Sep 26, 2005 — Two years ago, the New York Power Authority got a new 50-year license to operate the hydropower dam on the St. Lawrence River. One condition of the license renewal was that NYPA return 1,500 acres of once-private land to local hands. Much of it will go to the villages and towns in St. Lawrence County affected by the power project. But some was to be transferred to property owners who live along the river. The state Attorney General recently ruled that's unconstitutional, and that the land should be sold at fair market value. As David Sommerstein reports, many local residents feared something like this would happen.  Go to full article

Jul 19, 2005 — Back in February, we brought you the story of an alpaca farmer: Angel Dunkelberg, of Angel Knoll Alpacas in Waddington. The alpaca is a Peruvian cousin of the llama. It comes from the Andes Mountains. Alpacas like climates cold and dry--rather like it is here in the North Country--most of the time.

We revisited Angel to find out how her alpacas were taking the heat. Not too badly. Angel sprays water on their bellies to keep them cool. She's dragged fans to every corner of the barn. The heatwave has sped up the birth process, though. Angel now has 10 new alpacas, the youngest two days old. Her biggest problem now is what to name them all.  Go to full article

Jun 08, 2005 — British carp fishermen Tim Paisley and Steve Briggs are lapping the competition at the World Carp Championship on the St. Lawrence River. They've hauled in more than 1000 pounds of carp, triple their next closest challengers. No one's caught the million dollar record-breaking carp yet, though. An American, Ed Gilstrap, has caught the biggest so far at 38 pounds, 14 ounces. David Sommerstein was on the shoreline earlier this week to sample the sporting and economic dimensions of carp fishing.  Go to full article

Jun 03, 2005 — Communities along the St. Lawrence River are preparing to host what organizers call "the Olympics of carp fishing". More than 120 teams from all over the world will compete. The top prize is a million dollars. As David Sommerstein reports, the World Carp Championship could be an economic boost for a part of the river that struggles to attract tourists.  Go to full article

May 27, 2005 — The 2005 World Carp Championship, the largest and most prestigious carp sporting event in the world will be held on the St. Lawrence River in Waddington, June 4th through the 10th. Volunteers are needed for a variety of duties, including weighing the fish. Todd Moe spoke with Sean Manning, one of the directors of the American Carp Society, about the upcoming carp tournament.  Go to full article

Feb 01, 2005 — The alpaca - a Peruvian cousin of the llama - has been domesticated for about 5000 years, but they've only been raised in North America since 1984. The animals hail from the Andes Mountains, so they love our North Country winters. Greg Warner sends this audio postcard from a recent sub-zero afternoon on an alpaca farm in Waddington.  Go to full article

Aug 17, 2004 — A bright light is emerging for the North Country economy from an unlikely source. Carp--those bottom-feeders of the fish world--are luring anglers from all over the world to the St. Lawrence River between Ogdensburg and Massena. This Thursday in Waddington, the 2nd Annual St. Lawrence International Junior Carp Tournament will draw about a hundred young anglers and their families. One of the biggest carp boosters is St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce director Karen St. Hillaire. She told David Sommerstein initially she was skeptical carp could be an ingredient in economic development.  Go to full article

Jul 21, 2004 — An exhibit that features recent works by a Waddington native is on display at the Remington Art Museum in Ogdensburg. Polly McCaffrey grew up along the St. Lawrence and now lives in New York City. Her latest art features dynamic, larger-than-life images of birds, pears, tulips and paper clips. Todd Moe chats with Polly McCaffrey about the fun of abstract art.  Go to full article

Jun 11, 2004 — The St. Lawrence River continues to build on a growing reputation as the new "Carp Capital of the World". After a successful junior carp tournament last summer, Waddington and nearby towns will host the World Carp Championship next summer. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Mar 19, 2004 — Preservation of the St. Lawrence Hotel, also known as the Clark House, got another financial boost from the state this week. In addition to the 90,000 dollar grant it received just two weeks ago, Assemblyman Darrel Aubertine has secured 60,000 for the redevelopment project. Grassroots organizations have been working to revitalize the town of Waddington in order to preserve history and boost tourism. And, as Jody Tosti reports, these grants bring the project one step closer to completion.  Go to full article