Clayton, NY, Mar 23, 2012 — People in the Thousand Islands village of Clayton are watching several projects that could transform an abandoned waterfront industrial site into a new community hub.

The site used to be home to Frink America, a snowplow manufacturer and a major employer in the small town. Before that, it was the village train station, where Golden Age vacationers would arrive to be ferried to luxury hotels on nearby islands.

The grand plan now in the works includes new docks, a pavilion, and a multi-story hotel. Joanna Richards has more.  Go to full article

Feb 22, 2012 — This winter, one of the best places in the North Country to ski has been the trail to Santanoni Great Camp in the Essex County town of Newcomb.

In part, that's because the old road to the camp has enough snow to make skiing possible.

But the restored buildings of Santanoni also offer one of the most fascinating glimpses of the Adirondacks as they existed during the gilded age, when the North Country was a retreat for the rich and powerful.

This week, Brian Mann joined a ski tour of the great camp, organized by the coalition that has spent more than a decade stabilizing and restoring the historic site.  Go to full article

Paul Smiths, NY, Jan 25, 2012 — It's shaping up to be another tough week weather-wise for the North Country. Rain and temperatures in the forties forced volunteer crews in Saranac Lake to suspend work on the Winter Carnival ice palace.

The Mt. Van Hoevenberg cross country ski center in Lake Placid closed because of the drizzly weather.

The forecast at Whiteface Mountain this morning includes a chance for rain. And the Ski Bowl in North Creek is closed, with just 60% of Gore Mountain's trails open.

One bright spot this winter has been the VIC at Paul Smiths. The facility was threatened with closure in 2010 when the Adirondack Park Agency decided that it was too expensive to operate.

But Paul Smiths College and a group of local residents have worked to keep the VIC open. Brian Mann checked out the trails last week and has our story.  Go to full article

Tupper Lake, NY, Jan 20, 2012 — UPDATE: The Adirondack Park Agency this morning approved a series of permits giving the green light to the massive resort planned for the area around the Big Tupper ski mountain in Tupper Lake.

The 10-1 vote caps a turbulent and sometimes bitter seven-year debate over the project. Brian Mann has been following this issue from the start and he joins me now.

Brian Mann joined Martha Foley earlier this morning to talk about last minute deliberations.  Go to full article

Tupper Lake, NY, Jan 19, 2012 — The Adirondack Park Agency is down to the wire in its review of the massive resort project proposed for Tupper Lake. Developers hope to build more than 700 luxury homes and condos near the Big Tupper ski area, along with a new marina, ski lodge and equestrian center. A final decision from the APA is expected on Friday.

In this last week of deliberations, environmental groups have ramped up their opposition to the resort. But their efforts to delay a decision and to spark more public opposition haven't gained much traction. As Brian Mann reports, the Park's biggest green group broke ranks yesterday and said the APA should allow the project the project to go forward.  Go to full article

Lake Clear, NY, Jan 16, 2012 — A new debate is underway over the future of the Adirondack Regional Airport in Lake Clear. Traffic at the airport is growing, with more than 11,500 passengers using Cape Air's commuter flights last year. Supporters say that brings a big boost to the Tri-Lakes economy.

But state and local officials also say cost overruns, mismanagement and a lack of political support for the airport could threaten its future.

Brian Mann has our story.  Go to full article

Margaretville, NY, Jan 10, 2012 — The lack of snow has been a big story for snow sports so far this winter, but there was some good news for skiers and snowboarders this past weekend in Saranac Lake.

A new ski lift at Mount Pisgah Ski Center took its first riders up the slopes on Saturday morning. The new T-bar was two and a half years in the making and was funded by a combination of state grant funding and community donations.

As Chris Knight reports, supporters say the project will help breathe new life into this small, family- and kid-friendly ski hill.  Go to full article

Saranac Lake, NY, Jan 03, 2012 — A local advocacy group that wants to replace the train tracks between Lake Placid and Tupper Lake with a multi-use recreational trail is ready to hit 2012 with a full head of steam.

The Adirondack Recreational Trail Advocates held a press conference in the board room at the Harrietstown Town Hall in Saranac Lake last week to update the media and the public about the group's efforts.

The organization plans to study the costs of building a trail between Lake Placid and Tupper Lake, as well as the economic benefits of a tourist train that currently operates along the corridor.  Go to full article

Watertown, NY, Nov 24, 2011 — New York Senator Charles Schumer was in Watertown yesterday to announce he'll fight a new fee that can be charged to Canadians crossing into the U.S. by boat or by plane. He appeared at the Paddock Arcade on Washington Street, an historic shopping center and one of many places in the north country where Canadian visitors may come to shop and eat. Todd Moe has more.  Go to full article

Tupper Lake, NY, Nov 14, 2011 — The North Country Regional Economic Development Council's draft strategic plan, due to the state today, includes support for rehabilitating of the Remsen-Lake Placid rail corridor.

The latest version of the plan supports state, federal and private funding for rehabbing the entire railroad, from Remsen all the way to Lake Placid. The plan calls the corridor the "last remaining rail access into the central Adirondacks." The council's draft plan also says accommodations should be made for a multi-use recreational trail.

But the corridor is controversial, and not everyone is pleased that it's included in the strategic plan. Chris Morris reports.  Go to full article