Newswatch 50: Local News

Funeral arrangments set for fallen Trooper

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:47:00 GMT

Funeral arrangements are in place for David Lane, the State Trooper killed in a motor vehicle accident in Greene County this week.

A wake will be held Saturday, November 7th from 7-9 p.m. and Sunday the 8th from 1-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at the Johnson Funeral Home in Dexter.

The funeral will be held Monday, November 9th at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church in Brownville.

Trooper Lane was fatally injured November 4th in a two-car collision on State Route 32 in the town of Catskill.

He was a 1997 graduate of General Brown High School in Dexter.

Trooper Lane also served in the United States Army, seeing active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He is survived by his parents, Stephen and Cheryl Lane of Dexter, his brother, Stephen Lane Jr., of Webster, NY and his fiancee, Kelly Miller of Catskill.

Fugitive arrested at Ogdensburg Correctional

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:43:00 GMT

An inmate was released from Ogdensburg Correctional Facility on Friday, then promptly arrested as a fugitive from justice.

The St. Lawrence County Sheriff's Department says 32 year old Matthew Jones of New York City is wanted in Florida for violation of probation relating to his conviction for aggravated assault.

Jones was arraigned in Lisbon town court and remanded to county jail without bail.

Men accused of stealing scrap metal

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:39:00 GMT

Two St. Lawrence County men face felony charges for the August break in of the Waddington village barns.

Sheriff's investigators charge 29 year old Corey Deshane of Potsdam and 25 year old Jeremiah Deshane of Norfolk with burglary, grand larceny and criminal mischief.

The two allegedly broke an overhead door to get into the building and stole old village water meters, copper, and other metals and sold them to local scrap dealers.

Some of the items have been recovered.

Both men were arraigned in Canton town court. Jeremiah Deshane was jailed with bail set at $5,000. Corey Deshane is being held without bail.

Watertown man shot in hunting accident

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:20:00 GMT

A Watertown man is in stable condition after being accidentally shot by his hunting partner early Friday morning.

State Police say 45 year old Joseph A Tufo is at University Hospital in Syracuse with neck and shoulder injuries from a shot from a .270 caliber rifle.

The incident happened about 6:30 a.m. between the CSX railroad and Route 81 about 1 1/2 miles from State Route 177 in the town of Adams.

His hunting partner was 43 Year old Luke T. Netto, of Duffy Road, Watertown.

State Police said their investigation is ongoing and no further information would be released until it's complete.

D.E.C. police are also involved in the investigation.

Owens addresses House floor upon his swearing-in

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:24:00 GMT

Congressman Bill Owens addressed the House floor after his swearing-in on Friday.

He said it's a proud day for him and his family, but said Thursday's shootings at Fort Hood, Texas make it a sad day for the country.

Owens' speech:

"Madam Speaker,

"I am honored to be here with you all today, and to join you in our continuing effort to build a better, stronger America. This is a proud day for me and my family but it is also a sad day for our country. The shooting at Fort Hood last night that claimed the lives of 13 fine Americans is a stunning reminder of how quickly the peace we enjoy here at home can turn to violence, and how heavily we rely on our brave men and women to keep us free from harm. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims, and with our soldiers to whom we owe our safety and our freedom.

"I'd like to thank my family for being with me, and for standing behind me every step of the way. To my wife, Jane, my three children, Jenna, Tara and Brendan, and my three grandchildren Caroline, Tommy and Tess, I know that I could never have made it without you, and I am grateful for your support and for all the laughs we had along the way.

"I also want to thank the people of New York's Twenty Third Congressional District, whose work I begin today. Conscious of the challenges that face us, I am eager to join my colleagues in finding bipartisan solutions to health care, energy, our farm crisis and our struggling economy.

"My family and I came to Plattsburgh when I transferred to Plattsburgh Air Force Base. When I left the Air Force, we decided to stay and make our home in Upstate New York but I remained committed to serving my country and my community. That's what I have tried to do throughout my life in Upstate New York, and is the reason I ran for Congress.

"I am proud to begin a new chapter of service to my country and remain hopeful that if we continue seeking out bipartisan solutions to the problems that face us, we can build a brighter future for our children and grandchildren. I pledge to work hard each and every day that I am honored to serve to see this come to light.

"Thank you"

Owens announces support for health care bill

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:12:00 GMT

Congressman Bill Owens has announced his support for H.R. 3962, the health care reform bill being considered by the House.

"The bill will provide affordable, quality healthcare for all Americans and reduce the growth in healthcare spending," Owens said in a statement.

"This legislation will will reform the insurance industry and provide increased access to affordable healthcare without taxing healthcare benefits, cutting Medicare benefits or raising taxes on the middle class, and that is exactly the direction we need to go," Owens said.

He also said the bill is consistent with his campaign stance that reform must include provisions to stop insurance companies from excluding those with preexisting conditions.

Old school burns in Norwood

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:16:00 GMT

Eight fire departments fought an overnight blaze in Norwood that destroyed the former school in the village.

Fire departments were called to the scene at 1:11 a.m., according to county fire officials.

The 26 Prospect Street building, about 100 by 300 feet, is believed to be a total loss.

County fire investigators are probing the cause of the fire.

Oates nominated to lead Joint IED Defeat Organization

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:32:00 GMT

Maj. General Michael Oates' next assignment will be to head up an anti-IED group, the Department of Defense announced.

The former 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum commander has also been nominated to receive a third star, making him a Lt. General.

Oates would replace Lt. General Thomas Metz as commander of the Joint IED Defeat Organization.

The nomination needs confirmation by the U.S. Senate.

Owens preps for possible vote on health care reform

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:04:26 GMT

Congressman-elect Bill Owens says he's studying hard in case he gets the chance to vote on a health care reform bill this weekend.

Owens lunched with local Democratic leaders at Watertown's Crystal Restaurant Thursday, two days after winning the 23rd District special election.

The Plattsburgh Democrat has yet to be sworn into office and said he doesn't know when he will. However, he said Doug Hoffman's concession on election night means his taking the oath of office won't be held up over any questions about the vote total.

If Owens is sworn in shortly he may be part of the House vote on a health care reform bill this weekend.

Anticipating that, Owens said he'd spent the last 12 hours reading up on the legislation.

"As I've indicated before, I think that this is a historic movement forward. I'm reviewing the bill. I think it does many of the things that I thought needed to be done. There are some things that I would like to see changed in the bill. And so I'm going through the process of making sure that I have a full understanding before making a final decision," Owens said.

The Congressman-elect also said:

That he's had no communication with House leaders beyond congratulatory phone calls from them on election night
That he's had no contact with former Rep. John McHugh
That he's taken no action so far on transfer of files from McHugh's office to his own
That he's hired no staff except for a chief of staff

Owens won the three-way special election with less than a majority.

"I'm going to work with everybody to get the job done. I pledge to do it in a non-partisan way. To be independent and to represent everyone in the district," Owens said.

"Whether or not someone supported me is irrelevant at this point."

Robles held without bail

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:31:00 GMT

Murder suspect Ramon Robles was ordered held without bail after a short, interpreter-aided arraignment in Jefferson County Court.

Robles was returned from Puerto Rico Wednesday to face a Jefferson County grand jury indictment for the December, 2008 slaying of Annette Vazquez of Watertown.

The court proceeding required the help of closed-circuit television interpreter because Robles apparently doesn't speak English.

He told Judge Kim Martusewicz he has no money for an attorney. Martusewicz assigned the county Public Defenders office to his case.

Chief Assistant District Attorney Kristyna Mills asked that Robles be held without bail because he is from Puerto Rico and has no ties to the area.

Judge Martusewicz set January 8th as the date for a conference among himself and attorneys on the case.

Robles, 30, was arrested in Puerto Rico after a months-long search turned up the body of Ms. Vazquez in Jefferson County in March, 2009.

Robles had apparently fled to Puerto Rico at the same time Vazquez disappeared in December, 2008.

So far no motive for her slaying has surfaced although neighbors in their apartment building reported hearing loud disagreements between the couple.

New County Clerk's son killed in crash

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:49:00 GMT

The son of Jefferson County Clerk-elect Cheryl Lane was killed in a traffic accident in Greene County Wednesday afternoon.

Trooper David Lane, 30, died when his patrol car hit a telephone pole in the town of Catskill, according to State Police. He was passing another vehicle when the patrol car made contact with the vehicle he was passing and went out of control.

Lane's mother, Cheryl Lane, was elected Jefferson County Clerk in Tuesday's election.

Trooper Lane, a Dexter native, was a four-year member of State Police.

The investigation into the cause of the accident is continuing.

Man killed in Pamelia crash

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:44:00 GMT

A one-car crash killed the driver Wednesday evening in the town of Pamelia, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department.

Jeffrey A. Murtha lost control of his vehicle about 10:30 p.m. on State Route 37 near the Graham road, according to deputies.

The vehicle went off the east side of the highway and hit a tree in a residential yard.

Murtha was taken to Samaritan Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

While deputies didn't list Murtha's age or address, public records show a 46 year old Jeffrey A. Murtha residing in Watertown.

Man found dead in fire

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:27:00 GMT

Update: the victim has been identified as 65 year old William H. Stitt, of 149 Keyes Avenue. His cause of death has been ruled as asphyxiation due to carbon monoxide poisoning. The cause of the fire was careless use of smoking material.

A man was found dead inside a burning Watertown home Wednesday evening.

City firefighters were called to 149 Keyes Avenue when neighbors spotted flames in the large Victorian-style home.

As firefighters fought the blaze, they discovered the man's body inside.

His identity hasn't been released pending an autopsy and notification of next of kin.

The home has extensive damage in one wing. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Vazquez murder suspect returned to Jefferson County

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:07:00 GMT

The man suspected of killing Annette Vazquez of Watertown is on his way back to Jefferson County to face charges.

Watertown City Police say 30-year old Ramon Robles was taken from Puerto Rico to Miami on October 27th then turned over to Watertown police investigators this afternoon.

Robles was then formally charged on a sealed indictment from Jefferson County Court and is being transported back to Watertown, where he'll be held in county jail.

The Watertown man fled the city after killing the 33-year old Vazquez in December, 2008, investigators believe.

Ms. Vazquez was the subject of an intensive search after she disappeared but her body was found until this past March.

Two seriously injured in Pamelia crash

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:50:00 GMT

A Fort Drum soldier and a Philadelphia woman were seriously hurt in a head-on crash north of Watertown Wednesday morning.

It happened about 11:35 a.m. on the Military Road in the town of Pamelia.

Sheriff's investigators say the 1996 Dodge minivan driven by 40 year old Delores Angel was eastbound when it swerved into the oncoming lane.

The minivan hit the westbound 2002 Saturn driven by a 24 year old soldier whose identity is not yet being released.

Both victims were flown to University Hospital in Syracuse. The soldier was the most severely injured of the two, an investigator said.

An investigation is underway into what caused the head on collision.

Teamsters salute Bill Owens

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:40:00 GMT

Congressman-elect Bill Owens is getting plenty of congratulations today, including from organized labor.

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters issued a congratulatory press release:

"Bill Owens' election is a win for working families and a loss for the extreme right of the Republican Party," said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. "He has brought good jobs to his district, and I'm confident he will continue his strong support for working families in Washington."

The Teamsters represents 1.4 million members in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico.

Palin: 23rd race isn't over, just postponed

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:34:00 GMT

The race for New York's 23rd District isn't over, just postponed until 2010, says former Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

On her Facebook page she issued a message to conservatives in Northern New York.

"The cause goes on. Don't get cynical because you look at yourselves and what you were willing to do, and recognize that there are millions and millions of Americans out there that want what you want, that want it to be that way, that want it to be a shining hill on a hill," Palin wrote. "The cause goes on."

Her full text:

A Victory for Common Sense and Fiscal Sanity
Yesterday at 9:43pm
Congratulations to the new Governors-Elect of Virginia and New Jersey! I’d also like to offer a special word of support to the new Lieutenant Governor-Elect of New Jersey, Kim Guadagno, the first woman to hold that office.
Of course, the real victors in this election are the ordinary men and women who voted for positive change and a return to fiscal sanity. Your voices have been heard.
The race for New York’s 23rd District is not over, just postponed until 2010. The issues of this election have always centered on the economy – on the need for fiscal restraint, smaller government, and policies that encourage jobs. In 2010, these issues will be even more crucial to the electorate. I commend Doug Hoffman and all the other under-dog candidates who have the courage to put themselves out there and run against the odds.
To the tireless grassroots patriots who worked so hard in that race and to future citizen-candidates like Doug, please remember Reagan’s words of encouragement after his defeat in 1976:
“The cause goes on. Don't get cynical because look at yourselves and what you were willing to do, and recognize that there are millions and millions of Americans out there that want what you want, that want it to be that way, that want it to be a shining city on a hill.”
The cause goes on.
- Sarah Palin

Lewis County man charged with assault

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:10:00 GMT

A Lewis County man is accused of conspiring with two others to assault a Lowville man.

Sheriff's investigators charged 19 year old Alex Widrick of Croghan with assault and conspiracy.

They say Widrick and two others assaulted 22 year old Jordan Hurley on the Rice Road in Lowville.

Widrick was arraigned and remanded to county jail with bail set at $2,500.

The investigation is continuing and more arrests are expected, investigators said.

Election problems hold up figures in the 23rd

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:03:00 GMT

Problems with the new election machines in St. Lawrence County have prevented updated figures in the 23rd congressional district race.

With 93 percent of the vote count complete, Democrat Bill Owens continues to hold more than a 5,000 vote edge over Conservative Doug Hoffman.

That's about 49 percent to 45 percent. Republican Dede Scozzafava holds about 6 percent of the vote total.

There are over 10,000 absentee ballots yet to be counted, according to reports.

The outstanding votes didn't stop Hoffman from conceding the race early Wednesday morning, and Owens then claimed victory.

Smith, Macaluso win Watertown City Council seats

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:45:00 GMT

Watertown City Councilman Jeff Smith has been returned to office and Theresa Macaluso has picked up another seat on the council.

Smith led the voting with 2,597 votes with Macaluso a close second with 2,490. She'll take the seat of former councilman Pete Clough.

Former councilman Steve Bradley tallied 1,581 votes.