Newswatch 50: Local News

NYS Bd. of Elections issues statement on 23rd CD election

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:56:00 GMT

There was no computer virus affecting voting machines during the 23rd Congressional District, says a statement from the state Board of Elections.

The Gouverneur Times published a story quoting a local elections official as saying some machines had a virus.

The Times said that cast doubt on the accuracy of the election night numbers.

Here's the statement from the State Board of Elections:

News from New York State Board of Elections

For more information contact: John W. Conklin, 518-474-1953

Statement from the Board of Elections on the 23rd Congressional District

ALBANY, NY (11/20/2009)(readMedia)-- The New York State Board of Elections Director of Public Information has issued the following statement on behalf of the Board in reaction to an article from a newspaper in the state's North Country:

An article in the Gouverneur Times as to the, as of yet uncertified results in the 23rd Congressional District contains numerous false assertions and allegations.

There was no virus in the voting machines on Election Day in the 23rd District or anywhere else. The article is full of inaccurate information and unfortunately quoted a single word from a commissioner who mischaracterized the issue in question.

The State Board has already acknowledged there was a software problem identified during our mandatory pre-election testing regimen prior to Election Day. The problem centered on races which were composed of multi-candidate formats which allow voters to vote for more than one candidate in a given race. For example, in judicial races the voter is often allowed to vote for 3 out of 5 candidates or 2 out of 4, etc., or in a town where there are "at large" districts. The source code did not allow for enough memory in these contests and caused the scanners to freeze during operation. The Counties experiencing the problem were notified prior to Election Day and the voting systems were corrected and re-tested and the corrective action was applied successfully in those areas.

However, the human review of the software problem did not adequately identify every machine that had the problem and, as a result, there were some scanners which did freeze on Election Day. When these scanners froze, the local boards implemented procedures according to state law and Board of Elections regulations. These procedures do not allow for new changes on Election Day, so inoperative scanners were taken out of operation and emergency ballots were cast and counted in those areas according to existing procedures.

This problem was discussed in numerous press reports around the state and was openly discussed at the November 10th State Board of Elections meeting by the Commissioners and the Director of Election Operations.

With regard to the use of USB ports, there is a single USB port on the ImageCast scanner. Pursuant to state Election Law 7-202(t) the port does not permit any "functionality potentially capable of externally transmitting or receiving data via the internet, via radio waves or via other wireless means." The port is sealed, is not accessible and has no capability for any exchange of information. The scanners do not operate like personal computers. Any device, such as a flash drive, placed in the port will not be recognized.

In addition, from the time the pre-election testing is completed until Election Day morning the machines are in the care, custody and control of the local board of elections. The machines as a group are under lock and key. Individually, the critical areas of the machine are covered in tamper-evident seals which are numbered and logged. Any broken seal will be investigated and the machine re-tested prior to any further use. Any broken seal discovered on Election Day will cause the scanner to be taken out of service immediately. The inspectors then follow long-established procedures to go to emergency ballots, until an alternate scanner can be deployed.

Lastly, any reference to a slot that is accessible to voters and poll workers for stuffing the ballot box is inaccurate information. A gap between the scanning device and the ballot box was discovered during functional testing of the ballot marking devices more than a year ago. Every machine in use on Election Day was retrofitted to completely block access to that gap. Prior to completion of the retrofit last year the gap was blocked by a tamper-evident numbered security seal. As stated earlier, any broken seal would cause the removal of a scanner from use immediately.

In addition, from the time they are created up to and including final storage, all election materials paper and machines are secured and tracked in a chain of custody by the local board of elections. All ballots voted, unvoted and spoiled must be accounted for throughout the election process.

Despite the numerous misstatements of fact in the above mentioned article, the results in the 23rd Congressional District, and all other contests in counties which utilized optical scan voting machines, will have been canvassed and audited pursuant to state Election Law, and will be certified in due course. In the end, the new optical scan voting systems guarantee we have ballots as marked by voters ensuring that every vote is counted.

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Permalink: http://readme.readmedia.com/Statement-from-the-Board-of-Elections-on-the-23rd-Congressional-District/984695

Russell asks for probe of V.A. clinic switch

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:03:00 GMT

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell is asking for an investigation into the Veterans Administration decision to terminate its contract with Carthage Area Hospital.

The V.A. has instead awarded the contract to a Washington firm, Valor Healthcare, which plans to move the clinic to Watertown.

Ms. Russell hopes Congressman Bill Owens and Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand can initiate a federal investigation.

The V.A. cited no problems with Carthage Area Hospital in pulling its six-year contract from the hospital and awarding it to Valor.

Carthage Area Hospital will be forced to close the clinic shortly and Valor won't open its clinic in Watertown until 2010, leaving a gap in service of several weeks.

"I cannnot understand why the VA would end a six-year operation with the second best customer service record in the state and bring in a Washington, D.C. outfit that has had issues in some of the other Va clinics that it operates," Assemblywoman Russell said in a statement.

Suspects sought in burglaries in Madrid, Morley

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:37:00 GMT

The St. Lawrence County Sheriff's Department is asking for the public's help in identifying one or more burglars.

Wayne's Gas Station on Route 310 in Madrid and the Longbranch Restaurant in Morley were broken into the night of November 17th.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff's Department at 315-379-2222. Tips may also be left at 1-800-287-3784.

Sneak peek inside new Denny's

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:15:00 GMT

Denny's will return to Watertown on Sunday, after a 1 1/2 year absence.

The Denny's chain yanked the franchise on the previous owners at the Arsenal Street eatery, forcing its closure in April, 2008.

Now, new owners have taken over and will reopen the restaurant at 10 p.m. Sunday.

The General Manager is Paul Whitmarsh, who returned to Watertown after 15 years in Ohio.

"It's really exciting to welcome everybody from Watertown to the new store," Whitmarsh said.

The redesigned interior eliminates the bar and lounge areas and opens up new dining rooms.

Area Denny's Director Nancy Groff said the first 100 tables served starting at 7 a.m. Monday will get vouchers good for a free breakfast each week for a year.

Verizon, AT&T duel with 3G Mobile coverage of SLC

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:00:00 GMT

This week both Verizon and AT&T announced expansion of their 3G Network wireless coverage in St. Lawrence County.

Verizon said it is expanding its local coverage with new cell sites in Lisbon and Stockholm.

The new site in Lisbon improves coverage in the Flackville area, Verizon said, while the new Stockholm site improves coverage and capacity in Stockholm, Southville and portions of Route 11B.

The expansion is part of a multi-billion dollar investment each year to stay ahead of the demand for Verizon's voice and data services, the company said.

Meanwhile, AT&T announced it is launching 3G Mobile Broadband coverage in St. Lawrence County.

It's "newly-enhanced" cell sites include Brasher Falls, Canton, Dekalb, Gouverneur, Massena, Norfolk, Ogdensburg, Pierrepont, Pine Grove, Potsdam, Rensselaer Falls and Waddington, as well as new cell cites in Antwerp and Philadelphia in neighboring Jefferson County.

"Demand for wireless bandwidth is growing," said William Leahy, vice president of AT&T Atlantic region legislative and regulatory affairs.

AT&T

"Oprah" will end 25 year run

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:02:00 GMT

The Oprah Winfrey Show will end production after its 2011 season, Ms. Winfrey will announce on her show today. Winfrey is also expected to announce she will launch her own cable television network.

September, 2011 will mark 25 years for what is arguably one of the most popular, influential and enduring programs in television history, said Tim Bennett, President of Harpo Studios, which produces the show.

The program airs Monday through Friday at 4 p.m. on WWTI, ABC 50.

Harpo (Oprah, backwards) Studios also produces shows hosted by Dr. Phil and celebrity chef Rachel Ray.

Evans Mills man accused of promoting child porn

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:18:00 GMT

State Police have charged an Evans Mills man with promoting child pornography.

Edwins Perez, 27, Pheasant Run Road, has been released without bail but will face grand jury action, investigators said.

A search warrant was executed at Perez's home based on evidence obtained by the State Police Computer Crimes/Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force with assistance from the FBI.

Numerous images of children less than 17 year old old engaged in sexual conduct were found, police said.

While the search took place today, the "incident" occurred on April 21st, 2009, according to a State Police press release.

Gouverneur woman killed in crash

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:14:00 GMT

A Gouverneur woman was killed when her car skidded on the ice into the oncoming lane in the town of Antwerp, State Police say.

The victim is 49 year old Donna N. Niles, of the Little Bow Road.

Police say Niles was westbound on County Route 22 in Antwerp Thursday morning when her vehicle lost traction on an ice-covered section of the highway.

Her vehicle collided with one driven by 19 year old Bridgette Sharlow, of Chaumont.

Niles was taken by Theresa ambulance to Samaritan Medical Center where she was later pronounced dead.

Neither Sharlow nor her adult passenger were hurt.

Owens lands committee assignments

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:32:00 GMT

Congressman Bill Owens has been named to the House committees on Armed Services and Homeland Security, his office announced Wednesday.

"Fort Drum is the largest employer in our district and is critical to both our national security and our local economy," Owens said in a statement. "I will do everything in my power to maintain and strengthen Fort Drum as a Member of Congress, and as a member of the Armed Services Committee I will fight tirelessly for the base, the surrounding community and for our entire district, all who benefit from Fort Drum's presence."

Owens said the Homeland Security committee assignment is important because of the North Country's extensive border with Canada.

Massena C.O. accused of ripping off workers' comp

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:26:00 GMT

A Massena man is accused of defrauding the state's workers' compensation program by over $10,000.

Martin Friess, 40, is charged with insurance fraud, false filings, and fraudulent practices, the Attorney General's office announced.

Friess, an eight-year veteran of the state's Department of Corrections, was assigned to Bare Hill Correctional Facility in Malone.

After injuring his knee in an on-the-job accident in 2008, he was off work for more than a year and collected over $10,000 from workers' compensation, the A-G's office said.

Meanwhile, however, Friess was allegedly working on construction projects and being paid.

The charges were filed Wednesday in the town of Salina. Friess could face up to seven years in prison if convicted.

Fort Drum contract cited in fraud report

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:13:00 GMT

A septic tank contract at Fort Drum is one of those cited in a government report on fraud, according to the Associated Press.

The Government Accounting Office says companies fraudulently collected at least $100 million from a program favoring companies run by disabled military veterans.

A septic tank company in Texas collected on a contract of up to $1.1 million at Fort Drum and Fort Irwin, continuing to paid even after its status was challenged and it was found ineligible, according to the report.

Because there are few penalties for companies found ineligible, many continued to be paid tens of millions of dollars even after they were found to be abusing the rules, the report found.

Black Clawson blaze not related to previous fires

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:22:00 GMT

A small fire at Watertown's Black Clawson property Tuesday morning is not related to two suspicious blazes in the same neighborhood, city police say.

A homeless man's careless use of smoking materials is blamed for the blaze about 8:30 a.m. Tuesday. City firefighters put the flames out quickly.

The homeless man had been staying in the building, police say. He may face criminal charges.

On October 29th fire extensively damaged the same building. Three days before that, another blaze just across the street mostly destroyed a vacant industrial building. Both of those fires have been labeled suspicious.

Adirondack International Speedway won't operate in 2010

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:31:00 GMT

Adirondack International Speedway in Lewis County won't operate in 2010.

A statement from owner Paul Lyndaker cites financial difficulties from a number of factors:

"Due to financial difficulties arising from unresolved tax issues, operational losses, health department requirements and other economic pressures facing the local racing industry, Adirondack International Speedway regrets to announce there will not be competition during the 2010 season. Track management is attempting to resolve some of these issues and hopes to reopen at some point in the future."

Lowville man arrested in connection with camp burglary

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:11:00 GMT

A Lewis County man faces multiple charges, some of them in connection with a recent camp burglary.

The Sheriff's Department and Lowville Village Police charged 19 year old Joshua Young of Lowville with burglary and grand larceny. He'd been wanted on bench warrant issued by county court.

When officers arrested him, Young was allegedly found with a hypodermic needle and two rifles taken from a camp in the town of Croghan.

Additional charges include assault, criminal possession of stolen property and criminal possession of a hypodermic needle.

Young was arraigned on the bench warrant arrest and remanded to county jail without bail.

If he manages to clear charges in connection with the bench warrant, he still faces a $50,000 bail requirement for release on the remaining charges.

Burglary suspect puts head through State Police door

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:12:00 GMT

A Jefferson County man broke into a home and later bashed his head through a door at the State Police station, according to investigators.

Investigators say 27 year old Jeremiah C. Collins of Redwood went into the home of Ernesto Ortega along State Route 3 in the Town of Leray and stole a telephone. Then he allegedly went into Ortega's truck and stole a backpack containing a laptop computer and several DVDs.

Residents of the home called police, who found Collins behind the home with the stolen property and a small amount of marijuana.

At the State Police station in Pamelia, Collins rammed his head through a door, according to investigators. He was not injured.

"He definitely has anger issues," said an investigator.

Charges include burglary, possession of burglar's tools, petty larceny, criminal mischief and marijuana possession.

Collins was arraigned and remanded to county jail with bail set at $50,000.

Ritchie delivers anti-plate petitons to Aubertine, Russell

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:28:00 GMT

St. Lawrence County Clerk Patty Ritchie got a cordial reception as she delivered boxloads of petitions to the Watertown offices of State Senator Darrel Aubertine and Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell.

The petition signatures were gathered online in opposition to the state's plan to make all motor vehicle owners get new license plates starting in April.

Click the video link to see Ritchie's exchange with Drew Mangione, Aubertine's spokesman.

Ritchie was accompanied by Oswego County Clerk George Williams as they held a press conference in the State Office Building lobby.

Williams, however, didn't participate as Ritchie and her staff delivered the petitions to the Aubertine and Russell offices.

Staff members greeted Ritchie in both offices, as Aubertine and Russell were in session in Albany.

Mangione, who has covered Ms. Ritchie as a newspaperman, greeted her with a warm hug.

He said Senator Aubertine has pledged his support to reverse the new license plate requirement.

"This is one thing that we wanted to get out of the budget and we appreciate the effort you've made to partner with us to do this. So thank you," Mangione said.

At the Assemblywoman's office, Ritchie was greeted by Russell staffer Ezra Ford. He said the Assemblywoman had been looking forward to receiving the petitions.

"Because as we've said before, she's really going to enjoy walking into the majority conference with those petitions," Ford said.

Ritchie has been critical of both Aubertine and Russell for voting for the state budget that contained the license plate proposal.

2 men dead in Adirondacks plane crash

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:31:00 GMT

A small plane crashed in the Adirondacks en route from Saratoga to Malone, killing the pilot and passenger, according to State Police.

The victims have been tentatively identified as 48 year old Daniel Wills, of North Bangor and his passenger, 66 year old Ronald Rouselle, of Malone.

The wreckage of the Piper Cherokee 140 single engine aircraft was found about 8 a.m. Tuesday near Santononi Mountain in Newcomb, Essex County.

About 6 p.m. Monday, State Police in Ray Brook were notified that the two men had left the airport in Saratoga at 4:25 p.m. but had not arrived at their planned destination in Malone.

Vehicles belonging to both men were found in the airport parking lot in Malone.

State Police and Federal Aviation Administration officials determined that the aircraft was last documented at 4,200 feet and headed toward terrain of 4,600 feet near the Tahawas mining area near the Santanoni Mountain Range.

The F.A.A., the National Transportation Safety Board and New York State Forest Rangers are investigating the cause and circumstances surrounding the crash.

Police: man drove drunk through McDonald's drive-thru

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:14:00 GMT

An Ogdensburg man drove drunk through the Ogdensburg McDonald's drive-through, rear ending another vehicle, according to State Police.

Terry Ostraski, 45, was charged with felony drunk driving, aggravated unlicensed operation and other vehicle and traffic charges.

Troopers called to the scene after Ostaski rear-ended the other vehicle found him incoherent, a State Police press release said.

He was arraigned and remanded to St. Lawrence County jail awaiting further court action.

The incident happened about 10:20 p.m. Sunday.

Hackett's CEO issues bankruptcy update

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:01:00 GMT

Hackett's Hardware's CEO has issued a statement seeking to reassure shareholders and customers in the wake of the chain's filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

"Dear Shareholders," it begins. "While Hackett's management wrestled with the decision of whether or not to seek the protections afforded it by our bankruptcy laws, it became clearer over the past several weeks that Chapter 11 would be the cleanest and quickest path to repositioning Patrick Hackett Hardware Company in the marketplace and distancing itself from the devastating blow that Wells FArgo dealt it by forcing the repayment of $5.5 million over a six month period."

CEO Herbert Becker continues: "And while most of Hackett's vendors and creditors realized and appreciated the difficulty these actions placed upon Hackett's, certain others had unrealistic expectations on the timing of the repayment debts owed. While Hackett's and its parent company, Seaway Valley Capital Corporation had already successfully negotiated settlement agreements with numerous vendors, negotiations with each and every vendor and creditor, which number in the hundreds, was simply unrealistic."

"Management feels that this period will provide our subsidiary, Patrick Hackett Hardware Company, with a window to restructure its debts, streamline its costs, and position itself for eventual emergency from Chapter 11 while spending the majority of its time and efforts focused on operations and rebuilding the company."

Becker said management is:

Beginning the reopening of the original Canton store
Putting new merchandise in place for the Christmas season
Continuing to develop the company's website for internet sales
Placing increased focus on customer service

"I look upon this not as a crisis, but as an opportunity to 'begin again now.' I look forward to bringing our company into the next generation, and I invite all our neighbors to stop by one or more of our stores. I am certain you will be delighted," Becker concluded.

Pregnant women flock to flu clinic

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:19:00 GMT

Pregnant women lined up for seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccinations Monday at Jefferson County Public Health.

Some had never had a flu shot before.

"Since we're pregnant, I decided there's more than one person to think about now," one woman said.

Public Health reserved its first batch of the H1N1 vaccine for pregnant women, the highest-risk category when it comes to flu viruses.

Officials reported a strong turnout during the three-hour clinic that began at 10:30 a.m. but said their H1N1 vaccine supply was holding up.

Final numbers showed 87 vaccinations administered for H1N1 and 57 for the seasonal flu.