Plattsburgh, NY, Mar 18, 2013 — Tiny seedlings can fall prey to a number of soil-borne diseases that can linger in a gardener's trays and pots from one year to the next.

Cooperative Extension's Amy Ivy spent some time this past weekend sanitizing in advance of starting seeds inside. She tells Martha Foley why, and how.  Go to full article

Hogansburg, NY, Mar 07, 2013 — Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez is stirring up as much controversy after his death as he did during his life.

Chavez was a strident opponent of the United States. But he also helped many poor people, even in the U.S.

Republicans slammed New York Democrat Jose Serrano yesterday for praising Chavez on this point. Under Chavez, Venezuela's national oil company, CITGO, donated 200 million gallons of home heating oil to low income Americans, including to Mohawks in Akwesasne.

David Sommerstein reported on the program in 2006. He checks back in for our Story 2.0 series, where we revisit stories from the NCPR archive.  Go to full article

Hogansburg, NY, Mar 06, 2013 — A memorial service was held yesterday for a Mohawk woman who lived to be 100 years old. The family of Beatrice Jacobs says she's lived a healthy life at a nursing home in Snye for the last ten years.

According to her obituary, Jacobs worked in the cafeteria at St. Regis Mohawk School, and later with the Warner Brothers Corset Factory in Massena. She won a "Woman of the Year" award from the local Professional Women's Club and helped found an advocacy group for senior citizens of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe.

David Sommerstein met Jacobs in 2000, when she agreed to tell him some stories about what life used to be like in Akwesasne. One was a wintertime story about crossing the frozen St. Lawrence River to Ontario, for work, trade, and dancing.  Go to full article

Colton, NY, Mar 04, 2013 — Reporter Joanna Richards is a city girl. But since she moved to the North Country four years ago, she's been boning up on the traditions and culture of rural life. She had a chance recently for a bit of North Country skill building, in a workshop on wood splitting especially for women.  Go to full article

Mar 04, 2013 — Many gardeners enjoy sharing perennials during the growing season. Horticulturist Amy Ivy brings that idea indoors with tips for propagating houseplants from stem cuttings this season. Amy told Todd Moe that this month is a great time to prune and shape-up houseplants.  Go to full article

Malone, NY, Feb 27, 2013 — Lower Park Street in Malone has been reopened to traffic again. It's been closed numerous times this winter, because flooding has left the road impassable. It's also destroyed a handful of houses. Town leaders have been looking at getting the river dredged, to prevent future floods. But federal officials say it might make sense just to buy out the homeowners.  Go to full article

Plattsburgh, NY, Feb 25, 2013 — Pruning apple trees can bring trepidation to gardeners, but pruning improves the tree's vigor and fruit production. If you have an apple tree in your backyard, now is the time to start thinking about pulling out the pruners. Todd Moe talks with horticulturist Amy Ivy, who says now is a great time to start planning for pruning in March and April. She has some tips for best way to prune apple trees - and why you should take the time to prune.  Go to full article

Saranac Lake, NY, Feb 21, 2013 — A 30-year state Department of Transportation employee said he was forced to retire for speaking to a newspaper reporter without approval from his agency's communications office.

Mike Fayette, DOT's top official in Essex County, said he was threatened with termination for talking to The Adirondack Daily Enterprise for a story in which he praised the DOT's response to Tropical Storm Irene. A version of the same story, also from reporter Chris Knight, ran on NCPR.

DOT officials are refusing to comment on Fayette's case. Some observers say it's just another sign of how Gov. Andrew Cuomo's administration has worked to limit and control public information. Chris Knight is still following the story.  Go to full article

Malone, NY, Feb 20, 2013 — Leaders with town of Malone hope to meet with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the next week, to talk about the flooding along Lower Park Street. The on-again, off-again cold weather this winter has meant a series of emergency declarations in Malone.

When the mercury has dipped below zero, the Salmon River jams with ice. That means the water jumps its banks, flooding homes. Public officials are figuring out why the river jams have gotten so bad, and what to do next.  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Feb 19, 2013 — If you're one of the many cross-country skiers who enjoys the perfectly groomed trails on St. Lawrence University's golf course in Canton, here's the guy you want to thank.

Pete Ames is the chief engineer at the Best Western hotel. He volunteers every winter to lay 13 miles of trail with a snowmobile. David Sommerstein came across him while on a ski recently and has this Heard Up North.  Go to full article