Jefferson County, NY News
Jefferson County runs from Lake Ontario and the Thousand Islands to Fort Drum, with Watertown as its county seat. This page brings together ClickNNY's stories from every town in the county.
What’s happening in Jefferson County
The latest from ClickNNY as of :
- Watertown YMCA Turkey Day Run set for Thanksgiving morningWatertown ·
- Five North Country projects awarded nearly $3 million in forestry grantsFort Drum ·
- Watertown bulk waste pickup reportedly set to end Nov. 6Watertown ·
- Watertown weighs nuclear option alongside solar plan for former landfillWatertown ·
More Jefferson County news
- Sunny Thursday, then showers and storms tonightToday brings sunshine and highs near 70, with just a slight chance of rain showers after 5pm. Tonight, showers and thunderstorms are likely between 8pm and 11pm.Alexandria Bay · Weather ·
- St. Lawrence County lawmakers advance proposed pay raises in split voteThe St. Lawrence County Legislature’s Finance Committee advanced a resolution that would increase legislator and leadership pay, with a full board vote expected Nov. 2.Jefferson County · Government ·
- Zoo New York names Oswego County native as executive directorZoo New York in Watertown has named Gabriel Yerdon as its new executive director, with the job beginning Nov. 16, 2026.Watertown · Community ·
- Carthage High School stages ‘Radium Girls’ in two October performancesThe Carthage High School theatre program presented D.W. Gregory’s play “Radium Girls” on Oct. 23 and 24, 2026.Fort Drum · Community ·
- North Country high school football playoff games set for Oct. 29-30High school football playoff games involving North Country teams are scheduled across Sections 3 and 10 on Oct. 29-30, 2026.Watertown · Sports ·
- Red Cross helps adult after fire on Irish Settlement Road in OgdensburgThe American Red Cross is helping one adult after a Monday night fire on Irish Settlement Road in Ogdensburg, according to information published by WWTI/InformNNY.Watertown · Public Safety ·
- Vance visit reported for Ogdensburg as Blakeman plans Watertown eventVice President JD Vance is reported to be campaigning for Anthony Constantino in the North Country on Monday, Nov. 2, while Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman plans a Watertown event Sunday, Nov. 1.Fort Drum · Government ·
- Fort Drum named 2026 Best Garrison in Western HemisphereFort Drum was named the 2026 Best Garrison for U.S. Army Installation Management Command-Western Hemisphere, recognizing performance in mission support, quality of life and other areas.Fort Drum · Fort Drum ·
- Heuvelton blanks Colton-Pierrepont as Canton wins twice TuesdayHeuvelton rolled past Colton-Pierrepont 6-0 in boys soccer while Canton won in girls volleyball and swimming Tuesday.Watertown · Sports ·
- Watertown winter parking ban returns Nov. 1 on all city streetsWatertown’s seasonal parking restriction prohibits vehicles from being left on city streets between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. from Nov. 1 through April 30 to allow snowplow operations.Watertown · Local ·
- Jefferson County budget would raise property-tax levy by $4.2 millionJefferson County’s proposed 2027 budget would increase the property-tax levy by $4.2 million while lowering the full-value tax rate and reducing spending on roads, bridges and capital projects.Watertown · Government ·
- Lewis County Republicans host candidates ahead of Nov. 3 electionThe Lewis County Republican Committee hosted a dinner for candidates and honored Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush one week before the Nov. 3 midterm election.Fort Drum · Government ·
- Watertown schools expand hands-on technology classes with Micron supportNew York State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa visited Watertown as middle and high school students took part in hands-on technology classes supported in part by Micron.Watertown · Community ·
- Mild Wednesday, then sunny Thursday with afternoon rain chancesWednesday stays mostly sunny and mild with highs near 60. Thursday will be warmer and sunnier, but rain showers are possible after 4 or 5 PM.Alexandria Bay · Weather ·
- State education commissioner visits Watertown schools to hear local concernsNew York Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa visited Watertown High School on a Tuesday to discuss military-family education, an at-risk student program and workforce technology training with local education and Fort Drum officials.Fort Drum · Government ·
- Jefferson County budget raises SNAP costs, trims capital projectsJefferson County’s proposed $364 million budget would slightly lower the property tax rate while shifting nearly $2.5 million in additional SNAP costs to the county and reducing some capital and infrastructure work.Watertown · Government ·
- Clayton arts center reports 201 attendees at annual weaving conferenceThe Thousand Islands Arts Center in Clayton held its 31st annual Weaving History Conference online from Oct. 19 through Oct. 21, drawing 201 attendees and 19 presenters.Clayton · Community ·
- Ives Hill owner withdraws Watertown clubhouse rezoning requestIves Hill Country Club owner Jake Johnson has withdrawn a request to rezone the club’s 1.7-acre clubhouse and parking lot parcel in Watertown.Watertown · Government ·
- 42-unit supportive housing facility set to open in OgdensburgSTEP by STEP is preparing to open a 42-unit supportive housing facility for people experiencing homelessness at 1515 Knox Street in Ogdensburg before Thanksgiving 2026.Jefferson County · Community ·
- Copenhagen soccer teams set for Section III Class D semifinalsCopenhagen’s girls and boys soccer teams advanced to the Section III Class D semifinals, with games scheduled Tuesday and Wednesday.Sackets Harbor · Sports ·
- Watertown boys soccer reaches Section 3 Class AA finalWatertown defeated Nottingham 1-0 in overtime Monday night at Central Square High School to advance to the Section 3 Class AA boys soccer final.Watertown · Sports ·
- Halloween poisoning hazards in the North Country: what parents should knowThe Upstate New York Poison Center advises families to secure medicines, cannabis, alcohol, batteries and Halloween products, and to call its free 24/7 helpline at 1-800-222-1222 after a possible poisoning.Black River · Community ·
- Lisbon blanks Madrid-Waddington in Monday girls soccerLisbon shut out Madrid-Waddington 6-0 Monday, the largest margin among the listed North Country results.Watertown · Sports ·
- Sunny today, patchy fog at the morning bus stopTuesday brings sunny skies and highs near 47 to 50 across the North Country. Watch for patchy fog at 7 AM when children wait for the school bus.Alexandria Bay · Weather ·
- Jefferson County plans lead-safety outreach, toy testing Oct. 28Jefferson County Public Health Service plans lead-safety outreach during National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, including free toy and small-item testing Oct. 28.Watertown · Community ·
- Fort Drum brigade holds Holistic Health and Fitness DaySoldiers with the 2nd Mobile Brigade Combat Team took part in a Holistic Health and Fitness Day on Oct. 23 at Fort Drum, with sessions on training, recovery, nutrition and spiritual readiness.Fort Drum · Fort Drum ·
News by town in Jefferson County
More local information
Jefferson County news: common questions
- What is the county seat of Jefferson County, New York?
- Watertown is the county seat of Jefferson County.
- Where can I find Jefferson County court calendars?
- ClickNNY publishes Jefferson County court calendars and case information at clicknny.com/courts.
- Where are Jefferson County public notices and road closures?
- Road closures, hearings, health advisories and other official notices are at clicknny.com/notices.
- Which Jefferson County communities does ClickNNY cover?
- ClickNNY has a news page for each of these Jefferson County communities: Watertown, Fort Drum, Carthage, Sackets Harbor, Clayton, Alexandria Bay, LaFargeville, Lyme, Cape Vincent, Black River, Evans Mills, Antwerp, and more. Every story from any of them also appears on this page.
- How do I send ClickNNY a Jefferson County news tip?
- Send it through ClickNNY's tip form at clicknny.com/submit. Tips, photos and event listings go straight to the desk, and you can stay anonymous.