Kenneth 'KT' Jones, 55, passed away on October 2, 2025, in Carthage, NY. He was a dedicated public servant and avid collector of Star Trek, NASCAR memorabilia, and trading cards. Survived by his mother and sisters, he was remembered for his organizational skills and love of community activities. Memorial donations can be made to the Cape Vincent Volunteer Fire Department.
Several educators in North Country schools are on administrative leave following controversial social media posts criticizing Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist who was recently killed, sparking community concern and district investigations.
A stray cat in the North Country has tested positive for rabies, prompting officials to issue a warning about potential spread of the disease to other animals in Jefferson County. Residents are advised to avoid touching unknown animals and ensure their pets are up to date on rabies shots. A free rabies vaccine clinic is scheduled for March 21 in Watertown.
Lake effect snow is expected across the North Country today, with snow squalls possible in Central New York tonight. A Lake Effect Snow Warning is in effect for Jefferson County until 1am Monday, and a Winter Weather Advisory is in place for Oswego and Lewis counties. The snow is moving due to a passing weather system, with a cold front expected to push it south through CNY this evening. Snow squalls may cause near whiteout conditions and rapidly deteriorating road conditions. Accumulations are forecasted to be highest in Jefferson County, with lesser amounts in surrounding areas.
Parts of the North Country, north of Syracuse, have been hit with a significant lake effect snowstorm, with Copenhagen in Lewis County receiving 40 inches of snow and Black River in Jefferson County getting 35.8 inches. Syracuse, in comparison, has only seen 23.7 inches for the entire season. The latest snowstorm has impacted various counties in New York, with significant snowfall reported in areas such as Erie County, Jefferson County, and Wyoming County.
National Grid expects to have power restored for all north country customers by 11:30 p.m. following a wind storm that downed power lines. As of 6 p.m. Thursday, about 5,000 customers were still without power, with significant improvements from earlier in the day. Crews have been facing challenges due to impassable roads and difficult weather conditions, but restoration estimates are being updated on the company's Outage Central site.
Heavy rain in New Hampshire caused flooding, road closures, and power outages in the White Mountains and North Country regions. The combination of warm temperatures, rain, and winds melted the snowpack in the mountains, leading to rivers rising quickly and flooding roads. River levels continued to rise as rain fell, and some residents were asked to evacuate. The state's emergency operations center has been partially activated to support affected communities. Approximately 14,000 people were without power, and numerous cancellations and delays were reported in the White Mountains region.
The Jefferson County Historical Society hosted a tour of Brookside Cemetery in the Town of Watertown, New York, attracting hundreds of visitors interested in exploring the area's rich history. The tour showcased the final resting places of prominent figures, including landowners and leaders, with familiar names that have contributed to the region's economy. Highlights included the Colonel George Flower Chapel, adorned with Tiffany stained glass windows, and the mausoleum of Henry Keep, a local legend who went from poverty to wealth. The Jefferson County Historical Society has more events planned, including a Halloween Happy Hour and a Halloween Costume Ball.
Carthage Area Hospital and Claxton Hepburn Medical Center in the north country have been targeted in a cyber attack, prompting the hospitals to put their emergency rooms on diversion as a precaution. Officials believe the incident is contained and there has been no breach of patient information. The hospitals have notified the FBI, the New York State Department of Health, and the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. The cyber attack is believed to be the work of a highly sophisticated group, and the hospitals are taking steps to protect privacy and security while maintaining healthcare services.
