People who want to get pregnant after age 35 are warned that the quality of their eggs may have deteriorated, raising the risk of miscarriage. But for some, the decline can start up to a decade earlier, and they don’t realize it in time to consider other options. Read More ⇒Blood test could help identify people at higher risk of miscarriage

WATERTOWN — The latest postcard from the city water department arrived in mailboxes this week alerting residents of ongoing quality issues with drinking water. Read More ⇒Watertown water quality postcards delivered, again

CANTON — Town Supervisor Mary Ann Ashley and Mayor Michael E. Dalton have postponed tonight’s joint meeting of the village and town boards. Read More ⇒Canton joint village and town meeting postponed due to storm

MASSENA — The village of Massena has issued a parking ban between 8 p.m. Wednesday through 8 a.m. Thursday due to the amount of snow accumulation being forecasted by the National Weather Service. Read More ⇒Village of Massena issues 12-hour parking ban starting tonight

WATERTOWN — City schools will be dismissing early today due to a winter weather warning.  Read More ⇒Winter storm warning causes early school dismissal

For some COVID-19 patients, the initial illness isn’t nearly as bad as the persistent and sometimes disabling symptoms that linger for months or years afterward. These are the people with long COVID, a complex chronic illness that can afflict without regard for age, sex, vaccination status o… Read More ⇒Persistent symptoms can last for months even after mild COVID

CANTON — In line with the latest recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, St. Lawrence County Public Health is encouraging updated bivalent COVID-19 vaccinations for children younger than 5 years old. Read More ⇒St. Lawrence health department recommending updated COVID booster shots for kids under 5

Lewis County Sheriff Michael P. Carpinelli has issued a travel advisory for Lewis County roads due to freezing rain and icy road conditions. Read More ⇒Lewis County travel advisory

WEST CARTHAGE — State police in Lowville are looking for a man they describe as “missing,” having been last seen in West Carthage nearly two weeks ago. Read More ⇒Troopers seeking missing man last seen in West Carthage

Antibiotics treat bacterial infections, prevent the spread of disease and reduce serious complications of disease. But misusing antibiotics can lead to drug resistance and strains of superbugs. Read More ⇒Mayo Clinic: What are superbugs?

A new drug that appears to slow early Alzheimer’s disease is coming to the market. Read More ⇒What to know about new approved Alzheimer’s drug lecanemab

Syracuse — A state Supreme Court judge in Syracuse on Friday struck down a statewide mandate for medical staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Read More ⇒Syracuse judge strikes down N.Y. vaccine mandate for health workers, rules state overstepped its authority

In the first real-world test of vaccine boosters specially designed to protect against the omicron variant, Israeli researchers have found that people 65 and over who got an updated jab were 81% less likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 than those who did not. Read More ⇒First real-world data show omicron booster kept seniors out of hospitals

Medical experts say the new COVID-19 mutation dubbed “kraken” is the most contagious subvariant of the virus to emerge since the pandemic began — and it’s becoming the dominant strain in the United States. Read More ⇒‘Kraken’ COVID mutation is most contagious yet

OGDENSBURG — Officials have lifted the boil-water advisory that was issued for parts of the city of Ogdensburg. Read More ⇒Boil-water advisory lifted in Ogdensburg

LOWVILLE — Lewis County Sheriff Michael P. Carpinelli issued a travel advisory Friday for people driving in the county to be aware of icy road conditions. Read More ⇒Travel advisory issued for icy roads in Lewis County

CANTON — The St. Lawrence County Public Health Department is warning local residents about a new strain of coronavirus. Read More ⇒St. Lawrence County health officials warn of new coronavirus variant

WASHINGTON — The U.S. government again extended the COVID-19 public health emergency, maintaining measures that have expanded access to health care for millions of Americans since the outbreak began in 2020. Read More ⇒U.S. extends coronavirus public health emergency

OGDENSBURG — The city has issued a boil-water notice for the 500 to 800 blocks of Proctor Avenue, 200 block of William Street, 500 to 700 blocks of Lisbon Street, 200 block of Dearborne Street and Industrial Park due to a water main break. Read More ⇒Ogdensburg issues boil-water notice for parts of city; full restoration may take a few days

Gov. Kathy Hochul will deliver her 2023 State of the State address at 1 p.m. today at the state Capitol in Albany. Read More ⇒Gov. Kathy Hochul delivers State of the State, video here

A new COVID-19 variant that was first detected last year has quickly become the dominant strain in the U.S. — and picked up a creepy moniker along the way. Read More ⇒What we know about the ‘kraken’ COVID variant XBB.1.5 and why it’s causing concern

Some New York college students can receive free tuition, thanks to the New York State Excelsior Scholarship program, which fills the gap between tuition and federal and state financial aid. Read More ⇒How to apply for free college tuition in New York: Excelsior Scholarship open in January

STATEN ISLAND — Record amounts of fentanyl with the capacity to fatally poison every person in the United States were seized in 2022, according to authorities. Read More ⇒New York saw record seizures of fentanyl in 2022

Without opioid painkillers to dull the ache in his knees and other joints, Arnold Wilson wouldn’t be able to walk half a block. The 63-year-old former New York City nurse has crippling arthritis for which he takes OxyContin twice a day and oxycodone when he needs additional relief. Read More ⇒N.Y. doctors required to prescribe naloxone to some patients on opioid painkillers

WATERTOWN —This month marks the 25th anniversary of what the National Weather Service dubbed The Great Ice Storm of 1998. Read More ⇒Great Ice Storm of 1998 memories sought

WATERTOWN — Here one weekend, gone — well, not quite — the next. Read More ⇒North country weather will be quite different this weekend from last

BOSTON — A new “highly contagious” COVID variant is on the rise across the region, as the Boston-area virus wastewater levels continue to predict a jump in local cases. Read More ⇒‘Highly contagious’ COVID variant on rise in Boston area

LOWVILLE — Optimism about the return of maternity services at the Lewis County Health System’s hospital by spring has been paused after a potential new doctor backed away from the recruitment process. Read More ⇒Hope temporarily dashed for resuming maternity services by spring at Lewis County Health

WATERTOWN — The Watertown Police Department is warning residents of Medicare scam calls. Read More ⇒Watertown Police Department warning of Medicare scams

If the length of our lives is a good measure of our well-being, the U.S. is in some trouble. Read More ⇒Declining U.S. life expectancy fell further in 2021 due to COVID and drug overdoses

WATERTOWN — The snowstorm over the weekend forced many drivers to abandon their vehicles on the road. Read More ⇒Drivers forced to abandon vehicles during storm in Jefferson County should call sheriff’s office

The New York State Thruway has reopened after mixed information from officials Tuesday morning. Gov. Hochul’s office and the New York State Thruway Authority confirmed the Thruway has reopened in both directions on the Thruway from I-90 Exit 46 (Rochester/Corning) to the Pennsylvania border. Read More ⇒NYS Thruway reopens; Syracuse snow crews to help dig out Buffalo

WATERTOWN — The travel bans in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties have all been lifted, even as driving conditions in the north country remain treacherous due to the winter storm. Read More ⇒Travel bans lifted, but driving conditions still hazardous

WATERTOWN — The snowstorm that has buried the north country over the holiday weekend is seemingly going to continue in Jefferson and Lewis counties. Read More ⇒Snow and wind continuing after holiday weekend storm

WATERTOWN — There will be no print edition of the Watertown Daily Times on Tuesday due to the extension of the hazardous weather conditions through Tuesday. Read More ⇒Due to storm there will be no print edition of Tuesday Times

The travel ban for southwestern towns in St. Lawrence County has been lifted. A travel advisory remains in place. Read More ⇒Travel ban lifted in St. Lawrence County, but safety advisory remains

Fire departments in the hardest-hit areas of the winter storm Friday night have become warming centers, according Joseph D. Plummer, fire and emergency management director for Jefferson County. Read More ⇒Fire departments in hardest-hit storm areas offer warming centers

WATERTOWN — A second night of blinding snow and roaring wind has prompted travel bans and closed major roads in the north country. Read More ⇒Saturday storm updates: Travel banned in Jefferson, St. Lawrence counties

The Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, which declared a travel ban on Friday evening, downgraded the ban to an advisory Saturday morning. Read More ⇒Travel ban lifted in Lewis County

WATERTOWN — The temporary shelter on Main Avenue is still open, and officials say the facility will stay operational until at least after Christmas. Read More ⇒Watertown’s temporary emergency shelter to stay open through holiday weekend storm, Jefferson County prepares for blizzard conditions

WATERTOWN — Gov. Kathleen C. Hochul declared a state of emergency for all of the state in advance of a significant storm. Read More ⇒Gov. Hochul declares state of emergency; no-unnecessary travel advisory issued for Jefferson County

WATERTOWN — A No Unnecessary Travel Advisory has been issued from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office beginning at 1 p.m. Friday for the county. Read More ⇒No Unnecessary Travel Advisory issued for Jefferson County

WATERTOWN — An “incredibly powerful” winter storm system also described by meteorologists as a “once in a generation type of event” is forecast to move through the area over the Christmas holiday weekend. Read More ⇒Meteorologists: Christmas weekend storm system ‘once in a generation type of event’

POTSDAM — St. Lawrence Health is getting a $10 million grant to create a St. Lawrence Rural Transport Consortium led by Gouverneur Hospital. Read More ⇒St. Lawrence Health getting $10 million to start new transport service, train more EMTs

After giving almost unanimous support to U.S. booster shot guidance a year ago, health experts are now split over when people should get them and who will actually benefit. Read More ⇒Health experts are split on who should get COVID booster shots and when

SYRACUSE — As more people make travel plans to celebrate with family and friends this year, the American Red Cross asks donors to set aside a time to give blood or platelets for patients waiting for care over the holidays. Read More ⇒Give blood or platelets with Red Cross ahead of holiday weeks

A drill as tall as a house stands on the blustery shore of the Atlantic Ocean, digging a tunnel deep under an exclusive New York beach. Soon workers will pull a cable through the sand to carry electricity from what is poised to be the first big offshore wind farm completed in U.S. waters. Read More ⇒A giant drill near a Hamptons beach marks the arrival of offshore wind in the U.S.