Canton, NY, Mar 08, 2013 — Bluesman Rick Bates (aka Tas Cru) and singer/songwriter Mary Ann Casale are hosting a series of concerts this spring that will benefit St. Lawrence County food pantries. The "RE-stock" series kicks off tonight with a house concert at Robin McCellan's home in Sandfordville.

Mary Ann and Rick joined us in the studio this morning, during The Eight O'clock Hour, to share their unique blend of folk/blues Americana born out of their shared experiences as young musicians when they met in Potsdam nearly 30 years ago.  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, Feb 26, 2013 — Many 16-year-olds might dream about starting their own business. But it takes a special kind of teenager to turn an operation launched in his parents' basement into a six-figure profit earner in just four years. After succeeding wildly with his web development and design company, North Shore Solutions, Clarkson University junior Matthew Turcotte, now age 20, is embarking on his second venture: commercial real estate.  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Feb 15, 2013 — SUNY Canton's interim president Carli Schiffner is resigning her post after six months on the job. In a press release, SUNY Central in Albany says she is taking another position in Washington state, where her parents live.  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, Feb 07, 2013 — While in Potsdam Tuesday, Governor Cuomo threw cold water on the decades old idea of a new Interstate between Watertown and Plattsburgh. But he left open a sliver of hope for supporters of the so-called "rooftop highway."  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, Feb 06, 2013 — Governor Cuomo broke little new ground during a stop in Potsdam yesterday. In a speech at Clarkson University, he revisited the themes of his State of the State message from last month, often word for word.

But what mattered most to local leaders is that he was there.  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, Feb 06, 2013 — Artwork by more than 30 North Country artists is featured in a new exhibit at the St. Lawrence County Arts Council in Potsdam. New Work for a New Year features art produced over the last 12 months.

Todd Moe spoke with Arts Council executive director Rebekah Wilkins-Pepiton about the show, which will be on display in the gallery through mid-March.  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, Feb 05, 2013 — Recently on NPR's Morning Edition, we've heard stories about health-conscious office workers standing at work, at special elevated work stations. In America, we tend to spend more than half of our waking hours sitting down. On an average day this will probably consist of driving, working at a desk, and then relaxing in front of the TV.

A Potsdam organization - St. Lawrence Health Initiative - has been using standing desks for all 13 employees for more than a year. Executive Director Ruth Fishbeck says she'd also like to experiment with treadmill desks. Todd Moe stopped by recently to talk with Fishbeck about the health benefits of standing at work - weight loss, more energy and better concentration. And, she says, it doesn't mean standing all day.  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, Feb 01, 2013 — Continuing our occasional series on the North Country's entrepreneurs is this portrait of one man who's become a poster child for small entrepreneurship

Potsdam's Tim Damon built a custom fly rod business into an online storefront success story. Then-Senator Hillary Clinton held him up as a model. The first President Bush bought a Damon rod and invited him to Maine to fish with him.

Now Damon's turning his knack for success to a new business - high end, custom drums for the drummer seeking a perfect sound.  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Feb 01, 2013 — Caramelo Trio joined us live in the studio this morning to share some all original Latin contemporary music. The goup based in Potsdam, NY includes cellist Beth Robinson, guitarist Oscar Sarmiento, and percussionist Stephen Farina.

Set list: Secret Weapon, November Lament, Procrastination Tango, and Gazambo.  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, Jan 31, 2013 — Last summer, months before the horrible shootings in Newtown, Conn. that took place in December, 2012, Miles Manchester of Potsdam, NY, was browsing the gun listings in the local classifieds. And he saw this ad. "AK-47. Two 30 round clips. 800 rounds of ammunition. And a phone number," recalls Manchester. "And I thought, can I do this?"

Manchester bought a semi-automatic assault rifle second hand, with no background check required.

Today, under New York's new gun laws, buying that weapon is illegal. But it was perfectly legal then.

Manchester bought it, not for hunting or shooting practice, but to persuade people that it shouldn't be legal.  Go to full article