(Massena – GM Plant Future) Motors Liquidation Corporation is still considering various options for the future General Motors buildings in Massena – but a decision is expected soon on whether the company will continue to seek a buyer or will demolish some or all of the buildings. The North Country Redevelopment Task Force heard from a corporation representative yesterday and reportedly asked to sit in on future discussions on the fate of the structures. G-M Powertrain operations shut down last summer after 50 years of operation. Pollution concerns in some of the buildings are also weighing into whether those structures will be razed.

(Madrid – Dam Deteriorated) The State Department of Environmental Conservation says that a dam on the Grasse River in Madrid will need repair in the near future, due to the advanced deterioration of its concrete structures. The D.E.C. is looking to obtain funding to rehabilitate the dam. It was reported that if the walls were breached, there would be little effect downstream, except perhaps to a handful of buildings or roads nearby. So far, there has been no word on how much it would cost to refurbish the dam.

(Ogdensburg – P-&-C To Close) Tops Markets announced late yesterday that the P&C store in Ogdensburg will close effective April 10th. In a company statement received by WMSA News, Tops officials said they evaluated economic viability, current store condition and store location within the Tops geographic footprint. Two weeks ago, Price Chopper purchased the four other St. Lawrence County stores, but made no offer on the Ogdensburg P-&-C because they already had a Price Chopper outlet in the city. The decision left the Ogdensburg P-&-C alone outside the Tops footprint. Over the next few days, management and Food Service Workers Union Local #1 will working together to address issues including re-employment for Ogdensburg P-&-C workers.

(Ogdensburg – Friday Rally) Ogdensburg city and prison officials are hoping for a very large turnout from across the North Country today for a planned rally of concerned local residents to protest the proposed closing of the Ogdensburg Correctional Facility and the loss of 287 jobs with it. The rally will be held at Ogdensburg City Hall at 4:00 p.m.. Local officials are hoping that with a very large turnout, state officials and the governor will take notice, see that North Country residents are going to rise up in protest and will reverse the plan to close the facility.

(Albany – Wildfires) State Environmental Commissioner Pete Grannis yesterday reminded New Yorkers that all residential brush burning is prohibited statewide during the state's historically high fire risk period, March 15th to May 15th. Last year, New York toughened restrictions on open burning in all communities during early spring when the bulk of New York's wildfires typically occur. Open burning is the largest single cause of wildfires in New York State. Some towns are designated "fire towns" primarily in and around the Adirondack Park. Under Environmental Law, open burning is prohibited in those municipalities without a written DEC permit. Violators are subject to both criminal and civil enforcement actions, with penalties ranging from $375 to $15,000 for a first offense. The DEC also has a tip-line to report violations call 1-800-TIPP DEC.

(Potsdam – Funding) The Procter & Gamble Fund has selected Clarkson University to receive a Higher Education Grant of $10,000 to better prepare students for successful careers. The program, Engineering in Contemporary Society, is designed to help first-year students see the diverse applications of engineering skills across disciplines and help them understand how engineering fits into today's global realities. It will explore the demands and challenges of engineering, and show how the profession fits into the student's other courses.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has recused himself in the investigation of whether Gov. David Paterson interfered with a domestic violence case involving a top aide. He appointed former state Chief Judge Judith Kaye to the case.  Kaye will also probe whether the governor lied about his intentions to pay for World Series tickets. Cuomo is widely expected to run for governor and came under criticism for investigating Paterson's role in the case in which a woman accused a trusted Paterson adviser of roughing her up. Some said it would be a conflict of interest for Cuomo to conduct the investigation.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Power plants that suck millions of gallons of water daily out of New York rivers will have to switch to costly fish-friendly cooling towers under new rules proposed by the state Department of Environmental Conservation. Environmentalists have long pushed regulators to make utilities install new technology, saying power plants kill billions of fish and fish eggs annually.

(Undated – Clock Time Change) This is the weekend to Spring Ahead to Daylight Saving Time. Under a federal law that went into effect in 2007, the change to Daylight Saving Time begins on the second Sunday in March and ends the first weekend in November, to provide us with four more weeks of sunshine later in the day. The time change will mean an hour less for sleeping this coming Sunday morning.
 

March 11, 2010

(Canton – Inspection Report) A New York State Labor Department inspection report has cited 33 safety violations – including 24 serious violations – in the St. Lawrence County Highway Department. The report released yesterday was based on a routine department inspection conducted last month, but followed reported complaints to the state regarding inadequate training that allegedly put employees at risk. The more serious violations included the lack of a "no smoking" sign on a diesel pump, no blade guard on a band saw, electrical breaker switches were not properly labeled and others. County officials say over 90-percent of the violations have already been addressed and corrections completed.

(Canton – Corning Rehires) Ten production workers have been reportedly been recalled at Corning Incorporated of Canton, after a surge in recent sales at the plant. The plant also needed additional workers to assist with startup of Polarcor, a product that has been transferred in recent months from the former Corning plant that was shutdown last year in Virginia. Over the past two years, Corning of Canton had laid off nearly 40 workers, due to the downturn in the economy.

(Undated – Gas Prices) For North Country motorists and tourists, it's almost here. Gasoline prices have edged back up and about to spill over the three-dollar mark once again. Prices were back to $2.99.9 for regular unleaded yesterday in Massena – up nearly a dime in the past month. Gas experts says the price for regular will top $3.00 across the country by Easter and $3.25 by July. Gas prices regularly rise between March and May as motorists travel more in better weather and prepare for the summer tourist season.

(Madrid – Farm Worker) Officials have identified the 26-year-old migrant farm worker who was killed last month in a fire at Mapleview Dairy on Jones Road in Madrid. Mario Martinez of Mexico died of smoke inhalation when fire swept through a manufactured home on the farm on February 24th. His body was found in a bedroom. The death was ruled accidental, caused by a fire from food left cooking on the stove that spread quickly throughout the structure. St. Lawrence County officials say arrangements are being made to return Martinez's body to Mexico. In that blaze, three other migrant workers were seriously hurt.

(Albany – Grants) Six North Country Libraries -- including three in St. Lawrence County -- will receive a total of over $400,000 in funding for improvements from the New York State Education Department. The awards were announced yesterday by North Country State Senator Darrel Aubertine and Assemblywoman Addie Russell. The Ogdensburg Public Library will receive $43,800 to fix its roof and rehabilitate two chimneys. The Potsdam Public Library is in line for 13,750 for a partial roof replacement. And the Morley Library will get almost $7,300 replace its roof, front door and eight windows.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Senate has confirmed the federal co-chairperson of a northern border commission that aims to create jobs and boost the economy in the northernmost New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Sandy Blitz was confirmed lasty night for the new position with the Northern Border Regional Commission. Blitz owns a company that helps public and private institutions get government grants and loans and recently served as regional administrator of the Small Business Administration. The commission will help create jobs in a 36-county area -- including the North Country -- by investing in infrastructure improvements, high-speed Internet access, health care and renewable energy.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation says Wednesday that eliminating two of the eight categories of people eligible for the program called Access Pass would save about $1 million annually and reduce the potential for abuse. The 33-year-old program gives New Yorkers with certain disabilities free or reduced admission to the park system. A review of the program began after a New York Times report showed that a disproportionate number of LIRR retirees qualified for federal disability benefits, making them eligible for free rounds of golf. Under the changes, they and people in the "semi-ambulatory" category would no longer automatically get passes.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Former Gov. George Pataki is endorsing Rick Lazio in his Republican bid for governor this year. Pataki is perhaps the most popular Republican in New York and is scheduled to make the endorsement today. Lazio is a former congressman from Long Island who has collected endorsements from most Republican county chairmen and many Conservative Party leaders around the state. Lazio spokesman Barney Keller says Pataki's backing is another indication Lazio has support to – as he put it – sweep clean the dysfunction in Albany. Pataki retired as governor four years ago and is considering a run for the U.S. Senate seat held by Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. The polls show Pataki has strong support statewide for a return to politics.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A new poll shows the percentage of New York voters who say scandal-plagued Gov. David Paterson should serve out his term has edged upward. The Quinnipiac University poll released today showed that 50 percent believe Paterson should serve until the end of his term rather than resign. Another 39 percent said he should resign, with 11 percent undecided. A Quinnipiac poll released last Friday showed 46 percent of voters said Paterson should complete his term.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch has proposed a five-year plan for getting New York's state government's notorious overspending under control by requiring balanced budgets through the fiscal year. The proposal includes borrowing up to $2 billion a year for the next three years to right the state's finances. It would also create an independent financial review board under a law that would empower a governor to make spending cuts to balance budgets without the Legislature's approval. Lawmakers, however, would have to approve the Ravitch proposal, which would take away some of their power to protect school aid and other spending for powerful special interests. Ravitch has a long record of dealing with fiscal crises in New York.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The state Department of Environmental Conservation says 2009 was the second record-setting year in a row for New York's endangered peregrine falcons. DEC surveys found that there were 73 territorial pairs of falcons in the state in 2009, with 42 pairs recorded upstate. That's a slight increase from 2008. Also in 2009, 61 pairs produced 132 young, also slightly up. New York has the largest population of peregrines in the eastern United States. The birds raise young on cliffs, bridges, and buildings. Their population is slowly recovering after they disappeared from the eastern U.S. due to pesticides in the early 60's.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority is awarding $8 million to support 19 cutting-edge energy storage projects. The awards are going to companies and universities involved in advanced research and development of energy storage applications for transportation, utility Smart Grid projects, renewable energy technologies, and other industries.
 

March 10, 2010

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A coalition of environmental groups has a new ad campaign urging lawmakers to restore money to the state's Environmental Protection Fund. The ad features the state's "official" animals — bluebird, snapping turtle, beaver and brook trout — submitting their resignations. It's sponsored by a broad coalition of groups including the Adirondack Council and Audubon New York. The Environmental Protection Fund was established in 1993 to provide a reliable source of money for projects such as landfill closure, recycling facilities, and open space protection. Governor Paterson proposes cutting the Environmental Protection fund by about one-third to $143 million.

NEW YORK (AP) — New York State's high-school graduation rate last year was up slightly from the previous year, from 70.9 to 71.8 percent. The state last year began issuing figures that include students who graduate in August after meeting requirements over the summer. The statewide four-year rate is more than 74 percent with August graduates.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli has proposed major reforms in the state budget process. He says structural changes are needed to avoid routine multi-billion-dollar deficits even when revenue is strong. The Democrat says the recession showed the weaknesses of the budget that funds most state and local public services. He says restructuring is needed to better balance spending and revenue, to avoid one-shot gimmicks to raise cash, and to survive a big drop in revenue from Wall Street. He says more borrowing is the least desirable option. DiNapoli says a better approach is clear and, so far, rarely taken: Spend only the amount raised in revenue.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Gov. David Paterson is pressing a state spending cap on a reluctant Legislature and pushing back against his lieutenant governor's reported plan to borrow billions over several years to escape a fiscal crisis. Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch denied a press report that he has developed a multiyear plan to right the state's finances that includes billions of dollars in borrowing. Paterson says that spending is the state's top problem and it must be curbed or capped before resorting to borrowing. The current deficit is projected at $2 billion. The state budget due April 1 includes a deficit approaching $9 billion in a $130 billion spending plan. Paterson says talks with legislative leaders aren't being hampered by the two scandals that threaten his job.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Conservative Democrat Steve Levy (LEE'-vee) says he's met in Albany with as many as 20 Republican leaders as he considers a run across party lines for governor. Levy says he was encouraged by the meeting, which he said was requested by the leaders from around the state. Levy says he told Republicans they should back him only if they want to revolutionize a dysfunctional state government. Levy has run before on Republican and Democratic lines. Former Congressman Rick Lazio has been the presumptive Republican candidate for governor. A Lazio spokesman called Levy a supporter of Democratic Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and said Levy running as a Republican would be an insult to the party.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A new poll shows Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's approval rating tumbled 13 points in the last two weeks as he began investigating scandals that threaten Gov. David Paterson, his one-time political rival. The Marist College poll finds that Cuomo's job approval rating is 54 percent, down from 67 percent two weeks ago, the level he'd maintained for months. Marist pollster Lee Miringoff says that's a major change in such a short time. Cuomo is expected to announce a run for governor soon and lost the most support among New York City voters and non-whites.

(Massena – Village Board Special) The Massena village board will be holding a special meeting late this afternoon, when it’s expected the trustees will discuss options regarding the fate of the crumbling former Slavins buildings on Water Street. The roof on one of the buildings collapsed two weeks ago, forcing the village of close the lower end of the street for safety reasons. On Monday, the St. Lawrence County Legislature agreed to foreclose on all three properties turn them over to the village without any fees so the village can take action to remove them.

(Newton Falls – Schumer) U.S. Senator Charles Schumer was in southern St. Lawrence County yesterday pledging to assist the Newton Falls Fine Paper Company in accessing federal funding to create jobs. The company wants financial assistance to purchase a cellulosic ethanol boiler to power its machines, which could add 95 jobs and retain 120 others. In a press statement yesterday, Schumer noted that the plant is not eligible for a U.S. Department of Agriculture's Business and Industry Loan because its primarily owned by a Canadian firm, Scotia Investments. The senator said, "Since Newton Falls Paper will be spending every nickel right here in New York — and creating jobs for New Yorkers — I am urging USDA to craft a creative solution that finds a way to help the company expand its American operation."

(Paul Smiths – Meeting Change) The State Department of Environmental Conservation will conduct two North Country meetings this week that were previously canceled due to poor weather. The public meeting on the draft amendment to the St. Regis Canoe Area Management Plan and fire tower will be held this evening at Paul Smiths College near Saranac Lake. A public meeting on the Jay Mountain and Hurricane Mountain Primitive Areas will be held tomorrow evening at Keene Central School. A presentation on Adirondack Park Fire Tower Study will be made at both meetings. The deadline for comments is March 26th. While the towers are no longer in use, some local residents are opposed to their dismantling for historic reasons. The towers are on the National Register of Historic Places.

(Hogansburg – Sex Arrest) State police yesterday arrested a Franklin County man, said to be working in the Hogansburg area, for allegedly having sexual contact with an underage girl on two occasions. Authorities say 38-year-old Aristides Rojas allegedly engaged into two sex acts with the minor female in the fall of 2004 and summer of 2006. Rojas was arrested on a St. Lawrence County Court warrant on charges of first-degree sexual conduct and endangering the welfare of a child. He was arraigned in county court in Canton yesterday, pled not guilty to the charges and released for a March 16th court appearance.

(Edwards – Vandal Sentenced) An Edwards teenager has been given a one-year conditional discharge, fined $500 and ordered to pay $1,200 in restitution for allegedly vandalizing an Edwards cemetery last May. 17-year-old Bradley Phillips recently pled guilty to second-degree attempted cemetery desecration in a plea deal with the St. Lawrence County District Attorney's Office. Phillips confessed to overturning 16 grave markers in Riverside Cemetery.

(Potsdam – Struck Children) A Potsdam man who was arrested last week for allegedly assaulting two young children is scheduled to appear in a Potsdam courtroom today, along with a woman charged with not taking proper action to protect the youths. 25-year-old Don Anson allegedly hit a five-year-old in the eye with a closed fist and struck a four-year-old in the back with a belt, causing a welt and skin removal. Anson was charged with two felony counts of second degree assault .And 23-year-old Stacie Henry allegedly knew of the assaults, provided false accounts to Child Protective Services and tried to conceal the alleged assaults. March 10, 2010

(Undated – Weather) When the groundhog did not see his shadow in the North Country last month, no one would have expected the steady spate of very mild springlike weather in the 40s and low 50s for the past several days. But the nighttime lows remind us that winter has not yet left us. Readings dipped to 19 degrees this morning in Massena. It was only eight above at daybreak -- the state’s cold spot in Saranac Lake.

(Massena – Apartment Trashed) A Massena woman was arrested yesterday for allegedly illegally entering and trashing her ex- boyfriend’s residence. State police arrested 21-year-old Rebecca Newcombe for second-degree burglary. She is charged with dumping laundry detergent and cranberry juice on the floors. Authorities say about $500 in change and a checkbook were missing. The incident reportedly involved a dispute over custody of the couple’s infant daughter.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A week after his boss left the New York State Police amid the scandal surrounding Gov. David Paterson's top law enforcement personnel, the acting superintendent says he's retiring too. Pedro Perez is stepping down after 28 years, following Superintendent Harry Corbitt out the door. Perez says Tuesday his departure has nothing to do with the attorney general's investigation into whether troopers and Paterson improperly contacted a woman who had accused one of the governor's aides of domestic violence.