Oneidas, NYS settle on sharing casino money

radio@ncpr.org (North Country Public Radio) — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

(May 17, 2013) For the first time, the Oneida Indian Nation has entered into an agreement to share some of its gambling revenues with New York state. The concession means there's no risk of a competing state-run casino in the Nation's backyard. [full story]

Protest of PCB landfills near Akwesasne planned

radio@ncpr.org (North Country Public Radio) — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

(May 17, 2013) Environmental activists will gather at a park in Massena tomorrow to protest the ongoing presence of toxic PCBs in the area.Organizer Donald Hassig says industrial chemicals from the Alcoa, Reynolds, and General Motors plants continue to pose a threat to the health of people in Massena and on the Akwesasne Mohawk reservation. [full story]

Most School Budgets Expected to Pass

radio@ncpr.org (North Country Public Radio) — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

(May 17, 2013) Voters in New York go to the polls on Tuesday, May 21 to approve new school budgets. The State School Boards Association finds that many school districts are living within the limits imposed by a property tax cap enacted two years ago.The School Board Association's Tim Kremer says a survey of the state's school districts finds that the vast majority are budgeting within the strictures of the tax cap, and as a result, 93 percent expect their budgets to be approved by voters. [full story]

NYS allows Gouverneur's EJ Noble Hospital to expand lab services

radio@ncpr.org (North Country Public Radio) — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

(May 17, 2013) E. J. Noble Hospital in Gouverneur has gotten approval to expand its lab services. The state forced E.J. Noble to close down last fall, after it found safety problems in the lab. [full story]

Big sounds from Jack Kelley's little band

radio@ncpr.org (North Country Public Radio) — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

(May 17, 2013) A group of musicians who love swing and big band music gather every week to practice. Todd Moe caught up with Jack Kelley's Little Big Band as they prepped for an evening of music and dancing on Saturday night, to help celebrate the Potsdam CORC Thrift Store's 40th anniversary.Join Jack Kelley's Little Big Band at the C.O.R.C. Thrift Store's Spring Fling, Saturday at 7:30 pm, at First Presbyterian Church in Potsdam. An evening of swing dancing to celebrate the store's 40th anniversary. Dance lessons at 7 pm. [full story]

Another big Adirondack real estate development?

radio@ncpr.org (North Country Public Radio) — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

(May 17, 2013) Adirondack Park Agency officials have been meeting with a company looking to develop a large resort around Loon Lake, in Franklin County. Loon Gulf Inc. owns 2,800 acres, including the former Loon Lake Golf Course, which closed 10 years ago. At this point, though, the company's representatives say they're just testing the waters at this point and have no immediate plans for the property. [full story]

Do you have what it takes to be a Saranac Lake 6er?

radio@ncpr.org (North Country Public Radio) — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

(May 17, 2013) We've all heard of the Adirondack 46ers. They're the club of hikers and climbers who have summited all 46 of the Adirondack's highest peaks. People who compete that grueling task are given an official number and official bragging rights. Now the village of Saranac Lake is hoping to launch its own version of that challenge with its new "6er" program. The goal is to draw visitors to the ring of beautiful but less difficult mountains that surround the village. [full story]

Job losses big concern if Ogdensburg psych center closes

radio@ncpr.org (North Country Public Radio) — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

(May 17, 2013) The state Office of Mental Health could decide as soon as Monday whether it will close the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center in Ogdensburg. This week, the state held a meeting to listen to the community's comments about the center. One topic many people brought up was jobs: The Ogdensburg facility employs more than 500 people. [full story]

Why low Lake Ontario levels mean high St. Lawrence levels

radio@ncpr.org (North Country Public Radio) — Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

(May 17, 2013) We've reported for months - years even - that the Great Lakes, from Superior to Ontario, are at historically low water levels.So we were surprised to get the news this week that regulators are lowering the gates at the Iroquois Dam near Ogdensburg because the St. Lawrence River is too high.It's quite a puzzle. [full story]

NY DA: Lopez conduct "alarming" but not a crime

radio@ncpr.org (North Country Public Radio) — Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

(May 16, 2013) A New York prosecutor says he's found no crime after investigating sexual harassment allegations by female staff members of Assemblyman Vito Lopez, a Brooklyn Democrat.But Staten Island District Attorney Daniel Donovan said what he found was "alarming," and he admonished higher-level state officials who he said allowed Lopez's behavior through secret settlements and confidentiality.Meanwhile, the state Joint Commission on Public Ethics found Lopez's actions violated the public trust. [full story]

Top Stories from NCPR

Oneidas, NYS settle on sharing casino money

Protest of PCB landfills near Akwesasne planned

Most School Budgets Expected to Pass

NYS allows Gouverneur's EJ Noble Hospital to expand lab services

Big sounds from Jack Kelley's little band

Another big Adirondack real estate development?

Do you have what it takes to be a Saranac Lake 6er?

Job losses big concern if Ogdensburg psych center closes

Why low Lake Ontario levels mean high St. Lawrence levels

NY DA: Lopez conduct "alarming" but not a crime