Yesterday Pataki announced $12 million in grants to protect active farmland statewide, including on two North Country farms. As David Sommerstein reports, other good news for agriculture was hidden in the details of Pataki's message.  Go to full article

Jan 06, 2004 — The state health department has fined half a dozen North Country businesses for violating the smoking ban that went into effect in July, according to recently released records. Some bar owners are meeting next week to plan a strategy to fight back. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Dec 26, 2003 — Last week, the Army announced California-based housing developer, Actus Lend Lease, won a contract to build 1200 new homes around Fort Drum for the base's soldiers and their families. The construction is expected to cost more than $300 million over ten years. Decisions the company makes will affect the base itself, as well as towns in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Counties, where many soldier families live. The plan is a part of a massive nationwide project to privatize military housing, called the Residential Communities Initiative, or RCI. David Sommerstein spoke with John Deans, chairman of the Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization, about the privatization plan. Deans has toured bases around the country to learn more about RCI. He says on many bases, soldiers live in aging homes.  Go to full article