Reporter Jessica Collier reports that the village of Tupper Lake will soon begin marking abandoned buildings with large, bright signs in order to follow a new state requirement.

Reporter Chris Morris reports that the North Country Regional Economic Development Council has decided that one economic priority for the North Country is helping the 13 small-town movie theaters in the region with the upcoming conversion from film to digital projection.

Reporter Brian Nearing reports that the LA Group recommends that the Lake George Park Commission impose a mandatory inspection system for boats being placed in Lake George.

Letter writer Peter M. Iwanowicz, former acting commissioner of the state DEC, writes that Upstate Republicans are siding with the wishes of out-of-state polluters rather than the health of their constituents.

Reporter Jessica Collier reports that Protect the Adirondacks has responded to the accusation that its lawsuit against the Adirondack Club and Resort is the reason that Big Tupper Ski Area won’t open this year.

Reporter Brian Nearing reports that Big Tupper Ski Area will not open this winter. The community volunteers that run the ski area are blaming a legal challenge against a development that was to be built next to the mountain.

Reporter Barry Wygel reports that because of pending litigation, the Big Tupper Ski Area will not open this winter for business.

A staff report notes that SUNY-ESF is harvesting a stand of white pine to study regeneration efforts and monitor the yield and quantity of the lumber to determine economic viability of investing in white pine. 

Reporter Gordon Black reports that the state will have heavily reduced reimbursements for trail maintenance because of lower snowfall levels last year, and some trail associations could be stuck with large bills this season.

Reporter Brian Mann reports that the volunteer operators of Big Tupper Ski Area aren’t going to open the mountain this year because of a lawsuit delaying construction of the Adirondack Club and Resort.

Reporter Jessica Collier reports that ARISE, the volunteer operator of Big Tupper Ski Area, announced that it cannot open the ski center this year. The group blames Protect the Adirondacks and the Sierra Club, who are suing the state over the Adirondack Club and Resort that was supposed to be built next to the ski mountain.

Reporter Brian Mann reports that the deal to purchase the former Finch lands by the state is still drawing fierce criticism by some government leaders. But others are embracing the deal.  

Adirondack Park Local Government Review Board Executive Director Fred Monroe talks with Talk1300’s Fred Dicker, state editor for the New York Post, regarding the 200 hunting and fishing cabins that will be destroyed and removed from the tax base of the affected towns in the state acquisition of the former Finch lands. Monroe joins the program about halfway through: http://www.talk1300.com/podcast/#Fred Dicker Live from the State Capitol

Reporter Chris Morris reports that the Village of Lake Placid’s Board of Trustees voted to ask the state to remove the railroad tracks between the village and Saranc Lake in favor of a recreational trail. 

Reporter Brian Hayden reports that Great Laker Development is bringing back a plan to build houses, duplexes and apartment buildings on 31 acres of riverfront land north of Route 131.

Reporter Chris Knight reports that the Saranac Lake board asked the state "to quickly review and update the railway corridor unit management plan for the corridor extending from Utica to Lake Placid."

Reporter Thomas Kaplan reports that Gov. Andrew Cuomo went to the Adirondacks with some of his Cabinet as a way to promote the region as a tourist destination and highlight the 69,000 acres the state is acquiring for preservation. 

Reporter Brian Nearing reports that Lake George has lost the battle to remove Asian clams, and now faces a long, costly battle to keep them in check.

Reporter Jimmy Vielkind reports that Gov. Andrew Cuomo, much of his Cabinet and reporters took a trip to the state’s newly acquired Boreas Pond to show off the glories of the Adirondacks.

Reporter Martha Ellen reports that a USDA-certified mobile poultry slaughterhouse is expected to arrive in St. Lawrence County by the end of October. A certified slaughterhouse for other livestock is to open in the spring in Lewis County.

Reporter Jacob Gershman reports that New York state government went dark for awhile on Sunday as Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the bulk of his cabinet ventured into Adirondack Park for a day of canoeing, hiking, picnicking and bonding while showing off the Boreas Ponds tract.

Reporter Caitlin Morris reports that if the EPA broadens its jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act, it would gain control over a lot more land than it has now — and that worries Saratoga County officials.

Reporter Kim Smith Dedam reports that the facilities at Whiteface Mountain need about $7 million in repairs — but have no funding in place to update the facilities. They are looking to Albany for funding and for a priority status for that funding.

Letter writer William Johnson asks when the state is going to stop catering to the green bullies? Many taxpayers would like options to access the Adirondacks other than by foot.

Reporter Martha Ellen reports that the St. Lawrence County Supervisors Association voted to support a public referendum where voters would choose between a 1 percent increase in the sales tax or an 18.5 percent increase in St. Lawrence County property taxes.

New York Post State Editor Fred Dicker says that DEC Commissioner Joe Martens’s decision to have the state Health Department review the health impacts of hydrofracking before the state makes a decision whether to allow it showed "a rare display of guts." He says that radical environmental groups have found a gold mine in opposing hydrofracking with donations pouring in to stop the state from allowing it.

Reporter Rick Karlin reports that for the second time this summer, environmental activists are seeking court help in getting access to documents they believe exist: between the state and the developers of the Adirondack Club and Resort, and between the state and the shale gas industry.

Reporter Brian Mann reports that Gov. Cuomo is leading reporters and staff on a trip to see Boreas Pond, which the state is purchasing from the Nature Conservancy and is adding to the forest preserve.

Reporter Casey Seiler reports that the state DEC has rejected a call for an outside review of possible health impacts of hydrofracking and instead has asked the state Health Department to conduct the review. “The review will also ensure the strongest possible legal position for the Department given the near certainty of litigation, whether the Department permits hydrofracking or not,” DEC Commissioner Joe Martens said.

Reporter Mireya Navarro reports that the state Health Department will review potential public health effects of hydrofracking, rejecting the idea of commissioning an outside study. DEC Commissioner Martens said it would be inappropriate to delegate such a review to a non-government entity.

Reporter Shaun Kittle reports that two men representing Belleayre ski center have been added to the ORDA board.

A staff report notes that NYSERDA has set aside $1.1 million in rebates for municipal governments that replace inefficient appliances and equipment with energy-efficient models.

Reporter Dan Heath reports that the US Air Force has turned over the last parcel of its former base in Plattsburgh to Clinton County.

Reporter Chris Morris reports that the North Country Regional Economic Development Council labeled rehabilitation of railroad infrastructure as a "key strategy" in its most recent planning document.

Reporter Rick Karlin reports that two environmental groups are suing New York to gain access to possible communications between the governor’s office and developers in the Adirondacks, similar to another lawsuit where an environmental group has gone to court seeking communications that may exist between the Cuomo Administration and segments of the natural gas industry regarding hydrofracking.

Reporter Chris Knight reports that the state DEC is asking for the public’s input on how to classify the former Finch timberlands. DEC Forest Preserve Coordinator Karen Richards said the state plans to provide some public recreational opportunities on the lands once they are purchased but before specific unit management plans are completed.

Reporter Don Lehman reports that passenger numbers on the Saratoga-North Creek Railway are up 54% over last year. 

Reporter Jamie Munks reports that the Lake George Village Board appointed a steering committee to determine if the village’s commercial district should be rezoned. The committee’s formation comes on the heels of a proposal to build an eight-story hotel on the northern end of Canada Street.

Reporter Todd Moe reports that an 1890s schoolhouse in Star Lake has been rehabilitated by a group of Clifton-Fine area residents for use as an exhibit center and tourist attraction. It’s one of six North Country sites that will receive 2012 Stewardship awards for preservation efforts by Adirondack Architectural Heritage.

Editor Phil Brown — who is being defended in a separate trespassing case by Protect attorney John Caffrey —  says that Protect the Adirondacks and the Sierra Club want to review e-mails between the APA and Governor Andrew Cuomo’s staff to determine if the governor’s office improperly influenced the APA’s approval of the Adirondack Club and Resort.

Reporter Brian Mann reports that the process is now under way to determine the kind of rules and guidelines that will shape public access to the state’s new land in the Adirondack Park.

Reporter Stephen Williams reports that consortium of Adirondack counties, towns and organizations working on a state-funded regional sustainability strategy has launched a website to get word of its activities out to the public — www.adirondack.org/green. 

Reporter Rick Karlin reports that the state is requiring agencies to plan for zero growth next year.

The Times Union editorial board writes that the railroad in the Adirondacks should be torn up and made into a recreational trail. "The trail is undoubtedly the smarter long-term choice from an economic development point of view."

Reporter Brian Mann reports that North Country’s Regional Economic Development Council backs keeping the tourist train that runs through the heart of the Adirondacks.

Writer Terry Anderson, president of Property and Environment Research Center in Bozeman, Mont., writes that wildfires are fueled by bans on thinning out trees — and are costing the federal government nearly $2.5 billion annually. **Please note that a paid subscription is required to view this article online.

Editor Phil Brown reports that New York State is expected to buy the Essex Chain of Lakes this year — more than 19,000 acres — and added to the forever-wild Forest Preserve.

A staff report notes that the Adirondack Mountain Club is urging hikers to clean their boots and clothes so as not to unknowingly spread invasive plants.

Reporter Amanda Purcel reports that a plan that couples low-cost power and industrial land is being put together by the St. Lawrence River Valley Redevelopment Agency to attract businesses to St. Lawrence County.

Writer Dave Gibson, of the Adirondack environmental group Adirondack Wild, writes that APA is perfectly within its legal authority to expect master plans in advance of issuing subdivision permits.

Reporter Jessica Collier reports that Tupper Lake (village and town) and Frankin County are applying for a state grant to expand the municipal sewer system to accommodate the Adirondack Club and Resort, getting rid of the proposed onsite treatment plant at the resort and eliminating some environmentalists concerns.

Reporter Chris Knight reports that a federal judge is allowing LeRoy Douglas’s case against the APA and Adirondack Council to go forward, finding that it was plausible for there to have been some conversations between the two "as to what actions to take against (Douglas)." 

Reporter Fred Herbst reports that the Lake George Park Commission is considering regulations that could include mandatory decontamination of boats prior to launching, designated hours at public launches and new fees in order to fight the spread of invasive species.

Writer Phil Brown evaluates the claim that the Adirondack Club and Resort’s permit has expired, noting that the APA has not actually issued permits for the project yet.

A staff report notes that a new cell tower and a recreation planning initiative are among the items on the APA’s agenda when it meets Thursday and Friday.

A staff report notes that a strong tourism season has led to an increase in Warren County’s sales tax receipts. 

Reporter Chris Churchill reports that residents of Ferry Road in Columbia County are in legal limbo: Their properties are across a railroad crossing deemed dangerous by the state and the three homeowners are being threatend with removal via eminent domain. 

A staff report notes that Protect the Adirondacks and the Sierra Club now say the original permits for the Adirondack Club and Resort have expired and the developers must apply again. 

Reporter Ted Booker reports that the Environmental Protection Agency would have the authority to protect from pollution almost any wet area on private land if a change to the Clean Water Act lambasted by government leaders and farmers is approved.

Reporter Jon Alexander reports that a business owner in Hudson Falls has come upon a simple method for preventing boats from carrying invasive species from one water body to the next.

Letter writer Thomas Hartnett Jr. writes that New York should overhaul local government and eliminate municipal governments. **Please note that a paid subscription is required to view this article online.

Reporter Christopher Robbins reports that the North Country Regional Economic Development Council is planning to keep the same strategy as last year in seeking competitive state funding.

Reporter Stephen Williams reports that a recent federal court ruling has revived concerns about the environmental damage acid rain and other pollutants can do to fragile mountain lakes and landscapes. **Please note that a paid subscription is required to view this article online.

Letter writer Carol LaGrasse writes that if local governments agree to land acquisition, it will be another nail in the coffin of the Adirondack people and culture.

Reporter Brian Nearing reports that the recent dry weather may mean an extra-colorful fall.

Reporter Thom Randall reports that a workshop next week titled “Enhancing Main Street: Making Upper Floors Work Again" will address questions about how to revitalize communities.

The Daily Gazette editorial board writes that the railroad tracks should be removed between Saranac Lake and Old Forge and the land should be used for a recreational trail. **Please note that a paid subscription is required to view this article online.

Reporter Chris Morris reports that state Assemblywoman Janet Duprey has received high marks from a pro-business group, but most of her political rivals in this fall’s election say the scores don’t reflect reality.

Reporter Justin Mason reports that residents in Edinburg are sure that the large animal they are seeing is a mountain lion, not a bobcat. **Please note that a paid subscription is required to view this article online.

Reporter Scott Donnelly reports that this summer will likely be one of the strongest tourism summers in years.

Reporter Brian Mann reports that the Adirondack Club and Resort project has sparked fierce letters to the editor, angry yard signs and friction between neighbors. Mann plans to begin talking with people on all sides of the debate about the future of Tupper Lake.

Reporter Hart Seely reports that the Adirondack Club and Resort is turning neighbor against neighbor as the legal battle is launched.

Reporter Jamie Munks reports that the Fund for Lake George’s Waterkeeper and some lakeside residents would like a local law requiring property owners to regularly have their septic systems inspected and certified to prevent them from leaking into the lake.

A press release notes that New York State Parks have enjoyed a 5.6% increase in visitors this year.

Reporter Mike Lynch reports that towns and residents learned a great deal about how to manage river cleanup work following Tropical Storm Irene. 

Reporter Lee Coleman reports that some experts are saying that the hot, dry summer may result in less color in some parts of upstate New York. **Please note that a paid subscription is required to view this article online.

Reporter Ted Booker reports that with summer-like weather forecast for the near future, tourism will increase and businesses that rely on it will see an uptick in cash flow.

Reporter Chris Morris reports that Gov. Andrew Cuomo will defer to the North Country Regional Economic Development Council regarding a decision on the best use of the Adirondack railroad corridor.

Reporter Chris Morris reports that Gov. Andrew Cuomo traveled to Keene to announce that the state will pay $640,000 toward the construction of a new firehouse to replace the one ripped in half during Tropical Storm Irene.

Reporter Dan Heath reports that neighbors of Plattsburgh’s Bombardier Transportation facility are worried about how company’s expansion plans will affect them.