Watertown, NY, Oct 23, 2012 — Traditional Arts in Upstate New York, TAUNY, handed out its annual North Country Heritage Awards on Sunday -- honoring North Country traditions. Watertown has had a love of football for more than a century. The Watertown Red & Black is the oldest semi-pro team in the U.S. It began back in 1896. In its first decades, the team featured the sons of immigrants who worked in local factories and young men who had been star players in local high schools. More recently, over half of the roster is soldiers from Fort Drum.

George Ashcraft was a middle linebacker for the team in the early 1970s. This year marks his 22nd year as head coach. Todd Moe spoke with him about coaching a football team that is a cultural icon in Watertown.  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, Oct 23, 2012 — The Orchestra of Northern New York kicks off its 25th season this weekend in Potsdam and Watertown. The orchestra will perform Beethoven's 9th Symphony along with the combined choirs of the Potsdam Community Chorus and the Northern Choral Society. For many, the piece is among Beethoven's greatest works, and is considered by some to be the greatest piece of music ever written.

Todd Moe talks with music director and conductor Kenneth Andrews about 25 years of making music and conducting Beethoven. Andrews has led the Orchestra of Northern New York since it first began in 1988.

Saturday night's concert is in SUNY Potsdam's Hosmer Concert Hall at 7:30, and Sunday's concert is at 3:30 at Watertown's First Presbyterian Church. Tickets: 315-267-2277  Go to full article

Watertown, NY, Sep 21, 2012 — A toxic waste site in Watertown is drawing renewed attention from residents and city leaders.

New York Air Brake's chemical dump on the north side of town was cleaned up in the 1990s. State environmental officials say it's been monitored since then and they're convinced it's safe for neighbors and wildlife. But people who live nearby believe they have health problems traceable to the site. And they fear it still poses a health risk.  Go to full article

Watertown, NY, Aug 27, 2012 — The city of Watertown has built a new pavilion as part of its downtown revitalization project. It's meant to house outdoor activities, including the Saturday farmers market. Recently, the farmers market held an appreciation ceremony to thank the city for its new digs.

But the ceremony may not have been the main attraction: The market was bustling, with shoppers perusing stands offering everything from vegetables and flowers to honey and baked goods.  Go to full article

Watertown, NY, Aug 24, 2012 — You may remember actor Julia Roberts' portrayal of environmental activist Erin Brockovich in the 2001 movie of the same name. The real Brockovich was scheduled to visit Watertown Thursday night. But she got sick and was unable to travel.

Instead, concerned residents who live near the toxic waste site caused by the New York Air Brake factory got to talk with Brockovich's representative. Some believe pollution in the area has caused them health problems.  Go to full article

Antwerp, NY, Jul 20, 2012 — UPDATE: The Watertown Daily Times reports James A. Mills Jr., the truck driver who caused the crash, was released without charges Thursday night while state police continue their investigation.

Six people died yesterday in a crash with a tractor-trailer on Route 11 in the town of Antwerp, in Jefferson County. The accident happened shortly after 9 a.m. near Fox Ranch Road and Dickson Road just south of the St. Lawrence county line. Vehicles were slowing down for a paving project, and a tractor-trailer in the southbound lane failed to slow down as it approached the work zone, slamming into several other vehicles and causing a chain reaction crash involving six vehicles.  Go to full article

Watertown, NY, Jun 04, 2012 — Watertown will welcome a new city manager on July 16. Sharon Addison is a Schenectady native who spent 27 years working for the National Security Agency before putting her name in the hat for the city manager position in Watertown. Joanna Richards reports.  Go to full article

Watertown, NY, May 18, 2012 — The Vermont Air National Guard is proposing to start training flights over the Adirondacks and Watertown area with F-35 jets.

The big, loud planes would replace the smaller, quieter F-16s the National Guard is using now --but not until at least 2015. The Guard is accepting public comments on the plan until June 1. It's held public hearings on the proposal in the Burlington area, and last night in Watertown. Joanna Richards reports.  Go to full article

Watertown, NY, May 03, 2012 — Mendelssohn's greatest work, Elijah, will be performed this Sunday afternoon (3 pm) at Trinity Episcopal Church in Watertown. Todd Moe talks with conductor Richard Probert about the popular piece, which will include more than 60 singers, soloists, an orchestra and organ. The concert is a collaboration between the Sackets Harbor Vocal Arts Ensemble, the Trinity choir and an orchestra of 47 musicians from the North Country, New York City and Montreal. It's part of the annual Trinity Concert Series. Maestro Probert says Elijah is second only to Handel's Messiah in terms of how often it's performed.  Go to full article

Fort Drum, NY, Mar 19, 2012 — Fort Drum recently notified several businesses that they will be put off limits to soldiers if they continue to sell synthetic marijuana, products marketed as "herbal incense" and sold under names like Spice and K2.  Go to full article