Malone, NY, Jan 31, 2013 — At least six families have been flooded out of their homes on Lower Park Street in Malone.

Ricky Provost, director of the Franklin County Office of Emergency Services, says there's no way they will be able to return home any time soon. The evacuated houses have three feet of water in the first floor.

He says during the cold spell last week the Salmon River backed up with ice, and created an ice jam about 4,000 feet long.  Go to full article

Plattsburgh, NY, Jan 29, 2013 — A group of non-profits in the Plattsburgh area has planned a series of events in February to celebrate the season and help beat the winter blahs. The series includes more than fifty events and offers recreational, educational and artistic opportunities for toddlers to teenagers.

Todd Moe talks with Amy Bonn of the Champlain Valley Transportation Museum about the month-long series of events.  Go to full article

Plattsburgh, NY, Jan 28, 2013 — Most gardeners probably started out growing onions from sets, which are small, immature onion bulbs. They're easy to grow that way. But horticulturist Amy Ivy says growing from seed lets gardeners pick varieties to suit their own needs or whims. Todd Moe spoke with Amy for some tips about growing onions from seeds, sets and seedlings.  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Jan 23, 2013 — It's a natural fit on a cold winter day - working with wool yarn to knit a hat, socks or a sweater. But it probably comes as no surprise that for avid knitters, it's a year-round passion. Todd Moe stopped by Traditional Arts in Upstate New York in Canton last winter to visit a weekly knitting group. There are dozens of similar clubs around the region that meet at craft shops, bookstores, churches and living rooms.

Socially-minded knitters donate their creations to charitable projects, experienced knitters work on larger projects or enter contests and then there are those who just knit.

This month, the knitters are meeting at the Brewer Bookstore, as TAUNY prepares its new exhibit. So, on Tuesday mornings you'll find just a couple of knitters or a group as large as twenty sitting in a circle surrounded by skeins of yarn, half-finished sweaters and a spirit of generosity.  Go to full article

Plattsburgh, NY, Jan 21, 2013 — Watering houseplants the right way can be a life-or-death proposition, for the plant.

Cooperative Extension horticulturist Amy Ivy tells Martha Foley poor watering practice is the number one killer of houseplants. Her advice: pay close attention, and remember every plant is different.  Go to full article

Jan 17, 2013 — The snowpack in the Adirondacks took a big hit with this weekend's rain and 50-plus-degree temperatures. But before the thaw arrived, ski conditions in the Adirondack backcountry were about as good as they can be.

Chris Knight traveled with Adirondack Daily Enterprise outdoors writer Mike Lynch to southern Essex County for a trip into Hoffman Notch, a popular ski tour in the central Adirondacks.

There are two approaches to the trail through the notch. Chris and Mike skied from the southern end, about 10 miles outside of Schroon Lake. The northern starting point of the trail is on Blue Ridge Road in the town of North Hudson.

The State Department of Environmental Conservation completed a unit management plan for the 38,000-acre Hoffman Notch Wilderness last year. It includes proposals to add several miles of new trails and construct two new trailhead parking areas, several new tent sites and a lean-to.  Go to full article

Waterloo, ON, Jan 16, 2013 — An Ontario environmental studies professor has created a website to track outdoor rink conditions across North America. It's called RinkWatch, where backyard rink creators can help track weather conditions.

According to the website, scientists in Montreal are predicting fewer outdoor skating days in the future, based on the results of data taken from weather stations across Canada over the last fifty years. So, Robert McLeman, at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, is asking for regular, systematic observations from kids and families about outdoor skating on local ice rinks this winter. He told Todd Moe that it's another example of a citizen-scientist project to help track climate change.  Go to full article

Jan 15, 2013 — Serious birders spend a lot of time looking for birds -- not just during the annual Christmas Bird Count. Joan Collins led a trek through St. Lawrence County on Sunday during near record-breaking warm temperatures.

Eighteen people took part in the NYS Ornithological Association's car-birding excursion across the northern section of the county including communities along the St. Lawrence River. Collins told Todd Moe that she and her binocular brigade saw a wide variety of winter birds: Trumpeter Swans, Bohemian Waxwings, Pine Grosbeaks and lots of Common Redpolls.  Go to full article

Plattsburgh, NY, Jan 14, 2013 — Seed catalogs have started to arrive, with plenty of ideas and new products for the coming growing season. High tunnels, low tunnels, irrigation systems...it all can be a bit daunting.

Cornell Cooperative Extension horticulturist Amy Ivy helps sort through the offerings.  Go to full article

Ottawa, ON, Jan 09, 2013 — It's January and the Rideau Canal in Ottawa remains closed. The National Capital Commission--which maintains the canal-- is waiting for a good long stretch of cold weather.

It needs to be in the five degree range - and no warm days -- to harden the ice. Two winters ago, there were 58 days of skating on the canal. Last year, there were only 28, and this season doesn't look very promising.  Go to full article