A staff report notes that Whiteface Mountain officially opened its 87th trail for skiing and riding when the ribbon was cut on Tuesday for “Rand’s Last Stand.”
 

Writer Brian Mann writes that while questions still remain about how a rail trail would be funded and operated, ARTA has convinced many local government officials and businesses that their vision would mean big economic benefits for the Park. 

Reporter Michael Anich reports that the Fulton County Industrial Development Agency is trying to find out what happened to a $51,700 payment the IDA says it never received.
 

The Associated Press reports that Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is urging the Environmental Protection Agency and the Coast Guard to upgrade contingency plans for oil spills in New York and New Jersey.

Reporters Juliet Eilperin and Darryl Fears reports that the EPA is proposing to give itself regulatory authority over millions of acres of wetlands and 2 million miles of streams. The proposal would lead to stricter pollution controls on some of these areas and aims to resolve a long-running legal battle over how to apply the Clean Water Act to the nation’s intermittent and ephemeral streams and wetlands. 

A staff report notes that Matt Doheny, a Republican candidate for the 21st Congressional District, has named Lynn Krogh as his campaign manager and David Catalfamo as his communication director. 

Reporter Shaun Kittle reports that the Tupper Lake village board is going to wait a month before deciding on its involvement with a joint town and village contract with the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism.

Reporter Matthew Turner reports that Congressman Bill Owens visited the Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce to talk about the local economy Friday afternoon.
 

Reporter Denise Raymo reports that Franklin County plans to revise its 40-year-old ethics law and create an ethics board. 

Reporter Martha Ellen reports that after years of delays, St. Lawrence County is expected to take title within weeks to the 54-acre former Jones & Laughlin Steel Co. property in the Adirondack Park so it can be subdivided and the portion that is not heavily contaminated can be reused. 

The Associated Press reports that New York’s comptroller has added financial information from more than 500 state and local public authorities on a website launched in 2008 to make government information publicly available.
 

A press release notes that the Northeast Wolf Coalition has submitted a statement to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in opposition to its 2013 proposal to remove Endangered Species Act protections for the gray wolf in the contiguous United States.  

Reporter Pete DeMola reports that Joe Gilbert, GOP candidate for the congressional seat, is slated to face challengers Matt Doheny and Elise Stefanik for the Republican nomination on June 24. 

Writer Willie Janeway, Executive Director of the Adirondack Council, writes that it was disappointing to see that the Environmental Protection Fund was not fully restored when the state deficit returned to surplus.

Reporter Margalit Fox reports that David Sive, one of the founders of environmental law, died on March 12. He was 91

A staff report notes that the FEMA Property Acquisition and Buyout Program begins demolishing homes in Essex County today.

Writer Dave Gibson writes that the approval of the zipline project on French Mountain damages the integrity of the Adirondack Park Agency and the Act which created it.

Reporter Lohr McKinstry reports that it is getting harder to recruit assistant district attorneys and public defenders who live inside Essex County. 

Reporter Brian Mann reports that a lengthy review by North Country Public Radio, in partnership with Adirondack Explorer magazine, has found that some big questions remain about the Scenic Railroad’s ability to realize its ambitious vision.

Reporter Chris Knight reports that Clyde Rabideau has won another term as mayor of the village of Saranac Lake. 

Reporter Shaun Kittle reports that Robert Freeman, the executive director of the state Committee on Open Government will be hosting a free information session and will answer questions on the Open Meetings and Freedom of Information laws in the Community Room at the Goff-Nelson Memorial Library in Tupper Lake at 4 p.m. today. 

Reporter Chris Knight interviews Mike Carr, the executive director of the Nature Conservancy’s Adirondack Chapter, on the $48.6 million deal with the state to add 69,000 acres of former Finch timberlands to the state Forest Preserve. 

Reporter Matthew Turner reports that the Lake Placid village board voted on three significant infrastructure and maintenance projects at Tuesday night’s meeting, approving a new contract for sewage removal, a sewer line study on Main Street and upgrades to the water plant facility. 

The Associated Press reports that the Lake Champlain Transportation Company says fees for crossing between Vermont and New York are going up.
 

Reporter Anthony Hall reports that the Adirondack Pub and Brewery owner John Carr has announced that he is purchasing the four-acre lot on Route 9 owned by the Off-Track Betting Corporation for $1.25 million.  Carr’s immediate plans for the property include expanding Adirondack’s brewing and bottling operations and building the first whiskey distillery in Lake George.  

Reporter Brian Mann reports that state officials say they’ll decide soon what to do with the controversial rail corridor that stretches from Old Forge to Lake Placid. 

Reporter Shaun Kittle reports that the Tupper Lake town board has accepted an $80,000 bid from the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism to develop a destination and marketing plan for Tupper Lake.
 

The Associated Press reports that Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture to keep open 250 offices nationwide that help farmers. Ten of those offices are in New York state. 

Reporters Perry White and Brian Kelly report that James Waller has bowed out of the race for the 21st Congressional District seat and is throwing his support behind Watertown Republican Matthew Doheny. 

Reporter Denise Raymo reports that in an attempt to save money, Franklin County is considering aligning itself with St. Lawrence and Essex Counties to hire an attorney for the court of appeals who would cater to those with low incomes.

A staff report notes that Matt Funicello, the Green Party candidate for the 21st Congressional District seat, has opened up on his views and opines on the increase of aspiring candidates who have been coming from outside of the area in increasing numbers to run for Congressman Bill Owens seat.

Reporter Michael Anich reports that the Fulton County Board of Supervisors recently took action against two state government initiatives.
 

A staff report notes that the Upstate Conservative Coalition, a tea party group based in Saratoga Springs, is waiting to vote on an endorsement in the 21st Congressional District race until Matt Doheny makes a presentation to the group in early April. 

Reporter Thom Randall reports that Warren County leaders are preparing to establish a Board of Ethics that would monitor the conduct of its employees, with a focus of avoiding conflict of interest.
 

Reporter Chris Knight reports that a key state Adirondack Park Agency committee has approved a zip line project proposed by the father of "Karate Kid" actor Ralph Macchio.
 

A staff report notes that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee on Thursday announced that Aaron Woolf, a candidate in the 21st Congressional District, has qualified for the committee’s “emerging races” program, which provides assistance to candidates in competitive district. 

Reporter Brian Mann reports that Canadian Pacific refused to disclose its emergency response plan in the event of a major rail tanker disaster on its line in the Champlain Valley at a meeting this week in Elizabethtown. 

A staff report notes that beginning Friday, the main entrance and lobby at the sate Department of Environmental Conservation’s Region 5 headquarters is reopened for public use.
 

The Associated Press reports that the panel that will choose operators and locations for new casinos in New York is beginning its work.
 

Reporter Keith Lobdell reports that Elise Stefanik continues to make the rounds of the 21st Congressional District, with a recent stop at Bessboro Builders in Westport. 

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise editorial board writes that buying more state land is gratuitous and that the $5.7 million being spent to purchase 14 more tracts of former Finch timberland would do more good to the environment if spend on DEC staff and water-quality measures.

Reporter David Sommerstein reports that the endorsed Democratic candidate for Bill Owens’ seat in Congress finally broke his media silence Wednesday, speaking with several North Country media outlets.  

Reporter Shaun Kittle reports that a partnership between Franklin County and the village of Saranac Lake must be formed before the aging communication tower on Mount Pisgah can be replaced. 

Reporter Maury Thompson reports that Democratic congressional candidate Aaron Woolf has said he “will absolutely defend the Second Amendment” if elected to represent the 21st District.
 

The Associated Press reports that New York State has purchased an additional 8,451 acres of former Finch timberlands on 14 parcels in Fulton, Warren, Essex, and Hamilton counties. 

Reporter Lohr McKinstry reports that Canadian Pacific Railway has said that because of national security considerations, it can’t tell the public exactly what it would do at a rail disaster.
 

Reporter Pete DeMola reports that Democratic congressional candidate Aaron Woolf has finally gone public with his campaign. 

A staff report notes that Gov. Andrew Cuomo has announced the latest phase of New York State’s acquisition of 69,000 acres, part of 161,000 acres of former Finch Pruyn lands (and others) purchased by the Nature Conservancy in 2007. 

Reporter Denise Raymo reports that Franklin County is seeking a long-term lease with the Village of Saranac Lake for an upgraded but shorter communications tower on Mt. Pisgah.
 

Reporter Chris Knight reports that the state Adirondack Park Agency commissioners will consider approving a zip line proposed by the father of "Karate Kid" actor Ralph Macchio at its meeting this week.
 

Reporter Amanda Purcell reports that the St. Lawrence County Environmental Management Council as well as several other organizations are monitoring the spread of the invasive emerald ash borer very closely. 

Reporter Perry White reports that Stephen Burke, a former St. Lawrence County Democratic Committee chairman, has entered the race for his party’s nomination in the 21st Congressional District. 

Reporter Chris Knight reports that a major downtown construction project in Saranac Lake planned for this spring could get even bigger.

Reporter Thom Randall reports that the town and village of Lake George are taking collaborative steps towards converting to solar energy. 

A staff report notes that the Adirondack Park Agency is seeking public comment on two new general permits related to wetlands in the Adirondack Park that would expedite APA approval for qualifying activities. 

Reporter Pete DeMola reports that Congressman Bill Owens held a telephone town hall Wednesday, Feb. 26, with constituents of New York’s 21st Congressional District to discuss policy in Washington, his recent work in the district and issues reflecting both national and local concerns. 

Reporter Thom Randall reports that the town of Thurman’s justice court may be moving back into its former quarters in the historic Harris House just southeast of the town hall, if the town leaders vote to accept a grant that’s been awarded for that reason. 

Reporter Shaun Kittle reports that Tom Lawson, one of the leaders behind the Adirondack Club and Resort project, gave about 40 people an update on the status of the project, and the court battle it has been embroiled in, Wednesday afternoon at the Knights of Columbus hall. 

The Associated Press reports that the  Adirondack Association of Towns and Villages and regional tourism groups have launched a free app available on iTunes and for Android called “Discover the Adirondack Park.” 

Reporter David Sommerstein reports that the New York State Department of Transportation has fined the rail company CSX $10,000 for failing to report two derailments of trains carrying crude oil. 

Reporter Bill Toscano reports that members of the Warren County Republican Committee will not be bound by the group’s “loyalty clause” when it comes to deciding which candidate to support in the June 24 primary. 

Reporter David Sommerstein reports that Democrat Aaron Woolf has responded to criticism about his absence from the media spotlight and announces that an official campaign launch for the 21st Congressional District seat is coming soon. 

Reporter Lohr McKinstry reports that the Essex County Republican Committee has endorsed all incumbent Republicans running for re-election in the county. 

Writer Peter Bauer writes that he NYS Department of Environmental Conservation is proposing a new experiment trying to combine intensive public motorized recreational use and natural resource management.  

A staff report notes that Gov. Andrew Cuomo has announced that Empire State Development (ESD) has approved more than $9 million in New York State Broadband Grants to support five projects that will expand access to broadband services for approximately 33,000 households, 4,500 businesses and 55 community anchor institutions across Upstate New York. 

A staff report notes that the Watershed Stewardship Program at Paul Smith’s College has won a $500,000 federal grant to help protect lakes and rivers from invasive species. The grant, which was awarded from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, was announced last week.

Reporter Jacob Tierney reports that the Democratic candidate for the 21st Congressional District met with St. Lawrence County Democrats on Tuesday night, but Aaron Woolf gave voters no more information about who he is or how he plans to represent the north country if elected.
 

Reporter Denise Raymo reports that Franklin County is expected to sign off on a $17 million expansion project at the regional landfill in the towns of Westville and Constable on Thursday. 

Reporter Lohr McKinstry reports that voters in the Vermont towns of Cornwall and Shoreham have said they don’t want a natural-gas pipeline that would serve International Paper’s Ticonderoga mill to pass through their communities. 

Reporter Shaun Kittle reports that it appears that the Tupper Lake town board used a closed executive session to discuss whom to appoint as the board’s fifth member, a move that could be legally questionable. 

Reporter Dan Heath reports that the Town of Plattsburgh is hoping to have a consultant on board within the next 60 to 90 days to assist in building a master plan for the Saranac River Trail Greenway. 

Reporter Scott Waldman reports that under a proposed plan, New York could become the second state in the nation where it is legal to trap a bear.

A staff report notes that Paul Smith’s College will use a $500,000 federal grant to expand its boat inspection program and help further protect Adirondack lakes from invasive species.
 

A staff report notes that State Sen. Betty Little has been appointed to the Rules Committee and the Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business Committee in the Senate. 

The Associated Press reports that a new coalition of labor groups, farmers, landowners and businesses from New York counties along the Pennsylvania border is calling on state officials to lift the nearly 6-year-old moratorium on shale gas development. 

Reporter Matthew Turner reports that Gov. Andrew Cuomo will make a trip to Lake Placid Sunday to Kick off the Adirondack Winter Challenge, an event meant to highlight tourism and winter activities in the area. 

Reporter Don Lehman reports that work to repave the access road around Million Dollar Beach and its parking lot will go ahead on schedule, as the effort to remove artifacts from beneath the road and lot have drawn to a close. 

Reporter Chris Knight reports that the soon-to-be owner of Camp Gabriels reportedly wants to turn the now-shuttered minimum security prison into a private group camp and retreat center. 

Reporter Chris Knight reports that an attorney for the company that wants to redevelop Crescent Bay Marina says the properties on Lower Saranac Lake can’t be annexed into the village of Saranac Lake. 

The Associated Press reports that public meetings begin this week on proposals for high-speed passenger rail service in New York. 

Reporter Mary Esch reports that backers of the proposed rail trail which would run through the Adirondack Mountains are frustrated at the Cuomo administration’s slow pace making a decision on whether to open a review needed to move the plan forward, while rail supporters believe the state has already decided what to do. 

Reporter Suzanne Moore reports that a water tower in Rouses Point will remain standing for the foreseeable future as work to remove the structure would require access to property owned by Pfizer, which is being denied.

Reporter Ryan Delaney reports that Upstate New York’s new drone testing site is closer to pulling enough money together to begin operating. It’s been awarded a state grant to cover some of its startup costs. 

The Associated Press reports that the Lake George town planning and zoning director has sent a local businessman an order to cease fill operations on his property that are cascading into a ravine where casualties of the battle of the Bloody Morning Scout in 1755 were buried.

A staff report notes that the New York State DEC has announced that the 2013 New York hunting season had the lowest number of hunting related shooting incidents on record 

The Associated Press reports that state conservation officials are calling for New Yorkers to clean their bird feeders, noting that about this time last year they confirmed bacterial infections in common redpolls that frequented feeders across 13 counties. 

Reporter Karen DeWitt reports that while Gov. Andrew Cuomo is starting a new push for his property tax freeze plan, counties in the state say they have a better idea that could result in lower property taxes in New York for even longer. 

The Associated Press reports that Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand has written Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to request that he expand the department’s efforts to revive bee populations in New York and the Northeast. 

A staff report notes that the Proposed Final Drafts of the Hurricane Mountain and St. Regis Mountain Fire Tower Historic Area Unit Management Plans have been presented by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to the Adirondack Park Agency Board

Reporter Jamie Munks reports that Lake George village officials are considering a local law that would tone down signs in the village.