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May 17, 2012 MASSENA – The first reports on the St. Lawrence Seaway’s 2012 shipping season indicates the inland waterway is off to a good start. In a press release yesterday, Seaway officials say shipments through Massena locks and along the St. Lawrence River are up 2¼ percent over a year ago. They pointed to an increase in shipments in iron ore, stone and cement for the steel and construction industries. Iron ore shipments were up eight percent. Coal, the Seaway’s second-largest commodity over the past decade, is up 40 percent. Aluminum shipments were also up. However, grain shipments are down nine percent this year. CANTON – The testimony and closing arguments have been heard and the jury has been handed its job of deliberating the fate of Canton businessman Richard Thornton who is accused of sexually abusing three young girls for as long as eight years. The 37-year-old awaits the decision of the five-man, seven woman jury in St. Lawrence County Court in Canton. They were given the case late yesterday afternoon. The defense argued that the victims’ statements were "inconsistent and extremely vague." The prosecution challenged Thornton’s credibility and integrity in the case. WATERTOWN, N.Y. (AP) — Authorities say the death of a Watertown woman who fell from a moving vehicle three weeks ago was ruled an accident. Watertown City Police say there was no indication either that 24-year-old Angela Perdue intended to kill herself, but she did get out voluntarily. Purdue suffered a fatal head injury when she hit the pavement on the evening of April 29th. Police didn't release any other details. The driver is facing an unlicensed operation charge. WATERTOWN, N.Y. (AP) — A 48-year-old Watertown man arrested after a police chase and wreck that killed a woman has pleaded guilty to attempted murder. Francis Morgia II agreed yesterday to accept a plea bargain that's expected to send him to prison for 18 years. Morgia was originally charged with manslaughter and later murder for the crash that killed 75-year-old Shirley Hammond of Brownsville. Police said the chase began after Morgia snatched a purse from an 84-year-old woman in a Watertown department store and ended when he collided with a vehicle carrying Hammond in the town of Pamelia. Morgia is scheduled to be sentenced June 15th on attempted murder and 10 other charges, including robbery and driving under the influence of drugs. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A North Country prison inmate who was 13 when he killed another child in western New York in 1993 has again been denied parole. The state Division of Parole said yesterday that board members who interviewed 32-year-old Eric Smith decided against freeing him because of community opposition and concern he still represents a threat. They did note his progress in prison and clean disciplinary record at the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora where he is incarcerated. Smith lured 4-year-old Derrick Robie into woods and hit him with a rock in August 1993. Smith was convicted of second-degree murder in 1994 and is serving from nine years to life in prison. He's eligible for parole again in 2014. FOWLER – Roads or jobs? The Fowler town council in southern St. Lawrence County has chosen roads, reportedly laying off three town highway workers, or one-third of the department staff, so they can afford road repairs. Fowler has 56 miles of town road. Last year, the town was able to pave only one mile due to financial problems. The job cuts will save an estimated $66,000 this year. Town officials say they will review the highway department’s financials later this year, with the possibility of restoring the positions later. UNDATED (AP) — Voters in New York state appear to have approved virtually every school budget put before them that didn't raise taxes beyond new limits set by the state. Budgets that would have overridden the tax cap to preserve staff and programs didn't fare as well. Unofficial results gathered by the state School Boards Association show that in those 48 districts, only 60 percent of the budgets passed in voting Tuesday. Potsdam was one of those budgets that needed a super majority, but it passed with 70-percent of the vote. The Plattsburgh City School budget was defeated. This was the first round of budgets put to voters since the state last year adopted a property tax cap that prevented districts from increasing the tax levy by little more than two percent. Budgets that failed can be put for a second vote June 19th. Districts that fail again would have to adopt a no-increase or austerity budget. ALBANY – North Country State Senator Patty Ritchie says, “voters cast a resounding YES for lower taxes this week, approving every one of the school budgets across her senate district in St. Lawrence, Jefferson and Oswego counties -- and most by very wide margins. Ritchie says, “Holding the line on property taxes is just one way (she is) working to reduce the tax burden on hardworking New Yorkers.” She says, “Making tax relief a priority is helping to turn New York around” and we need to continue it. NICHOLVILLE – A Nicholville man was arrested on several charges yesterday, following an alleged police chase over several miles last Friday with an infant daughter in his auto. St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s deputies say there was an active stay-way order of protection that prohibited 32-year-old Kenneth Snyder from contact with the daughter. When police initially observed him traveling allegedly at 64 m.p.h. in a 40 mile-an-hour zone, they had to give chase for several miles before Snyder finally pulled over. He was charged with speeding, failure to comply, criminal contempt and endangering the welfare of a child. He was arraigned and released in his own recognizance, pending a later court date. DEKALB – A 20-year-old DeKalb man was arrested yesterday in connection with a domestic incident. St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s deputies say James Fifield allegedly engaged in a physical confrontation with a 15-year-old family member. Fifield was charged with second-degree harassment and endangering the welfare of a child. He was released for a later court date. An order of protection was issued for the victim. POTSDAM – Yesterday’s storm warnings for severe lightning, high winds and hail did not prove to be the case, but Potsdam was the one community that did suffer some damage. Power lines came down on Castle Drive shortly after storm clouds rolled in around 2:30 p.m., followed by multiple reports of power outages in the village, including traffic lights, and parts of the town of Potsdam. POTSDAM – A bizarre note in the Potsdam police blotter yesterday says, “Complainant reports that while he was shopping, a person placed a dog in his vehicle in the Price Chopper parking lot and took off in another vehicle.” No other details were yet provided. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The New York Senate has approved legislation proposed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo to create a new state agency meant to better protect about a million New Yorkers with disabilities under state-funded care. The bill, passed unanimously yesterday, would establish a special prosecutor and inspector general with more than 400 staff, to oversee six state agencies and their contractors. It would also create a single point for reporting and screening abuse allegations from residential and day programs. And it would have a hotline, statewide incident database and a list of employees banned from working with the disabled because of abuse. The Assembly has been reviewing the bill, which Cuomo says he wants enacted in the remaining weeks of this legislative session. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York State Police are holding their annual memorial and awards ceremony, with the agency's top award for bravery going to a trooper who shot and wounded an armed man during a confrontation on an upstate road. The 36th annual memorial ceremony is being held this morning at the State Police Academy in Albany, followed by the awards ceremony. State Police Superintendent Joseph D'Amico will present awards to about three dozen troopers, investigators and civilian employees of the state police force. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The Cuomo administration has proposed regulations to limit spending by state contractors, including a $199,000 executive salary cap that can only be exceeded using money not from the state. The proposals by 13 agencies cover contractors — many providing social services — that receive more than $500,000 in state support annually representing at least 30 percent of their total. A contractor could pay executives more than $199,000 from other funds as long as salaries are below the top 25 percent in the field. The proposals would require at least 75 percent of state-funded operating expenses to go to services rather than administrative costs. That would rise to 85 percent in 2015. Capital expenses are excluded. The planned regulations released yesterday are subject to 45 days of public comment before taking effect. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Special New York license plates
bearing the Multiple Sclerosis Society logo are funding
research into the often-disabling disease. Doctors and other
experts will talk today about some of the research into
pediatric MS that's being made possible by $10,000 from the
plates. They come with a $25 annual service charge. State
lawmakers earlier this week announced release of the funds.
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease that attacks the
central nervous system. Symptoms can range from numbness in
the limbs to paralysis and loss of vision. UNDATED – Voters have given the first tax-cap budgets resounding approval around the North Country. All of the budgets in St. Lawrence and Franklin counties passed – most by wide margins – as did all of the propositions on every ballot . Even the Potsdam budget with a 2.9 percent increase that required a 60-percent or super majority passed 702-301. But voters in Massena have turned out two incumbent school board members. And at Norwood-Norfolk, it is still uncertain who would be filling a third seat on the school board, when just two people ran. MASSENA – Voters in Massena approved their $46 million budget 1,072 to 533. Patrick Serguson and Loren Fountaine were elected to the board, with incumbents Greg Fregoe and Cristen Halliday defeated. The change comes after months of controversy over alleged harassment of the assistant superintendent of finance and claims of intimidation among staff. UNDATED – Here are the results of budget votes around St.
Lawrence County and the winners of school board seats: In Franklin County: BRASHER – A Brasher woman was pulled from her burning car and garage early yesterday, but not before sustaining burns to the head, arms and hands. Fire officials say Martha Grow was attempting to back her auto from the burning garage around 8:15 a.m., when she became disoriented in the smoke and heat. County Deputy Fire Coordinator and Helena Fire Chief Frank Burns pulled her from the fire. While Burns also sustained minor burns to his hands, authorities say that just after Grow was removed from the burning car, the windshield blew out from the intense heat. Fire investigators are now trying to determine what caused the blaze. HEUVELTON – A 24-year-old Heuvelton woman was airlifted to a Syracuse hospital last night after a serious two-vehicle collision on State Route 37 around 4:30 p.m. in the town of Lisbon. State police say 24-year-old Kendra Young was driving along Route 37, when her car was rear-ended by a second auto operated by 34-year-old Jill Doyle of Ogdensburg. Doyle was ticketed for following too closely. Young was transported to University Hospital in Syracuse where she is listed in stable condition. HARRISVILLE -- A Harrisville man is dead, following a one-car rollover early yesterday morning, just a short distance from his home. State police say 49-year-old Richard Blundon’s vehicle crashed around 2:00 a.m. They needed extrication tools to remove him from the vehicle. Blundon was transported to Carthage Area Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Troopers are investigating to determine the cause of the crash. POTSDAM – Potsdam police are urging local residents to lock their homes, cars, garages and storage buildings, following a rash of burglaries at homes, apartments, dormitories and vehicles over the past two weeks. The Potsdam police blotter has noted nearly a dozen break-ins in the past half month, with most of them on the Clarkson campus, and others residential areas along Bay, Cedar and Leroy streets. Thieves have stolen cash, electronics, prescription drugs and other items. Anyone who also been a victim or who might have information regarding the case is asked to call Potsdam Police at 265-2121. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York's Assembly has approved its version of a bill to raise the state's minimum wage, but the Senate's Republican majority promised it won't reach the floor for a vote in their chamber. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver appealed yesterday for public pressure to force a vote that would increase the pay of law-wage workers, one of his top priorities but one that has defied a political resolution. Soon after, the Senate's Republican majority dug in deeper against the hike. Each side claimed the high ground over whether to raise the wage to $8.50 an hour from $7.25, a change that would affect more than 1 million New Yorkers. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York's legislative leaders have agreed to move the Sept. 11 political primary in remembrance of the deaths and rescues in the 2001 terrorist attacks. Democratic Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Republican Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos say an agreement was struck to move the primary to Sept. 13. Skelos says it's tempting to hold the primary as scheduled in defiance of terrorism but he's honoring a request by New York City firefighters and police officers. The Senate passed the measure Tuesday. The Assembly is expected to follow suit within days. The 2001 attacks came on a primary day, which was suspended. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York state is threatening to replace the New York Racing Association, which has held the franchise to run thoroughbred racing in the state since 1955. The state Racing and Wagering Board says yesterday that NYRA continues to act inappropriately and isn't serving the best interests of racing or taxpayers. The regulator is angry that NYRA appointed a new president and secretary on Monday. They replace two top officers NYRA fired after the state began probing $8.5 million in winnings that wasn't paid to bettors. Former CEO Charlie Hayward blamed the incident on an error in "takeouts" from winnings. The state board says it needs to review the new appointments to ensure there are no conflicts of interest as the investigation continues. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York state Democratic Party chairman Jay Jacobs is expected to resign next week, clearing the way for Gov. Andrew Cuomo to choose a new state party chief. In New York, governors commonly run their state party. Jacobs was appointed by former Gov. David Paterson in 2009. Jacobs' current term ends in September, during the legislative and presidential elections. There was no immediate comment from Cuomo or the party. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Three former whistleblowers who
worked in state-funded institutions caring for the disabled
say Gov. Andrew Cuomo's legislative proposal to create a new
oversight agency is unlikely to halt decades of abuses and
cover-ups embedded in the culture. They say Cuomo should get
rid an entire layer of administrators in the system. The
whistleblowers, who say they lost or quit jobs after
reporting staff abuses, say Tuesday that informing
higher-ups often meant complaints went nowhere and they
themselves were investigated or transferred. They cite
abuses like a developmentally disabled client often hit with
a stick, another whose fingernails were cut so short all his
fingers bled, staff sleeping on the job and others making
false medication reports. Administration officials say they
have already imposed changes and the bill will do more.
UNDATED – Voters at schools across St. Lawrence and Franklin counties and virtually every school district in the state, will go to the polls today to cast ballots on school budgets, propositions and school board candidates. Some will also have public library propositions on the ballot. This is the first budget prepared under Governor Andrew Cuomo’s property tax cap. Only one school district in the North Country exceeded that cap. So voters in the Potsdam Central School District will have to give a super- majority or 60-percent voter approval today to pass. In the school’s budget newsletter received in recent days, school officials explained they needed to go higher, because of a loss of a million dollars in aid. UNDATED – Most local schools begin voting today at noon or 1:00 p.m. Only Potsdam begins early at 6:00 a.m. and Norwood-Norfolk at 7:30 a.m. Massena Central polls are open from noon for balloting on a $46 million spending plan that falls at the two-percent tax cap. Five people are running for two seats on the school board: incumbents Greg Fregoe and Cristen Halladay, along with Patrick Ferguson, Loren Fountaine and Eva Waters. Norwood-Norfolk Central voters see a $19.5 million budget plan with a quarter of one percent tax increase. There is a bus bond proposition, but only two candidates for three school board seats. St. Lawrence Central voters cast ballots on a $18.5 million budget with a 3¼ percent tax increase, along with the purchasing four buses. Madrid-Waddington’s budget is $13.9 million with a 2.9 percent tax boost, along with purchase of two buses and a van. Parishville-Hopkinton has put up a $10 million budget with a 2.9 percent increase. STOCKHOLM – A Norfolk man was arrested yesterday for allegedly shooting a buddy in the leg, just because the friend wanted to know what it felt like. State police say 25-year-old Shawn Mossow finally gave in to a 24-year-old male, also from Norfolk, who had repeated asked to wound him in the leg, just for the experience. Mossow allegedly fired at the man’s leg with a single shot from a .22-caliber rifle. Troopers say the incident happened late Sunday afternoon at a location off the Southville-West Stockholm Road. The victim, whose name was not released, was transported to Canton-Potsdam Hospital, then later to Fletcher Allen Medical Center in Burlington, Vermont for treatment of what was listed as a non-life threatening gunshot wound. Mossow was arraigned in Stockholm Town Court and ordered held in St. Lawrence County jail on $10,000 bail or $20,000 bond. BLACK LAKE – North Country State Senator Patty Ritchie announced that she's secured a $50,000 grant in the state budget to combat invasive species in Black Lake in western St. Lawrence County, one of the North Country’s top fishing and tourist attractions that has repeatedly been ranked as one of the top fishing destinations in New York State and the U.S. by fishing and sportsmen’s publications. Eurasian Milfoyle, a non-native nuisance weed, forms dense mats of vegetation that shades out native species. The heavy weed growth disrupts the lake’s water flow, hurts water quality and reduces boating, fishing and swimming in Black Lake. FORT DRUM, N.Y. (AP) — The completion of a new complex for soldiers at Fort Drum was marked yesterday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The construction and organization of the Soldier and Family Assistance Center took four years and $52 million. The project established a complex for the 10th Mountain Division's 3rd Battalion, 85th Mountain Infantry Regiment, better known as the Warrior Transition Unit. The battalion helps prepare soldiers to return to their units or move out of the Army. The unit has nearly 100 soldiers and more than 50 civilian employees. The new center will provide space for counseling programs and assistance for soldiers, including military and veteran benefits, and Army Wounded Warrior programs. The project was finished in March. AKWESASNE -- The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne has added its voice to the dissenters who have criticized the Canadian government for awarding a medal of bravery last month to Akwesasne Mohawk Police Constable Michael Biron for his efforts to save 77-year-olds Edward and Eileen Kassian of Massena from their burning vehicle about 3½ years ago, when the officer was also blamed by many for causing the crash in a police chase. The Kassians died in the fiery crash. In a letter to the Governor General of Canada, the Council says neither they or the Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service were consulted about the nomination. The letter stated, "What has resulted from his nomination is the reopening of a wound that is still in the process of healing. The award has resulted in threats and accusation being made against Officer Biron claiming that he was somehow involved in the nomination – when in actuality he had nothing to do with it. Yet, had he refused to accept the award, it would have left the impression that he was guilty of something.” The letter went on to say, “We want to avoid a repeat of this situation due to a lack of first-hand information during the nomination process.” MOIRA – A Brushton teen is due back in court this evening to answer the two more serious charges against her in the December 7th auto crash that claimed the life of 16-year-old Brushton-Moira athlete Brooke Lyon. Sixteen-year-old Tanya Menke was charged with criminally-negligent homicide and second-degree vehicular assault, along with several vehicle and traffic charges including driving with ability impaired by drugs, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle while on a learner’s permit and more. Menke is due to reappear in Brandon Town Court at 7 p.m. this evening to answer the two felony counts ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Officials say a months-old proposal to raise the minimum wage for millions of New Yorkers is dead. The Assembly's Democratic majority plans to pass its version of the bill today, sponsored by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. Silver proposed raising the minimum wage to $8.50 an hour from the current $7.25. But Governor Andrew Cuomo, who supports raising the wage, didn't include it last week on a list of a half-dozen active issues with a chance of passage this legislative session, which ends June 21st. Senate Republican Majority Leader Dean Skelos, whose approval is essential, said the measure won't reach the Senate floor. Currently, 18 other states have higher rates. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York lawmakers are trying to change a state law that allowed a man who murdered his wife to deny release of her body to her outraged family for months, and then bury his victim near his favorite fishing hole. A new bill would prohibit spouses charged with murder or subject to restraining orders from dictating what happens to the bodies of the wives or husbands they're accused of killing. It would end what victims' families call “abuse beyond the grave.” State law currently allows surviving spouses to handle funeral arrangements, regardless of how the death occurred. Some other states have addressed the concern in so-called "slayer laws." ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Insurers doing business in New York are now required to regularly search a government list of recent deaths to identify policyholders, then find and pay beneficiaries even when no claims are made. The Department of Financial Services says that follows its investigation last year that resulted in life insurance companies paying more than $262 million to nearly 33,000 consumers nationwide. Investigators found many insurance companies regularly checked the list of recent deaths from the U.S. Social Security Administration to stop making payments on annuities after someone had died, but didn't do the same when the owed death benefits. Insurers now must cross check their policies every three months. The new regulation also tells life insurers to report annually to the state comptroller the number of policies with no beneficiary found. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — State officials say contracts worth $39 million to improve highways, bridges and parks across New York are open to bidding. The State Department of Transportation opened bids on contracts for $34.8 million worth of highway and bridge construction at 19 sites around the state. State parks officials opened bids for $4.2 million in repair and upgrade projects. The contracts are part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's New York Works program designed to jumpstart infrastructure repair and rebuilding. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The federal government's expansion of a program that requires local police to share fingerprints with immigration officials is drawing protests in New York. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement sees the "Secure Communities Program" as a tool for finding and deporting criminal illegal aliens. Opponents say it actually makes communities less secure by damaging relations between immigrants and police. Concerns led Governor Andrew Cuomo to suspend the program in June after about half the state's counties had adopted it. But a law enforcement official familiar with the program says it will still launch statewide today. Immigrants, civil rights activists and elected officials rallied yesterday in New York urging nationwide termination of the program. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A day after New York's highest court
ruled that simply viewing child pornography online wasn't
against state law, some shocked lawmakers acted within 24
hours to introduce a bill to address it. The bill introduced
last week seeks to update the law to recognize advances in
computer technology. The law would cover video streaming and
other viewing that doesn't require downloading or other
actions by the viewer to save the images. Although quickly
introduced after a Court of Appeals decision, the bill now
faces amendments from the Assembly's Democratic majority.
The court ruled that simply viewing child pornography online
isn't criminal possession or procurement under state law,
although viewing violates federal law. OGDENSBURG – The man acquitted of a 2005 murder in Ogdensburg has reportedly filed a $13 million lawsuit claiming wrongful imprisonment, lost wages and emotional pain and suffering. At his third trial earlier this year, Wayne Oxley, Jr. was acquitted of murdering Bernard Trickey, Jr. of Ogdensburg in a baseball bat beating death. The legal papers are expected to be filed this week in the New York State Court of Claims. The former Ogdensburg resident is now reportedly living in the Heuvelton area. POTSDAM – More than 600 students were conferred their bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees during commencement ceremonies at Clarkson University over the weekend. U.S. Senator Charles Schumer was also in attendance. Clarkson also announced that Lawrence Delaney of the Clarkson Class of ‘57 was elected to serve as the chair of the University's board of trustees during the board's spring meeting over the weekend. RUSSELL – A Russell-area man was arrested over the weekend after he allegedly pointed a loaded shotgun at a neighbor, then fired it into the ground. St. Lawrence County Sheriff's deputies charged 25-year-old Curtis Slife with felony criminal possession of a weapon, and misdemeanor counts of menacing and resisting arrest. Slife was arraigned in Hermon town court and remanded to St. Lawrence County jail on $5,000 bail. He will answer the charges in Russell Town Court on a later date. COLTON – A Massena man escaped with only minor injuries in a weekend motorcycle accident on State Route 56 in Colton. St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s deputies say 58-year-old David Simpson’s bike went off the roadway and struck a culvert. The motorcycle overturned and ejected Simpson. He was transported to Canton-Potsdam Hospital, treated and released. Simpson was charged with driving while intoxicated, answerable in Colton town court at a later date. COLTON – Four people have been arrested for allegedly being on the roof of the Colton-Pierrepont Central School. St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s deputies say they responded to a complaint of the alleged trespassing and located the four – 20-year-olds Jacob Regan, James Reichert and Gavin Dominy, along with 17-year-old Cody Green, all of Colton. They were issued appearance tickets for trespassing and will answer the charges next month in Colton town court. POTSDAM – A South Colton woman was arrested over the weekend for allegedly failing to make good on a 13-month-old check that allegedly bounced at a Potsdam-area car dealership. St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s deputies charged 39-year-old Lori Rohde with issuing a bad check from April 2011. She will respond to the charge May 24th in Potsdam town court. DEPEYSTER – St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s deputies are asking for the public’s help in locating an all- terrain vehicle that was stolen from a farm-residence on County Road 11 in Depeyster. Deputies say the rig was reported stolen sometime overnight this past Monday or early Tuesday morning. The ATV is described as a 2005 Polaris Sportsman 700, blue and black, with chrome trim on the fenders and an “Adirondacks South Colton” sticker under the headlight. Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to contact the Sheriff’s office at 379-2222. CORNWALL – The City of Cornwall has landed a new senior hockey league franchise that will begin operating this coming hockey season. The North American Hockey League, based in Quebec, is a semi- pro league with seven teams and draws a large number of former NHL players. Bernard Villeneuve is reportedly the head of the group bringing the team to the Canadian border city after purchasing the Windsor Wild. UNDATED – The New York Power Authority’s annual report says action is being taken on several fronts “to address New York’s current and future energy needs, reducing electricity bills to help spur the economy while investing in clean energy projects designed to protect the public health and preserve environmental quality.” NYPA says the initiatives, backed by Governor Andrew Cuomo, would modernize the state’s aging power system, while providing up to $30 million to help expand the use and effectiveness of solar power and energy-efficient measures at state and local government facilities. The state is also ramping up its Re-Charge NY program for new economic development initiatives. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Gov. Andrew Cuomo's tax cap is being put to the test as voters tomorrow cast ballots on the first batch of school budgets drafted under the new taxing limits. Most districts have proposed budgets that stay within the boundaries established under the cap adopted last year, so it will take a simple majority of votes Tuesday for them to pass. About 50 districts, hoping to lessen staff and program cuts, are asking taxpayers for a bigger increase in the property tax levy than the cap allows. Those budgets will need a 60 percent "super majority" to pass. The cap restricts districts from increasing property taxes by more than two percent or the rate of inflation, whichever is less. There are some exemptions like pension costs. CORNWALL – Cornwall City Schools are expected to be involved in emergency lockdown drills this week, as part of Canada Police Week. The drills will involve testing police and school district protocols in the event of an emergency. The Cornwall Emergency Response Team is also expected to conduct a joint training exercise on Thursday with a lockdown at St. Lawrence Secondary School, with students vacating the school and helping with the mock emergency. Cornwall police will also present a frauds and home-safety program for seniors. UNDATED (AP) — Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is making the rounds of upstate New York college campuses to promote legislation to help veterans get education and training needed for civilian jobs. Her schedule today includes stops at Syracuse, Nazareth and D'Youville college. Gillibrand held roundtable meetings last year with business and veterans leaders around the state to discuss ways to address veterans' unemployment problems. Now, she's working on legislation to make training more accessible, protect veterans' access to education, and streamline certification processes for civilian jobs. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Audubon New York is spreading the
word about how bird watchers help local economies. The group
has launched a campaign that will distribute calling cards
for bird-watchers to hand out at restaurants and other
businesses. The idea is to show businesses and tourism
agencies how much money is spent by people traveling to see
birds. Neighboring Hamilton County has taken the message to
heart, hosting the annual Adirondack Birding Festival.
Officials say birders make up about 5 to 7 percent of the
county's tourists. The cards feature the slogan, "Birds mean
business." On the back, birders are supposed to write their
name and contact information. Audubon spokesman Sean Mahar
says the cards will encourage communities to develop events
and programs designed to attract birders. CANTON – A public hearing will be held in Canton ten days from now on two competing plans for new St. Lawrence County legislative districts. County officials say several community changes over the past decade have shifted more of the population toward the center of the county in Potsdam and Canton. Over the past decade, college populations – especially at SUNY Canton – have risen dramatically. Potsdam has seen a large business explosion with the addition of WalMart, restaurants and businesses particularly along Outer Market Street. Meanwhile, Massena has lost General Motors and industry jobs. And for Ogdensburg and Gouverneur, prison populations can no longer be counted into the local census. As a result, Canton is expected to gain a county legislative seat that Ogdensburg will lose. The redistricting hearing is slated for Monday, May 21st at 5:00 p.m. at County Legislative Chambers in Canton. MASSENA – Massena Memorial Hospital is hosting its big
daylong, 23rd annual Radiothon and Auction today on 1340
WMSA Radio. The hospital is hoping it will be “Making (More)
Miracles Happen” today with auction items valued at over
$20,000. The majority of the items were donated by local
merchants, with the proceeds going toward the hospital’s
planned purchase of a new HD Colonoscope and Gastroscope
valued at $61,000. The event continues till 7:00 p.m. To
make a bid or donation today, call 769-4MMH. WASHINGTON (AP) — More details on the departure by embattled head of the U.S. St. Lawrence Seaway agency who stepped down his week. Seaway Development Corporation Administrator Collister "Terry" Johnson Jr. left the post with five months still left on his seven-year term. Johnson said in February that the Obama administration had been pressuring him to resign. He was appointed in October 2006 by then-President George W. Bush. The U.S. Department of Transportation says Seaway Deputy Administrator Craig Middlebrook will be acting administrator until a successor is named. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — An extra, lengthy stop to screen Amtrak trains running between Montreal, the North Country and New York City could soon be eliminated. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Canadian officials have tentatively agreed to end the two-hour inspection and screening delays at St. Lambert in Quebec. The deal still needs final U.S. and Canadian approval. But new screening facilities in Montreal are being built for Customs and Border Patrol agents to complete prescreenings and end the need to stop at St. Lambert. The North Country Chamber of Commerce says the move is a major economic step toward creating what it calls border fluidity. U.S. Senator Charles Schumer says Amtrak has agreed to no longer make the extra stop once the new facilities are approved and operating. MACOMB – A home, a garage, the family dog and a Ford Focus were all lost in a fire yesterday that left a Macomb family of three homeless. St. Lawrence County Fire Control says flames destroyed the home of Greg and Jackie Washburn on Lead Mine Road. Officials say no one was at home when the blaze began. The fire was first spotted by the Gouverneur Town Highway Superintendent Tim Mattice, who was working with a road crew in the area at the time. Firefighters arrived to find the structure already fully engulfed in flames. Officials say propane tanks exploded due to the intense heat. There were no injuries reported. It’s uncertain what started the blaze, but it is not considered suspicious. The investigation continues. CANTON – The jury has been selected. Now opening statements are being heard today in the child sex abuse trial 37-year-old Canton businessman Richard Thornton, in St. Lawrence County Court in Canton. Thornton is charged with rape and sexual abuse of three young girls over a period of eight years. Thornton is facing counts predatory sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child. Five men and seven women were selected to hear the case, which is expected to continue into next week. MASSENA – A Massena businessman has been indicted on four counts, following the alleged sexual attack on an 18-year-old female customer inside his East Orvis Street store on May 1st. A St. Lawrence County grand jury has indicted 35-year-old James Roshia, the owner of Time Capsule Game Store, with first-degree counts of rape, sexual abuse and criminal sexual act, and second-degree unlawful imprisonment. Police said the alleged victim managed to send a text message to a male friend who arrived at the store for help. Roshia remains in St. Lawrence County jail on $50,000 cash bail. CANTON – St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s deputies are alerting the public to a recent phone scam targeting the elderly. The caller advises that the person might be eligible for additional social security benefits, then asks for information about the person’s income, social security number and other information. Deputies are reminding everyone not to give personal information over the telephone. Anyone who might have become a victim of this scam is asked to contact the State Attorney General’s Office in Watertown at 785-2444. CANTON – St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s deputies and Canton village police are currently investigating a string of larcenies from motor vehicles in the Canton area that occurred in the early-morning hours of April 26th. Deputies say the thefts occurred on Miner Street and Miner Street Road, as well as State, Goodrich, Buck and Pine streets, and Park Place. Anyone with missing property in that area, or anyone with information regarding the case, can call the Canton police department at 386-4561 or St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s department at 379-2222. CANTON – A 22-year-old Canton man was arrested yesterday on two counts of criminal possession of stolen property. St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s deputies say 22-year-old Michael Simser allegedly had in his possession a stolen Play Station III and a stolen Samsung Galaxy tablet. He was also charged with offering a false instrument for filing, for information given authorities during their investigation. Simser was arraigned in Canton village court and released to probation supervision, pending further court action. DEKALB – A DeKalb man was arrested yesterday on several charges after a domestic fight. St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s deputies say 35-year-old Brad Barlow was charged with third-degree assault, unlawful imprisonment and criminal mischief, after dispute with his wife. He was arraigned in DeKalb town court and released in his own recognizance, pending a later court date. UNDATED (AP) — The federal government says there's less of a gap between black and white eighth-graders in New York when it comes to science scores. Overall, though, the whole class is performing below the national average. The findings are part of the 2011 Nation's Report Card, released yesterday. The report found that the national average score was 152 in 2011, up from 150 in 2009. In New York State, the average score held steady at 149. Black students in New York had an average score that was 33 points lower than white students in 2011. That's less than the 41-point spread reported two years earlier. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York state officials are providing $25 million to help fund more than 18,000 summer jobs statewide for needy teens. The Cuomo administration says the money will be used to subsidize wages paid to eligible teens and to support education, training and other services. Recipients must be between the ages 14 and 20 to qualify and come from low-income families. The $25 million allocation is 61 percent more than last year. Governor Andrew Cuomo says the New York Youth Works Summer Employment Program will help address the chronically high unemployment rate among under- served teens. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York is moving toward banning indoor tanning for anyone under 18 years old, pushed by advocates who blame booths for a dramatic rise in skin cancer among teenagers. The bill backed by powerful sponsors in the Assembly and Senate comes at prom time — a peak time for using the booths. The American Cancer Society reports a 72 percent increase in melanoma in 10 years. The Cancer Society's Russ Sciandra says state statistics show an increasing number of cases involve teenagers and he blames the proliferation of indoor tanning salons. The industry has countered by saying tanning beds can be used safely and provide necessary vitamin D.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The nearly bankrupt U.S. Postal Service is backing off a plan to close thousands of rural post offices – including several in the North Country – after May 15th. It proposes keeping them open, but with shorter hours. The move to halt the shutdown of 3,700 low-revenue post offices followed months of dissent from rural states and their lawmakers, who said the cost-cutting would hurt their communities the most. In recent weeks, rising opposition prompted Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe to visit some rural areas in a bid to ease fears about cuts that could slow delivery of prescription drugs, newspapers and other services. In an election year, the angst over postal closings also extended to nearly half the senators, who in letters last week urged Donahoe to postpone closing any mail facility until Congress approves final postal overhaul legislation. The Senate last month passed a bill that would halt many of the closings; the House remains stalled over a separate bill allowing for aggressive cuts. UNDATED – Hours of operation are expected to be cut in
half – from eight hours to four – at postal stations in
Brier Hill, Chase Mills, Cranberry Lake, DeKalb Junction,
Dickinson Center, Hailesboro, North Lawrence, Parishville,
Piercefield, Rensselaer Falls, Richville, South Colton and
West Stockholm. Other post offices will see two-hour cuts,
from eight hours to six. They are Brasher Falls, Colton,
Hammond, Hannawa Falls, Lisbon, Madrid, Morristown, Star
Lake and Winthrop. The most severely cut will be post office
operating just two hours a day in DePeyster, Helena, Newton
Falls and Wanakena. The reaction locally is still one of
concern today, maybe even more than before. One local
postmaster tells us that many of the postmasters will be
forced to retire, resign or battle with other postmasters to
find full-time work, of which there is very left in the
North Country – and might be forced to move elsewhere. WASHINGTON – There is a new head for the U.S. St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that Deputy Seaway Administrator Craig Middlebrook is now acting administrator, succeeding Collister “Terry” Johnson, Jr., who was appointed under the former Bush Administration. Middlebrook is a career employee of the Seaway since 1995. He was Chief of Staff from 1996 to 2000, before becoming Deputy Administrator. CANTON – A 22-year-old man, described as a visitor to Canton, was arrested yesterday on weapons charges after shots allegedly fired near the St. Lawrence University campus and neighboring golf course around 3:00 a.m.. Charged was Zachary Parker, a Montana State University student from Wilton, Maine. S.L.U. students complained of hearing five shots, which were also reported by a university security officer. After questioning several students, police recovered a 12-gauge shotgun and a nine-millimeter handgun from a vehicle parked in a St. Lawrence campus parking lot. Canton village police charged Parker with felony second- and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and a misdemeanor fourth-degree count. He was ordered held in St. Lawrence County Jail on $3,500 bail or $7,000 bond. Police say both weapons had been fired, but that it did not appear that the suspect was firing at any anyone. University officials have not yet indicated if any St. Lawrence student is facing any campus judicial proceedings. POTSDAM – An 18-year-old from Norfolk was arrested yesterday after a report from Potsdam Central School staff of a suspicious person and vehicle in the high school’s back parking lot. Potsdam village police say they responded and at the direction of staff, identified the occupant of the suspect vehicle as 18-year-old Dylan Harvey, who was sleeping in the back seat. Police say Harvey admitted to smoking marijuana in the vehicle, then taking a nap. Police say Harvey surrendered the remainder of the marijuana upon being asked. He was transported to the nearby police station where he was issued an appearance ticket for unlawful possession of marijuana, answerable May 23rd in Potsdam village court. DANNEMORA, N.Y. (AP) — Authorities say a northern New York man charged with impersonating a police officer has a history of such behavior in the North Country and Vermont. State police say they received a report that a man driving a car with a spotlight on the driver's side had stopped a vehicle last week in Dannemora. Investigators found that 23-year-old Kyle Wyman of Plattsburgh used a red light and requested the driver's license and registration. Wyman was charged with criminal impersonation. He's being held on $3,000 bail pending a court appearance today. Investigators say he was arrested on the same charges in March 2011. Police say he used a portable radio to illegally communicate with police dispatchers in Vermont. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Soldiers from a New York Army National Guard battalion, including some from the North Country, are on their way to Afghanistan for a nine-month tour of duty. The Guard says 450 soldiers have been training recently and began heading overseas this week. They're part of the Utica-based 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry, and come from Ogdensburg, Saranac Lake, Morrisonville and other locations upstate. They join the rest of the 1,700 soldiers assigned to the Syracuse-based 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. OGDENSBURG – Two Ogdensburg women were jailed on marijuana trafficking charges, after allegedly transporting a quantity of the drug from Ogdensburg to Canton where it was sold. St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s deputies say they also seized $2,300 in cash and three ounces of marijuana. Deputies charged 27-year-old Jennifer Ross and 25-year-old Kacie Whitney with third-degree criminal sale of marijuana. Following arraignment in Pierrepont town court, they were remanded to county lockup in Canton on $10,000 bail or $20,000 bond. CORNWALL – Cornwall City Police say they have received reports two new fraud incidents -- one in local stores -- the other for a mystery shopper. Police say merchants in Cornwall report that a black woman provides a fraudulent credit card and inserts it inappropriately, which prompts the cashier to swipe the card without the chip verification or obtains a supervisor authorization for override. The suspect was described as a 5’6” black female, 130lbs, with French accent and holding a cell phone with ear piece. It is believed that there may be other associates. The second fraud is in the mail, advising the recipient that they have been successfully nominated to be a mystery shopper. They receive a bogus check to cash, then are advised to send a sum of the payment via Moneygram or Western Union. Police say anyone who has been victimized by these frauds should contact police (at 613-933-5000). HAMMOND – A 65-year-old Lisbon woman has improved to fair condition after a head-on crash between her van and a tractor trailer on Tuesday afternoon in Hammond. Part of State Route 37 near Hadlock Road was closed for over seven hours, following the accident. State police Louise Sanderson swerved into the opposite lane just before the crash and had to be extricated from the wreckage afterward. Sanderson was immediately taken to University Hospital in Syracuse for treatment of injuries. May 10, 2012 ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Benedict Arnold is a hero again, at least temporarily at two upstate New York historic sites where his pre-treason exploits are being remembered. Arnold's heroic actions in the Revolutionary War's Battles of Saratoga are detailed in a new exhibit opening Thursday at Saratoga National Historical Park, and his pre-dawn capture of British-held Fort Ticonderoga at the side of Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys is being re-enacted later this month. Arnold was a battlefield commander who played a key role in the American defeat of the British at Saratoga in 1777. Two years earlier, he was a leader of the raiding force that captured Fort Ticonderoga. Some 60 re-enactors, mostly from New York and New England, are recreating the historical event at the fort on the night of May 19. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A coalition of upstate New York landowners seeking to lease land for natural gas drilling is pressing state officials to consider the rights of property owners as they make decisions on shale gas development. The Joint Landowners Coalition was at the Capitol yesterday to present a "Declaration of Rights." Coalition leader Dan Fitzsimmons says landowners' rights are being trampled by those with "extreme political agendas." He referred to groups seeking a ban on high-volume hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, which injects chemically-treated water into wells to release gas from shale. The industry and environmental groups have stepped up lobbying in Albany as the Legislature considers bills including one to ban fracking. The Department of Environmental Conservation may decide in coming months whether to allow the technology. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The head of the state agency responsible for the care of 126,000 disabled New Yorkers says they are seeking to fire nearly 200 employees with "substantiated allegations of abuse." Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Courtney Burke says the effort to change the culture for those providing care for people with intellectual disabilities, autism, Down syndrome and other disabilities also includes requiring direct-care staff to have high school diplomas and to pass psychological and drug tests. About 80 percent of the agency’s care is provided by about 700 state-funded non-profits. On Monday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed creating a new agency to better protect about a million New Yorkers with disabilities and special needs under state-funded care through six state agencies, noting 10,000 abuse reports last year.
MASSENA – Massena Memorial Hospital officials broke ground for a new $4 million medical office building yesterday. Chief Executive Officer Charles Fahd said, "The immediate and long term survival of this hospital will depend on our ability to attract new primary care physicians and some specialty physicians to our medical staff. He noted the close proximity of the medical office building to the hospital is crucial not only to the practitioners, but also to patients and to staff. The new medical building won't cost taxpayers a dime as it is being fully paid for through hospital reserves. When it opens for business next spring, nearly a dozen doctors, including the hospital's surgical group, will be able to fill the top floor with family practices. The building will also have a sunlit atrium and large waiting room as well as a conference room and laboratory. Construction is expected to get underway within the next couple of weeks with the new medical complex open for business by next April. HAMMOND – Part of State Route 37 near Hadlock Road in Hammond was closed for over seven hours yesterday, following the head-on crash between a tractor trailer and a private van around 3:20 p.m. State police indicated that one person who sustained serious injuries was extricated from the wreckage and was immediately transported to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse. Authorities closed the road until shortly before 11:00 last night as the investigation continued. PARISHVILLE – St. Lawrence County Sheriff's Deputies are requesting the public’s help in locating a vehicle that was involved in a motor-vehicle accident on Lenny Road near the Brown's Bridge Road in the town of Parishville yesterday just after 9:00 p.m. It is alleged that a dark-colored pickup truck struck another vehicle, then left the scene heading toward the Colton-Potsdam area. Deputies say there should be damage to the driver's side of the vehicle with potential white paint transfer. Anyone with information is requested to contact the Sheriff's Office at 379-2222. WASHINGTON (AP) — Obama administration officials say a new timetable, developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, should speed up the search for a permanent method of protecting the Great Lakes- St. Lawrence Seaway region from Asian carp and other invasive species. Officials said yesterday the corps will present a short list of options by the end of 2013 for preventing the carp and other fish from migrating between the Great Lakes-Seaway and Mississippi River basins through waterways in the Chicago area. Congress will have the authority to make a final choice. The corps previously said it would develop a single recommendation by late 2015, drawing criticism from members of Congress and state officials who said that wasn't fast enough. CANTON – The trial of a 37-year-old Canton businessman, accused of sexual abuse of three young girls, got underway yesterday with jury selection in St. Lawrence County Court in Canton. Richard Thornton allegedly had repeated sexual contact with the children, all under age 10 when the incidents began and progressively got worse spanning eight-year period. Thornton was charged with first-degree counts of rape and sexual abuse, as well as sexual conduct against a child. In recent months, he has been free after posting $50,000 bail. TUPPER LAKE -- Ever dreamed about working on the
railroad? The Adirondack Scenic Railroad is looking for a
few good trainmen, conductors, engineers and
maintenance-of-way workers. The Adirondack Scenic Railroad
is conducting a volunteer training program on May 18th and
19th. The classes are required for trainmen, conductors,
engineers, signalman and maintenance-of-way workers. These
courses are free, but officials are asking that only serious
individuals attend as there is a cost to the Adirondack
Scenic Railroad for the training program. For more
information and signup, you can go online to
www.nextstoptupperlake.org. LAKE PLACID, N.Y. (AP) — In Lake Placid, U.S. bobsledder John Napier is leaving the sport and will try to become a member of an elite military unit. The 25-year-old Napier volunteered for a five-month tour in Afghanistan after competing in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics and was deeply affected by it. Darrin Steele of the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation says he's disappointed but not surprised. He says Napier had "some second thoughts when he first came back. He was trying to figure out if he wanted to go on with the military or jump back into bobsled." Napier told the U.S. team last week that he was leaving after having been involved in the sport since he was a kid. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver says he doesn't expect a floor vote in the waning weeks of this year's legislative session on legalizing mixed martial arts, although backers say they're gaining sponsors and the ultimate fight is far from over. Silver says after gauging support in his majority conference this week that the issue is still evolving and there will be no vote this year. The state Senate voted 43-14 in April to pass the bill legalizing MMA. The Senate included it in its budget proposal, though it was removed because of Assembly opposition, which has beaten back legalization for seven years. Gov. Andrew Cuomo says only that he'll review the measure should it reach his desk. Backers have acknowledged this year would be an uphill fight. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — President Barack Obama, on a campaign visit to Albany, contrasted himself with congressional Republicans by saying they have blocked his job creation plans. He says now is not the time for inaction. Obama was speaking at a college science complex in New York to draw attention to proposals he has been pushing before Congress since last September. His appeal comes as millions of Americans remain out of work and as thousands have given up looking for work. He has prepared a "to do list" that calls for extending low student loan rates, passing tax credits for small businesses, and eliminating tax breaks for certain corporations that move jobs overseas. It also calls for adoption of a program that helps veterans find work, and measures to make it easier for homeowners to refinance. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Gov. Andrew Cuomo has praised President Barack Obama's leadership as the two men toured a high-tech facility in Albany created out of a partnership with private enterprise and bipartisanship. When Obama took the stage, he and Cuomo embraced and the president returned the praise his own speech, saying Cuomo has done "outstanding work." The brief upstate New York visit has some long-term impact. Cuomo is said to be interested in running for president in 2016. Being close to a president with such foreign relations experience addresses a weak spot for most governors. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Son of Sam serial killer David Berkowitz has been denied parole by New York authorities for the sixth time. A parole board concluded his release would be incompatible with the welfare of society and would undermine respect for the law. The Son of Sam terrorized New York City in 1976 and '77 and took responsibility for a string of handgun assaults. He was convicted of fatally shooting six people and injuring several others. Berkowitz, who is 58, is serving 25 years to life at the maximum-security Sullivan Correctional Facility. He's been in prison 35 years. He's eligible for another parole hearing in two years. The parole board notes his "significant prison ministry," clean disciplinary record and expression of remorse. Berkowitz has said Jesus Christ has forgiven him. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York's top court says simply
viewing child pornography online does not constitute either
criminal possession or procurement under state penal law.
The five judges said it's still a federal crime. The Court
of Appeals is dismissing two counts against a professor at
Marist College, where a virus scan of his computer in 2007
found pornographic images. He was convicted of two counts of
procuring and 134 counts of possessing child porn. The Court
of Appeals agrees the professor was properly convicted
because he had downloaded, saved and deleted 132 images. But
the majority says some images in his computer cache,
temporary files automatically stored from sites he viewed,
cannot be held against him under state law. HEUVELTON – St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES and its 18 member districts have been reviewing a proposed policy which would prohibit teachers from “friending” their current students on the social-media website “Facebook.” And now one district – Heuvelton Central – has made that official policy. School officials say the policy is intended to draw a clear line and prevent inappropriate communications between teachers and students – even accidental – in the vast world of Internet communications which are generally long-lasting. It’s also a reminder to adults and children alike to be very careful about what you post on the Internet. MASSENA – Massena Memorial Hospital celebrated the start of National Hospital Week yesterday with its annual kickoff event with the theme “Making Miracles Happen.” Hospital officials also honored the many men and woman who have provided “miracles big and small” with expert health care to the greater Massena area. Eric Wiley was named this year’s “Nurse of Distinction” at MMH. Events will continue through this week, including formal groundbreaking this morning for a new $3.9 million, 20,000 square- foot, two-story medical office building on Maple Street. The big event on Friday is the hospital’s annual Radiothon fundraiser to be heard on 1340-WMSA. TUPPER LAKE, N.Y. (AP) — Peter Bauer is returning to Adirondack Park advocacy after leading the Fund for Lake George for five years. Bauer has been hired as executive director of Protect the Adirondacks, which is trying to block the largest development project in the history of the 6-million-acre Adirondack Park in Tupper Lake. The environmental group is suing the Adirondack Park Agency over its approval of a permit for the Adirondack Club and Resort project in Tupper Lake. Bauer previously headed the Residents Committee to Protect the Adirondacks for 13 years. That group merged with the Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks in 2010, forming Protect the Adirondacks. WEST CARTHAGE, N.Y. (AP) — Authorities say a man who eluded police after a 100-mile car chase across a long stretch of northern New York was eventually caught while eating at a sports bar. State Police say the chase began when 51-year-old Brian Aikens fled from troopers during a traffic stop in Plattsburgh in Clinton County, where he was wanted on probation violations. It ended in northern Lewis County after troopers called off the pursuit. Aiken was later spotted fleeing on foot in neighboring Jefferson County. Troopers says patrons at Long Shots Bar and Grill in West Carthage called troopers after recognizing Aikens from television news reports of the Sunday afternoon chase. Officials say troopers arrested Aikens without incident as he ate at the bar shortly before 1 a.m. yesterday. Police say Aiken faces charges in all of the counties where the pursuit occurred. CANTON – Drivers through downtown Canton beware. The New York State Transportation Department say one lane of Route 11 and the turning lane to Riverside Drive will be closed today so that highway crews can perform underground utility work at the intersection. The work area will involved slower traffic funneled into one lane with concrete barriers and motorists should expect delays. However, both streets will remain open during the duration of the two-week project. CANTON – St. Lawrence County Legislators formally appointed a new Emergency Services Director last night, following the January resignation of embattled director Martin Hassett. As we reported nearly a month ago, Joseph Gilbert of Ogdensburg accepted the offer for the position in early April. However, legislators had not met till last evening to officially approve the appointment. Gilbert is a retired military veteran of over 20 years’ service, including stints in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was working in military training services at Fort Drum until April 27th. His new appointment is effective immediately. POTSDAM – The SUNY Potsdam hockey teams are looking for a temporary home next winter while the college’s ice arena is undergoing a long-planned major renovation that will last through the next hockey season. College officials are said to be negotiating and working out the details of the plan, which could include use of the Massena Arena for some of the games, and potentially nearby SUNY Canton which also had to find space for their athletes in recent years while a new sports facility and convocation center was being built on their campus. HERMON – A Canton woman was arrested yesterday for a weekend domestic argument that spilled over into a local tavern. St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s deputies say 31-year-old Jacinda Barney phoned authorities to say she had been attacked by her ex-boyfriend and wrote out a statement against him. However, upon further investigation and witness interview, deputies determined that it was Ms. Barney who was the alleged aggressive party. Instead, she was charged with criminal contempt for violating a court order of protection which prohibited her from seeing him. She was also charged with offering a false instrument for filing, arraigned and released with a new court order of protection for the ex- boyfriend and another court date to answer the charges. POTSDAM – A Potsdam man was arrested yesterday for allegedly violating a no-harassment court order of protection. St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s deputies say 35-year-old Christopher LaRose allegedly pushed his girlfriend into a wall at the residence. He was charged with first-degree criminal contempt including physical contact, a Class E felony, along with second-degree harassment. LaRose was arraigned in Potsdam town court and released to probation supervision, pending further court action later this week. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The Democratic minority in New York's contentious Senate is trying to force the Republican majority into disbursing more special school aid, days after the GOP sent additional aid only to schools in Republican districts, such as in St. Lawrence and Franklin counties. The Democrats want $5 million in available Senate funds for schools in Democratic districts to compensate for nearly $6 million sent to the Republican districts. They also want to pass along another $20 million to all schools. But the Democrats would have allowed the majority to control two-thirds of that money. The GOP majority rejected the proposal yesterday, saying it wasn't properly introduced. Republicans distributed the "bullet aid" last week, saying Democrats did the same when they were in the majority two years ago. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he and lawmakers are considering legislation to end what he calls the troubled history of the New York Racing Association. Cuomo says he isn't sure if the state can take away the state franchise held by NYRA to operate thoroughbred racing at the Belmont, Saratoga and Aqueduct race tracks. But he says legislation could produce better regulation of the private entity that he says had regular scandals over the last decade. NYRA fired its CEO and top counsel last week over $8.5 million in winnings that weren't paid out to bettors. The former officers had said it was a mistake. But the state Franchise Oversight Board created to monitor NYRA called it the latest of many serious problems. NYRA had no immediate comment. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants to write a book. The Democrat who's been governor for 17 months and often uses the word "historic" as a modifier for his accomplishments, including the legalization of gay marriage, says he'll write about his governing philosophy. Cuomo says he doesn't plan a memoir, but a book on how New York is improving and about its brighter future. Politicians have often written such books before they run for president. Although his supporters say he would be a strong contender in 2016, Cuomo says he's not thinking about a presidential run. Cuomo's former chief of staff is looking for a co-author and a publisher. Two reporters have announced plans to write Cuomo biographies, one with the administration's cooperation. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Gov. Andrew Cuomo has proposed better protections for about a million New Yorkers with disabilities and special needs under state-funded care through a new agency with authority to monitor the system and investigate and prosecute abuse claims. Legislation offered Monday would establish a common definition of abuse and neglect for people in residential facilities and other programs and create a single point for reporting and screening abuse allegations. It would have a hotline, incident database and a list of abusive employees banned from working with the disabled. Cuomo cites decades of problems, including deaths, and a culture where workers fear speaking up. A new special prosecutor and inspector general with more than 400 staff would oversee six state agencies and contractors. There were more than 10,000 abuse reports last year. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A year after New York lawmakers
legalized gay marriage, the next civil rights debate in
Albany takes on discrimination against transgender New
Yorkers. They say they face discrimination in employment,
housing and public treatment because they stray from
accepted male and female norms in dress and behavior. A
pending bill, approved by the state Assembly last week, adds
gender identity and gender expression to laws banning
discrimination based on race, religion, sex, disability and
sexual orientation. It would become a hate crime, with
increased penalties, to harass or attack someone for being
transgender. Sixteen states have similar anti-discrimination
laws. The Democrat-controlled Assembly has passed the Gender
Expression and Non-Discrimination Act, or GENDA, five times.
The Senate has sent it to the Rules committee where it
appears to be shelved. CANTON – An elderly Potsdam woman was killed yesterday afternoon in a two-vehicle accident on Route 11 in the town of Canton. St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s deputies say the crash happened around 3:45 p.m. when 74-year-old Eleanor Uffer was southbound, when her car drifted into the opposite lane and slammed into an oncoming vehicle operated by 20-year-old Zachary Benson of Gouverneur. Uffer was transported to Canton-Potsdam Hospital where she was pronounced deceased. Benson and his passenger, 25-year-old Dominique Huckins also of Gouverneur, sustained minor injuries. They were taken to Claxton-Hepburn Hospital in Ogdensburg for treatment of injuries to the chest, arm and abdomen. They were later released. Deputies say no charges are expected and there was no indication that drugs or alcohol were any factor in the crash. PAUL SMITHS – Paul Smiths College near Saranac Lake graduated approximately 250 students over the weekend, as the college's 65th graduating class. At the commencement, philanthropist Joan Weill urged graduates to "have a passion that you can lend your intelligence and energy to. Even if you are not able to give financially, don't be afraid to make meaningful commitments, be involved and live in the moment." Weill also made such a commitment herself by endowing a $1 million scholarship fund to Paul Smith's College. The first scholarships under the endowment will be awarded for the fall 2013 semester. UNDATED — There appears to be some relief from high gas prices, even as the summer driving season approaches. Gasoline prices are continuing their downward trend. The average price of a gallon of gasoline has dropped seven cents over the past two weeks. North Country prices have followed suit. After climbing to nearly $4.20 in many places, the price has eased back to just over $4.00 a gallon over the past month. The lowest prices are in Waddington and Ogdensburg at $3.84. The price of oil continues to fall after losing six percent last week. Traders say the price is being driven down by jitters about the global economy, including weekend elections in Europe. GOUVERNEUR – An undercover police operation over the weekend in Gouverneur resulted in the arrest of five people at various local stores or restaurants. State and village police in Gouverneur combined in an underage drinking initiative in which an 18-year-old operative attempted to purchase alcohol at the establishments. All five were employees of St. Lawrence County locations where they were arrested. They included 21-year-old Alana Ashley of Hermon, 52-year-old Cindy McCullum of Edwards, 27-year- old Sue Youngs of Gouverneur, 53-year-old Nancy Turnbull of Antwerp and 20-year-old Max Tyler of Syracuse. In their press statement, authorities said seven taverns and three other retail stores had properly refused to sell to the 18-year-old. LAKE PLACID, N.Y. (AP) — Travelers along a major Adirondack highway near Lake Placid will run into some delays and detours later this week. Starting tomorrow, the state Department of Transportation plans to spend 13 days rebuilding a slope along state Route 73 near the Cascade Lakes between Lake Placid and Keene. There will be alternating one-way traffic most days until the project is finished on May 20th. The highway will be closed to all traffic on the weekends and detoured through Upper Jay and Wilmington. Hiking trails and trailhead parking at Cascade Lake will remain open during construction. NEWCOMB, N.Y. (AP) — Wolf Lake in the Adirondack Mountains is considered one of the most pristine freshwater bodies in the northeastern United States. It has escaped pollution and the ravages of invasive plants and animals. Its calcium-rich soils have buffered it from fish-killing acid rain. But there's no shelter from climate change, and Wolf Lake's pristine days might be numbered. A new study at the Adirondack Ecological Center shows the length of time the lake is covered with ice each winter has declined by three weeks since 1975. Scientists previously have documented that places like the Adirondacks that are transition zones between temperate hardwood forests and cold-loving spruce-fir forests are especially sensitive to climate change. MASSENA – The New York Power Authority will hold a public hearing later this week on the proposed new contact for the sale of up to 20 megawatts of low-cost hydropower from NYPA’s St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project in Massena to support economic development in St. Lawrence County. A new category of St. Lawrence Power would be sold to the Massena Electric Department at cost-based rates, with the power resold to qualified end users. It would come with no mark-up beyond costs incurred by Massena Electric. The proposed new contract would extend to September 2025. The River Valley Redevelopment Agency and St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency will be involved in the review and recommendations for the low-cost power. The public hearing will be this Thursday at Hawkins Point Visitors Center in Massena (3-6 p.m.). The proposed contract will later be sent to Governor Andrew Cuomo for final approval, as required by New York law. MASSENA – For those of you who saw or heard a great deal of Internet and scanner chatter last night about a capsized boat near the Massena Intake: Agencies were called into duty. However, county emergency officials say the report proved to be unfounded and that there had been no actual emergency. CANTON – St. Lawrence County Legislative Chairwoman
Sallie Brothers reportedly wants to meet with Governor
Andrew Cuomo to explain the county’s financial difficulties,
low fund balance and a need to raise the sales tax to
eight-percent in the county. She’s hoping to convince the
state’s leader that a one- percent sales tax boost is
preferable to a sharp property-tax increase, or further
reductions in services or jobs in county government.
Already, more than 100 jobs have been cut from the county’s
payrolls over the past three years. So far, North Country
State Senators Joe Griffo and Patty Ritchie have refused to
sponsor a bill for home-rule legislation that would permit
the increase. STOCKHOLM, N.Y. (AP-Local) — Federal authorities say three men have been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty for their roles in a drug robbery and killing nearly four years ago in St. Lawrence County. They say the men were among a group of seven who conspired to rob 31-year-old Daniel Simonds of cash and a large quantity of Canadian-grown marijuana in May 2008. Simonds was fatally shot during a struggle at his home on Porter Lynch Road in town of Stockholm. Prosecutors said yesterday that 28-year-old Brian Latulipe of Bombay has been sentenced to 14 years in prison; 29-year-old Kaientanoron Swamp of Snye, Quebec, was sentenced to 12 years and seven months; and Bryan Herne of Hogansburg was sentenced to 11 years and three months. Two of the other men are already in prison for their roles, while two more await sentencing. OGDENSBURG – An Ogdensburg man has been jailed after he allegedly sexually abused a minor. State police arrested 20-year-old Cody Palmer after he allegedly had inappropriate sexual contact with a youth under age 11. Authorities say the young male knew Palmer, who was charged with first-degree criminal sexual act. He was arraigned in Oswegatchie town court and remanded to St. Lawrence County jail on $10,000 bail, with a stay-away court order of protection issued for the child. CANTON – The Canton Central School was evacuated for a short time yesterday while police and two bomb-sniffing dogs combed the building after a bomb threat was reportedly found scrawled on a bathroom wall. A school news release said that a student reported the threat to school authorities which prompted a call to police and evacuation of the building. However, no explosive or dangerous devices were found, and students, faculty and staff were allowed to reenter the building and resume classes. Canton village police are continuing to investigate to determine who is responsible and to press charges. CHAMPLAIN, N.Y. (AP) — Authorities say a 49-year-old North Country woman has been charged with fleeing police during a chase that saw her drive more than four miles the wrong way on the Adirondack Northway. State police say Christine Tyrell of Beekmantown failed to stop for police in Rouses Point yesterday and drove onto the southbound lanes of Interstate 87. Officials say she crossed the median into the northbound lanes and continued driving until her vehicle spun out between exits 41 and 42 after being nudged from behind by a trooper's cruiser. The charges against Tyrell include reckless endangerment and driving while ability impaired. She's being held in Clinton County Jail on $10,000 bail. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Deer are active this month and state highway officials are reminding you to be alert. Authorities say they expect more deer on the highway's shoulders this month and next after a warm winter statewide. They ask that drivers watch for deer, especially when the animals are most active at dawn and dusk. Drivers should scan shoulders of the road and keep in mind that deer often travel in groups, meaning that if you see one deer there might be more. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The fishing season in New York is rolling on, with sport fish like walleye, northern pike, pickerel and tiger muskellunge fair game as of tomorrow. The Department of Environmental Conservation says that includes catch and release fishing for black bass in many places and a special black bass season that allows taking one 20-inch or longer fish each day from the Great Lakes-Seaway region. The agency says anglers should make sure the waters they want to fish are open to catch and release. The regular season for black bass is set to open on June 16. OTTAWA -- It’s a history making day in Canada. The last Canadian penny will be produced today at the Royal Canadian Mint. When Finance Minister Jim Flaherty tabled his budget five weeks ago, he announced the one-cent coin will no longer be produced. Critics say the penny is a nuisance that it literally costs more to produce than what it's worth. Even though one-cent coins will no longer be made, they'll always be accepted in cash transactions for as long as Canadians hold on to them. STAR LAKE – A St. Lawrence County woman is facing charges of elder abuse and neglect involving her own father. Sheriff's deputies say 33-year-old Mary McBroom of Star Lake was charged with a felony count of endangering the welfare of a vulnerable elderly person after a visit and investigation by the county's Adult Protective Services unit in January. They determined 94-year-old Floyd McBroom was in need of medical care and transported to Clifton-Fine Hospital in Star Lake. He was later transferred to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, where he was treated for three-and-a-half weeks for 26 severe bed sores on his body. Authorities said one of the sores was so deep that McBroom's artificial hip could be seen. Deputies say Mr. McBroom was later released from hospital and had moved in with another family member. Sadly, he died this past Monday, although authorities say the death was not related to the alleged abuse. Mary McBroom will answer the endangering charge at a later date in Fine town court. MASSENA – Massena Central School has another dispute over its budget and staffing, this time involving its current accounts-payable clerk. Rebecca Pomainville’s job will reportedly be eliminated in the 2012-13 school budget with the duties to be transferred to St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES. While acknowledging that the non-instructional job could be abolished, Pomainville claims the cut does not fall within guidelines established in state law. Those guidelines include proven cost savings and not hiring someone else to do the same job. She says otherwise the cut is “motivated by bad faith.” ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York's top court has rejected a constitutional challenge by state Senate Democrats who claimed majority Republicans improperly used two different formulas to redraw the election map that created a 63rd Senate district upstate. The Court of Appeals upheld a lower court judge who found that using the different formulas to establish voting boundaries was not unconstitutional. The seven judges conclude "consistent application" of one formula is not required. Republican lawmakers in the Senate and Assembly struck a deal with Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo to approve new election maps that critics say were unfairly drawn to help protect their political power. The Republicans hold a 32-30 majority in the Senate. Democrats have a 2-to-1 voter enrollment advantage in New York state. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — An environmental group says New York's oversight of disposal of waste from existing natural gas-drilling operations is too lax, making it impossible to track how much waste is produced and how drillers dispose of it. The report by Environmental Advocates of New York finds industry reporting forms provide little detail on where drilling wastewater is sent and whether it actually got to the intended disposal site. Conventional gas wells are drilled in New York, but since 2008 the state has had a moratorium on drilling shale gas wells using high-volume hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. The state disputes the report, saying its permitting rules track all waste transport and disposal methods. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The former New York Senate majority
leader faces new federal fraud charges after his earlier
convictions were overturned last year. Former Sen. Joseph
Bruno pleaded not guilty Thursday to two counts of honest
services fraud in federal court in Albany. He was released
without bail. Federal prosecutors had said they'd pursue a
new indictment after the appeals court last year rejected
convictions of Bruno, now 83. That followed a U.S. Supreme
Court ruling in another case that such convictions must show
direct bribes or kickbacks. Bruno was convicted under a
general theory he used his influence to make money in his
sideline consulting business, depriving taxpayers of his
honest services. Brunohas denied any wrongdoing. He made no
comments after leaving court Thursday. MASSENA – A Norwood man, who is also owner of a Massena gaming business, has been jailed after he allegedly locked an 18-year-old woman in his store and raped her. Massena police say 35-year-old James Roshia, Jr., allegedly locked the door, grabbed the woman by the arm and took her to a back room. She was able to text a male friend on her cell phone, who reportedly kicked in the door and contacted police. Roshia is charged with first-degree counts of rape, criminal sexual act and unlawful imprisonment. He is currently being held in St. Lawrence County Jail on $50,000 bail. OGDENSBURG – An Ogdensburg man is facing burglary charges after he allegedly broke into a pair of seasonal homes in the Macomb two months ago. Yesterday, state police arrested 27-year-old Jacob McDonald for allegedly broking into two seasonal residences in early March. He also allegedly stole a 30-horsepower boat motor and copper piping. Charged with third-degree burglary, McDonald was arraigned in Morristown town court and remanded to St. Lawrence County Jail on $3,000 bail or $6,000 bond, while he awaits further court action. CONSTABLE – A Franklin County woman was sentenced to 120 days in jail after she admitted to possession of prescriptions, written under a fake name, that were submitted at a Massena-area drug store. 37-year-old Rachelle LaClair of Constable allegedly submitted the false scripts to obtain 30 Ultram tablets. During her third visit to the store, an alert pharmacist found a notice in their computer system that a customer at a Malone drugstore had been trying to obtain Tramadol, while using different identities. LaClair will serve her 120 days in St. Lawrence County Jail in Canton. She was also ordered to pay a $205 surcharge. CANTON -- Building upon its successful and highly-acclaimed Adirondack Semester and its nationally- known environmental studies programs, St. Lawrence University in Canton says it will launch a Sustainability Semester in the spring 2013. Students in the program will live and take courses together that address themes of human sustainability such as land and water use and food production from a variety of disciplines and perspectives. The program will be located on nearby farm property, owned by the Cornell Cooperative Extension and leased by the university. Plans call for 15 to 20 students to live there and work on-site to grow food, build and help renovate energy-efficient structures, and create an intense group setting, attempting to live as sustainably as possible. ALBANY – The New York State Senate Agriculture Committee, chaired by North Country State Senator Patty Ritchie, will hold a public hearing next week to examine tougher state actions to curb the disturbing rise in animal abuse. Fellow North Country Senator Joe Griffo says he is sickened and alarmed at the increase in serious cases of animal abuse and neglect across our region.” Griffo said that he would also like to see Buster's Law tightened. The law addresses aggravated cruelty to animals, making it a felony charge if a person is found guilty when, with no justifiable purpose, a person intentionally kills or causes serious physical injury to a companion animal. The hearing is next Wednesday (May 9th) at 2:30 p..m, in the state office building in Utica. MASSENA – Two projects that will contribute to a greater understanding and appreciation for the St. Lawrence River ecosystem have been awarded funding from the St. Lawrence River Research and Education Fund that was established by the New York Power Authority. NYPA Senior Specialist Maria Toirac says the proposals are an example of projects that will also help foster a better understanding of the river’s complex ecosystem and help create new mechanisms for protection of that ecosystem. The projects will also receive nearly $57,000 in matching funds from other outside sources. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli says he sees little connection between job growth and the nearly $500 million in tax breaks provided by industrial development agencies operating in municipalities all across the state. DiNapoli says more than 4,000 businesses received the tax breaks. But he says IDAs realized 22,000 fewer jobs last year than the year before. DiNapoli says taxpayers clearly aren't getting the best bang for their buck. He says the problem is particularly true downstate, rather than in rural areas like St. Lawrence County, which also has an IDA. In his report, DiNapoli says the average job secured by an IDA cost taxpayers more than $2,500 in tax breaks. He says that's a 9-percent increase over the previous year. LAKE PLACID, N.Y. (AP) — Erin Hamlin and the doubles team of Christian Niccum and Jayson Terdiman head the list of athletes named to the U.S. national luge team for the fall in Lake Placid. Chris Mazdzer of Saranac Lake, who spent the first half of last season focusing on sled and race equipment development, will lead the men's team. Hamlin, a two-time Olympian and former world champion from Remsen, N.Y., will also head up the team. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Gov. Andrew Cuomo is railing against so-called Super PACS and their use of millions of dollars to influence voters without disclosing donors, while the biggest group acting that way in New York was created for him. Cuomo complained that court decisions have allowed Super PACs to bring "unprecedented amounts of money into the political system." He said the power of money in Albany is "unbelievable." The Committee to Save New York was created by CEOs days after Cuomo was elected and has spent $10 million to blanket New York with TV ads supporting Cuomo and his policies. The New York Public Interest Research Group says the group acts much like a Super PAC. The committee has fought and delayed attempts to identify donors. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Governor Andrew Cuomo says he'll work
in a clean-up crew during New York's first "I Love My Parks"
day on Saturday. The volunteer project will be held at 35
state parks and historic sites all around the state.
Volunteers may register on the New York parks website. Cuomo
says volunteers are more important than ever in these
continuing tight fiscal times. Cuomo hasn't said what park
or parks he'll help clean up. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The Republican majority of the New York state Senate provided nearly $10 million more in school aid last night, but only to school districts represented by Republican senators this election year. That’s good news for the North Country which is represented by Republican Senators Patty Ritchie and Joe Griffo. Senate Democrats called the unexpected extra school aid nothing more than pork-barrel spending, which was supposed to be eliminated in the budget adopted in March. The effort turned into a tense debate on the floor. However, Senate Republican Finance Committee Chairman John DeFrancisco says the funding was approved a year ago, but never distributed. He says Republicans never intended to provide the additional "bullet aid" to schools in Senate districts represented by Democrats. DeFrancisco says Democrats also denied bullet aid to schools in Republican districts in 2010 when Democrats held the majority. MASSENA – Massena’s Police Chief Tim Currier will reportedly work on the details to updating a decades-old curfew law to make it more enforceable and help combat the growing incidence of juvenile crime in recent months. Massena village police will be compiling statistics on vandalism and youth crime from the past several years to back the contention that a curfew is necessary. Massena has had a curfew on children under the age of 16, prohibiting them from being out on the street between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. However, the current local law, as it is presently written, is considered too vague to be enforceable. Currier is expected to suggest revisions to bring it into compliance with recommendations from the New York State Court of Appeals. OGDENSBURG, N.Y. (AP) — The Great Lakes Seaway Trail is promoting a series of walks along waterways in upstate New York as the nation commemorates the bicentennial of the War of 1812. A national organization — the American Volkssport Association — has given its approval to walks in nine Seaway Trail communities, including one in Ogdensburg which has considerable War of 1812 history. Walking enthusiasts who complete 3.1-mile and 6.2-mile Seaway Trail walks can earn A.V.A. credits and special pins. Seaway Trail officials say they expect Volkssport groups from across the nation to visit the War of 1812 sites along Lakes Erie and Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. GOUVERNEUR – St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s deputies arrested a second Gouverneur man in connection with Sunday’s alleged assault at a private residence on County Route 12 in Gouverneur. Deputies say 21-year-old Franklin Ablan and his co-defendant, 21-year-old Nico Devito, allegedly entered the private residence of an ex-girlfriend assaulted two men. Devito was charged earlier. Ablan was also charged with first-degree burglary and fourth-degree conspiracy, both felonies. Ablan was also committed to St. Lawrence County Jail on $10,000 bail or $20,000 bond. FORT DRUM, N.Y. (AP) — Fort Drum is among six Army posts that will participate in a six-month test of new rules allowing women to take more jobs closer to front lines. The test is the result of a Pentagon policy change driven by the experiences of recent wars and to give women opportunity to compete for positions they were previously forbidden from filling because they were considered too dangerous. Among the jobs to be opened to women for the first time are tank and armored-troop carrier mechanic, artillery radar operator and rocket launcher crewmember. One brigade of the 10th Mountain Division at the northern New York post is participating... along with units Colorado, Texas, Kentucky and Hawaii. WADDINGTON – After falling to second place in the closing hours of last year’s “Ultimate Fishing Town USA” competition, the town of Waddington is back in the competition for 2012. Sponsored by the World Fishing Network, supporters can again go online and vote up to four times per day for the ultimate fishing town. The network awards a $25,000 prize to the town that receives the most votes. Last y ear, Waddington held the lead in the competition until the final day when it was beaten out by the town of Roscoe in the New York Catskills. Waddington finished second and claimed a $5,000 prize. May 2, 2012 ALBANY – The company that brought you an electric rate decrease with the beginning of this year, National Grid, is asking the New York State Public Service Commission to increase rates on the delivery portion of your bill. The increase, if approved, would take effect in April 2013, which gives the PSC and the public eleven months for review and comment. The company says the increase will actually be offset by an additional surcharge added to bills this past January to help the National Grid recover from various expenses that were previously deferred over the past decade, including unexpected costs for storm recovery and related repairs. The bottom line would be a 2.1 percent decrease starting next April. MASSENA – A Massena man was arrested after he allegedly forcibly broke into the apartment of an ex- girlfriend, threatened her and another occupant with a baton, took a bag from a kitchen cupboard and made other verbal threats while leaving. Massena village police arrested 22-year-old Justin Mendies on burglary, menacing, harassment and stolen property charges. Mendies was arraigned in Massena village court and remanded to St. Lawrence County Jail on $50,000 bail or $100,000 bond. Mendies had a previous run-in with the law three years ago on sexual misconduct and child endangerment charges. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A smokers' rights groups is challenging New York's smoking ban in state parks, pools areas and beaches that begins this year, including all several state parks in the North Country. Smoking in banned areas could result in a violation of disorderly conduct. Several bills pending in the Legislature over several years have failed to become law, dying in committee. New York CLASH says the rule set by the state parks office is illegal. The group is making a final request to overturn the ban that she says conflicts with the will of the Legislature. She also threatened a lawsuit. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York state insurance chief Benjamin Lawsky has announced new regulations to close some odd loopholes that actually assisted criminals committing auto insurance fraud. Lawsky said the Cuomo administration's new regulations will stop forcing insurers to make payments for medical care when there was no proof treatment was provided. The regulations will also take insurance companies off the hook in court and in arbitration if minor paperwork errors were made in submitting the claim. The new insurance rules also set a deadline for health-care workers to provide proof that treatments are medically necessary. Lawsky says the new system should also speed processing for legitimate claims and injuries. The industry and consumer group Fraud Costs New York says the loopholes contributed to fraud that raised insurance premiums. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Occupy Albany is back, with about three dozen protesters chanting and carrying signs in a park next to the Capitol as state troopers look on. The troopers have taken water and a table from the demonstrators, saying they can't camp in Lafayette Park. Occupy staged protests yesterday in major cities upstate to coincide with international May Day protests The group's agenda supports organized labor and environmental protection. Last year, they dubbed Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo "Gov. 1 Percent" because of some of his policies and because his biggest campaign contributors are corporate executives. Occupy Albany's camp was dismantled during the winter after initially withstanding efforts by Cuomo to have them kicked out of the city-owned part of the park. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman
says new lawyers will have to provide 50 hours of free legal
services as a requirement for admission to the state bar
starting next year, a move he hopes other states will
follow. With about 10,000 people passing the New York Bar
Exam annually, Lippman says that means about a half-million
hours of pro bono work each year, mostly from law students.
Addressing lawyers, judges and other officials yesterday,
Lippman notes that only about 20 percent of the need is
being met for civil legal services for the poor, though
state support is up to $40 million and many lawyers already
do pro bono work. State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman
says the pro bono requirement should help more families
stave off mortgage foreclosures. May 1, 2012 AKWESASNE – The debate over cigarette smuggling locally and across the U.S.-Canada border is heating up over legal issues and jurisdictions – and whether New York State has the legal right to expect taxes paid on product produced on the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation and sold to directly another reservation. While the tobacco products are reportedly produced by federally-licensed manufacturers, New York State Taxation and Finance wants the products stamped so they can be tracked and taxes collected along the way. However, cigarette transporting has become a bigger concern in recent weeks, with large tractor-trailer loads now transporting the products. Mohawk officials say reservation-to- reservation products -- made on Indian land and not sold to customers off Indian land -- are exempt from state taxes. ALBANY -- A measure cosponsored by North Country State Senators Patty Ritchie and Joseph Griffo that would give local governments more flexibility in maintaining “low use” roads was approved by the Senate Monday. The legislation was one of the recommendations of Senator Ritchie’s Mandate Relief Working Group, a panel of local government officials. These low-volume roads do not require as much upkeep—like required plowing for example—therefore saving municipalities money. The legislation would establish a comprehensive and transparent process for towns to designate recreational or agricultural roads as minimum maintenance. MASSENA – A Massena motorcyclist was injured yesterday afternoon when he attempted a lane change on State Route 37 near Massena High School, hit a pot hole and crashed. Massena-based State Police say 56-year-old John Thomas sustained only minor injuries, including cuts and scrapes to the face, along with left arm and leg injuries. He was transported to Massena Memorial Hospital for treatment. Massena village police, fire and rescue units assisted at the scene. TUPPER LAKE – A Tupper Lake man is facing rape and other sex charges in alleged connection with two cases reported in the village just five days apart. Tupper Lake Police say 25-year-old James Matthews was charged with first-degree rape and two counts of criminal sex act for a case April 22nd in which a victim was assaulted shortly after midnight near a tavern. Matthews was also charged in connection with a second case on April 27th, in which was charged with felony criminal sexual act and misdemeanor counts of first-degree unlawful imprisonment and forcible touching. He was arraigned and ordered held in Franklin County Jail in Malone on $50,000 bail or $100,000 bond, to await a May 14th court appearance. POTSDAM – A pair of Potsdam men were arrested early yesterday after a complaint of gunshots heard in downtown Potsdam. It turns out 25-year-olds Matt Donaldson and Nathaniel Sachs had allegedly been shooting off firecrackers at 2:30 in the morning. Officers say they observed the two men setting them off. They will answer charges of unlawful possession of fireworks later this month. CANTON – A Raymondville man was sentenced to a year’s probation and $239 in restitution for burglarizing a Massena auto dealership last September. In St. Lawrence County Court in Canton, 28- year-old Mark Premo, Jr., was sentenced after previously pleading guilty to two counts of burglary and another count of attempted burglary. UNDATED – There will be interim rain today, but the transition back to warmer weather has begun with more welcome temperatures in the mid 70s by Thursday. After three weeks of cold, ice and snow, rain with possible thunderstorms have settled in. Sunny weather will be on and off through the weekend, but relief from the frosty nights and cold snowy weather have passed – for now. The weather figures for St. Lawrence County for April showed the average temperature of 43.1 degrees, just above average, thanks to record highs including 84 degrees on April 16th. Rainfall in April was a half-inch above normal. WATERTOWN, N.Y. (AP) — Watertown police say their investigation is continuing into the death of a city woman who has died after she apparently fell out of a moving vehicle. Police say Jefferson County emergency dispatchers received calls that a woman had jumped or had fallen out of a vehicle on a road near city limits. When police and emergency crews arrived on the scene, they found 24-year-old Angela Perdue of Watertown on the side of the road. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities say the driver of the vehicle has been identified and was questioned by police. ALBANY – As we reported yesterday, a federal judge began hearing advice from state regulators on what to do with millions of dollars set aside to benefit New York State’s utility customers. But as we also heard, several special interest groups want to get their hands on that money for their constituent interests. But as reporter Mike Clifford reports, AARP activist Bill Ferris is calling for independent experts to represent consumers who were bilked out of money by energy-market manipulations and now might be seeing that money go elsewhere. ALBANY – The Phase II Study Report from the State Transmission Assessment and Reliability Study group was released yesterday. It outlines specific and practical electric transmission projects to bolster the state power grid, provide economic benefits, support development of renewable resources and ensure a strong power system for all New Yorkers. The state’s six bulk transmission agencies, including the New York Power Authority and National Grid – are all participants in the initiative, which extends a proposed blueprint 20 years or more into the future. The group said nearly 40 percent of the state’s transmission lines should be replaced in the next 30 years. They said reviewed increased deliverability of wind generation in the upstate region; environmental benefits; and increased economic development and job creation. STATEWIDE (AP) — Cornell Cooperative Extension agents are educating growers across the state about the use of native nematode worms to control destructive alfalfa snout beetles. Cornell scientists say 500,000 acres of farmland in nine counties have been infested by the beetles, which can destroy entire fields in one growing season. Crop damage can cost as much as $1,500 an acre. In addition to teaching farmers how to grow and apply nematodes that kill the beetles, Cornell is creating alfalfa varieties that are resistant to the insects. Cornell entomologists are now evaluating the use of nematodes to control pests in New York's grape vineyards and apple orchards. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Occupy Albany is back, this time with a specific platform to change New York government and politics. The group credited in part with pushing Gov. Andrew Cuomo to accept a higher tax on millionaires, plans opening ceremonies from noon to midnight Tuesday across from the Capitol, coinciding with May Day protests. The camp was disassembled during the winter. The park is within shouting distance of the Democratic governor dubbed "Governor 1 Percent" because of some of his policies and because his biggest campaign contributors are top corporate executives. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman
plans to announce a new initiative to provide more free
legal services at a Law Day observance in Albany. Lippman is
expected to outline his plans for a pro bono initiative in
an address to lawyers, judges and other officials Tuesday at
an observance themed "No Courts, No Justice, No Freedom." He
has used the occasion previously to announce steps meant to
improve indigent defense at initial court appearances,
provide more legal services to the poor and help prevent
wrongful convictions. HENDERSON, N.Y. (AP) — The body of a 45-year-old North Country man missing since a boating accident April 21st was recovered from the waters of Lake Ontario. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office says the body of 45-year-old David Tuttle was found by divers Saturday afternoon in 40 feet of water near Henderson. Tuttle was a school custodian from Lowville in neighboring Lewis County. Authorities had been searching for Tuttle since the 25-foot boat he was aboard capsized in rough water about 100 yards off Stony Point in Henderson. His fishing companion, 33-year-old Buck Stockman, clung to the overturned boat and was rescued. The life jacket Tuttle wore was later found by the Coast Guard. GOUVERNEUR – A 21-year-old Gouverneur man is facing a host of charges after an assault early yesterday. St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a complaint of an assault in progress on Johnstown Road in Gouverneur. Authorities say Nico Devito had allegedly unlawfully entered a home where his ex-girlfriend was with several of her friends. While inside, Devito allegedly assaulted two male subjects before leaving. One of the men suffered an orbital bone fracture. Deputies located Devito a short time later and charged him with first-degree burglary, assault second and third, and criminal obstruction of breathing. He was arraigned in Fowler town court and remanded to St. Lawrence County Jail on $10,000 bail or $20,000 bond, pending further court action. Orders of protection were also issued for the victims. POTSDAM – Potsdam Police and Potsdam Rescue were dispatched yesterday to a home on Raquette Road in response to an alert that a male at the residence might be suffering a stroke. While patrol was assisting Potsdam Rescue on scene, an Officer observed several marijuana plants growing in the apartment. The man was rushed to Canton-Potsdam Hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, the plants were confiscated and police say charges are pending. ROSSIE – Two southern St. Lawrence County residents lost their home in an early-morning fire on Sunday. Fire officials there was no one inside the structure at the time of the fire which destroyed the property on Barker Road in the town of Rossie. It was being rented at the time. The structure was listed as a total loss. There were no injuries reported. The local Red Cross was contacted for assistance to the occupants. MASSENA – A civilian complaint of an erratic driver on State Route 56 in Norfolk resulted in the arrest of a Massena woman on driving-while-intoxicated charges. St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s deputies say 22-year-old Lindley Cook was found to have an alleged blood alcohol content of .22 percent. Cook was also charged with failure to keep right and aggravated driving while intoxicated. She was released on appearance tickets for a later court date. WADDINGTON – An inmate at St. Lawrence County Jail was arrested for a previously-issued bad check. St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s deputies say 27-year-old Allen Oshier allegedly issued the bad check to Sharlow’s Service Station in Waddington in June 2011. Oshier was issued an appearance ticket for a later court date. OGDENSBURG – The New York State Transportation Department will begin a two-week project today to upgrade State Route 812 between Ogdensburg and Heuvelton. The project, between Route 37 in Ogdensburg and McIlwee Road in Heuvelton, will cause some delays for motorists. Drivers are urged to watch for pilot vehicles who will guide traffic through the work zone. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A college professor wants New Yorkers to show some "amour" to the French for all their contributions to the Empire State's heritage – from the North Country to New York City. In her recently published bilingual book "J'aime New York" ("I Love New York"), University at Albany French studies professor Eloise Briere writes about the contributions the French and others of French descent have made to the exploration, settlement and development of New York state, including Jacques Cartier’s exploration and other Frenchmen to the St. Lawrence River as early as the 1500s. She says the French presence can be found in every region of the state, from place names such as Raquette Lake in the Adirondacks to the Statue of Liberty, a gift from France to the United States in 1885. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Young people from around New York
state are heading to the Capitol to call on Gov. Andrew
Cuomo to ban "fracking" for natural gas and lead the state
toward a clean energy economy. The Green Umbrella, a network
of college students fighting climate change, held a
conference in Albany over the weekend. Today they'll be
demonstrating against hydraulic fracturing, or fracking,
which frees natural gas from shale. Critics say it threatens
drinking water supplies and causes other environmental
damage. Demonstrators will march to the Capitol. Along the
way, they're planning theatrics including a mock "wedding"
between gas companies and politicians. |