Two political newcomers, Republican Barbara Jass and Democrat Gary Koutnik, are running to represent District 11 on the Otsego County Board of Representatives.

The winner will succeed Rep. Marti Stayton, D-Oneonta, who is not seeking re-election.

Jass, 43, who lives at 401 Main St., is an associate broker with Prudential Fox Properties.

"I work full time, but I have enough time to get involved and try to make a difference at the county level," she said. "If you want to make changes, you've got to get into the ring." Read more »

What are some factors that need to be considered when selling my minerals? Read more »

Macomb farmer Michael J. Vandenberg has asked St. Lawrence County for what he thinks he needs to keep his farm sustainable for the long term.

"I want to repurchase mineral rights that are owned by the county," Mr. Vandenberg told legislators Monday April 25, 2011. "The only reason I want the mineral rights back is to protect what's on the surface."

Mr. Vandenberg said he has artesian wells and valuable trees that he would not want disturbed if exploration of the mineral rights under his 99 acres was ever done. Read more »

For the first time in more than 25 years, drilling is being conducted in southeast Nebraska to determine how much of a valuable and rare heat-resistant element lies hidden underground.

The drilling that began Thursday night is part of a Canadian mining company's exploration of the site. Quantum Rare Earth Developments is trying to determine whether to build a mine to retrieve niobium and possibly other rare elements from more than 500 feet underground. Read more »